Latest Gambling News: UK Gambling Commission CEO Warns Over “Fraudulent” Letters, 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.

UK Gambling Commission CEO Warns Over “Fraudulent” Letters

UK Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes has warned of fraudulent letters being sent to various individuals and organisations, claiming to be from him, looking to “authorise the release of funds or to provide reassurances”.

“These letters are fake and a scam and have not come from me or the Commission. Aside from the common tell-tale signs of wrong letter heads, spelling and grammar issues and other signs, I have never written a letter authorising the release of funds by another regulator or in another jurisdiction, and it’s exceptionally unlikely that we ever would. Likewise, we do not write letters of support,” Rhodes said in a social media post on June 27.

The letters are focused on Australian regulators at the moment, according to Rhodes, who wants his Australian colleagues to be aware of the fake letters and warn others.

Dutch Trade Groups Join Forces

Dutch trade group NOGA’s (Netherlands Online Gambling Association) members will join VNLOK (Vergunde Nederlandse Online Kansspelaanbieders) after reaching an agreement over a “joint future”.

This means all members of NOGA that hold a Remote Gambling license will also become VNLOK members.

“In the coming weeks, both parties will formalise the agreements, after which the future of the association will be jointly fleshed out,” NOGA said in an announcement on June 27.

Sanna van Doorn, vice-chairman of NOGA, said the group is “convinced that this will create a broad and solid trade association that will continue to make a relevant contribution to a structurally healthy and safe online gambling market in the Netherlands."

Björn Fuchs, chairman of VNLOK, similarly called the joining of the groups “a necessary and logical step, which gives the online gaming industry one clear, united voice towards all relevant stakeholders”.

UK Gambling Commission Industry Forum Chair Stepping Down

Chair of the UK Gambling Commission’s Industry Forum, Nick Rust, the former head of the British Horseracing Authority and ex-Ladbrokes executive, will step down from his role in November 2025 at the end of his two-year term.

The group, which held its first meeting in March 2024, has been working with the Gambling Commission to share the views of key industry stakeholders on policy and operational performance, becoming a vital part of the gambling regulator's wider engagement and governance structure.

Frost said: “I’m pleased with the work the Forum has delivered and believe it has helped the Commission better understand the implications of its existing and planned policies for consumers and industry operators,” in an update published by the Commission on June 25.

A new chair will be appointed in “due course, with further updates to follow,” according to the Gambling Commission.

DraftKings Launches Political Action Committee

DraftKings has filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to create a corporate political action committee (PAC) with the aim of influencing state regulatory, licensing and tax policies that impact its business, including the recent tax increase in Illinois.

“We have established this PAC to support state and federal candidates and organizations who have shown an interest in issues affecting our business,” a DraftKings spokesman said.

“The recent tax increase in Illinois makes it harder to provide the best service to our players while it simultaneously incentivizes more players to wager in the unregulated, illegal market.”

Last year, Illinois reworked its online sports betting tax rate from 15 percent to a progressive sales tax that taxes operators at 40 percent of their annual adjusted gross revenue, approximately $200m. Both DraftKings and FanDuel pay the 40 percent rate.

Beginning on July 1, Illinois will also impose a flat-fee per-wager tax on sports betting. Sports-betting operators will pay 25 cents on every sports wager up to the first 20 million, with every wager beyond 20 million taxed at 50 cents.

Both DraftKings and FanDuel will implement a 50-cent transaction fee for every wager in the state once the new law takes effect.

The DraftKings PAC will operate in full compliance with all applicable federal and state campaign finance laws and reporting requirements, according to the company spokesman.

“In addition, DraftKings may prioritize issues that impact business operations, including the expansion of the legal, regulated online betting market.”

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