Insights Archive

November 11, 2024

Philippines Issues Order On POGO Ban, Confusion Remains

The Philippine President has issued a long-promised order prohibiting foreign-facing online gambling operators (POGOs) and services, but confusion remains over the status of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority licensees and B2B operations.

November 11, 2024

Second Trump Administration Unlikely To Revisit Wire Act Reversal

Although past transitions from Democratic to Republican administrations have led to fundamental changes in federal policy on online gambling, the second Trump administration is not expected to revisit its first-term initiative to reinterpret the Wire Act.

November 8, 2024

U.S. Study Cites Sports Betting’s Negative Impact On Gamblers’ Finances

Researchers have found that the rapid growth of legal sports betting across the United States has come at a financial cost for those who can least afford to gamble.

November 8, 2024

The Curious Case Of Portugal’s Santa Casa: How The Portuguese Lottery Found Itself In Debt To A Brazilian Cartel

Portugal’s national lottery operator, Santa Casa da Misericórdia, found itself in hot water after an investigation by local papers discovered that it owed R$200,000 (US$35,000) to the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), Brazil’s largest criminal organisation.

November 8, 2024

France Launches Online Casino Consultation

France’s budget and public accounts minister officially opened the government consultation exploring the possibility of opening online casinos on Wednesday (November 6).

November 8, 2024

Week In Crypto: Trump Allies Promise US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

Following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, a US senator believes that their bill to create a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is destined to succeed.

November 8, 2024

Hong Kong Aims To Tighten Direct Debit Protections In New Circular

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has issued guidelines addressing the responsibilities of banks regarding payment card direct debit authorisations.

November 8, 2024

Daily Dash: UK's FCA Secures Convictions In £1.5M Crypto Fraud

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has secured convictions against two individuals involved in a £1.5m cryptocurrency investment fraud, while Swiss bank UBS has developed and successfully piloted a blockchain-based payment solution.

November 8, 2024

News In Brief: November 4-November 8, 2024

An increasing number of young people in England, Scotland and Wales are gambling, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) awards the first batch of new ESG seals in a bid to improve the gambling industry's image and sustainability, Bovada exits Tennessee after a recent saga with a local gambling regulator, and Minnesota Running Aces cardroom and racetrack is advocating for a compromise benefiting tribal and charitable gaming.

November 7, 2024

Canadian Senate Approves Sports-Betting Advertising Bill

A bill opposed by the Canadian gaming industry that proposes to establish a national framework for regulating sports-betting advertising has been approved by the Senate, sending the measure to the House of Commons for further consideration.

November 7, 2024

'Inadequate' Dutch Online Gambling Law, Implementation Requires Urgent Changes

An evaluation of the Netherlands' online gambling law by the Ministry of Justice and Security concluded many “urgent” changes are needed to better protect consumers from gambling-related harm, including “shielding” vulnerable groups from gambling adverts.

November 7, 2024

CBDC Will 'Likely' Replace Stablecoins In Digital Asset Markets, Says US Treasury

The US Treasury has claimed that stablecoins will "likely" need to be replaced by central bank digital currency (CBDC) to ensure the safety and soundness of digital asset markets.

November 7, 2024

Lithuania Makes New EU Proposals For Fintech Access To Payment Systems

The member state’s delegation to the European Council recommends a greater degree of flexibility in the rules covering safeguarding and non-bank payment service providers’ use of client funds to ensure liquidity.

November 7, 2024

Finland's Future Market Threatened By Affiliate Crackdown

Finnish gambling stakeholders worry that the country's revamped market will not be able to maintain strong channelisation if the government implements a ban on traditional affiliate marketing.

November 6, 2024

Operators Quizzed On Suppliers' Offshore Activity

Licensed operators are increasingly being asked if their suppliers also service the black market, evidenced most recently at a gathering of Nordic gambling executives.

November 6, 2024

UK Charity Unveils Plan To Help Banks Tackle Gambling Harms

A UK centre of expertise on money and mental health problems has developed a new three-year plan to help banks tackle gambling harms and released new research on the role they play in tackling gambling harms.

November 6, 2024

US Mega Banks Signal Potential CFPB Litigation Over Zelle Complaints

Three of the largest banks in the US, which collectively account for 73 percent of Zelle transactions, have disclosed that they are gearing up for a potential legal battle with the country’s consumer financial regulator.

November 6, 2024

UK Banks And Mobile Providers Collaborate On New APP Fraud Prevention Tool

UK Finance and the Global System for Mobile Communications Association have launched Scam Signal, a joint solution that brings together leading UK mobile operators and banks.

November 6, 2024

EU Considers Potential Impact Of Limited Network Exclusion Changes Under PSD3

Changes to the Limited Network Exclusion may affect businesses across the bloc, with the European Parliament favouring a permissive revamp in the amended Payment Services Regulation text.

November 6, 2024

Daily Dash: France And Singapore Central Banks Complete Post-Quantum Security Test

The Banque de France and the Monetary Authority of Singapore have completed an experiment in post-quantum cryptography, designed to protect communications from cyber threats posed by quantum computing, while Wise has been granted permission to connect directly with InstaPay, the Philippines’ real-time payments system.

November 6, 2024

Missouri Voters Narrowly Approve Sports-Betting Measure

By a razor-thin margin, Missouri voters have approved a ballot initiative to legalize land-based and mobile sports betting, making it the first, and likely the only, state to legalize the activity in 2024.