Chancellor John Healey's newly announced UK Budget has introduced gambling tax increases, prompting strong pushback across the betting and gaming sector. Industry stakeholders ranging from Entain to the Bingo Association have criticized the measures as detrimental and damaging to the industry following extensive lobbying efforts to avoid further tax hikes.
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Spain's gambling regulator, the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), has outlined its regulatory perspective on prediction markets during the MERGE Madrid 2026 event.
Italy's government is planning tax increases, altered lottery commissions, and adjusted concession fees to generate approximately €1.9 billion ($2.13 billion) from the gambling sector between 2027 and 2029. A draft budgetary plan submitted to Brussels projects €718 million annually from gambling in 2027 and 2028, alongside €478 million in 2029. The fiscal measures form part of broader state revenue targets led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration.
The Federal Court of Australia has ordered The Star Entertainment Group to pay AU$260 million ($182 million) for breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws. The ruling comes in below the AU$400 million penalty proposed by financial intelligence regulator AUSTRAC. Justice Moore determined the reduced penalty after factoring in prior enforcement penalties and mitigating circumstances.
Georgia’s Parliament has passed legislation permitting domestic casinos to organize and host international gambling tournaments. Introduced by lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream party, the bill secured final approval following a 73-5 vote. Lawmakers finalized the measure across two plenary sessions, during which adjustments to baseline regulatory thresholds were debated and approved.
Under an agreement reached with state regulators, Polymarket US will cease offering sports event contracts to users in Michigan. The platform is scheduled to close all remaining open sports-related positions in the state by November 25.