Responsible Gambling News: Player Safety Updates

South Africa's National Gambling Policy Council is accelerating work on new legislation aimed at gambling addiction and stricter advertising rules, as officials confront a surge in illegal offshore betting that is costing the economy billions of rand each year.

Michigan’s top gambling regulator just pulled out of the NCPG over prediction markets. While the regulator intended to target the rival industry by exiting the group, it seems likely that responsible gambling efforts will be the biggest victims.

A pair of House lawmakers have introduced a drastic new gambling bill, which includes a ban on online sports betting. The state currently uses tax revenue from the industry to fund public education, generating over $200 million in 2025 alone.

South Africa's National Gambling Board has unveiled a new online verification portal listing every legally licensed gambling operator in the country. The move is designed to help players quickly identify legitimate casinos and steer clear of the unlicensed offshore sites.

Fanatics has partnered with IC360 and the Signify Group to launch the Bad Actor Program. It will help identify harassment on social media and who is behind it. The group can ban violators and share its findings with law enforcement.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has won an award for its “Don’t Regret the Bet” campaign. The effort included a massive upgrade to resources and support on the regulator’s site, as well as a new focus on fighting underage gambling.

New Zealand's upcoming regulated online casino market will prohibit licensed operators from using affiliate marketing. While the policy aims to reduce gambling advertising, some industry observers believe it could unintentionally make it harder for players to identify licensed casinos.

The CFTC has released a 267-page proposal of new regulations for prediction markets. It includes new rules for sports contracts, including restrictions on player props. However, questions still remain over the regulator’s ability to enforce its new rules.

A New Jersey Assembly committee passed A3258, which proposes to ban mobile sportsbooks from offering micro-betting. The controversial bet type has been linked to problem gambling and has played a role in several major US betting scandals.

Colorado Governor Polis has signed off on SB 131, which will enact several new regulations to help protect bettors. The bill also sets firm requirements for the sports betting tax revenue sent to fund the State Water Plan.