In 2022, Betent and Play North faced scrutiny over not adhering to the rules outlined in the country’s Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Prevention Act (Wwft). As revealed by the Netherlands Gambling Authority, or the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) in Dutch, the problems concern the operators’ failure to control player behavior, along with violations of the country’s anti-money laundering regulations (AML) and the legislation surrounding counter-terrorism financing (CTF).

Specific instances involved the loss of significant funds by customers, which should have been prevented via intervention by the operators. In some cases, users were able to incur losses exceeding €50,000 per month.

The KSA cited the lack of investigation of users who have deposited and lost large sums of money as another violation, specifically relating to the source of the given individuals’ money. Betent and Play North, therefore, did not comply with AML rules. It was also revealed that when asked to provide details regarding the matter, the gambling companies had failed to provide sufficient information.

The KSA’s Reasoning For Going Public With the Information

Although the violations were committed in 2022, the KSA gave several reasons for its decision to make both companies’ breaches public. The first one has to do with improving player awareness of the KSA’s duties. In addition, the situation will also serve as an example of what happens when the rules are not followed to the letter. This can discourage other gambling operators in the Netherlands’ gambling market from neglecting their duties or partaking in unlawful actions.

The KSA also considered informing the masses of the situation to be appropriate due to the fact that the regulator’s decision is now immutable. Both Betent and Play North had attempted to object to the Kansspelautoriteit’s ruling prior to the reveal, but were unsuccessful.

It is worth noting that the situation of Betent and Play North marks the first time the Kansspelautoriteit has revealed information pertaining to specific cases of operators’ regulatory breaches to the masses.

Gambling Legislation in the Netherlands

Established in 2012, the Kansspelautoriteit serves as the entity responsible for regulating gambling operations in the Netherlands. All companies seeking to offer their gambling services to Dutch customers must be authorized by the KSA. Licenses have a validity period of up to five years, although a given license can be revoked when deemed necessary.

The Dutch gambling sector is rich in terms of variety thanks to the fact that over 20 companies have been granted licenses to operate in the country. The rules imposed on licensees also ensure a safe environment for both gamblers and those who wish to avoid partaking in wagering.

Updates to gambling legislation have been introduced as well, with recent changes relating to ad campaigns coming into effect this July. The new regulations stipulate that licensees are not permitted to advertise in public spaces and buildings (including gambling venues). Online advertising is allowed, but only when it is possible for the ads to be targeted strictly toward Dutch individuals 24 or older. An opt-out option must be provided as well.

As the situation of Missouri’s sports betting legislation remains in stasis after multiple failures of the Missouri Senate to address the matter in a State vote, a coalition of six Missouri sports teams proposed four petition initiatives in an effort to make remote and land-based sports betting legal.

Formed by the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Current, St. Louis City, and the St. Lous Blues, the coalition aims to add a total of four petitions to the 2024 ballot, each of which has to do with sports betting. If a statewide vote results in the implementation of all proposed changes, it would allow sportsbooks to acquire licenses and operate legally within Missouri. The petitions were filed on September 8, and it can take up to 60 days for the Missouri Secretary of State to review them.

A license will cost $250,000 per applicant when it comes to brick-and-mortar sports betting establishments. It will last for 5 years, and licensees who wish to continue operating within the state will have to pay a renewal fee of $250,000. As for mobile sportsbooks, they will be required to pay $500,000 to acquire a license, i.e., twice the amount of retail sportsbooks. Remote betting licenses are also valid for 5 years, and the renewal fee is $500,000.

In addition, the petitions propose a 10% tax on the gross gambling revenue (GGR) of each licensed entity. The said funds will be utilized to cover any potential expenses of Missouri’s appointed gambling regulator, should the necessity arise. The revenues from GGR-based fees imposed on license holders will also be utilized for a Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund that will reach up to $5 million in size. Any funds that remain after the money has been appropriated to the aforementioned causes will go toward educational institutions within the state of Missouri.

Sports Betting Legislation in the USA

Although sports betting is legal within the majority of states in the USA, Missouri is among the 13 that have yet to legalize either land-based betting or remote sports wagering. Most of them share Missouri’s fate in having had multiple failed attempts to legalize the practice of wagering on sports. In North Dakota, for instance, there was a sports betting bill that failed to pass in 2021. California was also close to achieving a regulated sports gambling market as recently as 2022, but voters rejected the proposals.

While the above examples might seem discouraging to aspiring Missouri sports bettors, it seems things are looking up for other states. Namely, a bill that will allow sportsbooks to operate within Maine was signed in 2022, and sportsbooks are set to begin licensed operations in November 2023.

On September 5th, the American Gaming Association (AGA) released survey data on responsible gambling awareness among American individuals who partake in gambling activities. The results indicate that the vast majority of gamblers are informed about the existence and benefits of responsible gambling tools.

The results are less promising when it comes to the actual utilization of the said tools, however, revealed AGA Vice President Cait DeBaun in a webinar titled “Elevating responsible gaming: How the industry can sharpen its player protection capabilities.”

Various techniques have been attempted in the efforts to increase the appeal of responsible gaming tools to consumers, with celebrity endorsement being one of them. The year 2021 saw the release of Caesars’ ad campaigns in partnership with the Manning family. The said campaigns aimed to promote the practice of gaming responsibly. DraftKings, another popular player in the online sports betting scene, sought out professional wrestler The Miz and skateboarder Tony Hawk in 2022 for their own campaign that aimed to increase player awareness and interest in responsible gambling.

Although both campaigns were met with positive reception, the information revealed in Cait DeBaun’s recent webinar suggests that both the tools and their promotion have a long way to go in making players more willing to give responsible gambling tools a try. DeBaun also emphasized the need to be careful with how responsible gambling is marketed, as the wrong approach could backfire and encourage customers to seek illegal means of gambling. She went on to note the importance of ensuring that players see responsible gambling as a comfortable enhancement to iGaming and betting as opposed to making users feel like they are being monitored.

It is important to remember that the legality of celebrity endorsement of gambling, even when it involves responsible gambling tools, can pose a problem in certain jurisdictions. In Canada, for instance, celebrity endorsement is prohibited within the jurisdiction of the Ontario province. Innovative techniques that branch from such promotions are, therefore, a necessity in such locations.

Responsible Gambling Tools

Although responsible gambling tools have yet to bring the desired results, when it comes to player engagement in safe gambling, it is important to emphasize that the tools themselves are excellent. They have been developed with a focus on player convenience and ease of use, and efforts to make the experience pleasant, useful, and easy to customize have resulted in the implementation of a variety of tools.

Deposit limits, for starters, are what allow gamblers to set restrictions on how much money they can deposit into their casino or sportsbook accounts. Time limits serve as another popular way of assisting gamblers in developing healthy wagering habits. Other AGA-approved tools include wager limits, i.e., control of how much one can bet, and loss limits, which prevent players from making further bets, have also been implemented.

All of the aforementioned tools have seen widespread integration by gambling companies that cater to the North American iGaming and sports betting markets, but their true effectiveness will be realized once their utilization by the average gambler becomes more common.

KSA, the Dutch gambling regulator, has recently insisted upon strengthening legislative and regulatory measures relating to online gambling platforms operating within the country. The associated improvements concerning responsible gambling policies, programs, and tools are to be implemented at the earliest opportunity, as the regulator requires.

According to the KSA, online gambling venues fail to provide adequate resources to safeguard players vulnerable to gambling addiction or those who wager and subsequently lose substantial amounts of money over short periods. The regulator went on to research the Dutch gambling landscape in further detail.

When asked about the findings of the research, KSA chairman, René Jansen confirmed that the strengthening of responsible gambling rules is urgently necessary. Additionally, he said that the regulatory body identifies shortcomings and investigates gambling providers who do not abide by the guidelines. Ultimately, players need a safe gaming environment with sufficient resources to keep their gambling under control.

More specifically, as far as potential gambling addictions and excessive gambling activity are concerned, providers fail to intervene swiftly and properly. This is primarily due to the ineffectiveness of the monitoring procedures, which take into consideration the amount of bets placed, but not the time spent on wagering. Furthermore, the lack of real-time monitoring resources can lead to overlooking problem gambling players during the weekends.

Young gamblers, aged 18 to 24, are yet another susceptible group that may remain out of the scope of the monitoring stats due to their lower limits. To further improve the effectiveness of responsible gambling policies, the focus should not be solely on the amounts of deposits and bets placed.

Responsible Gambling Measures

Earlier this year, on July 1, a ban on “untargeted remote gambling advertising” was implemented, seeking to protect vulnerable groups of gamblers, especially those aged between 18 and 24. A prohibition on sponsoring events is scheduled to come into force as of 2024, whereas venues and club sponsorships will be disallowed as of 2025.

Following the conducted research, the gambling regulator has confirmed that it will continue its efforts toward amendments to legislation and the tightening of its policies. Meanwhile, the investigations of providers who seem not to abide by the established responsible gambling standards will remain a priority.

Established in 2012, the Kansspelautoriteit, also known as the KSA, is an autonomous administrative entity in charge of regulating and supervising the gambling industry within the European part of the Kingdom of Netherlands. The organization’s main purpose is to ensure a safe and transparent gambling environment for players. The final responsibility for decisions taken by the KSA is assumed by the Board of Directors, whose members are appointed by the Minister of Legal Protection.

In comparison to other European countries, the Netherlands has a very strict policy with regard to land-based and online gambling. Holland Casino is a state-owned company that has monopolized retail gambling venues across the country. As for the online gambling providers, they were legalized in 2021, following the passing of the Remote Gambling Act.

The newly appointed Minister of Communication and Information of Indonesia, Budi Arie Setiadi has said that 42,622 interactive gambling platforms ceased operations since he assumed the post on July 17, 2023. During a press conference in Jakarta held on August 8, 2023, he stated that the anti-gambling measures will target all individuals involved in participating, organizing, sponsoring, and promoting gambling.

The South Asian country is home to the world’s largest Muslim population (more than 270 million) and completely prohibits all forms of online and land-based gambling, under Article 303 of the criminal code.

With Islamic law considering gambling a dreadful sin and nearly 88% of the citizens adhering to the Islamic religion, the situation is unlikely to change any time soon. The ban includes sports betting, slot machines, table games, lotteries, and all other games of chance. It is in force for both locals and foreigners.

Despite the Government’s firm stance on gambling, the country’s upper-middle income rate and rapid economic growth create favorable conditions for the flourishing of illegal operations. Furthermore, Indonesia’s population has access to a robust telecommunication network, ranking fourth in terms of internet users in Asia, after China, India, and Japan. Consequently, despite the stringent regulations, local gamblers enjoy readily available and easily obtained access to interactive gambling platforms.

Governmental Efforts to Eradicate Gambling in Indonesia

The Government puts a great deal of effort into eradicating the popular form of entertainment across its territory and seems intent to emerge victorious from the tough battle. For the time between 2018 and September 2023, the total number of blocked online gambling operators within the country amounts to more than 900,000.

Indonesians are known to be fervent gamblers. They are especially enthusiastic about sports betting, too. Gamblers and organizers of gambling events are severely punished across the country. The extent of sanctions varies greatly, depending on the province where they are caught gambling. Wrongdoers can expect public flogging, beating, fines, or imprisonment of three to five years, or, if they are lucky, they can escape punishment.

Besides gamblers and organizers, the government directs its attention to influencers and affiliates that promote all forms of gambling. As the Minister of Communication and Information of Indonesia stated, the government will coordinate its efforts with the Indonesian Police. Additionally, it will work closely with telecoms to curb the negative effects of marketing campaigns of illegal operators.

Earlier in September, the official YouTube channel of the House of Representatives of Indonesia (DPR RI) was compromised. Consequently, the social media account was used to stream two videos containing online gambling content.

Indra Iskandar, Secretary-General of DPR RI, confirmed contacting Google Indonesia immediately to curb the negative consequences of the unlawful account appropriation. At the time of writing, the YouTube account, which has approximately 240,000 subscribers is restored and functional.

Following the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on May 14, 2018, all states were allowed to legalize sports betting, as per their judgment. Before this, the Professional and Amateur Sports Provision Act 1992 (PASPA) made any form of operating, advertising, promoting, or licensing sports wagering activities illegal. From that point forward, the sports betting industry has experienced explosive growth, with revenue from the online sports betting market expected to reach $7.62 billion by the end of 2023.

At the time being, in-person and online sports betting is legalized in more than 35 US states. As of September 2023, Kentucky was among the last states to join the legal sports betting sector. It became the 37th state to endorse the popular form of entertainment, following the signing of HB 551 into law on March 31, 2023, by Governor Andy Beshear. Betting in land-based establishments across the state was initiated as of September 7, 2023, whereas the interactive operators will launch their platforms on September 28, 2023.

All US states, Kentucky including, are now considering setting funds aside for problem gambling services. What are the implications of a rapidly growing sector and the funds to be spent on problem gambling services in the Bluegrass State?

Kentucky’s Budget for Problem Gambling Services in its First Year of Legal Sports Betting

Kentucky launched the sports betting industry with the intention of allocating part of the sports betting funds for problem gambling services. A portion of every bet that the Kentuckians place will be allocated for setting up a state program to assist gamblers in resolving their gambling-related issues.

As indicated by studies of gambling disorders, the most susceptible group of gamblers are young, well-educated men. In today’s technology-driven age, wagers can be placed around the clock via highly functional mobile betting apps, which makes gambling even more accessible.

According to reports, a very small portion generated by legal sports betting is allocated for setting up problem gambling facilities across the US.

Following the signing of House Bill 551, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear set up a Kentucky Problem Gambling Assistance account. According to estimates by state officials, legal sports betting will produce about $23 million yearly revenue, of which 2.5% must be distributed to problem gambling. Hence, the funds for the first year of legal sports wagering within Kentucky will reach as much as $575,000.

The Kentucky Problem Gambling Assistance Account will be managed by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. As per information from the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, there are more than 100,000 potential problem gamblers in the state. With only 7 problem gambling professionals currently available, the existing resources to tackle such disorders are insufficient.

It has been two years since the sun-drenched Grand Canyon State legalized sports betting. Following Governor Doug Ducey’s signing of bill HB 2772 into law in April 2021, the popular form of entertainment became legal in Arizona in September 2021. The industry flourished at a hectic pace with more than $7.1 billion worth of bets placed during the first year of legal sports wagering within the state. This figure has now risen to $11 billion marking the second anniversary of the sector in Arizona.

Sports betting enthusiasts can currently wager on their favorite markets via more than 15 legal sports betting apps, with brands such as BetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars Sportsbook at the forefront. There is no shortage of retail sportsbooks across the state either, although online bets make up the lion’s share of wagering.

Arizona is home to five major professional sports teams – Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Arizona Coyotes (NHL), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), as well as several minor league and semi-pro teams. This poses many opportunities for placing a varied range of wagers.

To promote sports wagering, operators rely on risk-free bets, which are among the most common promotional offers. Popular personalities are yet another resource that is utilized by big gambling brands.

While sports betting’s rapid expansion in Arizona has been a source of economic growth and many job opportunities within the state, the endeavors to deliver sufficient responsible gambling resources to punters are not to be underestimated either.

Responsible Gambling Resources in Arizona

Gamblers can seek professional help in case they identify any gambling disorder they might be struggling with through the Arizona Department of Gaming and the Arizona Council of Compulsive Gambling. Much like throughout the rest of the country, there is a tendency for younger individuals in Arizona who are seeking assistance from therapists or counselors.

As reported by the Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling, the most prevalent portion of people who seek help includes young male gamblers or members of their families. While gambling is a harmless form of entertainment and recreation for most people, it can become a severe issue for the most susceptible individuals.

A range of different self-assessment tools, treatment, and recovery support are readily available for those who have identified a gambling-related issue and have realized the necessity of dealing with it properly.

There is a very fine line between sports betting for fun and developing a serious gambling addiction, so seeking professional help is of great importance. However, the desire for treatment of gambling disorders, like with any other type of addiction, should be initiated by the affected individual, otherwise, it would not be efficient.

Last week, Richmond city officials examined the joint project of Churchill Downs, Inc. and Urban One for the redesign of Richmond Grand Resort and Casino. They familiarized themselves with the plans in detail and did not hide their enthusiasm about a socially responsible cause they were about to unveil. The forthcoming referendum on November 7, 2023, will show if the local citizens will approve or reject the $561 million casino proposal.

Richmond Mayor, Levar Stoney, is an ardent advocate of the city becoming a popular casino destination. At a press meeting held on September 5, 2023, at T. B. Smith Community Center, he communicated the budget plans if the project came into existence.

Stoney announced plans to establish the Richmond Childcare and Education Trust Fund which will be financed by the city’s casino tax revenue. The funds will be allocated to early childhood programs and initiatives, more specifically, two new childcare centers, each with a capacity of approximately 100 children.

Should Richmond residents approve the casino resort, the projected tax revenue funds will amount to about $30 million annually.

Approximately $18.5 million (out of $26.5 million) of the casino’s payment will be directed to the Childcare and Education Trust Fund. Each of the childcare centers will cost $7 million, with $4.5 million used to establish the fund. The remaining $8 million will be utilized to improve the city’s open spaces used for sports and recreation.

Stoney believes that the projected tax revenue will ensure a stable money flow into the city and will eliminate the need to raise taxes. Opponents argue that the city’s mayor and officials are manipulating public opinion through the said childhood development initiatives.

Richmond Grand Resort and Casino Project

In November 2023, Richmond residents are about to approve or reject the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino project. As a matter of fact, this is the second proposal by Urban One. The previous one, for ONE Casino and Resort, was repudiated during last year’s referendum. The $562 million venue will be located in South Richmond and will offer various gambling products, including a sportsbook, nearly 1,800 slot machines, more than 100 table games, and many poker tables. In addition to the various sources of gambling entertainment, the facility will be equipped with a 3,000-seat concert venue, a 250-room 4-star rating hotel, and an open-air park.

Richmond, along with four other cities (Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth, and Norfolk) were identified as financially disadvantaged areas in need of an economic boost. All of the said cities, except for Richmond, have approved the respective casino development projects. It remains to be seen if Richmond will follow suit and if the revamped project will get the locals’ approval this year.

Casual backyard volleyball tournaments throughout Milford have been used to disguise illegal gambling activities, according to local law enforcement. As a result, police officers arrested two individuals with connection to the “backyard casino” scheme, as they call it. Law enforcement authorities believe that other gambling activities operate under the same disguise in town.

Deputy Police Chief Robert Tusino could not hide his astonishment at how these individuals used volleyball tournaments to disguise gambling activities. He explained that these events, often disguised as casual gatherings among friends, were significant gambling operations.

Last Saturday, a search warrant was executed at 21 Franklin St. During the raid, the police found people playing volleyball but also discovered illegal table gambling, as well as unauthorized sale of alcohol and cigarettes. There were also concession stands, outdoor cooking facilities, and illicit wiring. During the raid, police confiscated nearly $10k in cash. Tusino said that the illegal gambling operations had been taking place in residential areas in backyards.

The town’s Select Board took action about four months ago in response to complaints about gambling operations. A task force comprised of the Police Department, Building Department, and Health Department was established to initiate a thorough investigation. Paul Mazzuchelli, Chair of the Select Board, said that such illegal gambling operations might have taken place for years. Some properties where these activities were held had transformed their backyards into parking lots. He added that parties usually start on Friday evening and continue through Sunday night.

The Illegal Gambling Operations Disturb Residents and Call for Immediate Action

Complaints from neighbors included loud noise and stadium-like lights. Mazzuchelli explained that these gatherings had too many cars, loud music, and bright lights. He added that law enforcement authorities received many complaints from residents, looking for relief from the ongoing parties. Investigators used undercover operations and drone surveillance to discover the illegal gambling activities. According to Tusino, hundreds of thousands of dollars were generated annually from these operations, with undercover officers having witnessed money exchanges firsthand.

The raid from last Saturday resulted in the arrest of Luis Loja-Caguana, the owner of the property. He was charged with operating betting activities, keeping a disorderly home, and having a house of gaming. Zoila Castro was also arrested on charges of selling beer at the location. The two suspects are scheduled to appear in Milford District Court this Friday.

But this is not the first time Loja-Caguana has been linked to huge parties. In 2020, the 43-year-old man was fined $1,500 by the Board of Health for hosting parties of over 200 people and neglecting the Covid-19 restrictions. Tusino said that Loja-Caguana and Castro may face additional charges from other law enforcement agencies. As the investigation continues, more individuals are expected to face charges.

Mazzuchelli said that these issues must be addressed as soon as possible because they affect the quality of life in the area. He reiterated that the illegal gambling activities had been disturbing residents for a long and called for immediate action.

On September 8, a writ petition filed by a Delta Corp entity is to appear before the Bombay High Court for a final hearing. The Delta group hopes to receive a casino license from the Daman and Diu administration under Section 13A of the Goa, Daman, and Diu Public Gambling Act, 1976. Delta Corp is the sole listed casino in the country.

The central point of the petition is the authorization of a casino license for “The Deltin” – a luxurious five-star resort established by a subsidiary of Delta Corp a decade ago in Daman. Delta approached the High Court in 2018 after the administration did not respond to its license application filed in 2014. The petition names the U.T. Administration of Daman and Diu, Administrator of the U.T. of Daman and Diu, and Director of Tourism, U.T. Administration of Daman and Diuas the respondents in this legal recourse.

Delta enjoys a strong presence in the casino industry with its two offshore casinos and a five-star hotel with a land-based casino in Goa. The company also owns brick-and-mortar casinos in Sikkim and Nepal, further strengthening its position in the gambling market.

Not long ago, fake news went viral on social media, stating that the Delta group finally received the long-awaited approval to operate electronic amusement and slot machines in Daman and Diu. The misinformation resulted in share manipulation. However, Delta promptly denied the fake reports and clarified the current status of their license application.

Delta Corp is Currently Working on Another Ambitious Casino Project at Dhargalim

As reported earlier this month by BonusInsider, Delta Corp Limited obtained environment clearance from the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), paving the way for its ambitious Rs 3,000 crore casino-integrated township project at Dhargalim, Pernem. Last October, the state government approved the project, which subsequently required SEIAA’s approval. This June, the development was recommended to SEIAA by the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee.

However, the Goa SEIAA requires Delta Corp to comply with a list of conditions under corporate environmental responsibility (CER). The company must establish infrastructure for drinking water supply, sanitation, health, education, solar power, and others. SEIAA also ordered Delta to establish a biogas plant and ensure proper electronic waste management.

The resort-cum-casino project will occupy 90 acres of land near Mopa airport. It will offer three hotels, a cinema hall, a convention center, a shopping area, banquet facilities, a water park, and a kid’s play area. The project is expected to be completed by 2027.

The casino-integrated township project, however, has faced a lot of criticism from citizens and groups, with the most recent coming from the women’s non-governmental organization (NGO) Bailancho Saad. According to members of the said organization, the gambling industry uses sexualized images of women in its marketing. They also claim that casinos have an adverse impact on young people and harm the environment. But despite mounting criticism, industry experts believe that the casino-integrated township project will bring many economic benefits to Goa.