Dabble Sports has been fined over AU$1 million by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching self-exclusion regulations. The fine addresses serious regulatory non-compliance by the operator.
Lithuania's gambling authority (LPT) has blocked Polymarket, classifying its prediction market operations as illegal remote gambling. This marks the first time the regulator has restricted a prediction platform, asserting Polymarket attempted to circumvent existing gambling laws.
A House of Lords committee has released an updated report recommending a near-total ban on gambling advertising in the UK. The report also suggests the Gambling Commission should become the primary statutory regulator for gambling advertising, replacing the ASA.
A UK House of Lords committee has called for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising in Great Britain to mitigate gambling-related harm. This recommendation, part of their 'Gambling Harm – Time for Action' report, follows up on previous findings from 2020.
Belgium's online gambling market reported continued growth in 2025, reaching €965m in GGR, according to the Kansspelcommissie (KSC) Annual Report. However, the report also highlighted a significant decline in new players, prompting warnings from BAGO about potential black market exposure.
Members of the UK House of Lords are advocating for a complete ban on gambling advertising, following similar calls from a research consortium. This initiative represents a significant political push for stricter regulations in the UK gambling sector.
Brazilian President Lula has reiterated threats to shut down the country's online betting sector, citing social problems and questioning current regulatory protections. This follows prior indications of potential severe restrictions or bans on the industry.
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint against betting operator Midnite for using an AI-generated character in a TikTok ad that appeared to be under 25, breaching age-restriction rules. However, a similar complaint against White Hat Gaming was not upheld as the ASA found the individual in their ad appeared to be over 25. This ruling highlights increasing scrutiny on AI-generated content in iGaming marketing.
Australian sportsbook Dabble has been fined AU$1.1 million by ACMA for failing to close 157 accounts of individuals who had self-excluded via BetStop, the national online self-exclusion register. This breach highlights failures in player protection systems and regulatory compliance.
Germany's Joint Gambling Authority (GGL) lauded a successful operation by Frankfurt prosecutors against an illegal gambling network that processed approximately €5.86 billion in stakes between July 2021 and late 2023. The cross-agency collaboration led to arrests and asset seizures, demonstrating the GGL's commitment to combating the black market.
Anthony Lee and Laura Lee have pleaded guilty to cheating offenses as part of the UK Gambling Commission's investigation into betting on the 2024 General Election date. This brings the number of individuals admitting guilt in this probe to two.
The Texas Senate is investigating whether prediction market platforms should be classified and regulated under state gambling laws. Concerns over potential increases in gambling addiction were raised by policy experts during the discussions, highlighting the risks associated with these platforms.
A U.S. House Ways and Means Committee will review legislation aimed at restoring a 100% federal tax deduction for gambling losses against winnings. This proposal would remove the current 90% limitation on wagering loss deductions, applying to taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.
PAGCOR, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, is broadening its regulatory scope across the online gaming ecosystem. This expansion is driven by challenges from artificial intelligence, illegal operators, payment system changes, and declining gaming revenue, signaling a more comprehensive approach to oversight.
Crypto-gambling platform Stake has blocked access for users in Ireland after engagement with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). This action follows the GRAI's increased enforcement under the country's new online betting licensing regime, signaling a crackdown on unlicensed operators.
A Danish entrepreneur, motivated by personal experience with gambling addiction, is developing an intelligence platform called Trace2Trace to map and understand the infrastructure of illegal gambling networks. The platform aims to combat the growing and increasingly complex challenge of tracking offshore black market operations. This initiative addresses a significant industry concern regarding unregulated gambling.
Golden West Casino in Bakersfield, California, has indefinitely postponed its planned relocation, citing legal and competitive concerns stemming from Senate Bill 549. This proposed legislation threatens to prevent California cardrooms from offering blackjack, creating significant operational uncertainty for the casino.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco announced that the agency anticipates a swift decision from the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or-Controlled Corporations (GCG) regarding its proposal to separate PAGCOR's regulatory and commercial functions. This move is a critical step in the long-discussed decoupling of the Philippine gaming regulator and operator roles.
A new study commissioned by the UK Gambling Commission indicates that retail bettors prefer uninterrupted play, while casino players desire real-time support. Participants also called for more empathetic retail staff and clearer gambling information to be available. The findings suggest a need for tailored intervention approaches across different gambling environments.
Brazil's Secretariat for Prizes and Betting (SPA) has introduced Ordinance SPA/MF No. 2,750/2026 to combat illegal gambling by implementing direct bank controls. This regulation mandates procedures for financial institutions to identify and disrupt money flows supporting unlicensed operators within the Brazilian market. It signifies a major governmental effort to enforce compliance and protect the regulated sector.
Entain has warned the UK Prime Minister that a potential hike in Machine Games Duty (MGD) could increase its annual costs by £100 million. The company also announced a potential cut of 400 customer care roles as part of an ongoing operational restructuring.
The UK Gambling Commission has published its inaugural study on consumer understanding of 'informed choice,' as part of its 2024-2027 strategy. This research, conducted by the Behavioural Insights Team, aims to better understand player perceptions to foster a safer gambling landscape in the digital era.
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) and other Tribal organizations have urged the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to close a loophole that allows prediction market platforms to offer sports-event contracts, arguing they constitute illegal gaming. This stance highlights a growing industry concern about unregulated sports betting offerings under the guise of prediction markets. The groups emphasized that these platforms bypass federal, state, and tribal gaming laws and regulations.
The African Gaming Forum, an invite-only event in Lisbon, will gather senior stakeholders to discuss the sustainable growth of Africa's gaming industry. The agenda focuses on evolving regulation, taxation, and market structures across the continent.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has warned operator Midnite for a TikTok ad featuring an individual appearing under 25, created by an affiliate. Although the ad was quickly removed, the ASA ruled it breached CAP Code rules and must not reappear. This highlights the ongoing challenges operators face in monitoring affiliate marketing compliance, especially on platforms like TikTok.