Insights Archive

May 12, 2022

Dear CEO, Do Not Tell Consumers They’re Guaranteed A Loan!

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has warned consumer credit firms to be clearer in advertising loans, or face regulatory action.

May 12, 2022

Anniversary Of Historic Sports-Betting Ruling Finds U.S. Supreme Court In Turmoil

Four years after making perhaps the most significant legal ruling in the history of the United States' gambling industry, the U.S. Supreme Court is mired in a controversy threatening its credibility.

May 12, 2022

Do Cryptocurrencies, NFTs Undermine Gambling's ESG Goals?

Should a gambling industry keen to score points on environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns steer clear of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), given the climate costs, fraud and wild gyrations in trading associated with both?

May 12, 2022

Dutch Minister Defends Secret Licence Rejection Policy

It would be unfair on gambling operators if their failure to win a licence to operate online in the Netherlands was made public, a senior minister said this week.

May 11, 2022

NatWest Mistakenly Charges Debit Card Transactions Twice

In a glitch, the UK's NatWest has charged its customers twice when they made debit card payments, forcing some of its clients to be overdrawn and without money.

May 11, 2022

Cash, Crime And Reimbursement: A Look At What Was In The Queen’s Speech

The UK government has committed to introducing new legislation to protect access to cash, to better enforce against economic crime and to require banks to refund victims of authorised push payment fraud.

May 11, 2022

Strong Results For Strong Customer Authentication, Says Nationwide

The UK’s largest building society has published new data showing the success of strong customer authentication in reducing fraudulent card payments.

May 11, 2022

Here We Go Again! Commission Launches PSD2 Consultation

Brussels has finally launched its much-anticipated review of the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), as well as announcing it is looking for information to inform its work regarding open finance.

May 11, 2022

Uruguay Casino Operator Blasts Attempt At Online Reform

Lawyers for Italian investors Cipriani made their displeasure with a gambling bill loudly known in Uruguay’s Senate discussions this week.

May 11, 2022

Ad Restrictions, Grey Market Transition Help Create Unique Ontario Market

Top U.S. gaming executives have said that promotional restrictions and existing grey market operators have made Ontario’s sports betting and online casino launch a different one than typical American state launches.

May 11, 2022

One Third' Of Dubai Online Gambling Companies Left For Europe, Asia

One third of online gambling companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have moved on to eastern Europe or returned to Asia because of pressure from the UAE and Chinese governments, according to a Sharjah-based sociologist.

May 10, 2022

Swiss Drag Out Bank Secrecy Law Change Amid Growing International Pressure

A Swiss parliamentary committee has voted against changing the country’s notorious bank secrecy provisions, despite mounting pressure from international and US bodies.

May 10, 2022

Gaining Momentum: BIS Survey Sheds Light On Move Towards CBDCs Worldwide

The Bank for International Settlement (BIS) has published a new report that highlights the rapid spread of central bank digital currency (CBDC) studies and pilot schemes worldwide.

May 10, 2022

US Issues New Sanctions Targeting Sberbank, Gazprombank, MIB

The US has issued new sanctions against designated individuals and entities deemed “critical” to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.

May 10, 2022

EU Ruling Against Apple To Shake Up Payments, Experts Tell VIXIO

EU payments players consider a future in which Apple Pay loses its monopoly on iOS devices and the the technology giant is forced to open up its device to competitors, bringing more opportunities for payments innovation.

May 10, 2022

Sanctions First As US Treasury Targets Virtual Currency Mixer

A virtual currency mixer has been sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for its role in aiding North Korea.

May 10, 2022

Sports Betting Not Without Risks, Warns Maryland Panel

Small businesses eligible to receive sports-betting licenses in Maryland will face high upfront costs, intrusive regulatory investigations and risk significant losses week-to-week, according to a panel of experts from larger operators.

May 10, 2022

Belgium To Severely Restrict Gambling Ads

Belgium’s justice minister has said he is “done with gambling advertising”, as the country notifies the European Commission of its draft royal decree to severely restrict gambling advertising.

May 9, 2022

’Rug Pull’: New York Senator Introduces Bill To Criminalise Crypto Fraud

A New York senator has introduced a bill that would criminalise so-called "rug pulls" and other types of crypto fraud.

May 9, 2022

Put Needs Of Vulnerable Consumers First In These Challenging Times, Says FCA’s Competition Chief

The new Consumer Duty, open banking and a more diverse financial services sector are key to supporting better outcomes for consumers, a senior official at the UK’s financial services watchdog has said.

May 9, 2022

CBDC: Catalyst For Change In Latin America

As an increasing number of Latin American and Caribbean countries are pursuing the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), VIXIO takes a look at some of the main drivers behind the trend in the region, and some of the risks and opportunities involved.