The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has identified a growing regulatory focus on mandatory player protection, with four gambling markets introducing requirements covering age, finances, carded play and staff capability.
The findings appear in Evolving Expectations, published on 27 July 2026 as the first of six reports in the RGC’s Sector Signals series. It examines developments in the United Kingdom, Norway, and Sweden focusing on requirements operators must implement.
Four Areas Shape Regulatory Changes
The UK introduced statutory measures through the Gambling Levy Regulations 2025, which took effect on 6 April 2025. The levy replaced a discretionary contribution system and generated just under £120 million in its first year. Half went to treatment, 30% to prevention and 20% to research.
Britain also introduced online slot stake limits. The maximum became £5 per game cycle from 9 April 2025, falling to £2 for players aged 18 to 24 from 21 May.
Norway uses its state monopoly, Norsk Tipping, to impose monthly loss limits based on age. Players aged 25 and over face a NOK 20,000 ceiling, while younger groups face limits from NOK 2,000 to NOK 5,000. The middle limits took effect on 1 February 2025. Norsk Tipping surveys indicate one in five men aged 18 to 25 face a risk of gambling-related harm.
Sweden introduced a broad restriction on credit-funded gambling covering credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts and buy-now-pay-later products. Parliament delayed implementation from 1 April to 1 May 2026 to give businesses more preparation time.
Sweden Mandates Safer Gambling Responsibilities Across Operators
Sweden also requires employees across product development, marketing, game monitoring and customer service to identify and respond to gambling harm.
RGC chief executive Sarah McCarthy said: “Behind every one of these regulatory changes is a recognition that voluntary approaches, on their own, may not always reach the players who need protection most. The shift toward mandatory safeguards reflects a growing understanding that the health of the player base and the sustainability of the industry are the same conversation, not competing ones.”
Focus Shifts Toward Measurable Results
The RGC report emphasises whether protection measures produce behavioural changes. Regulators are increasingly examining safeguards’ effects rather than simply confirming their introduction.
Mandatory or default settings are also gaining preference over systems requiring players to opt in.
The report describes a clear regulatory direction while noting that authorities are still testing outcomes. Five further Sector Signals reports are scheduled through 2027.
The RGC is an independent non-profit organisation focused on preventing gambling harm in Canada and internationally. It has operated for more than 40 years and is based in Toronto, where it runs the RG Check accreditation programme and provides advisory services.
Source:
“Responsible Gambling Council report tracks shift to mandatory player protection”, europeangaming.eu, July 30, 2026
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