In this week’s GME3 we’re looking at Fitzdares announcement that they intend to withdraw from the Ontario market, outrage over the exemption of YouTube from Australia’s social media ban for users under the age of 16, and an investigation from the U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office into how social media platforms handle children’s data. Read the full stories below!
Gambling
Fitzdares Cashes Out of Ontario
Fitzdares, a U.K.-based bookmaker, is exiting Ontario’s online sports betting and casino market. The company informed users via email that operations will cease at midnight on March 31, 2025. Users can continue betting until then, but all account balances must be withdrawn by March 31. The last day for issuing bonuses is March 3, deposits will stop on March 11, and new bets will no longer be accepted after March 25.
Fitzdares entered Ontario’s regulated iGaming market in 2023, bringing its premium U.K.-style betting experience to the province. While the company is known for high-end customer service and strong ties to horse racing, Ontario’s regulations required partnerships for certain offerings. To take horse racing wagers or open a betting club, Fitzdares would need to collaborate with Woodbine Entertainment Group.
Fitzdares’ decision follows the departure of longtime CEO William Woodhams and other exits by brands like Coolbet and Unibet. Country manager Clive Harris cited rising business costs as a key reason for leaving but noted that Fitzdares will monitor the market for future opportunities.
Ontario’s iGaming regulations require operators to pay a $100,000 annual licensing fee on top of taxing approximately 20% of their revenue, making it challenging for niche brands like Fitzdares to thrive. Woodhams previously expressed hopes for success in the market, but the province’s current landscape proved unsustainable for the bookmaker’s business model.
Media
How Dare You(Tube)?
Australia is set to implement a social media ban for under-16s by the end of 2025, with platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram facing hefty fines for noncompliance. However, the government has proposed an exemption for YouTube, allowing children to access it for educational purposes.
This decision has sparked backlash from other social media giants. TikTok’s Australian policy director, Ella Woods-Joyce, criticized the move as a “sweetheart deal” that unfairly benefits YouTube while placing stricter compliance burdens on other platforms. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, echoed these concerns, arguing that YouTube contains the same types of content that led to the ban in the first place. Both companies warned that the exemption would strengthen Google’s market dominance.
The ban, one of the strictest in the world, follows similar discussions in countries like France and China. Companies that violate the law could face fines of up to AUD 50 million (USD 31.3 million).
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has justified the law by framing social media as a harmful influence on young people, citing issues like peer pressure, anxiety, scams, and online predators. However, key details—such as how the ban will be enforced—remain unresolved. The law is set to take effect by December 2025.
Entertainment
Child’s Play? ICO Disagrees
The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is investigating TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur over concerns about how they handle children’s data. The ICO is particularly scrutinizing TikTok’s recommendation algorithms, which may expose children to harmful content. Meanwhile, separate probes into Reddit and Imgur focus on how they verify children’s ages.
This investigation is part of the ICO’s broader effort to ensure digital platforms prioritize child safety and comply with data protection laws. The watchdog emphasized that if it finds evidence of legal violations, it will engage with the companies before making a final decision.
This isn’t the first time TikTok has faced scrutiny. In April 2023, the ICO fined the platform £12.7 million ($15.9 million) for data breaches, including allowing children under 13 to use the app without parental consent. Previously, up to 1.4 million young U.K. children had access to TikTok despite age restrictions.
John Edwards, the U.K. Information Commissioner, warned that companies operating in the U.K. must comply with data protection laws and that the responsibility for children’s online safety lies with the platforms themselves. The ICO remains committed to holding these companies accountable.
If you’re interested in learning more about how children’s data is protected in Canada and the U.S., Zack Pearlstein wrote a great article on the subject, that you can find HERE. And, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at GME Law!
GME Law is Jack Tadman, Zack Pearlstein, Lindsay Anderson, Daniel Trujillo, and Will Sarwer-Foner Androsoff. Jack’s practice has focused exclusively on gaming law since he was an articling student in 2010, acting for the usual players in the gaming and quasi-gaming space. Zack joined Jack in September 2022. In addition to collaborating with Jack, and with a keen interest in privacy law, Zack brings a practice focused on issues unique to social media, influencer marketing, and video gaming. Lindsay is the most recent addition to the team, bringing her experience as a negotiator and contracts attorney, specializing in commercial technology, SaaS services, and data privacy.
At our firm, we are enthusiastic about aiding players in the gaming space, including sports leagues, media companies, advertisers, and more. Our specialized knowledge in these industries allows us to provide tailored solutions to our clients’ unique legal needs. Reach out to us HERE or contact Jack directly at jack@gmelawyers.com if you want to learn more!
Check out some of our previous editions of the GME3 HERE and HERE, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to be notified of new posts, keep up to date with industry news, and more!
