Regulatory
Licensing, compliance, and regulator activity worldwide.
The Malta Gaming Authority has published a thematic review of self exclusion practices after mystery shopping tests across 20 licensees found delays, cross brand weaknesses, and shortcomings in limit setting prompts and Reality Check controls, with remediation required and enforcement escalated where needed.
Indiana has moved closer to an outright prohibition on online sweepstakes casinos after the Senate passed an amended House Bill 1052 that would define sweepstakes games in state law and empower the Indiana Gaming Commission to issue civil penalties of up to $100,000, with the bill now returning to the House for final agreement.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators has appointed former UAE regulator chief Kevin Mullally as its first chief executive officer, citing the need to expand operational capacity as its global influence and regulatory agenda continue to grow.
The SEC is stepping up scrutiny of prediction markets and coordinating weekly with the CFTC, as Chairman Paul Atkins told senators that contract design and activity can trigger overlapping jurisdiction and shape how regulators ultimately classify these products.
France’s gambling regulator has urged licensed operators to hold the line on World Cup marketing budgets after seeing planned 2026 promotional spend rise by more than 25 per cent, warning that extra in-match advertising time could increase pressure on vulnerable audiences.
The Estonian Riigikogu has finalised a correction to the Gambling Tax Act, restoring a 5.5% levy on online casinos after a drafting error briefly left the sector untaxed. The new rules, effective from 1 March 2026, alongside upcoming crypto reporting requirements, signal a major push for fiscal transparency and the protection of cultural funding.
The UK Gambling Commission has officially categorised prediction markets as gambling, requiring operators to secure a Betting Intermediary licence and warning that unlicensed firms targeting British punters face criminal prosecution.
Egypt initiates a legislative crackdown on unlicensed online betting apps, targeting major offshore operators like 1xBet to curb addiction and financial loss. The new draft law promises strict penalties for users and seeks to close the digital loopholes that have allowed the shadow gambling market to grow into a billion dollar industry.
The Swedish Gambling Authority has confirmed that new supervision fees will impact all licensed operators from 1 March 2026. This financial update arrives just weeks before a strict ban on credit gambling takes effect, creating a challenging environment for the industry as it battles to retain players against a growing black market.
Lithuania’s gambling regulator has handed a €330,600 fine to Baltic Bet for systemic failures in money laundering prevention, marking another blow for the Entain owned operator as the country continues its aggressive compliance crackdown.
Leading gambling operators SkillOnNet and Wildz Group have rejected Finland's proposed universal loss limits, warning that overly strict rules will drive players to the black market. Citing the failures of the German regulatory model, the companies argue that the new legal framework must remain competitive to ensure high channelisation rates when the market opens in 2027.
The conflict highlights the immense tension within the Nordic gambling sector as Finland prepares to dismantle its state monopoly. While Veikkaus maintains its actions are lawful, the investigation by the FCCA will determine whether an incumbent can legally fortify its position against future rivals before the market even opens.