CasinoGuru’s Šimon Vincze reflects on regulatory reform, self-exclusion innovation and global harmonisation efforts shaping safer gambling frameworks
In his latest contribution to iGaming Expert, Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling at CasinoGuru, offers a reflective overview of what he describes as a defining year for player protection strategies and responsible gambling frameworks. Rather than opening with a narrative anecdote, Vincze uses the traditional end-of-year pause to deliver a structured review of the initiatives, regulatory changes and industry developments that most influenced the player protection landscape in 2025.
Vincze is candid in acknowledging his perspective and potential bias, noting that several of the initiatives highlighted are projects he has been directly involved in. Nevertheless, the review captures a broad cross-section of global developments that illustrate both progress and persistent challenges within the sector.
The first quarter of the year marked an important milestone for the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organisation (IPGGC), which completed its rebrand and formally became a charitable organisation. IPGGC expanded its certification remit beyond counsellors and treatment providers to include other professional roles and video gaming, while also embarking on international expansion. The organisation’s ambition is to elevate professional standards globally and reduce harm linked to gambling and gaming.
By contrast, regulatory developments in the Netherlands demonstrated how well-intended measures can produce unintended consequences. Strict deposit limits introduced at the end of 2024 successfully reduced overall player spending, according to the regulator. However, CasinoGuru’s analysis of search data revealed a sharp increase in interest in illegal gambling brands, later supported by channelisation reports showing a rise in offshore play.
During the second quarter, attention turned to self-exclusion initiatives in the United States. The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) advanced plans for a multi-state self-exclusion system, appointing Lexis Nexis to develop a unified register across its members. This development runs parallel to earlier work by IdPair, which launched the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme. Vincze notes that, if both initiatives expand, the US could soon be operating multiple large-scale exclusion systems.
Another notable development was the launch of the AI Research Hub at the UNLV International Gaming Institute. The interdisciplinary initiative aims to explore the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence in gambling, with particular focus on benchmarking AI-driven player risk detection models.
The third quarter was shaped by uncertainty in the UK, following GambleAware’s announcement of its planned shutdown as the country transitions toward a statutory levy system. While implementation is scheduled for April 2026, Vincze highlights the unease created within the support sector, particularly against the backdrop of rising gambling taxes. In contrast, BetBlocker’s expansion provided a more positive narrative, with the free blocking app supporting more than 300,000 users globally and strengthening its presence in the US through a partnership with ROGA.
Harmonisation dominated the final quarter of the year. CasinoGuru’s collaboration with City, St George’s University of London culminated in the publication of a Recommended Code of Practice for online self-exclusion. Meanwhile, the Better Gambling Forum continued its work alongside G7 and UN assemblies, contributing to the development of global responsible gambling policy frameworks. The year concluded with a landmark achievement as the European Committee for Standardisation approved the EU’s first standard on markers of gambling-related harm.
Vincze concludes that while not every initiative could be covered, 2025 represented meaningful progress toward a more sustainable and coordinated global approach to player protection, setting the stage for further advances in the years ahead.
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