Labour Party Conference Set to Address Gambling Taxation and Advertising Reforms

Labour Party Conference Set to Address Gambling Taxation and Advertising Reforms

Key Moments: Labour conference delegates gathered in Liverpool to vote on which policy motions will be prioritized for debate. Proposed motions address issues such as higher taxation on gambling companies and a call for a widespread ban on gambling advertising. Voting determines seven key subjects, which will then undergo further discussion before final votes are cast during the conference. Delegates Consider New Approaches to Gambling Industry Regulation At the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, delegates have begun deliberations over a broad slate of policy motions, including proposals that would directly…

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PokerStars Expands Live Casino Lineup Through Ezugi Collaboration

PokerStars Expands Live Casino Lineup Through Ezugi Collaboration

Key Moments: Ezugi has entered a partnership with PokerStars to offer its live casino games in the UK and Ontario. Players on PokerStars now have access to titles such as Revolution Roulette, Ultimate Roulette, Unlimited Blackjack, and Lucky 7. Ezugi is part of Evolution and focuses on delivering localized live dealer content to online operators and betting shops. Strategic Partnership Enhances Game Diversity Ezugi, recognized for its innovation in live dealer casino solutions, has announced a new partnership with renowned online gaming brand PokerStars. This agreement brings Ezugi’s signature live…

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BetMGM Promotes Jarrod Schwarz to Inaugural COO Role Amid Major Strategy Shift

BetMGM Promotes Jarrod Schwarz to Inaugural COO Role Amid Major Strategy Shift

Key Moments: Jarrod Schwarz has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer, a new role at BetMGM In July 2025, BetMGM surpassed FanDuel to become Kansas’ second leading sportsbook by total wagers BetMGM raised its full-year revenue forecast to at least $2.7 billion following a 35 percent increase in first-half revenue Leadership Expansion: Schwarz Steps into COO Position BetMGM has made a significant leadership move by naming Jarrod Schwarz as its first-ever Chief Operating Officer (COO). Schwarz, who previously spent nearly five years as Chief Product Officer, will now manage product,…

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Vietnam Proposes Major Overhaul of Football Betting Regulations

Vietnam Proposes Major Overhaul of Football Betting Regulations

Key Moments: The Ministry of Finance in Vietnam has drafted a decree to increase the daily football betting limit to VND10 million ($380) per player. The updated regulations require participants to be at least 21 years old and to place bets through accounts registered with licensed operators. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of betting limits on both market appeal and revenue generation. Vietnam Plans Substantial Reform for Betting Sector The Ministry of Finance in Vietnam drafted a decree to reform betting rules for horse racing, greyhound racing,…

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Macau Satellite Casino Closures Advance Early as Talent Exodus Reshapes Industry

Macau Satellite Casino Closures Advance Early as Talent Exodus Reshapes Industry

Key Moments: Multiple satellite casinos in Macau have discontinued operations before the official December 31, 2025, shutdown deadline due to staff departures. Recruitment of marketing teams by larger casino operators has sharply accelerated closures at smaller venues. Industry players are repurposing former satellite casinos into budget hotels, while main operators ramp up gaming floors to absorb displaced business. Staff Poaching Drives Early Closures Numerous satellite casinos in Macau have halted operations well before the mandated December 31, 2025, closure date. The key catalyst behind these unexpected early exits is the…

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Brazil Weighs Higher Betting Taxes to Bolster Healthcare Funding and Tighten Oversight

Brazil Weighs Higher Betting Taxes to Bolster Healthcare Funding and Tighten Oversight

Key Moments: Proposal aims to raise the fixed-odds betting tax rate in Brazil from 12% to 18%, with 6% dedicated to health programs. MP 1,303/2025 mandates prompt regulatory approval timelines and contains tough measures against illegal operators. An estimated R$4.8 billion in annual revenue could be allocated to Brazil’s public health system if passed. Legislative Developments and Timelines Federal Deputy Carlos Zarattini (PT–SP) has introduced his draft for Provisional Measure (MP) 1,303/2025. The proposal seeks to significantly raise the taxation rate for fixed-odds betting. The proposal would move the existing…

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Stake’s LatAm Compliance Leader Urges Regulatory Consistency as Markets Evolve

Stake’s LatAm Compliance Leader Urges Regulatory Consistency as Markets Evolve

Key Moments: Stake’s head of legal and compliance for LatAm, Laura Maria Gomez Betancur, has called for greater regulatory stability as new rules take shape in Brazil and Peru. Recent measures, such as Peru’s new 1% consumption tax on bets and Brazil’s provisional tax rate increase from 12% to 18%, have sparked concerns about overregulation and the potential for black market growth. Stake has addressed initial challenges with KYC in Brazil’s online market by educating players on the importance and purpose of verification processes. Shifting Regulatory Landscape in LatAm Gambling…

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Danish Gambling Sector Rallies with Notable Gains in July 2025

Danish Gambling Sector Rallies with Notable Gains in July 2025

Key Moments: Gambling spend in Denmark reached DKK 634m ($99.16m) in July 2025, nearly 13% above last year’s level for the same month. Online casinos generated DKK 349m, marking over 20% growth year-on-year, with slots accounting for the vast majority of online play. The ROFUS self-exclusion register counted 62,577 users by July, with more than 40,000 choosing permanent exclusion. Strong Recovery Follows Early Summer Slump The Danish gambling industry made a significant comeback in July after a slow start to the summer. Newly released figures from Spillemyndigheden reveal that players…

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Chicago Eyes New Online Sports Betting Levy to Address Projected Budget Gap

Chicago Eyes New Online Sports Betting Levy to Address Projected Budget Gap

Key Moments: Chicago officials have been considering a 50-cent local tax on every online sports wager placed within city boundaries. The Chicago Financial Future Task Force estimates the proposed tax could bring in up to $17 million annually, factoring in a possible 10 percent reduction in betting activity. Industry groups, including the Sports Betting Alliance, have expressed resistance to a city-specific betting tax. Proposed Tax Targets Digital Betting to Offset Budget Shortfall Lawmakers in Chicago have been evaluating a new local tax on online sports betting to help shrink the…

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Rwanda Opens Casino Sector to Foreign Currencies and Resumes Operator Licensing

Rwanda Opens Casino Sector to Foreign Currencies and Resumes Operator Licensing

Key Moments: Rwanda has enabled casinos and certain firms to accept foreign currencies such as US dollars and euros, bypassing the need for prior approval. The government has restarted the gambling operator licensing process after a suspension that began in June 2024. Licensed gambling operators in Rwanda now face a higher tax rate of 40 per cent, up from 13 percent, as legislated in May. Regulatory Shift Welcomes Foreign Payments The National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) has issued a directive allowing casinos, travel agencies, and authorized real estate companies to…

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