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Casino operators in Mississippi, along with a large majority of voters, have opposed a proposal to expand online gambling, according to new polling and a formal letter sent to state leaders. The findings arrived as lawmakers debate whether to legalise online casinos and sports betting beyond land-based casino venues. Industry representatives and survey data both point to consistent resistance across the state. Mississippi Voters and Gambling Operators Oppose iGaming Legalisation: Keynotes from the Story Mississippi voters and casino operators have strongly resisted the legalisation of online sports betting and casinos statewide. A January poll commissioned by the National Association Against […]

A peer-reviewed academic paper has cautioned that Nordic regulators lack reliable tools to measure the scale of the online gambling black market. The study raises concerns about how data is used in policy debates. Researchers found that current estimates rely on patchy evidence, opaque sources and inconsistent methods, making it difficult to form a clear picture of unregulated activity. The study concludes that without stronger cooperation and transparent measurement tools, regulators risk making decisions based on incomplete or speculative figures. Research Claims Nordic Gambling Regulators in the Dark Regarding Unregulated Market Statistics: Quick Overview Analysts found that current estimates of […]

Kuwait’s Criminal Court has sentenced nine people to imprisonment and imposed multi-million-dinar fines after convicting them of running an illegal online gambling network and laundering its proceeds. The ruling also penalised a company linked to the scheme and ordered its closure, following an investigation led by the Ministry of Interior. Authorities note the case highlights the risks posed by illegal online gambling to the country’s financial system and recommend a tougher stance on organised cyber-enabled crime. Kuwait Imprisons Nine for Illegal Gambling and Money Laundering: Quick Summary Kuwait’s Criminal Court sentenced 9 people to seven years in prison and fined […]

Australia’s communications regulator has identified six licensed betting operators in breach of BetStop, the national self-exclusion rules, in 2024. The perpetrators allowed registered individuals to continue accessing gambling services. Authorities have proposed enforcement actions, including financial penalties, formal warnings, and further investigations. Tabcorp and Betfocus Among Six Betting Companies Penalised by ACMA: Key Insights The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) concluded six investigations into betting operators that breached national self-exclusion rules in 2024. The cases involved failures linked to BetStop, the system designed to block people who choose to self-exclude from gambling activities and promotions. The regulator found that […]

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has proposed legalising online casinos as the government searches for new revenue sources to address a gaping fiscal deficit. The proposal, presented to President Vladimir Putin, comes as the Kremlin looks to supplement state finances amid falling international oil prices. Officials estimate the move could generate significant annual income while reshaping Russia’s gambling market. Russia Proposes Legalising Online Gambling: Key Insights Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has proposed legalising online casinos as a new revenue source as the fiscal deficit increases. The proposal aims to cushion a sharp decline in revenue from oil sales and higher […]

Portugal’s gambling regulator has approved amendments to the Gambling Act, introducing new slot features and expanding the legal framework for sports betting. If adopted, the changes will take effect shortly after official publication. The amendments will align Portugal’s gambling market with those in other EU nations. Portugal Approves New Rules for Online Slots and Fixed-odds Betting: Keynotes from the Story Portugal’s gambling regulator, SRIJ, has cleared draft amendments to its online gambling framework covering both casino games and sports betting. The proposal allows new slot mechanics and formally regulates features already used by some operators. For online slots, the changes […]

Italy is preparing a major overhaul of its land-based gambling framework as the government moves to modernise and harmonise rules across the country. The Council of Ministers is preparing to submit a draft decree to parliament, establishing new national standards for gaming machines, betting shops and bingo halls. The reform follows almost two years of negotiations between the central government and regional authorities. However, no fixed timeline for implementation has been announced. Italy Prepares for Land-based Gambling Harmonisation: Highlights from the Story Italy’s government is preparing a draft decree to modernise and unify land-based gambling rules across all regions and […]

The UK government is planning to consult industry stakeholders on increasing the Gambling Commission’s annual fees. The proposed consultation from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport outlines three options for fee increases and explains how changes would be implemented. The documents provide clarity on timing, structure, and financial pressures facing the regulator. UK Gambling Commission Proposes Amended Fee Structure: Key Insights The UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published plans to consult gambling stakeholders on increasing Gambling Commission licence fees. The consultation outlines three proposed options, with fee changes expected to take effect from October 2026. […]

Finland has taken a key step toward opening its online gambling market. Authorities announced a new fee for police services ahead of the launch of a competitive market on July 1, 2027. The move follows the signing of the new Gambling Act by President Alexander Stubb earlier this month, ending state-run Veikkaus’ monopoly on remote gaming. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed Finland’s decision to move away from a gambling monopoly. Finland Announces New Fee Structure for Police Services: Quick Overview of the Key Points The Ministry of the Interior has implemented a new fee on police […]

Indonesia’s financial regulator, Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK), has ordered banks to block 31,382 accounts suspected of links to online gambling. The measure is part of a wider government initiative to enhance monitoring, tighten coordination with other agencies, and expand the use of technology to detect evolving payment methods. Officials say early data point to a sharp decline in online gambling transactions in 2025, even as enforcement grows more complex. OKJ Cracks Down on 31,382 Bank Accounts with Links to Online Gambling: Key Insights Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) has instructed banks to block 31,382 accounts suspected of being used for […]