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Bulgaria has introduced a new regulatory framework placing gambling affiliates under direct licensing and tax obligations, significantly changing the way businesses can promote licensed gambling operators in the country. The new rules, which entered into force on 1 August 2026, bring affiliate marketing into the scope of Bulgaria’s gambling regulatory system. Affiliates that generate remuneration based on measurable results linked to gambling activity are now required to obta

Gibraltar is stepping up efforts to attract gaming companies serving international markets as rising gambling taxes in the United Kingdom put increasing pressure on operator profits, employment and government revenues in one of the territory’s most significant economic sectors. More than 75% of Gibraltar’s gross gaming yield is generated by business connected to the UK market, leaving the territory particularly vulnerable to regulatory and tax changes introduced by the Britis

KPMG Australia has confirmed that it reached a settlement with a former employee who had raised allegations of wrongdoing within the firm's tax division, adding another layer to the growing scrutiny surrounding the professional services firm's governance, whistleblower processes and treatment of misconduct allegations. The settlement relates to historical allegations concerning KPMG Australia's tax practice and comes as the firm faces a separate parliamentary inquiry into all

Britain's regulated betting-shop sector is facing mounting financial pressure as higher gambling taxes and increasing operating costs contribute to a continuing wave of closures across the country's high streets. Industry representatives have warned that further increases in taxation could accelerate the decline of physical betting outlets, putting additional jobs and investment at risk while potentially strengthening the position of unlicensed gambling operators. The warning

Uganda has removed a tax exemption previously available to land-based casinos, bringing physical casinos into the same 15% withholding tax regime that applies to winnings from online betting and gaming. The change follows a proposal by President Yoweri Museveni to amend the country's tax legislation and is intended to create a more uniform approach to the taxation of gambling winnings while reducing opportunities for tax avoidance and revenue leakage. The amendment addresses

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order introducing a 15% tariff on imported polysilicon and products made from the material, escalating Washington's efforts to protect strategically important industries and reduce China's influence over critical technology supply chains. Polysilicon is a key raw material used in the manufacture of semiconductors and solar panels. Under the order signed on Thursday, the United States will impose a 15% tariff on polysilicon and

Malta is preparing to challenge plans for a potential European Union-wide levy on online gambling, arguing that imposing a common tax at EU level could undermine national regulatory systems, distort competition and place additional pressure on an industry that is already subject to significant taxation and compliance obligations in individual Member States. The proposal has emerged as part of wider discussions about new sources of revenue for the EU's next long-term budget. T

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

Two separate lawsuits are challenging Washington state’s official description of a ballot initiative that seeks to repeal the state’s new income tax, setting up a legal dispute that could ultimately reach the Washington Supreme Court before voters decide the measure in November. On July 27, the sponsors of Initiative 645 formally contested the wording prepared by state attorneys to describe the measure’s fiscal impact. They argued that the language is misleading and unfairly

Dutch tax authorities have introduced a series of new VAT-related measures that are expected to reduce compliance costs for businesses by approximately €81 million each year. The savings are expected to come primarily from administrative simplifications, streamlined procedures, and a reduction in the reporting burden faced by entrepreneurs. The measures form part of a wider package of VAT modernisation reforms in the Netherlands, designed to make the VAT system more efficient

Kenya does not need to increase its Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to generate higher government revenue, according to a new study by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), which argues that improving tax administration, expanding compliance and leveraging digital tax systems would be far more effective than imposing higher tax rates. The findings come at a time when Kenya continues to debate its tax policy following a series of Finance Bills aimed

Pakistan's government has announced a renewed campaign against tax evasion, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directing authorities to identify individuals and businesses operating outside the formal economy and initiate legal proceedings against those found to be avoiding their tax obligations. The move forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen tax collection, modernise the country's revenue system and expand the national tax base. The directive was issued during a hig

The Korea Casino Association has urged the South Korean government to reconsider proposed regulatory changes that would increase the ceiling on tourism fund contributions for foreigner-only casinos and introduce mandatory five-year casino license renewals. In a statement released on July 22, the association warned that the proposed measures could undermine the financial health of casino operators, discourage long-term investment and put jobs at risk at a time when competition

Britain's incoming prime minister is being urged to reduce the energy levies paid by businesses as part of a broader effort to accelerate economic growth, according to a joint call issued on Tuesday by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Energy UK. With former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham expected to take office at Downing Street, the two organisations warned that persistently high energy costs are weighing heavily on businesses and undermining investment across

Macau’s government recorded gaming tax collections of MOP51.19 billion ($6.3 billion) during the first six months of 2026, representing a 13.1 percent increase compared with the same period a year earlier, according to central account budget execution data. The rise in gaming-related tax income helped push Macau’s fiscal surplus to MOP13.28 billion ($1.6 billion) through June 30, marking a 14.7 percent improvement from the MOP11.58 billion ($1.4 billion) surplus reported du

The illegal online gambling market targeting consumers across the European Union expanded to an estimated €91.6 billion in 2025, representing an increase of approximately 14% compared with the previous year, according to figures unveiled during a European Parliament roundtable held on 6 July. The findings, presented by the European Casino Association (ECA), indicate that EU member states collectively missed out on around €22.9 billion in tax revenue as gamblers increasingly

Singapore authorities have charged the owner of Eminent Frog Porridge in connection with an alleged $3.8 million tax evasion scheme and offences involving suspected criminal proceeds, following a joint investigation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD). The prosecution combines allegations of underreported business income, Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion, and the possession of assets that authorities allege repre

A new proposal to sharply increase taxes on high-street slot machines has reopened the UK debate over gambling harm, public revenue and the future of land-based betting venues. The proposal, advanced by the Social Market Foundation, would raise Machine Games Duty on higher-risk Category B machines, including many electronic gaming machines found in adult gaming centres, casinos, bingo halls and betting shops. The think tank argues that the measure could raise between £275 mil

The Netherlands’ gambling tax increase has delivered far less revenue than expected, raising serious questions about whether higher tax rates are damaging the regulated market instead of strengthening public finances. The Dutch gambling tax was increased in two stages. The rate rose from 30.5% to 34.2% on 1 January 2025, followed by a further increase to 37.8% from 1 January 2026. The policy was introduced as a revenue-raising measure, with the government expecting the gamb

The United Kingdom’s public finances are facing renewed pressure after official figures showed a sharp increase in borrowing and record debt interest costs for May. According to the Office for National Statistics, public sector borrowing reached £23.3 billion in May 2026. That was £5.4 billion higher than a year earlier and £5.6 billion above the forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility. It was also the second-highest May borrowing figure on record, behind only th