Compliance Updates
PA Gaming Control Board Enhances Self-exclusion Tools to Assist Individuals with a Gambling Disorder
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board) announced it has launched a more user-friendly online system that enables individuals with a gambling disorder to self-exclude from participating in any gambling activity regulated by the Board.
The Self-Exclusion Program began in 2006 to permit individuals to ban themselves from entering and gambling at Pennsylvania casinos. The program was expanded after the passage in 2017 of the Gaming Expansion Act. Three additional self-exclusion programs are now available for iGaming (including online sports wagering), Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) at truck stops, and online Fantasy Sports.
While a person is self-excluded, gaming facilities and operators in the Commonwealth must refuse wagers from and deny any gaming privileges to that person. If an individual on a list is found to be participating in gaming activities in Pennsylvania, they may be charged with criminal trespass and any gambling winnings are confiscated.
Individuals who wish to enroll online for a self-exclusion program can now simply complete the enrollment online by going to https://responsibleplay.pa.gov. At that site, individuals can:
- enroll in one, several, or all self-exclusion programs;
- request removal from the casino self-exclusion program;
- extend the period of their self-exclusion ban period;
- view their self-exclusion documents and status in real-time;
- update their personal information (i.e. name change/address change); and,
- access links to gambling disorder information and the helpline.
For identity verification purposes and to ensure confidentiality, individuals enrolling in a self-exclusion program must upload a “selfie” picture, a picture of their photo ID, and must receive Lexis Nexis verification during the enrollment process.
The Self-Exclusion programs are just one of the ways in which the Board’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling (OCPG) is making sure that gaming is fair and safe. The Director of the OCPG also ensures that the casinos and the online gaming operators have an approved compulsive and problem gambling plan. Each plan details:
- the training of casino and online operator employees on the signs and symptoms of gambling disorder and responsible gaming programs;
- policies and procedures on identifying those with potential harmful behavior and the identification and removal of underage, self-excluded, and excluded individuals who have engaged in gaming activities;
- responsible advertising policies;
- the casino and online operator’s participation in outreach programs.
In addition, all online games (casino-type, sports wagering, and fantasy) have options on their sites that would enable the player to place self-imposed limits on deposits, wagers, spend and play time.
The OCPG has also worked with the PGCB’s Office of Communications to develop the public health educational campaigns, “What’s Really at Stake” and “Don’t Gamble with Kids”.
Compliance Updates
Internet Vikings Ready to Support Missouri Sports Betting Market
Internet Vikings, a licensed in-state hosting provider for iGaming and online sports betting, announces today that, with the voters of Missouri approving Amendment 2, they are prepared to offer their range of hosting solutions to operators and suppliers entering this newly regulating market.
Leveraging an established presence in 24 U.S. States, Internet Vikings is set to offer Missouri tailored, competitively priced hosting solutions.
“With the state officially opening its doors to sports betting, we are ready to provide the secure infrastructure needed to enter this market confidently,” said Rickard Vikström, Founder and CEO of Internet Vikings. “Our team is prepared to act swiftly to support companies seeking a fast, compliant launch.”
To meet the requirements of businesses moving into Missouri’s sports betting space, Internet Vikings’ range of solutions streamlines the setup process. The company’s infrastructure supports performance, flexibility with their new Pay-As-You-Go Cloud bursting, and compliance, ensuring a reliable foundation for those looking to establish a strong foothold in the state.
“The entire Internet Vikings team is committed to giving operators and suppliers the best possible start, backed by our infrastructure and around-the-clock NOC support,” Vikström added.
With over 16 years of experience, Internet Vikings brings their expertise to Missouri and invites both new and established sports betting businesses to connect and explore tailored solutions designed for this new market.
Compliance Updates
Booming Games’ premium content is now certified in Brazil
Booming Games has successfully obtained the required certification to operate in Brazil, fully complying with the regulations set by Brazil’s gambling regulator, the Secretariat of Evaluation, Planning, Energy, and Lottery (SECAP).
Booming Games became one of the first providers to get approval and be compliant. This milestone enables them to offer its wide array of gaming content to licensed operators in Brazil, allowing Brazilian players to dive into fan favourites like Burning Classics, Gold Gold Gold, TNT Bonanza 2, Cash Pig, Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme, and Ronaldinho Spins, enhancing their gaming experience.
Expanding into Brazil’s iGaming market represents a pivotal achievement for Booming Games, reinforcing its presence across Latin America and strengthening its position as a leading gaming content provider on the continent. Booming Games remains dedicated to delivering high-quality entertainment globally, with this Brazilian expansion highlighting its commitment to serving diverse gaming audiences worldwide.
Frederik Niehusen, Chief Commercial Officer at Booming Games, commented: “We’re excited to have achieved full certification in Brazil, marking an important step in strengthening our presence in this rapidly expanding market. We’re eager to build on this success, driving growth and bringing exceptional gaming experiences to players throughout Brazil. 2025 promises to be an exciting year, and we look forward to sharing more updates soon.”
Compliance Updates
Tennessee Sports Wagering Council Takes Action Against Illegal Sportsbook
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council through its executive director issued $50,000 in fines to Bovada.lv, an unlicensed and therefore illegal sportsbook operating in Tennessee.
Bovada failed to comply with cease and desist letters delivered to addresses in Curaçao, and Council investigators placed wagers through Bovada’s platform on three separate occasions, including as recently as October 16, 2024.
The Sports Gaming Act authorizes the Council to impose a $10,000 fine for the first offense of accepting wagers without a license, which rises to $15,000 for the second offense, and $25,000 for the third offense. Subsequent offenses may lead to the imposition of a $25,000 fine for each occurrence, an occurrence being a single wager accepted in Tennessee.
In the cease and desist letters, the Council ordered Bovada to allow all Tennessee users to withdraw any funds currently held by the unlicensed sportsbook.
“The Sports Wagering Council recommends that Tennessee users of Bovada withdraw their funds immediately. Our primary role is the protection of the public interest through a safe, regulated environment, and Tennessee sports bettors need to know that just because they can access a sports betting website or app inside Tennessee’s borders does not mean it is licensed to do business here,” Mary Beth Thomas, Executive Director of Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, said.
Legal sportsbook operators provide important bettor protections not found in the illegal market. If an individual wagers with unlicensed sportsbooks, their sensitive financial and personal information may not be protected and could even be shared with criminal enterprises. The bettor’s money could be withheld or disappear without a way to recover it.
The SWC is working closely with its network of law enforcement at the state and federal level to eradicate illegal sportsbooks such as Bovada and others.
Tennessee is the largest “online-only” sports betting market in the US, with more than $4.7 billion wagered in Tennessee last fiscal year through online sportsbooks licensed by the Council.
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