The Ukrainian Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL) continues its rigorous efforts to combat illegal gambling by blocking another five unlicensed websites. The sites—1xslot.com, Bet2casino.fun, Betmatch2win.com, Betwinner6.com, and Kasinos-vip.net—were found to be operating without the necessary licenses, violating Ukraine’s gambling laws. KRAIL mandated that these sites cease operations within three working days, highlighting its commitment to curbing illegal gambling activities.

Since the beginning of the year, KRAIL has blocked nearly 3,000 illegal gambling websites as part of its broader strategy to address the growing concern of problem gambling in Ukraine. The regulator emphasized that unlicensed operators pose significant risks to consumers, particularly through online scams that lure players into depositing money on fraudulent sites, only to have their funds redirected elsewhere or face demands for additional payments.

Rise in Self-Exclusion Registrations

In a related effort to mitigate problem gambling, KRAIL has also reported a steady increase in the number of people registering for its national self-exclusion scheme. In August alone, registrations rose by 7%, with 557 new participants joining between July and August. Since the start of the year, 5,269 individuals have registered, bringing the total number of self-excluded players to 8,431 as of August 1.

KRAIL regards the self-exclusion scheme as a critical tool in preventing gaming addiction, offering individuals a way to voluntarily ban themselves from participating in gambling activities. The growing participation in this program reflects the increasing awareness and use of protective measures among Ukrainian players.

KRAIL continues to urge players to verify the licensing status of online gambling operators before engaging with them. By doing so, players can avoid falling victim to scams and support the legal and regulated gambling environment that KRAIL is working to establish.

Ongoing Challenges and Future Steps

While KRAIL’s efforts are making headway, challenges remain, particularly in enforcing regulations and preventing illegal operators from resurfacing under different domain names. The commission is also focusing on raising public awareness about the dangers of illegal gambling and the importance of adhering to licensed platforms.

Moving forward, KRAIL plans to strengthen its regulatory framework and continue expanding its efforts to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of Ukraine’s gambling industry. The commission’s actions serve as a reminder of the ongoing battle against illegal gambling and the need for continuous vigilance in the face of evolving challenges.

Source:

“The Gambling and Lotteries Regulatory Commission continues its work to combat the operation of illegal websites.” ,gc.gov.ua, August 13, 2024.

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The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist letters to three entities engaged in unlicensed online gaming operations. 

MGCB Uncovers Illegal Online Gaming, Ensures Rapid Regulatory Response

Following thorough investigations, the MGCB discovered that these companies were offering online gaming services to Michigan residents without the required licenses. The regulatory action comes as part of the board’s ongoing efforts to enforce gaming laws and ensure the protection of Michigan citizens.

PredictionStrike Inc., identified as one of the US-based companies, was found to have breached regulations by providing internet gaming and sports betting services in Michigan without obtaining the necessary licenses. 

Meanwhile, Sweepstakes Limited was accused of promoting an unlicensed online lottery and raffle through its Stake.us platform, accessible to Michigan customers. 

VGW LuckyLand, Inc., an overseas entity, faced allegations of conducting illegal gambling by offering an internet game that involved monetary wagers for the chance to win valuable prizes.

MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams emphasized the importance of stringent gambling regulations, stating: “Gambling regulations are in place for a reason, and illegal gambling operations are not welcome in Michigan.” 

Williams further underscored the potential risks to citizens posed by unregulated sites, leaving them vulnerable without proper recourse and diverting funds away from taxed, legal establishments that contribute to community welfare.

MGCB Enforces Legal Action Against Violators of Gaming Laws

The MGCB’s actions are rooted in the violation of key Michigan gaming laws, including the Lawful Internet Gaming Act and the Lawful Sports Betting Act, which mandate that online gaming and sports betting can only be offered by licensed operators. 

Additionally, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act criminalizes gambling operations conducted without the MGCB’s approval, with penalties of imprisonment or fines.

In response to the cease-and-desist letters, the implicated companies have taken measures to restrict access to their platforms for Michigan residents. 

However, the MGCB encourages citizens with information on illegal gambling websites to report tips, fostering community engagement in maintaining regulatory integrity.

Additionally, various resources, including self-exclusion programs and responsible gaming databases, are available on the MGCB website and DontRegretTheBet.org to promote responsible gambling habits.

In other news, last week Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reappointed Joni M. Thrower Davis and Andrew T. Palms to MGCB, extending their terms until December 31, 2027. With Palms serving his 12th year and Davis entering her second four-year term, MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams commended their dedication and expertise, expressing confidence in the stability and effective decision-making of the board under their continued leadership.

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Black markets are very active in the online gambling scene. Several operators work without a license, which causes major problems for authorities.

Significant research has been done, and the final report published by the Italian press La Gazzetta dello Sport has sent shockwaves throughout the Italian gambling industry. The report says that a staggering €18.50 billion is wagered on unapproved gambling websites annually in Italy. This eye-opening revelation illustrates approximately 75% of all unlawful bets placed within the country.

An Astonishing Revenue Loss

The implications of this unlicensed gambling activity are not limited to illegal bets alone. According to the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), Italy’s black market outcomes in a colossal failure of nearly €1.00 billion in gross gaming income every year.

This astounding figure is equivalent to the blended regulated online gambling earnings of eight other European Union countries, including Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, and Slovenia.

While the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has taken some actions to handle this issue, it is evident that the problem persists. In the current year alone, ADM has blocked over 9,800 unapproved sites, surpassing the total of 9,400 blocked in the entire year of 2022.

Rising Concerns and Calls for Action

Concerns of both citizens and authorities appeared very quickly.

EGBA is deeply worried about the enormous number of Italian players who opt for unlicensed gambling platforms, notably those located outside of the European Union.

If you’re wondering why this is such a big problem, it’s because these sites lack the client safety measures implemented by regulated operators and pose a more increased risk to the well-being of players. To mitigate the blossoming of the black market, EGBA is advocating for expanded awareness among clients about the risks associated with unlicensed gambling.

One of the suggested strategies is the revision of Italy’s blanket ban on gambling promotion. At the moment, Italy prohibits all forms of gambling marketing. On the other hand, EGBA thinks that the absence of understanding regarding permitted casinos may be the cause for the high majority of unregulated gambling in the country.

The EGBA’s secretary-general, Maarten Haijer, expressed his concerns about Italy’s black market and called for action saying: ”The significant size of Italy’s online black market is concerning, yet it is not surprising given that Italy has one of Europe’s strictest advertising regimes for its licensed gambling companies. The country’s ban on advertising for licensed gambling operators is clearly favoring the black market. Without a sufficient level of advertising, there is no real way for Italians to tell the difference between a gambling website which is licensed in Italy – and applies the country’s consumer protection rules – and one that is not. It is evident that enforcement action against black market operators is not sufficient. The government needs to revise its advertising rules for gambling to ensure Italian citizens can be well-informed about the licensed websites in the country.”

The report’s publication overlaps with a demanding period for Italy’s federal football team, as several players face investigations and penalties related to breaches of betting rules.

”This week, the Italian Federal Prosecutor’s Office handed Juventus footballer Nicolò Fagioli a seven-month suspension for betting on football.”

We hope that Italy will find a way to suppress illegal gambling so that players can play safely and securely!

Source: ”EGBA: revise Italy advertising ban to combat black market gambling”. iGaming Business. October 19, 2023.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (AMCA) has issued a formal warning to Best Bookies’ Price over the latter company’s unlicensed wagering products. While not an operator in the traditional sense, Best Bookies’ had functionalities that placed bets on behalf of its customers.

Best Bookies is an online service that allows gamblers to compare betting odds across licensed betting operators in Australia. Thanks to this, customers can find the best betting offerings through a single account.

While Best Bookies is focused exclusively on licensed betting sites, the platform placed bets on behalf of its customers, which, according to the ACMA, constitutes a gambling service. The authority justified its claim with the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) which classifies such offerings as gambling.

Best Bookies Was Approved by Its State Regulator but Lacked a Gambling License

The Australian regulator released a statement on the matter, explaining the situation. The ACMA pointed out that Best Bookies had secured authorization from the relevant state-based regulator to offer its products. Despite that, the company lacked the necessary wagering license to offer products that are considered to constitute gambling under the IGA.

The ACMA reiterated its statement that the betting service offered by Best Bookies constituted a gambling service offered to Australian-based consumers, meaning that the product violates Australia’s laws.

These types of services must not be provided to customers physically present in Australia if the provider of the service does not hold a licensee (however described) under a law of a State or Territory that authorizes the provision of that kind of service in the State or Territory.

ACMA statement

Following ACMA’s warning, Best Bookies ceased offering the services in question.

The ACMA’s War on Illegal Gambling Continues

In the meantime, the ACMA continues to vigilantly protect the Australian market from unlicensed companies. The regulator has been periodically ordering internet service providers to block sites that have been trying to circumvent Australia’s gambling laws.

The latest ban wave saw the ACMA order the ban of Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina, and Comic Play Casino, which had been operating in breach of the IGA.

The previous months also saw the regulator crack down on illegal gambling operators, leading to the bans of multiple other websites.

In May, the ACMA appealed to Curaçao’s gambling regulator, asking it for help in the fight against Curaçao-based offshore operators that target the Australian gaming market. The move was in line with ACMA’s desire to explore regulatory collaboration with overseas gambling regulators – a topic that was discussed in depth by Tim Miller at the recent G2E convention.

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has fined three operators over the provision of uncertified slots.

According to the regulator, Bunchberry, Mobile Incorporated and LeoVegas offered games that had not been approved by the AGCO registrar or certified by an Independent Testing Laboratory registered by the registrar. In addition to that, Mobile Incorporated took it a step further by offering titles from unregistered companies.

The AGCO pointed out that its standards were put in place to protect citizens of the province from gambling harm and to ensure game integrity and fairness. These rules include clear requirements that the licensed operators and suppliers in Ontario’s regulated iGaming market are expected to follow. One of them is to offer only games that have been certified by the AGCO or and AGCO-registered ITL.

As a result of the aforementioned violations, the AGCO issued $51,760 (converted to USD) in monetary penalties to the three gaming operators that violated the rules. Breaking down the fines, Mobile Incorporated has received a $22,200 fine for its violations. LeoVegas, meanwhile, will have to pay $18,500 for providing unlicensed games. Lastly, Bunchberry will have to pay a fine of $11,000.

The three operators have the right to appeal the registrar’s action to the Licence Appeal Tribunal – an adjudicative tribunal that is independent of the AGCO and is a part of Tribunals Ontario.

Mungham Said that Players Expect the Rules to Be Followed

Tom Mungham, the chief executive officer and registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, commented on the matter. He reaffirmed that the AGCO will continue to hold all registered operators to high standards when it comes to safer gaming, player protection and integrity.

As a result, the AGCO will continue to monitor its licensees’ activities and take action when the rules are breached. Mungham said that one of the most important features of the local regulatory regime is the requirement that gaming companies should only offer games registered by independent testing laboratories.

Ontarians who choose to play on registered sites need the assurance that the games being provided meet these requirements.

Tom Mungham, CEO & registrar, AGCO

The AGCO Says 85% of Players Prefer the Legal Market

Earlier this month, the AGCO published statistics about the state of the regulated iGaming market. Celebrating a year of legal online gambling, the regulator pointed out that a whopping 85% of the local players are now playing with legal operators.

These results were lauded by Mungham, who said that channeling players toward the legal market had been a key objective in the first year of Ontario iGaming. He noted that by playing with licensed companies, players can benefit from high standards, game integrity, fairness, player protection and responsible gaming tools.

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A regulatory authority in Hungary, scrutinizing the operations of gambling activities, announced it imposed a financial penalty against an unnamed individual over organizing illegal games of chance. On Thursday, the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH), confirmed it imposed a hefty fine against a private individual that was found organizing a real estate lottery.

The person, whose name wasn’t revealed, faced a HUF 30 million ($87,000) financial penalty. The Supervisory Authority explained that it remains committed to investigating any attempts for illegal or unlicensed gambling. It said that such crimes can be punished with fines that range between HUF 500,000 to HUF 100 million for the organizers.

“The Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities recently imposed a HUF 30 million fine on a private individual for organizing a real estate lottery as an unlicensed game of chance,“

reads a statement released by the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities

At the same time, the SZTFH said that unlicensed gambling is subject to criminal prosecution. Organizers of such events can face a penalty of up to three years in prison, along with fines. Similarly, the Authority safeguards consumers from illegal gambling advertisements. If such advertisements are found, the person involved in the ad, the publisher, as well as the advertising service provider may be subject to fines.

“In unlicensed gambling, the player participates at his own risk, the Authority does not have the authority to enforce the handing over of prizes, and the enforceability of claims in court is also doubtful,“

added the Supervisory Authority

Increased Interest in Lotteries Is Observed

According to the Supervisory Authority, recently, an increase in the interest in different real-estate and high-value items lotteries was observed. It said that in some cases, notaries were involved. However, the Authority reminded, that even if a notary is involved, this doesn’t mean that such raffles or lotteries are legal.

Citing the existing regulations, the Authority said that raffles or lotteries are defined as games of change where a player can win cash or another prize with monetary value in exchange for money. Given that such games rely on chance, this makes them a regulated activity. In other words, businesses, organizations or associations cannot offer legal games of chance without the proper licensing and authorization, reminded the SZTFH.

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The Swedish Gaming Authority (Spelinspektionen) is likely to receive new funds to help its mission to enhance the supervision of the gaming market in the country and oust unlicensed operators.

Combat Organized Crime

The Swedish government proposed legislators increase the budget allocated to Spelinspektionen in 2023 by SEK2.4 million ($230,360) to boost the watchdog’s capabilities to counter organized crime and create a safer gambling marketplace in the country.

The proposal was made as part of the upcoming spring budget amendment and is based on an agreement between the government and the Sweden Democrats, justified by the regulator’s need to handle a large influx of permit applications concurrent with other important supervisory tasks in 2023.

Commenting on the proposal, Angelika Bengtsson, sports policy spokesperson for the Democrats, outlined the regulator’s need for active supervision of the gaming market to be able to combat criminal activity and protect those who are most exposed.

Tackling the unlicensed market represents a significant part of this task, she added, explaining that it would help counter organized crime and strengthen consumer protection as “unlicensed gambling evades tax revenue, leads to problem gambling and contributes to match-fixing.”

As the gaming industry in the country continues to grow and generate significant turnover, so does the risk for criminal activities such as money laundering and match-fixing related to the sector to occur, which, in many cases is also part of organized international crime with local branches. That risk is estimated to be the highest among operators that do not hold a license.

Block Payments, Covert Supervision

Therefore, the government submitted a proposal for measures that would give Spelinspektionen powers to more effectively block payments for unlicensed operators as part of its enforcement actions and allow the regulator the opportunity to perform covert supervision.

Financial Markets Minister Niklas Wykman stressed the great damage that can be done by unlicensed gaming operators and the need for the national regulator to remove them from operating in the market, highlighting that the increased resources would facilitate the regulator’s ability to use its new supervisory tools and tackle the black market.

A recent study into the habits of gamblers in the country showed that only 8% of them participated in gambling activities via an unlicensed website, of which only 6% admitted to having gambled with offshore operators intentionally, while the remaining 2% said they had done this without knowing.

Further encouraging for Spelinspektionen, 77% of the participants in the study declared their intention to refrain from gambling with unlicensed operators.

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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has asked unlicensed operators to self-report their activity. This refers to companies that hold a license in European jurisdictions but are not licensed by the MGA. The regulator implied that it might be much more lenient to companies that decide to come forward.

MGA Asks Unlicensed Operators to Come Forward

As outlined in Regulation 22 of the Gaming Authorizations Regulations (S.L. 583.05), all entities that offer licensable games either in or from Malta and do not possess a license to do so should contact the authority.

The MGA pointed out that its appeal concerns companies that are licensed in a country that is a member state of the European Union or is a part of the European Economic Area. The appeal also concerns any operators that might offer customer safeguards that correspond to Maltese standards.

Such companies should apply for a recognition notice, the MGA concluded, basically asking companies to apply for a license if they are to continue offering their products in or from Malta.

The Operator Will Keep Self-Reported Companies in Mind

Gambling operators have until April 14 this year to comply with this call and self-report their activities. The MGA expects such companies to come forward and detail their administrative non-compliance.

The regulator concluded that it will make sure to be less harsh toward companies that have self-reported their unlicensed activities when taking action against unlicensed gambling.

The Authority shall consider this act of disclosure when meeting out any ensuing administrative decision in this regard.

MGA statement

The MGA noted that any entities wishing to learn more about the self-reporting scheme should contact the regulator. Unlicensed companies seeking to open a new page can connect with the MGA and learn more about the process by contacting the authority at [email protected]

The MGA Recently Updated Its Player Protection Directive

In other Malta-related news, the regulator introduced changes to its Player Protection Directive a month ago. The MGA based the amendments on feedback received through a dedicated consultation process and required licensed companies to monitor markers of harm.

In short, the MGA wants companies to keep track of their players’ behavior and intervene when a customer exhibits signs of problem gambling. Tracking suspicious activity may also help the MGA prevent monetary fraud such as money laundering.

The changes came into power on January 12, 2023. The move demonstrated the authority’s dedication to safe and responsible gambling and, according to the announcement, paved the way for further framework updates and improvements.

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