Winning the lottery, often seen as a dream, can turn into a curse.
An investigation in Italy has revealed an illegal betting ring involving several football players, including Ángel Di María and Weston McKennie. The players allegedly used unauthorised betting platforms to participate in illegal gambling, although their bets were not directly related to football matches.
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the Gaming Commission (GC) in 2014, it was sanctioned in 2018 for continuing this activity after this authorisation was withdrawn.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.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) is examining a case between a German player and Lottoland, an online gaming operator based in Malta, concerning the reimbursement of gambling losses incurred on a platform that was unauthorised in Germany at the time of the events.
The Ksa is serious about intensifying the fight against illegal providers. Michel Groothuizen, who has been appointed chairman of the Board of the Kansspelautoriteit since July 1st last year, periodically writes a blog about what’s going on at the workplace. In this way, he illuminates the issue and outlines potential solutions to put an end to these illegal websites, as the number of illegal apps continues to rise.
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.
Armando Izzo, a defender with Italian club Monza, was acquitted on appeal on 10 April 2025, after more than ten years of legal proceedings linked to a match-fixing case dating back to 2014. Accused of participating in the manipulation of two Serie B matches under the influence of a Neapolitan mafia clan, he was sentenced to five years in prison in 2023. The Naples Court of Appeal finally ruled that there was insufficient evidence to confirm his guilt, thereby rehabilitating a player who had always denied the facts.
Gamestate, known for its arcade halls in the Netherlands, is now coming up with something new. From now on, you can play the well-known crane machines, which you normally see at the fairground, at home. Via the website Gamestate Now, you control a real machine remotely.
Flutter Entertainment has completed the acquisition of Snaitech for €2.3 billion after obtaining all the necessary regulatory approvals. This strategic transaction strengthens Flutter’s leading position in the Italian online and physical gaming market by integrating Snaitech with its existing brands such as PokerStars and Sisal.
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 Kansspelautoriteit in the Netherlands has imposed a hefty fine on Techno Offshore Limited. So the organisation announced on its site today.
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.
A more intensive effort is needed to take down illegal apps. The Ksa (Dutch Gambling Authority) is fully committed to eliminating illegal gambling.
Professional tennis has been rocked once again by a major match-fixing scandal involving five Belgian players sanctioned by the ITIA. The athletes – Yannick Thivant, Thomas Setodji, Thomas Brechemier, Gabriel Petit and Hugo Daubias – were found guilty of manipulating matches between 2017 and 2018, in connection with a vast illegal betting network orchestrated by Grigor Sargsyan, who has already been sentenced to five years in prison.
The ECA fully supports the European Union’s ProtectEU strategy, which aims to strengthen security against threats such as illegal gambling. This initiative includes an expanded role for Europol, better regulation of online content through the Digital Services Act, and the creation of an anti-money laundering authority. The ECA welcomes these measures, underlining the urgent need for action in the face of the scale of the illegal market and its links with organised crime.
