Compliance Updates

Ukraine’s Draft Gambling Law Ready for Second Reading

Published

5 years ago

June 9, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ukraine is set to take its draft gambling law to its second reading this month, which if passed, would legalise both online and land-based gambling in the country.

Under the draft gambling law, the gambling activities would be carried out through 11 different licenses, which would be issued by a gaming regulator.

For a land-based casino license, there will be a yearly licensing fee of EUR1.9 million if the casino is based in Kyiv. For other cities, the licensing fee will cost EUR 960,000 per year. For cities with populations of above 500,000, it would be allowed 10 gaming tables and 50 slot machines.

Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Cities with a population below 500,000 would be permitted 5 gaming tables and 20 slot machines. It would be required to have one or more 5-star hotels with no fewer than 150 rooms, whilst the casino premises need to be a minimum of 500 square meters.

For an online casino license, the licensee would be required to pay a yearly fee of EUR 624,000 before the implementation of an online monitoring system and EUR 208,000 afterwards. The license allows for both Ukranian and non-Ukranian players for online casinos.

The sports betting license, which allows for physical betting shops, would cost EUR 2.9 million before the online monitoring system and EUR 960,000 after. Similarly, the licensee is allowed to take both Ukranian and non-Ukranian punters.

Slot machine halls, which allow for up to 250 slot machines, will have a yearly licensing fee of EUR 240,000. An online poker license will cost EUR 160,000 per year.

There are also license fees per slot machine and gaming table – which are EUR 28,000 for a roulette table, EUR 14,400 for any other table game, EUR 2880 for a slot machine (not connected to online monitoring system) and EUR 960 after it is connected.

Compliance Updates

DNSFilter Data Reveals Dangers to Fake Gambling Sites and Illegal Streaming in Lead Up to Super Bowl LIX

Published

9 hours ago

February 14, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

dnsfilter-data-reveals-dangers-to-fake-gambling-sites-and-illegal-streaming-in-lead-up-to-super-bowl-lix

DNSFilter has released the information gathered through its DNS content filtering platform regarding gambling traffic, both malicious and legitimate, in the lead up to Super Bowl LIX. The data showcases key threats during the NFL playoff season, particularly in January during the NFL playoffs, where unsanctioned streaming and gambling activities increased.

On the day of the Super Bowl, DNSFilter blocked 57% more malicious content related to gambling and betting compared to the rest of the NFL post-season. Previous high spikes to these malicious betting sites coincided with Super Bowl LVIII and 2024 March Madness.

Since sports betting is now legal in a majority of US states, overall traffic to DNSFilter’s gambling category has increased over the last year. Compared to the same timeframe last February, daily traffic to all gambling sites has increased 71%, surpassing DNSFilter’s overall network growth of 16%.

Other key statistics and insights from DNSFilter’s research, focusing on online threats leading up to the 2025 Super Bowl, include:

Streaming Media and Malware:

A 15% increase in illegal streaming and torrenting traffic related to fake streaming sites during championship weekend compared to the previous average held between May and December 2024, indicating an escalating risk of security issues tied to streaming during major NFL events. This week had the highest traffic to illegal streaming sites ever on the DNSFilter network. Unauthorized streaming is a common risk factor for organizations, especially with unmanaged devices accessing potentially harmful content.

Threats by Domain:

Domains related to the NFL have been seeing increased security threats, with spikes in malicious activity associated with streaming sites, gambling and possibly phishing attacks targeting Super Bowl fans or bettors. Threat domains with “football” in the domain name surged in January, with spikes on January 14, the day after Super Wild Card Weekend, and Super Bowl Sunday.

Fake Betting Site Trends:

A significant 20% of malicious gambling domains identified during the NFL playoffs used a string of numbers in their names, a common tactic for “mirror” sites that attempt to evade detection. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a gambling site, this is an indicator that it may be a scam.

Most malicious domains related to betting were categorized as malware, while most traffic came from newly registered domains. A site with a captcha does not necessarily mean it is safe. Some malicious sites will show a captcha before entering because the host is suspicious of the site, but has not taken it down. DNSFilter encountered a handful of fake betting sites with Captchas during this investigation.

TK Keanini, CTO of DNSFilter, said: “Our technology prevents access to unwanted content by identifying and categorizing threats and harmful sites before a connection is made. With real-time insights into evolving tactics, we’re committed to staying a step ahead, safeguarding users from threats tied to high-profile events like the Super Bowl. By continuously educating and protecting users, we can help foster a safer online environment during sporting events and beyond.”

The post DNSFilter Data Reveals Dangers to Fake Gambling Sites and Illegal Streaming in Lead Up to Super Bowl LIX appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

blackjack

MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Letters to Nine Unlicensed Online Casinos

Published

9 hours ago

February 14, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

mgcb-issues-cease-and-desist-letters-to-nine-unlicensed-online-casinos

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has taken strict action against nine online casinos, issuing cease-and-desist letters for violations of state gaming laws. The affected websites offer a range of casino-style games, such as slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as betting services for sporting events and horse races.

The following operators have been issued cease-and-desist orders:

BetAnySports (BAS)

CoolCat Casino

Diamond Sportsbook International, d/b/a BetDSI.eu (BetDSI)

Solar Game LTD and Busan Trade Office (Go Go Gold)

My Dreams Casino

NonStop casino

Palace of Chance

Xbet Casino

WagerWeb

“These unlicensed operators are not only in violation of Michigan’s laws but also pose significant risks to consumers by offering limited and often unreliable withdrawal options. Our role is to protect Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gambling activities are carried out legally and responsibly. These operators have 14 days to cease their illegal activities or face further legal action,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.

The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Letters to Nine Unlicensed Online Casinos appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Compliance Updates

BGC CEO Warns of Growing Threat of Illegal Gambling Black Market

Published

10 hours ago

February 14, 2025

Niji Narayan

bgc-ceo-warns-of-growing-threat-of-illegal-gambling-black-market

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst has spoken at the annual Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG) training event, warning participants of the growing illegal gambling market and the dangers it poses to the regulated industry.

The annual event, first held in 2022, brings together the regulated betting and gaming sector, industry experts and leading figures from the Gambling Commission, Treasury, UK Financial Intelligence Unit and law enforcement, to understand better how the sector can meet the challenges of fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF).

Independent body GAMLG provides an important platform for the whole industry to share knowledge and raise standards in AML and CTF, and is Chaired by Keith Bristow, former Director General of the National Crime Agency.

Over 100 guests attended the event in central London to hear from a host of keynote speakers working in collaboration with industry to keep regulated betting and gaming crime-free.

The event also heard from John Pierce, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the Gambling Commission, Claire Wilson, Illicit Finance Technical Assistance Adviser, Supervision and Preventive Measures and Hala Najjar, Policy Advisor, Economic Crime Strategy Unit at HM Treasury, John Leigh, Detective Inspector from the Regional Economic Crime Unit at West Midlands Police, plus Beth Dale and Astrid Morrison, from the UK Financial Intelligence Unit.

At the event Grainne Hurst said: “This is a shared challenge, and it requires a shared response, and GAMLG is the independent body by which we can, together, raise standards across our sector, and ensure we are fulfilling our responsibilities to keep regulated betting and gaming crime free.

“As a sector, we should lead the way in making certain our products are not hijacked and misused by those engaged in illegal activity, activity that has no place in our sector, activity which undermines our laws and our society.

“While we work hard in this space, as you will hear today, we are also acutely aware how black market gambling is already being used by those criminal elements to raise funds that support their illegal business empires. A recent study by the BGC found 1.5 million adults in Britain spend up to £4.3bn on the illegal gambling black market.

“Even now, we are working together, in this very space, on a new AML Code, which we hope will drive up standards, while not compromising player safety.”

GAMLG Chair Keith Bristow said: “GAMLG is a vital platform to share knowledge and raise standards so the sector can remain a leader in preventing money-laundering, fraud and terrorist financing.

“The incredible turn out at this year’s training event, and the stellar line up of speakers, shows how serious this sector is about keeping regulated betting and gaming crime free, and the level of constructive collaboration it has with the regulator, Government and law enforcement.

“The professionalism and commitment of our members makes all the difference. That commitment remains strong, which is good news for the industry, its members, the police and public. Unfortunately, it’s not such good news for organised crime and fraudsters.

“Working together, I’m proud to say we are at the forefront of this work and will remain there.”

As part of the BGC’s ongoing commitment to encourage knowledge sharing across the sector, for the first time, tickets for the training day were made available to non-BGC members.

Grainne, added: “Raising standards is part of the DNA of the BGC, and I think one of the surest demonstrations of that, is on display today. Because for the first time, we have opened up this event, now a regular annual fixture for the sector, to non-BGC members.

“This was a very deliberate decision for us, because we recognise knowledge sharing, and understanding best practice, is the key to the unified response, I am sure, we all seek when it comes to keeping regulated betting and gaming crime free.”

The post BGC CEO Warns of Growing Threat of Illegal Gambling Black Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.