Ahead of the upcoming UK budget announcement, industry discussions are centering on how potential gambling tax increases could affect sector employment. Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey is reportedly considering tax adjustments, with particular focus placed on a potential increase to the Machine Games Duty.
El Salvador's National Charity Lottery is seeking to consolidate oversight by bringing casino and gaming licensing under its authority. LNB President Javier Milián outlined that the planned reforms are intended to reinforce regulatory protections and attract international investment to the domestic market.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has met with senior officials in Gibraltar to discuss potential UK gambling tax increases. The talks focused on developing mitigation strategies to protect the sector, given the deep operational ties between the UK market and major operators hubbed in the British Overseas Territory.
Three former Conservative Party representatives have received suspended prison sentences for placing insider bets on the 2024 UK General Election. Anthony Lee, Laura Lee, and Amy Hind were sentenced for breaching betting rules, resulting in probation, unpaid work requirements, and a 12-month prohibition from online gambling applications. The rulings represent the first custodial sentences handed down in connection with the election betting scandal.
The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) is seeking final feedback on proposals to lower auditing and operating costs for small and mid-sized bookmakers. The consultation evaluates the profit threshold at which operators are mandated to provide an independent accountant’s report verifying assessable UK racing profits.
Lula da Silva has secured re-election as President of Brazil, sparking renewed concerns across the country's gaming and betting sectors. The political outcome has prompted industry stakeholders to question whether his administration's policy trajectory will severely restrict the commercial market.
An investigation by Democracy for Sale has revealed that defunct operator Tether.bet obtained its Curaçao gambling licence using falsified documents. The findings indicate that Malaysia-based accountant Hon Kong Yong submitted fraudulent documentation to secure regulatory approval for the high-stakes platform, which closed in August.
Bulgaria's land-based casino and gaming hall operators are urging the government to amend the Gambling Act to grant exemptions from mandatory venue distancing requirements. Industry representatives have warned that operators are prepared to stage peaceful protests if policymakers do not address their regulatory grievances.
B2B technology provider GR8_TECH has published a report titled 'Operator Lens: Brazil' to examine the fallout from President Lula's ban on legal gambling. The publication evaluates the immediate strategic impacts of the prohibition and explores potential pathways forward for industry operators.
Evolution reported a 3.7% year-on-year rise in third-quarter net revenue to €526.1 million, supported by 10% growth in its RNG vertical. Adjusted EBITDA increased 2.7% to €345.9 million, though Chief Executive Martin Carlesund characterized the overall period as uneventful as margins saw a minor contraction.
The Gambling Commission has released the third part of its Consumer Voice research, exploring the key motivations behind the use of illegal gambling platforms in Great Britain. Conducted by Yonder Consulting, the study identifies distinct consumer segments and concludes that a single, uniform messaging strategy is ineffective for curbing unregulated play.
Italian communications regulator AGCOM has opened a 30-day consultation to establish definitive rules for operator-linked "infotainment sites." The process will evaluate amendments to the implementation guidelines of the 2018 Dignity Decree, which governs gambling advertising and sports sponsorships in the country.
FTSE 100 financial trading firm IG Group has unveiled plans to enter the UK prediction markets space, targeting a rollout in late Q4 2026. The move marks the company's return to the sports wagering and betting sector after a 16-year absence.
Svenska Spel has increased investment in its core brands, including Oddset, Lotto, and Triss, as part of a simplified operational strategy. While heightened spending on branding and technology weighed on third-quarter earnings, the Swedish state-owned operator maintained stable year-to-date profitability in line with management expectations.
In its Q3 trading update, evoke plc reported group revenue of £406m, reflecting a 7% year-on-year decrease or 2% on a like-for-like constant currency basis. The company, which has accepted a takeover offer from Bally's Intralot, highlighted the strain on its retail estate while cautioning the UK government against further sector tax increases.
Flávio Bolsonaro has been accused of involvement in a money laundering and gambling embezzlement scheme during the closing stages of Brazil's presidential campaign. Concurrently, the country's federal 'Bets' regulatory framework has stalled and entered a state of uncertainty with no clear timeline for revival.
IG Group is targeting the rollout of a UK prediction markets offering as early as the fourth quarter of 2026. The FTSE 100 trading firm views event-based contracts as an expansion opportunity driven by the sector's rapid global growth. The product launch will be led by the company's retail investing division, IG Consumer.
Labour MP Dawn Butler has been appointed as the new Vice Chair of the UK's Gambling Reform All-Party Parliamentary Group (GR APPG). The appointment comes amid heightened lobbying regarding gambling taxation, with Butler serving as a key proponent for increased regulatory intervention and player protection measures.
Latvia's parliament is set to vote on tightened gambling regulations after the Saeima’s Budget and Finance Committee approved amendments to the Gambling and Lotteries Law. The proposed reforms will introduce stronger player protection measures and enforce new compliance mandates on gambling licensees.
Betsson AB achieved record Q3 2026 revenue of €326.5m, representing a 10% year-on-year increase supported by high levels of football activity and record customer engagement. Total revenue for the first nine months reached €922.1m, reflecting 3.2% year-on-year growth. However, Q3 EBITDA fell 23% to €63.4m as the operator faced elevated gaming taxes and betting duties across key markets.
Following a provisional order signed by President Lula to ban online sports betting and casino operations in Brazil, FIRST.bet's chief executive has responded to the sudden regulatory shutdown. The operator had previously invested significant capital into local compliance and operational infrastructure ahead of the ban. Moving forward, the company is shifting its strategic growth objectives toward established and emerging markets in Europe and Africa.
Romania has appointed Lula Niculescu as Prime Minister following a five-month political stalemate, establishing an administration backed by a six-month coalition truce. The incoming leadership faces multiple immediate challenges regarding the direction and oversight of the country's gambling sector.
FDJ United reported that its year-to-date tax obligations have increased by €62m in 2026, driven primarily by ongoing fiscal and regulatory challenges in the UK and Netherlands. The French gaming group revealed the figures in its latest financial filings published following the market close in Paris. In response, management is relying on targeted mitigation plans to navigate headwinds across both Western European jurisdictions.
UK challenger bookmaker BetGoodwin is reportedly considering an £80m initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. The online sportsbook, which launched in 2022 as part of heritage operator Goodwin Racing, is exploring the move despite a challenging market for listed gambling firms. The potential listing would mark a significant expansion for the business following its origins as a telephone betting service.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has outlined core marketing rules to prepare operators for incoming regulatory reforms taking effect on 1 January 2027. Following the legislation's parliamentary approval on 19 August, the guidance clarifies forthcoming restrictions across operator promotions. Under the new regime, gambling advertisements will be strictly prohibited from featuring notable persons.