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Brazil’s regulated betting sector has reacted strongly after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged authorities to consider banning online gambling, comments that have drawn criticism from industry stakeholders who warn the move could drive players into the unregulated market. The remarks were made during a national address delivered on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day, when Lula described gambling addiction as a growing social problem affecting Brazilian familie

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

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

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

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

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

Athens has announced that all options are being considered in the fight against black market gambling, including prison sentences and consumer fines for repeated participation on illegal websites. Greece is moving forward with plans to become the first EU country to introduce a “comprehensive framework” specifically targeting illegal gambling activities and associated crimes. The initiative comes from Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of National Economy and Finance, who is adva

South Africans who access unlicensed offshore gambling websites face serious legal and financial consequences, including the possible loss of both their deposits and any winnings. Financial institutions are obligated under the law to seize funds connected to illegal betting activities, meaning users may never recover money earned through these platforms. According to the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA), national legislation forbids residents from participat

Ben Cove, chief marketing officer of Logifuture, has urged policymakers to adopt a pragmatic approach as tensions continue between state and federal gambling authorities in Nigeria. The country’s regulatory trajectory remains unsettled amid ongoing jurisdictional disputes between different layers of government. In December, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the proposed Central Gaming Bill, legislation that would have shifted oversight of the gambling sector to a

In a step that has ignited widespread debate across Tunisia, 23 members of parliament have introduced a legislative proposal aimed at tightening restrictions on gambling and games of chance, with a particular focus on electronic gambling. The draft law has been referred to the General Legislation Committee, where it will be examined in detail to assess its legal implications and its potential impact on Tunisian society. For years, online gambling remained a relatively lim

Sweden’s gambling authority, Spelinspektionen, has confirmed that a revised structure for supervisory fees will take effect on March 1, 2026. The updated framework is set out in regulation SIFS 2026:1, which will replace the previous SIFS 2024:4. Under the new rules, operators holding an online casino licence or a betting licence will be required to pay SEK 240,000 (€22,680) per licence for each fee period. Companies that hold both an online casino and a betting licence w

Tunisia is preparing to modernise its gambling legislation through a newly proposed draft Bill designed to overhaul a regulatory framework that has remained largely unchanged for more than five decades. The initiative comes in response to the rapid expansion of online and mobile gambling, sectors that have outpaced the scope of the country’s existing laws. The proposal, put forward by 23 members of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, seeks to amend Decree L

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has launched a consultation on whether the destination of regulatory settlement payments made by licensed betting operators should be revised, potentially marking a significant shift in how such funds are handled. The consultation, which is open until 2 April, focuses on a proposed amendment to section 2.39 of the UKGC’s Statement of principles for determining financial penalties. At present, money paid by operators as part of regulatory se

Google has revealed plans to introduce more rigorous standards for gambling advertisers operating across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, significantly raising the bar for companies seeking access to its advertising platforms. The policy shift was announced by Google’s Dublin-based advertising unit and centers on expanded verification and eligibility requirements for businesses in the gambling sector. The updated framework is set to take effect on March 23, 2026. From

A senior Russian law enforcement officer tasked with combating corruption has himself come under investigation for allegedly accepting bribes from operators of illegal casinos and gambling dens. According to Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti, the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ branch in the Omsk Oblast is probing one of its own officers, Dmitry Nagibin, who serves as a police colonel within the ministry’s Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department. The minis

The Greek government is moving forward with sweeping reforms to its legislation targeting illegal gambling, introducing stricter criminal sanctions aimed not only at operators but also at repeat participants. Authorities say the measures are necessary to combat what they describe as a fast-growing underground market that is reducing public revenue streams while exposing younger individuals to unregulated and potentially harmful gambling environments. Athens has confirmed that