Vixio Podcast

The American Gaming Association (AGA) recently partnered with Vixio to publish the "State of the States" report, a comprehensive review of the commercial gaming sector in 2023. The report provides financial performance figures and market analysis for the 36 jurisdictions with commercial gaming operations.

In this episode, Vixio's Chief Analyst, James Kilsby, discusses the "State of the States" report's findings and the most compelling narratives in U.S. gaming with AGA's Vice President of Research, David Forman.

It’s over a year since the white paper was published, and the Gambling Act Review is in full swing, but several key questions remain unanswered. Robust affordability checks, the safer gambling levy, a gambling ombudsman and many more promised reforms are still to be delivered, with the arrival of a new government adding another layer of unpredictability.

This podcast highlights a recent webinar hosted by Vixio. For this webinar, Vixio brought together a panel of experts and critical decision-makers to discuss this evolving era of gambling regulation in the UK and what it means for gambling businesses in Britain.

Speakers:

• Joe Ewens, Global Managing Editor, Vixio.
• Tim Miller, Executive Director, The Gambling Commission.
• Sarah Fox, Deputy Director - Gambling and Lotteries, DCMS.
• Bahar Alaeddini, Partner, Harris Hagan.
• Dan Waugh, Partner, Regulus Partners.

‍

To kick off season four of the Vixio GamblingCompliance podcast, we are delighted to be joined by Rightlander, one of the leading providers of affiliate compliance software.

In this episode, Vixio reporter Harrison Sayers is joined by Rightlander's Chief Strategy Officer, Sarafina Wolde Gabriel. The pair discuss the complex nature of the UK gambling industry's relationship with affiliate marketing, highlighted by Rightlander's recently published UK marketing compliance report.

Since legislation for sports betting and online gaming in Brazil was finally passed at the end of last year, industry stakeholders have waited with bated breath for several critical policy questions to be resolved and for a licensing process to begin. With a licensing ordinance just being published, now is an ideal time to check in with the experts to get a clearer picture of what this means for developing a regulated market Vixio anticipates will be worth nearly $5bn in annual revenue at maturity.

This episode is the audio recording of a Vixio-hosted webinar which took place in June 2024, where Chief Analyst James Kilsby spoke to a panel of industry experts to discuss:

• What new implementing ordinances mean for operators and suppliers
• Outstanding policy questions on online casino games, licensing requirements and more, and when these are likely to be answered
• How Brazil’s regulatory regime is set to continue to evolve for the rest of 2024

Environmental, social, and governance, more commonly known as ESG, is growing within the gambling industry, with pressure from multiple directions on organisations across the supply chain to be more sustainable. Most notably, the European Union's corporate sustainability directive is ramping up the requirements for any company doing business in the EU.

Vixio's Joe Ewens speaks to Rachel Decelis and Russell Mifsud from KPMG in this podcast. The pair have spent years advising gambling businesses on this new era.

The U.S. gaming industry has made tremendous strides in offering responsible gaming programs, but there are still issues to be addressed. Among those critical issues is funding for treatment and prevention programs.

Keith Whyte is the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The non-profit’s mission is to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction.

In this episode, Keith Whyte spoke with Vixio’s U.S. Editor, Chris Sieroty, about the GRIT Act and the importance of collaboration between industry, researchers, experts, and others in the problem gambling space to get treatment, prevention, and research funds. 

In this episode, KPMG's U.S. Gaming Tax Lead Bob Stoddard joins Vixio chief analyst James Kilsby to discuss emerging tax policy trends in the U.S. sports betting market, including moves by certain states to reassess their initial rates in order to generate additional tax revenue.

Late last year, the attention of the world gambling industry was surprisingly directed towards the Middle East. In September, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established a gambling regulator and strongly suggested allowing integrated resort gambling in some of its emirates, drawing sudden interest in the region.

This episode features expert opinion from Vixio's contributing editor for Asia, Martin Williams, who has spent the past few months diving deep into the truth behind the UAE's shift in approach to gambling.

Key questions answered in this podcast include:

• What is happening with this new regulator?
• What are the prospects for land-based casinos?
• What is the accurate picture of online gambling in the UAE
• What are the UAE's gambling links to China? 

To kick off 2024 and the new series, Vixio analysts and subject matter experts will discuss the significant issues ahead in a rapid-fire look across the world's major markets.

In the second of a two-parter podcast, North American-based host James Kilsby will speak to Vixio journalist and regional expert Talia Samuelson on the key developments across the South American gambling markets before a roundup of what to expect in the US and Canada with reporter and podcast regular Matt Carey.

‍

To kick off 2024 and the new series, Vixio analysts and subject matter experts will discuss the significant issues ahead in a rapid-fire look across the world's major markets.

In the first of a two-parter podcast, host Joe Ewens will speak to Vixio Associate Editor Harrison Sayers on the key developments in the European and African gambling markets before a roundup of what to expect in Asia and Australia with podcast regular Martin Williams.

‍

It’s been years in the making, but the long-awaited and much anticipated legislation for legalised online sports betting and gambling means Brazil is on the cusp of becoming the most critical new regulated market for the global online gambling sector in 2024.

On December 13th, 2023 Vixio's Chief Analyst and VP of Americas, James Kilsby spoke to a panel of experts to address the key provisions, compliance challenges, and next steps for Brazil.

In this bonus episode, Vixio PaymentsCompliance experts look back at regulation across payments in 2023 and predict what to expect in 2024.

Vixio Senior payments Journalist Jimmie Franklin and Senior Business Development Manager Luke Baker reflect on this year through a global lens, covering key jurisdictions: the UK, Europe, the US, Australia, and Brazil. They’ll also highlight some of the critical events that helped change the shape of the payments compliance landscape.

Mexico perhaps doesn't get the attention it deserves in the world of gambling, certainly in part because the nation's gaming regulations are complex and, in some ways, archaic. However, recent dramatic developments have drawn a lot of focus and attention to the region.

In this episode, Vixio Chief Analyst James Kilsby is joined by Latin America reporter Talia Samuelson to discuss a recent presidential decree that would seemingly outlaw almost the entire gambling industry in Mexico.

In this episode, we focus on the Swedish gambling market as we interview Gustaf Hofstede, the secretary general of BOS, the Swedish trade association for online gambling.

Gustaf discusses plans to hike taxes in Sweden, how supplier licensing has worked so far and where the Nordic neighbour Finland looks to Sweden as an example as it moves to open its online gambling market.

‍

The takeaway from the recent cyberattacks against MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment is that no internal control systems are one hundred per cent secure.

Andrew Ginter serves as Waterfall Security Solutions vice president of industrial security. In his role with the Israeli-based company, he evangelises a technology approach to cyber security for industrial control networks and critical network infrastructure.

Ginter recently joined with U.S. editor Chris Sieroty to discuss the fallout from the attacks on MGM and Caesars and how companies can better secure their critical networks.

Financial risk checks or affordability sit at the top of the regulatory agenda in the UK and for a watching world. The country is considering how to implement a new requirement for operators to assess the spending power of their customers.

In this episode, Vixio's associate Editor, Harrison Sayers, interviews Tom Farrell, the CMO of open banking provider ClearStake. They spoke about the challenges posed by the existing regime of financial risk checks and the role open banking will play in the supposedly frictionless future.

‍

The attempt to legalise sports betting in Brazil has been a lenghtly stop-start saga stretching back more than four years. However, 2023 has finally seen an explosion of activity that's moved the nation closer than ever to a fully regulated online gambling market.

In this episode, Vixio Chief Analyst James Kilsby discusses the complex trials and tribulations of the past few months. As well as looking into where things go for a market that Vixio estimates will be worth over $ 3.8 billion within the next five years.

‍

A wave of consultations published this summer has revealed how the UK's regulator and government intend to re-write the rules for gambling businesses in Britain. Many stakeholders are making their voices heard in this pivotal period of gambling.

This podcast episode is the full audio recording from a recent Vixio GamblingCompliance webinar, which took place on September 15, 2023. Vixio brought together leading experts with the key decision-makers behind the consultations to discuss the impending new era of UK gambling regulation.

This episode feature speakers from the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport, the UK Gambling Commission, Harris Hagan and Regulus Partners.

Gambling companies looking for new markets to explore are increasingly turning to the continent of Africa for new opportunities. But while in many countries regulations are developing, there are also plenty of established markets with well-developed gambling ecosystems.

VIXIO's associate Editor Harrison Sayers sat down with his colleague and fellow Africa expert senior legal analyst Zack Birnbaum, to give us a flavour of the most pressing issues for gambling regulation across Africa.

Ever since it fully opened its doors in 2019, the Dutch online gambling market has been characterised by rapid changes in regulations. Driven in part by ill political winds that are proving hard to disperse, the latest round of changes to the market has seen a ban on many types of gambling advertising. And there is more to come, with promised changes to duty of care and much more on the horizon.In this episode of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast, Justin Franzen, a partner at law firm Kalff Katz and Franzen, breaks down what's in store for one of Europe's major markets.

The Philippines remains the epicentre of Asian online gambling, with a tortured history of offshore allegations and a sometimes toxic intertwining with regional politics.In this episode, VIXIO's contributing editor for Asia, Martin Williams, discusses recent dramatic developments across the Philippines, such as the advent of an inward-facing online gambling market and raids on offshore-facing operators that freed thousands of workers being kept in slavery.

The ongoing expansion of locally regulated markets continues to gather pace, opening up new opportunities for sports betting.This podcast is the audio recording of a session conducted as part of the Festival of Sports Book hosted by Kambi and moderated by Oliver Lamb, Kambi's SVP of Risk & Compliance. It features insight from VIXIO's Danny Stone and Joe Ewens. The trio analyses key markets to watch out for and map long-term global growth prospects.

After more than two years of delays and debates, the UK government has released its white paper on gambling regulatory reform, firing the starting gun on a pivotal 12 months for the country’s gambling industry. Almost every significant proposed change, from online stake limits to affordability checks, is subject to rapidly approaching consultations, defining the compliance landscape in the world’s largest regulated online gambling jurisdiction for years.This podcast episode is the full audio recording from a recent VIXIO GamblingCompliance webinar. In this recording, VIXIO brought together leading regulatory, legal and policy experts to discuss the fallout from the white paper’s publication and what to expect from the momentous year ahead.

The fifth anniversary of arguably the most important decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in a gambling case occurs on Sunday, May 14. The 6-3 decision by the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, leading to the legalization and regulation of sports betting in 37 states.In this episode, Vixio interviews three sports betting experts about the impact of the Supreme Court decision during the last five years as well as its future ramifications.

We are on the verge of a new era of gambling regulation in the UK, after the government finally published its white paper on gambling reform. The proposed changes are manifold, but the specifics are few and far between. In this episode, Vixio's experts discuss some of the biggest areas of change laid out in the white paper and how we expect its proposals to play out in the pivotal months ahead.

Aggressive market growth turbo-charged by the pandemic and the central government’s shift to regulation promise to transform India into an online gambling juggernaut. But it is the Supreme Court of India and pro-reform state High Courts that are paving the way for the potential nationwide legalisation of skill gaming with stakes.In this episode of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast, contributing editor for Asia, Martin Williams, outlines the key roles that various courts play and the tensions they must overcome to provide a legal foundation for a surging industry.

More than four years after the passage of a federal law on fixed-odds sports betting, expectations are high that Brazil's new government is prepared to finally take action to implement that law and introduce a licensing and regulatory regime for online betting operations within the coming months.In this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance chief analyst James Kilsby discusses the state of play for sports betting regulation with Rafael Marchetti Marcondes, chief legal officer for the fast-growing Brazilian daily fantasy sports operator Rei do Pitaco and legal director for newly formed Brazilian associations on sports integrity and responsible gaming.

As the U.S. sports betting market continues to mature, more focus than ever is placed on advertising. Regulators have expressed increased concern recently with certain advertising practices, including marketing to college campuses and using misleading terminology like “risk-free” to describe certain offers.In this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance analysts James Kilsby and Matt Carey discuss the changing winds of the U.S. sports betting advertising market, the steps that regulators have taken to date, and what the future could hold for the market if this trend continues to progress.

After years at the coalface of compliance in Europe, Martin Lycka now heads up regulatory affairs and responsible gambling in the Americas for Entain. He spoke to VIXIO reporter Matt Carey at a pivotal moment for US gambling, as issues around advertising and responsible gambling reach a tipping point.

Various factors, including pressure from China, have caused the traditionally outward-facing Philippines online gambling sector to go through something of a facelift, but how much has really changed, and what does the future hold for this turbulent market?

The Dutch online gambling market enters 2023 with just as many questions looming over it as it ever has. Chief among them a pending prohibition on advertising and the future of the country’s strained relationship with Curacao.In this episode, we speak with trade association chief Peter-Paul de Goej for his view on these and many other factors affecting the future of gambling in the Netherlands.

Podcast host Joe Ewens is joined by fellow VIXIO GamblingCompliance regulatory experts Martin Williams and James Kilsby for a detailed discussion on the hot topics affecting the gambling industry this year.The trio look at the key talking points from the year that was 2022, as well as look to the future at what will set the agenda for the year ahead in key gambling jurisdictions - Europe, Asia and the Americas.

With the U.S. sports-betting market dominated by a handful of large commercial operators, Las Vegas casino owner Derek Stevens believes there is a profitable future for a smaller player in the market.Shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to legalize sports betting in 2018, Stevens was in the early stages of developing Circa Resort and Casino, downtown’s first from-the-ground-up casino in nearly four decades.Ahead of opening the property that features a three-level Circa Sportsbook, his company launched Circa Sports, which includes a mobile sports wagering app.Stevens has since taken Circa Sports outside of Nevada to Iowa and Colorado, where the business is mobile-only.Early next year, he plans to launch mobile and retail sports in Illinois as part of a deal with Full House Resorts, which is building a $500m casino some 40 miles north of Chicago in Waukegan.Stevens discussed the future of Circa Sports and the challenges of operating a casino coming out of a pandemic and now in the midst of the highest inflation rate in four decades.

VIXIO Vice President and Latin America expert James Kilsby is joined by VIXIO GamblingCompliance journalist Talia Samuelson to discuss the regulatory landscape and challenges in Latin America’s most prominent markets. Up for discussion are Peru’s new online gambling law, Brazil’s future with a new President, and Chile’s multiple gambling bills and legal complaints.VIXIO GamblingCompliance subscribers can read the full 2022 Latin America Gambling Outlook, which can be found here.

In this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance journalist Harrison Sayers interviews Laurent Fournié the CEO Trust & Sign- at Docaposte, the pair discuss the standardisation of data laws, growing regulatory pressures on the industry, and why trust is as important as ever in the digital age.

Ahead of her appearance at next month's Scandinavian Gaming Show, lawyer Minna Ripatti gives us her view on the possible end to Finland's gambling monopoly in the long run and the more imminent threat of payment blocking and advertising crackdowns.

As we approach the sixth annual VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulator Awards (GRAs), on November 30, 2022, we sat down with Paul Burns the winner of this year's Compliance Lifetime Special Achievement Award.

Paul Burns was instrumental in establishing the Candian Gaming Association (CGA) in 2005, he was appointed president and CEO in 2018. Most recently, he led the CGA’s advocacy efforts in support of the repeal of Canada’s federal prohibition on single-event sports wagering, which was achieved when legislation was approved in parliament in 2021, as well as the landmark opening of Ontario’s internet gaming market, which was launched this year.

In this very special episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance's Chief Analyst and VP Americas James Kilsby interviewed Paul ahead of the GRAs, discussing his career in the Canadian Gaming Association, the impact of Ontario’s recent regulatory changes and his perspective on what the future holds for Canada’s gaming market.

Presentation of the 2022 Global Regulatory Award winners will take place at a black-tie ceremony, returning in person to the prestigious De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London, on November 30, 2021. Tickets can be booked here.

For more information on this release, or to reserve a table for the awards evening, contact the GRA team at info@vixio.com or call +44 (0)207 921 9980.Full information on table bookings, sponsorship and more can be found at: www.gamblingcomplianceawards.com.

This episode discusses the proliferation of sports betting across Africa, recent regulatory changes, and the key events shaping the industry landscape.Podcast regular and journalist Harrison Sayers speaks with VIXIO analyst Zachary Birnbaum about the growth of sports betting in different African markets, the opportunities for growth, and the key compliance concerns driving change.VIXIO GamblingCompliance subscribers can read the full 2022 Africa Gambling Outlook, which can be found here.

In the wake of the recent KPMG eSummit in Malta, VIXIO speak to the firm's gaming director, Russell Mifsud, on what he learned from a meeting of minds on the island and an uncertain future for Malta as a hub for the gambling industry.For more information on the topics covered in this podcast recording and the recent KPMG eSummit, download the KPMG-produced eSummit report, which can be downloaded here.

In this short bonus episode, we will be discussing the VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards, providing information on how to get involved, the history of the awards and some background information on the awards process.Since their launch in 2017, the independently adjudicated Global Regulatory Awards have become the biggest of their kind, the first awards that recognise and celebrate individuals and teams that work tirelessly to set new standards in the compliance and responsible gambling industry. The sixth-annual Global Regulatory Awards are set to take place on November 30, 202Nominations for the #GRA2022 close on June 30th. Don't miss out on this golden opportunity to get the industry recognition you deserve, submit your free entries now.

In this episode, VIXIO is joined by the Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and a member of the Global Regulatory Award independent judging panel Keith Whyte to discuss the potential wave of problem gambling set to hit the U.S. following the expansion of sports betting and online gaming.We set to find out just how much we know about the rate of problem gambling in the United States and how well is the industry protecting its customers.

In this podcast episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance Contributing Editor for Asia, Martin Williams, explores major judicial, legislative and market developments impacting the Indian online gaming industry over the last year.Pandemic damage has accelerated litigation by and against the industry, but sympathetic regional High Courts and Supreme Court backing are likely to shepherd liberalisation and regulation on a state by state basis, possibly with an assist from a central government that may be looking to streamline India's patchwork regulatory environment.For more information on the Indian online gaming industry, you can read Martin Williams's full in-depth article 'India's Day of Reckoning: Online Skill Gaming and Liberalisation' here.

On April 4th, populous Ontario is set to become the first province in Canada to launch a competitive market for online gambling, in perhaps the most eagerly anticipated new market launch of 2022 anywhere in the global online gambling industry.In this episode, theScore CEO John Levy discusses his company's ambitions in an Ontario market that is set to offer radically different competitive dynamics and marketing strategies than those U.S. states that have recently launched online sports betting.

While sports betting has exploded in popularity in the U.S. with over 32 states offering legal betting, online casino gaming has only been permitted in six states, despite far stronger revenues than sports betting.In this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance Reporter Matt Carey joins the podcast to discuss the factors impeding online casino legislation in several U.S. markets and the trends that have limited the short-term growth of the overall market despite strong performance in the few markets where iGaming is permitted.

Recent multi-award winner at the VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards and compliance boss at Genting Casinos UK, Jon Duffy, delivers his verdict on the compliance challenges facing the UK casino industry today, the devastating impact of COVID-19 and his hopes for reforms in the government review of the Gambling Act in 2021.Genting Casinos is one of Europes largest casino operators, with 33 venues throughout England and Scotland, for more information on how VIXIO GamblingCompliance's business intelligence support Genting Casinos, read our compliance case study here.

The U.S. payments industry has experienced tremendous growth over the last two years, as the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the adoption of various cashless technologies by the gaming industry.In this podcast episode, we are joined by Joe Pappano, co-CEO of Sightline Payments, to talk about the growth of cashless gaming in the U.S., and its adoption by Genting Group's new $4.3bn Resorts World Las Vegas casino.Joe Pappano says state gaming regulators need to be educated on the benefits and safety of cashless wagering and digital payments before more states come on board.

To celebrate the 50th episode of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast, we bring together three of our in-house experts to reflect on the most dramatic changes that have affected the global gambling scene since we aired our first episode. Our experts from Europe, Asia and North America identify where we think the blockbuster moments of the next two years are likely to be found.

As we approach the fifth annual VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulator Awards (GRAs), on October 21, 2021, we sat down with Birgitte Sand the winner of this year's Compliance Lifetime Special Achievement Award, and former head of the Danish regulator. In this role Birgitte famously took on the formidable task of overseeing the country’s transition from a monopoly gambling model to a system of licensing that is, these days, often cited as a gold-standard example of an open market.

In this very special episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast host and Editor Joe Ewens interviewed Birgitte ahead of the GRAs, to discuss the lessons learned from her years in regulation, her advice for the industry and much more besides.

Presentation of the 2021 Global Regulatory Award winners will take place at a black-tie ceremony, returning in person to the prestigious De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London, on October 21, 2021. Tickets can be booked here.For more information on this release, or to reserve a table for the awards evening, contact the GRA team at info@vixio.com or call +44 (0)207 921 9980.Full information on table bookings, sponsorship and more can be found at: www.gamblingcomplianceawards.com.

In this episode, Paul Burns, CEO and president of the Canadian Gaming Association, joins VIXIO GamblingCompliance’s chief analyst James Kilsby to discuss the rollout of single-event sports betting across Canada as well as the imminent opening of Ontario’s online gambling market to registered private operators through a groundbreaking regulatory model.While regulatory standards are now in place, question marks remain over the effective tax rate in Ontario and whether international liquidity will be allowed, with requirements of Canadian federal law meaning the Ontarian market is set to be unique in the global online gambling industry and very different from US states. Another unknown is how quickly other provinces might open their own online markets to private operators and whether other jurisdictions could take a less liberal approach on matters of licensing and legacy operations.

In this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance's chief analyst James Kilsby speaks with Brazilian gambling law expert Luiz Felipe Maia of FYMSA Advogados in Sao Paulo about Brazil's long and winding road to regulated sports betting.Two and a half years after Brazil's Congress passed a law to legalise both land-based and online fixed-odds betting, delayed efforts to establish a concession or licensing system received a boost as lawmakers agreed to enact new legislation to lower the effective tax rates. Still, significant challenges remain, including emerging competition from state and municipal governments that last year received legal approval to launch lottery games and sports betting within their borders.

Malta has just begun to reckon with the reality of life on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist. Individuals and companies in Malta have already begun to report banking woes and gambling firms are putting pressure on officials to fix the problems quickly.To discuss the damage that is starting to hit home and how gambling can help the island escape its current status, we spoke to Greentube’s chief legal officer, Trevor DiGiorgio.

Podcast regulars Matt Carey and Danny Stone from VIXIO GamblingCompliance recently joined a Twitter Space live conversation hosted by U.S. based investment advisers Roundhill Investments.For this bonus episode of the podcast, we have taken an extract from this conversation where VIXIO's U.S. experts provide an overview of what the financial facts and figures tell us about the current and future landscape of the U.S. gambling market, including details on the rapid rise of iGaming and sports betting.

In this episode of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast, we are delighted to be joined by Ian Kay, Vice President, Gaming & Trading, EMEA at leading payment processing company Worldpay from FIS.We delve into the research from Worldpay's latest Global Gaming Payments Report and discuss the crucial role that payments play within the global gambling industryDownload the 2021 Global Gaming Report from Worldpay from FIS here.

Sports integrity was thrust into the spotlight during the coronavirus pandemic as betting operators scrambled to ensure they had something to offer customers as most major sporting events were shut down.IBIA (International Betting Integrity Association) CEO, and new Global Regulatory Awards judge, Khalid Ali joins the podcast to delve into the challenges facing the fight against sporting manipulation currently and in the years ahead.

The long-awaited 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling came into force in Germany on July 1. New federal gambling regulation allows online slots and online poker at a federal level for the first time and lifts the ban on other online casino games.In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by VIXIO's Senior Analyst, Boguslaw Kott, to discuss the organisation of the gambling authority, new controversial taxes and other regulatory topics.

With the law governing gambling in the UK about to undergo seismic change, we sat down with the co-founder of Gamban and influential figure Matt Zarb-Cousin.Following his successful campaign to reform fixed-odds betting terminals, Matt has held high-profile positions in politics and social issue campaigns, he joins us on the podcast to talk through where he believes there is a need for drastic changes.

The US iGaming market has experienced phenomenal growth over the last few years, establishing the United States among the very largest online markets in the world.In this podcast episode, we are joined by Howard Glaser, global head of government affairs and special initiatives for Scientific Games, to talk about the growth of iGaming in the US and understand why online casino legislation isn't as prevalent as sports betting bills despite strong returns in the few states where it's live.

VIXIO GamblingCompliance Contributing Editor for Asia, Martin Williams, discusses last month’s VIXIO special report on the threat that the Chinese government poses not only to the underground gambling industry in China, but also regulated markets in Asia and further afield struggling with the coronavirus pandemic.This episode looks at the latest fallout from Chinese government actions, the likely impacts on the land-based and online industries, and dilemmas facing operators, governments and regulators as Beijing applies anti-gambling laws to every one of its citizens on foreign soil, and even to foreign nationals and companies who profit from them.

In this podcast episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance chief analyst and US VP James Kilsby joins us to preview May's special session of the Florida legislature where lawmakers will be tasked with reviewing - and approving - a landmark, multi-billion-dollar agreement with the Hard Rock-owning Seminole Tribe that could bring both retail and online sports betting to the populous Sunshine State and reset its overall gaming market for years to come.We discuss how Florida got to this point, what the new compact would mean in the context of the wider U.S. sports-betting market, and offer perspective on what to watch out for as lawmakers prepare to reconvene in Tallahassee on May 17.

In this podcast episode, we discuss how "Know Your Customer" (KYC) regulatory requirements appear to be evolving in the response to an increasingly digital world. The focus of KYC on anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud prevention has undoubtedly expanded into harm reduction in multiple jurisdictions in the past few years.As these changes are being driven by new technologies and social concerns, gambling operators must now navigate a plethora of new risks and tools to ensure they can keep up. Whether it's overcoming the potential challenge of affordability checks or utilising open banking and cryptocurrencies, KYC in the gambling industry is changing at a rapid pace.

Legalised mobile sports betting in New York has been the dream of many in the gaming industry since the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA. Earlier this week lawmakers reached an agreement on a plan that could produce $500 million in annual revenue three years after launching mobile betting in the state.However, complications surrounding the deal between Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislators has led to confusion and frustration among stakeholders, creating an empire state of uncertainty.In the latest episode of the podcast, we are joined by U.S. gaming expert and VIXIO GamblingCompliance Reporter Matt Carey. We discuss a range of topics including; how the unique New York model could work in practice, who could potentially gain access to one of the coveted sports betting markets in the U.S., and some of the biggest outstanding questions surrounding the plan.

This episode is the finale of a three-part update on the ongoing effects the coronavirus has had on the global gambling industry. For this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance's Taiwan-based editor Martin Williams provides an update on Asia, the original source of the virus. Martin and Joe discuss, among other topics, how South Korea could be viewed as a model for Western countries in their battle against infection and reflect on new infection spikes, the uncertainty of Chinese reporting and many other factors that suggest the impact of the pandemic on land-based gaming is far from over in any corner of the world.

Earlier this month the chief executive of the UK Gambling Commission made a swift exit amid a review of the Gambling Act and its own potentially seismic consultations.To discuss this we are joined by regulatory expert Dan Waugh, a partner with consultancy, Regulus Partners. He shares his view on the need for change at the regulator, what the Act review may hold and much more besides.

The potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to guide the future of responsible gambling is compelling. But what are the risks and opportunities inherent in this approach? And just how much can AI do to protect players from harm?To discuss this intriguing subject matter and more VIXIO GamblingCompliance Report and podcast regular Harrison Sayer’s is joined for a deep dive conversation with Simo Dragicevic. Who is the Managing Director of Playtech Protect, as well as the Head of Playtech AI and Founder of BetBuddy.

The results from a recent survey conducted by VIXIO GamblingCompliance which looks into the future for sports and casinos gambling in the U.S. revealed prevailing fears about the status of the Wire Act, the possibility of federal regulation, and much more.For this podcast episode, we are joined by show regulars and U.S. regulatory experts, James Kilsby and Matt Carey for an examination of the survey findings, as well as a discussion of the overall prospects for the U.S. gambling market in 2021 and beyond.

This episode of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast we chart the ups and the downs of the gambling industry during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.We are joined by our top data expert Danny Stone as he shares the insights his team have developed from a close look at the financial fortunes of both online and offline gambling in multiple jurisdictions, including much of Europe and the U.S.

Nearly two years after the legalisation of online gambling and sports betting, the Province of Buenos Aires has announced the seven winners of its tender process and is preparing to launch.In this episode of the podcast, Kristal Rovira, VIXIO GamblingCompliance’s Legal and Research Director of the Americas, is joined by Argentine lawyer, Tomas Garcia Botta, to discuss next steps for the Province, the enactment of a new federal tax, advertising issues and other regulatory topics.

Although the hope of an end to the pandemic dominates the view of 2021 around the world, in the meantime the pace of regulatory change in gambling shows no sign of slowing.Join VIXIO GamblingCompliance's regional experts as they take a look at the issues that will set the agenda for the year ahead in key gambling jurisdictions - Europe, Asia and the Americas.Podcast host Joe Ewens is joined by show regulars Martin Williams and James Kilsby for a detailed discussion on the hot topics affecting the industry this year, including: the rapid expansion of the U.S. sports-betting market; the prevalent role China will play in Asia's gambling market; a look ahead to the UK Gambling Act review; and the overarching theme of the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, its effect on all facets of gambling and the response from the industry.For more details on these jurisdictions and a forward look at the year ahead, read our 2021 outlook blogs for Asia, Europe and the Americas.

In this edition of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast, Contributing Editor for Asia Martin Williams speaks with veteran industry consultant David Green on the troubles facing Australian casino giant Crown Resorts. The company has been under constant pressure as damage from the pandemic combines with the fallout from inquiry hearings into the suitability of its subsidiary to hold a licence for its new Sydney casino.

As 2020 draws to a close, Canada’s gambling market has been thrown into the international spotlight, with the country's parliament considering legislation that would permit single-event sports wagering.In this episode of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast, U.S. based reporter Matt Carey is joined by John Levy, CEO of theScore, to talk about the opportunity legalised Canadian sports betting presents for operators and how the Toronto-based digital media company plans to capitalise on its home market of Ontario.

Before it was imploded to make way for the Venetian, the Sands was the quintessential classic Las Vegas casino that hosted the icons of the day, from legendary musician Frank Sinatra to U.S. President John F. Kennedy.In this episode of the podcast, VIXIO GamblingCompliance US Editor Chris Sieroty is joined by historian and author David Schwartz to discuss the Sands' place in Vegas history, as well as his thoughts on the future for the iconic Las Vegas Strip.

Malta remains a nexus for online gambling, despite an evolving regulatory picture across most of Europe.In this episode of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast, WH Partners' James Scicluna joins the show to discuss the island's place in the future on the industry, as well as some of the regulatory hot topics hitting closer to home.

The Future For Affiliates The role of marketing affiliates in the world of online gambling has been central to success in that sector for a number of years. However, with new advertising rules popping up across Europe, and the US market developing at pace, the role of the affiliate has never been more complex. But the sometimes fractious relationship between operator and affiliate remains central to the industry.In this episode of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast BonusFinder’s Fintan Costello lays out his view on whether affiliates should be licensed in the UK, the battle against offshore gambling in the US and much more besides.

The charity partner for the 2020 VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards, are YGAM, the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust a charity which focuses on teaching young people and their educators how to develop the resilient skills needed to avoid harms caused by video gaming and gambling.In this episode, the charity’s founder Lee Willows and external affairs chief Daniel Bliss dig into YGAM’s past, present and future, touching on the lessons learned along the way, as well as digging into some of the thorny issues surrounding gambling charities and the industry at large.Find out more about YGAM and the work they do educate and safeguard at the VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory awards, on October 29 at 16:00 (GMT), click here to register for free now.

As we approach the fourth annual VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards, on October 29, 2020, we sat down with the winner of the Compliance Lifetime Special Achievement Award, former Sky Bet CEO and well-known industry spokesperson Richard Flint.During his nearly 20-year tenure with Sky Betting & Gaming Richard oversaw remarkable transformation and unprecedented growth, turning Sky Bet into an online gambling powerhouse, while at the same time confronting head on some of the industry’s most pressing responsible gambling challenges.His tenure saw massive growth at the sports-betting company, which he left shortly after it was acquired by The Stars Group, now part of Flutter, where Richard serves on the board as a non-executive director.In this special episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast host and editor Joe Ewens interviewed Richard ahead of the Global Regulatory Awards, to get his insight on a host of topics, most pressing being the crisis of reputation facing the UK gambling industry, and beyond.Register now for the VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards, live-streaming globally on October 29, 2020, at 16:00 (GMT).

The unique election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden will have long-lasting aftershocks for the entire world. But where does gambling fit into the mix?Two of VIXIO GamblingCompliance's Washington D.C. experts guide you through how November's seismic election battle could affect U.S. gaming, from state laws up to the potential for federal consequences.

While the growing profile of the Japanese grey online casino market provides evidence of its financial promise, it also places it at greater risk of a regulatory crackdown.Join Joe Ewens, along with podcast regular and VIXIO Asia Correspondent, Martin Williams as they survey the landscape and explore what the future may hold for one of the world’s most intriguing gambling sectors.

Season two of the VIXIO GamblingCompliance podcast kicks off with a discussion on the use of blocklists in the global gambling industry. The use of blocklists as a tool to thwart the unlicensed gambling sector is at an all-time high, with 14,000 new websites added to lists across Europe in the first half of 2020 alone.On this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance data analyst Ryan Heslop joins the podcast to delve into the reasons behind this blocking boom and the success, or otherwise, of this divisive form of enforcement.

More than six months on from the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, no corner of the world is unaffected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.For this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance's Taiwan-based editor Martin Williams provides yet another update on the ongoing effects the coronavirus has had on the gambling industry in Asia and beyond. Martin and Joe discuss, among other topics, the current and future prospects for crucial gambling sectors across the region, including; China, Macau, Australia, South Korea, India and more. They also discuss how a vigilant eye from governments and globalisation means the story of the virus in Asia has far from run its course.

The publication of the European Gambling and Betting Association's GDPR code last month marked the latest step in the industry's attempts to get to grips with the EU's complex data protection directive.To discuss the code, and much more beside, we spoke to the trade group's Secretary-General, Maarten Haijer.

All eyes are on Ukraine as a bill that would massively overhaul its gambling market enters a make or break period.In this episode, lawyer Ilya Machavariani of Dentons in Moscow gives us a breakdown of what’s at stake for the future of Ukrainian gambling and what a re-legalised market would look like if the bill passes into law.He also gives us a fascinating window into the intense whirlwind of lobbying surrounding a bill which has been personally backed by the country’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky.

The worlds' richest gambling market is rapidly approaching its 2022 concession renewal, a process which could re-shape the region for the next 20 years.And with tensions between the US, Hong Kong and China already close to breaking point, Macau has rarely been more affected by the prevailing political headwinds.In this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance’s Asia Editor, Martin Williams, talks to local legal expert and former government advisor, Carlos Lobo, about the current state of affairs in Macau and how the landscape is shaping ahead of the pivotal 2022 deadline.

Daily fantasy sports contest and sports betting provider DraftKing's explosive entry onto the US stock market scene has drawn attention from far and wide across the gambling industry and wider mainstream media.On this episode, VIXIO GamblingCompliance Reporter and podcast regular Matt Carey is joined by Thomas Allen, Morgan Stanley's Lodging and Leisure analyst as he shares his view on the sustainability of the sports betting operator's meteoric rise.For more information on this episode and to view the Morgan Stanley Disclosure, click here

The often unpredictable legislative landscape of Latin America is currently witnessing a spike in efforts to regulate online gambling.To delve into the complexities, we spoke to VIXIO GamblingCompliance’s in-house Latin American expert, Kristal Rovira, for a look at what’s happening now and what’s next for gambling laws in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and beyond.

With the global economy under unprecedented strain, gambling’s relationship with payments and banking has not escaped the upheaval. From a future where punters fear the virus-transmitting powers of cash to the struggles of effective affordability checks during a lockdown.VIXIO GamblingCompliance reporter Harrison Sayers delivers a financial forecast that touches on KYC and the ongoing debate over cryptocurrencies and challenger banks in gambling.

U.S. Recorded under lockdown conditions from London and social isolation in Washington D.C., this episode pulls in podcast regular Matt Carey to give an overview of how the coronavrius epidemic is affecting the US gambling industry. As well as a roundup of shutdowns across the nation, Matt and Joe discuss the knock-on effect COVID-19 is likely to have on pending sports betting legislation and how lotteries, in many states the last gambling sector standing, are adapting to the new reality. This is the second in a trio of episodes covering the global virus impact on the gambling sector. The first episode on Europe is available now, with an Asia report to follow in the coming days.

Europe Straight from the lockdown, this episode of the podcast brings you an update on how the European gambling industry and its regulators are responding to the unprecedented crisis we are all currently living through. With sport all but cancelled, bookmaker shares in freefall and governments scrambling to prop up their economies, there are a whole host of issues affecting gambling’s many sectors across the continent. Joe Ewens and GamblingCompliance reporter Harrison Sayers discuss the future for sports betting after the pandemic abates, how regulators are turning up the heat on responsible gambling and much more besides. This is the first in a trio of episodes, with two further episodes covering the US and Asia to come.

This podcast explores the ongoing effect of the coronavirus on Asian gambling markets and the risk posed by its spread.

Main episode, U.S. Sports Betting 2020 Outlook (Part 2)It has been barely 18-months since the professional and amateur sports betting act was overturned, and there are now 13 states beyond Nevada with full sports betting up and running.In 2019, 9 states plus Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico enacted sports betting legislation, as well as this there have been over 150 major partnerships signed between; casinos, sportsbooks operators, technology providers, majors sports leagues and teams not to mention media companies.For this episode, Joe Ewens is once again joined by Reporter, Matt Carey and Vice President, U.S. James Kilsby from VIXIO GamblingCompliance's Washington D.C. office, they will outline what we have learned in the U.S. market in 2019 and preview what we are expecting to happen in 2020.

It has been barely 18-months since the professional and amateur sports betting act was over turned, and there are now 13 states beyond Nevada with full sports betting up and running. In 2019, 9 states plus Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico enacted sports betting legislation, as well as this there have been over 150 major partnerships signed between; casinos, sportsbooks operators, technology providers, majors sports leagues and teams not to mention media companies.For this episode, Joe Ewens is joined by Reporter, Matt Carey and Vice President, U.S. James Kilsby from VIXIO GamblingCompliance's Washington D.C. office, they will outline what we have learned in the U.S. market in 2019 and preview what we are expecting to happen in 2020.

In this podcast, legal experts from a German law firm share their insight into the draft law, with particular emphasis on what it means for online casinos.

This episode of the GamblingCompliance podcast focuses on the key findings of the 2019 edition of the UK Data Forecasting and Market Shares report, including analysis of operator-level market shares by product vertical.

Recorded on the day that the country went to the polls in the latest general election, Managing Editor Joe Ewens, Head of Data Content Daniel Stone and HSBC Equity Analyst Joe Thomas discussed the current scale and growth outlook of the UK online gambling market and the regulatory headwinds affecting the sector.

The potential impact of a £2 limit on online slot stakes and the manifesto promises of each major political party were examined.The podcast concluded with a review of share price trends in 2019 and an insight into what investors in major UK-facing operators are concerned about going into 2020.

GamblingCompliance recently hosted a live panel discussion on the changing approaches to the responsible management of VIPs and the unique social responsibility challenges they present.Moderated by Andrew Gellatly, GamblingCompliance's Head of Global Research, and featuring expert analysis from: Jon Duffy from Genting Casinos UK; Dan Waugh from Regulus Partners; and David Clifton the co-founder of Clifton Davies Consultancy.This is part one of the discussion where the panel examines what a VIP actually is and how operators deal with the very palpable tension between a commercial imperative to encourage their big spenders to spend more and how they work to meet there significant responsible gambling obligations.

Live panel discussion on the changing approaches to the responsible management of VIPs and the unique social responsibility challenges they present.

LIVE WEBINAR: 23 September | 2PM - 3PM (BST)

The volume and complexity of regulatory events do not seem to have slowed down, despite the disruptions seen this year. Although some of these developments are expected, there have been high-profile events that highlight gaps in regulation which have then been the trigger for much-needed regulatory change.But should events such as the recent Wirecard scandal and damning reports against regulators be the catalyst for reform? Is it acceptable for the payments industry as a whole, from regulators to payments firms, to wait for disaster to strike before the change takes place? Moreover, what is the impact across the ecosystem if we continue this way?Join VIXIO PaymentsCompliance and guest speakers for a panel discussion on the regulatory failures affecting payments firms and how the industry can overcome them.

Joe Ewens and Matt Carey kick off the GamblingCompliance Podcast by discussing Official Data in the U.S. sports betting market. When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA as it is more commonly known, was overturned in May of 2018 it fired the starting gun on a seemingly endless chain of legal and political wrangling, as US states worked to develop their own unique takes on sports betting legislation.As of right now, sports betting is regulated in 15 states and there are many more bills in the works.One of the most divisive issues affecting these bills has turned out to be how gambling operators get access to the data from games they are taking bets on.The powerful American sports leagues have been lobbying hard for state sports betting laws to require operators to procure those vital streams of data directly from the leagues and no one else.So far, only Tennessee and Illinois have included official data mandates in their legislation, but a handful of other regulated states have the option to effectively enforce the requirement.