Regulatory news. Week №24

💳 Australia Bans the Use of Credit Cards for Gambling

As of June 11, Australia has enforced a ban on using credit cards for gambling activities. Interestingly, lotteries have been exempted from this ban, even though they are the most common form of gambling in the country.

👨🏻‍⚖️ Canada Considers Banning Betting Ads

The Canadian government is contemplating a ban on sports betting advertisements. This consideration follows the surge in betting ads that flooded media platforms after the legalization of sports betting in Ontario.

🎉 Sri Lanka Moves Closer to Legalizing Online Gambling

The proposal to legalize online gambling in Sri Lanka has successfully passed several stages of approval and is now awaiting consideration by the Minister of Finance.

😧 Armenia to Discuss Taxation on Large Winnings

Armenia is also at a critical juncture with a proposed law that would require gambling operators to pay a 10% income tax on winnings exceeding 5 million drams (€12,119). This proposal will be discussed in an upcoming parliamentary session.

Stay tuned for the latest regulatory news from the world of gambling! 📰✨

Regulatory news. Week №23

In the Netherlands, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has updated its responsible gaming policy. Operators are now required to appoint an independent risk analyst to assess advertisements for compliance with rules designed to prevent addiction. Additionally, the use of celebrities in gambling advertisements is prohibited. Another critical aspect of the policy is the 24/7 monitoring of player behavior. Operators must respond within an hour to signs of excessive gambling or potential addiction, and further deposits must be blocked for the remainder of the month if:

• The player cannot deposit due to insufficient funds;
• The player’s deposits exceed the recreational portion of their net monthly income;
• The player’s deposits amount to more than 30% of their net monthly income;
• A player aged 18 to 24 deposits more than €300;
• A player over 24 deposits more than €700.

Meanwhile, a recent study revealed that 47% of players would shift to offshore operators if online gambling were banned in the Netherlands.

⏰ Latvia Limits Gambling Ad Airtime to Four Hours a Day

Latvia has restricted the broadcast time for gambling advertisements to just four hours a day, from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Additionally, all gambling ads must include clear warnings about the risks and potential for addiction. It is now prohibited to portray gambling as glamorous or financially beneficial. Furthermore, operators are banned from sponsoring events or teams targeting a minor audience.

👨🏻‍⚖️ Indonesia Issues Warnings to Internet Service Providers Over Gambling Sites

Indonesia has issued initial warnings to 26 internet service providers for hosting online casino sites, with three receiving secondary warnings. Platforms like X, Telegram, Google, Meta, and TikTok face fines of up to $31,000 if they continue to host gambling content. Currently, only 35% of operators out of 1,011 have complied with the requirements.

Stay tuned for the latest regulatory updates from the world of gambling! 📰✨

Regulatory news. Week №22

Here’s the latest regulatory update from the world of gambling: Ukraine’s Ad Ban Impact on Media Market

Last week, we reported that Ukraine banned gambling advertising, and now the economic impact is becoming clear. The media market is expected to lose over 500 million UAH (around $12.5 million) due to this ban. Television broadcasters are projected to lose approximately 400 million UAH ($10 million), radio might lose between 100 million and 150 million UAH ($2.5 million – $3.8 million), and the internet marketing sector could see a loss of up to 100 million UAH ($2.5 million).

But the advertising ban isn’t the only measure being taken. Within the next month, the National Bank of Ukraine will limit P2P transfers to combat illegal gambling. Individuals will be allowed to make no more than 30 such transfers per month, with a total transfer limit of 100,000 UAH (around $2,500).

Montenegro Tightens Payment Regulations

Montenegro has also updated its gambling legislation, effectively banning modern electronic payment methods such as Apple Pay, PayPal, mobile banking, IPS, and electronic banking services.

Kyrgyzstan Considers Easing Ad Restrictions

In contrast, Kyrgyzstan is considering allowing gambling advertisements, though with strict limitations. Advertising during sports events will be capped at 20% of the total broadcast time. There will also be restrictions on:

👉 Targeting minors,

👉 Promoting gambling as a source of income,

👉 Presenting gambling as a means to achieve personal success or social recognition,

👉 Making claims about guaranteed winnings.

Brazil’s Licensing Deadline Approaches

As mentioned earlier, operators in Brazil must obtain a license by January 1, 2025. In an update to this, Betano has become the first company to apply for a license with the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets at Brazil’s Ministry of Finance.

Lithuania’s Stricter Gambling Regulations

Lithuania is preparing to tighten its gambling regulations, with the government already approving several new measures that still need to pass through additional stages. These include:

🚩 Stricter supervision of player breaks, with a designated staff member required to monitor and suggest breaks or cessation of play to problem gamblers in casinos and gaming halls;

🚩 Mandatory participation in a special platform for collecting information about players and their gambling activities;

🚩 Increased fines for rule violations, with penalties ranging from 3-5% of annual revenue for first-time offenders and 8-10% for repeat offenses. Current fines in Lithuania range from €6,000 to €50,000, which the Ministry of Finance considers ineffective since this amount is roughly equivalent to an average day’s income for a gambling operator.

Stay tuned for more regulatory updates from the gambling world! 📰✨

Regulatory news. Week №21

Here’s the latest update on gambling regulation around the globe:

Ukraine’s Comprehensive Gambling Restrictions

Ukraine has moved swiftly to impose a ban on gambling advertising, effective from June 1 and lasting until a specific law is enacted or military conditions end. Key provisions include:

• Ban on Multiple Accounts: Players can no longer register multiple accounts.
• Mandatory Breaks: Operators must enforce mandatory breaks for all players.
• Pre-Play Information Collection: Before registration or placing a bet, operators need to collect:
• Limits on the amount of money the player wishes to spend.
• Maximum time the player wants to spend continuously gambling.

Brazil’s Licensing Requirements

Brazil has introduced new regulations requiring all operators to secure a license by January 1, 2025. The cost of the license is €5.38 million and covers up to three brands for five years. Non-compliance will result in penalties and legal action.

Sweden and Argentina’s Credit Card Ban

Sweden has enacted a ban on using credit cards for gambling. Argentina has recently proposed similar measures.

Belgium’s Regulatory Updates

Belgium’s gambling regulations have been updated to include:

• Annual Meetings: The regulator will hold annual meetings with licensed operators to discuss player protection measures.
• Increased Minimum Age: The minimum age for players has been raised from 18 to 21 years.

Spain’s Gambling Data Registry

The Spanish gambling regulator DGOJ is developing a national register for gambling data. This will streamline monitoring and regulatory oversight. Operators will be required to create risk profiles for players under 25. The registry is set to launch in early 2025.

Kazakhstan’s Anti-Gambling Measures

Kazakhstan is implementing a comprehensive plan to combat illegal gambling and gambling addiction, aiming to reduce the number of regular gamblers from 350,000 to 201,000 by 2026. The government will allocate over ₸80 million (€168,000) for treatment and rehabilitation. The plan includes increased blockades of illegal gambling sites and restrictions on advertising.

Current Gambling Licenses in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan currently has 28 active licenses: 6 for casinos, 9 for gaming halls, 12 for bookmakers, and 1 for a totalizator.

Netherlands’ Gambling Tax Increase

The Netherlands is raising its gambling tax rate from 30.5% to 37.8%. This change is expected to generate an additional €202 million in revenue.

Germany’s Sponsorship Bill Rejection

A recent proposal to ban sponsorship by bookmakers in Germany was rejected, marking a small victory for the iGaming sector.

Stay tuned for more updates on gambling regulations and industry news! 📰✨

Regulatory news. Week №20

Here’s a roundup of the latest gambling regulation news:

India Cracks Down on Gambling Advertisements

India is intensifying its crackdown on gambling advertisements, including those promoted by influencers and offshore operators. The surge in betting app usage is linked to the ongoing Indian Premier League cricket season and national elections. Additionally, recent cyber-attacks, including a breach of around 50 government websites with gambling ads and a larger incident in February affecting over 300 sites, have likely prompted these actions.

New Advertising Restrictions in Bulgaria

Starting today, Bulgaria is implementing a ban on gambling advertisements in the media. This move is part of a broader effort to address gambling-related issues and promote responsible gaming.

Ukraine’s Potential Regulatory Changes

Ukraine is considering a ban on gambling advertising, except within gambling establishments. Additionally, there are discussions about dissolving the Commission for Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL). We’ll keep you updated on these developments.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on gambling regulation worldwide! 📰✨