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Authorities in Jakarta, Indonesia, have intensified their efforts to combat illegal online gambling, announcing a major crackdown on 132 online casino websites and freezing hundreds of billions of rupiah in related financial transactions. According to officials, law enforcement agencies have temporarily blocked bank transactions totaling 255.75 billion rupiah, equivalent to about $15.2 million, as part of an ongoing campaign against digital gambling networks. In an offici

Japan’s government has confirmed that local authorities will be able to submit applications for integrated resort (IR) developments between May 6th, 2027, and November 5th, 2027, marking the next phase in the country’s casino resort licensing process. The announcement follows a Cabinet approval on March 10th of an amendment to a Cabinet Order under the IR Implementation Act, according to a statement from the Japan Tourism Agency. The revised order is scheduled to take effect

OPAP reported gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €2,407.9 million for the full year 2025, marking a 4.9% increase compared with the previous year and setting a new record for the Greek gaming operator. The milestone was largely supported by continued expansion in online gaming alongside solid performance from the company’s retail operations. However, a significant increase in operating expenses during the year placed pressure on profitability, reducing EBITDA margins and slightly

A Russian court has chosen not to impose prison sentences on the three individuals behind a high-profile illegal poker club operating in the western city of Smolensk. Instead, the district court issued suspended jail terms ranging from 20 to 22 months, according to a report by Russian media outlet Rabochy Put. The three organizers, whose identities have not been disclosed due to legal restrictions, were also ordered to serve two years of probation. In addition, each of th

Uganda’s authorities are urging the country’s gambling operators to prepare for the introduction of a proposed Centralised Payment System that could soon reshape how betting transactions are conducted nationwide. The system, which is awaiting parliamentary approval, would impose strict requirements on operators and carries a potential penalty of UGX110 million (€26,268) for those who fail to comply. The proposed payment gateway would be licensed by the Bank of Uganda and

Authorities in Mauritius have ordered the immediate suspension of betting activities operated by Bet 593 Ltd following an investigation into suspected money laundering. The directive was issued by the country’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) after the regulator completed an internal inquiry and referred the matter to the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC), which subsequently led to the arrest of the company’s director on provisional money laundering charges. The suspe

Casino operators in Macao recorded a solid increase in gaming income during February, with revenue rising 4.5% year-on-year as the Lunar New Year travel period attracted large numbers of visitors to the Pearl River Delta special administrative region. According to the city’s gambling regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, Macao’s gross gaming revenue reached 20.62 billion patacas in February, equivalent to roughly $2.56 billion. The results, reported by B

The government of the Isle of Man has officially categorized its gambling sector as presenting a “medium-high” risk for money laundering, highlighting the regulatory challenges facing one of the island’s most significant—and often scrutinized—industries. In a newly released standalone National Risk Assessment (NRA) for gambling published on February 24, authorities concluded that the sector’s exposure to money laundering (ML) risks remains substantial. According to the repo

Two major American gaming operators, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International, are closely tracking developments in the Middle East after Iranian attacks across the region raised concerns about safety and stability in the United Arab Emirates, where both companies are investing billions of dollars in new resort developments. Wynn Resorts is currently constructing a massive $5.1 billion casino resort on an island in Ras Al Khaimah, while MGM Resorts International is building

Lawmakers in Louisiana are preparing to consider a series of gambling-related policy proposals when the 2026 legislative session begins on March 9 in Baton Rouge. Several bills have already been pre-filed ahead of the session, which will bring together members of the Louisiana State Senate and the Louisiana House of Representatives next week. The proposals address multiple areas of gambling regulation, including sports betting markets, online sweepstakes casinos, the co

Nationwide Building Society has revealed that the total amount spent by its customers on gambling increased by 9% year-on-year in January, with the number of gambling-related transactions climbing 7%, according to figures published by the lender on Friday. The data, based on responses from a representative sample of 2,000 UK gamblers, also showed that the top 10% of spenders wagered an average of around £745 per month. The survey, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Nationwi

New Zealand will begin its iGaming licensing process from July, according to a new timeline issued by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). The proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill, which passed its first reading in July 2025, is expected to be passed into law in May following a second reading in parliament. Once it clears this stage, the bill will move to committee for a third reading before becoming enforceable. The introduction of the licensing regime represents a sign

Nearly half of the adult population in the Philippines, or approximately 32 million people, are reportedly engaging in online gambling, according to recent reports. Internet betting has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the Philippine government appearing intent on maximizing revenue from gambling, the country’s leading English-language newspaper is now urging regulatory reform. The Manila Bulletin, founded in 1900 and the second-oldest English newspaper in the Far

The UK Gambling Commission is preparing to examine whether cryptoassets could be introduced as a payment method for licensed gambling operators, marking what officials describe as an exploratory but significant development in the regulator’s approach to innovation and consumer protection. Speaking at the Betting and Gaming Council’s annual general meeting, Tim Miller, Executive Director of the UK Gambling Commission, confirmed that the regulator will assess how cryptoassets

January 2026 did not arrive with a single explosive headline for Nigeria’s gambling industry. Instead, it ushered in something arguably more significant: a series of regulatory clarifications and compliance pressures that began to reshape how operators structure payments, licensing, technology contracts and player protection tools. The month’s developments can be examined without sensationalism or political framing. Five themes defined the shift: the treatment of VAT on s

The Philippine government is considering a possible ban on Telegram as authorities intensify efforts to combat illegal online activities, including unauthorized gambling operations and sexual exploitation, that have allegedly proliferated on the messaging platform. According to a report by Manila Bulletin, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirmed that it is evaluating the option of blocking access to Telegram following reports that illicit

Licensed betting operators in Brazil have avoided the introduction of a 15% tax on player deposits after the Chamber of Deputies voted to strip the provision from the Antifaction Bill prior to its approval on Tuesday. The proposal, known as CIDE-Bets, had originally been included in the bill passed by the Senate plenary in December. At that stage, the legislation not only sought to strengthen penalties against criminal organisations but also introduced a 15% levy on deposits

The Malaysian government is preparing new legislation aimed at curbing illegal gambling, with plans to grant expanded enforcement powers to police in response to growing concerns over both online and land-based betting activities. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof confirmed that authorities are currently drafting the proposed law and intend to present it during the upcoming parliamentary session. “At the federal level, the government is drafting a law to address illega

Major leadership changes at the Federal Reserve this year could bring long-awaited relief to the US gaming industry, as investors and operators closely monitor who will succeed Jerome Powell when his term as chair ends in mid-May. There is intense speculation in Washington over Powell’s replacement, and the gaming sector is paying close attention to the transition at the central bank. The prevailing view among political and economic observers is that the next chair, possibl

Finland’s sweeping plans to reform its gambling system are facing mounting criticism from legal experts and harm prevention organisations, as discussions intensify under the consultation process led by the Gambling Harm Risk and Harm Assessment Group within the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Legal firm Nordic Law has strongly criticised the government’s position on artificial intelligence, arguing that the draft legislation fails to properly recognise the sophistica