Compliance Updates
Danish Gambling Authority Issues Six Orders to Royal Casino Århus for AML Failures
On 14 June 2023, the Danish Gambling Authority Spillemyndigheden has given Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S six orders for breaching the rules on risk assessment of section 7(1) of the AML Act (order a), business procedures of section 8(1) of the AML Act (order b), supervision of section 8(1) of the AML Act (order c), training material of section 8(6) of the AML Act (order d), performance of customer due diligence procedures of section 11 of the AML Act (order e) and performance of enhanced customer due diligence measures for guests from high risk third countries (order f).
Order a is given because Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S has made an insufficient identification of customer types, including foreign PEPs and PEPs in international organisations and their family members and close associates. Moreover, identification and risk assessments have not been made of individuals subject to financial sanctions. When the risk assessment does not sufficiently describe the factors connected to their guests, the risk assessment does thereby not cover all areas of their business model.
Order a is also given because Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S has made an insufficient identification and risk assessment of the use of cash as a means of payment. Given that an inclusion of mitigating initiatives has been done too early, a correct assessment of this factor has not been made, which is why the inherent risks are not stated correctly. Thus, the risk assessment does not cover all areas of their business model.
Order b is given because Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S does not have sufficient written business procedures. The business procedures lack sufficient procedures for the performance of customer due diligence measures for high-risk customers, enhanced customer due diligence measures for PEPs and their family members and close associates and for the obligations to report.
Order c is given because Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S has not complied with their own business procedures for the performance of internal controls of procedures for customer due diligence measures, procedures for investigation and registering, procedures for reporting and procedures for record-keeping.
Order d is given because Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S does not have sufficient training material about enhanced customer due diligence measures for PEPs, prevention of financing of terrorism, and individuals subject to financial sanctions. The training material is, therefore, not sufficient to ensure that the employees have an adequate knowledge of the obligations of the AML Act in relation to Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S as a business.
Order e is given because Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S has not performed sufficient customer due diligence measures, as a customer had not been verified correctly in accordance with the requirements of section 11(2) of the AML Act.
Order f is given because Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S has not performed sufficient customer due diligence measures for guests from high-risk third countries given that information about the origin of the funds and the source of the customer’s assets have not been procured in relation to the requirements of section 17(1)(3) of the AML Act.
The Danish Gambling Authority notes that the rules on risk assessment, business procedures, training material and customer due diligence measures are fundamental parts of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. As a rule, breaches of the rules lead to an order or a reprimand or in serious or repeated cases, they are reported to the police.
The orders cause an obligation to act for Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus I/S, since they must submit an updated risk assessment, updated business procedures, updated controls, updated training material and updated procedures for customer due diligence measures addressing the insufficiencies identified in the orders.
The Danish Gambling Authority has given Royal Scandinavian Casino Århus a deadline of three months to correct the matters concerning the orders a-f.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued a cease-and-desist order to BetUS, an offshore gambling operator, for illegally offering internet gaming and sports betting to Michigan residents without proper licensure.
Investigations by the MGCB revealed that BetUS was accepting wagers from Michigan residents on various gambling activities, including sports and casino-style games, without the necessary state authorization. This operation violates Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.
“Unlicensed operators like BetUS undermine the integrity of Michigan’s regulated gaming market and expose consumers to potential risks. The MGCB is committed to protecting Michigan residents by ensuring that all gambling activities are conducted legally and responsibly,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of MGCB.
The cease-and-desist order mandates that BetUS immediately halt all operations involving Michigan residents. The company has 14 days to comply or face further legal action in coordination with the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Order to BetUS appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Your recent AML Outlook report highlights over €36 million in fines issued across Europe in just one year. What recurring weaknesses or compliance gaps are regulators most commonly identifying in payments and e-money firms?
John Gidla (JG): Regulators continue to flag underinvestment in anti-financial crime controls as a key concern for payments and e-money firms. Common themes include weak governance, limited oversight, and fragmented controls, all of which increase vulnerability to financial crime. There’s a growing expectation that firms scale their compliance frameworks in line with their risk exposure and growth trajectory
The report mentions that AML compliance can be costly—yet the reputational and financial risks of non-compliance are even greater. What are the most cost-effective measures firms can implement today to strengthen their AML frameworks without overwhelming their budgets?
JG: While not all firms can afford advanced compliance tools, strong governance remains one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce risk. Practical steps such as training staff on emerging threats, embedding a culture of accountability, and regularly updating frameworks as the business grows can go a long way in strengthening AML resilience without major spend.
With the creation of the EU’s new AMLA authority, do you expect a more consistent and centralized enforcement approach across Europe? How might this change how firms prepare for inspections and adapt their compliance strategies?
JG: AMLA has the potential to bring greater consistency to AML enforcement across the EU, addressing long-standing issues caused by fragmented supervision and uneven implementation by national authorities. Its impact will depend on how much direct oversight it gains, how assertively it acts on cross-border risks, and whether it can close the regulatory gaps that have permitted high-profile scandals. Firms should expect more rigorous and standardised inspections and will need to ensure their compliance programmes are not only locally robust, but scalable across jurisdictions.
Vixio emphasizes the importance of a proactive rather than reactive compliance culture. In your view, what does a ‘proactive’ AML strategy look like in 2025, and what technologies or best practices are leading firms adopting to stay ahead?
JG: A truly proactive AML strategy in 2025 extends beyond technology to encompass a strong compliance culture at every level of the organisation. Leading firms understand that combating financial crime isn’t just the responsibility of the compliance team — it’s integrated into day-to-day operations, with senior leadership driving risk awareness across departments. In terms of technology, firms are increasingly adopting AI, machine learning, and automated monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity early and reduce human error. However, culture plays a critical role; firms that foster a compliance-first mindset and invest in ongoing staff training are better positioned to adapt to emerging threats and ensure that their compliance frameworks evolve in step with business growth and digital transformation. A proactive approach also means constantly reassessing risk and using data to predict and prevent issues, rather than just reacting to them. With regulations in constant flux, and regulators ramping up enforcement, proactive compliance looks like implementing strategies to anticipate regulations, not just react to them. In Vixio’s PC Outlook Report, we found that a clear majority of firms surveyed are using some form of outsourcing for their compliance functionality, turning to firms like Vixio to get ahead of regulatory change.
Thanks to John Gidla, Head of Payments Compliance at Vixio, for his insightful responses.
The post Exclusive Commentary from Vixio On Their AML Outlook Findings appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) reported that, a little more than a year after having implemented the law that regulates the online sector, it has been able to reduce by 40% the offer of illegal games in digital platforms and applications.
In a public statement, the Executive portfolio in charge of regulating gambling also highlighted that, thanks to the inspection work, 15% of the illegal websites “have left the Peruvian market” and that “payment methods providers and financial entities have been contacted to block services to unauthorized operators”.
Based on this, Mincetur highlighted that “Peru has managed to position itself as a regional referent in the integral regulation of gambling” and that, through the normative framework, it was possible to “protect the consumer, guarantee transparency in the operations and promote the formal and sustainable economic development”.
The Ministry highlighted that with the implementation of Law No 31557, which regulates sports betting and online games, “the country became the third country in Latin America to establish clear regulations for this activity”.
“Since its entry into force in February 2024, 60 technological platforms have been authorized and 280 linked service providers have been registered, as well as the accreditation of nine international certification laboratories,” Mincetur said.
In this regard, the Ministry stated that “this regulation has made it possible to formalize the digital sector, promoting an environment of trust for both operators and users.” At the same time, it has allowed “new investment opportunities, boosting the digitalization of entertainment and strengthening the country’s tax collection”.
The post Peru Reports 40% Drop in Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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