Gambling Suppliers Face Increased Regulatory Scrutiny

The regulatory landscape in the gambling industry is shifting, with suppliers now facing increased scrutiny from regulators. This change marks a departure from the traditional focus on operators, as authorities extend their oversight to the entire supply chain.

The Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has explicitly stated plans to increase oversight to the entire gambling ecosystem, including suppliers. This move is part of a broader trend across Europe, where regulators are extending their reach further up the supply chain. The KSA's 2026 regulatory agenda includes increased oversight of payment providers, hosting companies, social media platforms, and B2B suppliers.

In September 2023, the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) issued warnings and fines to three studios for breaches found on unlicensed websites. The fines, though not hefty, signaled a clear message: suppliers are responsible for preventing their software from reaching the black market. The SGA noted that future violations could result in fines of up to 10% of turnover and even license revocation. Additionally, Romania introduced new laws in December 2023 that tighten obligations on B2B providers, including platform and games studios, forcing them to proactively block access when Romanian players are accessing their products via unlicensed operators.