Latest Gambling News: Irish Regulator Encourages Banks To Offer Gambling Blocking, and more

Catch up on some of the stories our gambling compliance analysts have covered lately, and stay up-to-date on the latest news.

Irish Regulator Encourages Banks To Offer Gambling Blocking

The Bank of Ireland, one of the largest retail banks in the country, now offers gambling blocking to customers, as the recently established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) wants others to follow suit.

The regulator has engaged with the Irish Banking Culture Board, Irish Banking and Payments Federation, and individual banks to advocate for the consumer protection measure.

The GRAI said: “This means that Bank of Ireland now joins AIB, EBS and Revolut in offering their customers this gambling blocking facility. We expect that other main banks will also offer this facility in the future,” in a statement on Thursday (May 8).

An analysis of the Bank of Ireland Q1 card spending data revealed that 90 percent of gambling transactions took place online, with 99 percent funded by debit cards.

Overall, Q1 card spending decreased by 2 percent year on year. However, there was a 19 percent increase in gambling spend by 18 to 25-year-olds.

Oisín McConville, a brand ambassador for Gambling Awareness Trust, said: “Measures such as this are very welcome, as we can see from the latest gambling spend insights that betting amongst younger people is on the rise.”

The new card-blocking feature prevents payments to online casinos, slot machines and lottery websites following a customer's request.

Meanwhile, the GRAI said it is “advancing IT systems and arrangements to support the technical side" of a new national self-exclusion register.

Peru Regulator Claims Major Victory Against Illegal Market

Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) claims 15 percent of illegal websites have been removed from the market, and the supply of illegal gambling on digital platforms and applications has decreased by 40 percent.

Mincetur, which also oversees the online gambling regulatory body, says that since the new law came into force in February 2024, the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines (DGJCMT) has “intensified its oversight, closing illegal establishments and promoting coordinated actions to reduce the presence of clandestine platforms.”

According to the update on May 2, payment providers and financial institutions have also been notified to block services to unauthorised operators.

To coincide with its enforcement action, MINCETUR has also held talks on gambling addiction and held training for gambling businesses, as well as collaborating with local gambling associations to promote a “safe and responsible gaming environment”.

New regulations were praised by MINCETUR for fostering an “environment of trust for both operators and users”.

“It has also opened up new investment opportunities, boosting the digitalisation of entertainment and strengthening the country's tax collection,” MINCETUR said.

The regulator has accredited 60 technology providers, 280 related service providers, and nine international certified laboratories.

Additionally, 683 new sports-betting venues have been registered since December 2024, bringing the total to 4,516.

Michigan Issues Cease-And-Desist Order To BetUS

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued a cease-and-desist order against BetUS, an offshore operator, for illegally offering internet gaming and sports betting to state residents without proper licensure.

BetUS has 14 days to comply with the order or face further legal action. The MGCB’s investigation found the Costa Rica-based platform was in violation of the state’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.

BetUS is licensed only in the Comoros Union (Mwali) and is not authorized to conduct gambling activities in Michigan.

“Unlicensed operators like BetUS undermine the integrity of Michigan’s regulated gaming market and expose consumers to potential risks,” said Henry Williams, MGCB executive director.

The MGCB noted that BetUS operates a comprehensive online platform that includes live betting and cryptocurrency transactions, as well as proposition wagers on events from sports to pop culture and politics.

Pennsylvania Bill Reduces Minimum Slot Count

A bill being considered in the Senate would give Pennsylvania casinos greater flexibility when it comes to reducing the mandatory number of slot machines on their gaming floors.

Senate Bill 666, authored by Republican Senator Dan Laughlin, eliminates the requirement that Category 1 and Category 2 casinos must operate a minimum of 1,500 slot machines, regardless of demand.

Under Laughlin’s legislation, casinos would have the flexibility to adjust their slot machine inventory based on market demand and operational needs. However, any reductions exceeding 2 percent would require approval by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

The PGCB has approved 471 machines being removed last year and 586 fewer machines on casino floors in fiscal year 2023-2024 than in fiscal year 2022-2023.

“This bill is about common sense and keeping our casinos competitive without sacrificing oversight or revenue,” Laughlin said. “This legislation simply aligns policy with reality.”

French Regulator Warns Of 'Risky Year' Ahead After A Year Of Sustained Growth

The French gambling market's gross gambling revenue (GGR) reached €14bn in 2024, an increase of 4.7 percent compared to 2023, however, the regulator (Autorité Nationale des Jeux - ANJ) has warned of a “risky year” ahead.

The online gambling market grew to €2.6bn GGR in 2024, up 12 percent compared to the previous year, as online sports-betting operators were buoyed by the Euro football championship and the Paris Olympics.

Online sports betting alone recorded GGR of nearly €1.8bn, up 19 percent compared to 2023, according to the ANJ’s update published on Wednesday (May 7).

Following two years of decline, the number of active player accounts has also increased by 11 percent compared to 2023.

ANJ President Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin said the French market is growing at a pace comparable to major European markets, adding the first months of 2025 have reflected a “dynamic growth”.

“In this context, the regulator highlights two major challenges: the necessary reorientation of the sector's economic model towards less intensive gambling and less focused on high-risk players; and the mobilisation of all stakeholders to change the representations associated with gambling, leading to its trivialization in French society,” she said.

However, looking ahead, the ANJ warned that 2025 is shaping up to be a “risky year”, highlighting concerns around “continued high advertising pressure” and operators cross-selling to new players.

Additionally, changes to gambling taxation will come into effect on July 1, introducing a 15 percent tax on commercial communications by online sports betting operators. The impact of this will be watched closely.

Spain Issued Over €140m In Fines During 2024  

Spain’s gambling regulator issued over €140m in fines to gambling operators in 2024, according to an update on Tuesday (May 6) from Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda.

In the second half of 2024, the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) imposed sanctions on 26 online operators, including 14 operators based outside of Spain, totalling €77m, adding to the €65m in fines it handed out in the first half of the year.

The 14 foreign companies were each fined €5m, however, one repeat offender was fined €10m. The operators also had their websites shut down and are banned from operating in the country for two years.

The 12 locally licensed operators were each fined almost €2.4m. These companies were Millonapp SL, Casumo Spain PLC, Bingosoft PLC, Wagerfair SA, Media 24, Juegos de azar y servicios SL, Conespa solutions, TSG Interactive PLC, Whg Spain PLC, Fpoocl SA, and 888 online games España SA.

Since July 2021, Spain has required the publication of serious legal violations by the gambling regulator. There have been a total of 180 sanctions since then, amounting to over €475m in fines according to the Ministry.

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