SBC News - Player Protection Hub

Online casino fraud tackled by Interpol in Africa

iGamingExpertMarch 28, 20250370 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, 20250304 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, 20250385 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, 20250350 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, 20250334 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, 20250323 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, 20250338 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..

KSA clamps down on illegal Dutch gambling ads

SBC NewsMarch 25, 20250346 views

The Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has contacted more than 40 newspaper editors about promotion of illegal gambling in media.

According to the regulator, the advertisements were for unlicensed gambling companies that were inviting Dutch players to their websites, and allowing them to play without the required player safety measures that are otherwise present with license holders, such as the CRUKS self-exclusion scheme.

The adverts were featured in online newspapers, prominently visible alongside the logos of highly recognisable and credible institutions, such as several Dutch banks.

Concerned customers immediately reported this to the KSA, which proceeded with an investigation. The investigation lasted for six months, and it is still unknown how many people exactly have fallen victims to the illegal websites.

The result – 42 editors contacted and asked to promptly remove the ads and the links behind them from their websites, as this is in direct breach of t..

EU Justice Court’s stance on gambling law backed by EGBA

SBC NewsMarch 25, 20250316 views

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has backed the European Court in its latest statement on international gambling law.

According to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU), all national gambling policies produced by EU members must be communicated with the European Commission (EC) when constituting “technical regulations” – referring to services, including marketing and gambling encouragement.

Notices of such changes are submitted through the Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS) procedure. The CJEU added that failure to comply will render new provisions unenforceable against gambling providers, causing chaos in the market and confusing regulators, operators and customers.

Credit: EGBA
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, commented: “Proper notification of draft gambling regulations to the European Commission is essential for good policy making and to allow for any proposed changes to national gambling frameworks to be scrutinised for their compatibil..

Montenegro tasks ‘Olympic alliance’ to review youth gambling protections

SBC NewsMarch 25, 20250339 views

The underage and youth protections related to gambling in Montenegro are to be reviewed by a cooperative alliance formed by the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (COK) and the Administration for Games of Chance (UIS).

The partnership was formed by order of the Vlada of Montenegro, with the agencies tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of current underage gambling restrictions and the exposure of gambling to young audiences.

A memorandum was signed by Committee President Dušan Simonović and Spasoje Papić, who serves as the current Interim Director of UIS.

The agencies are required to provide a “joint action plan” on new rules, standards, and practices needed to promote responsible gambling behaviours and to minimise gambling risks for youth in Montenegro.

The memorandum detailed that COK and UIS will cooperate in establishing workshops and lectures in schools, sports clubs, and universities to ensure direct research is provided on the impact of gambling on young people. Furthe..