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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

The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has rolled out a new five percent withholding tax on the net winnings of online bettors, with immediate effect.   The announcement was made on Thursday by the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Are, who confirmed that the tax will be deducted at source across all gaming platforms licensed by Lagos State. This applies regardless of whether the player resides within the state or outside it.   According to a public not

South Africa’s gambling sector could soon face one of the highest tax burdens in the world if the government proceeds with a proposal to introduce a 20% national levy on gross gambling revenue (GGR) from online betting.   While officials argue that the measure is intended to address the growing social impact of online gambling, industry stakeholders contend that the policy amounts to a revenue grab that will disproportionately penalize licensed operators without delivering ta

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 Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has implemented a five percent withholding tax on the net winnings of online bettors, a measure that takes immediate effect across the state’s regulated gaming market. The announcement was made on Thursday by LSLGA Chief Executive Officer Bashir Are, who confirmed that the deduction will apply to all gaming platforms licensed in Lagos, regardless of whether the player resides in the state. According to the public notice i

Estonia has acted quickly to correct a legislative error that inadvertently exempted online gambling operators from taxation, following the discovery of a drafting mistake in recent amendments to the country’s Gambling Tax Act.   In December, the Riigikogu (Parliament) approved changes to the Gambling Tax Act introduced by Eesti 200 MP Tanel Tein. However, an oversight in the wording of the amendments resulted in remote gaming activities being excluded from the updated legisl

British gambling group Evoke said on Tuesday that its full-year 2025 revenue is expected to fall short of market expectations and declined to issue any guidance for 2026, pointing to an ongoing strategic review that could ultimately lead to a sale of the business. The update rattled investors, sending the company’s shares down by as much as 12% during the trading session. The owner of William Hill and 888 said it now expects revenue for 2025 to be about £1.79 billion ($2.47 b

South Africa’s National Treasury has extended the deadline for public submissions on its proposal to introduce a 20% national tax on online and interactive gambling revenue, granting stakeholders an additional month to comment before Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presents the 2026 Budget.   The move follows requests from interested parties for more time to assess and respond to the proposal.   Treasury initially invited public comment after releasing a draft discussion pa

Australian regulators and tax authorities have kicked off 2026 with a renewed focus on companies and individuals that have failed to meet their tax obligations, signalling a tougher enforcement approach against unpaid tax debts. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO), alongside the corporate watchdog Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), has begun taking action against people responsible for managing corporations that have neglected to pay tax liabilities in

The Colombian government has revised its taxation strategy for the online gambling sector, replacing the 19% value-added tax previously applied to player deposits with a levy based on gross gaming revenue. The updated framework came into force on January 1, redirecting the tax burden toward the actual income earned by operators rather than the total amount of money deposited by customers. The deposit-based 19% VAT was first introduced in February 2025 as a temporary response

The National Treasury of South Africa is preparing to introduce a new tax targeting online gambling, a move that would see gambling operators pay an additional 20% on the revenue they generate from online betting activities. As part of the consultation process, the Treasury has extended the deadline for public submissions on the proposal, shifting it from 30 January to 27 February 2026 to allow for broader engagement and feedback. The department has described the proposed lev

The European Parliament is preparing to suspend the ratification of the US trade deal agreed in July, according to sources close to its committee on international trade. The announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday in Strasbourg, France, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the US and Europe. The move comes as Donald Trump intensifies his efforts to acquire Greenland, prompting threats of new US tariffs over the issue during the weekend. The standoff h

The European Union is preparing a sweeping package of retaliatory measures against the United States, including tariffs worth up to €93 billion ($107.71 billion), in response to threats by US President Donald Trump to annex Greenland, according to a Financial Times report published on Sunday evening.   Brussels is also examining the possibility of limiting access for US companies to the European market as part of a broader response. The measures were discussed during a meetin

The Colombian government has revamped its approach to taxing online gambling, moving the 19% value-added tax from player deposits to gross gaming revenue (GGR). The new policy, which came into effect on January 1, focuses on the actual revenue generated by operators rather than taxing all funds deposited by players. The deposit-based 19% VAT was initially introduced in February 2025 as a temporary measure amid internal unrest. Throughout 2025, this tax structure faced widespr

IKEA has vowed to fight back against an Australian Taxation Office audit claiming the Swedish furniture company owes approximately A$171 million ($115 million) in unpaid taxes, saying it “strongly disagrees with its position.” The ATO believes that IKEA has shifted money offshore through disputed transfer pricing and royalty arrangements. IKEA’s Australian business is reportedly structured in a way that reduces taxable income in Australia by paying franchise fees, licence fee

Japan’s governing coalition has once again confirmed its intention to exempt overseas casino patrons from paying taxes on gambling winnings, reinforcing a long-standing policy designed to boost inbound tourism and attract international investment.   The commitment was reiterated in December during fiscal policy discussions between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Innovation Party, reviving measures that were first put forward several years ago.   The exemption for non-res

The Cypriot economy sustained a strong and steady course through December 29, 2025, with the government managing to steer through a challenging international environment while advancing far-reaching domestic reforms. Globally, uncertainty intensified early in the year as renewed trade frictions surfaced following tariff announcements by US President Donald Trump, reigniting concerns over rising inflation and a potential deceleration in global economic growth. These developmen

Poland’s president has vetoed legislation that would have increased the tax on gambling winnings, a move that has been welcomed by industry stakeholders who argue it preserves competitiveness and stability in the regulated market.   President Karol Nawrocki rejected amendments to the Public Health Act and the Personal Income Tax Act that had been approved by Parliament earlier this month. The changes would have raised the tax on winnings from competitions, games and mutual be

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEBE) has welcomed parliament’s approval of Cyprus’ long-anticipated tax reform, describing it as a decisive step towards modernising the country’s fiscal framework and reinforcing its competitiveness.   In a statement issued on Monday, the chamber said the reform “marks a historic step” in upgrading the tax system at a time when the Cypriot economy is seeking sustainable growth and increased investment. KEBE said the adoption of t

HM Revenue and Customs has secured a significant win in the Supreme Court after successfully challenging Hotel La Tour’s attempt to recover VAT linked to the sale of shares in one of its subsidiaries. The ruling marks a decisive conclusion to a long-running dispute over whether VAT incurred on professional fees connected to a share sale can be reclaimed when the proceeds are used for taxable business activities. The judgment was delivered on December 17 by a panel comprising