Compliance Updates
UKGC Welcomes OSR Review of Gambling Survey for Great Britain

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has welcomed the findings from the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) regarding the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).
Both the public statement and comprehensive review of the GSGB praised the development and transparency of the survey and provided a series of important recommendations to further enhance its reliability and user engagement.
Ben Haden, Director of Research and Statistics at the UKGC, said: “We welcome the findings from OSR, both the public statement regarding casework they have received in relation to GSGB and their overall review of the GSGB. We are pleased they recognise the huge amount of work that the team has put into developing and delivering the largest survey of its kind in the world. We also welcome OSR’s recommendations for further action, which closely align with work that we already have underway.”
The GSGB collects the Commission’s official statistics on gambling behaviours in Great Britain. After several years of extensive development, the Commission asked the OSR to review GSGB against its standards in the Code of Practice for Statistics to support continual improvement and provide independent assurance on quality and transparency.
As OSR rightly states, the absence of accredited official statistics status does not imply the GSGB is of lower quality or reliability, despite some claims to the contrary. The decision on which one to use should be based on user need and not accreditation status.
It also acknowledged that the Commission has presented clear and impartial information about the strengths and limitations of the methodological approach and statistical uncertainty of survey estimates.
The Commission has already acted on several areas outlined in the report based on earlier feedback and will provide a further, fuller update in July in line with OSR’s request.
As part of its commitment to improvement, the Commission has already updated its guidance for users of the GSGB in February 2025, with clearer examples and dedicated contact channels for questions or concerns. The Commission has also committed to promoting this guidance more widely and embedding it across all future releases.
The OSR noted that communication and user engagement will be critical to the GSGB’s ongoing success. In response, the Commission has announced plans to establish a GSGB Statistics User Group. Around 70 stakeholders have already expressed interest in joining the group, which will serve as a forum for dialogue, feedback, and shared learning.
Further improvements are underway in line with recommendations from Professor Sturgis’s independent review of the GSGB. An experimental research project was launched in April 2025 to test specific aspects of the survey’s methodology. Fieldwork is now in progress, with findings expected in Summer 2025. These results will inform the second GSGB annual report, due for publication on 2 October 2025.
Other recommendations already actioned:
• survey improvement plan updated with further information for users
• new survey questions designed to validate GSGB findings against external data sources such as Gamstop and the Bingo Association
• improvements to accessibility and usability of GSGB outputs – links to guidance added to statistical outputs released on 22 May.
Other recommendations that will be actioned:
• comparisons with forthcoming datasets from the Health Survey for England and the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, due later in 2025
• publication of a communications strategy to improve how GSGB updates are shared
• ongoing improvements to accessibility and usability of GSGB outputs to be informed by GSGB stats user group.
The Commission continues to engage with other official statistics producers, including Ofcom, the Money and Pensions Service and devolved government agencies, and is reviewing user engagement frameworks to develop a formal user engagement strategy.
The post UKGC Welcomes OSR Review of Gambling Survey for Great Britain appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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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