Latest News
Google to Help Russia Block Online Gaming Sites
Reading Time: 2 minutes
As a country, Russia has some of the strictest guidelines in the world for the regulation of access to online casino sites. Any online gambling sites that are unwilling to comply with the licensing regulations set forth by the Russian government will not be given access to Russian players. Currently, major sites like 888, Bet365, Betfair, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Unibet and William Hill are all blocked.
To enforce its policies, the Russian government has enlisted the services of telecom watchdog Roskomnadzor. As part of that company’s strategy to keep unwanted online casino operators from having access to Russian players, the company is continually putting pressure on worldwide search engine Google to use its filters to block said sites from being listed within Russia’s domain. To date, Roskomnadzor has blocked as many as 14,500 sites without any assistance from the search engine giant. Many of these sites are currently listed at www.choicecasinos.com.
In what industry experts call a surprise move, Google has finally relented and decided to help the Russian regulator do its job of blocking unlicensed websites from popping up on any search results related to online gambling. The move came after Google was assessed a $7,500 fine for not complying with prior requests for help. It’s interesting to note the size of this fine is well below the maximum amount that could have been assessed based on Russian guidelines.
This surprise move comes outside the scope of the normal mode of operation for Google. The company has always been far more likely to refuse to pay said fines and instead, seek relief from the appropriate court system. While the size of this fine might seem irrelevant to a company Google’s size and stature, it’s the cowering to foreign governments that have always spurred Google to fight back. Then again, Google may have decided to comply at this time because of recent threats by the Russian government to assess fines of up to 1% of annual gross revenues on tech giants who ignore its ruling. In Google’s case, that amount would have been around $6.4 million, based on its earnings in Russia in 2017 and probably high in 2018.
When asked why he felt Google agreed without pushback, Doskomnadzor’s deputy chief Vadim Subbotin stated, “If we come to a dead end … the state makes changes to the law, and for the non-execution of Russian laws the most severe punishment is possible – such as blocking.” It would be unfathomable to think that a company with Google’s stature would be blocked from operating in any industrial country.
Going forward, Russia’s federal state information system (FGIS) will be charged with making sure Google does as requested and blocks any unwanted online gambling sites from appearing. The FGIS provides a database of all known gambling sites that can be automatically cross-referenced to anything that might show up in relevant search results.
There is a possibility this could set precedent. It will be interesting to see if other countries might try to use similar tactics to try to strong-arm Google into blocking various search results as requested.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Google to Help Russia Block Online Gaming Sites
Latest News
GAMEPOP: The Culture of Play by Red Bull Media House – the first bookazine devoted entirely to video game culture
Introducing GAMEPOP: The Culture of Play, a new premium bookazine by Red Bull Media House and the world’s first magazine dedicated entirely to video-game culture. Designed as a rich, book-like publication, GAMEPOP rethinks what a magazine can be, capturing the creativity, personalities and ideas shaping modern gaming. GAMEPOP will debut at the Red Bull Tetris World Final in Dubai from December 11 to 13, followed by The Game Awards on December 11. The issue will then be available through select international retailers in the weeks that follow.
Across 180 pages, the issue brings together a wide range of cultural voices, including Japanese game designer Hideo Kojima, leading DC Comics creators, the Oscar-nominated team behind Grand Theft Hamlet and contributors with bylines in Vogue. The bookazine also spotlights standout Red Bull talent, including YouTube star Ludwig, Twitch creators Emiru and Caedrel, and Red Bull athlete MenaRD.
Rather than treating gaming as a standalone medium, GAMEPOP looks at how games influence, and are influenced by, wider culture. Through original photography, long-form features, illustration and visual essays, the publication explores how gaming connects to global trends in style, music, movement, storytelling and performance, and the creative communities driving that conversation.
The issue also includes interactive elements, including a bespoke Choose Your Own Adventure story created exclusively for the launch. A limited collector edition of 150 copies takes the concept a step further, featuring a fully functioning Tetris® device embedded directly into the cover – an industry first that turns the magazine into an object of play.
The post GAMEPOP: The Culture of Play by Red Bull Media House – the first bookazine devoted entirely to video game culture appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
Red Rake Gaming Expands Global Presence Through Partnership with QTech Games
Red Rake Gaming is pleased to announce a partnership with QTech Games, a leading aggregator and platform renowned for its strong presence in emerging markets on a global level. This collaboration brings Red Rake’s diverse and visually engaging portfolio of slots to QTech Games’ extensive aggregation platform, giving players across multiple continents access to high-quality, entertainment-focused casino content.
Founded in 2015, QTech Games is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Over the past decade, the company has grown from rapid early-stage expansion to become a dominant force into emerging markets worldwide. With a global presence —including a new tech hub in Spain and offices in Malta—and Latin America, QTech Games has established itself as a fully-fledged international powerhouse.
Players can now enjoy titles from the Million Series, the Super Stars Series, and seasonal slots such as Halloween Wins and Christmas Wins, alongside new adventures including Azteca Gold Collect, Sherlock and the Stolen Gems, Beating Alcatraz, Big Size Fishin’, and Midas Wins.
QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “It’s another notch on our belt to have integrated more premium content from Red Rake. Theirs is a growing and constantly innovating library, delivering impressive support to the depth of our broad igaming-vertical spread.”
Nick Barr, Managing Director for Red Rake Gaming Malta, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with QTech Games and bring our portfolio of games to their growing network. Their leadership in emerging markets and innovative approach to aggregation allow us to reach new players and provide them with high-quality gaming experiences featuring unique features and visually engaging content. This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening our presence in key markets and further establishing Red Rake Gaming’s international presence.”
The post Red Rake Gaming Expands Global Presence Through Partnership with QTech Games appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
White Hat Studios launches with Betly mobile sportsbook and casino in West Virginia
Partnership sees leading branded content and popular Jackpot Royale integrated into Delaware North’s Betly online casino in the Mountain State
White Hat Studios, the “House of Brands” provider to the United States iGaming market, has partnered with Delaware North to launch on its Betly mobile sportsbook and casino in West Virginia.
The leading provider aims to build its online casino offering with the addition of the industry’s top-performing games.
Betly players in West Virginia will now have access to White Hat Studios’ acclaimed portfolio of premium branded titles, including Ted, The Goonies, and the award-winning 7s Fire Blitz series.
Also included in the rollout are the popular Jackpot Royale and Jackpot Royale Express progressive jackpot networks, currently live across more than 40 titles, and the first Betly-branded iCasino game – Betly Player’s Choice Blackjack.
Designed to elevate player engagement and boost retention, the addition of these promotional tools adds another layer of excitement to the Betly casino offering.
White Hat Studios has made significant strides in its U.S. growth trajectory since launching in 2021, consistently delivering high-performing content across multiple states. West Virginia remains a key market for the provider, following its remarkable success in all seven regulated U.S. iGaming states.
The collaboration represents another major step in White Hat Studios’ expansion across regulated U.S. states and reinforces its reputation as a go-to content partner for forward-thinking operators.
Daniel Lechner, SVP Sales and Marketing at White Hat Studios, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Delaware North on the Betly online casino app in West Virginia.
“This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering top-tier content quickly and seamlessly to operators across the U.S. With our portfolio of fan-favorite branded titles and innovative features like Jackpot Royale, we’re confident we’ll make an immediate impact for Betly and its players.”
Bob Akeret, General Manager for Betly, added: “We’re excited to welcome White Hat Studios onto our Betly platform in West Virginia. Their reputation for delivering engaging, high-quality games, especially branded content, makes them an ideal partner as we continue to elevate our casino experience.”
The post White Hat Studios launches with Betly mobile sportsbook and casino in West Virginia appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
-
Latest News3 months ago
Announcement: 25th September 2025
-
Latest News3 months ago
AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico
-
Latest News1 month ago
JioBLAST Launches All Stars vs India powered by Campa Energy: A New Era of Creator-Driven Esports Entertainment
-
Latest News3 months ago
The Countdown is On: Less Than 3 Months to Go Until The Games of The Future 2025 Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi
-
Latest News5 days agoSCCG Announces Strategic Partnership with Yellow Elephant Studios to Expand Multi-Channel Gaming Content Worldwide
-
eSports1 month ago
CS:GO Betting Gains Momentum in the iGaming Sector
-
Latest News2 weeks ago
THE 2025 PUBG MOBILE GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP STAGE WRAPS UP WITH LAST CHANCE IN SIGHT
-
Latest News3 months ago
Leading The Charge! Euronics Group Joins LEC As Official Electronics Retail Partner


You must be logged in to post a comment Login