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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 Under the current legal framework—originally enacted in 2016 and most recently updated in 2023—gaming o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

Brazil’s regulated fixed-odds betting market has entered its second year with strong momentum, building on the solid foundation established in 2025. The sector now boasts 83 licensed operators, approximately 29.4 million active users, and an impressive R$37 billion directed into public revenues. Despite these encouraging figures, fresh analysis has introduced a note of caution regarding the market’s long-term sustainability. A new report by LCA Consultoria, commissioned by th

Vietnam is increasingly signalling a policy shift toward the controlled expansion of its regulated gaming sector, with early signs from its local player pilot scheme pointing to improved visitation and a more positive market outlook. Nevertheless, industry experts caution that meaningful domestic demand has yet to fully materialise, underscoring a disconnect between regulatory direction and actual market momentum. Since the pilot allowing local participation was introduce

The Norwegian government has introduced an extensive four-year action plan designed to prevent and address problem gambling, outlining a coordinated national effort that will run from 2026 through 2029. Announced on Friday, the initiative brings together a broad set of measures including prevention campaigns, expanded treatment services, and a strengthened research framework. Notably, the strategy avoids introducing new regulatory restrictions, instead focusing on improving p

Kenya is facing a growing threat from offshore gambling networks hijacking local news platforms, using search engine optimization (SEO) spam to lure unsuspecting users into unregulated betting schemes. A Nairobi office worker might click on a headline promising insights into global travel or entertainment, only to be redirected to a flashy portal claiming to offer a “Vegas-style gambling adventure.” This is not a technical glitch but a calculated, aggressive form of digital p

Russia is reportedly preparing to legalise online casinos as early as April, with officials indicating that a regulated market could be introduced within a matter of weeks. Sources within the Ministry of Finance suggest that plans are being actively developed to formalise the sector, as the government seeks to ease mounting fiscal strain while reclaiming gambling revenue currently lost to offshore operators. Under the proposed regulatory structure, online casino operator

Authorities in Taiwan have brought charges against 20 individuals accused of participating in a large-scale money laundering operation that allegedly channelled more than TWD33 billion (approximately $1.03 billion) through casinos in Macau. Prosecutors described the operation as the “nation’s first cross-border casino money laundering case”. According to investigators, the scheme involved directing illicit gambling proceeds into credit accounts assigned to designated intermed