United States and Europe should strengthen their regulatory connections in the gambling sector, according to the freshly appointed president of NAGRA.
Collaboration between North American and European Gambling Regulators Essential for Globalized Industry
The North American gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the past five years, according to Jeremy Locke, the newly appointed president of the North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA). Locke, who is also the chief operating officer for compliance at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), has been a strong advocate for closer ties between North American and European gambling regulators.
In a recent podcast hosted by the British Gambling Commission, Locke discussed the need for greater international collaboration to tackle shared challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. He emphasized the importance of building stronger connections with gambling regulators in Europe, particularly given that UK and European events are being bet on in North American markets.
Harmonization of Regulatory Standards
Both North America and Europe face distinct but overlapping challenges in regulating online gambling. These include consumer protection, responsible gambling practices, anti-money laundering (AML), and cybersecurity. Collaborative efforts help align standards, improve compliance, and facilitate cross-border enforcement.
Addressing Cross-jurisdictional Issues
Online gambling operators often operate across borders. Coordinated regulation between NAGRA and European regulatory bodies mitigates risks from operators exploiting regulatory gaps, such as unregulated markets and illegal operators.
Enhancing Consumer Protection
European regulators emphasize strong consumer protections, including responsible gambling certifications and promotional standards. North American regulators similarly focus on consumer safety, especially as the market grows. Collaboration strengthens these protections by sharing best practices and approaches.
Combatting Money Laundering and Fraud
Both regions enforce strict AML measures, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) processes and transaction monitoring. Harmonizing these efforts guards against illicit financial activity flowing through gambling platforms.
Cybersecurity
Given the EU's stringent cybersecurity rules for iGaming operators, North American regulators benefit from shared insights into mitigating cyber threats, protecting player data, and preventing breaches.
Current Status
While specific joint initiatives or formal agreements between NAGRA and European gambling regulators are not cited in the available data, the presence of international bodies like the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and references to cross-border regulatory compliance resources suggest ongoing informal or multilateral exchanges exist.
The shared challenges of high taxation, responsible gambling, AML, and unauthorized operators highlight the importance of collaboration even if formal bilateral frameworks are not explicit in these results.
Summary
Collaboration between the North American Gaming Regulators Association and European gambling regulators is essential to harmonize regulatory standards, enhance consumer protections, combat money laundering, and address cybersecurity risks across the increasingly globalized online gambling industry. However, there is no detailed public documentation in the current data specifying recent or formalized joint initiatives between these entities as of 2025.
If you require detailed statements or official updates on this collaboration, consulting NAGRA’s or European regulators’ official communications or industry reports might be necessary.
- The gambling industry, particularly sports betting within it, can significantly benefit from the collaboration between North American and European gambling regulators, as it would help align regulatory standards and combat cross-jurisdictional issues.
- As both North America and Europe face similar challenges in areas like consumer protection, money laundering, and cybersecurity, such collaboration would enhance protections by sharing best practices and approaches in the sports betting sector.
