News

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published the findings of a comprehensive thematic review on self‑exclusion practices within the online gaming sector, revealing notable variations in operator implementation of responsible gaming safeguards. The review, conducted over several months and based on submissions and data from licensed operators, highlights areas of both strength and concern in how self‑exclusion tools are offered, managed, and enforced. The document underscores the MGA’s commitment to enhancing player protection and promoting safer gambling environments, especially in light of advances in technology and evolving player behaviour. It provides regulators, operators and stakeholders with benchmarks and actionable insights […]

The Virginia Senate has approved Senate Bill 118 (SB 118), a landmark measure to legalise and regulate iGaming, including online casinos, with the goal of a structured market launch in 2027. The bill cleared its Senate vote with bipartisan support, setting the stage for final legislative action later in the session as lawmakers debate regulatory frameworks, licensing conditions, and responsible gaming safeguards. SB 118 represents a significant development in Virginia’s gaming policy, following earlier efforts where online casino proposals faced delays and legislative hurdles. The Senate’s passage marks a critical step toward establishing a regulated iGaming market under state oversight. Bill Overview: What […]

The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has issued a clear warning to policymakers over proposed measures that could radically restrict the local gambling market, including a complete ban on online gambling advertising and exploration of numeric caps on operator licences. The regulator’s caution comes as part of ongoing dialogue with the new Dutch government under Prime Minister Rob Jetten, where gambling reform is a central agenda item. KSA Chairman Michel Groothuizen acknowledged alignment with the government on core goals, such as protecting vulnerable players and combating illegal gambling sites, but stressed that some of the proposed advertising and licence restrictions […]

Malaysia is preparing to introduce a federal law designed to tackle illegal gambling, including unauthorised online platforms, with a stated emphasis on protecting youth and bolstering enforcement capabilities. The initiative, outlined in ongoing government drafting discussions, underscores concerns about the proliferation of unlicensed gambling operations and the social harms they can cause, particularly among younger populations who are increasingly exposed to digital risk environments. While details of the legislative text are still being finalised, federal authorities and lawmakers have signalled a firm intent to expand the legal toolkit available to regulators and enforcement agencies to disrupt illegal gambling activity more […]

Spain’s gambling authority, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), has announced a series of strengthened expectations aimed at reducing gambling‑related harm and advancing player protection across online gaming platforms. The updated guidance reinforces the regulator’s long‑standing Juego Seguro (Safe Gambling) framework, moving toward more proactive risk detection, intervention protocols, and enhanced compliance standards for licensed operators. Rather than introducing a single new statute, the DGOJ’s approach emphasises heightened supervisory expectations and operational requirements that collectively raise the bar for how operators identify, manage, and prevent harmful gambling behaviours among customers. From Reactive to Proactive: What the Regulator Is […]

Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has formalised its 2026–27 regulatory agenda through an official ordinance published in the government gazette. The agenda sets out priority regulatory actions, with a focus on licensing processes, lottery system modernisation, enhanced compliance, and the development of consumer safeguards as the nation’s gambling and betting market continues to evolve. The ordinance details SPA’s regulatory planning for the next two years and reinforces the government’s intent to develop a robust, transparent framework for oversight of prizes, betting and lottery operations across Brazil. Key Focus: Licensing Reviews and Lottery Regulation At the core of the […]

The United Arab Emirates has unveiled a phased plan to introduce comprehensive online child protection measures, with a clear emphasis on digital content, including gaming and gambling. Government authorities framed the initiative as a multistage effort to protect children and adolescents from harmful online material while balancing innovation and digital engagement. The announcements come as part of a broader national strategy to elevate digital safety and community resilience. The phased framework signals a deliberate approach to regulation, allowing for incremental implementation of protective standards that target risk areas such as inappropriate or addictive gaming, exposure to simulated gambling, and harmful […]

France’s national gambling authority, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has issued a formal warning to licensed operators and broadcasters about excessive sports betting advertising as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches. The regulator’s intervention comes amid concerns that heightened marketing activity tied to the global tournament could increase exposure to gambling promotions and contribute to risky gambling behaviours. The ANJ’s statement underscores both statistical trends and structural changes in World Cup broadcasts that could amplify advertising visibility. It follows a regulatory strategy aimed at balancing commercial interests with consumer protections. World Cup 2026 Advertising Alert: What Operators Must Prepare […]

Australia’s communications and media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has expanded its enforcement of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 by directing internet service providers to block access to a fresh group of illegal online gambling platforms. The move forms part of a broader, multi‑year effort to protect Australian consumers from unlicensed services that operate without regulatory oversight. In the latest enforcement action, ACMA requested blocking of eight unlawful websites, including Lucky Mate, Vegastars, Wombet, Cosmobet, Fortune Play, Fortunica, Rolletto, and Velobet, after determining they were offering prohibited online gambling services to Australian users. Website blocking remains a […]

Maryland’s Legislature has calendared a comprehensive hearing on March 11 to consider a slate of online gaming‑related bills that could reshape the state’s digital gambling landscape. The package includes proposals to authorise full online casinos, establish regulated multistate poker, send a player referendum to voters, and strengthen enforcement against illegal gambling and sweepstakes gaming.  The hearing will be conducted by the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and represents a coordinated effort by lawmakers to address both market expansion and enforcement gaps within Maryland’s regulatory framework. Key Bills Under Review As Maryland moves forward with potential changes to its gaming laws, […]