Insights Archive

January 19, 2023

China’s CBDC To Work Offline, As PBOC Also Expands Use Cases

China’s e-CNY wallet app can now work offline allowing users to make payments where internet connection is poor or when their device runs out of battery. The country’s central bank has also announced plans to allow the central bank digital currency (CBDC) for investment purposes and to include it in its official money supply statistics.

January 19, 2023

Maryland Makes Diversity Key Plank Of Sports-Betting Framework

After an explosive start to mobile sports betting, Maryland regulators have approved the diversity plans of newly-licensed sportsbook operators to implement a key tenet of the state’s policy framework.

January 19, 2023

Ohio Regulator Threatens Involuntary Exclusion For Social Media Harassment

Ohio’s top gaming regulator warned that people who send harassing messages to college athletes via social media and other methods may be subject to penalties, including involuntary exclusion from betting.

January 19, 2023

Legislature Considers Reauthorizing Skill-Based Gaming In Virginia

A senior Republican lawmaker in the Virginia General Assembly has proposed reauthorizing so-called skill games, or grey-market gaming machines, even while the state prepares for another hearing in the spring about its efforts to enforce a ban that is currently on hold.

January 19, 2023

Chile Shuffles Forward With Two Online Gambling Bills

The economy and sports commissions of Chile's Chamber of Deputies both heard from relevant parties this week on contrasting online gambling bills, making progress on what has been a long and arduous process to regulate the online industry.

January 19, 2023

European Committee Developing Online Markers Of Harm Standard

The European Committee for Standardisation will develop a common European standard on markers of harm for online gambling.

January 19, 2023

Asia Junket Supremo Alvin Chau Jailed For 18 Years

Alvin Chau, formerly the most powerful figure in Asia’s junket networks, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in Macau for organised crime, gambling and fraud offences, while eight of his colleagues received jail terms of between nine and 15 years.

January 18, 2023

VIXIO Impact Index: Year In Review Highlights Large Shifts In Regulatory Landscape

Regulatory activity is up in the UK and Russia, but there has been a sharp decline in activity across the EU, as sanctions, elections and regulatory initiatives affect the regulatory volatility of the top 15 most active jurisdictions. Plus we discuss how a flurry of regulatory activity in December can cause problems for compliance teams during the traditional holiday period.

January 18, 2023

Euro Ministers Tally Digital Euro Priorities

The Eurogroup, which brings together ministers in the eurozone, has set out its hopes and wishes for the digital euro project as it enters a pivotal year.

January 18, 2023

TonyBet Penalised In UK Over Unfair Terms

The UK Gambling Commission has issued TonyBet a £443,000 penalty for failings in social responsibility and anti-money laundering policies.

January 18, 2023

Genesis Global Malta Licence Suspended After Months Of Difficulties

The Malta Gaming Authority has announced the suspension of Genesis Global Limited's licence, following months of difficulties for the operator and sparking a government response to protect the company's former employees.

January 18, 2023

Betr Bets On Differentiated Microbetting-Focused Product

Armed with a differentiated product and a popular, although controversial, influencer, Betr is poised to be one of the more interesting new market entrants in U.S. sports betting in 2023.

January 18, 2023

Polish Bookmaker STS Withdraws From UK, Estonia Despite Positive Results

Poland’s largest bookmaker, STS Holding, has declared plans to exit the UK and Estonian markets despite reporting a significant increase in its net gaming revenue.

January 17, 2023

Everything Up For Grabs! UK Government Mulls Post-Brexit Payment Changes

Changes regarding the “prescriptiveness” of payment services regulation are on the cards, the UK government has suggested in a new call for evidence.

January 17, 2023

US BNPL Users Charged Several Times Due To Technical Glitch

American users of buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider Affirm have taken to social media to complain that they were wrongly charged multiple times, leaving them with little or no money on their accounts before the long weekend.

January 17, 2023

Bank Of Thailand Asks For Public Comment On Virtual Bank Framework

The Bank of Thailand has announced that it is now accepting public feedback on its proposed rules for the opening of virtual banks, a key part of its wider digital economy strategy.

January 17, 2023

Compliance Allegations Among Top Complaints Filed By FCA Whistleblowers

New data from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shows that compliance-related allegations were among the top issues raised by whistleblowers in 2022.

January 17, 2023

Nevada Regulators Grant Preliminary Approval To Esports Betting Rules

After months of debate and delay, the Nevada Gaming Commission is expected to grant final approval next week to several regulatory changes making it easier for sportsbooks to accept wagers on esports competitions.

January 17, 2023

Brazil's New Administration Slowly Taking Shape

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s appointees continue to be selected during the first weeks of his administration, with nominees relevant to the gambling industry ranging from supporters to opponents of legal gaming, but critical positions are still to be filled.

January 17, 2023

Vivaro Limited Agrees £337,631 Regulatory Settlement With UK Gambling Commission

The UK Gambling Commission has announced that Malta-based Vivaro Limited has agreed to pay £337,631 as a regulatory settlement following a series of failings.

January 17, 2023

NSW Premier Candidate Outlines Gambling Reform Plans

The leader of New South Wales (NSW) Labor has released what he calls the “most comprehensive” gambling reform package in the state's history, including banning advertising outside gaming venues.