VIXIO GamblingCompliance is delighted to announce that the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) will once again be the official charity partner for the VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards.

YGAM, which acted as the official charity partner for the 2020 and 2021 Global Regulatory Awards, is a national charity with a social purpose to inform, educate and safeguard young and vulnerable people against gambling and gaming harms. In recent years, YGAM has established itself as one of the leading charities delivering education programmes to help prevent harm and safeguard future generations.

Daniel Bliss, Director of External Affairs, YGAM, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen by VIXIO to be the official charity partner to these awards for a third year. It provides us with a valuable platform to raise awareness of the work we do to achieve our social purpose. We’re looking forward to the event and the opportunity to network with a wide range of stakeholders.”

Since their launch in 2017, the independently adjudicated Global Regulatory Awards have become the biggest of their kind, recognising and celebrating those who demonstrate excellence in responsible gambling, and are growing in importance as the industry moves towards a stronger culture of compliance. Winning a prestigious award is a sign of excellence and can enhance your reputation as a leader in the field of compliance and safer gambling.

Nominations for the Global Regulatory Awards officially close on June 30, 2022. Submitting a nomination is free, quick and easier than ever before and is open to industry newcomers and veterans alike.

This year’s VIXIO GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards ceremony will be held on November 30, 2022, and we will be returning to the prestigious De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in Central London, the site of the 2021 ceremony where more than 250 senior industry professionals joined VIXIO to celebrate the achievements of that year’s star-studded class of winners.

The Lithuanian Gambling Supervisory Authority has issued 7bet operator Amber Gaming with a fine of €6789 for breaching the national laws brought in last year regarding the promotion of gambling.

An investigation from the Commission found that on 13 October and 4 November in 2021, and also on 4 February this year, Amber Gaming published content on its website that the regulator said encouraged consumers to gambling.

The Commission highlighted a number of statements that could be seen as promotional and content intended to draw players to gambling with the operator’s 7bet brand.

These statements included “Online casino: free spins and casino bonus” and “For those who want a greater sense of excitement, 7bet offers live real-time casino games. It gives you even more chances to win”.

Ruling on the case, the Commission said the published information was “aimed at drawing attention to the company, its offer, persuading and encouraging persons to participate in the company’s games”.

This, the regulator said, was considered to encourage participation in games and therefore breached Article 10 (19) of the country’s Ali.

It was established that the published information was aimed at drawing attention to the company, its offer, persuading and encouraging persons to participate in the company’s games, which is considered to encourage participation in games, therefore, the company violated the requirements of Article 10 (19).

Amber Gaming was also warned that similar breaches or failure to remove any promotional content could result in the operator having its licence in the country suspended.

The operator does have the option to appeal the decision.

Lithuania’s ban on gambling promotion came into effect on 1 July 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the Lithuanian Gambling Commission’s formation.

Norway’s Ministry of Culture and Gender Equality has launched a consultation on the country’s new proposed Gambling Act. The new Gambling Act will replace the Lottery Act, the Totalizator Act and the previous Gambling Act.

The draft legislation is open to comments from stakeholders until 5 August. While much of the law simply consolidates aspects of the previous three acts in place, it does come updated enforcement rules.

Among the most significant parts of the new act is the introduction of “infringement fees” for operators that violate the Gambling Act, including those who target the country without a licence. In Norway, only monopolies Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto may offer online gambling.

The Norwegian Industry Association for Online Gaming had criticised the bill when it was introduced for keeping the monopoly model in place.

Regulator Lotteri-og Stiftelsestilsynet (Lotteritilsynet) may require operators to pay up to 10% of turnover – before winnings are paid out – if they break the rules laid out in the Act.

In deciding the size of the fine, Lotteritilsynet may consider its preventative effect, the “gravity and duration” of the infringement, the financial capability of the offender, the degree of cooperation with the authorities and any previous violations.

If approved, the rules are set to come into force on 1 January 2023.