Compliance digest—April 2025
Learn about all the latest compliance updates from the past month.
Learn about all the latest compliance updates from the past month.
Every month, Sumsub’s Compliance Team prepares a digest with all the latest updates in the world of AML and beyond. We cover multiple industries from AML to gaming.
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What happened? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) launched a second public consultation on proposed revisions to Recommendation 16 (R.16) and its Interpretive Note (INR.16), which cover payment transparency and anti-money laundering (AML)/counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) standards for cross-border and domestic payments. This follows an extensive first consultation period in 2024, during which FATF received significant feedback from stakeholders.
Key changes include:
Who’s affected: Mostly financial institutions
Deadline: The revised draft was open for public comment until April 18, 2025, with final adoption expected in June 2025 and phased implementation through 2030
Read more: Second Public Consultation on Recommendation 16 on Payment Transparency
What happened? Last month, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued a consultation paper proposing amendments to its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Notices and Guidelines. The main objectives of these amendments are to:
Who’s affected? All financial institutions: licensed, approved, authorised, designated, recognized, registered, or otherwise regulated by MAS
Deadline: The amendments are expected to take effect on June 30, 2025. MAS is inviting comments on the proposals, with the deadline for written submissions set for May 6, 2025.
Effective April 1, 2025, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) expanded anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-terrorist financing (ATF) requirements to include financing or leasing entities under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. This regulatory change means that any person or entity engaged in the business of financing or leasing-specifically in relation to property for business purposes (excluding real estate), property valued at $100,000 or more (excluding real estate), or passenger vehicles in Canada must now comply with a comprehensive set of AML/ATF obligations. The requirements for these entities include:
In the first year of these new obligations, FINTRAC will focus on engagement, outreach, and guidance to help new reporting entities understand and implement the requirements.
Who’s affected? Financing or leasing entities: Any business or individual engaged in financing or leasing property for business purposes (excluding real property), property valued at $100,000 or more (excluding real property), or passenger vehicles is directly affected. They must now comply with all relevant AML/CTF obligations, including client due diligence, reporting, and record-keeping. The affected entities will be subject to compliance examinations and potential administrative monetary penalties for non-compliance.
Deadline: in force
Read more: Financing or leasing entities
What happened
On April 24, 2025, Italy published Decree 18 March 2025, n. 57 in the Official Gazette (GU Series no. 95), introducing regulations for assessing, contesting, and imposing financial penalties on gaming concessionaires for non-compliance. This decree applies to agreements under Decree 25 March 2024, no. 41, which governs Italian online gambling concessions for remote public games. Section 12 of the new decree specifically outlines the methodology for calculating financial penalties.
Who’s affected?
Deadline: The decree enters into force on May 9, 2025. It requires compliance from affected parties immediately upon implementation.
What happened?
On April 28, 2025, the UK government launched a consultation on reforming the taxation of remote (online) gambling. The proposal recommends replacing the current system—where operators may face up to three separate taxes—with a single, unified Remote Betting & Gaming Duty (RBGD). Currently, remote gambling is subject to:
The government’s proposal would consolidate all these into the new RBGD, covering online betting and gaming activities such as casino games, bingo, general betting, and pool betting. The aim is to streamline the system, reflecting the similarities across remote gambling products, and to reduce administrative complexity for operators who currently may need to comply with multiple tax regimes and file separate returns for each.
The consultation seeks input to:
Who’s affected? Remote gambling service providers and market stakeholders
Deadline: The consultation is running for a period of 12 weeks ending at midnight of July 21, 2025.
Read more: The Tax Treatment of Remote Gambling. Consultation
Suggested read: A Global Guide to AML Compliance in Gambling, Gaming, and Betting
What happened?
On April 25, 2025, the Gaming Control Authority of Lithuania issued guidance on implementing new provisions under the amended Law on Gambling and Law on Lotteries, effective from May 1, 2025. These amendments introduce a payment-blocking obligation for financial institutions. Payment service providers (PSPs) must ensure that payment card and online payment transactions related to online gambling and lottery activities are only processed with entities authorized by the Gaming Control Authority. Transactions involving unlicensed operators must be automatically blocked. To support compliance, the regulator will maintain and regularly update a publicly accessible White List of authorized entities on its website.
Who’s affected?
Deadline: The amended provisions and payment-blocking obligations take effect on May 1, 2025. PSPs are expected to have integrated the White List into their systems by this date to ensure compliance and avoid administrative sanctions
What happened? The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has issued a call for input from the gambling industry and other stakeholders on the development of a Social Impact Fund. This fund is intended to support initiatives that mitigate the social harms associated with gambling. The GRAI is seeking feedback on the design, governance, and operation of the fund to ensure it effectively addresses the social impacts of gambling in Ireland.
The consultation aims to gather views on:
This initiative is part of GRAI’s broader commitment to responsible gambling and social responsibility in the gaming sector.
Who’s affected?
Deadline: The consultation period is open until May 15, 2025
Read more: Social Impact Fund – Call for Input
Suggested read: What is Responsible Gaming?
What happened?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Chief Data, Information and Intelligence Officer delivered a speech titled “Global responses to digital asset regulation”. In this speech, the FCA executive:
Who’s affected?
Digital asset businesses (crypto exchanges, wallet providers, stablecoin issuers, DeFi platforms) operating in or targeting the UK market.
Deadline: N/a
Read more: Global responses to digital asset regulation
Suggested read: What’s Next for Crypto? 2025 Predictions from the Industry’s Frontlines