Insights Archive

February 23, 2024

Frankfurt To Be Home To EU AML Watchdog

Frankfurt has been chosen by the European Parliament and Council as the seat of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority, which will serve as the EU’s new enforcer in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

February 23, 2024

Week In Crypto: Circle Ditches Tron Network As US Stablecoin War Escalates

Circle cuts ties with the Tron blockchain, Coinbase meets with the UK’s new city minister, and Montenegro confirms that the man behind TerraUSD will be extradited to the US.

February 23, 2024

Daily Dash: New Zealand Regulator Urges Banks To 'Pick Up The Pace' On A2A Payments

New Zealand’s commerce commissioner has warned that regulatory powers may be used if it does not see progress on account-to-account payments. Meanwhile, Russia has shut down a high-risk payments firm on money laundering grounds.

February 23, 2024

UK Announces Incoming Online Slot Stake Limits

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has announced that the UK will introduce a maximum £2 stake for 18 to 24 year-olds for online slot games and a £5 limit for adults aged 25 and over.

February 23, 2024

China Busts $100bn Online Gaming Syndicate, Names Philippine 'Base'

Chinese police have announced the arrest of 93 people suspected of involvement in an international online gambling ring with turnover of more than $100bn, with authorities unusually naming a Philippine resort that allegedly hosts the syndicate.

February 22, 2024

Pennsylvania Fines Penn $147,500 Over Fraudulent Accounts, Underage Gaming

Penn Entertainment will pay a significant fine after reporting hundreds of fraudulent wagering accounts were created in Pennsylvania on its former Barstool iGaming and sportsbook platforms, as well as its Hollywood Casino platform.

February 22, 2024

Las Vegas Casino Executives Praise Super Bowl, Formula 1 Impact

Despite questions regarding how hosting major events such as the Super Bowl and the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix would impact casinos, bosses of several of the Las Vegas Strip's most prominent casino-resorts insist they were thrilled with the results.

February 22, 2024

Gambling Industry Welcomes Finnish Licensing, Dreads 'Dutch-Style' Cooling Off

The European gambling industry applauds Finnish monopoly Veikkaus’ support for an open licensing system to combat the black market but fears its support for a cooling-off period like the one that rocked would-be entrants to the Dutch market.

February 22, 2024

EPC Opens Verification Of Payee Consultation

The European Payments Council (EPC) has launched a public consultation on the Verification of Payee Scheme Rulebook.

February 22, 2024

ANZ To Acquire Suncorp Bank Following U-Turn By Australian Regulator

Australia’s ANZ has secured regulatory approval for a proposed acquisition of Suncorp Bank, following a six-month legal battle with the country’s competition watchdog.

February 22, 2024

Daily Dash: Money Laundering Bank Taken Down In Pan-European Investigation

A multi-agency, cross-border investigation in Europe has taken down a suspected money laundering network, and Qatar has confirmed that it will launch a new instant payments system next month.

February 22, 2024

Netherlands Tackling Illegal Adverts On Affiliate Websites

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has said that tackling illegal gambling operators is a “high priority” in 2024 having recently conducted two investigations into advertising for illegal operators on affiliate and online newspaper websites.

February 22, 2024

Illinois Governor Seeks Stinging Sports-Betting Tax Hike

As New York continues to fill its coffers with tax revenue from mobile sports betting, the governor of the United States' second-largest market is now proposing to more than double Illinois’ tax rate to help balance the state budget.

February 21, 2024

Amid Record U.S. Gaming Revenues, AGA Remains Focused On Unregulated Competition

The American Gaming Association reported commercial casino revenues topping $66m in 2023, a record amount for the third straight year, while policy priorities for this year are to lead on responsible gambling and to fight illegal gaming.

February 21, 2024

Banks Can Play 'Crucial Role' In Tackling Gambling Harms, Says Report

Banks can play a “crucial” role in tackling gambling-related harms and the UK's Financial Conduct Authority should consider issuing guidance on the issue, according to a new research report from Queen Mary University of London.

February 21, 2024

African Payments Leaders Seek Regulatory Support For Regional Trade

Mobile money services are revolutionising the payments sector in Africa, but a complex regulatory environment complicates cross-border transactions, impeding regional trade and financial flows.

February 21, 2024

Capital One To Acquire Discover For $35bn, But Will Regulators Approve?

US bank and card issuer Capital One has announced plans to acquire Discover Financial Services, in a bid to compete with rival issuers and larger card networks.

February 21, 2024

Daily Dash: Revolut Becomes First UK FI To Offer Downloadable SIM Cards

Revolut has launched a new eSIM that allows customers to purchase global data packages covering more than 100 countries, and regulators in Hong Kong have issued new guidance on crypto custody.

February 21, 2024

Japan Authorities Make Landmark Online Gambling Arrests

An American national and six locals have been arrested in Japan over the alleged operation of a mahjong gambling website generating millions of dollars in revenue, reportedly the nation’s first arrests involving domestic online gambling operators.

February 20, 2024

Brazil Timeline In Doubt After Official's Exit

Less than two weeks after announcing concrete steps to open the Brazilian market at ICE, the country’s would-be chief gambling regulator is no longer working for the government.

February 20, 2024

Massachusetts Considers Modifications To Data Privacy Regulations

As a first set of waivers to give sports-betting operators more time to come into compliance with data privacy rules are set to expire in June, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is considering some modifications to the regulations.