Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Dabble Sports has been fined AU$1,069,200 for self-exclusion regulation violations in Australia. Regulatory review uncovered 157 active accounts and numerous promotional messages sent to self-excluded individuals. Dabble has entered a two-year court-enforceable undertaking with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Regulatory Findings and Enforcement Action Dabble Sports has incurred a AU$1,069,200 fine after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) concluded that the company repeatedly violated rules regarding Australia’s online gambling self-exclusion platform, BetStop. The findings showed that Dabble did not close accounts of individuals who had…

Key Moments: On September 15, 2026, the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS, along with their player unions, called for tougher action against harassment from sports bettors. The leagues advocated for lifetime bans and a nationwide exclusion system for those making violent threats or abusive remarks toward athletes, coaches, officials, or their families. State regulators and operators have already started introducing systems and policies to address betting-related abuse, with measures enacted by Fanatics Sportsbook and BetMGM in 2026. Unified Appeal from Major Professional Leagues The five largest American professional sports…

Key Moments: Stake has rebranded its Stake Engine platform to Engine, opening it to operators across the iGaming sector. Games built on Engine have generated over $23 billion in total turnover from more than 9.7 billion bets to date. Engine now connects more than 1,000 game creators, producing over 250 new titles weekly for the industry. Engine Platform Expands Industry Reach Stake, recognized as the world’s largest online casino and sportsbook, has announced the renaming of its Stake Engine technology platform to simply “Engine.” With this change, the platform and…

Key Moments: The Betting and Gaming Council has rejected calls for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising in the UK. The BGC has highlighted that licensed operators have introduced voluntary measures and dedicate around 20% of their advertising to safer gambling messages. The BGC has cautioned that tighter restrictions could bolster the illegal gambling sector, projecting that unlicensed betting could reach £800m during the current Premier League season. Industry Pushback Against Expanded Ad Ban Proposals The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has responded to renewed pressure for stricter gambling advertising…

Key Moments: Michel Groothuizen, chair of the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has emphasized that combating illegal gambling requires greater international collaboration The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has recently identified illegal gambling as a major financial crime risk in its September 9 communication KSA estimates that the Netherlands loses more than €500 million ($587 million) in tax revenue each year due to offshore gambling operations Regulatory Leadership Pushes for Cross-Border Coordination The chair of the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), Michel Groothuizen, has stressed that the Netherlands cannot tackle illegal offshore gambling networks in isolation.…

Key Moments: The NFL and college football seasons have started, setting the stage to gauge the effect of prediction markets on traditional sportsbooks. New York, the top sports betting market, reported a 15.3% year-over-year decline in August handle, with only one prior instance of such a decrease. Prediction markets recorded over $5 billion in contracts traded during the NFL’s season-opening weekend, marking their two busiest days ever. Prediction Markets Face Scrutiny Amid Football Kickoff The launch of the NFL and college football seasons is expected to offer fresh insight into…

Key Moments: Google Ads will ban gambling-promoting content targeting Croatia from 7 October 2026 Existing certifications for affiliate and aggregator advertisers will be revoked on 7 October 2026 Direct promotion of licensed operators’ own gambling products remains permitted under current policy Policy Update Targets Affiliate and Aggregator Sites Google Ads has announced it will prohibit the promotion of gambling-promoting content aimed at the Croatian market, starting on 7 October 2026. This applies specifically to affiliates and aggregator sites, rather than operators advertising their own products. Google will revoke all existing…

Key Moments: Ruth Evans will begin a five-year term as Chair of the UK Gambling Commission on 30 September 2026. Evans will succeed Charles Counsell OBE, who has served as interim Chair since February 2025. The Commission highlighted Evans’ strong background in consumer protection and regulatory leadership. Leadership Change at the UK Gambling Commission Ruth Evans will become Chair of the UK Gambling Commission on 30 September 2026. She will serve a five-year term. Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy announced the appointment. The leadership…

Key Moments: Europe’s illegal online gambling market was estimated to have generated €12 billion in net revenue during 2025 The unlicensed sector is now estimated to account for approximately 25% of Europe’s total online gambling market Researchers pointed to the role of cryptocurrency gambling and regulatory constraints as growth accelerators for the black market Scope and Findings of the Euromat Study A new report commissioned by Euromat has indicated that Europe’s illicit online gambling market reached an estimated net revenue of €12 billion ($14.1 billion) during 2025. According to the…

Key Moments: The Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has started reviewing bookmakers’ terms, service design, and potential manipulative techniques. An AI tool is being used to analyze operator websites, mobile apps, and communications for “dark patterns.” Bookmakers using unfair contract terms could face fines of up to 10 per cent of turnover. Regulator Focuses on Transparency and Fair Practices The Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has announced steps to assess whether the betting industry’s terms, conditions, and service structures utilize manipulative tactics. The regulator…