The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint against William Hill, ruling that a voucher promotion in its betting shops risked encouraging irresponsible gambling. The case centred on a voucher printed from a gaming machine on 3 April 2025. It told the recipient: “You’ve won a £5 cash match on any game!” and added: “Redeemable between 03/04/2025…
The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has cautioned operators to be mindful of the strategies they use to influence consumer behaviour, as this can swing both ways.
In a study commissioned by the authority, research firm Behavioural Insights provided an in-depth analysis of the behavioural influence tactics that Dutch iGaming platforms utilise.
The two main points considered were what kind of behavioural influence strategies operators have put in place, and in what way can these tactics positively or negatively affect the choices of players.
Methodology
Researchers tested a total of 21 online gaming platforms and 35 games shared between them, ensuring that their choices vary in game popularity, game variation, platform variation, as well as the “push factor” – meaning the prominence of incentives on offer to attract players.
The outcomes were segregated into two categories – ‘dark patterns’ and ‘bright patterns’. The former represents a conscious attempt to push a consumer’s behaviour against their own interest, “extracting as much data, money, and time as possible” from them.
Bright patterns on the other hand were described in the report as using the same influencing techniques to help consumers make well-informed choices, in addition to proactively safeguarding vulnerable groups.
To make the results easier for digestion, the research identified a total of six phases as part of the player lifecycle where such patterns can be identified.
These were the landing page, registration, homepage, the game setting itself, withdrawals, and account closing.
Dark patterns seen across the board
Dark patterns could be seen across each of the six stages. Unbalanced info, which fails to display important information about the product, was mostly observed in the game setting phase.
Friction, which the study says can unnecessarily obstruct the behaviour of players, was often present in the registration, game setting, withdrawal and account closing stages.
Although lesser in frequency, some operators also created a false sense of urgency across their landing and home pages, which the report says could lead to rushed customer decisions.
Most notable, however, was the ‘Habitual Behaviour’ dark pattern. According to the report, this is the category most likely to steer players towards problem gambling.
This pattern was frequently seen in the registration stage, home stage, and the game playing stage. It usually involves “conditioning” sound and visual effects to encourage gambling, as well as promotions incentivising large amounts of wagers.
Separately, bright patterns were also observed, with the most common types being self-exclusion options and safer gambling messaging. However, Behavioural Insights highlighted that the prominence and frequency of bright patterns were not correlated with those of the dark patterns.
Report to influence future policies
As a result of the study, the KSA will now launch its own proprietary investigation into the negative effects of the behavioural influence tactics described above. The regulator wants to establish any conflict with duty of care principles and potentially introduce tighter restrictions.
Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the KSA, added: “At the KSA, we understand that online providers, like other commercial companies, look at what users do with their platforms and how they can steer that to their advantage.
“Thanks to this research, we know better how they do this, and we can also give more direction in the field of negative management and things we no longer want to see.”
Superbet has paid a whopping €30m to Romanian customers, who were initially denied winnings due to a technical bug on a slot. As reported by Romanian media, last Saturday players took advantage of a glitch in Fire Blaze Red Wizard, a Playtech title, which was reported to generate guaranteed returns on every spin for several hours. Word spread quickly across…
Glücksspiel (GGL), Germany’s Federal Gambling Authority, has warned the Bundesländer (federal states) to treat the threat of illegal online gambling as a serious public health risk.
The warning comes ahead of the GGL’s annual Gambling Addiction Action Day (24 September), with the regulator urging state agencies to scrutinise offers and advertising that promote unlicensed providers.
As Ronald Benter, CEO of the GGL, explained: “Illegal platforms do not offer effective player protection mechanisms. Anyone who plays there runs a significant risk of developing a gambling addiction.”
The Action Day is held under the patronage of Prof. Hendrik Streeck, the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Addiction and Drugs, and this year carries the motto “Gambling Harms – Recognise, Name, Avoid.”
The 2025 campaign includes a symposium for state authorities to exchange best practices in treating gambling harm, while also reminding consumers to consult the GGL’s whitelist of licensed operators under the Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty (GlüNeuRStV).
Commissioner rings alarm on Gambling Addiction
As patron of the campaign, Prof Streeck used the Action Day to provide a stark update on gambling addiction. He noted that 1.3–1.4 million adults are already addicted, with a further 3.5 million at risk.
Around 600,000 minors live with at least one gambling-addicted parent, facing neglect, depression, anxiety, and financial insecurity. Streeck warned that gambling disorder remains one of Germany’s most common addictions, often hidden for years and devastating for families.
Yet headline figures mask a deeper challenge. Experts agree that Germany has significant liabilities in how it measures and interprets gambling harm. There is no academic consensus on how to separate play on licensed versus unlicensed sites, or how to quantify the true social cost.
GlüNeuRStV has no accountability
Nearly three years since the GlüStV 2021 came into force, the federal regime remains troubled by divisions on data and exposure to black market threats.
The GGL’s Third Annual Activity Report estimated that unlicensed operators accounted for 25% of the online gambling market in 2024. Official figures put total legal stakes at €8.2bn, up slightly from €7.9bn the year before.
For the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV), this represented long-overdue transparency but not accuracy. Chairman Mathias Dahms argued the black market share is far higher, “exceeding 50%” according to studies such as the influential Schnabl report.
One alarming statistic was that the number of illegal German-language sports betting websites jumped 36% from 281 to 382 in a year, against just 34 licensed sites on the GGL whitelist.
“The ratio of legal to illegal sites is around 1 to 11,” Dahms said. “Illegal providers benefit from offering wider markets, especially in live betting, which is immensely popular. This is precisely why many users switch.”
The dispute reflects a broader question over Germany’s restrictive model. Licensed operators are bound by stringent rules including €1 maximum stakes on online slots, strict deposit caps, narrow bet types and heavy ad restrictions.
Critics argue that these restrictions make the legal market less appealing. By contrast, illegal sites exploit demand for in-play betting and broader wagering options.
This gap undermines channelisation, the treaty’s core goal of steering players into the regulated market. Critics say that since GlüNeuRStV’s inception, true accountability has been paused, with conflicting statistics fuelling a stalemate between regulator and industry.
GGL hands tied
The GGL, for its part, has pressed ahead with enforcement. Since 2023 it has implemented geo-blocking under the EU Digital Services Act, expanded payment blocking, and lobbied Google to restrict ads to licensed operators. But enforcement is resource-intensive: by late 2024 the GGL was defending 189 lawsuits, many brought by operators challenging licence decisions and restrictions.
The regulator leans heavily on the GlüNeuRStV Atlas compiled by the University of Bremen, but these figures are refuted by the German Online Casino Association (DOCV), which argues they understate the black market and misrepresent consumer behaviour.
Anxieties on Interstate direction
Underlying these disputes is a constitutional reality: the GGL enforces, but cannot legislate. Any reform — whether on advertising, sponsorship, deposit limits or product scope — requires Bundestag approval, and political opinion remains divided.
Betting on amateur football has already triggered state-level disputes over integrity and oversight, while also prompting operators like Interwetten to pull wagering markets on amateur sports.
Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to bring a federal law on gambling advertising and sponsorship, likely the next battleground. Until then, both sides invoke player protection: the GGL through uniform restrictions, and the DSWV by demanding a legal market strong enough to outcompete the black market.
As Dahms put it: “With this figure, the GGL is creating more transparency for the market and the public. Fact-based debates are only possible if we have access to reliable official figures—we expressly welcome this step.”
Clarity has not yet delivered consensus. Germany’s online gambling market remains a divided house, with addiction concerns, black market leakage, and regulatory rigidity leaving the future of the Interstate model uncertain.
Swedish state-owned operator Svenska Spel is celebrating a major milestone for its contributions towards public health in the country.
The operator’s independent research council has passed the SEK 100 million (£8m) mark for funding research on problem gambling and harm prevention, while simultaneously observing its 15-year anniversary since its inception in 2010.
In addition, a total of six new projects have been approved to tap into a collective fund valued at SEK 5m for research purposes.
Sara Lindholm Larsson, Research Council Chair, said: “It is a favour and a privilege to be able to contribute to the development of knowledge and evidence in this important subject.
“Through research, we can better understand what drives unhealthy gaming and which interventions really have an effect.”
Anders Håkansson is the researcher who will get the most out of this year’s communal grant, a total of SEK 1m, to explore the future prospects of gambling harm-related care procedures, as well as the suicide prevention.
Another equally valued project is that of Olof Molander, which will analyse the implementation of internet-CBT for gambling disorder and comorbidity.
Elisabet Jerlhag Holm is another stand-out participant thanks to her project researching the correlation between gambling addiction and GLP-1 – a medication first developed against diabetes but which has also shown promise in fighting compulsive behaviours.
Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson will receive a grant of SEK 750,000 to evaluate the effects of family programmes within social services on youth gaming participation rates.
Sabina Kapetanovic will also utilise SEK 750,000 in funding to focus on underage demographics, particularly mid-adolescents and how gambling affects their mental health.
And last but not least, Johan Svensson has secured a SEK 700,000 grant to provide a wider and up-to-date public health perspective on gambling in Sweden.
Anna Johnson, President and CEO of Svenska Spel, concluded: “Passing SEK 100m in research support shows that we are serious about our long-term responsibility.
“The research has provided new knowledge about everything from young people’s gambling habits to how healthcare can be developed – insights that make society better equipped to prevent gambling problems and create safer gambling.”
Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders (VNLOK) has issued a stark warning to Dutch gambling stakeholders concerning the activity of the illegal market.
VNLOK, a trade body for licensed Dutch operators, said that reviews on Google and Trustpilot are being manipulated, resulting in illegal websites being made to look trustworthy by false reviews and fake profiles, in addition to illegal websites being promoted through websites that have been acquired or hacked, including former Government websites.
These revelations came from Meld Vals Spel, an initiative launched in November 2024 that covers illegal gambling reporting. VNLOK stated it has received a total of 238 reports about practices used by illegal gambling providers.
“We see how sophisticated illegal gambling sites masquerade as trustworthy entities,” noted Björn Fuchs, Chair of VNLOK.
“This makes it nearly impossible for consumers to tell the difference. That’s why it’s crucial that reports are followed up quickly and that illegal providers are dealt with more rigorously.”
VNLOK has called on Dutch politicians to trust legal gambling and note the damage illegal practices can do to players who are at risk, stating that high taxes and additional restrictions on legal providers push players to illegal operators.
These comments are in response to significant changes to the country’s tax on gambling, which increased from 30.5% to 34.2% in 2025, and it will rise again to 37.8% in 2026.
The trade association said: “Give the Netherlands gambling authority the power to take decisive action and immediately block illegal gambling sites and their affiliates. And ensure that the legal market remains attractive and visible, so players can more easily find a safe provider.”
Of note, Meld Vals Spel said that most reports (30%) highlighted misleading advertisements from illegal online casinos, while other areas included misuse of logos and names of legitimate providers (20%), making illegal sites accessible to minors (10%), and problems with payments and withdrawals.
According to VNLOK, €1.2bn is estimated to be spent by Dutch players with illegal providers in 2025, while around 200,000 gamble illegally online, “36% of whom are at-risk gamblers – four times as many as with legal providers”.
Supported by Frank Kruit in processing the reports, the trade association added that a quarter of players don’t know if they are gambling legally or illegally.
Kuwait officials have reportedly eradicated a network that allegedly facilitated online gambling and enabled the illicit transfer of profits abroad.
According to investigations, the network was at the heart of significant money laundering operations, which utilised a myriad of avenues to transfer funds.
First reported by the Kuwait Times, trading outlets, delivery services, health salons and perfume shops were all avenues tapped into by the network to siphon money out of the network.
The site also reported that the busting of the lucrative network led to the seizure of funds totalling around KD 153,837 (£373,805), whilst funds transferred from abroad via unofficial channels totalled KD 25,000 (£60,750)
The Ministry of Interior has underpinned that the arrests and referrals to public prosecution are part of its much wider strategy to tackle illicit gambling.
Key figures from the network were reportedly based in Turkey, with a statement from officials emphasising that there is nobody above the law in terms of tackling gambling.
Laws are incredibly strict in Kuwait when it comes to gambling, with the activity being prohibited and any engagement resulting in fines and imprisonment. Furthermore, money laundering any profits from the business can also result in significant sanctions from the Government.
The only previous efforts for the legalisation of the gambling industry in Kuwait dwindled before they gained real momentum in 2014.
Politician Waleed Al-Nasser proposed the plans to boost the economy and diversify the tourism sector in Kuwait, but they were met with vehement opposition.
Since then, the Middle East has transformed in many ways, as a cultural shift has been undertaken in the United Arab Emirates.
This has included the gradual expansion of its gambling regulation, which included the formation of the GCGRA, the federal body responsible for regulating all commercial gaming activities in the region.
Nonetheless, even with this expansion, operators and suppliers looking to move into the UAE have been warned that they should anticipate tough conditions.
In a recent interview with iGaming Expert, Lau Kok Keng, who was at the heart of shaping Singapore regulations, underlined that even at the early stages, there are key lessons for operators.
He stated: “The UAE is in the early stages of regulated gaming, and the legal and regulatory framework is still very much evolving. Operators looking to enter the UAE market should stay abreast of all legislative and policy updates, build relationships with government agencies, local partners, and community leaders to understand cultural sensitivities and regulatory expectations.
“The UAE is likely to adopt a highly regulated and tightly controlled model, with a strong emphasis on anti-money laundering, responsible gambling, and social safeguards. Operators must be prepared to meet stringent compliance standards.
“The UAE is also a conservative society with unique cultural and religious considerations. Marketing, product offerings, and customer engagement must be tailored accordingly. Any investment in the UAE market needs to be a long-term one, with investment in local talent, training and infrastructure necessary.”
Ireland’s leading banks have pledged to take stronger action on gambling-related harm with the launch of a new framework designed to standardise support for vulnerable customers.
The Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB), in partnership with its member banks AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB, has unveiled the Common Commitment of Care for Problem Gambling.
The initiative sets out practical steps to help those affected by gambling addiction, including dedicated support lines, trained staff, voluntary debit card blocking, and referrals to trusted organisations such as Gambling Care and MABS.
A banking response to a growing concern
Research suggests that almost all gambling activity in Ireland is digital, with 90% of transactions occurring online and 99% of those paid for by debit card. The IBCB argues that voluntary card blocking is therefore a critical safeguard, giving customers the tools to regain financial control if they feel that they are losing it.
Meanwhile, a recent ESRI study also estimates that about one in 30 Irish adults suffer from problem gambling. That works out to roughly 130,000 adults in Ireland with a gambling problem.
Marion Kelly, CEO of the IBCB, said: “Problem gambling can cause serious harm to individuals, families and communities. IBCB member banks recognise their responsibility to respond with compassion and practical support when customers reach out for help.
“This Common Commitment of Care ensures that anyone experiencing gambling difficulties will find clear, accessible support to assistance through their bank.
“The introduction of a voluntary card block by AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB will make an important contribution to those experiencing problem gambling and IBCB calls on other financial services players to put in similar measures.”
Political and regulatory backing
The launch event at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce was attended by Minister of State Robert Troy T.D. of the Department of Finance, as well as representatives from the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, the problem gambling treatment organisation Gambling Care, and senior figures from the three banks.
Minister Troy praised the move, stating: “I commend the Irish Banking Culture Board and its member banks for taking this important step to address the issue of problem gambling. By working together to provide meaningful support, the banking sector is contributing positively to consumer protection.
“This Common Commitment of Care is a valuable addition to the broader efforts being made across government and society to tackle gambling-related harms. The Government has committed to tackling problem gambling, through the Gambling Regulation Act and the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, and sectoral cooperation remains key to achieving our aims.”
Building consistency and trust
The IBCB said the Common Commitment of Care is intended to provide consistent standards across the banking sector while directing customers to expert resources such as Gambling Care’s 24/7 helpline and MABS’s debt and budgeting services.
By uniting the country’s largest banks under one framework, the initiative aims to strengthen public trust in financial institutions and demonstrate their role in tackling wider social challenges.
The IBCB and its members said they hope that by collaborating with government, regulators and support organisations, the new framework will contribute to lasting and positive change in how gambling-related harms are addressed in Ireland.
Latvia will restructure its gambling oversight and introduce sharp tax increases across the sector as part of the 2026 state budget, in measures designed to boost revenues and streamline regulation.
Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens confirmed this afternoon that the Izložu un azartspēļu uzraudzības inspekcija (IAUI), the Lottery and Gambling Supervision Inspectorate, will be integrated into the State Revenue Service (SRS) on 1 April 2026, earlier than previously scheduled.
The move, endorsed by Prime Minister Evika Siliņa’s cabinet, aims to reduce duplication between the two agencies and strengthen fiscal control as Latvia prepares for higher gambling duties.
“The integration of gambling oversight into the State Revenue Service will allow us to establish unified management faster, make better use of our resources and deliver higher-quality services to the public,” Ašeradens told a government briefing.
The government has framed the reforms as part of a broader “tax raid” on adult sectors to secure new revenues for state priorities. The 2026 budget earmarks €565m in additional spending, with €320m for security, €94.8m for family support, and €45m for education, financed through both tax hikes and spending cuts across ministries.
From 1 January 2026, gambling taxes will rise significantly. The annual rate per gaming machine will increase from €6,204 to €7,440, while roulette, card and dice tables will be taxed at €40,440 per year, up from €33,696.
The tax rate for telephone games of chance, betting and wagers will climb from 15% to 18% of revenue, bingo will increase from 10% to 12%, and interactive gambling will rise from 12% to 15%.
According to Finance Ministry estimates, these measures will generate an additional €9.2m, of which €9bn will go to the state budget and €175,000 to municipalities.
The budget also confirms steep increases in tobacco excise duties, with 5% rises planned in 2026 and 2027 and an average 15% hike in 2028, excluding cigars, cigarillos and e-liquids.
Alcohol duties will also be raised, including an additional €15 per 100 litres of absolute alcohol on spirits from March 2026, followed by a 10% increase on all alcoholic beverages, including beer, from March 2028.
A new 10% excise duty has been added to the fiscal package, though observers caution that it may be reconsidered depending on the outcome of the October 2026 elections.
By merging the IAUI into the SRS, the government intends to consolidate licensing, tax collection, enforcement and anti-money laundering oversight within a single authority.
Officials argue that this will cut administrative burdens, eliminate overlapping processes, and provide greater transparency in public administration as Latvia tightens its fiscal regime for 2026–27.
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called on delegates to approve a continent-wide standard on markets of gambling harm.
Members of national standardised bodies have until 25 September to vote on a proposal submitted by the EGBA to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), which seeks to establish a list of behavioural indicators that can signal problematic gambling behaviour.
According to the trade body, the framework, in development since 2022, will address a “critical gap” in the use of markers of harm in responsible gambling, as there is currently no agreed framework defining what constitutes risky behaviours.
“We call on national delegates to approve the important standard, which will contribute to a better understanding of problem gambling behaviour and support more effective harm prevention across Europe,” urged Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA.
During the development, experts across Europe, including academics, gambling regulators, operators and harm prevention professionals, have come together to develop the proposed policy.
If approved, the finalised standard is expected to be published by CEN by the beginning of 2026. It will be voluntary in nature, meaning online gambling regulators will decide whether they wish to incorporate it as part of their national safer gambling frameworks.
The EGBA represents licensed operators regulated across 21 countries across the European Union.
Spain leads the way
Already in the EU, national regulators are working on their own systems to counter problematic behaviour.
In June, Spain’s regulator, the Directorate General of the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), laid out plans for a responsible gambling algorithm that will step in to lead Spain’s player protection evolution
The DGOJ’s Director General, Mikeal Arana, also revealed that it has been forced to overhaul the detection systems in the country due to the failures of operators.
At the Gaming in Spain conference, he told attendees that very few of the country’s operators are implementing the detection systems mandated under the Royal Decree that governs gambling in Spain.
“We have seen that from 50 operators, around 38 have [no] risky players, which is hard to believe,” explained Arana.