🇨🇦 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
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