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Key Moments: On February 9th, 2025, over 130 million Americans watched Super Bowl LIX and millions engaged in online sports betting where permitted On July 25th, 2024, the UK implemented mandatory age verification for major online services, prompting a surge in VPN usage U.S. gaming regulations have effectively used advanced location verification to enforce access, whereas UK approaches have been easily bypassed The U.S. Betting Model and Regional Regulation During Super Bowl LIX on February 9th, 2025, viewers not only witnessed the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs with…

Key Moments: Tax Secretary Eugène Heijnen confirmed he will not introduce new policies. However, gambling tax revenue is still expected to fall in 2025. The Kansspelautoriteit now projects a €40 million ($47 million) decline in iGaming revenue for 2025. This reverses earlier forecasts of growth. Gambling tax rates will rise from 30.5% to 34.2% on January 1, 2025. Then, on January 1, 2026, the rate will increase again to 37.8%. No Adjustments Planned to Offset Revenue Shortfall During a parliamentary session last week, Dutch State Secretary for Taxation Eugène Heijnen…

Key Moments: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has identified serious regulatory weaknesses in Timor-Leste’s Oecusse Digital Centre (ODC) free trade zone. Authorities seized SIM cards and Starlink satellite devices during a raid on a hotel in the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse-Ambeno (RAEOA) on 25 August 2025. The UNODC connected several Timor-Leste-based companies to the 14K Triad, Cambodian gambling networks, and possible illicit online gaming activity. Timor-Leste’s Growing Profile in Offshore Gaming The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has raised alarms about Timor-Leste…

Key Moments Tsachi Maimon has been named CEO of RubyPlay, effective October 1, 2025. The company strengthens its global presence, following notable entries into the Brazil and US markets. The launch of Koala Games marks a strategic move towards further portfolio diversification within RubyPlay. Leadership Transition at RubyPlay RubyPlay has announced the appointment of Tsachi Maimon as Chief Executive Officer, bringing nearly twenty years of experience in the worldwide gaming sector to the B2B content developer. Maimon is set to officially begin his new position on October 1, 2025, where…

Key Moments: Korean teen gambling addiction cases rose from 64 in 2022 to 210 in 2024. Police reported teen gambling crime suspects increased from 76 in 2022 to 631 in 2024. Online casino cases involving teens surged from 2 in 2022 to 93 in 2023. Spike in Teen Gambling Addiction Cases The number of teenagers in Korea seeking treatment for gambling addiction has tripled within just two years. Lawmakers have described the situation as reaching crisis proportions, pressing for immediate government measures. One middle school student, who sought counseling after…

Key Moments: The DSWV has reported at least 382 illegal German-language sports betting sites compared with 34 licensed operators, reflecting an 11:1 ratio in 2024. The GGL launched 231 prohibition procedures against unlawful gambling activity and advertising in 2024, with payment blocking prompting the withdrawal of 188 illegal providers. In September 2024, Google restricted gambling ads in Germany to only licensed providers, following ongoing efforts to curb illegal advertising. Illegal Market Overshadows Licensed Betting in Germany As the Champions League began, the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) drew attention to…

Key Moments: The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has authorized PlayCity to issue and confirm gambling licenses under new rules. PlayCity expects these measures to generate almost UAH 50 million (US$1.21 million) in extra revenue for the state. Both new and current licensees must comply with stricter standards or face possible fines or license revocation. New Licensing Policies Announced The Cabinet of Ministers in Ukraine has enacted revised licensing requirements for the nation’s gambling industry. Regulatory authority PlayCity now has the capacity to issue fresh licenses and renew those already in…

Key Moments: Major gambling operators have lost $208.6 billion in advertising reach due to enforcement changes on Google, Meta, and TikTok. Spain has experienced a 55% decrease in new gambling accounts after advertising restrictions were put into place. DraftKings continues to spend $197.5 million per quarter on advertising despite new platform limitations. Industry Faces Disruption as Platforms Enforce New Advertising Rules Gambling operators across the globe are encountering significant obstacles as key digital platforms tighten rules around advertising. Throughout 2025, enhanced verification requirements and content limitations from Google, Meta, and…

Key Moments: Nine operators have submitted sports betting license applications in Missouri ahead of the 12 September deadline, with the Missouri Gaming Commission expecting more applications. Missouri’s sports betting market is scheduled to launch on 1 December 2025, allowing access to key US sportsbook brands. Nearly 800 combined applications for mobile, retail, and supplier licenses have been received by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Growing Lineup of Applicants for Missouri Sports Betting Licenses The Missouri sports betting landscape is on track to go live on 1 December 2025. The Missouri Gaming…

Key Moments: Veikkaus reported €466.4 million in revenue for the first half of 2025, representing a 3.6% decrease year-on-year. Fennica Gaming, Veikkaus’ subsidiary, nearly tripled its revenue compared to the same period in 2024, expanding into Ontario, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. The Finnish government will accept license applications from private gambling operators starting January 2026, with licenses effective from 2027. Finnish Gambling Market to Open Up Veikkaus, Finland’s state-owned gambling operator, has for years maintained an exclusive position in the country’s gaming sector. However, by 2027, this monopoly…