SBC News

Virginia subcommittee considers online casinos and new regulator

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A joint subcommittee in Virginia is weighing whether or not to establish a regulatory agency designed specifically for gaming as the state also considers adding new verticals.

Virginia lawmakers created a joint committee in 2023 to study the feasibility of establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission, which would oversee regulated sports wagering and other forms of commercial gaming. Currently, state-sanctioned sports betting and casino gaming is regulated by the Virginia Lottery. Lawmakers established a joint subcommittee to consider a regulatory body for non-lottery gaming in the wake of concerns regarding the Virginia Lottery’s ability to comprehensively regulate multiple verticals.

“The Virginia Gaming Commission is a step we need to preserve the good, address challenges and build a fair, accountable and prosperous gaming industry for everyone in the Commonwealth,” Del. Paul Krizek told joint subcommittee members on Tuesday.

Virginia’s regulation model for gaming

Under active Vi..

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Brazil licencees reminded of sports and beneficiaries betting exclusion

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The Brazilian regulator is in the final stages of preparing a conclusive list detailing the specific individuals who are excluded from participating in the Bets market, as reported by SBC Noticias – Brasil.

Drafted by the the Ministry of Finance‘s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), the list includes public officials, minors, individuals with a professional involvement in the regulated betting market, as well as various professionals involved in sports – be it athletes, referees, officials, club delegates and coaches.

The rules around sports have been written into the ‘Bets’ regulatory regime since its inception on 1 January this year, but the high profile investigations into prominent Brazilian players like Lucas Paquetá and Bruno Henrique prompted the SPA to remind operators of their sports integrity duties.

Bolsa Familia remains a no go area
Upholding Bets’ integrity and social responsibility has led to the government’s decision to exclude a huge range of people receiving public benefits from betting and gambling, specifically those on the Bolsa Famillia and Continuous Cash Benefit (BPC) schemes.

Bolsa Familia and BPC support families below the poverty line and elderly people (65 years old and over) respectively. The former is claimed by around 54 million people while the latter is claimed by over 5.8 million.

The ban on people receiving these benefits from betting in the regulated market was introduced in April, via direct orders of President Lula da Silva. Based on the number of people who claim these benefits, it can be estimated that around 30% of Brazil’s population are excluded from betting.

The decision to ban many benefit recipients from betting is a unique player protection initiative, especially for such a young market like Brazil. In contrast, more well established markets like the Netherlands, Australia and the UK have no similar initiative.

This is despite regular conversations around the relationship between betting and indebtedness in these countries – although the latter three have admittedly introduced bans on credit card payments for gambling.

Expect tougher consequences
The Brazilian government has reminded companies that they must refuse registrations, deposits, and wagers from anyone included on the list. Firms have also been told to block and refund the accounts held by anyone already on the list.

Although the benefits of the recipient element of the list is significant, the government’s main priority is likely ensuring that minors are unable to gamble. The Ministry of Justice has previously highlighted statistics showing that teenagers are the most vulnerable to gambling harm, estimating that around 55% of bettors aged between 14-17 are at risk.

Nearly nine months into the Bets regime, the government and legislature is still finding a need to adjust certain elements of its regulatory framework. Just a couple of weeks ago, for example, a Senator proposed increasing the age limit for betting from 18 to 21.

Another problem is the lingering presence of the black and grey markets, which have existed long before the Bets regime launched on 1 January. This was noted by stakeholders speaking at the SBC Summit Rio shortly after the market launch.

“We need to fight illegal houses, something that really has an impact on our market,” Rafael Borges, CEO, UX Group and Reals. “Once they are working illegally they hinder the way Brazilian people see our market.”

As the regulated market rollout continued throughout 2025, the connection between illicit markets and social media has become a particular area of concern. The role influencers play in promoting illegal gambling has often been cited.

Social media must uphold Bets protections
Last week, the Brazilian Attorney General’s Office (AGU) requested that Instagram and Facebook owner Meta remove adverts for illegal gaming platforms, citing laws requiring online betting to be operated “with prior authorisation issued by the Ministry of Finance.”

The AGU’s statement continued: “Therefore, companies that have not obtained authorization from the Ministry of Finance are operating illegally, which also makes advertising their services and applications illegal.”

“As a general rule, authorised websites must have the ending ‘.bet.br,’ for example.”

Meta has been asked to remove the illegal adverts within 48 hours and to ensure that similar adverts are not posted again. According to the AGU, Meta has pledged to update its terms and use, but needs to make additions to its verification process.

To give it credit, the social media giant has become more diligent regarding gambling advertising across the various countries it is active in – with Facebook active in nearly every country in the world, there are a lot of local gambling advertising requirements to navigate.

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​​Greece orders legal strike to dismantle €1.6bn shadow gambling market

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The Greek government has stated its intent to eradicate illegal gambling (land-based and online), viewed as both an economic threat to the state and a societal danger to communities.

The Ministry of National Economy and Finance has been charged with drafting a new legislative framework to prosecute illegal gambling operators, with specific IT and data-driven measures to tackle illicit online gambling.

The mandate has been prioritised by Finance and Economy Minister, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, who told media that the government aims “to stop the loss of €1.6bn annually, including €500m in tax revenue.”

New Economic Threat
This pledge comes amid growing evidence that Greece’s black-market gambling sector has reached alarming levels. According to recent research by the Hellenic Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP) and Kapa Research, 800,000 Greek citizens — approximately 9.5% of the population, engaged in illegal gambling during 2024.

Among them, 390,000 gambled online, 215,000 did so at physical venues, and 194,000 used both channels. The average annual amount spent per player reached €1,934, and 28% of respondents reported gambling exclusively on unlicensed websites.

Most participants are men aged 25 to 44, though the research also found a troubling rise in gambling among students and young adults — prompting concern among social policy experts and health authorities.

Kyriakos Pierrakakis: Greece
Minister Pierrakakis said: “The numbers are shocking. This is not just a leak of public resources, but a deep social pathology. We are embarking on a determined effort to restructure the space with transparency, rigor and modern tools.”

The Ministry’s legislative package, set for public consultation in autumn 2025, is expected to introduce far-reaching structural reforms. These include the immediate closure of physical venues found facilitating illegal gambling, particularly internet cafés and private clubs.

Businesses proven to be complicit will face revocation of their operating licenses. Individuals obstructing regulatory inspections or enabling illicit activity will face criminal prosecution, including custodial sentences.

Focus on digital surveillance
To counter the digital dimension of the threat, the government will expand DNS filtering mechanisms to block access to unlicensed gambling platforms — over 11,000 of which have already been blacklisted.

A new real-time digital surveillance system, powered by artificial intelligence, will be introduced to identify suspicious activity. Authorities will also begin systematic cross-checking of user data, platform activity, and financial flows, with cooperation from the Bank of Greece.

Beyond enforcement, the government aims to promote prevention and legal alternatives. Public awareness campaigns will be launched to inform citizens of the risks, while self-exclusion tools will be made available for vulnerable individuals. The Ministry also plans to introduce tax incentives to support the legal gambling sector and encourage migration away from black-market platforms.

Hellas joint taskforce
In a significant development in July, the EEEP established a joint taskforce with the national police, the judiciary, and the financial intelligence unit to dismantle criminal gambling networks and prosecute offenders.

Spearheading what it described as a “collaborative approach,” the Commission has called for broader cooperation among government agencies, regulators, and public bodies to engage in unified action against illegal gambling.

Antonis Vartholomaios, President of the EEEP, stressed the importance of sustained institutional collaboration and long-term vigilance. “We are not dealing with isolated incidents, but with a deeply embedded and constantly evolving ecosystem of criminal activity,” he said.

“Our task is not simply enforcement, but building a resilient regulatory framework that can adapt to the digital age. This requires transparency, persistence, and inter-agency coordination — not as a one-time measure, but as a new standard of governance. We will not win this fight with legislation alone, but with unified commitment across the public sector.”

EU watches Greece’s early strike
The implications of Greece’s initiative are likely to be felt beyond its borders. With Poland assuming the Presidency of the Council of Europe in early 2025, it has already called for the European Union to explore the development of harmonised legislation and cross-border protections against black-market gambling and its ‘economic encroachment’.

Concerns and anxieties have been raised by regulators in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands over the rapid growth of illicit online gambling — an issue fast becoming a shared regulatory dilemma across the European bloc.

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September 15 will see SBC organise a ground breaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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India on the cusp of online gaming overhaul

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Breaking headlines in India report that the government has been presented with a Bill to overhaul the rules and definitions of Real Money Games (RMG) and Games of Skill.

Branded as the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill (2025)” the full text of the Bill is yet to be published, but has been referenced by local media quoting ‘close sources’.

The Union Cabinet approved the draft on Tuesday afternoon, with sources expecting the legislation to be formally tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

International vs Local Coverage

Coverage has been split sharply between international and domestic media reporting on the Bill’s articles.

International wires, led by Reuters, frame the Bill as a blunt instrument that enforces a “hard prohibition”. The Reuters headlines emphasise India’s intention to “ban online games played with money”, presenting the measure as a direct assault on an industry that has attracted billions in foreign capital.

By contrast, local media outlets lean towards describing the move as a distinct regulatory overhaul. Reports in the Economic Times and Times of India suggest the government’s objective is not simply to outlaw gaming but to redefine what qualifies as Real Money Games. That means banning formats where money is staked, while expressly encouraging esports and non-monetary social gaming.

Commentary in The Hindu and Business Standard adds further nuance, stressing the government’s ambition to formalise a national framework. They note the Bill could eliminate today’s patchwork of state-level laws and conflicting bans, replacing them with a single, uniform code that would bring consistency across India’s fragmented online gaming sector.

What is reported?

Common themes reported in detail that the Bill will recommend a ban on advertising and endorsements of real-money game platforms and further prohibit banks and bar banks and non-banking financial services from processing financial transactions for games and platforms classified as RMG.

A much tougher enforcement is expected, with prescribed penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore (€110,000) for operators, and up to two years or ₹50 lakh (€55,000) for advertisers.

The Bill is expected to grant centralised powers to federal authorities to restrict and prohibit consumer access to RMG platforms, including the use of direct IP blocking and the authority to terminate internet connections.

The draft is understood to have been prepared by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with Cabinet ministers signalling strong support. The text reflects the recommendations of India’s Tech Council, which has pressed for the Union Cabinet to endorse the Finance Ministry’s move to apply a 40% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on gaming revenues.

Industry Fallout

The Economic Times warns that a sweeping ban on money games could hollow out India’s RMG sector, driving users offshore and costing the exchequer as much as ₹20,000 crore (€2.2 billion) in annual tax revenues. Industry leaders fear that the measure risks jobs, investment, and innovation, while leaving users vulnerable on unregulated platforms.

News of the federal government’s approach to regulating Real Money and Skill Games has dominated this summer. Amid a series of legal challenges, the Supreme Court announced it would review the legal boundaries of RMG and other formats in consultation with tech giants Google and Apple.

The consultation was prompted by high-profile cases before the Supreme Court concerning the involvement of celebrities, athletes, and Bollywood stars in promoting Real Money and Skill Games – an area where India lacks uniform legislation to define regulatory remits.

All eyes on the Lok

For now, the exact text remains unpublished. Observers expect the Lok Sabha to release the Bill upon its introduction on Wednesday. Only then will the contours of India’s gaming regulation prohibition, overhaul, or a mixture of both be fully understood.

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Survey design found to impact UK gambling participation estimates

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Fresh experimental research led by Professor Patrick Sturgis has shed light on why gambling surveys see varying levels of participation and generate differing estimates of problem gambling.

The news arrives just weeks after the Gambling Commission (UKGC) pledged to strengthen confidence in the outputs of its new Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) – a study that looks to determine the extent of gambling harm in the UK.

The study’s main output is determining how many Britons can be considered suffering from problem gambling, based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), which their responses to survey questions are assessed against.

The GSGB, launched this summer, has already drawn comparisons with the Health Survey for England (HSE) and Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS), which have both been used to inform policy decisions around gambling harm in the past.

The new research shows that design choices in surveys – from how invitations are worded to whether questions are asked by an interviewer – play a major role in shaping the results.

Why survey mode matters
The study found that explicitly mentioning gambling in an invitation did not affect how many people responded overall, but did attract more people with a personal interest in gambling, resulting in a four-point increase in reported participation.

Meanwhile, when it came to PGSI scores, this effect was smaller at 1.8 points and not statistically significant.

A bigger difference appeared when interview style was tested. Participants completing surveys online were almost 50% more likely to score one or above on the PGSI compared to those answering questions over the phone, underlining how people tend to under-report sensitive behaviour when speaking to an interviewer.

Updating the list of gambling products to reflect new market entries, however, had little to no impact on results.

Ben Haden, Director of Research and Policy at the UKGC, said: “The research builds our confidence in the outputs of GSGB, helps to understand the differences between surveys published on gambling and will improve our guidance for users.”

He stressed that no single study can ever definitively measure participation or harm, but that the regulator will continue to refine the GSGB, expand its use of datasets, and work with other survey providers to build a rounded evidence base.

Next steps for Commission guidance
Professor Sturgis emphasised the experimental design means “strong causal conclusions” can be drawn about the reasons for wide variability across gambling surveys, while noting that no single piece of research can provide the “true” value of participation or harm rates.

The Commission has been advised to update its guidance on interpreting GSGB results to better explain the differences with health surveys such as the HSE and APMS.

The regulator has confirmed that this update will be part of its ongoing improvement programme as it looks ahead to the second annual GSGB report, due for release on 2 October 2025.

With gambling harms still central to the White Paper reforms and under scrutiny in Westminster, the Commission has said it is keen to ensure the GSGB provides the most reliable picture yet of British gambling behaviours.

This data could prove critical as the debate around gambling regulation and the industry’s societal impact remains as heated as ever. Although the government seems committed to seeing out the recommendations of the Gambling Act review, it is facing calls for another regulatory overhaul from a large group of backbench MPs and local governments.

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Greece forms Task Force to strangle illegal gambling networks 

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The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) will establish a task force “to combat the scourge” of illegal gambling networks.

The task force will be composed of EEEP units working in coordination with Greece’s national police, judiciary, and financial intelligence unit to dismantle criminal networks and prosecute offenders. Spearheading a “collaborative approach,” the EEEP has called upon broader government agencies and public bodies to engage in joint initiatives.

A deep cooperation is needed as EEEP seeks to understand how illegal gambling networks have used technology to bypass regulatory systems and engage with Greek online consumers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the operational tactics of illegal networks including their use of social media, encrypted messaging apps, and database marketing and the methods through which they obscure financial flows via layered transactional systems.

New intelligence from this initiative will be shared with government stakeholders to shape new policies and protective measures aimed at fortifying Greece’s regulated online gambling sector.

“Members must take unified legal action in Greece and use their capabilities to address this matter. Some recent actions taken (e.g., with the UK) are being assessed by a working group. To this end, there are legal provisions and a legislative framework that the EEEP may activate when necessary,” the Commission stated.

The Hellas Gambling Law was last revised in 2021, formally empowering the EEEP to introduce a permanent online gambling licensing regime. The framework ended a decade-long “grey market transition” by issuing seven-year licences, taxed at €3 million each, for betting and casino operations. The reform brought regulatory clarity and tax accountability to foreign operators that had previously operated under provisional licences.

To underscore the need for continued vigilance, the EEEP has published its economic update on the Greek gambling market, revealing a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of €1.24 billion for the period January to May 2025.

The data continues to illustrate a marked shift in consumer behaviour, with online gambling channels now firmly dominating the market. Of the total GGR, over €528 million was generated from online operators, compared to €456 million from land-based betting shops. This hyper divergence highlights the increasing preference of Greek consumers for digital platforms, particularly in sports betting and online casino gaming.

The EEEP emphasises that the creation of the task force is essential to counter growing concerns over the black market. Unlicensed operators are believed to be exploiting online channels to evade tax obligations and undercut licensed providers.

These trends, the Commission warns, pose a direct threat to state revenues and the integrity of the regulated market. Launching the task force and reinforcing its data capabilities, the EEEP aims to restore public trust, protect consumers, and ensure that gambling tax contributions from licensed operators remain robust.

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New Jersey council says it plans to take over 1-800-GAMBLER nationwide

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The license-holder of the national problem gambling support hotline 1-800-GAMBLER says it will reject the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) attempts to move the ongoing dispute to arbitration.

The NCPG told SBC Americas and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) on Aug. 13 that it has filed a request with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) amid an ongoing dispute between the two organizations.

On Aug. 14, the CCGNJ told SBC Americas it will reject the request, calling it invalid and vowing to continue running the resource across the U.S. without the NCPG’s involvement.

Two councils, one hotline

Per the CCGNJ, the New Jersey organization has operated 1-800-GAMBLER nationally since 1983. In the last few years, the NCPG has been running it via a license agreement with the CCGNJ for an annual fee of $150,000. However, since a three-year agreement expired in May of this year, the future of the national resource has been thrown into doubt.

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Research reveals worrying unregulated market trends in the Philippines 

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Research firm, the Fourth Wall, has identified the key differences between the regulated and the unregulated markets in the Philippines, sharing severe concerns over the continued offering of e-sabong, also known as cockfighting.

Utilisation of promotions was also integral to the differences between the two sectors, with promotions for the unlicensed sector being more prevalent and having elevated incentives compared to the regulated sector.

High value bonuses of up to 108% were found as being used to entice players on the unregulated market, underpinning the challenges faced by the regulated market in terms of competing.

At the heart of the differentiation in marketing approaches is the affiliate strategy undertaken by both the regulated and the unregulated sector.

The report revealed that many unregulated operators provide lucrative affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45–65% of Gross Gaming Revenue to attract strong collaborations.

The presence of e-sabong also caused concern, as unregulated operators continue to offer the illegal sport and even tap into audiences that engage with the sport through private groups.

John Brylle L. Bae, Research Director at The Fourth Wall, stated: “Our latest report demonstrates how prohibited games like e-sabong remain easily accessible on unregulated platforms even to high-profile figures, underscoring persistent enforcement challenges.

“Our report shows that the operational differences between regulated and unregulated platforms do not just define how platforms function but also shape the risks and potential harms players face, especially in unregulated spaces.”

He also revealed the need for targeted enforcement and increased public awareness as the threat of the sector continues to grow.

Unsurprisingly, the KYC approach of the unregulated sector is minimal, and according to the report elevates the level of risk associated with the sector – enabling underage players to engage with unregulated gambling sites.

The report also provides details of the impact of payment limitations on the sector and the AML checks implemented by the regulated market.

It leads to the experience of the unregulated market being more frictionless as the challenge for the regulated market to compete intensifies significantly.

The report arrives as the market sits at a crossroads of a vital moment for the gambling sector in the Philippines, with it being reported that a total of four bills, three resolutions and a privilege speech addressing the impact of the online gaming industry will be discussed by the Philippine Senate’s committee on games and amusements.

The outcome will determine whether the industry will be subject to tighter regulations or a total ban.

While increased regulation is not always preferable for the development of an industry, it is clear that change is afoot and greater scrutiny is preferable to an outright ban.In the days before the inquiry began, 19 operators, including Digiplus formed the PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines. The group states that in doing so they have demonstrated their commitment to responsible gaming, regulatory compliance, consumer protection and combatting illegal gambling.

September 15 will see SBC organise a groundbreaking charity football event in Lisbon. Make sure you get the chance to see some of the most legendary names in football by securing your ticket today at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/

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