iGaming News, Trends & Insights

Banner image about iGaming Ontario launching BetGuard.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

iGaming Ontario BetGuard: Centralized Self-Exclusion System Officially Launches for 2026

In a landmark move for North American player safety, iGaming Ontario (iGO) has officially introduced BetGuard, the province’s highly anticipated centralised self-exclusion (CSE) system. The announcement was made during the Discovery 2026 conference, marking a pivotal shift in how Ontario manages gambling harm prevention. BetGuard is designed to provide a “one-stop” solution for players who wish to take a break from gambling. Instead of having to register for self-exclusion on every individual operator’s platform, a process that was previously fragmented across dozens of licensed sites, players can now opt-out of all regulated iGaming activities in Ontario through a single, unified […]

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Landmark EU Ruling Confirms Players Can Sue to Reclaim Losses from Unlicensed Operators

In a decision that has sent shockwaves through the international iGaming industry, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued a definitive ruling regarding the legality of cross-border gambling services. The court has confirmed that EU member states possess the authority to prohibit gambling services offered by operators not licensed within their specific borders, even if those operators hold a licence in another EU jurisdiction. Crucially, the ruling establishes a legal pathway for players to sue these “offshore” companies to recover their lifetime gambling losses. The case, which primarily involved Lottoland but carries implications for all secondary […]

Banner image about the KSA Spring 2026 report.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

KSA Spring 2026 Monitoring Report: Dutch Online Market Reaches a Plateau Amid Stricter Controls

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has released its Spring 2026 Monitoring Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the online gambling market’s performance throughout the second half of 2025. The findings signal a significant shift in the market’s lifecycle: the period of rapid, explosive growth following the 2021 market opening has officially transitioned into a phase of stagnation and stabilisation. According to the report, key metrics, including Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), the number of licensed operators, and player channelisation, remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous reporting period. While the market size has levelled off, the KSA notes that […]

Banner image about Gibraltar's defence of its decision to license PredictStreet.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Gibraltar Regulator Rejects “Sensationalist” Claims Over Prediction Market Licensing

The Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, Andrew Lyman, and the Minister for Justice, Trade, and Industry, Nigel Feetham, have issued a firm rebuttal against recent media reports concerning the licensing of ADI (operating as PredictStreet). In a move to protect the jurisdiction’s regulatory reputation, officials characterised the critical coverage as “sensationalist reporting” that fails to account for the technical nuances of the licensing process. The controversy stems from the decision to grant a licence to the territory’s first specialized prediction market operator. While the move was initially celebrated as a milestone for the Rock’s evolving ecosystem, notably highlighted when Gibraltar issued its […]

Banner image featuring Finland's legislative proposal to ban political betting.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Finnish Lawmaker Calls for Political Betting Ban as National Market Reform Approaches

As Finland prepares for a historic shift in its gambling landscape, a prominent Member of Parliament has raised concerns regarding the inclusion of political events in the new wagering framework. Jouni Ovaska, representing the Centre Party, has formally urged the government to implement a total ban on political betting, arguing that allowing wagers on election outcomes and political processes could undermine the integrity of the nation’s democratic institutions. This proposal arrives at a critical juncture for the Nordic nation. Finland is currently in the process of dismantling its long-standing state monopoly, Veikkaus, in favour of a competitive licensing model. While […]

Banner image about ACMA warning a licensed wagering operator.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Australian Regulator Issues Formal Warning Following National Self-Exclusion Failures

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a formal warning to a licensed wagering operator, Chasebet, after an investigation revealed significant lapses in its compliance with national player protection standards. The breach centres on the operator’s failure to adhere to the rules of BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, which is designed to protect vulnerable consumers from gambling-related harm. This regulatory action highlights the ACMA’s intensifying focus on ensuring that all licensed entities strictly follow the protocols established to safeguard Australian residents. The investigation found that the operator allowed a self-excluded individual to open an account and place bets, […]

Banner image featuring proposed federal ban on online gambling in Brazil.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

From Regulation to Prohibition: The Legislative Drive to Rescind Brazil’s Online Gambling Framework

The legislative caucus of Brazil’s Workers’ Party (PT) has formally introduced Bill PL 1808/2026, a proposal that seeks to abolish the current legal framework for online gambling. This measure aims to repeal Law No. 14,790/2023, commonly referred to as the “Bets Law”, which established the regulated market that officially launched in January 2025. The move marks a significant shift in the country’s gambling policy. While the initial regulation was designed to bring tax revenue and oversight to a previously grey market, proponents of the new bill argue that the social and economic costs of legalisation have exceeded its fiscal benefits. […]

Banner image on Minnesota Senate committee news on prediction markets.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Minnesota Lawmakers Advance Ban on Prediction Markets as Sports Betting Deadlock Persists

In a significant legislative move, the Minnesota Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee has officially approved a measure to ban prediction markets and social betting platforms within the state. The provision, tucked into the broader regulatory discussions of 2026, specifically targets platforms that allow users to trade “shares” or place wagers on the outcome of political elections, award shows, and other non-sporting events. This development serves as a major update to the ongoing saga of SF 4511, a bill that has rapidly gained momentum as lawmakers look to tighten the state’s digital borders against unregulated wagering. While the […]

New BGC initiative sets the record straight on UK gambling facts.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

BGC Launches “Myth Busters” Series to Address Misconceptions in the Regulated Gaming Sector

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the standards body representing the regulated UK betting and gaming industry, has officially launched a new “Myth Busters” series. This initiative is designed to set the record straight by providing evidence-based facts to counter common misconceptions regarding the industry’s economic contribution, its approach to player protection, and the true scale of the regulated market. By leveraging independent data and official statistics, the series aims to shift the public and political discourse away from rhetoric and toward a more factual understanding of the sector. The BGC emphasises that while the industry welcomes robust regulation, it […]

UK gambling crisis: major advocate demands affordability check pause.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Convergence of Critics: Major Reformers Join Racing Leaders in Calling for UK Affordability Check Pause

In a dramatic shift in the UK’s gambling policy debate, one of the original architects of the 2023 Gambling Act Review has joined forces with the horse racing industry to demand an immediate suspension of the Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) financial risk checks. Dr. James Noyes, a senior fellow at the Social Market Foundation and a long-time advocate for stricter industry oversight, has officially called for a pause in the rollout of the controversial “affordability checks” until the results of the current pilot scheme are fully scrutinised and published. The intervention, made via an open letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy […]