Compliance Updates
DSWV Urges GGL to Immediately Safeguard Germany’s Online Gambling Marketplace Against “Unlicensed Threats”
German sports betting trade association Der Deutsche Sportwettenverband (DSWV) has urged the new federal gambling regulator Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) to immediately safeguard Germany’s online gambling marketplace against “unlicensed threats”.
Last week, the GGL formally took charge of the regulatory supervision of GlüNeuRStv, Germany’s Fourth Interstate Gambling Regime, replacing the executive of Saxony Anhalt, who had as the market’s interim governing authority.
Established six months ahead of schedule, the GGL faces a raft of complex challenges to fix Germany’s unloved GlüNeuRStv regime. The market’s licensed incumbents have been vocal about operating challenges and commercial shortcomings related to the regime’s- licensing application, product restrictions, advertising rules, compliance demands/costs and terms of competition against land-based incumbents.
The leadership duo of Ronald Benter and Benjamin Schwanke will serve as joint chief executives of the GGL.
The DSWV welcomed the GGL’s formation, wishing “the new state gaming authority a successful start into a new era of regulation for German online gambling”.
Outlined as the most pressing of matters, the DSWV has urged the GGL to “effectively combat illegal online gambling”, as a key criterion for Bundesländer’s compromise of the regulator mandate of the GlüNeuRStv regime, back in 2021.
“The assumption of the task of combating the illegal market by the GGL is a milestone for the German gaming market,” – remarked DSWV President Mathias Dahms.
“The Authority is now facing major challenges, and we hope that they will also overcome them. The unregulated black market has been able to take on gigantic proportions practically unhindered in recent years. It must therefore intervene now and create a fair market as quickly as possible.”
The DSWV noted “worrying feedback” from the GlüNeuRStv’s 36 licensed sports betting operators who have observed an ‘unprotected marketplace’ in which unlicensed competitors “romp around without a care for necessary player protections”.
Monitoring Germany’s new online gambling marketplace, the DSWV has identified 507 illegal websites that are actively targeting German consumers as “registration from Germany is possible without any problems”.
The ease of engagement with German consumers has escalated licensed incumbents’ fear that “the volume of the black market can hardly be estimated” and that illegal operators have significantly increased their market share since the GlüNeuRStv’s launch.
The GGL has outlined that it will counteract black market threats by using its regulatory controls of IP and payment blocking on unlicensed operators.
The DSWV welcomed IP and payment blocking as short-term measures and advised the GGL to focus on creating a better-licensed offering as the effective solution to safeguard German consumers.
The DSWV deemed that the success of the GGL as regulatory authority will be measured by achieving a high channelisation rate, ensuring the consumers engage and play with licensed operators.
Dahms concluded: “The goal of everyone involved should be to create a secure market that is interesting for customers.”
“Effective action against illegal providers and an attractive range of products on the legal market can actually stop the increasing migration of players to the unregulated black market.”
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has chaired a limited meeting which discussed the efforts taken to eradicate online gambling in the country on Thursday 18 April, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Budi Arie Setiadi, in his press statement after the limited meeting, said that the Government will form a task force to counter online gambling.
“It has been decided that within a week, we will formulate measures to form an integrated task force in order to eradicate online gambling,” Budi said.
Minister for Communication and Information Technology mentioned that forming a cross-ministries/institutions task force is aimed to handle online gambling more thoroughly, collaboratively and efficiently.
“Gambling is an illegal act based on regulations. So, we need to impose measures effectively to settle it,” Budi stated, adding that his ministry will focus on handling online gambling websites and contents, while the law enforcement officers will enforce the law.
“Our authority is only to take down the websites, while the Financial Services Authority (OJK) blocks their financial accounts, and then followed by law enforcement officers, police officers, and the public prosecution service officers,” he remarked.
Similarly, OJK’s Chairperson of Commissioner Board Mahendra Siregar also highlighted the importance of holistic measures in eradicating online gambling in Indonesia.
“Some online gambling activities are not conducted in Indonesia, some are cross-borders, some do not use bank accounts, some needs to be tracked and traced through bank accounts, including transfers and so on. So, the next layers must also be addressed, and that way it leaves no empty rooms,” Mahendra explained.
Mahendra said that according to the institution’s authority, from the end of 2023 to March 2024, OJK has blocked around 5000 bank accounts that indicate its relation to online gambling.
“So far, we have cooperated closely with Communications and Information Technology Ministry. So, if we receive a list of bank accounts suspected to be used or are being used in online gambling activities, we immediately block them, and it has reached up to 5000 bank accounts,” Mahendra mentioned.
The post Indonesian Govt to Form Task Force to Tackle Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
BC.GAME Secures New Curacao LOK License, Enhancing Legal Compliance and Global Reach
BC.GAME has secured a new gaming license that fully complies with Curacao’s updated regulatory framework, the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). This achievement reaffirms BC.GAME’s unwavering commitment to providing a secure and legally compliant gambling environment for its global user base.
Jack Dorsey, CEO of BC.GAME, said: “We are immensely grateful for Curacao’s robust regulatory framework, which has been pivotal in the gambling industry. Obtaining this license is a vital milestone in BC.GAME’s ongoing development and our commitment to providing a trustworthy and secure gambling experience.”
The introduction of the LOK legislation, designed to replace the previous National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH) framework, has set a new precedent in the gambling license domain. Under the NOOGH regime, BC.GAME operated under a sub-license issued by Curacao Interactive Licensing NV (CIL). The new LOK framework, however, brings about significant changes, including the discontinuation of new sub-license issuance and stringent requirements for existing licensees seeking renewal.
Curacao was one of the pioneering nations in establishing regulations for gaming activities. Consequently, this small Caribbean island nation has become a hub for gaming businesses worldwide aiming to adhere to the country’s comprehensive gaming legal framework. BC.GAME has set up a local office to ensure compliance with regulations and to offer support to fulfill the requirements of the local gaming ecosystem.
Acquisition of the license, specifically designed for LOK services, coincides with BC.GAME’s efforts to enhance user trust, forge new partnerships and broaden the accessibility of its comprehensive gaming services. Obtaining licenses and ensuring compliance are crucial steps in solidifying BC.GAME’s position as a dependable and well-regulated global online gaming platform.
“Curacao is an essential first step in our broader global strategy. As we continue to accelerate our expansion, expect more exciting developments and good news in the near future,” Jack Dorsey said.
The post BC.GAME Secures New Curacao LOK License, Enhancing Legal Compliance and Global Reach appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Platform provider Hub88 has secured a supplier licence in Peru, a significant step as the company pursues further expansion across Latin America.
Granted by Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), the new B2B certification permits Hub88 to provide its casino aggregation platform to locally licensed operators in the country.
New legislation entered into force in Peru at the end of 2023, introducing a licensing system for online betting and gaming with the regulated market soon to go live.
The regulatory approval further establishes Hub88’s position in LatAm where the provider has made great strides to become the aggregator platform of choice for local operators.
Hub88 can offer a gateway into the exciting region where its content is resonating well with local players, including titles from proprietary provider Bombay Live, the first supplier to be granted a licence to offer its live casino portfolio in the Province of Buenos Aires, with a dedicated studio in the region.
Hub88’s online casino game portfolio hosts more than 12,000 titles from more than 120 suppliers, including exclusive in-house studios OneTouch and Bombay Live, and a powerful back-office offering.
Ollie Castleman, Head of Hub88, said: “We’re delighted to receive this highly sought-after licence from MINCETUR as the regulated Peruvian market is about to launch, offering great potential.
“LatAm is a region of great importance to us and this approval will further strengthen our position as a leading platform provider in the territory, with a wealth of local knowledge and content proven popular with regional audiences. We are now looking forward to partnering with operators in Peru and bringing our games to local players.”
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