The Rotterdam court has ordered Betsson to refund €530,000 to a Dutch player who lost money on its platforms between 2014 and 2019, even though the operator did not have a licence to operate legally in the Netherlands.
Winning the lottery, often seen as a dream, can turn into a curse.
In Belgium, betting operator Ladbrokes has been at the centre of a legal controversy after offering virtual betting without a clear legal framework. Initially authorised by the Gaming Commission (GC) in 2014, it was sanctioned in 2018 for continuing this activity after this authorisation was withdrawn.
The Kansspelautoriteit’s spring 2025 report reveals a significant drop in extreme losses among online gamblers, thanks to the new responsible gambling rules introduced at the end of 2024.
Gambling addiction among teenagers in Australia is reaching worrying levels, with almost 20% of young people taking part in gambling, often online. This phenomenon is exacerbated by easy access to gambling platforms and a lack of awareness of the risks. Consequences include mental disorders and financial problems.
On 9 April 2025, the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Dutch gambling regulator, announced on its website that it had formally taken Hotel Gaming Services B.V., the operator of the Circus Gran Casino slot machines, to task for failing to comply with a rule that has been in force since 2022 in its promotional campaigns.
The Hellenic Gaming Commission is teaming up with Danish company Mindway AI to enhance player protection in Greece using artificial intelligence. The partnership aims to develop innovative tools for the early identification of problem gambling behaviour using techniques combining neuroscience, AI and psychology.
The GC has reported 1,298 illegal ads on Facebook in the first three months of 2025, aimed at luring Belgian gamblers to unauthorised gambling sites. These fraudulent platforms, often presented as legal, do not guarantee any protection for users and represent a real danger for consumers.
The Irish and UK gambling regulators have signed a landmark agreement to harmonise their efforts in regulating the sector, with the main aims of aligning regulations, protecting consumers and combating cross-border illegal activity.
Kick has changed its remuneration policy by doing away with hourly payments for gambling streamers, particularly those working on slot machines and casinos. The change is aimed at promoting more responsible content and limiting the risk of gambling addiction.
The ANJ is stepping up its action against excessive gambling and underage gambling by imposing strict prevention plans on operators. Faced with alarming figures – 1.17 million problem gamblers by 2024, including 360,000 problem gamblers – the ANJ is demanding concrete, measurable measures, including early detection of risky behaviour and personalised support for vulnerable gamblers.
European roulette is a popular casino game, known for its simplicity and favourable odds, with a wheel of 37 squares numbered from 0 to 36. Unlike the American version, it has only one zero, which reduces the casino’s advantage to around 2.7%.
The UK Gambling Commission has announced new regulations coming into force in December 2025 to strengthen player protection. These measures include banning bonus offers that combine several types of games and capping wagering requirements at 10 times the amount of the bonus, against sometimes abusive practices.
Five men have been arrested for cheating as part of an organised gang at the Pasino in La Grande-Motte, causing a loss of €76,000. Thanks to CCTV footage, the management discovered that they were using an iron rod inserted into the roulette wheel to manipulate the trajectory of the ball and distort the results.
Volatility in online casino games determines the frequency and size of winnings. Low-volatility games offer regular but modest winnings, while high-volatility games offer larger but rarer winnings.
Apple and Google are the target of a class action lawsuit in the US, accusing them of facilitating illegal gambling by hosting ‘sweepstakes’ casino applications on their platforms. The plaintiffs claim that the two technology giants profit from these activities by taking commissions on integrated purchases, processing financial transactions and using targeted advertising algorithms to attract vulnerable users. This RICO-based lawsuit could redefine the responsibility of digital platforms for the content they distribute.
Recent research shows that neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD or autism, are at increased risk of suffering gambling-related damage. Although they do not gamble more often than others, they are more vulnerable to negative effects because of escape mechanisms or stimulation-seeking behaviour. Tailored interventions, such as personalised support and accessible treatment environments, are essential to prevent these problem behaviours and provide effective help.
