The UK gambling industry has warned that a five-percentage-point increase in Machine Games Duty to 25% could drive an expansion of the illegal market. Announced in the autumn budget, the tax hike has drawn mixed reactions from sector stakeholders concerned about channelisation and operational costs.
Major UK-listed gambling operators, including Entain, evoke, and Rank Group, experienced a significant jump in share prices following the Autumn Budget. The stock surge reflects bullish investor sentiment despite the government confirming a tax hike for the sector. The market rebound follows a challenging 12-month period of downward pressure on UK gambling equities.
Dabble Sports has paid an AU$1,069,200 financial penalty following an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The regulator found that the wagering operator breached BetStop national self-exclusion rules by failing to halt marketing communications directed at registered users.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued formal warnings to two former Australian Football League players for promoting the illegal online gambling site Vegastars. The regulator cautioned influencers and high-profile figures that marketing unlawful gambling services carries substantial financial penalties under Australian law.
Three individuals have received suspended prison sentences following legal proceedings connected to the 2024 UK General Election betting scandal. The sentences address unlawful wagering activities tied to non-public knowledge regarding the official date of the election.
The North Fork Mono Casino has officially opened in Madera, California, featuring more than 2,400 slot machines and 40 table games. The property is managed by Station Casinos LLC, a subsidiary of Red Rock Resorts, in partnership with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians. Amenities include a dedicated High Limit Room equipped with 138 slot machines, 10 table games, and a private bar.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that the UK Chancellor's decision to increase Machine Games Duty to 25% will harm high-street venues and could cost nearly 9,000 jobs. While retail betting shops and casinos avoided a higher proposed 40% machine tax rate, the industry body cautioned that the approved hike still poses a severe threat to land-based operations.
Caesars Entertainment reported a third-quarter net loss of $123 million, widening from a $55 million loss during the same period last year. The decline was driven by weakness in the operator's Las Vegas operations, which countered revenue growth across its regional and digital segments. The financial results come ahead of Caesars' scheduled $17.6 billion acquisition by Fertitta Entertainment.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey has announced a five percentage point tax increase on the most commonly used gaming machines in the 2026 budget. The measure aims to fund business rates relief and support for high streets across the country.
The Chilean government has submitted a 114-page bill to formalize regulation for the country's online betting market. The proposed framework includes an additional 3% tax on top of the 19% Value Added Tax, alongside a comprehensive ban on advertising, promotional bonuses, and player retention incentives for both licensed and unlicensed operators.
UK gaming operators have avoided a feared 40% tax increase as the government raised Machine Games Duty (MGD) to 25%. The outcome delivers notable relief to the retail and machine sectors following widespread speculation of a much steeper tax hike.
Spain's Ministry of Consumption has introduced new regulations aimed at tackling identity theft across the gambling industry. The move follows a 12% increase in fraudulent identity complaints in 2025, prompting the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) to initiate an overhaul of its compliance standards.
The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) has urged the country's gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, to overhaul its enforcement approach. The trade body argues that adopting supervision models used by agencies such as the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority would better support long-term compliance across the market.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint against a betting affiliate whose ads appeared on search results for self-exclusion. The affiliate argued that the placement resulted from automated ad platform query matching rather than deliberate targeting of vulnerable consumers.
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has scheduled a public hearing for next week to discuss an executive order that banned online betting and gaming. The session will evaluate the legal status and regulatory implications of the restriction.
The Star Entertainment Group is set to pay an AU$260 million penalty to conclude regulatory proceedings that commenced in 2022. The long-running case has also resulted in two former executives being found guilty of breaches under the Corporations Act 2001.
India’s Supreme Court has dismissed review petitions filed by Flutter Entertainment-owned Junglee Games and other operators challenging state-level restrictions on online real-money skill games in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The legal dispute dates back to 2021, when both states enacted legislative amendments targeting online gaming operations.
Italy's Cabinet is convening to approve its upcoming budget, which projects a €700 million fiscal contribution from the gaming industry. Initial reports suggest the additional tax burden will focus primarily on lotteries and online gaming rather than retail concessions.
Prediction market operators are expanding legal challenges against state-level oversight, with Kalshi filing suit against Missouri over its licensing demands. Simultaneously, Crypto.com has launched a legal challenge against regulators in Utah as conflicts over prediction platform jurisdictions intensify.
Flávio Bolsonaro is under investigation over alleged links to betting companies, with reports suggesting he has fled Brazil following electoral defeat.
Swedish trade association BOS has called on Spelinspektionen to reconsider its enforcement approach regarding anti-money laundering (AML) compliance. The request follows a commissioned report indicating that the gaming regulator has routinely imposed sanctions near the statutory maximum limits.
Caesars Entertainment reported revenue growth for the third quarter, though its net loss widened alongside sliding earnings across its Las Vegas segment. In contrast, the operator's regional properties and digital divisions continued to expand during the period.
A review by the Malta Gaming Authority found that low volumes of Suspicious Betting Reports are often an indicator of tight operator risk controls. However, the regulator emphasized that licensees must implement clearer and more defined escalation procedures.
Caesars Entertainment reported third-quarter performance driven by continued growth in its regional casino footprint and digital operations. These revenue streams helped mitigate ongoing softening and lower volumes across its core Las Vegas properties.
Kalshi has partnered with S&P Dow Jones to co-develop new market indices aimed at enabling event-based trading for investors. CEO and co-founder Tarek Mansour stated that the collaboration will expand the utility of prediction markets by bridging real-world events with traditional financial benchmarks.