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The Ace Alliance Online Chess Tournament will be live on December 17. The event offers players the chance to compete, strategise, and demonstrate their skills on Chess.com. The winner gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. A Summary of the Key Points About Ace Alliance Online Chess Tournament The event will be live on Chess.com on December 17 at 19:00 CET. Anyone with a Chess.com account can confirm their participation using the Online Chess Tournament Registration Form. Registered users will receive a link to the private tournament in advance via email. The official registration on […]

The government of Gibraltar has issued a ministerial statement addressing the UK government’s recent decision to increase gambling duties as part of its 2025 Autumn Budget. Officials warn that any increase in gambling taxes will negatively impact the region’s revenue base and weaken fiscal projections. The government also plans to present the new Gambling Bill to Parliament. Lawmakers hope to diversify the licensing framework, allowing non-UK businesses to apply for gambling licences in Gibraltar. Gibraltar to Face the Heat Due to the UK’s Gambling Tax Hike: Key Insights The UK government will increase the remote gambling duty from 21% to […]

ICE Barcelona 2026 is right around the corner, and the event is creating headlines for bringing together three chess superstars for the first time for an extravagant exhibition. Innovative Tier-1 iGaming provider BETBY has confirmed hosting Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, as well as International Master Levy Rozman, popularly known as GothamChess. This will be the first time that the three chess legends share the stage in Europe. Chess enthusiasts globally eagerly await this historic moment. All Eyes on BETBY Stand 5K20 Five-time World Chess Champion, the greatest player in chess history, and BETBY’s global ambassador, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, […]

Finland is now one step closer to launching a competitive gambling market. Earlier this week, the government submitted the draft proposal HE 16/2025 vp, which lays the groundwork for the new gambling system. The draft legislation introduces separate licences for B2B and B2C suppliers and confirms the division of state-run gambling operator Veikkaus into two separate legal entities, in compliance with EU competition laws. Finland Prepares for Regulated Competitive Gambling Markets Ahead of 2027 Deadline: Quick Overview B2C operators must apply for a Gambling Game Licence (rahapelitoimilupa) to offer online betting games, including fixed-odds, pool and virtual, and online casino […]

Ukraine has opened its long-awaited licensing window for private lottery operators, following decades of debate and controversy. For years, lottery operators have thrived in the grey zone, with limited regulation and oversight. The government’s latest measure will revolutionise the industry with PlayCity at the helm, marking a new era of regulated lottery operations in the nation. PlayCity Announces Lottery Licensing Window and Application Procedure: Keynotes at a Glance Ukraine will allot lottery licences based on open competition. Operators will be required to maintain records through a digital betting system, enabling authorities to monitor sales and payouts in real time. Each […]

The New Zealand government has set a formal timeline for issuing new online casino licences. Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden recently released a cabinet paper outlining the community returns of the Online Casino Gambling Bill. The document mentions that new casino licences will be issued from December 1, 2026. This marks the beginning of a new era for regulated online gambling in the country. New Zealand Government to Issue New Casino Licences from December 1, 2026: Highlights of the Story The government has confirmed that detailed regulations for permit holders will be finalised by the first half of […]

The Swedish government has appointed Erik Eldhagen as a State Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. He will work under Niklas Wykman, the Minister for Financial Markets, and oversee the regulation of the gambling industry. Eldhagen has held several key managerial positions at the Ministry of Finance, including Head of International Secretariat at the Riksbank. He will assume his new responsibilities on December 1, 2025. Sweden Appoints New State Secretary at the Finance Ministry to Lead Gambling Regulations: Quick Overview The Swedish government has confirmed appointing Erik Eldhagen as a new State Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. Eldhagen will […]

The UK Revenue and Customs Department has just announced a tax hike on remote gambling and sports betting operations. The updated duty will take effect on online slots and casino games starting April 1, 2026. Horse racing operators will continue paying 25% in levy, while the General Betting Duty will increase from 15% to 25% on April 1, 2027, the government confirms. Quick Overview of the UK Remote Gaming Duty Hike The Remote Gaming Duty will increase from 21% to 40% starting April 1, 2026. The General Betting Duty will increase from 15% to 25%, effective April 1, 2027. Bets […]

Finland is now one step closer to transitioning from a gambling monopoly to a regulated open market. The government has confirmed plans to announce two new draft legislations, aligning with the 2027 market launch timeline. The draft bills focus on the security and reliability of IT systems used in gambling, as well as ensuring the fairness of Random Number Generators (RNGs). The latest announcement sends operators a clear signal that the government’s efforts to implement a licensed gambling market are on track. Brief Overview of the Developments Around Finland’s New Gambling Legislation Finnish lawmakers confirmed two draft legislations to support […]

Austria is preparing for reformed gambling regulations in the wake of the existing licences expiring in 2027. Lawmakers have agreed to draft a new law, establishing a competitive licensing regime before the 2027 deadline. The next few weeks could change the course of the country’s regulatory framework, opening the door to regulated online gambling operators. Austria Moves Towards an Open Gambling Market: Brief Overview Austrian coalition parties have agreed to draft new gambling legislation before the end of 2025. Lawmakers anticipate that the draft bill will take effect within the first quarter of 2026. At present, two companies have a […]