Compliance Updates
UK Government launches review to ensure gambling laws are fit for digital age
The Culture Secretary has launched a major and wide-ranging review of gambling laws to ensure they are fit for the digital age as committed to in the manifesto.
Online restrictions, marketing and the powers of the Gambling Commission will be looked at as part of a call for evidence, to examine in detail how gambling has changed over the past 15 years.
Protections for online gamblers like stake and spend limits, advertising and promotional offers and whether extra protections for young adults are needed will all be explored.
The findings will be used to inform any changes to the Gambling Act 2005 to ensure customer protection is at the heart of the regulations, while giving those that gamble safely the freedom to do so.
The review will also look at evidence on the action customers can take where they feel operators have breached social responsibility requirements, such as intervening to protect customers showing clear signs of problematic play, and how to ensure children and young people are kept safe from gambling-related harm.
The Government recognises the need to balance the enjoyment people get from gambling with the right regulatory framework and protections.
It has also been announced today that the minimum age for playing the National Lottery will be raised from 16 to 18 from October 2021.
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, said:
“Whilst millions gamble responsibly, the Gambling Act is an analogue law in a digital age. From an era of having a flutter in a high street bookmaker, casino, racecourse or seaside pier, the industry has evolved at breakneck speed.
“This comprehensive review will ensure we are tackling problem gambling in all its forms to protect children and vulnerable people. It will also help those who enjoy placing a bet to do so safely.
“This builds upon our clear track record of introducing tough measures to protect people from the risk of gambling harm – banning the use of credit cards, launching tighter age verification checks and cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals.”
Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddleston said:
“We’re committed to protecting young people from gambling related harm which is why we are raising the minimum age for the National Lottery. Patterns of play have changed since its inception, with a shift towards online games, and this change will help make sure the National Lottery, although already low-risk, is not a gateway to problem gambling.”
It follows a range of measures recently introduced by the Government to protect consumers from the risk of gambling-related harm. These include cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals, bringing in tighter age and identity checks for online gambling, banning gambling using credit cards and expanding national specialist support through the NHS Long Term Plan.
In September the Government launched a call for evidence to explore young people’s experiences of loot boxes in video games. This will provide a clearer picture of the size of the loot box market in the UK and fully examine any evidence of harms or links to problem gambling.
The review of the Gambling Act 2005 will also consider the Gambling Commission’s powers and resources to ensure it can keep pace with the licensed sector and tackle the black market.
In October the Gambling Commission introduced new rules on VIP schemes, and has called for evidence around how to ensure operators identify and intervene where people are at risk of harm, including through carrying out affordability checks. The Commission will also soon set out new rules on safer game design for online slots and withdrawing winnings.
Alongside the launch of the review, the Government is announcing its decision to raise the minimum age to play the National Lottery from 16 to 18, to protect young people from gambling related harm.
Since it began in 1994 the National Lottery’s games portfolio has changed significantly and there has been a growing trend towards online play and instant win games like scratchcards. Following a consultation, from October 2021 it will be illegal to sell all National Lottery products to under 18s.
The Government is working with the Gambling Commission and Camelot to roll out the new age limit across the National Lottery products as quickly as possible and to ensure that it is in place by October. Under current plans, online sales to 16 and 17 year olds will stop in April 2021.
Source: gov.uk
Compliance Updates
Spillemyndigheden: Anti-Money Laundering- A report to the police must be followed up by a notification
Notifications to the Money Laundering Secretariat is one the most important sources of information on money laundering and financing of terrorism. A notification is information about a potentially criminal act, and it cannot be replaced by a report to the police.
Gambling operators are obligated to notify in accordance with section 26 of the AML Act. The obligation to notify means that gambling operators must immediately notify the Money Laundering Secretariat if they know of, suspect, or have reason to believe that a transaction, funds or an activity is or has been linked to money laundering or financing of terrorism.
Notifications are essential for the role of the Money Laundering Secretariat, as notifications can in themselves constitute a case. In addition, a notification about a suspicion can be part of a larger case of other suspicious matters.
Police reports cannot replace notifications
There are no exceptions to the obligation to notify even if you have reported the matter to the police. In case a gambling operator has reported a customer to the police, the gambling operator must also notify the Money Laundering Secretariat which is an authority independent from the police.
Compliance Updates
CT Interactive Certifies 60 Games and Hot Luck Jackpot for Peru
CT Interactive has successfully certified 60 of its most popular games, along with the Hot Luck Jackpot, in Peru. This certification aligns with recent legislative updates in the Peruvian market, aimed at enhancing the gaming environment.
In response to these regulatory updates, CT Interactive has proactively certified a diverse range of games to provide Peruvian operators with a wide array of engaging gaming options. The newly certified games cover a broad spectrum of themes and features, ensuring that there is something for every type of player.
The newly certified games are: Hit the Hot, Lord of Luck the Wheel, Wizard Blizzard, 20 Star Party, Celestial Dragon, 40 Mega Slot, Monkey Sevens, 40 Shining Jewels, Shining Treasures, 40 Treasures, Giraffe Wild, 50 Treasures, Rodeo Power, Alaska Wild, Lord of Luck, Amazons Spear, Ramesses the Great, Banana Party, Fortune Pig, Brilliants Hot, The Power of Ramesses, Brilliants on Fire, Treasure Chase, Chilli Fruits, The Oldest Oak, Coffee Magic, Banana Merge, Dancing Dragons, Fortune Pyramid, Duck of Luck, HOT 7’s X 2, Fire Dozen, Magic Crown, Fortune Fish, Pick the Pig, Great Queen Bee, Win Storm, Lucky 3 Penguins, 20 Clovers Hot, Lucky Clover, Full of Luck, Penguin Party, The Great Sevens, Pot’o Luck, Fire Egg, Purple Fruits, The Golden Duck, Purple Hot 2, 40 Fruitata Wins, Pyramid of Gold, Power Storm, Wild Clover, The Big Chilli, Wild Hills, Jester Jack, Big Joker, Lucky Kiwi, Dark woods, 20 Mega Slot and Fluffy Tails.
Each of these games has been meticulously tested and certified to meet the stringent new standards set forth by Peruvian regulators.
Australia
AUSTRAC and SkyCity agree to proposed $67 million penalty
SkyCity Adelaide Pty Ltd (SkyCity) and AUSTRAC have filed joint submissions with the Federal Court of Australia, proposing a $67 million penalty over the casino’s contravention of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act).
A court hearing has been set down for 7 June 2024, at which Justice Lee will consider the parties’ proposed settlement.
While AUSTRAC and SkyCity agree that a $67 million penalty is appropriate in all the circumstances, it is a matter for the court to determine the appropriate penalty.
In reaching this agreement, SkyCity has admitted that it operated in contravention of the AML/CTF Act, including that:
- its AML/CTF Programs did not meet the requirements of the AML/CTF Act and AML/CTF Rules, in contravention of section 81.
- it did not carry out appropriate ongoing customer due diligence with respect to certain higher risk customers and customers transacting through higher risk channels, in contravention of section 36.
“AUSTRAC took this action out of concern that SkyCity’s conduct meant that a range of high-risk practices, behaviours and customer relationships were allowed to continue unchecked for many years,” AUSTRAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Brendan Thomas said.
Mr Thomas said the action serves as an important reminder to casinos and the gaming sector to take their AML/CTF obligations seriously and be vigilant to money laundering and terrorism financing risks.
As the matter is before the court for determination, AUSTRAC is unable to comment further on the proceedings.
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