The Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL), Ukraine’s gambling regulator, has taken decisive action against illegal gambling activities in the country. Recently, KRAIL blocked 371 websites offering illegal gambling services as part of a joint effort with the Security Service of Ukraine. This move was formalized through Order No. 451/2256, which targeted the domain names of these unauthorized gambling sites.

The order mandates electronic communication service providers to block the specified websites using their Domain Name System (DNS) servers. Between April and May, KRAIL and the Security Service issued over 1,000 orders to restrict access to various domain names and subdomains on DNS servers, further intensifying the crackdown on illegal gambling operations.

Uncertainty Over KRAIL’s Future

KRAIL’s recent actions come at a time when the future of the regulator is in question. In April, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, voted to dissolve KRAIL after more than a year of contention over its effectiveness in regulating the gambling industry. The opposition to KRAIL’s operation stemmed from dissatisfaction with its regulatory performance, particularly its delays in processing license applications.

KRAIL is currently composed of a collegial body with a chairman and six members. Meetings are only valid if at least five members are present. However, some commission members were mobilized for military service following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, causing significant delays in regulatory processes, including the issuance of licenses.

The legislative bill that includes KRAIL’s dissolution also proposes stricter measures on gambling advertising and other regulatory controls. This bill is set for a second reading, and if passed, it will become law upon the signature of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Future of Gambling Regulation in Ukraine

Should KRAIL be dissolved, the responsibility for regulating gambling will be transferred to the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Alina Plyushch, a partner at Kyiv-based law firm Sayenko Kharenko, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the future structure of gambling regulation. “This is pending a further government decision on the creation of a new regulator under the digital transformation ministry’s umbrella,” Plyushch said.

She also noted the possibility that the Ministry of Digital Transformation might retain regulatory functions indefinitely. The exact duration and structure of this transitional regulatory framework remain unclear, leaving the future of Ukraine’s gambling industry in a state of flux.

As KRAIL continues its efforts to combat illegal gambling, the impending legislative changes pose significant questions about the long-term regulatory landscape for gambling in Ukraine. The outcome of the legislative process and subsequent government decisions will determine the next steps for ensuring a well-regulated and compliant gambling market in the country.

Source:

“КРАІЛ про обмеження доступу до 371 вебсайту, через які надавався доступ до нелегальних азартних ігор”. The Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL). June 5, 2024.

Ukraine regulator blocks 371 illegal gambling sites. iGaming Business. June 6, 2024.

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Entering its third decade of operation, Microgaming, a pioneering platform software provider, announces a complete visual rebrand for its corporate websites. The move is expected to redefine the company’s identity and strengthen its transformative journey.

Comprehensive Website Update

The comprehensive update of the corporate online presentation, including the subsidized PlayItForward websites, represents a milestone in the 30-year company’s history. Microgaming is entering a new era of its operations and the transformation is designed to provide an effective marketing tool to ensure an appealing yet seamless transition.

Name and Logo Remains the Same

For such purpose, the visual language of the brand will continue to communicate with customers and partners in the same manner as before. The Microgaming name and logo will remain unchanged as the company sets out for a transformative journey to get back to the position of a leading platform software provider superiorly held in 1994.

Focus on People

Therefore the upgrade of the corporate web pages will provide the brand with a contemporary look and sophisticated design to communicate the company’s focus on its people. The visual transformation is a part of the new corporate strategy designed to refresh the brand and open a brand new chapter of its operations.

Addition of Game Aggregation Business

Microgaming will add weight to its operations by adding its new content aggregation business to the established corporate platform software and technology provisions. The addition is a result of the Games Global’s acquisition of Micogaming’s online gaming and content distribution operations in 2022.

Bridge Over Still Waters

As a pioneering platform and technology software provider, Microgaming has powered leading online gaming brands and currently distributes over 210 million bets on a daily basis. The latest overhaul is set to represent a bridge across still waters between the past and future pioneer’s accomplishments. It’s no wonder that such a transition has been facilitated by the board and the employees alike as the company has earned over 20 industry awards for the application of diversity and inclusion standards in the workplace.

Alex Wilson, Head of Marketing at Microgaming, commented:  “We’re incredibly excited to be able to announce the rebranding of the corporate and Play It Forward websites at Microgaming in a move that will not only breathe fresh visual life into our brand, but also redefine who we are as a business’’.

Wilson added: “Having been in the industry for 30 years, the repositioning of our value proposition will see Microgaming get back to its roots as an established corporate platform software and technology provider while simultaneously celebrating the people who’ve helped get us to where we are today. As such, it marks the start of what promises to be a transformative journey for the company as we enter a new chapter in our development and we can’t wait to share it with our iGaming peers.”

Source: “Microgaming Unveils New Corporate and PlayItForward Websites’’. Microgaming. February 5, 2024.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has taken action against more unlicensed gambling websites in the country. The watchdog’s latest ban wave saw it block another dozen websites.

According to the authority, the sites in question included Playzilla, Wazamba, Zet Casino, Slots Palace, Nomini, Casinia, SG Casino, Fez Bet, Buran Casino, Spin Better, Golden Bet and Clash.gg. The ACMA explained that had violated Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

For reference, website blocking is one of several enforcement options available to the ACMA and is designed to protect Australian consumers from exposure to illegal gambling services. Unlicensed sites undermine the integrity of the legal market and expose their customers to financial risks and gambling harm.

The ACMA is allowed to block websites that provide prohibited interactive gambling services (such as online casino games) to Australian players, provide an unlicensed regulated interactive gambling service or publish ads for such services.

The Watchdog Continues to Shield Australian Consumers from Illegal Content

The ACMA has been working hard to protect the Australian market from unlicensed competition ever since November 2019 when it issued its first blocking request. Since then, the Australian watchdog has issued blocking requests against a whopping 926 illegal gambling and affiliate websites.

In addition, ACMA’s actions have convinced more than 220 illegal operators to willingly pull out of the Australian gambling market.

The ACMA reminded consumers to be vigilant and make sure that they don’t engage in illegitimate gambling activities. The regulator warned that offshore operators rarely offer sufficient levels of consumer protections, exposing customers to higher risks of gambling harm.

In addition, Australian authorities cannot intervene if an unlicensed operator decides to not pay out winnings or if something else goes wrong. The ACMA urged Australian players to familiarize themselves with its register to make sure that they are familiar with the legal gambling operators in the country.

In other news, the ACMA recently slammed the gambling giants Entain, bet365 and Sportsbet over violations of its in-play betting rules. For reference, Australia prohibits in-play betting on sports matches, save for a few limited exceptions.

However, the ACMA decided not to impose sanctions on the three operators as it acknowledged their quick reaction.

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian government agency that oversees regulating online and media, has ordered another five offshore gambling websites to be blocked.

The websites in question are Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina and Comic Play Casino, which the Australian Communications and Media Authority found to have been operating illegally in Australia. The regulator announced that the respective websites breached the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority asked internet service providers in the country to block access to these online casinos, so when somebody tries to access them they will see a message from the government instead of the home page of the website.

ACMA released a statement in which it underlined once again that players from Australia who use such illegal gambling websites will not be protected by Australian laws. “This means our laws can’t help if something goes wrong, like if the service provider withholds winnings,” the regulator explained.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority can act against gambling websites that do not hold licenses to operate in the country or if they offer prohibited services such as online slot games or in-play sports betting. Moreover, publishing ads for another website that is unlicensed or runs prohibited services is also forbidden and can lead to ACMA requesting the respective publisher to be blocked.

835 Websites Blocked and Counting

Before this latest blocking request, the Australian Communications and Media Authority had successfully blocked 830 gambling and affiliate websites. The regulator also determined 215 services to exit the Australian market since ACMA began to crack down on illegal offshore gambling in 2017.

Last month, ACMA ordered the blocking of Crown Pokies and Play AUD, which the regulator deemed as operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. In July, the Australian Communications and Media Authority blocked another five websites: Reef Reels, Royal Reels, Ricky Casino, Slots Gallery and Slotastic.

June was by far the most prolific month of the year for ACMA as it blocked no less than 12 websites that month, after having managed to shut down another three websites in May 2023.

Source: “ACMA orders blocking of five more offshore gambling websites“. iGaming Business. September 20, 2023.

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In its latest action, ACMA has identified five offshore gambling websites – Viperspin, Just Casino, Betandplay, Play Fina, and Comic Play Casino – operating in breach of Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The authority has been steadily intensifying its efforts, hoping to curb illegal offshore gambling activities within the country. 

ACMA Intensifies Its Efforts as Violations Remain Rampant

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 is the cornerstone of Australia’s regulatory framework for online gambling. This legislation aims to protect Australian consumers by ensuring that only licensed operators can offer gambling services within the country. The Act also prohibits unlicensed overseas providers from targeting Australian players, directing them to more secure alternatives.

Australians who use illegal gambling services are not protected by Australian laws.

ACMA statement

215 illegal gambling services have ceased operating in the country since ACMA began enforcing its new stricter regulations. This latest round of blocking requests brings the total number of gambling and affiliate websites prohibited in Australia to 835. The frequency of bans has dramatically increased in 2023, with the ACMA adding new companies to the list almost monthly.

ACMA remains crucial in enforcing Australia’s gambling regulations, particularly online. The authority first identifies and investigates offshore operators operating illegally in the country. Once these companies are confirmed to be breaching local laws, ACMA takes legal action, including requesting ISPs to block access to their websites.

International Cooperation May Be the Only Long-Term Solution

Website blocking is an extreme measure, usually reserved for illegal operators. The ACMA also actively oversees the regulated market, delivering milder punishments for offenses like licensing issues, advertising violations, or offering prohibited services. The authority treats all operators equally and is unafraid to go after even high-profile companies.

Despite the ACMA’s ceaseless efforts, the Australian market remains beset with offshore operators. The authority recently asked for help from the Curaçao government, as Curaçao-based online gambling companies remain a pressing problem in Australia. These operators have demonstrated no intention to exit the local market willingly and routinely attempt to circumvent restrictions, necessitating international cooperation.

The authority’s proactive approach to identifying and banning illegal operators reflects its commitment to safeguarding Australian consumers. However, legislative issues related to offshore enforcement mean the ACMA can only take limited measures, enacting local bans by ISPs while the offending companies continue running rampant. Despite these challenges, the authority’s ongoing efforts remain instrumental in shaping Australia’s gambling landscape.

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has released an explicit public statement to warn people against a growing number of illicit online gaming websites which operate without licensing and oversight.

These websites are displaying the PAGCOR logo but they only do that to feign authenticity; the government regulator insists that they have never been approved or licensed by the authorities.

The respective PAGCOR logo has been found on multiple online casinos that upon verification have been confirmed to be lacking a valid license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

The National Police in the Philippines is currently investigating this matter, with support from the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Alejandro Tengco, the Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, reassured the public that the authorities have so far been able to shut down most of the illicit online gambling websites. However, he warned that some of these entities that are operating illegally can create new online gaming websites “almost immediately.” Tengco has asked the public to cooperate and be vigilant to “help us weed out these scammers.”

Further Steps Considered

Moreover, Alejandro Tengco added that PAGCOR is working “in coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)” to monitor illegal online casinos that have not yet been blocked or taken down.

“Another option is to create a landing site to redirect bettors to a website that will warn them about illegal sites that they are accessing,” the PAGCOR Chairman explained. The government-owned corporation also announced that it has begun working on contacting payment providers and asking them to stop allowing payments toward these illegal online gambling websites.

Such fake online casinos can be a part of financial scams or might even be stealing personal information from unsuspecting users, so consumers must be careful and double check the authenticity of such outlets.

In fact, PAGCOR urged the public to go through the official list of licensed operators on the official government website and see whether a certain operator is on the approved list or not. The presence of the PAGCOR logo on a website is not enough to demonstrate that an online casino is legit.

Source: “PAGCOR warns vs fake online gaming sites“. PAGCOR. September 12, 2023.

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Several years ago, Australia implemented tough rules against illegal offshore gambling websites. Since then, the country’s regulatory body responsible for the regulation of telecommunications, broadcasting and radiocommunications, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has been constantly monitoring the online gambling sector and enforcing bans against operators that were found to offer their services illegally.

On Wednesday this week, the Authority urged internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to more illegal offshore gambling websites. This time, ACMA asked ISPs to block access to websites that included Play AUD and Crown Pokies.

Prior to calling for the ban, ACMA conducted investigations into the operation of the aforementioned websites. Consequently, the regulatory agency explained that the two websites offered their services in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 and urged access to their websites to be restricted.

“Australian internet service providers (ISPs) have been requested to block access to more illegal offshore gambling websites including Crown Pokies and Play AUD. These services have been found to be in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 following investigations by the ACMA,“

reads a statement released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority

The Authority reminded customers that using illegal gambling websites poses a risk to their personal data and funds. This is because users of offshore or illegal operators are not protected by Australian laws.

Additionally, ACMA warned that illegal providers may withhold winnings. The regulatory watchdog explained that a full list of the licensed online gambling providers can be found on its website. It also encouraged users to report illegal gambling providers.

The Authority Continues to Monitor the iGaming Market

Since 2017 when ACMA started enforcing the new rules against illegal offshore gambling operators, more than 210 such companies voluntarily withdrew their services from the market.

Still, the Authority continues to monitor the iGaming sector and only recently, requested ISPs to block four illegal gambling websites. Earlier this summer, in June, ACMA urged internet service providers to ban access to 12 illegal offshore websites. The proactive measures taken by the Authority are effective and since it started monitoring the online gambling sector, to date, it has banned more than 820 illegal gambling affiliates and online gambling websites.

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The company has teamed up with Avento, a popular brand operator in the Romanian market, allowing the supplier to quickly scale its local presence and launch with a number of trusted websites in the fast-developing market.

Wazdan has more than 60 titles to provide to Avento and its flagship brand SlotV. Avento also owns Frank and Mr Bit, which will also benefit from Wazdan’s excellent games that will be made a part of the gaming library on the website.

Among the games featured by Wazdan at Avento’s brands are titles such as 9 Burning Dragons, Sizzling 777 Deluxe, 9 Coins: 1000 Edition and Power of Gods: Egypt. Wazdan is also deploying some of its most unique mechanics as well, which are licensed and certified for operation in the Romanian iGaming market, including Cash Infinity and Hold the Jackpot.

Wazdan head of account management for Europe Magdalena Wojdyla welcomed this new opportunity to strengthen the supplier’s ever-improving position in the Balkan market, and with Avento in particular:

Driven by our engagement-boosting mechanics, our portfolio has gone from strength to strength, and we’re confident that we will continue adding value to Avento’s offering.

Wazdan’s Magdalena Wojdyla

Avento head of marketing and PR Anastasia Kolmakova was similarly pleased with the opportunity to see this new content alliance form. She welcomed the opportunity to see 60 games by Wazdan now debut across the company’s brands and said that Avento will definitely be looking to add more of these titles as well.

Wazdan Answers Eastern European Call

“Moreover, all games from this provider are available in our official Google Play applications, as we continue to reach more players than ever before,” Kolmakova added. Wazdan has been able to secure a number of prominent partnerships in the Balkans over the past months.

The company teamed up with Winbet in Bulgaria, following a similar move with 8888 in the country a few months prior. In fact, Wazdan’s presence in the Eastern European country has been quite strong, after it also teamed up with PalmsBet. As to Romania, Wazdan has been well represented with partners such as Reevo and MaxBet.ro.

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France’s gambling regulator, l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has issued blocking and delisting orders against online gambling sites and has created and published a public blacklist in the form of a downloadable CSV spreadsheet of illegal gambling sites while the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has ordered eight more sites to be blocked, including an advertiser as well as gambling operators.

The French blacklist can be found through a link on the government’s official announcement page (here). It includes well over 500 entries, most of which are redirects or mirrors of sites that were obviously targeting players in markets the operators were not welcome in with operators such as VegasPlus accounting for nearly 10% of the total through more than 45 unique URLs relying on various reiterations of the core name.

Obvious Attempted Circumventions

MaChance casino accounted for more than 50 iterations while Unique / WinUnique clocked nearly 50 entries.

The internal list shared with legal authorities, certain operators, and internet service providers in France has tracked 532 websites from over 150 operators since June of last year but has finally been made public, albeit in a non-user-friendly format. The list will be updated monthly according to the ANJ.

Several months before the then-nascent list was compiled, the regulator was given extraordinary powers to block or demand the blocking of gambling websites as well as the power to delist them through requests or demands delivered to search engines and other indexing databases.

Legal censorship in the name of the public good is a craft the French regulatory body is perfecting with each new development and the ANJ no longer has to wade through 4-6 months of red tape to get the job done. Now, they can simply request that ISPs (internet service providers) block the sites after a quick consultation with an administrative judge, and the marketing websites as well as any known iterations of the gambling domains can be blocked within 30-60 days.

Only about 18 online gambling websites are sanctioned by the government in France as well as internationally in French-administered jurisdictions while La Française des Jeux enjoys an exclusive monopoly on lotteries and related games throughout French law-administered governments worldwide.

Google addresses delisting thusly: “Google may temporarily or permanently remove sites from its index and search results if it believes it is obligated to do so by law; if the sites do not meet Google’s quality guidelines, or for other reasons.”

A ruling by the European Court of Justice, the EU’s highest court confirmed in 2011 that France’s monopoly on horse race betting was justified and legal as long as its purpose was to prevent harm to the public and was applied in a consistent manner. The case (a law allowing Pari Mutuel Urbain a monopoly on horse-race betting) set the stage for further breaks in anti-monopoly law interpretations and upset the assured competition among member states throughout Europe.

The ANJ stated on its website last Wednesday: “Indeed, when a French Internet user plays on an illegal site (for example, in France, all online casino sites are illegal, no casino license can be granted under the legal framework in force), it exposes you to multiple risks:

• Collection of personal data;
• Payment fraud;
• Installation of malicious computer programs on the computer or mobile phone without the knowledge of the player;
• Frequent non-payment of winnings;
• Absence of any measure to prevent excessive gambling and underage gambling;
• Total absence of legal recourse in the event of a dispute with the site.

There are no known empirical data that shows the French are any more vulnerable to those risks than players in any other jurisdiction. The government relies on code enforcement on the supply side and the statements above to dissuade French gamblers from straying from the French-approved sites. Online gamblers in France are not subject to criminal penalties.

Australia Continues Crackdown on Unlicensed Sites.

As is the case in France, gamblers in Australia are not subject to criminal penalties. However, operators that offer unlicensed services to citizens can be punished civilly and criminally if they find themselves within reach of the law. All publicly traded companies have left the market, yet private companies continue to serve the market as Australians are among the most passionate and prolific gamblers in the world.

Offering online gambling services in Australia is not actually illegal as long as an operator is licensed in a state or territory. However, none have developed a framework nor issued any licenses for casino gambling.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued new orders for another handful of gambling sites to be blocked by Australian ISPs from allowing residents to access the websites.

As has often been the case in the past, the order affects not only illegal operators but their promoters as well. The latest batch of names includes Casino Jax, Kosmonaut Casino, Mirax Casino, N1 Bet Casino, Rolling Slots, Slotozen, and Wild Fortune Casino as well as an affiliate website that was purportedly directly marketing to Australian players.

The regulatory body has blocked well over 700 gambling websites since the Gambling Act Amendment of 2001 was strengthened in 2017.

Source: French regulator publishes gambling website blacklist, iGaming Business, March 14, 2023

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