Compliance Updates
EGBA Publishes New Pan-European Anti-Money Laundering Guidelines for Online Gambling
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has published its first pan-European guidelines to support the online gambling sector’s contribution to Europe’s fight against money laundering. The guidelines – reviewed and revised by Europe’s top anti-money laundering (AML) compliance experts – reflect the latest technologies and laws and build upon EGBA’s commitment to promote the highest level of industry responsibility in AML.
The EGBA guidelines on fighting money laundering and terrorist financing contain practical, sector-specific guidance on how online gambling operators should conduct customer and business risk assessments, customer due diligence processes, suspicious transaction reporting, record keeping, and other essential areas which require strong AML compliance. The guidelines – which operators should apply across their EU operations – apply a risk-based approach and aim to support the sector’s compliance with Europe’s various AML rules, including the EU’s upcoming AML Regulation. EGBA members are required to submit yearly reports to EGBA summarising their progress in implementing the guidelines, and other operators are also invited to join the initiative.
Publication of the guidelines follows a consultation period in the autumn of 2022, where EGBA invited feedback from industry experts and national regulatory authorities.
EGBA members are committed to a strong culture of AML compliance. In 2021, they were subject to 30 AML audits by Europe’s gambling and financial regulatory authorities and submitted nearly 13,000 suspicious activity reports to national law enforcement agencies to support Europe’s fight against money laundering. In addition, EGBA represents its members in various AML forums, including the European Commission and Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
“As the sophistication of financial crime continues to evolve, the publication of these AML guidelines demonstrates EGBA’s commitment to ensure that Europe’s online gambling sector actively contributes towards the fight against financial crime. There’s currently a lack of sector-specific guidance to help Europe’s online gambling operators in their AML compliance efforts and these guidelines provide a valuable tool to fill this gap and help operators achieve the highest possible standards,” Dr Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at EGBA, said.
Leading sportsbook technology provider ready to deliver premium virtual sports offering to local operators
Altenar has achieved a significant milestone in its LatAm expansion by securing a new certification to offer sportsbook and RGS, including virtual sports in Brazil.
This development underscores Altenar’s commitment to providing cutting-edge and engaging sportsbook solutions in regulated markets, and follows a string of landmark deals with industry leaders, such as Inspired, Kiron, Leap and Sportradar.
To achieve the certification, Altenar underwent a thorough evaluation process, demonstrating the provider’s dedication to compliance and its ability to meet the stringent requirements of the Brazilian market.
The integration of virtual sports from renowned providers will further enhance Altenar’s comprehensive platform, offering a dynamic and exciting vertical for Brazilian players that can be enjoyed 24/7.
Dinos Doxiadis, Director of Product – Sportsbook and Data at Altenar, said: “We are thrilled to achieve certification for virtual sports in Brazil. This marks another significant step in our growth across Latin America and reinforces our commitment to the burgeoning region.
“By joining forces with some of the industry’s most renowned providers, we are confident in our ability to deliver an unparalleled virtual sports experience to operators and players in Brazil. This offering will complement our existing sportsbook solutions and provide further opportunities for engagement and growth in this key market.”
The post Altenar gains ground in Brazil with virtual sports certification appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has warned 711 BV, a provider of online games of chance, for showing gambling ads on a website aimed at minors. The warning followed a report from a parent who saw an advertising banner from 711 on a website linked to homework assignments from primary schools.
By law, gambling providers are not allowed to advertise to vulnerable groups, including minors. This form of advertising is considered by the KSA to be very harmful and therefore a serious violation. Taking action against such advertising and taking extra care to protect minors and young adults will be a priority for the KSA in 2025.
The 711 advertising campaign was carried out by an external partner. This party placed banners on various websites, including sites that are (partly) aimed at minors. In a conversation with the KSA, 711 indicated that it had already discovered this itself after an internal investigation and had taken measures to prevent recurrence. The provider did not report this, but should have done so: licensees are obliged to inform the KSA of errors on their part that could pose a danger to consumers.
The KSA dealt with the violation with a warning, because 711 itself had discovered and ended the violation and taken measures to prevent recurrence.
The post Dutch Regulator Issues Warning to 711 BV appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a warning to operators, reminding them that failure to submit regulatory returns on time may lead to penalties and further enforcement actions.
The warning follows a spate of fines against operators who have failed to submit a regulatory return in the required timeframes for each type of activity for which they hold a licence.
Since October more than ten businesses have been fined up to £750 for not correctly completing and submitting regulatory returns within the required timeframe.
John Pierce, Commission Director of Enforcement, said: “Despite early engagement and the issuing of advice notices, further failures to comply with the regulatory returns process were identified in these cases. Operators are expected to understand their reporting obligations and must ensure returns are submitted on time via our online portal.”
“Repeated breaches and persistent non-compliance is likely to result in escalating enforcement action.”
On 1 July 2024, Licence Condition 15.3.1 – General and regulatory returns of the Licence Conditions Codes of Practice was updated to require all licensees to submit regulatory returns on a quarterly basis replacing the previous annual basis.
The next quarterly returns are due by 28 April 2025 and can be submitted via the eServices digital service on the UKGC’s website.
The post UKGC Warns Operators Over Late Regulatory Returns appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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