Regulation round-up 31 October 2017
The biggest regulatory news from the egaming industry in the last seven days (24 October to 31 October 2017)
UK government pledges stronger online gambling protections
DCMS introduces new responsible gambling obligations and light advertising restrictions following triennial review
The UK government today unveiled proposals to strengthen protections around online gambling for “vulnerable people and children” as part of its long-awaited triennial review findings, focused primarily on fixed odds betting terminals.
Minister for gambling Tracy Crouch this morning announced the Gambling Commission will consult on changes to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) next year, with the aim of raising standards on player protection online.
She also announced that operators will be obliged to provide £10m-14m for responsible gambling campaigns over two years.
The DCMS noted: “The campaign will include TV adverts, including around live sport, as well as radio, cinema, online and print. The campaign will be funded by gambling operators, including online-only betting firms, with airspace and digital media provided by broadcasters.”
Stan James hit by £80k fine from Gambling Commission
Stan James has been fined £80,000 by the Gambling Commission for social responsibility and money laundering failures.
The Gambling Commission investigated the Kindred-owned sportsbook after an individual, who was convicted of stealing from his employer, lost £40,000 of stolen money on Stan James Online between 2014 and 2016.
Stan James has been ordered to reimburse the customer’s employer for the stolen £40,000, as well as a £40,000 payment to the Commission in lieu of a heavier financial penalty.
The UKGC’s investigation, which was completed on 29 October, found Stan James failed to comply with its regulations on two points: a failure to identify problem gambling behaviour and a failure to comply with financial requirements.
Gambling firms have learned their lesson, says ASA chairman
The new chairman of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) believes gambling firms have learned a lesson from the sanctions imposed by the regulator over the last few months.
Lord David Currie, who was appointed at the beginning of October, told Marketing Week the ASA had been “quite tough” on operators, after banning ads from the likes of Ladbrokes, Sky Betting & Gaming, Casumo and 888 that were created by affiliates.
One ad caused particular controversy after suggesting a man could fund his wife’s cancer treatment and cure his depression by playing casino games online.
Each operator claimed the advertorial had been printed without their knowledge or approval, which subsequently led to calls for a closer oversight of affiliate partners.
Swedish regulator to clamp down on gambling adverts
Swedish gaming regulator Lotteriinspektionen has pledged a renewed crackdown on gambling adverts in the country, after winning a landmark court case last week.
The Swedish Supreme Court enforced a ban on non-regulated gambling operators advertising in local media, after a long-running case between the gambling authority and two media companies.
Lotteriinspektionen has been trying to enforce a ban since 2013 when it initiated court proceedings against billboard advertising firm Clear Channel Sverige for promoting Unibet games.
The company appealed its case and the court gave its final ruling this week, extending the ban to all foreign operators advertising in the country.