WATCH: Casino News Roundup - April 25, 2025

Our news reporter, Alan Evans, brings you the latest news from the casino industry on April 25, 2025. 

Can't watch right now? Here's the full transcript:

"It’s Friday, April 25. This is your Casino.com news roundup.

"The UK Labour Government has decided to put a hold on the new rules for slot machines, sparking a backlash of frustration from some in the gambling industry and a call for more stringent rules from the anti-gambling lobby.  

"The government was going to allow adult gaming centres to install higher-stakes machines, but it now looks as if the 80/20 rule may not be introduced in 2025.  

"At present the rules mean that no more than 20% of terminals in arcades and bingo premises can be category B3, a class of slot machine that allows stakes of up to £2, with prizes of up to £500.  

"An article in The Conversation suggests that the ‘gambling responsibly’ mantra does nothing to prevent harm. ‘It probably makes things worse.’ 

"The article authored by Professor Charles Livingstone offers a one-sided narrative and omits the enormous economic contribution gambling makes as well as the incredibly stringent regulations and compliance for safeguarding consumers.  

"An investigative journalist has raised concerns over the issuance of 600 licences from the small island of Anjouan, a volcanic island off the coast of East Africa.  

"Michael Schmitt, who is based in Malta, said that the rapid licensing of so many operators raises substantial concerns around consumer protection, financial oversight, and tax compliance, predicting that issues will inevitably arise as the market adjusts to these new players.  

"Another expert voice, that of John Christmas, AML expert and author of the award-winning thriller ‘KGB Banker’, said: “I'm concerned about Anjouan as a jurisdiction because of historical instability, since they've had more than 20 coups since their independence in 1975.  

"The Gambling Commission has come under fire for allegedly ‘brushing under the carpet’, detailed criminal activity by a leading gambling company running gambling facilities and online casinos. The allegations are that the Gambling Commission ‘failed in its duty’ to refer the evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

"It is alleged that the Gambling Commission received a series of well-documented complaints from a former executive of Mansion Group, detailing serious misconduct from 2012 to 2021, including cross-border tax evasion, fraudulent restructuring, and the use of offshore entities to hide beneficial ownership. 

"The Gambling Commission responded by saying, “We do not talk about individual cases. We always investigate any allegations of regulatory failures by an operator. During such investigations, however, it may emerge that those allegations are best dealt with by other law-enforcement agencies.”

"And finally, the International Casinos Day Awards have officially opened. The inaugural awards celebrate casinos around the globe, from London to New Zealand.  

"You can vote for your favourite casino wherever you are in the world, along with other categories. To cast your case, check out the link in the description, where we're giving away some amazing prizes to celebrate the first-ever International Casinos Day this May 15.

"That’s it for now. Don’t forget to visit Casinos.com to subscribe and sign up for all our special offers and free giveaways. 

"Bye for now."