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Australia's largest wagering companies have rejected claims that millions of dollars stolen by a former financial adviser were spent through their betting platforms, as the federal government's proposed gambling reforms come under scrutiny during a Senate inquiry. The Senate committee investigating the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 heard evidence from anti-gambling advocate Reverend Tim Costello, who referred to the case of a former financial advi

After more than a decade of anticipation, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) officially began hearing Extraordinary Appeal (RE) 966177 on Wednesday (5), a case that will determine the constitutionality of the country's longstanding prohibition on games of chance. The appeal first reached the Supreme Court in 2016, before Brazil legalized and later regulated fixed-odds sports betting. According to information released by the STF, the central issue before the Court is whether

Kenyan families have been given new legal authority to step in when a relative’s gambling behaviour threatens household finances or the welfare of dependants, following the introduction of comprehensive new gambling regulations. The Gambling Control (Conduct of Gambling Operations) Regulations, 2026, which were published in the Kenya Gazette on June 30, create a legal mechanism allowing family members and other concerned individuals to apply to the Gaming Regulatory Authority

Sri Lanka has taken decisive action against unlicensed online gambling by blocking access to 24 betting and gaming websites, including major international platforms such as Stake, bet365, Betway and 1xBet. The move follows a directive issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), which instructed all telecommunications service providers across the country to immediately restrict access to the identified websites. The enforcement action was annou

Denmark has reopened applications for land-based casino licences, inviting both new operators and existing licence holders to compete for licences of up to ten years, even as the country's retail casino sector continues to experience declining revenues. The move reflects the Danish Gambling Authority's commitment to maintaining a competitive and well-regulated land-based market while adapting to significant shifts in consumer gambling preferences toward online platforms. The

Austria has taken a significant step towards opening its gambling market by submitting a comprehensive draft gambling law to the European Commission for review, marking one of the country's most substantial regulatory reforms in decades. The proposed legislation would replace the long-standing online gambling monopoly with a regulated licensing framework while introducing stricter player protection measures, enhanced supervisory powers and a modernised compliance regime for g

The Court of Appeal has refused The New Lottery Company Limited (TNLC) and Northern & Shell PLC permission to appeal the High Court's ruling over the award of the fourth National Lottery licence, leaving the April 2026 judgment intact and confirming that the claimants remain liable for indemnity costs throughout the proceedings. The legal battle over the fourth National Lottery licence has been ongoing since April 2022, when the procurement process became the subject of multi

The global online gambling industry is experiencing an accelerated wave of regulatory reform, with governments placing greater emphasis on licensing, taxation, financial oversight and consumer protection. According to a new regulatory review by SOFTSWISS, the first half of 2026 has been characterised by significant legal and policy developments across multiple jurisdictions, reinforcing the industry's transition toward more tightly regulated markets. One of the most notable t

Capital One Financial said on Friday that it is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the Trump Organization over the closure of its bank accounts, arguing that the decision was based on an extensive anti-money laundering (AML) review conducted by the bank’s compliance specialists rather than political considerations. The court filing represents the first formal instance in which a bank has connected anti-money laundering concerns to the business operations of U.S. Presiden

Britain's increase in gambling-related taxation is beginning to have a visible impact on retail betting employment, while the Gambling Commission has postponed publication of the evidence supporting its Financial Risk Assessment (FRA) framework until the autumn. At the same time, the latest financial results from Europe's leading gambling operators highlight sharply contrasting fortunes, with FDJ UNITED slipping into a first-half loss as Lottomatica continues to strengthen it

The Autonomous Region of Madeira has formally launched an international tender for the exclusive concession to operate casino gaming in the Funchal gaming zone, marking the end of the long-standing arrangement with the current concessionaire and opening the process to both domestic and international bidders. The decision follows the approval of Resolution No. 723/2026 by the Regional Government Council during its plenary meeting on 15 July 2026. The resolution was subsequentl

The UK Gambling Commission has published its 2026 Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment, providing licensed operators with an updated overview of the principal financial crime threats facing the British gambling industry. The revised assessment is intended to help operators strengthen their anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) frameworks by identifying emerging risks, evolving criminal methodologies and areas where additional co

Online games that are offered as esports in India must first undergo assessment and registration with the Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI), the central government has clarified. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada explained the requirement in a written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on July 29, as reported by Storyboard18. Under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, any service provider seekin

The South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) has urged regulators to prevent offshore prediction markets from operating within the country’s regulated gambling industry until legislators create a dedicated legal framework governing these platforms. The association’s position comes after reports revealed that more than R700,000 was wagered on Polymarket over the outcome of Johannesburg’s mayoral race. According to SABA, the platform was not licensed to operate as a gamblin

Goa’s long-awaited casino regulations may remain on hold until after the state assembly elections scheduled for February 2027, potentially prolonging regulatory uncertainty for the state’s gaming industry. According to a report published by The Times of India on July 27, the Goa home department has completed drafting the Goa Public Gambling Rules. Despite the draft being finalised, the regulations must still be published in the Official Gazette before being placed before the

Police in Bristol have arrested two people as part of an ongoing investigation into the suspected operation of an illegal casino, highlighting continued enforcement efforts against unlawful gambling activities and organised criminal enterprises linked to the sector. The investigation was carried out through a joint operation involving local police, the UK Gambling Commission and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU). The investigation centred on a property in

Argentina's deep run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup triggered a dramatic increase in public interest in online sports betting, with search activity for betting platforms rising by approximately 350% during the tournament. The surge illustrates how major international sporting events continue to drive digital engagement and expand the reach of regulated gambling markets. The spike in online searches coincided with heightened national enthusiasm throughout the competition, as milli

Authorities in Macau have uncovered another suspected proxy betting operation inside one of the city's casinos, leading to the arrest of two mainland Chinese nationals accused of using concealed electronic equipment to facilitate illegal remote gambling. The latest case forms part of an intensified crackdown on technology-enabled proxy betting, a practice that allows gamblers located outside Macau to participate in live casino games through intermediaries physically present o

The UK Gambling Commission has concluded its regulatory review of Evolution Malta Holding Limited with a £4.75 million regulatory settlement after determining that the company's casino games were made available to British consumers through a number of unlicensed gambling websites. The case represents one of the regulator's latest enforcement actions aimed at preventing licensed suppliers from supporting the illegal online gambling market and reinforces the Commission's expect

Despite the intense wave of advertising and promotions surrounding online betting during the World Cup, a growing number of Brazilians chose to use the federal government’s self-exclusion platform to voluntarily restrict their access to gambling websites. The protection system, which was officially introduced by the federal government in December, has quickly become the country’s main tool for individuals seeking to prevent themselves from accessing regulated online betting s