Gamlinked April 2024
By Thadeus Geodfrey
Welcome to Gamlinked’s industry news roundup. Here, we bring you everything that made headlines worldwide over the past few weeks with these top online casinos.
In this article, we unpack the news surrounding top online casinos from the Ontario government’s $9 million funding investment for responsible gambling; to MintBet being in hot water in Australia; while Thailand moves to legalize gambling; and much more.
Ontario government invests $9 million for the Responsible Gambling Internet Fund
The Ontario Government has announced its plans to invest $9 million in the Responsible Internet Gambling Fund (RIGF). It announced this at the 2024 Discovery Conference, which took place on March 25 – 27, 2024, in Toronto. The move aims at promoting safe online gambling practices and protecting players from problem gambling. The historic funding will be a three-year investment.
But what does this new funding mean? First, the investment is a big boost for the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), the organizers of the Discovery Conference. As the leading proponent of online gambling safety and consumer protection, RGC welcomed the news. It said this was a huge boost. Funds will support community outreach programs and education campaigns across Ontario.
While accepting this new funding, the Council’s CEO, Shelley White, lauded the investment as a game-changer. She identified Ontario as a champion for responsible gambling. In her opinion, the commitment demonstrates Ontario is the Canadian leader in creating a strong, sustainable online gambling market. The move, she argued, promotes responsible play and minimizes the harm caused by problem gambling.
White also acknowledged the unique risks that came with online gambling. But she pointed out that the funding would help provide the much-needed resources. The RIGF intends to create a holistic consumer education and prevention strategy. It needs to provide information and resources to support all those at risk of problem gambling.
The Responsible Gambling Council is a non-profit that helps prevent problem gambling and reduce risks. Visit ResponsibleGambling.org for support if you or someone you know is struggling with gambling.
Online Casino MintBet fined millions for violating responsible gambling measures in Australia
Down under in Australia, things are getting hotter for MintBet. The Victoria-licensed sportsbook is in trouble for repeated breaches of responsible gambling rules. The Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) says due to this negligence, MintBet is to pay a fine of AU$150,000 (US$97,720).
But what did it do exactly?
The regulator accuses MintBet of allowing a customer to play for an extended period. The customer allegedly lost $31,149, spread across 327 bets, in a gambling spree that lasted approximately 50 hours. But top online casinos shouldn’t accept this.
The customer clearly showed signs of distress related to problem gambling. The responsible gambling code of conduct requires bookmakers to suspend the account of such a customer. All operators have signed this code of conduct. However, according to the VGCCC, MintBet did not suspend the player. The operator only suspended the account when the user reported they were experiencing harm from their gambling.
Scott May, Deputy CEO and Executive Director of Regulatory Operations of the VGCCC said online betting providers must stay vigilant. They should spot, stop, and address signs of customer distress, even if accepting bets online.
“Neglecting responsible gambling obligations will face severe repercussions. We have zero tolerance for such breaches,” Scott May reportedly told media.
MintBet has auto-check systems to ensure vulnerable individuals do not lose control of their gambling. However, it seems the systems were inadequate, which is also a further breach of the requirement of the operator’s code. Aside from paying the fine, MintBet must demonstrate improvements to meet the code of conduct. Until then, the sportsbook’s head is still in the noose, and the commission determines the course of further action.
Thailand politicians vote in favour of legalizing gambling to boost economy
Thailand’s parliament has voted to adopt the special commission report on creating casino complexes. The vote ended in a resounding victory, with 253 votes in favour. The Pattaya Mail reports the commission report advocates for legalizing specific gambling forms like Thai boxing.
This vote means the House of Representatives has endorsed the integration of specific forms of gambling. But not without caution, the commission warned. There are potential repercussions, such as addiction and crime. Also, gambling could challenge societal norms and values.
Following a hotly contested vote, the proposal secured a resounding victory, with 253 votes in favour. Now the spotlight shifts to the government as the proposal progresses toward potential implementation.
The commission has put forward a bill establishing a legal framework for complexes. A clause ensures that local communities benefit from employment opportunities and revenues from these complexes. The government is studying successful regulatory models in Singapore and the US for inspiration. According to the commission report, a portion of the revenue would be allocated to support responsible gambling.
The plan includes multifaceted hubs featuring casinos, hotels, shopping malls, and amusement parks. The complexes require substantial investments, with the inaugural project slated for the Eastern Economic Corridor.
While anticipation mounts for the bill’s enactment, there have been concerns voiced by civil networks. They have called for comprehensive deliberation on strategies to address potential social ramifications. As the proposal goes through the legislative processes, stakeholders remain agile, balancing economic prospects with societal well-being.
The Thailand parliament are moving to legalize online gambling. Online casinos generate significant income, which can bring in revenue for the government.
Ukrainian president to increase control over the online casino industry
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has directed the leaders of various Ukrainian agencies to analyze online casinos and their societal effects. These agencies include the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Service for Special Communications, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and the National Security and Defense Council.
This move follows a petition championed by Pavlo Petrychenko, a soldier from the 59th Brigade. The petition was on the website of the Office of the President. It only needed 25,000 votes for consideration but it received more than 26,000.
Petrychenko advocates for a ban on gambling and online casino access for military personnel during martial law. He cited the propensity for addiction and financial distress among soldiers.
It seems his proposal got the attention he needed and the president commented on it. This could mean tighter control over the online gambling industry to safeguard “societal interests” as the president put it.
It’s particularly a serious concern with the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. The petition alleges that Russian online casinos target Ukrainian players. If this is true, it increases concerns over data security and national security implications.
Online gambling was prohibited in Ukraine until 2020, but since 2009 it has grown considerably. The government began regulating it in 2020 and it has become a significant source of revenue. However, there has been an increase in illegal gambling, and the authorities are taking steps. Top issues include tax evasion, money laundering, and regulatory enforcement challenges. The proposed measures to strengthen oversight could mean forbidding financial institutions from facilitating gambling-related transactions.
Before the war, there were discussions to reform the Regulatory Commission on Gambling and Lotteries, the regulatory body responsible for issuing gambling licenses. However, the military mobilization during the conflict with Russia prompted delays.
Ukraine has a right to fortify the integrity of its gambling sector and pave the way for a more responsible and resilient future. All the gambling community can do is wait to see what these preparations could mean.
Singapore citizens getting criminal legal aid banned from gambling
Singapore has taken a different route when it comes to gambling. Citizens who are receiving criminal legal aid have been banned from gambling, effective from 1 April 2024.
Under the new restrictions, legal aid recipients cannot visit casinos, jackpot rooms, or hold online gambling accounts with Singapore Pools. These rules apply to those benefiting from aid via the Public Defender’s Office or the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme by Pro Bono SG. These beneficiaries are, however, free to resume gambling after the conclusion of their case or cessation of aid.
The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) says these measures are necessary to maintain recipients’ financial well-being and align with existing governmental approaches. These measures aim to balance access to justice with responsible financial conduct. They reflect on Singapore’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations while ensuring fiscal prudence.
According to the Straits Times, beneficiaries can only access gambling venues within two weeks after they no longer receive legal aid or when their case is concluded in court. Those who are currently under the two programs have already been informed, and future recipients will receive a notification upon aid approval.
Criminal lawyers welcomed this move. We couldn’t agree more with the decision, too. Or is it justifiable for individuals to receive aid while potentially squandering limited resources?
Swedish influencers under fire for promoting online casinos
Swedish influencers have in recent weeks come under fire for promoting online casinos. An investigation was carried out by Kulturnyheterna, the investigative arm of Sveriges Television AB (SVT). It found that eight out of ten prominent Twitch influencers in Sweden have been actively endorsing illicit casinos.
Kulturnyheterna monitored several high-profile influencers for over six weeks and discovered they employ direct marketing antics. Their tricks included sharing links to unlicensed casinos and offering bonus incentives to their followers. What’s even more worrying is that such promotions target predominantly young male audiences born in the 1990s and 2000s, the investigation revealed.
Linking to these types of sites has already been prohibited by the social network, but it appears the platform struggles to effectively enforce its own policies.
Kulturnyheterna forwarded its findings to Spelinspektionen, Sweden’s gambling regulator. The report highlights Twitch’s role as a primary platform for such promotions.
Spelinspektionen, empowered by recent amendments to gambling laws, has taken decisive action against illegal gambling operators.
While the regulator has yet to comment on the investigation, it stresses that advertising unlicensed gambling is illegal under Swedish law, and violators face severe penalties.
Similar actions have been seen in Norway, where the Gambling Authority imposed a blackout on gambling advertising on social media platforms, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance towards online gambling promotion.
These social media influencers are waiting to see what action Spelinspektionen and Twitch will take.
Operators are required to submit quarterly returns to Great Britain’s Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) now requires gambling operators in the United Kingdom to submit quarterly returns. They should do this within 28 days after the end of the quarterly period. The every three months demand is a revision of the previous once-per-year requirement. You can read the Regulatory returns guidance to find the affected licenses.
The UKGC changes on regulatory returns follow its Autumn 2023 Consultation on Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCO) white paper. The discussion centred on calculating financial penalties and key financial event reporting.
Not all respondents agreed to the new requirement, though. A majority, 49%, agreed with the proposal. They cited benefits such as timely insights into gambling harms and improved efficiency among licensees. However, about 36%, among them charitable lotteries, disagreed. They had concerns about increased administrative burden and financial strain. On their part, they said quarterly returns may not offer significant insights compared to annual reporting. Also, they raised concerns regarding missed deadlines and potential penalties.
The Gambling Commission, however, defends its decision, arguing that quarterly returns are necessary. It said budgeting accuracy and a more comprehensive understanding of the gambling sector are at stake. What’s more, operators have up to 28 days after the close of the reporting period to provide the required information.
The commission’s Director of Compliance, Mandy Gill, estimates that the commission received more than 3,000 submissions for the first consultation round. Financial risk checks – also known as affordability checks – were the most controversial topic. They have been hotly debated up and down the industry since the white paper’s publication.
While acknowledging the administrative challenges raised, especially for lottery operators, the commission stood firm in its decision. It maintains a 28-day submission window, dismissing requests for 42 days.
“Although we understand that some licensees advocated for a 42-day submission window, we have determined that 28 days is adequate for compiling and submitting quarterly data,” the commission stated.
It’s difficult to understand why some have reservations about this quarterly reporting. They already have this data. Or could the UKGC have opted for the proposed 42-day window raised, most notably by lotteries?
Betano to break into the UK through new partnerships
Betano, top-rated among UK low-deposit casinos, is entering the market through a partnership between its owner, Kaizen Gaming, and technology provider BVGroup.
Kaizen Gaming, which also owns Stoiximan, says the synergy between Betano’s global brand recognition and BVGroup’s UK operational expertise and proprietary technology is the key to the success of this partnership.
This agreement follows Kaizen Gaming’s expansion plans. It is active in 14 countries. It initially introduced Stoiximan in Greece in 2012. Recently, the gaming tech provider revealed its plans to introduce new features. Such offers include in-play betting, improved accumulators, bet boosts, and a bet builder product on its UK platform. So, this new collaboration is to ensure that UK users have access to a minimum bet sportsbook, and safer gambling tools provided by BV Group. The group is licensed in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, and Ontario.
BV Group offers its services through various sports betting, casinos, and bingo brands.
Brent Almeida, CCO of BV Group, expressed enthusiasm about working with Kaizen Gaming and launching the Betano brand in the UK market, stating that their technology and operational capabilities will offer sports fans a secure and enjoyable experience.
On his part, Julio Iglesias Hernando, Kaizen’s chief commercial officer, underscored the challenge of entering the UK’s highly regulated online gaming market and emphasized the importance of strong partnerships, likening it to competing in the Premier League. He expressed confidence in the collaboration with BVGroup and expected a successful venture in the UK.
Betano has established itself among the best online casinos across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Notably, Betano’s UK launch coincides with its sponsorship of Uefa Euro 2024 and the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024. So, if you are in the UK and looking for casinos with a minimum deposit, you’d want to check Betano!
Closing Thoughts
That’s it for this edition of Gamlinked’s gambling news roundup, covering the latest industry headlines from around the globe. Thanks for staying with us this far. From significant investments in responsible gambling education to regulatory changes and high-profile partnerships, the gambling landscape is constantly evolving. So, stay tuned for more updates as they happen. Ciao!