Insights Archive

October 5, 2022

Ukraine Regulator Readies New Powers To Sanction Russian Firms

In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL) is intensifying efforts to sanction Russia-backed bookmakers, lottery operators and other gambling entities.

October 5, 2022

Ontario Regulator Confirms October 31 Grey Market Transition Deadline

Ontario’s gaming regulator has confirmed that a new standard will take effect October 31 requiring online gambling operators to complete their conversion to the province’s regulated market or cease operations in the province.

October 4, 2022

French Regulator Withdraws Crypto Licence After Onsite Inspection

The French authorities have taken action against BYKEP, withdrawing its registration as a crypto-assets service provider with immediate effect.

October 4, 2022

Messing Up With The Kardashians: Kim Fined $1m For Crypto Promo

Kim Kardashian must pay more than $1m to settle charges by the US Securities and Exchange Commission following her misadventure into the crypto world, after a dressing down by UK regulators last year.

October 4, 2022

Brussels Considering Its Place In The Metaverse

A member of the European Parliament has put pressure on the European Commission to make known its plans to regulate the metaverse after interventions from commissioners such as Thierry Breton.

October 4, 2022

Nigerian State Regulators Challenge Ruling Empowering Federal Authority

The Nigerian Association of State Gambling Regulators is appealing a High Court ruling that had hoped to end a long-standing dispute between its members and the federal gambling regulator regarding who oversees gambling businesses in the country.

October 4, 2022

Kentucky Urged To Create State-Backed Problem Gambling Fund

Despite gambling in Kentucky being a $2bn industry consisting of opportunities to wager on horse races, historic horseracing machines, a state lottery and charitable gaming, advocates warn the state lacks a sustainable source of funding for treatment and prevention of problem gambling.

October 4, 2022

GeoComply Files Patent Infringement Suit Against Xpoint

Geolocation technology leader GeoComply has filed a lawsuit in Delaware federal court accusing upstart competitor Xpoint of infringing on a patent the Vancouver-based company owns to perform its geolocation tracking services for sports betting and online gaming.

October 4, 2022

Italy's Far Right Swing Expected To Benefit Gambling Industry

Election victory for Italy’s right-wing alliance will likely see Giorgia Meloni of the fascist-linked Brothers of Italy installed as the country’s first female Prime minister, but will also usher in a new era for the gambling industry.

October 3, 2022

UK’s Paym To Be Wound Down

Experts lament the demise of Paym as UK banks confirm the shutting down of the mobile payments platform first launched in 2014.

October 3, 2022

MEPs Not Impressed By Amazon’s Role In Digital Euro Project

EU lawmakers have expressed concerns about Amazon’s role in the European Central Bank’s digital euro investigation, citing issues such as governance and data protection.

October 3, 2022

Time Has Come To Cap Prepaid Card Interchange Fees, Brazil Says

The Brazilian Central Bank has introduced a cap for interchange fees on prepaid cards, a payment instrument largely provided by fintechs that has helped bring millions into the traditional financial system.

October 3, 2022

Indiana Leads List Of Online Casino Contenders For 2023

Only seven U.S. states have legalized internet gaming in the last decade, and there will be none this year, but Indiana may be the light at the end of the tunnel in 2023.

October 3, 2022

NSW Premier, James Packer Attack Slots Lobby Group

ClubsNSW, a powerful and aggressive lobby for pubs and clubs and the slot machine industry, is facing unprecedented pressure after the New South Wales (NSW) state premier and billionaire James Packer separately warned and attacked the group.

October 3, 2022

Uruguay Urged To Include Sports Betting In Online Gambling Bill

Casino developer Cipriani Group, which is building a $200m casino-hotel complex in Punta Del Este, is demanding that sports betting be included in the Uruguayan government’s bill to legalise online gambling.

October 3, 2022

Alabama Supreme Court Orders End To Electronic Bingo

Alabama’s Supreme Court has ordered the closure of electronic bingo machines at three gaming facilities, firing the latest shot in a decade-long legal battle and raising the stakes for legislative discussions on expanded gambling that are set to resume in 2023.

October 3, 2022

Personnel Moves - September 2022

New faces on the board of the French regulator, Caesars appoints iGaming boss, The Star's CEO departs and LeoVegas appoints new LatAm country manager.

September 30, 2022

US Trade Associations Sue CFPB Alleging Overreach

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) is operating beyond its statutory authority and without accountability, according to the American Bankers Association, US Chamber of Commerce and others.

September 30, 2022

Week In Crypto: Resignation, Resisting Arrest And A Surprisingly Upbeat Regulator

As the LUNA co-founder evades an arrest warrant, the CEO of bankrupt Celsius decides it’s time for him to go. Meanwhile, the head of a US regulator says bitcoin could double in value under the right legal framework.

September 30, 2022

No More Delay! India’s Card-On-File Rules Enter Into Force

After more than a year of delays, new rules aimed to strengthen the security of online card payments in India are coming into force at the weekend.

September 30, 2022

Stablecoin Reserves Must Be ’Publicly Transparent’, Says Fed Chair

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell argues that private stablecoin issuers must face greater transparency rules to build trust and protect against insolvency in a roundtable discussion on digital asset regulation.