Compliance Updates
Gambling.com Group Ready for Launch of Online Sports Betting in Maryland with BetMaryland.com

Gambling.com Group Limited, a leading provider of player acquisition services for the regulated global online gambling industry, today announced it has been issued a Vendor Registration Certification by the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission to provide marketing services to licensed online sports betting operators in the state of Maryland as soon as the legal online sports betting market launches on Wednesday, November 23.
In anticipation of the launch of legal online sports betting in Maryland, the Group launched BetMaryland.com in February 2022 to help sports bettors find trusted, comprehensive, and up-to-date information on sports betting in the state. Since that time, the Groupâs industry-leading coverage of the emerging Maryland sports betting marketplace and odds pieces on the Old Line Stateâs sports teams has made BetMaryland.com a top resource for prospective sports bettors in the state. In September, BetMaryland.com reported through a survey that nearly one-in-four Maryland adults (24%) are âlikelyâ or âsomewhat likelyâ to place legal sports bets once the market launches in the state. Additionally, more than two-in-five Maryland sports bettors (44%) expect to bet on sports âat least weekly.â
Maryland â with a population of over 6 million adults â becomes the fifth state or province to launch legal online sports betting or casino in North America in 2022, after the New York and Louisiana sports betting markets went live in January, the Canadian province of Ontario regulated online sports betting and online casino games in April and the Kansas sports betting market launched in September. The Group stands ready to help licensed online gambling operators in Maryland acquire players with its national and international websites, including Gambling.com, Bookies.com, RotoWire.com and BonusFinder.com.
Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Gambling.com Group, said, âThe expected launch of the legal online sports betting market in Maryland adds to the tremendous amount of positive momentum for the North American online gaming industry in 2022. Maryland is taking the right approach by keeping the barriers to entry low and allowing a variety of operators to enter the market. We believe that this will foster competition and ultimately benefit consumers as the operators with the best products rise to the top. Gambling.com Group is well positioned to help operators and customers succeed in this next wave of regulated legal online sports betting in the United States.â
âMaryland allowing sportsbooks to take legal sports bets just in time for Thanksgiving is a huge success for sports bettors in the state,â said Caroline Smart, Vice President at Gambling.com Group. âThis is an exciting moment for sports bettors to finally place safe and responsible wagers with legal sportsbooks, after years of discussion and negotiation, and the robust offerings in the Maryland market will ensure there are plenty of choices and opportunities for customers. Gambling.com Group is prepared to help bettors navigate their new world of options.â
Compliance Updates
MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Online Gambling Operators

In a continued effort to safeguard Michigan residents and uphold the integrity of its regulated gaming environment, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist orders to six online gambling operators unlawfully offering services in the state.
The named entitiesâBonus Blitz Casino, DomGame, Royal Ace Casino, Slots Capital, Supernova Casino, and Wins Maniaâhave been found providing internet-based gambling without obtaining the necessary state authorization, violating Michiganâs Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and sections of the Michigan Penal Code.
âThese illegal operators often masquerade as legitimate gaming platforms, but they exist entirely outside the legal safeguards that protect consumers. When Michiganders play on unlicensed sites, theyâre placing their personal and financial security at riskâwith little to no recourse if things go wrong,â said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB.
Unlike Michigan-licensed gaming platformsâwhich undergo rigorous vetting, continuous monitoring, and must comply with strict state regulationsâthese unlicensed operators are not authorized to offer gaming services in the state. Some are based outside the US, operating beyond the reach of U.S. regulatory oversight, while others may claim domestic ties but still fail to meet Michiganâs legal and licensing requirements.
Because they operate without state approval, these entities do not follow Michiganâs consumer protection standards, responsible gaming mandates, or transparent dispute resolution procedures designed to ensure fair play and data security.
âThis action sends a clear message to illegal operators: Michigan is not a place for rogue gambling. We are committed to preserving a safe, legal, and accountable gaming landscapeâand that includes rooting out bad actors who threaten the trust weâve built with consumers,â Williams said.
Compliance Updates
Responsible Online Gaming Association Releases Guidelines for Operator VIP Programs

The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), an independent association representing 90% of the legal U.S. sports betting industry by handle, published its guidelines for operator VIP programs. These evidence-based recommended practices are intended to support membersâ VIP policies to further incorporate robust responsible online gaming. These can help players maintain a balanced, enjoyable gaming experience within their own personal limits.
âLike in many sectors of entertainment, leisure and hospitality, sportsbookâs VIP programs aim to reward and retain loyal players, and it is essential that these programs are operated with a strong commitment to responsible gaming. These programs should support a shared understanding between hosts and players on the value of responsible gaming that fosters long-term loyalty and player well-being. There is a robust conversation ongoing regarding VIP programs, which is why we have prioritized this issue, as it is essential to provide research-driven guidance to adequately support these programs to help keep VIP playersâ experience fun and recreational,â said ROGA Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Shatley.
Guided by existing evidence, ROGA found that the most effective VIP programs combine proactive education, personalized engagement, and periodic program evaluation. Pursuing these objectives, ROGA identified the following recommended practices for operating VIP programs, many of which have already been implemented by some operators:
⢠Role-specific Training for VIP Hosts: Provide ongoing education specifically tailored to the unique needs of VIP Hosts.
⢠Automated Review: Operators will take advantage of technology to attempt to detect potentially risky behavioral patterns among VIP players, such as increased deposit frequency, extended play sessions, or repeated failed withdrawal attempts.
⢠Escalation Process: Operators will implement measures to escalate to a responsible gaming specialist when the operator identifies that a player might be exhibiting potential signs of problematic play. The specialist should conduct a review of the playerâs behavior and take appropriate action on a case-by-case basis, such as connecting with trained behavioral health personnel.
⢠Integrate RG Messaging into VIP Communications: Communicate responsible gaming messages to VIP players using a range of tailored engagement channels.
⢠VIP Engagement Protocols: Establish protocols to guide interactions between VIP hosts and VIP players, with a focus on transparency, support, and responsible gaming.
⢠Promotions, Bonuses, and Incentives: VIP Hosts should not offer any VIP promotions, bonuses, or incentives to VIP players who are on a cool-off period, have self-excluded, or have a suspended or banned account, and must also provide all VIP players with the ability to opt out of receiving such incentives.
⢠Making Data Available: Provide VIP players with access to player data that show player activity, including deposits, wagers, and withdrawals.
⢠Confirm Awareness of Tools: Require VIP players to confirm their familiarity with responsible gaming tools and resources upon onboarding.
⢠RG Education for VIP Players: Regularly provide VIP players with responsible gaming educational materials to support responsible gaming behavior.
⢠Regular Program Evaluation: Conduct annual reviews of the VIP program. This can include feedback from both VIP players and VIP hosts, as well as tracking the success of engagement strategies.
⢠Development and Updates: Operators should keep apprised of new tools and methods for responsible gaming as they are developed.
This non-exhaustive list of recommended practices is a critical step toward further supporting these programs. ROGAâs members have independently made the decision to commit to implementing these guidelines within a commercially reasonable timeframe.
With its membersâ support, ROGA continues to identify and publish research-based recommended practices for responsible gaming across a variety of priority topics.
Compliance Updates
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Announces Settlement with High5Games over Operation of Illegal Online Casino

The Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division announced a settlement with Online Gaming Service Provider, High5Games, following an investigation into the licenseeâs operation of an unlicensed online casino, High5Casino.
High5Games is a licensed service provider that develops and provides online slot content for the legal gaming platforms in Connecticut. High5Games license was summarily suspended on March 14, 2025, for alleged violations of Connecticutâs gaming laws.
High5Games has ceased operation of its online casino in Connecticut, and its Online Gaming Service Provider license has been reinstated, effective May 22.
High5Games has agreed to pay nearly $1.5 million as part of the settlement. That includes more than $643,000 in restitution to consumers who lost money to High5Casino, and nearly $800,000 for use in consumer complaint resolution programs, consumer education, consumer protection enforcement and litigation.
âThis case is just one example of the hard work our Gaming Division does to ensure a fair, safe and legal gaming market in Connecticut. We are pleased the Connecticut consumers who were lured into placing wagers on an unlicensed platform will be made whole, and that this company has ceased operations of its unlicensed casino in Connecticut,â said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli.
âWe are satisfied with the outcome of this investigation, which has resulted in the return of funds to consumers who were harmed by the unfair marketing of an unlicensed sweepstakes casino. If youâre going to gamble, Connecticut is the best state to place a wager. We work hard to ensure fairness in our licensed market, and when violations do occur, we make every effort to make sure consumers are made whole,â said DCP Gaming Division Director Kris Gilman.
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