TIME FOR DIALOGUE AND INCREASED SUPERVISION


Te difficulties faced by gaming operators in accessing banking services call for a constructive dialogue between the industry, regulators, and financial institutions. Rather than relying on generalised assumptions or moral judgements, banks should develop tailored solutions that address legitimate concerns while ensuring fair and equitable access to financial services.


By acknowledging the role of licensed gaming operators in promoting a regulated market, banks can strike a balance between their ESG commitments, compliance obligations, and their responsibility as providers of essential infrastructure. If this development does not occur spontaneously, regulators – the European Commission, the European Banking Authority, and national supervisors – must intervene.


for banks to argue that they are “forced” to deny the basic banking services because they are “incapable of meeting their AML obligations”. Tus, AML is often abused as a fig leaf for banks that simply do not want to engage with gaming operators. Tis is clearly unlawful – but hard to prove.


A CALL FOR BALANCE


Te challenges faced by the gaming industry in accessing banking services reflect a broader tension between the responsibilities of private financial institutions and their role as providers of essential public infrastructure. While banks have a right to adopt ESG policies and manage compliance risks, these considerations should not come at the expense of excluding entire sectors that operate legally and contribute to the economy.


Te case of the gaming industry highlights the need for a more balanced approach. Banks should recognise the legitimacy of licensed gaming operators whose role in maintaining a regulated and safe environment is ignored by blanket ESG or AML-based refusals. Doing otherwise risks creating unintended consequences, such as driving operators towards unregulated markets or alternative financial systems.


157


Te challenges faced by the gaming industry in accessing banking services reflect a


broader tension between the responsibilities of private financial institutions and their role as providers of essential public


infrastructure. While banks have a right to


adopt ESG policies and manage compliance risks, these considerations should not come at the expense of excluding entire sectors that operate legally and contribute to the economy.


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