News

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, […]

A new alliance has been formed in Buenos Aires to combat problem gambling, particularly among youth and adolescents. The initiative brings together the Buenos Aires provincial government, local universities, and educational bodies, marking a significant step in the region’s efforts to address the rising concern of gambling addiction. This collaborative project aims to implement targeted prevention programs, using both educational and regulatory tools to safeguard vulnerable young populations. By combining the expertise of academic institutions like the National University of La Plata (UNLP) with the governmental reach of the Buenos Aires Province Lottery, this initiative offers a research-driven approach to […]

The Cyprus National Betting Authority (NBA) has taken a hard stance against gambling operators suspected of links to organised crime, warning that licences may be suspended or not renewed. The move follows enforcement action against a Class A betting services licence holder amid broader concerns around operator integrity and sector compliance. In issuing its warning, the NBA underscored its mandate to protect the integrity of the gaming sector and public interest. The regulator cited ongoing investigations and intelligence indicating possible connections between certain licensed gambling entities and organised criminal activity, which could jeopardise licensing rights if substantiated. Key Takeaways: Enforcement […]

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has unveiled her Fiscal Year 2027 executive budget, proposing significant changes to how the state taxes sports betting and online casino operators, with a stated goal of stabilising Medicaid funding and addressing broader fiscal pressures. The plan includes a tiered per‑bet fee on sports wagers, mirroring a model adopted in Illinois, along with a steeper tax on iGaming operators that exceed revenue thresholds. Under the proposal released this week, the revenue strategy would generate close to $200 million annually if adopted, directing much of that into the Medicaid Benefits Trust Fund, which supports health care services for […]

Hessen’s regional gambling authority has reported a dramatic increase in identity checks against national self‑exclusion lists across Germany’s gambling sector, underscoring intensifying efforts to enforce responsible gambling requirements. According to the latest data, operators performed record levels of verification activity in 2025, with a combined total of approximately €5.2 billion worth of checks executed to prevent self‑excluded individuals from accessing licensed gambling services. The report, issued by the Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt (Hessen’s gambling authority), reflects growing regulatory emphasis on social responsibility mechanisms in Germany’s evolving market post‑reform. Institutions implementing these checks include licensed online casinos, sports betting platforms, and brick‑and‑mortar venues required […]

Europe’s newly established Authority for Anti‑Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) has launched a public consultation on a draft set of Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) addressing how breaches of anti‑money laundering and counter‑terrorist financing (AML/CFT) obligations should be classified and enforced across the European Union. The consultation, which runs through 9 March 2026, seeks stakeholder input on proposed criteria for pecuniary sanctions, administrative measures and periodic penalty payments under the new AML framework set out by the Sixth AML Directive (AMLD6). This is one of AMLA’s early exercises in shaping consistent enforcement tools that will apply uniformly […]

The Netherlands’ gambling authority, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has stepped up scrutiny of specific betting product mechanics in the regulated online sports betting market. The regulator has issued formal notices to licensed operators over the use and disclosure of certain features, including early payout options and mechanisms that allow bettors to share wagers with others. The KSA’s actions reflect a broader regulatory emphasis on clarity, player protection, and responsible product design, with the authority signalling that features enabling conditional bet outcomes or indirect social recruitment must meet stringent compliance standards. Early Payout Features Must Be Transparent A central focus of the […]

The Malaysian government has significantly intensified its efforts to tackle illegal gambling activities within the country, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pledging to take a tougher stance. The crackdown aims to dismantle unlawful gambling syndicates and curb the growing issue of unlicensed operators. This move comes as authorities report large-scale seizures and an increasing number of sophisticated online gambling operations that circumvent traditional legal frameworks. Prime Minister Anwar, speaking in Parliament, stated that illegal gambling remains a significant concern for both social stability and economic security. Authorities are now ramping up measures to seize assets linked to these […]

The Québec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC), a collective of leading online gaming operators, has submitted a formal brief to the Québec Ministry of Finance, urging the provincial government to transition from the current Crown monopoly model to a commercial, licensed iGaming system. The coalition argues that the existing model restricts competition and leads to significant tax revenue losses as players turn to unregulated or offshore sites. Adopting a regulated framework, they argue, would unlock new tax income, enhance consumer protections, and modernise Québec’s online gaming environment. Strategic Business Impact from QOGC Submission The coalition emphasises that the current regulatory model […]