🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Tightens Criminal Liability for Organizing Gambling via the Internet and Mobile Platforms
President Ilham Aliyev has approved amendments to the Criminal Code expanding the list of digital channels through which the organization of gambling is considered a criminal offense. In addition to internet resources and telecommunications networks, the law now explicitly covers social media, mobile communications, applications, and platforms operating through other technologies. For repeat offenses involving the organization of online gambling, fines may now reach up to twice the amount of criminal proceeds obtained, while the term of restriction or deprivation of liberty has been increased from 2−3 years to 2−4 years. If minors are involved, the offense is committed by a group of individuals, or substantial criminal proceeds are generated, imprisonment of 3 to 5 years may apply. For particularly aggravated offenses, the penalty is set at 5 to 8 years of imprisonment, with the previous alternative of restriction of liberty removed. Read more
🇳🇿 New Zealand Issues Detailed Online Casino Advertising Guidelines Ahead of Licensed Market Launch
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs has published guidance for future online casino licensees that will be required to comply with new advertising rules from December 1, 2026. Operators will be prohibited from compensating affiliates based on player registrations, deposits, losses, or other gambling activity, while payments based on impressions and clicks will remain permitted. Bonuses will generally be allowed to be promoted only on operators' own websites and through communications sent to users who have provided consent. Personal endorsements by celebrities, fictional characters, and AI-generated individuals will be prohibited. Gambling advertisements must not appear on platforms with a significant proportion of underage users, feature mascots or imagery likely to appeal to children, create a fear of missing out, or claim that gambling outcomes can be influenced by luck, fate, rituals, or superstition. New Zealand plans to issue no more than 15 online casino licences through an auction process. Operators that do not apply for a licence will be required to stop serving New Zealand players from December 1. Read more
🇳🇿 New Zealand Permanently Ends Commercial Greyhound Racing
Commercial greyhound racing and betting on greyhound races officially ended in New Zealand on August 1, 2026. The decision was made due to persistently high levels of injuries and animal deaths, despite repeated demands for the industry to improve welfare and safety standards. A dedicated transition agency has been established to oversee the rehoming of greyhounds, the closure of racing clubs, and support for workers affected by the shutdown of the industry. Read more
President Ilham Aliyev has approved amendments to the Criminal Code expanding the list of digital channels through which the organization of gambling is considered a criminal offense. In addition to internet resources and telecommunications networks, the law now explicitly covers social media, mobile communications, applications, and platforms operating through other technologies. For repeat offenses involving the organization of online gambling, fines may now reach up to twice the amount of criminal proceeds obtained, while the term of restriction or deprivation of liberty has been increased from 2−3 years to 2−4 years. If minors are involved, the offense is committed by a group of individuals, or substantial criminal proceeds are generated, imprisonment of 3 to 5 years may apply. For particularly aggravated offenses, the penalty is set at 5 to 8 years of imprisonment, with the previous alternative of restriction of liberty removed. Read more
🇳🇿 New Zealand Issues Detailed Online Casino Advertising Guidelines Ahead of Licensed Market Launch
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs has published guidance for future online casino licensees that will be required to comply with new advertising rules from December 1, 2026. Operators will be prohibited from compensating affiliates based on player registrations, deposits, losses, or other gambling activity, while payments based on impressions and clicks will remain permitted. Bonuses will generally be allowed to be promoted only on operators' own websites and through communications sent to users who have provided consent. Personal endorsements by celebrities, fictional characters, and AI-generated individuals will be prohibited. Gambling advertisements must not appear on platforms with a significant proportion of underage users, feature mascots or imagery likely to appeal to children, create a fear of missing out, or claim that gambling outcomes can be influenced by luck, fate, rituals, or superstition. New Zealand plans to issue no more than 15 online casino licences through an auction process. Operators that do not apply for a licence will be required to stop serving New Zealand players from December 1. Read more
🇳🇿 New Zealand Permanently Ends Commercial Greyhound Racing
Commercial greyhound racing and betting on greyhound races officially ended in New Zealand on August 1, 2026. The decision was made due to persistently high levels of injuries and animal deaths, despite repeated demands for the industry to improve welfare and safety standards. A dedicated transition agency has been established to oversee the rehoming of greyhounds, the closure of racing clubs, and support for workers affected by the shutdown of the industry. Read more