News

In a significant escalation of its enforcement strategy, the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) has officially notified Google and Apple regarding the presence of unlicensed gambling applications on their respective platforms. The notification, issued on 18 April 2026, demands that the tech giants take immediate action to identify and remove betting apps that do not comply with the new federal regulatory framework. This move signals a shift from targeting operators directly to targeting the digital infrastructure that allows them to reach Brazilian consumers. Cutting Off the Digital Supply Chain The MJSP’s action, spearheaded by the Secretariat for […]

In a decisive move to end the social scourge of offshore gaming, the Philippine government has officially launched a single, unified set of rules to enforce the total nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs). Led by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, the signing of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on 22 April 2026 consolidates Executive Order (EO) 74 and Republic Act (RA) 12312 (the POGO Ban Act) into a comprehensive omnibus action plan. This new framework synchronises 15 separate laws and department orders, providing the government with a precise and sophisticated tool to prevent the resurgence of illegal gambling […]

In a definitive legal shift, the Belgian Constitutional Court has ruled that the national ban on gambling advertisements must be applied uniformly across all platforms, including online gaming. The decision, formalised in Case No. 45/2026 on 16 April 2026, strikes down previous legal challenges that sought to exempt certain online sectors from the restrictive measures introduced in 2023. The ruling is the culmination of a legal battle brought by several gambling operators who argued that the blanket ban on untargeted advertising unfairly discriminated against digital platforms. The Court, however, has sided with public health advocates, stating that the protection of […]

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released a landmark research series, “AI in Telecommunications, Media and Interactive Gambling” (21 April 2026), warning that while AI is delivering record efficiencies, its adoption is outpacing current governance frameworks. The research highlights a significant shift in the Australian market: operators are moving beyond basic automation and into a new era of predictive and generative AI designed to enhance user engagement and streamline operations. The Core Strategy: How AI Drives Modern Australian Betting The ACMA identifies four primary operational pillars currently redefining the standard for licensed Australian providers: Predictive Analytics & Odds […]

In a new data update published on 21 April 2026, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has admitted that tracking consumer engagement with illegal gambling sites is becoming increasingly complex. While the regulator’s 21-month trend analysis shows fluctuating rather than sustained growth in black market activity, the rise of anonymising technologies is forcing a significant recalibration of how the UK measures its illegal sector. The Online Safety Act and the VPN Surge The most striking revelation from the report is the impact of the Online Safety Act, which came into full effect in July 2025. Following its rollout, the UKGC observed a […]

In the KSA Annual Report 2025, published on 20 April 2026, the Dutch regulator provides a comprehensive look at a year that fundamentally altered the local iGaming landscape. The data confirms that the era of rapid expansion has ended, replaced by a phase of stagnation and stabilisation driven by aggressive regulatory intervention. In the report, titled “Protecting Against Gambling Harm”, the KSA emphasises that its mandate has evolved. The focus is no longer merely on monitoring financial losses but on a broadened view of gambling harm that accounts for damage to mental health, personal relationships, and social well-being. Key Financials: […]

The Netherlands’ gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has overhauled the evidentiary requirements for involuntary gambling exclusions. In a KSA policy shift announced on 21 April 2026, the authority has increased the weight given to the professional judgement of legal administrators. This change significantly accelerates the protection process, reducing the timeline to activate a client’s Cruks registration to just two weeks. Speeding Up the Shield: From Six Weeks to Two Previously, the involuntary registration path was a bureaucratic bottleneck. Administrators were required to provide exhaustive documentation and proof of harm to the client’s estate, a process that often took up to six […]

Gamecheck will exhibit at SBC Summit Malta 2026 as founder James Elliott takes to the Risk, Regulation & Resilience stage.  SBC Summit Malta 2026 is one of those events where the industry conversation for the coming years gets set. This year’s theme is ‘The Future of Play’, and as far as Gamecheck is concerned, the future of play has to be the future of fair play. Gamecheck will exhibit at SBC Summit Malta 2026, where founder James Elliott will address the fake game network on the Risk, Regulation & Resilience stage. The summit runs from 28 to 30 April 2026 […]

Google has released its 2025 Ads Safety Report, revealing an unprecedented escalation in the policing of gambling-related content. Published on 16 April 2026, the report confirms that the tech giant blocked or removed a total of 8.3 billion ads globally last year. Within the gambling and games sector, 270.7 million ads were blocked for direct policy violations, while a further 123.9 million were restricted, making the vertical the third-largest category for restricted content across Google’s global network. Strategic Shift to AI-Driven Intent Detection The 2025 report marks a pivotal transition in Google’s enforcement methodology, moving from traditional keyword filtering to […]

The Jamaican Senate has officially ratified the Casino Gaming (General) Regulations 2025, providing the necessary legal framework to operationalise large-scale casino gaming within the country. Approved on 17 April 2026, the legislation moves Jamaica away from a model of small, limited gaming rooms toward high-capital Integrated Resort Developments (IRDs). The new rules establish foundational requirements for licensing, financial reporting, and the prevention of gambling-related harm, effectively activating the Casino Gaming Act of 2010. Strategic Impact of IRD Licensing and Revenue Requirements The shift toward the IRD model signifies a deliberate move to diversify Jamaica’s tourism product without transforming the island […]