Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: A draft bill submitted on 23 September targets a phased decrease in Estonia’s online gambling tax rate to 4% by 2029 The proposal seeks to enhance Estonia’s attractiveness for international gambling operators Some parliamentarians have raised concerns about the effectiveness of tax cuts without broader regulatory reforms Tax Reform Proposal Submitted Estonia could soon see a significant transformation in its online gambling landscape, following a new legislative initiative. Members of the Reform Party and Eesti 200 have presented a bill to the Riigikogu that aims to systematically lower…

Key Moments: A forged court order barred Paul Ndung’u from ownership dispute proceedings at SportPesa, prompting a criminal probe into forgery. The Court of Appeal reversed its earlier decision, allowing Mr Ndung’u to participate in cases regarding SportPesa’s assets and shares. Significant shareholder conflicts persist following expulsions, brand transfers, and unresolved consent settlements involving Milestone Games and Pevans East Africa. Forgery Exposes Deeper Legal Issues A fraudulent court order significantly affected the participation of businessman Paul Ndung’u in the ongoing ownership disputes involving SportPesa. The invalid order not only excluded…

Key Moments: Italy has launched a new nine-year gambling license structure requiring an upfront payment of €7 million per license. Lawmakers are now considering changes to the 2018 gambling advertising ban following evidence of unintended impacts. Analysts predict the number of active licensed operators in Italy will fall from over 80 to about 30-35 under the new system. Regulatory Transformation in Italy’s Gambling Sector Italy’s gambling sector is entering a pivotal phase with significant regulatory overhauls set to reshape its entire landscape. The country has long embraced gambling both as…

Key Moments: SUEK reported that 114 Finnish floorball insiders placed over 1,000 bets on the sport from 2021 to 2025. Investigators found that 10 individuals were responsible for 80% of the betting violations. No match-fixing was identified, but the investigation revealed significant gaps in insider information policies. Scope of the Breach Revealed A comprehensive investigation by the Finnish Sports Ethics Centre (SUEK) disclosed that between 2021 and 2025, a total of 114 participants in Finnish floorball – including players, coaches, managers, and officials – engaged in more than 1,000 bets…

Key Moments: Atlaslive has partnered with Magnum to enhance local payment options in Brazil. This collaboration integrates Magnum’s financial services directly into the Atlaslive platform for regulated operators. The agreement highlights Atlaslive’s continued expansion in Latin America’s regulated iGaming sector. New Payment Integration for Brazilian Operators Atlaslive, a prominent provider of B2B software and iGaming platforms, has formed a partnership with Magnum, a financial institution in Brazil that operates under the Central Bank’s regulation and specializes in secure digital transactions. Through this partnership, Atlaslive’s operators now have access to an…

Key Moments: The Gambling Commission reports that 48% of adults in Great Britain have engaged in gambling during the past month. The Problem Gambling Severity Index indicates 2.7% of adults are classified as problem gamblers, a rate statistically stable compared to 2023. From 31 October, new regulations require all gambling operators to prompt customers to set a financial limit prior to their first deposit. Participation Trends Revealed A recent survey by the Gambling Commission shows that nearly half (48%) of Great Britain’s adult population has gambled in the last four…

Key Moments: Spain is preparing to introduce prominent and factual warning messages on all online gambling platforms. The proposed reforms include new advertising bans, mandatory AI-based monitoring, and national deposit limits. EGBA has reported that a draft for European-wide gambling harm markers has received approval from CEN. Major Regulatory Overhaul Targets Spanish Gambling Industry The Spanish government is ushering in a transformative era for the nation’s online gambling sector. Following a model inspired by tobacco product warnings, the country will soon require online gambling platforms to display prominent real-world risk…

Key Moments: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has drafted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025, and is seeking feedback from stakeholders. The proposed framework establishes the Online Gaming Authority of India to oversee game classification, registration, compliance, and enforcement. Industry leaders have highlighted the value of official recognition and a structured regulatory approach for boosting investment and legitimacy in India’s gaming sector. Government Proposes New Regulations for Online Gaming The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has introduced the Draft for the Promotion and…

Key Moments: National standardization bodies have overwhelmingly approved the draft European standard on markers of harm The voting process for the standard concluded on 25 September Formal finalization by CEN is projected for completion by early 2026 Approval of Markers of Harm Standard The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has expressed strong support for the recent vote by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) regarding the draft European standard on markers of harm. The standard gained broad backing from national standardization bodies, marking a key development for player protection…

Key Moments: The government published detailed regulations to prevent the use of Bolsa Família and BPC welfare funds on sports betting. Operators must block, close, and refund accounts linked to recipients of these welfare programs based on daily verification with the Sigap system. Betting companies face a 30-day deadline to comply, with market launch scheduled for January 1, 2025. New Restrictions on Welfare Recipients With Brazil’s regulated betting sector set to debut on January 1, 2025, regulators have moved to address concerns about potential misuse of state assistance for gambling.…