REGULATORY NEWS. WEEK № 36

🇧🇷 Several initiatives to fully ban online betting have emerged in Brazil’s parliament

Brazil’s Congress is considering several bills that would effectively reverse the fixed-odds betting market legalized in 2024. One of the most radical proposals, PL 2972/2026, would prohibit the operation, offering, advertising, and payment processing of betting activities both online and offline, including services provided by foreign platforms, and would repeal Law No. 14,790/2023. In parallel, the Senate has introduced PL 4977/2026, which proposes a similar ban on betting operations, promotion, and intermediary services. Read more

🇭🇺 Hungary is considering abolishing its state gambling regulator

The Hungarian government has launched a review of the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH), established in 2021 and responsible, among other areas, for gambling regulation. Under a decree published on August 31, the authorities are expected to assess the possibility of dissolving the regulator and transferring its responsibilities to state bodies under direct government control. The Minister of Justice is required to present the results of the review by September 30, 2026. The review comes amid criticism of the SZTFH’s decision to grant CAI Hungary Kft a 35-year casino licence without holding a public tender. Read more

🇧🇬 Bulgaria has introduced mandatory licensing for gambling affiliates

Since August 1, 2026, Bulgaria has operated under a new regulatory regime for affiliates working with gambling operators. Companies are now required to obtain authorization or a licence and disclose to the regulator the websites, apps, social media platforms, video platforms, and other promotional channels they use. Affiliates are subject to a fixed annual fee of €6,000, as well as an additional 10% tax on performance-based commissions linked, for example, to player registrations and deposits. Operating without a valid licence may result in websites being blocked, while the National Revenue Agency (NRA) will also be able to require banks and payment providers to block transfers to unlicensed affiliates. Foreign companies will additionally need to appoint an authorized representative with an address in Bulgaria. Read more

🇺🇿 GLI has received official status as a recognized certification laboratory in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP) has officially added Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to the list of laboratories whose testing and certification results are recognized by the regulator. This allows operators and suppliers to use GLI certificates when launching gaming products in Uzbekistan’s regulated market and demonstrating compliance with applicable requirements. The market is already moving into the operational stage: according to SBC Eurasia, four licences have been issued to two operators. At the same time, some of the technical requirements of the new regulatory framework are still being developed, and GLI continues to work with NAPP on their further refinement. Read more