Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: ACMA determined that SBS violated gambling advertising restrictions during its Tour de France coverage in July 2025 An advertisement for Crown Resorts aired during a prohibited period and did not meet the dining or entertainment exception SBS contested the ruling, asserting the commercial focused solely on culinary, hospitality, and accommodation features Regulatory Decision on Broadcast Advertising The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has concluded that SBS breached advertising regulations by airing a Crown Resorts commercial at an unauthorized time during its live Tour de France broadcast in…

Key Moments: The cabinet granted initial approval to the draft Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 on June 18. The new bill aims to repeal the Public Gambling Act of 1867 and modernize regulation for the digital era. Authorities have targeted online betting by suspending 21,725 accounts linked to gambling-related transactions. Key Moments Date Event June 18 Cabinet gives in-principle approval to proposed Gambling Prevention Act, 2026 Recent enforcement Bangladesh Bank suspends 21,725 accounts linked to betting activity Government Moves Toward Major Legislative Change Bangladesh is on the verge of making sweeping…

Key Moments A House bill, titled the “Stop Lawmakers From Predicting Act,” would ban members of Congress and their families from trading prediction markets tied to political or government events. In addition, the proposal sets penalties of at least $2,000 or 10% of transaction value. It also requires forfeiture of any profits, which would go to the U.S. Treasury. Moreover, the bill follows recent Senate action that blocks similar activity for senators and staff. Overall, it reflects growing concern about insider trading risks. New House Proposal Targets Political Betting by…

Key Moments Russia’s Federation Council has approved a bill to cut online casino blocking times to 48 hours, with only presidential approval remaining. The reform aims to streamline a multi-step process involving the Federal Tax Service and Roskomnadzor that officials call slow and outdated. While regulators push for faster enforcement, the Ministry of Finance has reportedly floated a plan to legalize a limited number of online casinos with a 30% tax on annual profits. Regulators Move to Accelerate Website Blocking Russia is preparing to give regulators a far quicker tool…

Key Moments: Ad fraud has emerged as a significant but under-recognized issue amid the surge in betting activity around the FIFA World Cup 2026 Independent audits have found that large portions of gambling operators’ digital ad spend may not reach real consumers Major sporting events like the World Cup intensify risks of inefficient marketing spend and compliance concerns The Overlooked Impact of Ad Fraud on Gambling Operators While the gambling industry faces ongoing scrutiny from politicians targeting advertising and regulators focusing on consumer welfare, a less visible challenge continues to…

Key Moments: SkillOnNet has introduced Octoplay’s Malta-licensed slot games across its UK-facing casino brands, including PlayOJO, Genting, SpinGenie, and MegawaysCasino. The rollout is set to reach additional markets later in 2026, following initial launch in the UK. Octoplay’s recent commercial activity includes going live with bet365 in the UK in May 2026 and its entry into the Michigan market in December 2025. Rollout of Octoplay Slots on SkillOnNet’s UK Platforms SkillOnNet has made the slots portfolio from Gameshop Limited, operating as Octoplay, available on its UK-focused casino sites. The launch…

Key Moments: Demand for online gambling products rose by 120% since the regulatory framework launched in February 2024 Market share for offshore operators dropped below 1% of measured visibility by July 2024 and has stayed at that level Apuesta Total currently holds over 50% of total measured demand, while Betano reached almost 18% following over 100% annual demand growth Regulation Spurs Rapid Industry Expansion Peru’s online gambling market has undergone a dramatic transformation after the country enacted a comprehensive regulatory system. Following the introduction of the full regulatory framework in…

Key Moments: Logifuture has introduced its Zoom virtual football platform to Kenya through a partnership with Betika The technology, powered by Sportradar’s OneFeed, has enabled a rapid and efficient integration Operators using Zoom have reported up to 30% increases in sportsbook turnover Strategic Launch of Zoom Virtual Football Logifuture has teamed up with Betika, a prominent gaming operator in Kenya, to roll out Zoom, its continuous virtual football product. This collaboration marks the first time Zoom is available in the Kenyan market, solidifying Betika’s dedication to offering superior gaming solutions…

Key Moments: Authorities have started blocking access to online gambling and betting websites following user complaints and an official investigation. The restrictions expanded to include requests for social media to act against gambling advertisements targeting Syrian users. Official statistics indicated that, as of August 2025, unemployment exceeded 60% and poverty affected 90% of the population. Broad Clampdown on Digital Betting Platforms The Syrian government has taken decisive steps to restrict access to online gambling websites after users raised concerns about their growing influence. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology…

Key Moments: On June 12, 2026, the Dutch government unveiled a major gambling reform plan. It bans advertising, restricts bonuses, and introduces strict deposit limits. The government also planned to raise the gambling age from 18 to 21. However, it has postponed this change due to concerns about illegal migration. Legal operators and Nederlandse Loterij raised concerns. They warn that stricter rules may push users toward illegal gambling sites. Government Moves to Tighten Rules The Dutch government has introduced a broad package of gambling reforms. State Secretary for Justice and…