The abrupt suspension of the operating licence held by VGC Leeds Limited, which operates the Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds, by the Gambling Commission on 31 October 2025 has cast a sharp spotlight on the vulnerability of the gambling sector to money-laundering risk. The regulator’s use of section 116 of the Gambling Act 2005, alongside references to “effective anti-money laundering policies, procedures and controls,” underscores that even prominent bricks-and-mortar casino op

Kenya’s latest overhaul of its gambling taxation framework under the Finance Act 2025 is being hailed by legal and fiscal experts as a potential windfall for government coffers—but the new policy also shifts the cost burden onto casual bettors, setting the stage for notable behavioural shifts across the betting landscape. The new legislation, which came into effect in July, replaces the former 20% tax on net winnings with a 5% levy on every withdrawal made from any betting wa

The Isle of Man has reinforced its reputation as one of the world’s most tightly supervised gambling jurisdictions, with its latest AML/CFT guidance underscoring that reputation. Released in October 2025 by the Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC), the document targets online gambling licence holders operating under network permissions—a niche but high-risk corner of the e-gaming ecosystem where rapid transaction flows and opaque corporate structures often converge. The guid

The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) has announced an extension to the compliance deadline for betting operators in Brazil regarding the recently introduced ban on betting among social welfare beneficiaries. Operators will now have an additional 30 days to fully adhere to the new restrictions, which were formally announced in late September. On 30 September, the SPA published Normative Ordinance No 2,217/2025 and Normative Instruction No 22, which completely prohibit bene

Genting Malaysia’s pursuit of a coveted New York casino license appears to be nearing success, with analysts at Maybank asserting that the company is “virtually assured” of securing approval — a development that could significantly reshape its earnings trajectory. New York state is preparing to issue up to three downstate commercial casino licenses before the end of the year. According to analysts, only three qualified bidders remain in contention, leading to expectations tha

Uganda’s gaming industry is racing against time as operators have just two days left to renew their licences through the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) e-licensing platform, in order to secure their 2026 operating rights and comply with national regulations. In an official announcement, the NLGRB reminded all licensed gaming operators of the fast-approaching deadline, stressing that “the renewal window closes on October 31, 2025, and any applications s

Italy’s online gambling operators have been given until 13 November 2025 to declare their principal domain names, following a new directive from the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), which enforces one of the key measures in the country’s reorganised online gambling framework. The instruction, issued through a circular from ADM’s Remote Gaming and Betting Office and signed by Antonio Giuliani, stipulates that all licensed operators must operate exclusively under a si

Entain Australia has admitted to certain shortcomings in its previous anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) compliance program, while simultaneously contesting a number of claims and interpretations made by Australia’s financial crime regulator, AUSTRAC. The operator made the statements as it filed its defence in response to AUSTRAC’s amended statement of claim in the Federal Court of Australia, asserting that it has transformed its operations into a

Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, is expected to play a decisive role in reinvigorating the nation’s integrated casino resort (IR) ambitions. Her close political ties to the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and her coalition with the pro-IR Japan Innovation Party signal strong potential backing for the advancement of these long-delayed projects. Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), recently made history as Japan’s 104th Prime Mini

The UK Parliament’s Treasury Committee heard on Tuesday that the Netherlands cannot be used as a credible case study to suggest gambling tax increases drive players toward the black market. Speaking before MPs, Carsten Jung, interim associate director for economic policy and AI at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), said that while raising taxes can generate substantial revenue, it is not a stand-alone solution to problem gambling. Jung appeared as part of the fi

The United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) is preparing to unveil a new online gaming framework that replicates the country’s tightly controlled land-based casino structure, allowing only one business-to-consumer (B2C) license per Emirate. According to sources familiar with the development, the framework will grant each of the UAE’s seven Emirates the autonomy to decide whether or not to participate, with each permitted to host just a sin

The Brazilian government recorded an impressive BRL6.8 billion in tax revenue from gambling and fixed-odds betting activities in 2025, according to recent data released by the Federal Revenue Service. The amount marks an unprecedented 17,000% increase compared to the BRL38 million collected in 2024, a result attributed to the formal integration of the sector into the country’s regulated tax system. In September alone, betting-related tax revenue totaled BRL1.7 billion, a rema

After seven days of deliberation during its 40th parliamentary session, Slovak MPs have approved a new gaming law aimed at strengthening gambling regulation and increasing state revenue from the industry. The legislation was passed with 71 votes in favor and seven abstentions. The newly approved law introduces stricter rules regarding gambling contributions and seeks to establish clearer operational standards for lotteries and casinos. Under the new framework, Tipos, Slovakia

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) has confirmed it will move forward with its proposed Gambling Supervision Commission Bill after concluding a public consultation process, marking one of the most extensive updates to the island’s gambling regulatory framework in years. The draft legislation aims to modernize oversight across seven separate gambling acts, introducing standardized mechanisms for inspection, investigation, and enforcement. The consultation, l

Macau’s criminal case filings remained substantial during the 2024–25 judicial year, with a significant rise in offences connected to gambling activities, Prosecutor General Tong Hio Fong revealed in the Public Prosecutions Office’s annual report. According to Macao Daily, a total of 15,176 criminal cases were recorded, reflecting a slight 2% decrease compared with the previous year. Yet gambling-related offences surged to 760 cases, representing an increase of nearly 134%. T

Sportradar has officially entered the regulated United Arab Emirates (UAE) gambling market after being granted a gaming-related vendor licence by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). This groundbreaking development marks Sportradar as the first sports betting supplier — or dedicated sports wagering company of any kind — to gain official access to the UAE landscape. The newly issued licence authorizes the supplier to distribute its portfolio of pro

The United States and United Kingdom governments have jointly imposed sanctions on a Cambodian casino conglomerate and several affiliated businesses accused of involvement in cyber scams and human trafficking across Southeast Asia. Authorities confirmed that they have also seized $15 billion in bitcoin and frozen a number of luxury London properties allegedly owned by the network’s leaders. Among those sanctioned is Chen Zhi, a 38-year-old Chinese-born businessman who chairs

South Africa’s gambling landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as players increasingly shift from brick-and-mortar casinos to online betting platforms. According to the National Gambling Board (NGB), cellphone-based gambling has now become the dominant force in the industry, accounting for most of its total revenue and leaving traditional casinos struggling to maintain their footing. In the 2024 fiscal year, the country’s gambling industry reported a total turnover

Peru has introduced a comprehensive regulatory and supervisory framework governing online gambling and sports betting platforms, marking a significant evolution in the country’s approach to digital wagering oversight. Building upon prior legislation that established the legality of remote gaming and wagering, the new regime enforces strict mandates to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Under these rules, online gambling and sports-betting operators are now form

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has dismissed the Netherlands’ appeal in the long-running case concerning its state-controlled lottery monopolies, confirming that the European Commission (EC) must open an investigation into the country’s licensing process. The decision marks the latest development in a legal dispute that dates back to 2016, centering on allegations that the Netherlands unfairly renewed monopoly lottery licences without conducting an open tender. In its la