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News matters most when it helps readers understand what changed, where, and why that change actually matters.
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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Finland’s Affiliate Marketing Ban Raises Questions Ahead of 2027 Regulated Market Launch
Finland will ban affiliate marketing under its new online gambling regulatory regime set for 2027. This article analyses the potential impact on the market, operators, and local players, and explores how the move compares with other European gambling markets.
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The broader feed, with room for regulatory, industry, and responsible-gambling developments.
UK Remote Gaming Duty Doubles to 40%: Industry Braces for Unprecedented Tax Hike
The UK has implemented a sharp increase in Remote Gaming Duty (RGD), raising the tax on online gambling from 21% to 40% effective April 1, 2026. This unprecedented measure is set to reshape the country's remote gaming landscape and intensify regulatory and financial pressures across the industry.
Malta Gaming Authority Issues Warning Over Unauthorised Operator URLs
The Malta Gaming Authority has published a regulatory notice clarifying it has no connection with certain unauthorised URLs referencing the MGA. This notice underscores the regulator's ongoing vigilance in protecting its reputation and the integrity of Malta's gambling sector.
Prediction Markets Spark Regulatory Debate in Brazil After Kalshi's Entry
Industry stakeholders in Brazil are divided over how and when to regulate prediction markets, following U.S. operator Kalshi’s launch. The debate highlights the challenges facing policymakers as they consider the potential risks and opportunities in Brazil’s rapidly evolving online gambling market.
Sweden Appoints Peter Knutsson as Spelinspektionen Director General Amid Evolving Gambling Regulations
The Swedish government has named Peter Knutsson as the new Director General of Spelinspektionen, effective 17 August, in a move signalling its intent to address the country’s complex and rapidly changing gambling market. Knutsson will succeed Johan Röhr in overseeing Sweden's regulated gambling framework.
US Prediction Markets Face Uncertainty as Federal Bills Threaten Event Contracts
Two proposed US federal bills targeting event contracts have triggered sharp declines in prediction market stocks, raising stakes for operators and fueling debate over online gambling policy and regulation nationwide.
Brazil Projects Doubling of Online Gambling Tax Revenue as Regulation Gains Traction
Brazil’s Receita Federal reports a 235% surge in Q1 2026 online gambling tax receipts, driven by 87 active licences. The federal government aims to double yearly tax revenues as regulated igaming rapidly expands, signaling major shifts for operators and state coffers.
New Zealand Moves to Tighten Player Protection as Gambling Bill Nears Final Vote
New Zealand lawmakers address calls for stronger player safety measures as the country’s new gambling reform bill approaches its decisive third reading, raising the bar for responsible gambling and industry regulation.
EGBA Urges European Commission Action on Offshore Gambling Amid Surge in Online Fraud
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has pressed the European Commission to address the growing threat of offshore gambling, citing an urgent need for coordinated EU action on cross-border online fraud. This development highlights increased regulatory focus on unauthorized operators in Europe.
Philippines Moves to Tighten AML Rules for Online Gambling and Digital Finance Sectors
Lawmakers in the Philippines have introduced proposals to strengthen the country’s Anti-Money Laundering Act, targeting online gambling operators and digital finance platforms. The amendments seek greater regulatory oversight amid mounting cybercrime risks.
US Senators Propose Bill to Ban Sports Betting Contracts on Prediction Markets
A bipartisan bill introduced in the US Senate seeks to prohibit prediction market platforms regulated by the CFTC from listing contracts related to sporting events, highlighting growing regulatory scrutiny in the rapidly evolving intersection of sports betting and alternative financial markets.
Brazil Appoints Daniele Cardoso as Betting Regulator Chief, Marking Key Step in New Gambling Era
Brazil's Ministry of Finance has confirmed Daniele Cardoso as the new Secretary of the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), providing critical leadership for the country’s newly established betting regulator during a pivotal phase of market regulation.
Kentucky House Approves Sports Betting Age Hike and College Prop Bet Ban
Kentucky lawmakers have passed House Bill 904, raising the minimum sports betting age to 21 and banning prop bets on in-state college athletes, in a move to tighten regulations two years after legalization. The legislation signals growing scrutiny of college sports wagering.
Panama Approves New Online Gambling Market Restrictions in Regulatory Overhaul
Panama’s National Assembly has passed new legislation introducing stricter controls for online casinos, as policymakers respond to rapid industry growth. The new laws aim to enhance responsible gambling frameworks and limit market operations in one of Latin America's key regulated gaming sectors.
US Senators Propose National Ban on Sports Betting via Prediction Markets
A bipartisan bill introduced in the US Senate seeks to prohibit prediction market platforms from offering sports-related contracts nationwide, aiming to clarify regulatory oversight and address concerns about unlicensed betting. The proposal marks the first coordinated federal effort to directly regulate this fast-growing segment.
Argentina Bans Polymarket, Shutting Door on Prediction Markets amid Regulatory Concerns
Buenos Aires courts have banned Polymarket and similar prediction market platforms, citing regulatory and legal risks. This decision highlights Argentina's increasing scrutiny of novel iGaming products, posing major implications for prediction market operators across South America.
Tuvalu Gaming License: Inside the Regulatory Framework and Application Process for Offshore Operators
Tuvalu’s iGaming licensing framework is drawing growing attention from offshore gambling operators. This article examines the requirements, approval process, and industry implications surrounding the Tuvalu Gaming Authority’s licensing regime.
Malta’s Bill 55 Faces Further EU Scrutiny as CJEU Advocate General Issues Opinion
Malta’s controversial Bill 55 comes under renewed legal scrutiny after a European Court of Justice Advocate General opinion questions its alignment with EU law. The move reignites debate on Malta’s gaming protections and their compatibility with cross-border iGaming regulation.
Malta Gaming Authority Responds to Claims of Unauthorised Access in Latest Security Incident
The Malta Gaming Authority has issued a statement addressing recent public claims of unauthorised access to its systems, underscoring the regulator’s stance on security and regulatory compliance amid heightened cyber risks in Malta’s iGaming sector.
Gibraltar Overhauls Gambling Regulation, Shifting Focus to Operational Control
Gibraltar has approved a new gambling law, shifting regulatory oversight from technology infrastructure to operational management. The legislation is designed to strengthen Gibraltar’s role as a leading online gambling hub and reflects changing industry realities. Learn why this significant regulatory update matters for operators and the wider iGaming sector.
Kazakhstan Expands Gambling Zones Exclusively for Foreign Visitors Amid Regulatory Reforms
Kazakhstan has approved four new gambling zones designated exclusively for foreign visitors, following legislative amendments signed by President Tokayev. The move forms part of broader regulatory changes aimed at bolstering tourism and controlling casino activity within the country.
Malta Gaming Authority Confirms System Breach Triggering Regulatory Response
The Malta Gaming Authority has reported a security breach within one of its systems, prompting activation of internal response protocols. This incident raises important questions about cybersecurity and regulatory resilience in Europe’s leading iGaming jurisdiction.
Wisconsin Senate Approves Statewide Mobile Sports Betting, Bill Awaits Governor's Signature
The Wisconsin Legislature has passed a bipartisan bill to permit statewide mobile sports betting, pending final approval from Governor Tony Evers. The legislation would enable wagering across the state through mobile apps, as long as bet processing servers remain on tribal land.
Colombia Introduces 16% Consumption Tax on Online Gambling for 2026
Colombia’s government has enacted a new national consumption tax of 16% on online gambling, effective in 2026. This move marks a significant shift in Colombia’s iGaming tax policy and is expected to reshape operator costs and market dynamics in Latin America’s leading regulated market.
Regulators
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Licensing and player protection
A useful companion when news stories hinge on licensing and player-safety claims.
