Risk Management In Online Gambling

Conference Digital Archive

When it comes to digital risk management, there are numerous steps online gambling companies can take to make sure their website can handle technical issues quickly and efficiently, as well as protect their users’ personal information. With the right tools, gambling sites and apps can cover all their bases through one comprehensive platform.

'Thank you to everyone who submitted their research, presented, attended, or wanted to attend the 17th International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking. We think it gets a little better every time, and we couldn’t do it without all of you. Be on the look out for the next Call for Papers (sometime in 2021), submit your research, and encourage your friends and fellow academics to do the same next time. We’re looking forward to the next conference in Summer 2022 and hope you are, too.'

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About the Conference

Serbia’s fast-growing online gambling market approached €100m in market size in 2019 and gaming machine operators are expected to be squeezed by the country’s new, more restrictive, Gambling Act. Head of Risk Management, PayPal UK. ICA Specialist Certificate in Money Laundering Risks in Betting and Gaming. This course (delivered online) provides you with an opportunity to understand the key anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing risks and the risk-based approach in managing these risks. Online sports betting and online casinos that take your money and offer prizes via the web are illegal in Minnesota. There are websites available that operate outside of the United States to purposefully avoid laws and enforcement.Not only is it a crime to participate, there are consumer protection concerns as well. The online gambling industry Determines a threat assessment of the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing through online gambling. Reviews money laundering legislation and regulations as they apply to online gambling. Provides a summary of best practice within the online gambling industry.

The International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking brings together a diverse array of researchers and industry professionals from across the globe to discuss wide-ranging topics in gambling studies. Launched in 1974 by Dr. Bill Eadington—an innovative thinker and founding figure in gambling research—the conference has maintained its status as the largest, oldest, and most prestigious conference of its kind by always looking towards the future and remaining on the cutting-edge of gambling insights.

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Encompassing academics, researchers, industry representatives, professional gamblers, regulatory and government officials, and treatment providers, the conference seeks to encourage new ways of thinking, drive innovation and change, and provide interdisciplinary access to the world’s brightest gambling minds.

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Held only every three years, IGI encourages all students, early-career scholars, established researchers, and gaming industry authorities to submit their latest and most groundbreaking research for the chance to present to the world’s largest gathering of gambling intellectuals. Held in 2019, the last conference drew 550+ attendees from 34 countries and covered topics including: economics, public policy, mathematics, social sciences, psychology, and treatment.

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'The International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking was one of the best weeks of my professional life. It exposed me to the great work that so many other researchers are conducting around the world.'

2016 Conference Attendee

Casinos have historically been at risk of exploitation by those seeking to launder criminal property. We look at five things you need to know about the problem, rules and changes to sector guidance.

1. Why is this important?

The nature of services and products offered by the gambling industry can make it attractive to criminals seeking to launder or disguise the origins of criminally derived funds. Significant risk factors in this industry include the prevalence of cash transactions, accessibility to multiple premises and anonymity on the part of the customer.

2. Who is covered by the rules?

New anti-money laundering provisions relating to casinos were brought in by the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) on 26 June 2017. A key change is that all casino operators, both remote and non-remote, are now caught by MLR 2017, rather than simply holders of a casino operating licence. A remote casino operator will be caught by the MLR 2017 if they have at least one piece of remote gambling equipment situated in the UK or if the gambling facilities provided by the remote casino are used in the UK.

This means that non-casino gambling providers, such as betting shops, are not covered by the MLR 2017.

3. What are the rules?

Under the MLR 2017, casino operators have a legal obligation to do the following:

  • Risk assessment: conduct a written risk assessment in respect of money laundering risks faced by the business and ensure that there are adequate procedures in place to deal with those risks.
  • Customer due diligence: conduct risk based customer due diligence (CDD) when they:< >establish a business relationshipsuspect money laundering or terrorist financingdoubt the veracity or adequacy of documents or information previously obtained for the purposes of identification or verification.Nominated officer: appoint a member of the firm as their nominated officer (i.e. outsourcing is no longer possible) as well as a member of the board of directors (or equivalent) as the officer responsible for compliance.
  • Reliance on third parties: accept ultimate responsibility for compliance with MLR 2017, even where they are entitled to rely on CDD carried out by third parties.

In July 2010, the Gambling Commission, which oversees the casino industry’s compliance with their anti-money laundering obligations, published a guidance note entitled “Money laundering: the prevention of money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism: Guidance for remote and non-remote casinos” (PDF). This guidance was updated in 2011 and 2016 following changes in the law.

Risk Management In Online Gambling Websites

4. How are the rules/guidance changing?

In light of the changes brought about by the MLR 2017, and also the Criminal Finances Act 2017, the Gambling Commission’s guidance note has been revised to a new fourth edition to assist casino operators in complying with the latest requirements. The updated guidance went out to consultation in July 2017. Responses are sought by 8 September 2017.

The consultation document invites feedback on the above amendments and, in addition, asks for views on whether or not the Gambling Commission should remain the sole supervisory authority for money service business activities provided by non-remote casinos.

5. What can casino operators do to comply with the amended regulations?

Risk Management Gambling

Casino operators can ensure they have effective anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures in place by taking the following steps:

Risk Management In Online Gambling Real Money

  • Risk assessment: review and revise the risk assessment, covering issues such as customer profile, premises and remote sites and incidents of actual or suspected attempted money laundering.
  • Policies and procedures: review and revise policies and procedures in light of the identified risks. Ensure that the policies and procedures are properly disseminated and appropriate training is provided on them to front line staff.
  • Senior management commitment: senior management must be fully engaged in developing and maintaining procedures and controls which are necessary to manage the risks identified in the casino operator’s risk assessment.
  • Record keeping: keep records of all anti-money-laundering policies, procedures and controls and all ongoing transactions with customers. Records of CDD identification and verification must be maintained for at least 5 years.
  • Suspicious activity reports: providing appropriate training to all relevant employees to enable them to make a report where they know, suspect (or have reasonable grounds to know or suspect) that a person is engaged in actual or attempted money laundering or terrorist financing.