New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs has set an August 14 deadline for prospective operators to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to participate in the country's new regulated online casino market. Only accepted EOI applicants will be invited to a September auction for available licenses.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a BoyleSports betting promotion, ruling it was "socially irresponsible" for encouraging excessive and repetitive betting. The campaign, which offered up to £60 in free bets and a share of a £10,000 jackpot, was deemed likely to lead to financial harm.
Eighteen months after Brazil launched its regulated gambling framework, the market has seen significant transformation with increased interest from both international and domestic operators and intense competition among suppliers. The article suggests this dynamic landscape indicates continued evolution as political factors also influence the gambling sector.
Madeira's Regional Government has initiated an international tender for the exclusive concession to operate games of chance in the Funchal gaming zone. This competitive procurement process is in anticipation of the current license expiring on December 31, 2026.
Entrepreneur Niklas Sattler is preparing to challenge incumbent Casinos Austria for new land-based casino licenses in Austria. However, Sattler expresses concern that the tender process, which may bundle licenses, could unfairly favor the existing operator, potentially hindering fair competition.
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) has formally requested the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) withdraw its proposed rule for prediction markets. AGEM contends that the proposal conflicts with existing state, tribal, and federal gaming regulations in the United States.
Better Markets has criticized the CFTC's event contracts proposal, claiming it deviates from congressional intent. The organization warns that the proposal could inadvertently encourage an increase in insider betting across sports, political contests, and other public events.
The ongoing legal dispute between prediction markets, the CFTC, and various states highlights a critical debate over whether sports-related prediction market contracts should be classified as gambling. Lawyers are advising prediction markets to proactively engage with regulators to avoid further legal challenges and navigate this complex regulatory landscape.
A Minnesota judge has ruled in favor of prediction markets, preventing the state from banning most event contracts. This decision comes despite former Senator Chris Dodd indicating that the rule cited should prohibit sports-event contracts, suggesting a legal conflict regarding legislative intent.
The National Football League has expressed dissatisfaction with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's proposed rules for prediction markets, urging the CFTC to ban certain sports-related contracts and implement stricter insider trading rules and user protection protocols. The NFL's stance highlights ongoing concerns about the integrity of sports and consumer welfare within these emerging markets.
Buenos Aires Province is considering new legislation that would mandate session limits, biometric identity verification (facial recognition), and other responsible gambling measures for all online betting operators licensed in the region. This bill, introduced by Deputy Mayra Mendoza, aims to enhance player protection on platforms authorized by the IPLyC.
The South African Bookmakers’ Association is calling for a ban on unlicensed prediction markets due to concerns about game integrity, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and potential tax revenue losses. This move highlights the industry's focus on maintaining fair play and responsible gambling practices within the South African betting market.
Public Health Wales has allocated £1.4 million in grants to charities and NGOs to combat gambling harms. This initiative aims to 'denormalize' gambling and provides support, particularly for high-risk individuals.
Experts warn that the Netherlands' impending gambling advertising ban could inadvertently boost the black market, citing experiences in Denmark and Italy where similar restrictions led to a rise in unregulated gambling. They argue that instead of reducing gambling, the ban might only shift consumers towards illegal operators. This sentiment was shared in a recent iGaming Business article.
Estonia is implementing significant tax cuts for its gambling sector, aiming for a 4% GGR tax by January 2029, to position itself as a major European iGaming hub. This move comes alongside potential stricter marketing regulations, which could temper the positive impact of the tax incentives.
A roundtable discussion highlights the significant challenges of entering the highly competitive UK racing market, citing regulatory changes and the growing black market as key concerns. These factors make it difficult for new companies to gain a foothold in this specific sector.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued an advisory warning firms against overly broad self-certification of event contracts, particularly those resembling gambling or having a negligible economic purpose. This move signals increased scrutiny on prediction markets and their compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Kalshi, a betting exchange that allows users to wager on the outcome of future events, has agreed to cease operations in Nevada following an announcement from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. This decision resolves a dispute regarding the legality of Kalshi's offerings within the state's regulatory framework.
Brazil's Ministry of Health has initiated its first national public awareness campaign, 'National Campaign to Prevent Harms from Online Betting,' to educate citizens about the risks of online gambling. This initiative follows the launch of Brazil's regulated betting market and aims to mitigate gambling-related harm.
Colombia's gambling regulator, Coljuegos, has proposed significant changes to the registry for importing and selling slot machines, including shortening license durations and implementing wealth tests for operators. The draft rules aim to enhance regulatory oversight and introduce tougher penalties, less than a year after the registry's initial establishment.
The Dominican Republic's Chamber of Deputies passed a gambling bill that unifies the country's betting regulations. This legislation includes a significant 10-year freeze on new gambling licenses. The bill now returns to the Senate for reconciliation due to changes made by the Chamber.
Chile's National Economic Prosecutor's Office (FNE) has informed the competition tribunal that the bidding rules for the Casino de Viña del Mar tender do not impede competition. This decision is a setback for the operator group that initiated the review.
South Korean financial analysts have lowered their casino earnings forecasts due to potential government plans to increase operator contributions to the Tourism Promotion and Development Fund to 15% of revenues next year. This proposed hike is expected to lead to an "inevitable" decline in profits for casino operators.
Belarus has implemented new gambling regulations, prohibiting its citizens from transferring funds to online casinos based outside the country. This move aims to curb the saturation of online casino advertising and address concerns within a market that permits both online and land-based gambling.
The UK Gambling Commission's Acting CEO, Sarah Gardner, has pledged to publish the full evidence, data, and methodology supporting the implementation of Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) this autumn. This commitment was made in response to inquiries from the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee.