SBC News - Player Protection Hub

Brazil Senators demand full accountability on gambling addiction failures

SBC NewsMarch 28, 20250281 views

Ana Maria Menezes – SBC Noticias Brazil
The testimony of former gambling addict André Rolim shocks the CPI of Bets, which will recommend urgent actions to protect vulnerable customers from engaging with gambling.

The Brazil Bets regime’s safeguards to protect vulnerable consumers have been examined in the ongoing Commission Parliamentary Inquiry (CPI) investigating the financial and economic liabilities of Brazil’s growing online gambling marketplace.

A tense testimony was presided over by Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS) ‘CPI of Bets’ leader, as former gambling addict and businessman André Rolim gave a personal account of how online gambling destroyed his life.

Rolim, who claims to have lost millions to digital gambling platforms, described the disorder as “a silent illness” that quietly undermines families, finances, and mental health.

“Winning in gambling is a beautiful dopamine which goes through the roof,” Rolim testified. “But losing? It’s a shame. It’s a disappointmen..

Alberta establishes regulatory framework for commercial gambling

SBC AmericasMarch 28, 20250247 views

Alberta has introduced its regulatory framework for regulated and licensed gaming.

Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally has introduced Bill 48, also known as the iGaming Alberta Act, as the foundation for regulated online commercial gambling in the province. The iGaming Alberta Act was crafted at the request of Premier Danielle Smith, who sought a uniform framework for the anticipated arrival of gambling.

The iGaming Alberta Act establishes the new Alberta iGaming Corporation, which would provide oversight of the province’s private-sector market. Under the bill, the Alberta iGaming Corporation would see commercial operators compete with Play Alberta, the sole regulated online gambling platform currently offered by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).

The iGaming Alberta Act designates AGLC as the regulator of online gambling to ensure market integrity and compliance, according to a government release.

Under the measure, the Alberta iGaming Corpor..

London Mayor accused of backtracking on gambling ban promise

iGamingExpertMarch 28, 20250309 views

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has felt the wrath of some political voices over “backtracking” on a promise to ban gambling advertisements from the London Tube network.

The pledge formed part of his 2021 re-election manifesto, however, he has yet to fulfill this promise, and Khan has now said that he will wait for the government to “provide a national framework to addressing the issue” before taking action.

This was in response to a written question from Green Party member of the London Assembly, Caroline Russell, who asked the mayor when he will “implement an ethical advertising policy for [Transport for London], rather than wait for Londoner’ complaints and media outcry to remove gambling adverts from the transport network”.

Khan told Russell that he would not move on the issue until he heard more details about the government’s plans in the area of gambling advertisement.

Filling the gaps in the evidence base

In its general election manifesto, Labour said it was “committed to redu..

Online casino fraud tackled by Interpol in Africa

iGamingExpertMarch 28, 20250322 views

There have been a total of 306 arrests in seven African countries with online casinos as they became the focus of cyber attackers and cyber enabled scams.

As a result of the arrests and Operation Red Card, the Authorities also seized 1,842 devices in an international operation targeting cyber crime.

Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of the Cybercrime Directorate, commented: “The success of Operation Red Card demonstrates the power of international cooperation in combating cybercrime, which knows no borders and can have devastating effects on individuals and communities.

“The recovery of significant assets and devices, as well as the arrest of key suspects, sends a strong message to cybercriminals that their activities will not go unpunished.”

Operation Red Card has an enhanced focus on taking down cross-border criminal networks which cause “significant harm to individuals and businesses”.

Within Nigeria, where there were 130 arrests, online casino and mobile banking were a speci..

BetMGM fined $110K by AGCO for improper marketing practices

SBC AmericasMarch 27, 20250271 views

BetMGM Canada is being penalized for violating internet gaming rules in Ontario.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued BetMGM Canada an Order of Monetary Penalty of $110,000 for violating the commission’s standards for internet gaming regarding advertising and marketing for gambling in 2024.

Last year, BetMGM participated in marketing campaigns with companies offering cash to the public in exchange for opening new accounts. The violations occurred in public forums, including a national trade conference. BetMGM has been penalized for the actions of the marketing companies as the AGCO’s standards hold operators responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support operations in Ontario.

“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities,” said AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr. “The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their ..

UFC fighters suspended amid illegal gambling probe

SBC AmericasMarch 27, 20250330 views

The Nevada Athletic Commission is handing suspensions to a pair of UFC athletes.

The regulator of combat sports in the Silver State has suspended UFC fighters Jeff Molina and Darrick Minner following an investigation into an illegal gambling scheme. The illegal gambling scheme drew the attention of the UFC and the Nevada Athletic Commission in November 2022 after monitoring service provider U.S. Integrity flagged suspicious betting activity for a featherweight bout between Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbiek.

Minner failed to disclose a “serious knee injury’ before his bout with Nuerdanbiek on the UFC’s pre-fight medical questionnaire. Molina, with knowledge of Minner’s knee injury, placed a large wager on Minner’s bout, which ended in a first-round finish for Nuerdanbiek.

Molina admitted to the Nevada Athletic Commission that he had placed a large illicit wager.

“On his pre-fight medical questionnaire to the question, ‘Have you had any injuries to your elbows, hands, knees, ankles,..

BetVictor Canada launches safer gambling campaign with ex-Raptor McGrady

CanadianGamingBusinessMarch 27, 20250305 views

BetVictor Canada has officially launched its new responsible gambling advertising campaign fronted by former Toronto Raptor Tracy McGrady.

NBA Hall-of-Famer McGrady, who began his career with the Raptors, was named as the Ontario-licensed operator’s Safer Gambling Ambassador back in October. This week, the partners have taken their marketing live in the province.

Two mobile digital trucks targeting high-traffic areas near the Raptors and the Maple Leafs’ Scotiabank Arena home and the Toronto Blue Jays’ Rogers Centre will provide audience exposure for the campaign. The marketing will be scheduled around Leafs, Raptors and Blue Jays home games.

BetVictor Canada has also partnered with Clear Media Group in a move that will see 100 taxis display key brand messaging around the city.

The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign held every March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment and recovery..

UKGC bans bonus mixing and caps 10x wager on incentives

SBC NewsMarch 26, 20250274 views

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) will apply new rules on gambling incentives and promotional wording to ensure UK licences apply safe and fair terms for consumers.

New measures include changes to end harmful marketing practices and improve consumer understanding of bonus offers and terms used, which the Commission previously detailed as an outstanding concern.

Following a consultation, the Commission will apply a ban on promotional incentives that combine different types of gambling products, a cap on bonus wagering requirements, and a revision of the wording in the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) to improve clarity.

New rules and reforms will become effective from 19 December 2025 as part of the broader programme of regulatory change aligned with the 2023 White Paper ‘High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age’.

Ban on Bonus Mixing
The headline change includes prohibiting the practice of offering promotional incentives that combinewagering applications ..

DGOJ: Spain gambling ad-spend has returned to pre-Decree levels

SBC NewsMarch 26, 20250279 views

DGOJ, Spain’s Directorate General of Gambling (DGOJ), has underscored that online gambling continues to grow its marketing exposure, irrespective of federal restrictions.

The observation led the Directorate’s observation of “State Online Market Report for 2024,” monitoring the activities of licensed operators.

In 2024, Spain’s online gambling market generated gross gaming revenues (GGR) of €1.45bn, up 17% on FY2023 comparatives of €1.25bn.

A breakdown of segments showed online sports betting achieved the highest growth rate of 24%, generating a GGR contribution of €609m (FY2023: €492m).

The report cited that “growth is driven by conventional matched-odds sports betting, which increased by 23.69% last year, and live betting by 24.05%.”

Online Casino maintains its status as the largest GGR segment, generating a revenue contribution of €731m (FY2023: €625m). The segment’s growth primarily reflects increased revenues generated by online slots at €472m (FY2023: €385m).

Apart from ‘Ru..

Michigan regulator adds to list of banned offshore casinos

SBC AmericasMarch 26, 20250297 views

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) continues to try and crack down on offshore unlicensed online casinos from acquiring customers in the state.

Michigan’s gaming regulator has issued cease and desist letters to 10 more offshore operators owned by Apex Dynamics. The Belize-based company has seen its unlicensed online casino brands ordered to shutter operations in Michigan for violating multiple state laws.

“The Gaming Control Board’s relentless dedication to maintaining the integrity of Michigan’s gaming industry drives our efforts,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “We will continue to take strong action to shut down illegal operations that undermine trust in Michigan’s legal gaming system.”

The MGCB determined that Apex Dynamic’s online casino brands violated the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and the Michigan Penal Code. The regulator made its determination through their offering of illegal casino-style games and restrict..