A UK Gambling Commission study has revealed that consumers using illegal betting websites are more than seven times as likely to exhibit problem gambling behaviors compared to those using licensed operators. The research found that 45% of black-market users scored eight or higher on the Problem Gambling Severity Index, compared to just 6% of customers on licensed platforms.
Chile's Association of Casinos and Games (ACCJ) has raised concerns over unequal tax treatment between retail and digital operators within the government's online gambling bill. While welcoming the regulatory initiative currently being reviewed in the Senate, ACCJ President Cecilia Valdés warned that disparate tax obligations between sectors remain unresolved.
Romania's national gambling authority, the ONJN, has initiated a comprehensive review of the country's gambling legislation to address outdated and fragmented rules. While specific regulatory changes have not yet been disclosed, the regulator aims to resolve existing inconsistencies across the sector.
The Dutch gambling authority, Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), has launched an awareness campaign to foster early discussions about gambling harm among individuals aged 16 to 25. The initiative follows regulatory reporting indicating that young adults aged 18 to 23 account for approximately 22% of legal gambling accounts in the Netherlands.
African gambling regulators will convene on November 5 during SiGMA World Rome to begin drafting a regional cooperation framework. Hosted by the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) and SiGMA, the workshop will center on cross-border enforcement, tackling illegal gambling, and information sharing while respecting national autonomy.
The Nevis Online Gaming Authority has launched a dedicated licensing regime for prediction markets. Under the newly established regulatory framework, the Caribbean jurisdiction will issue licenses for international operations while continuing to prohibit local residents from participating in iGaming activities.
The Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, Canada, has launched the first-ever indigenous regulatory framework for prediction markets. Administered by the community's independent gambling regulator, the initiative introduces formal rules for the sector within the sovereign jurisdiction.
Voters across three northeast Indiana counties are casting ballots on a referendum regarding whether to permit a casino in the region. An affirmative outcome will allow gaming operators to bid for a single new casino license regulated by the state.
French gambling regulator ANJ has granted Betsson France an online poker licence, clearing the operator to participate in the shared liquidity pool alongside Spain, Italy, and Portugal. The approval allows the Nordic operator to expand its presence in France amid rising player numbers, despite a reported decline in average revenue per account.
The Gambling Commission's first open banking study into black market activity revealed that 91% of repeat illegal site users continue to bet with licensed operators. The research linked unlicensed platforms to a high concentration of gambling harm. These findings challenge the betting industry's argument that tax increases and regulatory pressures primarily drive players offshore.
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.
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.
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.
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 Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has issued an immediate ban against offshore operator duel.com and its parent entity, Immortal Snail LLC. Despite the regulatory enforcement, the operator has refused to comply with the prohibition, continuing its targeted activities.
A recent study by the UK Gambling Commission has revealed a high prevalence of illegal online gambling site usage among British problem gamblers. The findings have drawn significant attention from the licensed sector, aligning with industry concerns about black-market growth amid fiscal pressures such as the raised Machine Games Duty.
A newly published report indicates that the regulated Dutch gambling sector accounts for only 59% of total market revenue. The data also suggests that consumers wagering with unlicensed operators are losing more on average than those using licensed platforms.
The Dutch online gaming market has contracted following the implementation of mandatory monthly deposit limits introduced in 2024, according to regulatory data from Kansspelautoriteit (KSA). The findings were detailed in recent KSA reports evaluating market performance across 2025 and the first half of 2026.
Under Royal Decree 813/2026, gaming operators in Spain are now mandated to verify that every payment method directly matches the account holder. The requirement necessitates substantial system updates and customer communications, arriving shortly after the rollout of national deposit limits.
The Dominican Republic's Directorate General of Games of Chance has established a non-extendable 30-day window for operators to declare unregistered gaming venues. The directive applies to lottery outlets and sports betting shops that were omitted from the country's initial Regularization Plan.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has scheduled a public hearing on 3 November to review the proposed ban on betting operations. The session will provide industry stakeholders with an opportunity to challenge the government's measures and present arguments against a market shutdown.
Tanzania's gaming tax revenue reached TZS307.8 billion, driven by continuous market expansion, digital payment adoption, and increased mobile participation. In light of this growth, the domestic gaming regulator is preparing to implement stronger player protection safeguards.
HM Treasury projects that a 5% increase to Machine Gaming Duties will generate £655m over a five-year cycle. The UK government released its considerations for the tax adjustment, even as the wider gambling sector faces potential exposure to further fiscal measures.
The increase of Britain's Machine Games Duty to 25% has provided clarity for investors, though analysts caution that venue closures remain a possibility. While major operators are positioned to absorb the higher rate, industry observers warn the tax rise will constrain cash flow and capital investment over the coming years.
An Australian Federal Court judge has raised concerns regarding the expert reports submitted in the enforcement case between AUSTRAC and Entain. Justice Cameron Moore criticized experts on both sides for lacking necessary expertise and relying excessively on questionable foundations. The scrutiny follows the same judge imposing a AU$260m penalty against The Star Entertainment earlier this week.