Insights Archive

February 27, 2025

Regulatory Influencer: European Central Bank's Direct Access To Payment Systems Policy

The European Central Bank (ECB) has finalised its approach to the opening of access to Eurosystem-operated payment systems, including TARGET, to non-bank payment service providers, such as payment institutions and electronic money institutions. This move, which takes effect on April 9, 2025, is designed to improve competition and innovation in the eurozone’s payments sector, although the ECB maintains strict regulatory oversight.

February 27, 2025

Daily Dash: Hong Kong Tightens Name-Check Rules For Instant Payments

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has introduced stricter name-matching rules for real-time fund transfers, otherwise known as instant payments, with the aim of enhancing security.

February 26, 2025

New Jersey Governor Proposes Sports Betting, Online Casino Tax Hike

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has continued the trend of U.S. governors proposing significant tax hikes for online gambling by calling for a 25 percent proposed state tax rate for both mobile sports betting and online gaming.

February 26, 2025

Colombian Operators Brace For VAT Impact

Colombia's licensed online gambling operators are preparing mitigation strategies as a stinging deposit tax takes effect.

February 26, 2025

Missouri Sports-Betting Launch Delayed As Secretary Of State Denies Emergency

Efforts to quickly launch sports betting in Missouri have been delayed for several months by a familiar opponent.

February 26, 2025

New-Look SEC Replaces Crypto Unit With Emerging Technologies Unit

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the creation of a new unit that will focus on tackling cyber threats and protecting retail investors in the emerging technologies space.

February 26, 2025

Australian MP Wants New Enforcement Powers To Tackle 'Excessive' Merchant Fees

A Labor MP has urged the Treasury and the Reserve Bank of Australia to create new powers that would allow regulators to penalise acquirers that charge "excessive" merchant fees.

February 26, 2025

Banks And Legislators Seek To Overturn CFPB's Overdraft Rule In Multi-Pronged Attack

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) changes to the regulations governing bank account overdrafts for large financial institutions in the US are under attack from multiple directions.

February 26, 2025

India's Delta Corp Sells Online Gaming Arm To Clairvest Subsidiary

India’s sole listed gambling company Delta Corp is on the verge of selling its online gaming subsidiary Deltatech Gaming to Canada-based Clairvest Group’s Indian online card gaming subsidiary Head Digital Works.

February 25, 2025

Brazil Faces Web-Blocking Challenges

Some 83 percent of unlicensed gambling sites blocked by Brazil's regulator now redirect users to other web addresses and apps, according to a new survey.

February 25, 2025

Controversial US AML Law Back In Force Following Another U-Turn

Small businesses must prepare to file their beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), following another U-turn on the Corporate Transparency Act.

February 25, 2025

US State Attorneys-General Join Forces To Save CFPB

With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) facing a potential shutdown under President Trump, a nationwide coalition of attorneys-general has moved to defend the agency through the courts.

February 25, 2025

FATF Removes The Philippines From Grey List, Adds Laos And Nepal

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has updated its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, adding Laos and Nepal, but removing the Philippines after notable progress in combating financial crimes.

February 25, 2025

Daily Dash: UK Payments Regulator Faces Abolition In Government Overhaul

Media reports suggest that the UK’s Payment Systems Regulator could be axed as part of the government’s regulatory cull.

February 25, 2025

US CBDC Ban Signals Retreat From Global Payments System

The US’ ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) creates opportunity for the private sector, but some are concerned the government’s refusal to lead in this area will cede ground to Europe and China.

February 25, 2025

Curaçao Welcoming Input On New Responsible Gambling Policy

Curaçao’s gambling regulator has opened a consultation on a new responsible gambling policy that proposes several new player protection measures and advertising rules for B2C operators.

February 25, 2025

Texas Lottery Commission Orders Ban On Lottery Couriers

In a major blow for lottery couriers including DraftKings-owned Jackpocket, the Texas Lottery Commission has issued a new policy statement to ban couriers from operating in the state following intense pressure from lawmakers.

February 24, 2025

Iowa Lawmakers Seek To Criminalize Proxy Betting, Account Sharing

Iowa lawmakers are moving forward with a bill to clarify in state law that sharing sports-betting accounts with other gamblers or proxy betting is illegal, giving law enforcement clearer authority to investigate those practices.

February 24, 2025

Alderney Aces AML Review As Standards Rise Across Offshore Hubs

The Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) monitor, MONEYVAL, has delivered a generally glowing assessment of online gambling regulation in Alderney. The development forms part of a trend of AML standards rising across Europe’s traditional offshore hubs, just as a cohort of dubious operators fleeing the likes of Curaçao and the Philippines are searching for new homes.

February 24, 2025

Australia's 'Blitz' Against AML Non-Compliance Takes Down Nine Firms, With More To Come

Australia’s anti-money laundering (AML) regulator has said its "blitz" against non-compliant reporting entities has already claimed nine firms, and that more than 50 others are in its crosshairs.

February 24, 2025

Australia's Competition Watchdog Warns Of Crackdown On 'Excessive' Surcharging

As Australia's showdown on surcharging heats up, the country's competition watchdog has vowed to pursue firms that engage in "misleading" surcharging practices that take advantage of consumers.