Veikkaus, Finland’s state-owned gambling monopoly, has officially launched its new identification requirements. As announced in early November, the monopoly will now check the identities of players for all games.

In line with the identification protocols implemented for coupon games earlier in 2023, Veikkaus will now verify the identities of all of its players. The measure seeks to prevent harmed or excluded players from gambling and ensure a healthier gambling market. In addition to that, the identification measures will ensure that the Veikkaus is not allowing underage players to gamble.

The new identification system will work in the same way as the identification process for coupon games, such as Eurojackpot and Lotto. This means that players can confirm their identities with a Veikkaus Card, a Kela card or a digital Veikkaus card.

Veikkaus Says It’s the First Operator to Check the IDs of All Customers

Veikkaus representatives commented on the changes, saying that they will cement the monopoly as the first gambling company in the world to require identification for all of its games, be it digital or land-based.

According to Susanna Saikkonen, Veikkaus’ responsibility director, the identification system will have the added benefit of allowing players to easily track their playtime and spending and set annual loss limits. In addition, the verification system will boost the efficiency of Veikkaus’ exclusion scheme.

Ville Venojärvi, Veikkaus’ head of lottery games, also commented on the matter, praising the change. He pointed out that coupon game players should be already familiar with how this works. Venojärvi added that players who have purchased lottery tickets this Christmas would still be able to redeem them without identification.

In other news, the Veikkaus is preparing for the reforms in Finnish gambling that would put an end to its monopoly. Although the state-owned company is not firmly opposed to the changes, it warned that the drastic shift will likely force it to undergo major internal restructuring. As a result, hundreds of Veikkaus employees might lose their jobs, the operator warned.

The Veikkaus expects a quarter of its workforce to be affected in one way or another.

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Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has released a comprehensive set of requirements for sportsbook operators intending to enter the regulated market after its establishment. All interested operators must express their intent within 30 days to expedite the process. The new regulatory framework is now under Senate review after approval in the lower house earlier this year.

Players Will Receive Vastly Improved Protections

The Ministry of Finance’s Ordinance No. 1,330 outlines general rules for sportsbook operators, focusing on several crucial aspects, including responsible gambling, payment procedures, and marketing standards. Companies wishing to operate legally in the country must obtain a grant set at BRL30 million ($6 million), valid for three years.

One notable requirement is the prohibition of granting concessions to companies with shareholders, directors, and corporate members who are athletes, sporting officials, or directors of national sports teams. This move aims to mitigate conflicts of interest, particularly after the soccer match-fixing scandal that recently impacted Brazilian sports.

To promote responsible gambling, operators must restrict access to their platforms for individuals under 18. They must also implement safer gambling tools, including daily time limits, loss limits, self-exclusion options, and time-out periods. These measures aim to protect Brazilian consumers, curb addiction rates, and promote safer gambling practices.

The Bill’s Financial Aspect Remains Hotly Contested

The document also introduces strict advertising regulations, especially near schools and universities. Promotional material in such educational settings cannot suggest that gambling leads to personal success or improved financial conditions. Operators are not allowed to let players use third-party payment methods, and all industry advertising must be based on social responsibility and awareness, carrying the message “Play Responsibly.”

Despite the substantial improvements to player safety, the new legislation faces significant criticism regarding its taxation updates. The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming spoke out against the planned tax increase of 18%, arguing it could hinder Brazil’s nascent sports betting industry, hampering its growth and competitiveness with gray market operators. Such a tax burden could significantly hurt the regulated sector, causing reduced investments in essential fields.

Since the document is a government ordinance, the rules have immediate effect, leaving little room for further discussion. Overall, Ordinance No. 1,330 represents a significant leap forward in Brazil’s efforts to impose order on its gambling industry. However, the country must demonstrate its ability and willingness to enforce its new rules, ensuring violators and illegal operators receive swift punishments.

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Australia’s new ID laws will require bettors to present their ID cards before being able to play online. The new measure replaces the previous system where bettors had a 72-hour window to prove their identity.

Unlike before, gamblers will now be unable to place any bets or make deposits before showing their identity card. 

According to Responsible Wagering Australia, an independent peak body for Australian-licensed wagering service providers, this new measure would mitigate certain problems such as underage gambling or gambling harm.

By asking for ID before allowing consumers to play, companies will effectively prevent efforts to circumvent their social responsibility protocols. As a result, operators will be able to identify underage individuals or self-excluded players, stopping them from placing bets.

According to Kai Cantwell, Responsible Wagering Australia’s chief executive officer, over 90% of his organization’s members already verify customers’ identities. The change, he said, would bring the remaining companies up to standard.

The Measure Would Prevent Fraud

Cantwell also noted that the verification process will help companies advertise their safer gambling tools by prompting them to set a deposit limit when they register. Raising awareness of the player protection tools available to consumers has been considered an important step to achieving a safer gambling market where betting is enjoyed responsibly.

Cantwell added that the new ID verification system will prevent fraud:

This measure is also an important mechanism to mitigate money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

Kai Cantwell, CEO, Responsible Wagering Australia

Cantwell argued that the ID verification regulation should be applied to all gambling services, not just the online ones.

Australia’s Gambling Laws Evolve

Australia’s gambling regulations continue to evolve as the country seeks to reduce problem gambling rates and protect its citizens from harm. Recently, Australia also pushed for age classification for games offering simulated gambling, such as loot boxes. As a result, such games will be forced to block minors from accessing such content starting September 2024. 

In New South Wales, gambling companies are preparing to trial cashless gaming, which, many believe, would help the state reduce problem gambling and gambling fraud rates. It is now up to Liquor & Gaming NSW and its partners to prove that the measure works to skeptics.

The NSW government also recently allocated AUD 100 million to combat gambling harm in the state.

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The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) announced its latest member, a LATAM-oriented sports betting brand called KTO. Originally founded in 2018, the sportsbook has an extensive presence in Brazil and is one of the top 10 online gambling companies in the country.

This move is in line with Brazil’s recently-introduced provisional measure that requires all sports betting operators to join an international integrity body. Thanks to the measure, Brazilian operators flocked to the IBIA, strengthening its global monitoring capabilities. For example, the body just welcomed Galera.bet, a Brazilian sports betting brand.

As a member of the IBIA, KTO joins an international family encompassing around 50 companies and more than 125 sports betting brands. The IBIA members already account for over 60% of the Brazilian remote gambling market.

As a result, the IBIA is now able to provide an accurate analysis and effective deterrent against betting fraud in Brazil and Latin America as a whole. The body leverages state-of-the-art anti-corruption tools to identify and report suspicious activities in regulated betting markets.

To make sure that its members are reliable, the IBIA requires all applicants to pass a strict due diligence process and commit to its code of conduct.

KTO Is Glad to Join the IBIA

KTO’s managing director Jeff Tabone commented on the development, saying that his team is glad to join the IBIA. According to Tabone, KTO’s team believes this to be an important step for his company as it seeks to uphold the highest integrity standards in Brazil.

Trust has always been a cornerstone of the KTO Brand and joining the IBIA signifies our commitment to a safe and transparent environment for our customers and the wider industry.

Jeff Tabone, MD, KTO

Meanwhile, IBIA’s chief executive officer Khalid Ali welcomed KTO on board and praised its decision to join the monitoring body. He said that the move will solidify IBIA’s presence in the LATAM region and Brazil in particular.

The association looks forward to working closely with KTO and welcomes the operator’s commitment to protecting its sports betting operations through IBIA’s world-leading integrity network.

Khalid Ali, CEO, IBIA

The IBIA recently published its Q2 integrity report. The body identified 50 suspicious cases in the quarter and reported them to relevant sports authorities. The IBIA noted that 19 of the alerts were related to soccer matches, while 14 were related to tennis games.

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The Directorate General of Gaming (DGOJ), Spain’s national regulator, has launched a public consultation on the data requirements needed to update its monitoring framework. The industry will have around two months to express its thoughts on the matter.

The DGOJ is looking to introduce further changes to the Spanish regulatory landscape, as required by new Royal Decrees on safer gambling. Until September 7, industry stakeholders and the public can express their thoughts on the matter and provide feedback to the authority.

The regulator needs to amend how data is regulated in order to enhance the information monitoring system and prevent gambling harm. Under the latest Royal Decree, all Spanish operators must adopt sufficient monitoring and record-keeping protocols to protect gamblers from harm. In addition, companies will be required to keep risk profiles of customers of consumers under 25.

The new rules seek to shield young adults from the dangers of problem gambling. Since people aged 18-25 are considered to be very vulnerable to gambling harm, Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs wants companies to be extra careful with such demographics.

Online gambling will have to implement the new know-your-customer requirements in H2, paving the way to a safer gambling ecosystem.

Spain’s New Safer Gaming Measures Should Be Implemented by 2024

Spain approved the Royal Decree on Responsible Gaming Environments in March. The decree outlines a number of safer gambling measures that will be gradually implemented in the country.

In addition to closely monitoring the activity of young players, the Decree prevents operators from targeting young people with promotional offers and bonuses. The Decree furthermore requires companies to intervene within 72 hours when harmful activities are detected. Failure to comply with these rules can earn gambling companies fines of up to €50 million.

The DGOJ hopes to fully implement all the requirements outlined in the Decree by 2024.

Spain is known as one of the strictest gambling jurisdictions in Europe because of its refusal to compromise with the safety of its citizens. As a result, companies in Spain must abide by strict rules, lest they risk problems with the DGOJ.

In the meantime, the DGOJ is working on a cross-operator deposit limit system which it believes to be crucial for the safety of the market. As its name implies, the system would introduce self-control tools that apply to all legal platforms, encouraging players to play safely.

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