News

In a milestone for Eastern European regulatory technology, the Ukrainian state has officially launched its State Online Monitoring System (DSOM) into test operation. Managed by PlayCity, the new regulatory body under the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the system marks the first time the Ukrainian government will have the capability to track every bet, payout, and transaction within the legal gambling market in real time. The implementation is a central component of a wider digital overhaul aimed at eradicating shadow market activities and ensuring full tax compliance. Developed in collaboration with the IT firm Kitsoft on the low-code platform Liquio, the […]

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has officially approved the 2026 action plans for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) submitted by licensed French gambling operators. While the regulator noted significant progress in compliance during the previous year, the new 2026 framework introduces more aggressive requirements specifically aimed at curbing organised crime and corruption within the sector. This latest regulatory review follows a series of “compliance support interviews” held throughout 2025, during which the ANJ monitored the implementation of identification systems, internal controls, and the quality of suspicious activity reports (SARs) sent to TRACFIN. Targeting Organized Crime: The “Narco-Trafficking” Context […]

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has officially initiated the process to award the state’s final unallocated Category 3 mobile sports wagering licence. During its most recent public meeting, the Commission outlined the procedural framework and evaluation criteria that will govern the selection of the next operator to enter one of the most competitive betting markets in the United States. Under the state’s 2022 sports wagering law, Massachusetts is permitted to host up to seven “untethered” mobile licences, those not linked to a brick-and-mortar casino or racetrack. While several major operators are already live in the state, this final slot represents […]

The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) has issued comprehensive new guidance regarding the “Terms and Conditions” (T&Cs) and player-facing disclosures required under the National Ordinance on Games of Chance (LOK). This regulatory update marks a pivotal shift in Curaçao’s oversight, moving away from the historically opaque “master licence” era toward a framework that mirrors the consumer protection standards of Tier-1 European jurisdictions. Effective immediately, B2C operators transitioning to the LOK model must ensure their T&Cs are not only legally robust but also “fair, transparent, and easily accessible”. The move is designed to eliminate predatory clauses and ensure that players have a […]

The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) has issued an official statement countering recent remarks by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who suggested a total ban on online betting in Brazil. In an interview with ICL Notícias, the President expressed deep concern over rising household debt and the social impact of gambling, stating he would “shut down” operations if given the chance. The IBJR’s response serves as a critical defence of the newly established legal framework, arguing that a pivot toward prohibition would be counterproductive. The Institute emphasises that the formal market is the only viable mechanism for protecting […]

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has formally intervened in a high-stakes legal dispute in Arizona involving the prediction market platform Kalshi. This move marks a significant escalation in the federal regulator’s efforts to assert its authority over event contracts, particularly those involving political outcomes. By filing a memorandum in support of the state’s position or seeking to clarify the bounds of federal commodity law, the CFTC is signalling its intent to maintain a tight grip on how “prediction wagering” is categorised and governed within the United States. A Broadening Legal Front Against Election Betting The intervention in Arizona is […]

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released the third-quarter statistics for BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, revealing that nearly 60,000 Australians have now signed up for the service. The Q3 2025-2026 report highlights a sustained upward trajectory in adoption since the platform’s launch, underscoring its role as a central pillar of the Australian government’s consumer protection framework for online wagering. By providing a single, “one-stop” mechanism to block access to all licensed interactive wagering providers, BetStop is fundamentally reshaping the compliance obligations for operators in the region. Analyzing the Q3 Growth and Demographic Trends The latest ACMA data […]

The UK government has officially announced the first wave of recipients for the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector funding, sourced from the newly established statutory gambling levy. This funding, spanning the 2026 to 2028 period, is specifically earmarked for projects dedicated to preventing gambling-related harms and building sector resilience.  The move represents a concrete step in the government’s transition away from a voluntary contribution model toward a mandated fiscal framework designed to provide stable, long-term support for research, prevention, and treatment (RET). Strategic Allocation: The Role of VCSEs in the New Regulatory Framework The distribution of these funds […]

Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, through the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), has launched a dedicated web platform to combat identity theft (suplantación de identidad) within the iGaming sector. This new digital tool allows citizens to report, manage, and rectify instances where their personal data has been used to open unauthorised gambling accounts. By centralising the dispute process, the DGOJ aims to reduce the administrative burden on both consumers and operators while tightening the security perimeter of the regulated Spanish market. Operational Impacts of the DGOJ’s Centralized Identity Portal The launch of this portal marks a shift […]

The National Gambling Board (NGB) of South Africa has officially launched a centralised “Verified Operator” portal, a strategic digital tool designed to help consumers and financial institutions distinguish between legal, licensed entities and offshore “black market” sites. Announced via a formal media release, the portal serves as a real-time database of all operators licensed by the various Provincial Gambling Boards (PGBs). This initiative marks a significant escalation in the NGB’s efforts to sanitise the domestic market and ensure that gambling revenue remains within the South African economy. Strategic Implications of the Centralized Verification System The introduction of a single “source […]