Gambling taxation

Tax and levy changes that hit operator margins: gross gaming revenue tax rates, turnover taxes, statutory levies, duty increases and the government budgets that introduce them.

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Regulatory

Rep. Ro Khanna calls on Congress to ban sports prediction markets, citing state law and addiction concerns

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna has urged federal lawmakers to ban sports prediction markets, characterizing them as sports wagering platforms disguised as financial exchanges. Khanna argued that these operators circumvent state and tribal gambling regulations, evade local taxes, and undermine consumer protections. He called for federal intervention to address consumer exposure and gambling addiction concerns.

Yogonet•1d ago

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M&A / Business

Aristocrat posts 13% earnings growth for 2025/2026 FY, returns $1.29 billion to shareholders

Aristocrat Leisure Limited reported a 13% increase in normalized earnings per share before amortization (EPSA) in constant currency for the 2025/2026 financial year ended September 30, 2026. The Australian gaming company generated normalized net profit after tax and amortization (NPATA) of A$1.58 billion. During the period, Aristocrat returned approximately A$1.9 billion ($1.29 billion) to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

Yogonet•1d ago

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M&A / Business

Codere Online lifts gaming win 30% on Mexico but flags single-digit Q4 growth

Codere Online reported a 30% increase in gaming win for the third quarter, driven by strong performance in Mexico despite facing higher gaming taxes. Management maintained its full-year guidance but warned that revenue growth is expected to slow to single digits in the fourth quarter. The company's parent entity is also currently evaluating a standalone sale of the online division.

Casino Beats•1d ago

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Regulatory

Bulgaria govt. proposes gambling ad ban, higher taxes and licensing fees

Bulgaria’s Council of Ministers has submitted proposed amendments to the Gambling Act to the National Assembly, aiming to tighten financial and regulatory controls on the sector. The draft legislation includes a ban on gambling advertising, covering the promotion of games, licensed organizers, and associated brands. In addition to marketing restrictions, the bill proposes higher taxes and increased licensing fees for operators.

Yogonet•2d ago

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Regulatory

KwaZulu-Natal opens hearings on gaming and betting tax overhaul

KwaZulu-Natal has commenced public hearings regarding a proposed overhaul of its gaming and betting tax structure. Industry operators have raised concerns over the measure, warning that steep tax increases could jeopardize commercial viability and lead to business closures.

iGaming Business•2d ago

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Regulatory

Colombia opens talks on 19% online gambling VAT plan

Colombian lawmakers have initiated debates over a government proposal to impose a 19% value-added tax on online gambling. Legislative leaders are facing a 16 December deadline to review and approve the financial measure.

iGaming Business•2d ago

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Regulatory

Chile deputies back curbs on online betting tax collection

Chile's Chamber of Deputies has approved curbs on online betting tax collection, triggering a fresh legislative debate over the industry's tax oversight. The decision sets the stage for further friction regarding how online gambling revenue should be handled in the national budget.

iGaming Business•3d ago

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Regulatory

Uganda casino operators seek alternative to 15% winnings tax

The Uganda Gaming Operators Association has urged the government to reconsider a 15% withholding tax on player winnings, arguing that retail casinos cannot administer the deduction accurately. The trade body has proposed that land-based venues continue operating exclusively under the existing 30% gross gaming revenue tax framework.

iGaming Business•3d ago

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M&A / Business

Bally’s Intralot speeds up UK online growth under 40% duty as evoke deal slips to 2027

Bally’s Intralot accelerated its UK online growth rate during the third quarter, offsetting more than half of the financial impact from the 40% duty. Meanwhile, the operator's planned takeover of William Hill parent company evoke has faced delays and will now not complete until 2027.

Casino Beats•3d ago

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Regulatory

Haiti establishes national gambling regulator ANJHA

Haiti's Ministry of Economy and Finance has established a national gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux de Hasard et d’Argent (ANJHA). The new body will oversee, monitor, and supervise the country's gambling sector. Under the updated regulatory framework, operators are mandated to pay all licensing fees, taxes, and other financial obligations directly through the national tax administration.

Yogonet•4d ago

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M&A / Business

Playtech banks on Florida against UK and Brazil gut punches

Playtech has cited market strength in the US, Colombia, and Mexico as buffers against recent Q3 trading headwinds from higher UK taxes and online gambling restrictions in Brazil. The London-listed technology supplier informed markets that it now expects to achieve adjusted EBITDA of €300m for 2026. The upgraded outlook reflects confidence in its expanding Americas footprint despite regulatory pressures in other key regions.

SBC News•4d ago

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M&A / Business

Taxing Times Across Europe

Europe's publicly traded gambling operators are reshaping their business plans and financial forecasts to manage rising fiscal pressure. In response to increasing tax rates across the continent, companies are implementing cost-cutting measures, protecting customer investment, and exploring market consolidation.

iGaming Business•4d ago

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Regulatory

Dina Titus urges House leaders to fast-track FAIR BET Act before year-end adjournment

U.S. Representative Dina Titus has urged House leadership to advance the FAIR BET Act before Congress adjourns for the year. The Nevada Democrat's bill aims to restore the full federal tax deduction for gambling losses. Titus warned that maintaining the current cap threatens legal gaming employment and investment by potentially pushing consumers toward unregulated platforms.

Yogonet•5d ago

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Regulatory

Lithuania eyes ‘progressive reset’ of gambling taxes by 2028

Lithuania's incoming coalition government has agreed in principle to implement a progressive gambling tax system by 2028. The planned fiscal reset, negotiated under Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, is designed to optimize state revenues collected from the gaming industry.

SBC News•5d ago

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Regulatory

Blurred lines in OHID’s £39m gambling levy funding round

The UK government has allocated over £39m in funding from the statutory levy on gambling harms via the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. While major support organizations such as GamCare secured significant grants, the distribution of funds has prompted sector controversy.

SBC News•5d ago

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M&A / Business

Inspired Entertainment shows Q3 resilience amid UK tax headwinds

Inspired Entertainment reported Q3 growth across its UK business, demonstrating operational resilience seven months after an increase in Remote Gaming Duty. The B2B technology provider managed to maintain momentum in the market despite the higher tax burden.

SBC News•Nov 6, 2026

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M&A / Business

Galaxy bucks Macau trend with GGR up four per cent agaiost market drop of four per cent

Galaxy Entertainment reported third-quarter revenues of $12.7bn, up four per cent year-on-year, supported by total gross gaming revenue of $12.9bn. The operator's performance bucked the broader Macau market trend, which saw a four per cent contraction amid taxation policy updates and broader economic slowdown.

G3 Newswire•Nov 6, 2026

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Regulatory

Finnish MP behind liberalisation push raises concerns over regulator’s readiness

Finnish MP Sinuhe Wallinheimo has raised concerns over whether the national regulator will be adequately prepared for the transition to a licensed gambling market. Despite these readiness issues, Wallinheimo reaffirmed his support for ending the state monopoly to improve player safety and secure tax revenues.

iGaming Business•Nov 6, 2026

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Regulatory

Federal Government Defines Selective Tax Rates for 2027 via Provisional Measure

Brazil's Federal Government has issued a provisional measure establishing the rates for the incoming Selective Tax (Imposto Seletivo) set to take effect in 2027. The measure outlines a phased implementation schedule starting on February 2, 2027, while maintaining the global revenue targets established by the country's broader Tax Reform.

Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (BR)•Nov 5, 2026

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M&A / Business

Flutter’s UK casino revenue grows 12% but 40% duty pulls International EBITDA down 14%

Flutter reported a 12% revenue increase in its UK and Ireland online casino division for the third quarter, but International EBITDA dropped 14% after remote gaming duty nearly doubled to 40%. In response to the headwinds, the operator lowered its guidance, paused share buybacks, and shifted its focus to debt reduction under a new chief executive.

Casino Beats•Nov 5, 2026

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Regulatory

Brazil's betting ban faces questions over tax revenue, jobs and illegal gambling at Supreme Court hearing

Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has held a public hearing addressing the government’s ban on fixed-odds sports betting under Provisional Measure 1.394/2026. Industry stakeholders, sports bodies, and public officials debated the broader economic ramifications, raising concerns regarding lost tax revenue, job cuts, and the potential surge in unlicensed gambling activity.

Yogonet•Nov 4, 2026

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M&A / Business

CIRSA points to home stability & profits ahead of Lottomatica merger

Grupo CIRSA highlighted the ongoing stability and profitability of its Spanish operations ahead of a 30 November shareholder vote on its proposed merger with Lottomatica SPA. In its Q3 trading update, the operator reported record year-to-date profits of €128m, reflecting a 37% surge in underlying pre-tax profit.

SBC News•Nov 4, 2026

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Regulatory

Sri Lanka targets December 31 for gambling rules amid tax revenue concerns

Sri Lanka’s Gambling Regulatory Authority has established a December 31 deadline to introduce new regulations governing land-based casinos and online gambling. The measure follows scrutiny from Parliament’s Committee on Public Finance regarding uncollected tax revenues and the prevalence of unregulated foreign-linked online platforms. The finalized framework aims to strengthen state oversight and recover missing revenue across the domestic market.

Yogonet•Nov 3, 2026

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Regulatory

Colombia proposes 19% VAT on online gambling deposits

Colombia's government has proposed reinstating a 19% VAT on online gambling deposits as part of a broader tax reform bill. Under Article 41 of Bill 477/2026C, known as the Ley de Rescate Económico, the measure would integrate internet gaming into the general VAT framework of the national Tax Statute. The legislation would also revise taxable bases for the land-based gaming sector.

G3 Newswire•Nov 3, 2026

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Regulatory

Greece stands by player tax increase on gambling winnings

Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis has defended the government's decision to raise player taxes on online casino winnings to fund public services. The policy justification follows figures showing taxes withheld from gambling winnings rose 27.3% year-on-year to €369 million between January and August 2026. The increase coincided with broader growth in total gaming gross revenue across the market.

SBC News•Nov 3, 2026

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Regulatory

Buenos Aires deputy proposes mandatory access fee for online betting

Buenos Aires provincial deputy Roberto Vázquez has submitted a bill proposing a mandatory access fee for consumers entering physical gaming venues or logging into online betting platforms. Revenue from the proposed levy would be directed toward the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm. The legislation also introduces stricter safer-gambling requirements, including enhanced identity verification and tighter player limits.

G3 Newswire•Nov 2, 2026

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Regulatory

Italy budget: Higher slot tax, double stakes and concessions to 2029

A new Italian budget bill submitted to parliament proposes increasing tax levies on slots and VLTs while doubling maximum slot stakes and prize limits. The measure also extends land-based gaming concessions through 2029 and is estimated to generate around €952m in revenue in 2027.

iGaming Business•Nov 2, 2026

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Regulatory

Chilean casinos warn of unequal tax treatment under online betting bill

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.

G3 Newswire•Nov 2, 2026

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M&A / Business

SBC Stock Ticker: Tax rises, job losses, market exits, but still hope on the markets?

Global gambling operators experienced a strong performance across public stock exchanges in October as third-quarter financial results began to roll in. Major companies including Flutter Entertainment, Entain, and Rank Group saw significant share price gains despite broader market pressures from tax increases, job cuts, and strategic market exits.

SBC News•Nov 2, 2026

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Regulatory

Gambling Commission payment data: 91% of repeat illegal-site users still bet with licensed sites

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.

Casino Beats•Nov 1, 2026

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M&A / Business

MGM Digital cuts loss to $4m as LeoVegas-led arm’s revenue growth slows to 6%

MGM Resorts' LeoVegas-led international digital division narrowed its third-quarter loss to $4 million, approaching break-even behind strong performance in Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK. However, the segment's revenue growth decelerated sharply to 6% compared to the prior quarter. The slowdown comes as operators across the UK and Europe navigate an environment of rising tax burdens.

Casino Beats•Oct 31, 2026

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Regulatory

Italy targets $2.13 billion in gambling revenue under 2027 budget plan

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.

Yogonet•Oct 30, 2026

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Regulatory

“You can’t hope a problem away” – Commission finds high use of illegal site among UK problem gamblers

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.

SBC News•Oct 30, 2026

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Regulatory

Tanzania gaming tax reaches TZS307.8 billion as regulator plans stronger safeguards

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.

iGaming Business•Oct 30, 2026

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Regulatory

Treasury banks on the simplicity of £655m Machine Gaming tax raid

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.

SBC News•Oct 30, 2026

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Regulatory

Machine games duty rise brings relief for investors but leaves closures on the table

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.

iGaming Business•Oct 30, 2026

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Regulatory

Italy’s 2027 budget takes €700m from gambling, with leaked draft targeting slots and halls

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has confirmed that the gambling sector will contribute €700m toward the country's 2027 national budget. According to a leaked draft, the fiscal burden is expected to target land-based concessions and gaming machines. In response, venue operators have warned that the proposed tax measures could render many retail gaming halls unprofitable.

Casino Beats•Oct 30, 2026

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Regulatory

Italy projects €700m gambling tax intake as Meloni signs off 2027 budget

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has signed off on the country’s 2027 Budget Law, which projects a €700 million tax contribution from the gambling sector. The administration plans to leverage gambling alongside finance and energy as key revenue generators to fund state spending initiatives ahead of the 2027 general election.

SBC News•Oct 29, 2026

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Regulatory

BGC slams UK gaming machine tax hike, warns of 9,000 job losses and 1,000 venues at risk

The Betting and Gaming Council has warned that an increase in the UK's Machine Games Duty to 25% threatens nearly 9,000 industry jobs and could lead to the closure of approximately 1,000 betting shops and casinos. BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst criticized the tax hike, citing concerns over the cumulative financial burden placed on operators.

Yogonet•Oct 29, 2026

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M&A / Business

Entain expects $33M annual cost from UK machine games duty hike, maintains 2026 guidance

Entain expects to incur an additional £25 million ($33.25 million) in annual costs resulting from the UK government's decision to raise Machine Games Duty from 20% to 25% on higher-stakes machines. Despite the anticipated financial headwind, the Ladbrokes and Coral operator has maintained its fiscal 2026 guidance and its 2028 cash flow targets.

Yogonet•Oct 29, 2026

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