Holland Casino has received a five-year extension for its online gambling license. This decision comes as the operator continues to address concerns regarding the impact of last year's gambling tax hike on its profitability.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has removed the 'Reorganisation Decree' for land-based gambling from the government's agenda, effectively shelving the proposed reforms for retail betting. This decision was anticipated by Italian legislative bodies, indicating the measure is unlikely to proceed.
SolutionsHub CEO Lee Hills urges UK gambling operators to actively engage with the Gambling Commission's call for industry feedback. He emphasizes that this presents a crucial opportunity for the sector to articulate its perspective and influence regulatory outcomes amidst ongoing scrutiny.
Brazil is significantly overhauling its advertising and marketing regulations for the licensed betting market, less than two years after its establishment. This change will impact agencies, influencers, and brands operating within the Brazilian iGaming industry.
Senators, led by Jeff Merkley, are urging the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit prediction markets from offering betting contracts on wildfire events. Lawmakers argue that such wagers could incentivize harmful behavior and commodify human suffering, prompting concerns about the ethical implications of these new betting markets.
A federal judge in Utah ruled that the state can apply its gambling laws to prediction market operator Kalshi, rejecting Kalshi's argument that its contracts are financial instruments. Kalshi plans to appeal this decision, which represents a setback for prediction markets in their efforts to be regulated outside of traditional gambling frameworks.
Apple is facing legal action in Brazil from child-rights organizations for allegedly failing to implement adequate age verification on its App Store, allowing minors access to gambling applications. The groups are demanding court intervention and a 10-day period for Apple to enforce stricter age-based restrictions.
Despite recent legislative efforts, the CEO of the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) states that the fight against illegal offshore gambling in South Africa remains primarily at the advocacy stage. Concrete legislative movement has not yet materialized, indicating a slow progression in tackling the issue.
Digitain has been granted a National Manufacturer License by the South African gambling regulatory authority. This license signifies a key step in Digitain's global expansion strategy and reinforces its commitment to regulated markets, particularly in Africa.
Twelve tourism associations in South Korea are opposing a proposed increase in tourism taxes on casinos, which would raise the rate from 10% to 15% of gaming revenue. They also criticize a suggestion for a five-year license renewal system, arguing these changes would harm the tourism sector.
Bacta's Director of Communications, Allaster Gair, critiqued comments from PM Andy Burnham suggesting Adult Gaming Centers (AGCs) could fund other high-street businesses, arguing against weakening the regulated market. Gair highlighted a recent raid on illegal gambling dens as evidence that a strong regulated market is crucial for consumer protection.
Chilean regulators, the Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) and the Superintendence of Gaming Casinos (SCJ), have implemented updated anti-money laundering (AML) regulations for the country's casino sector. These new rules replace decade-old guidelines with a revised risk-based compliance framework.
Austria's Ministry of Finance has submitted draft Gambling Law changes to the European Commission for review. This triggers a three-month standstill period for the EC to assess the reforms' compatibility with EU fair-competition laws and market entry regulations.
Data from analytics platform Blask reveals that illegal online casinos and sportsbooks in Russia are losing market share, with visitor numbers falling to their lowest since 2018. This shift indicates a growing preference for permit-holding bookmakers, who now control 60% of the market, as Russia considers legalizing web-based casinos.
A Bacta survey indicates that a potential increase in Machine Games Duty (MGD) would severely impact the UK's land-based gaming industry, with 90% of members anticipating negative consequences. These impacts include business closures, job losses, and a halt in investment. The findings underscore the industry's concerns regarding further tax burdens.
Austria has advanced a draft gambling law for EU review, which proposes an open licensing model for 13 casino licenses. The new regulations also include provisions for a self-exclusion register and mandatory deposit limits, signaling significant changes to the country's gambling landscape.
The UK Gambling Commission has elevated the money laundering and terrorist financing risk for the UK gaming software sector to 'medium.' This increased threat level stems from the Commission's ongoing efforts to combat the growing black market in the gambling industry.
Sarah Fox's appointment to the Gambling Commission from the DCMS raises questions about the Commission's policy-making independence and potential political influence. This move could signify a strategic effort to align the Commission more closely with government objectives.
Brazil's Supreme Federal Court will hear a constitutional challenge to the country's long-standing ban on games of chance on August 5th. This landmark case could significantly alter the legal landscape for land-based gambling in Brazil.
Brazil's President Lula da Silva has approved a measure to redirect a portion of federal revenue from regulated fixed-odds betting to the Federal Police's operational fund (Funapol). This change, enacted through Provisional Measure 1.348/2026, reallocates government proceeds from betting to support law enforcement.
Mexico's Tax Administration Service (SAT) is auctioning shares in ICELA, the operator of Hipódromo de las Américas and 65 gaming venues, to recover tax debts associated with Codere. This move could significantly impact the ownership and operation of a major Mexican gaming entity.
A Chilean lawmaker is challenging the legality of a new VAT regime for offshore online betting operators, arguing it conflicts with the government's stance that such operations are illegal. The lawmaker believes allowing these platforms to pay tax legitimizes their unlicensed activities.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has issued a notice regarding a rise in fraudulent websites that impersonate legitimate MGA-licensed operators. These imposter sites are designed to deceive consumers into thinking they are interacting with an officially regulated entity, posing a significant risk to player safety and the integrity of the industry.
Betfred is closing over 130 retail betting shops, attributing the decision to increased taxes imposed by HM Treasury. The Treasury denies fault, leading to a public dispute between the betting industry and the government over the impact of fiscal policies on retail operations.
Romania has implemented a new tiered tax system on customer winnings from gambling, effective August 1, 2026. This measure is part of a broader fiscal program by the government to tackle the country's significant budget deficit.