Compliance Updates
NETHERLANDS DELAYS LEGALISING ONLINE GAMBLING
Joy broke out when the Netherlands finally decided to legalize online gambling. It all went south when it was later stated that the market launch for regulated online gambling has been delayed until July 2021. The decision was made to permit the government enough time to create secondary gambling legislation. The country’s Minister of Justice and Security, Sander Dekker, announced the delay to the Netherlands’ lower house of parliament. The amended Remote Gambling Act is now set to take effect on the 21st of January, 2021.
Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the official Dutch gambling regulation had earlier stated that it would begin to accept online license applications from operators after the enactment of the RGA. These applications would have to be processed for six (6) months before being fully ratified. This has led to the inevitable delay in the online market launch. You can get a full-time experience at onlinecasinohex.nl, where we offer the best of online gambling and casino games.
On the bright side, some legislators tried to move for the absolute ban on gambling advertising. The minister rejected this view. He had this to say;
“…restricting gambling advertising is…not in itself an objective of the current Dutch gambling policy.”
Dekker further stated that placing a ban on advertising would only have negative impacts on the government’s desire to help locally-licensed gambling sites gain traction. He, however, stated that there are plans for the government to strengthen the existing rules on advertising in the Netherlands. Some of these rules include regulated time-frame for advertising through certain media platforms, limited bonus offers, restrictions on behavioral targeting as well as limited celebrity endorsement.
The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) will not be granting the licenses of prospective online gambling operators who have not displayed a functional age-verification system. The government is particularly interested in restricting the participation of under-aged customers to zero percent. The government made this a compulsory requirement after it was discovered in 2018 that underaged customers were easily gaining access to the state-run Nederlandse Loterij’s Toto Sports betting product. The Nederlandse Loterij thereafter upgraded its age-restriction processes. As such, Dekker gives prospective online gambling operators to be at alert. The minister expressly stated that the failure of any company to comply with this will not only amount to the rejection of their license application, but it would attract the full weight of the KSA’s enforcement procedure.
Due to the coronavirus, there has been a national lockdown of all physical gambling venues nationwide. This has left a vacuum in the market. This also has led to a delay in the legalization of online gambling. Ironically, other international online gambling sites have been offering their services to Dutch customers without a license. It, therefore, becomes necessary that so much attention is given to the ratification of the new laws.
CONCLUSION
Technology makes life without physical contactless awful. Everything done physically can be done online. But, the restriction of online gambling activities in the Netherlands would lead to a diversion of local funds to an unregulated international market.
Compliance Updates
Digitain’s Paydrom Receives PCI DSS Certification

Digitain is proud to announce that its payment platform, Paydrom, has successfully achieved PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certification. This certification marks a key step in Paydrom’s mission to provide a trusted and secure payment environment for its partners.
The PCI DSS certification is a globally recognized standard designed to ensure that companies processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information maintain a secure environment. By obtaining this certification, Paydrom demonstrates its dedication to safeguarding sensitive customer data and preventing fraud across its payment services.
Arin Andriazian, Chief of Paydrom Product, commented: “Receiving PCI DSS certification is a significant validation of the secure infrastructure we’ve built at Paydrom. In an industry where trust and reliability are non-negotiable, this achievement sends a clear message to the industry: the customers’ sensitive data are protected by world-class security standards.
As we continue to expand globally, maintaining the highest levels of data protection will remain central to our promise to every partner who relies on Paydrom.”
Arshak Muradyan, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Digitain, added: “The PCI DSS certification reflects our long-term vision to deliver a payment platform, along with the entire products portfolio of the Digitain Group in the gambling sphere, that is as efficient as it is innovative. From a compliance perspective, this certification is a critical milestone that strengthens the foundation built on transparency, consistency, and security. It ensures that our partners can rely on Paydrom and the Digitain Group’s solutions with full confidence, knowing that every transaction and product interaction upholds the highest standards of data integrity and protection. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to maintaining rigorous compliance standards essential for safeguarding sensitive payment data and sustaining trust across all our offerings”.
With this certification, Paydrom continues to offer businesses a safe and efficient way to manage their payments. The certification also assures partners and clients that Paydrom follows strict protocols to protect sensitive payment information.
The post Digitain’s Paydrom Receives PCI DSS Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
New Zealand Government Releases Refreshed Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm

The Minister for Mental Health in New Zealand, Matt Doocey, has announced that the Government has released the refreshed Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm.
“The updated strategy includes a targeted investment of over $81 million to improve access to support, strengthen prevention and early intervention and reduce the impact of gambling-related harm across New Zealand,” Mr Doocey said.
“We know that simply announcing strategies isn’t enough to make a material difference. We want New Zealanders to see real change and make progress, that is why as part of this strategy we’ve built in an independent review in 2025/26 to track what’s working, and what’s not.
“The strategy focuses on delivering timely, effective support for individuals, families and communities affected by gambling harm. Key areas of investment include increasing access to treatment and support, improving prevention and early intervention initiatives, and improving the effectiveness of support for those experiencing gambling harm.
“We know one of the biggest barriers to people accessing support is workforce, that is why the plan includes ways we will grow the gambling harm workforce. We will be creating up to 18 additional clinical internship places.
“It is expected these interns will be supported to develop gambling harm expertise by working closely with a supervisor in a clinical setting. This approach is necessary to bridge the gap between education and work and will give interns the practical experience needed to help people affected by gambling harm.
“Not only will this ensure more people can access help, but this will also support people who could otherwise struggle to meet the requirements to become registered clinicians.
“One in five New Zealanders will be affected by gambling harm in their lifetime—either directly or through someone they know. This can have devastating effects not only on individuals, but also on their families and wider communities.”
Services will be funded through the new Problem Gambling Levy Regulations, paid by non-casino gaming machine operators, casinos, TAB NZ and Lotto NZ. Work is also underway on how online casino operators will contribute under upcoming regulations.
The strategy was developed through a two-stage consultation process and strongly reflects the voices of people with lived experience.
“I want to thank those who shared their experiences with us. You’ve helped ensure this strategy is reflective of real-life experiences and have helped to ground the strategy with a strong understanding of what support works best for you and our communities,” Mr Doocey said.
The post New Zealand Government Releases Refreshed Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Ben Clemes
High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario

High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.
“The submission of our licensing application to access Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Company’s journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,” said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.
Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.
“Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. We’re excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,” said Clemes.
The post High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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