All Articles

Lithuania’s Gaming Control Authority has imposed a €468,350 fine on UAB Baltic Bet, the company behind the Optibet brand, citing significant shortcomings in its anti-money laundering (AML) controls—particularly in the areas of customer due diligence and source-of-funds verification.   According to the regulator, the operator failed to adequately gather and assess information about a customer and the origin of funds used for gambling activities before allowing that individual

Police in Daegu, South Korea have arrested 68 individuals following a large-scale raid on what authorities believe was an illegal dogfighting and gambling operation. According to South Korean broadcasters TV Chosun and TBC, investigators say many of those detained were caught actively placing bets on the outcomes of animal fights during the event. The suspected fights were reportedly organized at an empty lot located within an industrial complex on the outskirts of the city.

The UK government’s move to raise gambling taxes is expected to significantly alter the competitive landscape of the betting industry, with licensed operators cautioning that the policy could accelerate the expansion of illegal betting markets in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.     Writing in The Telegraph, Stella David warned that increasing the remote gaming duty to 40 percent could push regulated operators to the fringes of the market at a critical moment, as unlicensed

Italy’s long-anticipated overhaul of its land-based gambling sector has moved into a crucial phase, as technical negotiations intensify within the Unified Conference.   Policymakers are now working to reconcile national reform objectives with the entrenched authority of regional and municipal governments, setting the stage for a defining moment in the country’s gambling framework.   The proposed legislative decree, drafted in accordance with the 2023 tax law, has undergone ex

Greece’s regulated gambling market delivered gross gaming revenue of €3.07 billion in 2025, marking a 6.7% increase compared with the previous year, with online gambling continuing to strengthen its position as the market’s fastest-expanding segment. The figures, published in the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) Newsletter #36 on 31 March 2026, underline the extent to which digital channels are reshaping the structure of the Greek market while policymakers prepare for signi

Africa’s gambling industry is on a strong upward trajectory, with projections estimating its value will reach $11.3 billion by 2032—nearly doubling the $6.1 billion recorded in 2023.   This rapid expansion is being fuelled by a combination of urbanisation, aggressive marketing by operators, increasing internet penetration, and the continent’s notably young population.   A wide range of both international and domestic brands are already active across the region, including Betw

The Philippine gaming sector posted total gross gaming revenues (GGR) of PHP396.14 billion ($6.61 billion) in 2025, reflecting a 6.39 percent increase from PHP372.33 billion ($6.21 billion) recorded in 2024, according to a press release issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).   This overall growth was largely fueled by strong performance in the online and electronic gaming segment, which more than compensated for declining revenues from traditional

Uganda’s government is moving forward with plans to overhaul its gambling tax framework, with proposals that would standardize operator taxes and introduce a new levy on player winnings.   The initiative comes through a bill submitted on 31 March by Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister Matia Kasaija, aimed at amending the country’s Lotteries and Gaming Act.   Under the current legal framework—originally enacted in 2016 and most recently updated in 2023—gaming o

The Georgian government has put forward draft amendments to Parliament that would significantly raise financial penalties for breaches of gambling licence conditions, signaling a tougher stance on regulatory enforcement across the sector.   The proposed changes fall under the law “On Arranging Lotteries, Gambling and Prize Games,” and lawmakers are expected to examine the bill in the coming weeks.   Under the draft legislation, fines for casino operators and online gambling p

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has raised concerns over the growing impact of escalating oil prices on the country’s gaming industry, pointing to ongoing tensions in the Middle East as a key driver behind the surge in fuel costs. According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, these developments are already influencing both operational performance and consumer spending patterns, two critical pillars of the sector’s stability. Addressing att

Genting Singapore, the operator of Resorts World Sentosa, has stated that it is confident it will secure a renewed three-year gaming licence in 2027, while also closely monitoring how escalating geopolitical tensions, including the Iran conflict, could influence global tourism flows. The company has described itself as “well-positioned” to obtain the renewed licence, reaffirming its outlook ahead of the upcoming regulatory review cycle. The renewal process follows an unusual

A group of six individuals identified as the masterminds behind a Russian illegal gambling operation will not serve prison time after a court opted to impose suspended sentences instead of incarceration. The ruling was issued by the Central District Court of Prokopyevsk, located in the Kuznetsk Basin region of southwestern Siberia, where judges reviewed the case involving the operation of two unauthorized land-based casinos. The court found all six men guilty of “organizing i

A Malta-based betting operator has been hit with a €225,000 fine for its “lax” approach to anti-money laundering safeguards, along with daily penalties of €2,000, following a targeted review of its operations by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), Malta’s anti-money laundering authority. The sanctions were imposed on Stanleybet Malta Limited, a subsidiary of the Stanleybet Group, after investigators identified systemic weaknesses in the company’s monitoring of cu

A new report from Amnesty International claims that the Cambodian government recently licensed “a dozen casinos” allegedly tied to online scam operations, raising serious questions about Phnom Penh’s commitment to combating cybercrime. Despite recent, highly publicized statements by Cambodian authorities asserting that they are cracking down on criminal online scam compounds, the human rights organization contends otherwise. Amnesty International asserts that “a dozen casinos

In a groundbreaking global first, the Isle of Man has enacted legislation that formally classifies data as a legal asset, marking a transformative moment for industries that rely heavily on digital information. For sectors such as land-based and online gaming—where data functions as the lifeblood of operations—this development represents a significant shift that demands close attention. While widely recognized for its role as a premier gambling licensing jurisdiction and for

Morocco is quickly positioning itself as one of Africa’s most vibrant and fast-growing e-sports markets, transforming what was once considered a niche pastime into a structured and increasingly professional industry.   Competitive gaming in the country now encompasses organised tournaments, semi-professional teams, brand sponsorships, dedicated gaming venues, and a steadily expanding pipeline of young players converting raw talent into tangible opportunity.   Central to this

Belgium’s regulated gambling sector recorded its first annual contraction since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as newly released figures for 2024 reveal a notable downturn across the market.   Data published on Tuesday by the national regulator shows that total gross gaming revenue (GGR) fell to €1.61 billion, representing a 4.86% decrease from the €1.69 billion reported in 2023.   The decline was largely attributed to a sharp reduction in land-based gambling activity, e

A senior figure within Communist Party of the Russian Federation has urged the Kremlin to abandon controversial plans to legalize online casinos, instead advocating for a sweeping crackdown on digital gambling platforms.   Georgy Kamnev, a State Duma deputy and member of the party’s Central Committee, has called for what he described as a “complete ban on online casinos in Russia,” according to reports from the Russian outlet News.ru .   Kamnev argued that authorities should

Sweden is taking a decisive step toward tightening control over unlicensed online gambling, as Spelinspektionen, the country’s gaming regulator, formally submitted a detailed report to the government on March 31 outlining a new enforcement framework.     The proposal lays out both technological and administrative obligations that offshore operators must implement to prevent Swedish citizens from accessing their platforms, forming part of a broader legislative push to amend th

In October 2025, a surge of headlines ignited widespread confusion, criticism, and intense debate across the gambling industry, with many claiming that South Africa had effectively imposed a nationwide ban on online casino gambling. In reality, the situation was far more complex and nuanced than those initial reports suggested. The controversy originated with Supabet (Portapa Pty Ltd), which introduced a roulette-style product within physical betting shops. This offering allo