Regulation
Licensing updates, compliance requirements, regulatory changes, and enforcement actions worldwide.
96 articles
RegulationTrending
Brazil Implements Fund Seizure Powers Against Illegal Betting in 2026
Brazil empowers authorities to seize funds from illegal betting operators, strengthening enforcement mechanisms against unregulated platforms.
Sofia Eriksson·
24
RegulationTrending
Dutch Operators Sue Meta for Illegal Gambling Ads on Facebook and Instagram in 2026
Dutch licensed operators sue Meta over uncontrolled illegal gambling advertisements flooding Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Illia Lisovskyy·
35
RegulationTrending
Brazil's Operation Conto da Sorte Targets $1B Illegal Betting Scheme in 2026
Brazil's government launches Operation Conto da Sorte to dismantle a billion-dollar illegal betting operation and strengthen the regulated iGaming market.
James Whitfield·
28
RegulationTrending
Colombia Court Strikes Down Online Gambling Ad Spending Restrictions in 2026
Colombia's highest administrative court has suspended Coljuegos' marketing budget restrictions on licensed online operators, allowing greater advertising spending flexibility.
Alex Bilyi·
25
RegulationTrending
Ukraine's PlayCity Partners With Kick to Combat Illegal Gambling Ads in 2026
Ukraine's gambling regulator PlayCity and streaming platform Kick are joining forces to identify and remove illegal gambling advertising, with the public able to report violations online.
Sofia Eriksson·
22
RegulationTrending
London iGaming RegCom 2026: Connecting Regulators, Operators and Compliance Leaders on 29–30 June
London iGaming RegCom 2026, organised by Eventus International, brings together regulators, operators and compliance leaders at Hilton London Kensington on 29–30 June 2026. iGaming Pulse is proud media partner.
Alex Bilyi·
34
Tanzania Introduces 5% Excise Duty on Betting Stakes in 2026
Tanzania will levy a 5% excise duty on all betting stakes, generating an estimated $28.4 million in annual government revenue from regulated operations.
Illia Lisovskyy·
18
RegulationTrending
Austria's Online Gaming Market Opens 2027 With Cooling-Off Rules
Austria's draft law will open online gaming in 2027 with a cooling-off period that may initially exclude existing operators from the licensed market.
James Whitfield·
26
RegulationTrending
Trump-Backed Bill Would Ban Congressional Prediction Market Trading in 2026
Rep. Steil introduces Trump-backed legislation to prohibit Congressional members and their families from trading political prediction markets, citing insider trading concerns.
Marcus De Luca·
29
RegulationTrending
German Regulator GGL Targets FIFA's Official Predictions Partner Predictstreet for Ad Violations in 2026
Germany's GGL regulator launches formal review of FIFA's official predictions partner Predictstreet for operating without a proper gambling licence in Germany.
Illia Lisovskyy·
31
RegulationTrending
Nine EU Regulators Unite Against Unlicensed Prediction Markets in 2026
Belgium, France, Germany and six other EU nations join forces to shut down unlicensed prediction market operators including Polymarket and Kalshi.
James Whitfield·
44
Swedish Court Rejects Bingo Licence for 297 Retail Terminals in 2026
Sweden's court has upheld a regulatory decision blocking bingo gaming at nearly 300 retail locations, reinforcing strict controls on retail gaming expansion.
Illia Lisovskyy·
14
RegulationTrending
BGC Calls on Big Tech to Combat Illegal Gambling in 2026
UK's Betting and Gaming Council escalates pressure on technology companies to adopt detection systems and share data across platforms to combat illegal gambling.
James Whitfield·
23
RegulationTrending
Austria Considers Cooling-Off Period for Unlicensed Betting Operators
Austria's new iGaming law negotiations include a controversial 'cooling-off period' that could allow unlicensed operators a window to become licensed before enforcement.
Marcus De Luca·
24
RegulationTrending
Sweden's Betting Channelisation Drops to 84% in 2025
Sweden's regulated betting market lost ground in 2025, with channelisation falling to 84% and dropping further to 78% when excluding survey data.
James Whitfield·
22
RegulationTrending
Brazil Tightens Betting Rules with Higher Taxes in 2026
Brazil's Finance Minister Dario Durigan demands stricter betting regulation and higher taxation, signalling a shift toward cigarette-style regulatory controls.
Sofia Eriksson·
27
RegulationTrending
Germany Is Losing to the Black Market. Can Austria Avoid the Same Mistake?
Germany's regulated iGaming market is structurally failing to compete with offshore alternatives — not because players prefer illegal operators, but because they prefer the product. Austria is now approaching a historic multi-licence reform that could either repeat Germany's errors or define a new standard for DACH regulation.
Alex Bilyi·
41
RegulationTrending
Dutch KSA Fines 711 B.V. €886K for Duty of Care Failures and Warns TOTO Over Role Model Advertising Violation
The Dutch gambling regulator KSA has issued an €886,000 fine to 711 B.V. for failing to meet duty of care player protection obligations, while issuing a formal warning to Nederlandse Loterij's TOTO platform for breaching advertising restrictions on using role models — dual enforcement actions that sharpen compliance expectations across the Dutch market.
Alex Bilyi·
24
New Zealand Delays iGaming Market Launch to 2027, Choosing Thorough Regulatory Design Over Rapid Market Opening
New Zealand regulators have confirmed a deliberate 2027 timeline for online gambling market launch, prioritising careful framework development and stakeholder consultation over speed — a measured approach that major operators including Entain are actively preparing for in one of Asia-Pacific's most anticipated regulated market openings.
Marcus De Luca·
21
RegulationTrending
Swedish Court Overturns LeoVegas Fine, Validating Operator Compliance Procedures and Raising the Regulatory Evidentiary Bar
A Swedish court has overturned the March 2025 fine against Roar Vegas (formerly LeoVegas) for alleged responsible gambling breaches, finding the operator had properly upheld enforcement requirements — a ruling that establishes precedent for how Swedish regulators must substantiate compliance violations going forward.
James Whitfield·
26
RegulationTrending
Netherlands Pursues Near-Total Online Gambling Ad Ban in Aggressive Five-Year Harm Reduction Strategy
The Dutch Secretary of State for Justice and Security has unveiled a five-year gambling harm reduction strategy centred on a near-total ban on online gambling advertising — one of Europe's most restrictive marketing frameworks, notably without raising the minimum gambling age for high-risk products.
Sofia Eriksson·
33
RegulationTrending
Nevada and California Escalate Legal Pressure on Kalshi in Coordinated Dual-State Enforcement Push
Nevada's Gaming Control Board and California's Department of Justice are pursuing simultaneous legal enforcement actions against Kalshi, seeking court orders and compliance measures that signal a hardening state-level stance on prediction market operators across the US.
Illia Lisovskyy·
29
RegulationTrending
CFTC Publishes First Prediction Markets Rulemaking Proposal, Establishing Federal Licensing and Contract Review Framework
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has published its inaugural prediction market rulemaking proposal — covering operator licensing requirements, contract review processes, and surveillance obligations — the first comprehensive federal framework for a sector that has operated in regulatory ambiguity since its inception.
James Whitfield·
24
Italy's EGP-FIPE Warns Regulatory Stalemate Threatens Gambling Sector Stability as Local Restrictions Fail to Reduce Problem Gambling
Italy's gambling trade body EGP-FIPE has issued a stark warning that the country's regulatory gridlock — characterised by fragmented local restrictions and absent national direction — is damaging operator confidence, driving investment away, and pushing consumers toward unlicensed offshore platforms.
Marcus De Luca·
19
Norway's Progress Party Restates Commitment to Ending State Gambling Monopoly, Pushing Licensed Online Model
Progress Party representative Himanshu Gulati has publicly reaffirmed the party's legislative agenda to dismantle Norsk Tipping's monopoly and transition Norway to a licensed competitive online gambling model — maintaining political momentum toward Nordic market liberalisation.
Illia Lisovskyy·
21
RegulationTrending
CFTC Proposes First Prediction Market-Specific Rule Banning Terrorism and War Event Contracts, Opening 45-Day Comment Period
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has proposed its inaugural prediction-market-specific rule, explicitly prohibiting event contracts linked to terrorism, armed conflict, and geopolitical violence — a 45-day comment period process that marks the beginning of formal federal oversight for the sector.
Sofia Eriksson·
22
Austrian Health Officials Issue Formal Warning on World Cup Betting Risks, Citing Illegal Gambling Proliferation and Problem Gambling Spike Concerns
Vienna health authorities have issued formal warnings about escalating betting risks tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining a growing European consensus that major sporting events require proactive regulatory and health-sector responses to prevent illegal market growth and problem gambling spikes.
Sofia Eriksson·
18
RegulationTrending
Brazil Finance Ministry Commits to Unprecedented Public Disclosure of Betting Licensing Documents, Reshaping Market Transparency
Brazil's Ministry of Finance will publish thousands of documents related to betting licensing processes — a historic transparency shift that democratises regulatory intelligence, accelerates market entry for compliant operators, and sets a new standard for Latin American iGaming governance.
Illia Lisovskyy·
25
RegulationTrending
Tax Policy Center Warns Prediction Markets Could Significantly Erode State Gaming Tax Revenue Across the US
A Tax Policy Center analysis identifies prediction markets as a growing threat to state gambling tax revenues, finding that cash-strapped jurisdictions face material budget risk as wagering migrates from licensed sportsbooks to minimally regulated prediction platforms.
Sofia Eriksson·
23
RegulationTrending
UAE Appoints Asian Gaming Veteran Ciarán Carruthers as GCGRA CEO to Lead Emerging Market Regulation
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority has named experienced casino executive Ciarán Carruthers — a proven Asian gaming veteran — as its new CEO, signalling the UAE's commitment to building a sophisticated, internationally-benchmarked regulatory framework for its emerging gambling sector.
Illia Lisovskyy·
27
RegulationTrending
New Zealand Launches Online Gambling Regulations and Competitive Licensing Process from 3 July 2026
New Zealand's comprehensive online gambling regulatory framework takes effect on 3 July 2026, synchronised with the launch of a competitive licensing process — formally ending the grey-market era and opening a defined entry window for compliant operators across the Asia-Pacific region.
Illia Lisovskyy·
31
RegulationTrending
Veikkaus Shifts to Age-Based Loss Limits, Removes Adult Cap (2026)
Veikkaus replaces flat adult loss caps with age-targeted safeguards, removing the €25,000+ annual ceiling for players aged 25 and over while introducing graduated €4,000 checkpoints for younger cohorts — effective 9 June 2026.
Sofia Eriksson·
24
Nigeria's States Navigate Fragmented Gambling Regulation as 2024 Supreme Court Ruling Meets Religious and Cultural Divisions
Following a landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling, Nigerian states are pursuing divergent gambling regulatory frameworks — with northern states maintaining restrictive frameworks grounded in Islamic law principles while southern states move to formalise licensing regimes — creating a complex patchwork market for international operators.
Marcus De Luca·
22
NSW Boosts GambleAware Funding by A$1.3 Million to Expand Problem Gambling Support Network by 44% Across the State
The New South Wales government has committed an additional A$1.3 million to GambleAware, enabling a 44% expansion in service locations and increased peer support capacity — a move that signals rising regulatory expectations for operator responsible gambling investment in Australia's largest state.
Sofia Eriksson·
16
RegulationTrending
Brazil's ANJ Launches World Cup Responsible Betting Campaign as Survey Finds 41% of Tournament Viewers Plan to Wager
Brazil's gambling regulator ANJ has launched a proactive responsible gambling campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup, responding to Toluna-Harris survey data showing 41% of planned viewers intend to place bets — signalling heightened compliance scrutiny for licensed operators throughout the tournament.
Illia Lisovskyy·
29
Hanoi Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling Infrastructure: Criminal Probe Targets SEO Agency Operating as Digital Front for Unlicensed Networks
Hanoi police have initiated criminal proceedings against a digital marketing and SEO agency that secretly provided traffic generation and infrastructure services to unlicensed gambling websites — exposing the fragmented, specialist-service ecosystem sustaining illegal online gambling in Vietnam.
Alex Bilyi·
19
RegulationTrending
ECJ Avoids Player-Loss Ruling Again: Operators Face Ongoing Liability Uncertainty Across Germany, Austria and the Broader EU Market
The European Court of Justice continues deferring player-loss liability decisions to national courts rather than establishing EU-wide precedent — leaving operators managing contradictory legal obligations across Germany, Austria and multiple other jurisdictions with no clear resolution in sight.
Sofia Eriksson·
26
Ukraine's PlayCity Issues 250 Licences in Landmark First Year, Establishing Credible Regulatory Framework in a Recovering Eastern European Market
PlayCity Ukraine, which replaced predecessor regulator KRAIL, has issued 250 operator licences in its inaugural year — a milestone demonstrating operational capacity and signalling legitimate market entry pathways for operators considering Eastern European expansion.
Marcus De Luca·
17
RegulationTrending
World Cup 2026: Regulators Sound Alarm on Illegal Betting Surge as Unlicensed Networks Target Tournament Window
National Gaming Boards worldwide have issued warnings about a predicted surge in illegal betting activity during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging consumers to verify operator licensing status during the highest-engagement sports betting period of the year.
Illia Lisovskyy·
38
RegulationTrending
Brazil Public Prosecutor Opens Formal Inquiry into Lula Government's Betting Sector Oversight and Public Health System Capacity
Brazil's Public Prosecutor has initiated a formal inquiry examining the Lula administration's regulatory oversight of the betting sector and the public health system's capacity to treat and prevent pathological gambling — signalling a shift toward integrated harm-mitigation scrutiny in Latin America's largest market.
Illia Lisovskyy·
31
DR Congo Develops Centralised Gambling Monitoring Platform to Close Revenue Gaps and Meet FATF Anti-Money Laundering Requirements
The Democratic Republic of Congo's finance ministry is constructing a centralised gambling monitoring platform to address significant discrepancies between estimated gambling revenues and collected taxes — a direct response to FATF pressure and a signal of accelerating regulatory maturation across African gaming markets.
Illia Lisovskyy·
14
Manchester Illegal Gambling Raid Results in Two Arrests as Joint Police and UKGC Operation Seizes Cash and Equipment
A joint operation between Greater Manchester Police and UK Gambling Commission enforcement teams resulted in two arrests and the seizure of significant cash and gambling equipment from a suspected unlicensed venue — underlining the sustained pressure on illegal operators in one of the UK's largest urban markets.
Sofia Eriksson·
18
Federal Court Dismisses Most Claims in MGM National Harbor High-Heels Lawsuit — One Disability Promotion Claim Survives to Trial
A federal judge dismissed most claims in a discrimination lawsuit brought by a former MGM National Harbor cocktail server over the casino's mandatory high-heel dress code, validating the policy as legally permissible — but allowed a disability-related promotion claim to proceed, signalling that courts will continue scrutinising how accommodation needs are handled in advancement decisions.
Illia Lisovskyy·
21
Puerto Rico Joins US National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme: Unified Cross-Platform Player Protection Comes to the Caribbean Jurisdiction
Puerto Rico has enrolled in the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Programme, enabling unified self-exclusion across both land-based and online gambling platforms — extending cross-jurisdictional player protection to a market with significant gaming tourism and a growing online sector.
Marcus De Luca·
14
UK Gambling Commission Extends Deposit-Limit Deadline to September 2026 — Three-Month Window Gives Operators Room to Get Phase Two Right
The UK Gambling Commission has pushed back its June 2026 deposit-limit implementation deadline to September, giving operators three additional months to prepare for phase-two compliance with customer-led tools requirements.
Sofia Eriksson·
19
RegulationTrending
Austria Moves Toward Online Gambling Liberalisation: Leaked Draft Law Signals End of Decades-Long Casino Monopoly
Austria's leaked draft law signals the end of the country's casino gaming monopoly, introducing a new regulated iGaming market with strict licensing conditions for operators — positioning Austria among the European nations modernising their gambling frameworks in 2026.
Illia Lisovskyy·
31
RegulationTrending
Illinois SB 1705 Advances: Criminal Felony Classification for Sweepstakes Casinos Moves Forward as 97% of Operators Ignore Civil Cease-and-Desist Orders
Illinois Senate Bill 1705 — which would make operating a sweepstakes casino for Illinois residents a Class 4 felony carrying up to three years imprisonment — is advancing through the legislature after civil cease-and-desist orders achieved only 3% compliance from 65 targeted operators, with Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Pulsz still serving Illinois players.
Illia Lisovskyy·
47
RegulationTrending
CFTC Secures Federal Injunction Against Arizona, Establishing First Court Win in Prediction Markets Preemption Fight — Five States Now Facing Federal Lawsuits
A US District Court in Arizona granted the CFTC a preliminary injunction blocking Arizona from enforcing gambling laws against prediction markets — the commission's first court victory in its five-state legal campaign to establish federal exclusive jurisdiction over Kalshi, Polymarket, and Robinhood's event contract products.
James Whitfield·
119
RegulationTrending
SAFE Bet Act Gains Senate Momentum: Federal Minimum Standards for Sports Betting Would Cover Advertising, Deposit Caps, AI Marketing, and Prop Bet Restrictions
The SAFE Bet Act — which would ban gambling ads during live sports broadcasts, cap deposits, require affordability checks, and prohibit AI-driven personalised betting products — received its highest-profile Senate hearing platform yet on May 20, with bipartisan support suggesting federal minimum standards for US sports betting are moving from proposal to credible near-term legislation.
Illia Lisovskyy·
83
RegulationTrending
US Senate Commerce Hearing Grills Sportsbook and Prediction Market Officials on Integrity, Youth Exposure, and Whether Federal Oversight Is Inevitable
The US Senate Commerce Subcommittee convened its most pointed hearing yet on sports betting and prediction markets on May 20, with bipartisan senators questioning executives from both industries on integrity failures, AI marketing, and youth exposure — signalling that federal oversight of gambling is moving from a fringe position to a mainstream legislative agenda.
James Whitfield·
98
RegulationTrending
Stake.us Exits Illinois on May 19 as Only 3% of 65 Sweepstakes Operators Comply With Illinois Gaming Board Cease-and-Desist Orders
The Illinois Gaming Board's February crackdown on 65 sweepstakes casino operators achieved only 3% compliance by mid-May, with Stake.us becoming the most notable exit after blocking Illinois players on May 19 — while Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, Pulsz, and Fliff continue to operate in defiance of cease-and-desist orders.
Illia Lisovskyy·
71
RegulationTrending
Minnesota Becomes First US State to Ban Prediction Markets — CFTC Files Federal Lawsuit Within Hours of Governor's Signature
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed legislation on May 18 making his state the first in the US to explicitly ban prediction markets — and the CFTC filed a federal lawsuit to block the law within hours, escalating the most consequential regulatory fight in US gambling since PASPA's repeal.
James Whitfield·
134
Brazil Federal Police Launch Dedicated Sports Integrity Task Force — Centralising All Match-Fixing and Betting Crime Investigations
Brazil's Federal Police established a dedicated sports integrity and betting crime task force on May 12, centralising match-fixing investigations under one specialised unit — signalling that Brazil is treating betting-related corruption as organised crime and creating the enforcement infrastructure that will define compliance expectations for all 78 licensed operators in the market.
James Whitfield·
28
RegulationTrending
UKGC Sets Q3 2026 Deadline for Stage 1 Affordability Check Compliance — Every Licensed UK Operator Must Run Frictionless Credit Checks by September
The UKGC has confirmed a Q3 2026 hard deadline for Stage 1 affordability check compliance — frictionless credit-reference checks at defined deposit thresholds — with Stage 2 enhanced checks following in Q1 2027, and gross deposit limits under new Remote Technical Standards creating structural constraints on high-frequency player revenue for every UK-licensed remote operator.
Illia Lisovskyy·
43
RegulationTrending
Pragmatic Play Exits All US Sweepstakes Casinos as Evolution Pulls Games from Stake.us — California AB 831 Triggers Supply Chain Collapse in Unregulated Sector
Pragmatic Play's decision to pull games from all US sweepstakes casinos — triggered by the City of Los Angeles civil action against Stake.us and California's AB 831 criminal-penalty bill — removes the most distributed slot studio from the entire unregulated sector simultaneously, while Evolution's withdrawal of NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, and NoLimit City from Stake.us marks the fastest supply chain implosion the sweepstakes vertical has seen.
James Whitfield·
97
RegulationTrending
Maine Becomes the 8th US State to Legalise Online Casino as Tribal Nations Ink Deals with Caesars Digital and DraftKings
Maine becomes the 8th US state to legalise online casino gambling under LD 1164 — but with a structure unlike any other market: exclusive rights granted to the state's four tribal nations, with Penobscot Nation partnering with Caesars Digital and the Passamaquoddy Tribe signing with DraftKings, creating the first US iGaming market built entirely around tribal economic sovereignty.
James Whitfield·
91
RegulationTrending
Brazil Blocks 27 Prediction Market Platforms Including Kalshi and Polymarket — Effective May 4, Central Bank Deadline of May 25 for Bank Enforcement Norms
Brazil blocked 27 prediction market platforms including Kalshi and Polymarket effective May 4, with the Central Bank facing a May 25 deadline to publish the financial norms that will force banks and fintechs to execute payment blocks — making Brazil the first major regulated gambling market to comprehensively close off prediction market access through both law and payment infrastructure.
James Whitfield·
74
RegulationTrending
New Jersey Proposes 10% Sports Betting Surcharge on All World Cup Wagers — First US State to Target a Single Tournament with an Additional Gambling Tax
New Jersey Assembly Bill 4838 would impose a 10% surcharge on sportsbook revenues from World Cup wagers — on top of the existing 19.75% tax — making New Jersey the first US state to apply a tournament-specific gambling tax rate, with all proceeds earmarked for the state's estimated $300M+ World Cup hosting costs.
James Whitfield·
67
RegulationTrending
Washington DC Council Holds iGaming Hearing — Councilmember Felder's B26-0656 Bill Would Authorise Online Casino Statewide
Washington DC's Council has heard testimony on Bill B26-0656, which would authorise online casino gambling in the District — a move that would make DC the first US jurisdiction to legalise iGaming through city-level legislation and add further momentum to the ongoing New York and broader East Coast iGaming push.
James Whitfield·
33
RegulationTrending
Chuck Schumer Calls on House and White House to Follow Senate Prediction Market Ban — Bipartisan Bill Targets Full Government Prohibition
Chuck Schumer has called on the House and White House to match the Senate's prediction market trading ban, as the Gillibrand-McCormick bipartisan bill gains co-sponsors and a Senate Commerce subcommittee schedules the first formal Senate hearing on prediction market integrity for May 20.
James Whitfield·
62
RegulationTrending
New Zealand Online Casino Act Takes Effect — 15-Licence Market Opens with July EOI Process and December 2026 Enforcement Deadline
New Zealand's Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 took effect on May 1, opening a 15-licence market that begins its Expression of Interest process in July and sets December 1 as the enforcement deadline after which only licensed operators may legally serve NZ players — with a competitive 12% duty rate.
Illia Lisovskyy·
44
RegulationTrending
US Senate Unanimously Bans Members and Staff from Prediction Market Trading — Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Ban Across Government
The US Senate passed a unanimous resolution on April 30 banning senators and staff from prediction market trading — with a bipartisan bill immediately introduced to extend the prohibition across the executive branch — as Washington's self-imposed restraint removes the political complexity from the licensed gambling industry's campaign to restrict sports event contracts.
James Whitfield·
96
RegulationTrending
New York iGaming Bill Returns to Albany with 30.5% Tax Rate as Resorts World NYC Casino Opening Sharpens the Political Case
New York's parallel Senate and Assembly iGaming bills — proposing a 30.5% tax on online casino revenue — are in committee as the 2026 session progresses, with Resorts World NYC's April 28 table games opening providing legislators the most powerful new argument yet for treating online gambling access as an extension of existing licensed casino activity.
James Whitfield·
68
RegulationTrending
Finland's Gambling Advertising Market to Become Europe's Second Largest After 2027 Market Opening — Under Some of the Continent's Strictest Ad Rules
Finland's private gambling market won't open until July 2027, but analysts project its advertising spend could reach €100 million in year one — placing it second in Europe — under regulatory constraints that ban game-level advertising, restrict direct marketing to opted-in players, and cap bonuses at 5x wagering.
Illia Lisovskyy·
38
British Columbia Launches Independent Gambling Control Office — New Regulator Has Expanded Powers and Ends GPEB Era
British Columbia's gambling regulator has been structurally reformed: the government-subordinate Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch has been replaced by the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO), which operates at arm's length from government, holds binding authority over BC Lottery Corp, and introduces the first licensing fee increases in over 15 years.
Illia Lisovskyy·
19
RegulationTrending
Alberta iGaming Market Confirmed for July 13 Launch — 55 Operator Applications Filed but Only 9 Have Paid Licensing Fees
Alberta has locked in July 13 as the universal launch date for its privately regulated iGaming market — a day when all approved operators will go live simultaneously — but only 9 of 55 applicants have paid licensing fees, signalling that the confirmed operator roster may be smaller than initially expected.
Illia Lisovskyy·
43
RegulationTrending
AGA and IGA Escalate Congressional Offensive Against Prediction Markets — House Agriculture Hearing Draws 16 Members
The AGA and IGA appeared before the House Agriculture Committee — which oversees the CFTC — in a closed session attended by 16 members, as 40 state attorneys general signed onto an amicus brief opposing prediction market sports contracts that could force the first Congressional intervention in the regulated sportsbook vs. prediction market standoff.
James Whitfield·
56
Dutch Gambling Regulator KSA Forces Holland Casino Online and Vbet to Remove Own-Goals Betting Markets Over Match-Fixing Risks
The Netherlands' KSA has intervened against Holland Casino Online and Vbet after both operators offered own-goals betting markets that the regulator classifies as manipulation-prone — both have removed the markets and the KSA has added control procedures to prevent recurrence.
James Whitfield·
24
RegulationTrending
Illinois Sweepstakes Casino Enforcement Update: Only 2 of 65 Operators Comply With Cease-and-Desist Orders
Two weeks after the Illinois Gaming Board targeted 65 sweepstakes casino operators with cease-and-desist orders, compliance stands at approximately 3%: only JefeBet and Jumbo88 have restricted Illinois access, while Chumba Casino, Pulsz, Stake US, Global Poker, and others remain live in the state.
Illia Lisovskyy·
35
RegulationTrending
UK High Court Dismisses Richard Desmond's £1.3 Billion National Lottery Claim — UKGC Fully Vindicated on Allwyn Award
The UK High Court has dismissed in full Richard Desmond's £1.3 billion damages claim against the UKGC over the award of the Fourth National Lottery Licence to Allwyn, finding the bidding process lawfully conducted and Desmond's TNLC having 'failed to establish any aspect' of its case.
James Whitfield·
53
RegulationTrending
UKGC Director Dismisses 'Inaccurate' Claims That Financial Risk Checks Are Driving Players to Illegal Operators
UKGC's Director of Major Policy Projects Helen Rhodes has directly challenged claims that financial risk checks are pushing UK players to illegal gambling sites — noting that the checks are not yet live and no consumer has been subject to any action — while confirming the Commission is approaching its advisory board sign-off stage.
James Whitfield·
41
RegulationTrending
Brazil Enforces Full Credit Card Ban for Online Gambling as SPA Moves from Guidance to Active Enforcement
Brazil's SPA has shifted from guidance to active enforcement of its online gambling framework, issuing its first fines under Ordinance 722 for KYC failures and enforcing the full ban on credit card gambling payments — a move that directly affects the payments and onboarding architecture of the 78 licensed operators running 138 brands in the market.
Marcus De Luca·
29
Washington DC Lawmaker Proposes Online Casino Legalisation with 25% GGR Tax
A Washington DC city council member has proposed legalising online casino gaming, including slots and interactive table games, with a 25% GGR tax structure and a ring-fenced contribution to gambling addiction services — building on the city's existing online sports betting framework.
Marcus De Luca·
17
RegulationTrending
Australia's Partial Gambling Ad Restrictions: A Compromise That Falls Short of the Full Ban Campaigners Demanded
Australia has announced a partial gambling advertising reform package that stops short of the comprehensive ban recommended by the Murphy Review — restricting live sport daytime ads and capping frequency to three per hour, while banning celebrity endorsements and online keno, with changes effective January 2027.
Marcus De Luca·
32
RegulationTrending
24 Operators File for Finnish iGaming Licences as €1.9B Market Prepares to Open in 2027
Twenty-four operators have applied for Finnish online gambling licences within the first month of the application window, targeting a €1.9 billion market that opens to private operators on July 1, 2027. Industry observers expect the final licensed pool to reach 40–50 operators.
Marcus De Luca·
33
KSA Issues Mandatory Intervention Standards and Tightened Cruks Self-Exclusion Rules for Dutch Operators
The Netherlands' KSA has published detailed player protection rules specifying mandatory intervention procedures for at-risk players and tightened Cruks self-exclusion enrollment requirements — including an obligation for operators to report to the regulator when a player refuses to self-exclude.
Marcus De Luca·
19
RegulationTrending
1.5 Million UK Players Now Gambling on Unlicensed Sites as Black Market Reaches 9% of Total Market
An estimated 1.5 million UK players are now gambling on unlicensed offshore sites, accounting for approximately 9% of the total market and £4.3 billion in annual stakes. A new government Illegal Gambling Taskforce involving Google, Mastercard, TikTok, and Visa has been established — but the BGC warns the funding is inadequate.
James Whitfield·
47
RegulationTrending
South Africa Orders Sports Bookmakers to Remove Casino-Style RGS Games by June 30
South Africa's National Gambling Board has given sports betting operators until June 30, 2026 to remove casino-style RGS games from their platforms, following a Supreme Court ruling that such offerings exceed sports bookmaker licences. A new online casino licensing framework is planned for Q3 public consultation.
Marcus De Luca·
18
RegulationTrending
Gibraltar Becomes First European Jurisdiction to Licence a Prediction Markets Operator
Gibraltar has issued Europe's first formal licence to a prediction markets operator, granting Predict Street Ltd — a crypto-based platform backed by Abu Dhabi blockchain infrastructure ADI Chain — a betting intermediary licence. The platform launched April 9, positioning itself as FIFA World Cup 2026's official prediction market partner.
Marcus De Luca·
31
UK Gambling Commission Reviews Where Operator Settlement Funds Are Directed Following GambleAware Transition
The UK Gambling Commission is reviewing where regulatory settlement payments from penalised operators will be directed, following GambleAware's closure and the introduction of the statutory gambling levy. Acting CEO Sarah Gardner is leading the post-transition priorities review.
Marcus De Luca·
14
RegulationTrending
Sweden Becomes First EU State to Ban Credit-Funded Gambling — April 1 Implementation
Sweden has become the first EU country to ban all credit-funded gambling, effective April 1, 2026. The prohibition covers credit cards, overdrafts, personal loans, and BNPL services including Klarna — requiring operators to implement real-time payment screening across all deposit channels.
Marcus De Luca·
38
RegulationTrending
Andrew Rhodes Steps Down as UK Gambling Commission CEO — Leaves April 30 at Critical Industry Juncture
Andrew Rhodes will leave the UK Gambling Commission on April 30, 2026, ending a nearly five-year tenure during which he implemented affordability checks, marketing restrictions, and the statutory levy framework. Deputy CEO Sarah Gardner takes over as Acting CEO during the successor search.
Marcus De Luca·
29
RegulationTrending
UK's 40% Remote Gaming Duty Takes Effect April 1 — Highest Online Casino Tax Rate Among Major Markets
The UK's Remote Gaming Duty rose to 40% on April 1, 2026 — the highest rate in any major regulated market globally. Flutter, Entain, and Bet365 are among the operators absorbing the impact, with Entain alone projecting a £100–150 million earnings hit across 2026–2027.
Marcus De Luca·
87
RegulationTrending
GambleAware Closes After 20 Years as UK Statutory Gambling Levy Takes Over from April 1
GambleAware has ceased operations on March 31, 2026, ending two decades as the UK's primary voluntary-funded responsible gambling charity. From April 1, a mandatory statutory levy on operators replaces the voluntary funding model, with three new national commissioners taking over harm reduction functions.
Marcus De Luca·
24
Canada's Wealthsimple Gets Regulatory Clearance for Prediction Market Contracts — Sports Excluded
Canada's CIRO has approved Wealthsimple to offer forecast trading contracts on economic and financial outcomes — but barred sports and political event contracts. The decision makes Wealthsimple only the second firm cleared for such products in Canada and reignites the investing-vs-gambling regulatory debate.
Marcus De Luca·
13
New Study Challenges Effectiveness of Self-Exclusion Tools, Calls for Industry-Wide Data Sharing
Researchers from the University of Bristol have published findings questioning whether self-exclusion programs meaningfully reduce gambling harm, and have proposed a centralized database model.
Alex Bilyi·
33
RegulationTrending
MGA Issues Crypto Gambling Framework Consultation, Proposes Stablecoin-Only Policy for Licensed Operators
The Malta Gaming Authority has published a consultation paper proposing a framework for cryptocurrency gambling that would restrict licensed operators to stablecoin transactions only, prohibiting the use of volatile crypto assets for wagering.
Marcus De Luca·
51
RegulationTrending
Brazil Issues First Batch of Online Gambling Licences as SPA Opens Application Process
Brazil's Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (SPA) has issued the first batch of online gambling licences under the country's new regulatory framework, with 14 operators approved in the initial cohort.
Alex Bilyi·
67
Netherlands iGaming Market Grows 28% in 2025, KSA Signals Further Restriction on Bonus Promotions
The Netherlands' regulated online gambling market posted 28% gross gaming revenue growth in 2025, but the KSA has signalled its intention to further restrict bonus promotions in a consultation published in January 2026.
Illia Lisovskyy·
29
Ontario's Regulated iGaming Market Posts Strong Three-Year Growth as Player Protections Praised Internationally
Ontario's AGCO has published its third annual market report showing sustained growth in regulated operator revenue, declining grey market activity, and improved problem gambling indicators.
Alex Bilyi·
29
Spain Tightens Gambling Advertising Rules, Bans Influencer Partnerships and Live Sports Sponsorships
Spain's gambling regulator DGOJ has published new advertising guidelines that ban influencer marketing partnerships and prohibit gambling operators from sponsoring live sports broadcasts effective from March 2026.
Marcus De Luca·
41
Germany's Online Casino Market Posts 31% Growth in 2025 Despite Strict Spin Speed Restrictions
Germany's licensed online casino market has grown 31% by gross gaming revenue in 2025, according to new data from the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL), despite ongoing operator complaints about product restrictions.
Marcus De Luca·
33
RegulationTrending
UK Gambling Commission Begins Rolling Out White Paper Reforms as Operators Face Affordability Check Deadline
The UKGC has confirmed implementation timelines for key White Paper measures including enhanced affordability checks and stake limits, with operators required to comply by March 2026.
Alex Bilyi·
61
RegulationTrending
UKGC Publishes White Paper Implementation Update: Stake Limits and Affordability Checks Enter Consultation
The UK Gambling Commission has published its latest White Paper implementation progress report, confirming that proposed online stake limits and enhanced affordability checks are entering a formal public consultation phase.
Marcus De Luca·
58RegulationTrending
EU Gambling Authority Proposes Unified Licensing Framework for Online Operators
A landmark proposal from the European Gaming and Betting Association could reshape how online gambling licenses are issued across EU member states, reducing duplication and compliance costs.
Alex Bilyi·
47Newsletter
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