iGaming Gossips: Buzzing Stories in April 2025
April has become a decisive month for the global gaming industry. The month was marked by higher regulatory scrutiny, major penalties, as well as significant market shifts.
Welcome to iGaming Gossips, where we cover all the latest; the key updates and developments of the corresponding month, behind-the scene actions, and why not, the most explosive regulatory breaches.
And remember, we donāt gossip ā we just listen carefully and forward responsibly.
Table Of Contents
MGMās $8.5M fine is a wake-up call for casino complianceThe dutch gambling market was under a serious watch in AprilNo more easy bets in Russia, as online gambling and crypto are already targetedLand-based casino era has come to an end in SwedenDutch court rules against Betsson againMGMās $8.5M fine is a wake-up call for casino complianceMGM Resorts International was set to pay a hefty $8.5 million fine to Nevada regulators after a long investigation into anti-money laundering (AML) failures tied to two convicted illegal bookmakers.
The penalty was approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission, and this has become one of the biggest fines in the stateās history.
MGM Resorts has acknowledged the settlement and emphasized that it has strengthened its internal controls, boosting AML training and setting up better reporting systems for frontline staff. The $8.5 million state fine follows a separate $7.45 million federal penalty MGM agreed to earlier as part of a non-prosecution deal, and this brings the total fallout to over $16 million.
Commissioner Brian Krolicki noted that despite the violations, MGM has maintained a strong culture of compliance, citing the companyās filing of 46,000 Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and the banning of 2,600 customers over the past decade.
While MGM claims it has cleaned up its act, this incident is a reminder of how lapses in compliance can escalate quickly when high-rolling gamblers arenāt properly checked.
The dutch gambling market was under a serious watch in AprilApril was a busy month for the Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch gambling regulator, as it stepped up enforcement actions against both licensed and unlicensed operators.
First, KSA issued a penalty payment order against Gamusoft for illegally offering esports betting through csgofast.com. Dutch players were able to access the site without proper licensing, leading to a fine of ā¬280,000 per week, with a maximum cap of ā¬840,000.
Meanwhile, licensed operator 711 received a formal warning after one of its advertisements appeared on a website associated with school homework,Ā a serious breach of regulations prohibiting gambling ads targeting minors.
In a separate case, Techno Offshore was hit with a ā¬1.2 million fine for unlawfully providing online gambling through its Nolimitbet and Simplecasino brands. Investigations found that the company allowed Dutch players to gamble without a license and failed to implement adequate player protection measures.
No more easy bets in Russia, as online gambling and crypto are already targetedThe Russian government is considering tougher measures to curb online gambling, including blocking apps and websites and restricting cryptocurrency-based payments.
Evgeny Masharov, a member of the Russian Civic Chamber, spilled the details to TASS, revealing that officials are worried about minors getting easy access to gamified gambling content. Illegal operators who skip ID checks and flood the market are making it harder for the legal betting scene to keep up.
To fight back, a new government task force has been formed, bringing together Roskomnadzor (Russiaās fierce internet watchdog), Rosfinmonitoring (the financial intelligence unit), and the Central Bank. Currently, Russia only allows retail betting shops and a handful of land-based casinos in specific regions, while online gambling is restricted to sports betting. But with major international brands like bet365 pulling out after the Ukraine invasion and tightening sanctions, the underground scene is booming, and regulators are rushing to catch up and regain the control.
Land-based casino era has come to an end in SwedenSwedenās land-based casino chapter has officially closed. On 2 April, the Riksdag announced that physical casinos no longer serve their purpose, citing years of declining profits and visitor numbers at Casino Cosmopol.
Svenska Spel, which operates Casino Cosmopol under a state monopoly, backed the decision and confirmed it has permanently shut its final location in Stockholm as of 24 April. No new licences for land-based casinos will be issued under the new law.
Casino Cosmopol CEO Ola Enquist said the rise of online gambling has drawn players away from traditional casinos. He mentioned that though it is emotionally tough to see this era end, from a business standpoint, itās was the right decision.
Around 240 employees are affected by the closure. Svenska Spel announced about their support to staff during the transition. Enquist also thanked all guests and team members who contributed to Casino Cosmopolās history.
Dutch court rules against Betsson againHere comes the second unfavorable ruling for Betsson in the Netherlands this year. Rotterdam court has ordered Betsson to repay over ā¬530,000 to a Dutch gambler, referred to as āEric,ā after ruling that the player lost funds on unlicensed websites operated by Betsson subsidiaries BML Group and Corona Limited.
The total amount includes ā¬385,378 in deposits, ā¬144,622 in interest dating back to 2014, and ā¬5,751 in legal costs.
Deepak Thakoerdien, the founder of Dynamiet Nederland ā the consumer rights group representing the gambler, explained that the ruling means that individuals who lose money on illegal gambling platforms can not only recover their deposits but also receive interest accrued over time, and this can lead to a substantial increase in compensation.
Previously, Betsson had applied for a Dutch license but withdrew its application in July 2023 due to significant delays. However, letās hope that the company will soon re-enter the market through its planned acquisition of Goldrun, a licensed Dutch operator, pending approval from the Kansspelautoriteit, and thus will regain its good reputation.
Thinking Out Loudā¦The gambling industry is moving towards a new era, where innovation, compliance and player protection are becoming more essential than ever. For this month, we see the consequences of delayed reporting, as well as the importance of keeping up with schedules. And for operators, itās clear: to reach long-term credibility and avoid reputational damage, transparency and compliance are vital.
The views expressed in this article represent the authorās personal observations and interpretations of recent events. They are not intended to influence or impose any particular perspective. Readers are encouraged to assess the information independently and form their own opinions.
