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31Casino tracks regulation, enforcement, market openings, operator movement, and responsible-gambling developments with an editorial lens. The goal is not volume. The goal is context.
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Bulgaria Targets Outdoor Gambling Ads and Online Betting Fees in Regulatory Overhaul
Bulgaria has announced draft legislation that would impose a near-total ban on outdoor gambling advertising and increase online betting fees, as part of a broader push to tackle gambling-related harms and tighten industry oversight.
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The broader feed, with room for regulatory, industry, and responsible-gambling developments.
Brazil Bans Licensed Online Betting Operators Effective October 6 Under Lula Decree
President Lula has issued a sweeping ban on licensed online betting operators in Brazil, reversing landmark iGaming reforms less than two years after regulation. The decision disrupts Latin America's largest betting market and has immediate repercussions for operators, investors, and Brazilian tax revenues.
Brazil Set to Impose Full Online Betting Ban as Lula Fulfils 2026 Election Pledge
Brazil’s President Lula has pledged a nationwide ban on online betting, overturning the Bets Law as part of the Workers Party's 2026 election commitment. The move signals a sharp regulatory shift with broad implications for operators, tax revenue, and public policy.
Malta Raises Casino Gaming Tax to 15% from October 2026
Malta will increase its casino gaming tax rate to 15% from 1 October 2026, marking a significant regulatory shift for the island's gambling sector. The update introduces lower rates for sports betting and skill games, with the VAT exemption scope also narrowed.
Brazil Considers Online Casino Ban Amid President Lula’s Hardline Gambling Stance
Brazil's President Lula has delivered a strong rebuke of the betting industry at the UN, as his administration prepares a provisional measure that may restrict gambling advertising and ban online casinos. Industry uncertainty rises as Brazil mulls broader regulatory changes targeting the sector.
Bulgaria Gambling Advertising Ban Proposal Threatens Affiliate Sector
Bulgaria's Progressive Bulgaria party has unveiled draft legislation proposing a near-total ban on gambling advertising, a move that could severely impact the country's affiliate industry and reshape the wider iGaming market.
Brazil Considers Online Casino Ban as President Lula Prioritises Gambling Policy in Reelection Push
Brazil’s federal government is debating stringent restrictions on online gambling, including a possible ban on digital casino games like “tigrinho,” as President Lula places betting regulations at the forefront of his reelection campaign.
Curacao Data Breach Reveals Hundreds of Hidden Online Casino Owners
A major data leak at the Curacao Gaming Authority has exposed the names and details of hundreds linked to offshore gambling firms, raising serious questions about ownership transparency and regulatory practices in Curacao's online casino sector.
Brazil Online Casino Ban Could Double Illegal Market Share to 82%, ANJL Warns
A prospective ban on regulated online casinos in Brazil may push the illegal gambling market’s share from 41% to a staggering 82%, according to a new ANJL study. The warning arrives as the government weighs further restrictions amid ongoing regulatory debate.
UK MGD Tax Hike Threatens Future of Retail Betting Shops, Warns Betfred Founder
Betfred’s founder has warned that the controversial 2024 increase in UK Machine Games Duty (MGD) could force retail betting shops out of business by 2030, following the closure of 132 Betfred locations since April. This article examines why the tax change poses a significant threat to high street gambling venues.
Brazil Considers Online Casino and Betting Ad Ban Amid Presidential Criticism
Brazil's President Lula has publicly signaled support for banning online casino operations and betting ads, drawing a stark comparison between gambling addiction and crack cocaine. The president's remarks come as Brazil's nascent regulated betting sector faces increased scrutiny and possible legislative changes.
UK Gambling Giant Entain Presses for Immediate Ban on Unlicensed Sports Sponsorships After DCMS Review
UK-listed operator Entain has renewed calls for an urgent ban on unlicensed gambling sponsorships in sport, citing 11 Premier League clubs with such deals after the DCMS consultation closed. The move highlights persistent compliance gaps and regulatory risks in the UK’s high-profile sports sector.
UK Lords Demand Gambling Ad Ban as Europe’s iGaming Black Market Hits €12bn
The UK House of Lords pushes for a full gambling ad ban while new data shows Europe’s illicit iGaming market is worth €12bn annually. UK slots reach a record £4.8bn GGY amid mounting regulatory scrutiny and shifting dynamics in European online gambling.
São Paulo Football Clubs Push Back Against Proposed Betting Ad Ban
São Paulo legislators are considering new bills to ban betting advertisements, prompting unified opposition from local football clubs over potential losses to sports sponsorship revenue and wider questions about Brazil’s gambling regulation framework.
Brazil Considers Sweeping Betting Ban as President Lula Signals Crackdown on iGaming
Brazil's President Lula is reportedly preparing to introduce a nationwide ban on casino activity and severe restrictions on betting, threatening the foundations of Brazil's legal online gambling industry amid ongoing legislative reforms.
UK House of Lords Calls for Complete Gambling Advertising Ban
The UK House of Lords has recommended a total ban on gambling advertising, signalling a potential major shift in the country's approach to gambling regulation and responsible gambling protections.
US House Committee Advances Restored Full Tax Deduction for Gambling Losses
The US House Ways and Means Committee is reviewing legislation to reinstate a full federal tax deduction for gambling losses, replacing the current 90% limit. The measure could impact gamblers and industry operators nationwide, with retroactive application to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Brazil Targets Illegal Gambling With Stringent Bank Controls in 2026 Crackdown
Brazil’s Secretariat for Prizes and Betting has ordered direct monitoring of banks to detect and block financial transactions related to unlicensed online gambling, unveiling Ordinance SPA/MF No. 2,750/2026 as part of a wider clampdown on illegal operators in the country’s digital betting sector.
Brazilian President Lula Condemns Online Betting, Vows Regulatory Decision Imminent
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has openly criticized online betting, calling it a “disease” and revealing that the government will soon announce key decisions affecting the country’s rapidly growing online gambling sector.
Quebec Considers Ending Loto-Québec Monopoly with Regulated Online Casino Market
Quebec is weighing significant iGaming regulatory reform as a new poll and political platform signal potential end to Loto-Québec’s online gambling monopoly. Modeled after Ontario, the move could reshape online casino regulation, channel offshore play, and boost provincial revenue.
Netherlands KSA Calls for EU-Wide Crackdown on Unlicensed Online Gambling
The Dutch regulator (KSA) has urged EU authorities to coordinate action against unlicensed offshore gambling, highlighting the growing threat to regulated markets and player protection across Europe. The call reflects mounting regulatory pressure and cross-border enforcement challenges in the online gambling sector.
UK Researchers Call on DCMS to Expand Gambling Ad Ban to Licensed Operators
UK policy researchers are urging the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to broaden its proposed gambling advertising ban to include all licensed operators, pushing for an August 2027 implementation date and raising important regulatory questions for the UK gambling industry.
Bulgaria Proposes Sweeping Gambling Advertising Ban as bet365 Makes Major Cuts
Bulgaria is set to debate a near-total ban on gambling advertising, while bet365 has announced 340 job losses amid wider industry pressures. These moves signal mounting regulatory and commercial challenges for European iGaming operators.
Germany Targets €6 Billion Illegal Gambling Network in Major Enforcement Operation
German authorities have dismantled a €6 billion illegal gambling ring following a three-year investigation and raids on eleven locations, highlighting the urgent regulatory response to money laundering risks identified by the FATF.
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Licensing and player protection
A useful companion when news stories hinge on licensing and player-safety claims.