EUROPEAN GAMING
The Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) of the Islamic Republic of Iran has shut down an illegal online gambling ring linked to the U.K. It also arrested five...
UKGC Names New Industry Forum Board
New members of the U.K. Gambling Commission’s “Industry Forum” are scheduled to begin meeting March 21. They join Forum chairman Nick Rust, who was appointed late last year.
Lithuania Moves Toward Banning Gaming Ads
Lithuania is moving toward legislation that would completely ban gaming marketing and require operators to track problem gambling. This would amend the existing Gambling Law.
Belgium to Raise Gaming Minimum age to 21
Belgium’s Gambling Authority (Kansspelcommissie) has raised the minimum age for gambling to 21. This new rule applies to online and land-based gambling.
Interpol Probe Leads Spanish Police to Arrest 53 Over Illegal Gambling
Interpol and Spanish police have arrested 53 alleged members of an illegal gambling network. The participants are alleged to have had access to sports results ahead of other bettors—and...
Finland Blocks Payments to Betsson
The government of Finland has made it impossible for gamblers to pay Betsson’s BML Group. Betsson has been put on a list of organizations blacklisted from payments by...
Gammix Nailed With Record Fine by KSA
KSA, the Netherlands gambling regulator, has fined Malta-based gaming firm Gammix Ltd. with record fines. It levied a fine of €19.6 million (£16.8 million/$21.2 million) on the company for...
Finland Warned on Gambling Harm Trends
Finland’s Health and Welfare Institute warns that although the numbers of Finns gambling has declined, that there may be an increase in gambling harms. The warning comes from...
Svenska Spel closes two casinos in Sweden
With Sweden’s Svenska Spel announcing the closing of its Cothenburg and Malmö casinos, there is just one land-based facility remaining.
Sweden Bans Gambling With Credit
Sweden’s ban on gambling with credit is coming under assault from the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS). BOS claims the government’s new stand is 180 degrees from...
U.K. Bookmakers Give Short Odds on Labor Defeating Tories
If you were betting on Labor or Tories to win an election this year in the U.K., bookmakers say bet Labor. If you were contemplating putting down a few...
Albania Approves Online Sports Betting, Eliminating 2018 Ban
Albania's decision to legalize online sports betting marks a significant shift in the country's gambling landscape and hopes to strike a balance between industry growth and mitigating the risks...
Dutch Lawmakers Eschew Ban on Gambling Ads
Lawmakers in the Netherlands turned back a bill that would have banned gambling ads. However, they did vote, over the head of the Minister for Legal Protections Franc Weerwind,...
The Hamstrung U.K. Land-Based Casino Sector: A Missed Opportunity
At this stage, the U.S. and U.K. gaming industries are mirror opposites—the U.S. has been hesitant to adopt iGaming and instead relies heavily on supersized land-based casinos, whereas the...
Dutch Minister Opposes More Limits on Online Gaming
Franc Weerwind (l.), minister for legal protection for the Netherlands, told House of Representatives colleagues he opposes more limits on online gaming. He says limits to all online providers...
Lithuania Could Tighten Gambling Ads
Lithuania’s ruling party aims to end advertising or any dissemination of information by gambling companies. Lawmakers have begun working on amendments to the Gambling Law, spurred off by an...
Ukraine Seizes Millions from Gambling Operator, Claiming Tax Evasion
Ukrainian authorities have seized UAH 700 million ($18.6 million) from Cosmolot. They accuse Cosmolot, one of the country’s largest gaming companies, of evading millions in taxes. It denies...
Dutch Regulator Targets Cashback Bonuses
The Dutch gaming regulator KSA wants to discourage cashback bonuses. It has defined the practice as a “bonus based on loss” and considers it a violation of the Dutch...
Kindred Group Reports Reduced Harmful Gambling Revenue
The Kindred Group out of Malta has reported a decrease in the percentage of revenues it received from harmful gaming last year. Its goal is to reduce such revenues...
IBIA Partners With Norway’s Association for Online Gaming
NBO (Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill), Norway’s Association for Online Gaming, has partnered with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). They are urging the government to open up its gaming...