Regulatory news. Week № 19
🇪🇺 Eurasian Gambling Market: Regulation, Innovation, and How It Differs from Europe
Across Eurasia, a hybrid model of gambling regulation is emerging: some markets are moving toward liberalization and innovation, while others are tightening control and restrictions. Unlike Europe, where regulation is becoming more unified and strict, the Eurasian region shows a fragmented approach with a focus on local specifics, technological solutions, and adaptation to the shadow market. Read more
🇮🇲 Isle of Man Moves Toward Implementing a New Gambling Law
The Isle of Man government is advancing updates to its gambling legislation aimed at strengthening regulation and aligning with international standards. The new law is expected to increase transparency, enhance oversight of operators, and maintain the jurisdiction’s attractiveness for licensed businesses. Read more
🇬🇪 Georgia: Revenue Growth, New Fines, and the Fight Against the Shadow Market
Georgia’s gambling sector continues to grow, showing rising revenues alongside stricter regulation. Authorities are introducing new fines and control measures aimed at combating illegal operators and reducing the shadow segment, which still has a significant impact on the market. Read more
🇫🇮 Finland: 2027 Reform Could Bring Up to €100M in Advertising Revenue
As Finland prepares to open its licensed gambling market in 2027, local media could receive up to €100 million annually from operator advertising. However, the advertising market is expected to be tightly regulated, with competition for licenses and ad budgets starting even before the new model is officially launched. Read more
Regulatory news. Week № 18
🇮🇳 India introduces centralized online gaming regulation and a full ban on real-money games
Starting May 1, 2026, India will implement the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules 2026, supplementing existing legislation and establishing a complete ban on online money games. Banks and other financial institutions will be prohibited from processing transactions related to such games. A new regulator, OGAI, will be authorized to maintain a registry, handle complaints, coordinate with banks and law enforcement, and issue decisions on game classification. At the same time, esports and social games will remain within a legal framework under separate registration regimes. Read more
🇫🇮 Finnish media could receive up to € 100M annually from gambling ads after market reform
As Finland prepares to open its licensed gambling market in 2027, local media outlets are expected to generate up to € 100 million per year from operator advertising. However, the advertising market is likely to be strictly regulated, with competition for licenses and ad budgets beginning even before the new model is officially launched. Read more
🇧🇷 Brazil blocks 27 prediction market platforms, including Polymarket and Kalshi
Brazil’s telecom regulator Anatel has blocked 27 prediction market platforms, including Polymarket and Kalshi, deeming them in violation of national betting laws. In parallel, the National Monetary Council approved a resolution that, starting May 4, bans the offering and trading of derivatives on sports events, online casino outcomes, as well as political, electoral, social, cultural, and entertainment events. Authorities explicitly stated that such platforms attempted to position themselves as financial products, while effectively operating as bookmakers. Read more
Regulatory news. Week № 17
🇺🇸 Wisconsin became the 33rd U.S. state to legalize online sports betting
Governor of Wisconsin Tony Evers approved a law allowing online sports betting, making Wisconsin the 33rd state in the U.S. to permit this type of wagering. Despite the news, players will still have to wait several months, or even longer, before they can start placing bets legally. Read more
🇩🇴 The Dominican Republic has returned to its plan to legalize and streamline the gambling sector
Authorities of Dominican Republic have resumed the implementation of a plan to regulate the gambling market. This involves an attempt to organize a sector that has long remained fragmented and opaque through a new wave of formalization and administrative control. Read more
🇨🇴 Colombia’s Constitutional Court abolished the 19% VAT on online gambling and ordered refunds of already paid amounts
The Constitutional Court of Colombia declared unconstitutional a decree that introduced a 19% VAT on online gambling under a state of emergency regime. Since the underlying decree establishing the emergency regime had already been repealed, the tax measure also lost its legal force. Now DIAN must refund VAT to operators who managed to pay it during the period the rule was in effect. Read more
🇪🇺 The Court of Justice of the European Union confirmed the right of member states to restrict access to foreign iGaming operators and supported players’ claims for refunds of losses
The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that member states may prohibit the operation of certain iGaming operators even if they hold licenses in other EU countries, provided this is justified by local consumer protection and market regulation rules. The decision also strengthens players’ positions in disputes with operators: the court confirmed the possibility of claiming refunds for lost bets from companies that operated without the right to offer services in a specific EU country. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №16
🇧🇬 Bulgarian Totalizator resumes operations after technical disruption.
The state operator Bulgarian Sports Totalizator has confirmed a return to normal operations following technical issues that affected draw processes. The disruption led to a temporary suspension of activities and required additional system checks. Authorities emphasized that the system is now stable, with user trust remaining a key priority. Read more
🇬🇷 Greece considers extending age controls to online gambling.
Greek authorities are exploring the expansion of age verification measures in the online gambling sector. The initiative aims to prevent underage access and may include stricter verification procedures and enhanced digital control tools. This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen regulation and player protection. Read more
🇨🇼 Curaçao tightens oversight of the online gambling market.
Regulators in Curaçao continue to reform the licensing framework and strengthen oversight of online gambling operators. The changes are aimed at increasing market transparency, tightening operator requirements, and improving the jurisdiction’s international reputation. Stricter compliance standards are expected. Read more
🇧🇷 Brazil debates impact of sports financing reform on betting market.
The Federal Senate of Brazil is discussing the impact of the PEC 18/2025 constitutional proposal on sports financing. Lawmakers are assessing how the reform could affect funding distribution, including revenues linked to betting, and the sustainability of sports organizations. The topic is generating active debate among regulators and market participants. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №15
🇨🇦 Canada allows limited prediction markets via licensed brokers
CIRO has permitted Interactive Brokers Canada and Wealthsimple to offer clients event contracts, but within narrow limits. The approval applies to contracts tied to economic indicators, financial markets, and climate trends; sports, political, and criminal events are prohibited. The regulator effectively treats these products as a form of financial derivatives rather than traditional betting. Read more
🇲🇹 Malta reforms VAT and gaming tax for the gambling sector from October 1, 2026
Malta has published Legal Notices 84 and 86 of 2026, which change the tax regime for gambling and betting services starting October 1, 2026. The reform narrows the scope of VAT-exempt services while also updating the gaming tax framework. Authorities present the changes as an effort to make the system more transparent and predictable, while maintaining the jurisdiction’s competitiveness for operators. Read more
🇲🇹 Malta opposes EU plans to centralize crypto industry supervision
Malta is openly resisting an EU initiative to transfer supervision of major crypto companies to ESMA in Paris. Brussels believes that a single supervisory center would reduce opportunities for regulatory arbitrage and strengthen control over cross-border risks, while Malta calls it a political attack on its crypto sector. MFSA head Kenneth Farrugia emphasized that the country was among the first to establish a foundation for blockchain business, and losing direct supervision over major players would be a blow to the island’s economy. Read more
🇲🇰 North Macedonia withdraws gambling market reform for revision
The Parliament of North Macedonia has removed the gambling and entertainment bill from consideration and returned it to the government. The main controversial point was a provision requiring gambling venues to be located at least 500 meters from schools, which, according to market participants, could have affected nearly half of land-based establishments. The draft also proposed a ban on gambling advertising and increased fees and taxes, prompting operators to warn about the risk of players shifting to offshore platforms. Read more
🇦🇺 Australia to restrict gambling advertising from January 1, 2027
On April 2, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced a reform package to limit gambling advertising. On TV, from 6:00 to 20:30, there will be a limit of three bookmaker ads per hour, and during live sports broadcasts within this timeframe, such advertising will be completely banned. Celebrities and athletes will be prohibited from participating in these ads, and gambling promotions will also be removed from stadiums and from players’ and referees’ uniforms. However, the package does not introduce a full ban, as advocated by some supporters: online advertising will remain available to verified adult users with an option to opt out. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №14
🇬🇮 Gibraltar — first European license granted to prediction markets platform Predict Street
Product launch scheduled for April 9. Read more
🇺🇸 USA (Washington) — Attorney General filed a lawsuit against prediction markets platform Kalshi
The filing claims the platform violates gambling regulations. Read more
🇺🇸 USA (Maine) — lawmakers approved a ban on using credit cards for online gambling and sports betting
The bill restricts credit cards as a payment method in iGaming and betting. Read more
🇦🇺 Australia — government announced new federal restrictions on gambling advertising
New bans and limitations introduced, including requirements for online targeting and measures against offshore illegal operators. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №13
🇮🇳 India — authorities have blocked around 300 illegal betting and gambling websites and apps.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) reported blocking approximately 300 resources as part of a crackdown on illegal online betting and gambling. Read more
🇮🇳 India — Financial Intelligence Unit — India and Directorate General of GST Intelligence are investigating an online betting syndicate in Telangana worth ₹23,000 crore.
The investigation involves 177 shell companies and a transaction-masking scheme; authorities are also examining the role of payment aggregators, gateways, and banks. Read more
🇵🇰 Pakistan — the Lahore High Court granted bail to a former National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency official in a corruption case related to iGaming advertising investigations.
The court approved bail for former NCCIA deputy director Sarfraz Chaudhry and two others in a case involving abuse of power and bribery tied to advertising for 1xBet, Bet365, B9 Game, and Binomo. Read more
🇹🇭 Thailand — raids in the case of online operator Eu9thaff: arrests and warrants issued.
According to media reports, police conducted raids, detained four individuals, and issued arrest warrants for several others on charges of organizing online gambling and money laundering. Read more
🇳🇱 Netherlands — court orders former BetCity support employee to compensate damages in a freebet fraud scheme.
The Amsterdam court found deliberate misuse of freebets and ordered compensation for damages related to fund withdrawals under the scheme. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №12
🇪🇺 EU — Advocate General Opinion on Freezing Accounts of a Curaçao iGaming Operator
On March 5, the Advocate General stated that insolvency proceedings opened outside the EU do not automatically prevent the freezing of accounts within the EU under the European Account Preservation Order (Regulation (EU) No 655/2014), as the exception applies only to EU-regulated insolvencies opened in member states. The opinion is advisory; the final decision rests with the Court of Justice of the EU. Read more
🇨🇴 Colombia — 16% Consumer Tax on GGR Introduced for iGaming
On March 12, the government announced a 16% tax on online gambling as part of emergency measures following flooding, with GGR used as the tax base. Read more
🇲🇽 Mexico — Bill to Restrict Betting Advertising on TV Advances
On March 12, industry media reported on a bill proposing time restrictions for ads, mandatory approval of materials by authorities, and warnings about gambling addiction risks. Read more
🇺🇸 USA — Bill Proposed to Ban Betting on Government-Related Prediction Markets
Industry media are discussing the Bets Off Act, an initiative aimed at banning betting on events related to government activity and political processes. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №11
🇷🇴 Romania — Municipalities granted authority to limit expansion of betting shops and gaming halls
Through an emergency decree, the regulatory regime has been tightened: operators will need local authorization to run venues, and cities will be able to restrict or prohibit the placement of betting shops and gaming halls. Read more
🇳🇿 New Zealand — Online casino regulation plan includes limits on affiliate marketing and influencer endorsements
Public materials outlining the upcoming regulatory framework mention potential restrictions on promotion through affiliates and influencers as part of a stricter marketing regime under the future licensing system. Read more
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Consultation on UKGC funding and licensing fees continues (2026 reform context)
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is continuing its consultation on changes to the structure and levels of UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) fees, a regulatory initiative that may affect operators’ financial obligations. Read more
🇺🇸 United States — CFTC updates policy for prediction markets
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has updated its approach to regulating prediction markets — platforms where contracts are traded on the outcome of events. The regulator is clarifying rules for operators and launching discussions on new requirements, including issues related to market manipulation and transparency. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №10
🇫🇮 Finland — New Gambling Act: License Application Process to Launch on March 1, 2026
Parliament has approved the reform: license applications will open on March 1, 2026, with the transition to a competitive online market scheduled for July 1, 2027 (ending Veikkaus’s online monopoly by mid-2027). Read more
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — UK Gambling Commission Considering a “Pathway” for Cryptoassets as a Payment Method for Licensees
The UKGC is discussing industry scenarios in which cryptoassets could be considered as a payment method for licensed operators, while maintaining strict consumer protection and AML requirements. Read more
🇱🇻🇱🇹🇪🇪 Baltic States — Discussion of a Unified Cross-Border Player Self-Exclusion Register
Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are discussing the synchronization of player self-exclusion registers so that a ban issued in one country would apply across the others; timelines and implementation mechanisms have not yet been disclosed. Read more
🇸🇪 Sweden — Spelinspektionen Bans dracula.casino from Offering Gambling Services in the Country
The Swedish regulator has ruled to prohibit the provision of gambling services targeting Sweden by dracula.casino. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №9
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Plan to Ban Sponsorship from Unlicensed Bookmakers
The UK government is preparing measures that would prohibit football clubs and other sports organizations from signing sponsorship agreements with bookmakers and online casinos that do not hold a UKGC license. Read more
🇨🇦 Canada (Alberta) — Mandatory RG Check for Online Operators
The iGaming Alberta regulator has made RG Check certification (standardized responsible gambling criteria) mandatory for all current and future licensees. Operators are being given a transition period to align their player protection programs with the province’s unified requirements. Read more
🇳🇱 Netherlands — KSA Bans Influencers and Streamers in Gambling Advertising
On February 24, the Dutch regulator KSA clarified and tightened the rules regarding the use of public figures in gambling advertising. Online iGaming operators are now prohibited from using influencers and streamers in their marketing and are required to terminate existing collaborations as soon as possible. For lotteries, the ban applies to individuals under 25 or those whose audience significantly consists of minors. Read more
🇲🇽 Mexico — iGaming Advertising Restrictions Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Mexican authorities are preparing restrictions on betting and online casino advertising during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Proposed measures include a ban on displaying betting brand logos on team kits and in stadiums, as well as strict limitations on TV and digital advertising throughout the tournament period. Read more
Regulatory news. Week №8
🇧🇷 Brazil — tightening control over betting advertising and influencers
Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has included a revision of betting advertising rules in its 2026–2027 regulatory agenda. The focus is on stricter oversight of promotions via influencers and affiliates, as well as combating advertising by unlicensed operators. The authorities plan to increase the liability of advertisers, agencies, and platforms for hosting illegal content. Read more
🇷🇴 Romania — higher minimum age and new advertising restrictions
The Romanian Senate has approved draft laws raising the minimum age for participation in gambling from 18 to 21 and tightening gambling advertising rules (including time-of-day restrictions and format limitations for online and TV ads). The bills have been sent to the Chamber of Deputies for final approval. Read more
🇳🇿 New Zealand — Kalshi and Polymarket recognized as illegal gambling platforms
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs stated that prediction platforms Kalshi and Polymarket qualify as gambling and are not authorized to offer their products to local residents. The DIA emphasized that users of such platforms are considered gambling participants, and operators without local authorization are in breach of the law. At the same time, Parliament is advancing an online casino bill providing for the auction of 15 licenses. Read more
🇲🇾 Malaysia — new law in preparation against illegal online gambling
The Malaysian federal government is preparing either a standalone law or major amendments to existing legislation (including the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953) aimed at combating illegal gambling, particularly online. The initiative is expected to strengthen law enforcement powers, close legal loopholes, and address growing social risks associated with unlicensed iGaming platforms. Read more
