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The global gambling industry has experienced significant changes in the first quarter of 2023, with the focus on social responsibility, regulatory updates, and innovative approaches to governance. This article highlights the top seven stories that have shaped the gambling landscape so far this year.
The European Union and the UK have been at the forefront of implementing socially responsible gambling regulations, influencing other jurisdictions worldwide. In a bid to promote responsible gambling practices, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is developing an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Code of Good Practice. Additionally, the European Committee of Standardization is working on a pan-European framework for monitoring markers of harm related to online gambling.
Uruguay’s proposed online gambling bill has faced criticism due to inadequate controls and the restriction of online platforms to land-based casinos. The Football Association of Uruguay (AUF) has also expressed concerns about the exclusion of advertising partnerships between sports teams and online sportsbooks.
Curaçao’s Ministry of Finance launched a website to publish gambling policies as part of the island’s regulatory overhaul. The new Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) will issue both B2B and B2C licenses and implement a revised fee structure, employee requirements, and enhanced anti-money laundering controls.
The Georgian government has approved new restrictions that allow only land-based license holders to offer online gambling services. This decision follows other measures aimed at combating problem gambling, such as raising the gambling age to 25 and increasing taxes on gambling revenues.
A royal decree in Belgium will ban gambling advertising, with a few exceptions, such as the national lottery and limited sports betting ads. These new restrictions will take effect from July 1, 2023.
A recent report from the German regulator GGL revealed that 95% of bets placed in the country are on legal websites, defying predictions that strict regulations, such as deposit and spin limits, would drive players to the black market.
In January 2023, India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT introduced rules establishing a series of self-regulatory bodies to oversee the online gambling industry. These governing bodies will consist of online gambling businesses themselves, fostering a more collaborative approach to industry regulation.