Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Nepal’s government has implemented a new 12-point directive to strengthen casino oversight and enforce stricter compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Online or internet-based casino gaming is now completely banned under the updated regulatory framework. Casinos must now maintain detailed customer records, deploy biometric identification, and deduct profit taxes before issuing winnings to players. Significant Regulatory Changes for Nepalese Casinos The Department of Tourism, under Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, introduced an extensive 12-point directive. In addition, the new rules aim to tighten casino regulation.…

Key Moments: Betsson Group has been shortlisted in two categories at the EGR Latam Awards 2025. The awards event is scheduled for 28 November at The Fairmont Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. Nominations spotlight Betsson’s continued strategy and growth in Colombia and Peru. Spotlight on Latin American Excellence Betsson Group is recognized globally for its strong position in sports betting and online casino gaming. Additionally, the company has earned nominations in two prominent categories for the EGR Latam Awards 2025. The ceremony will take place at The Fairmont Copacabana in…

Key Moments: Coljuegos established a dedicated Judicial Police Unit through Resolution No. 20250022644 on October 6, 2025. The new Unit enables Coljuegos to conduct direct criminal investigations in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General. The initiative aims to protect public healthcare funds by clamping down on illegal gambling operations nationwide. Strategic Expansion of Regulatory Powers Coljuegos has strengthened its efforts to protect the integrity of the games-of-chance sector. It did so by creating a Judicial Police Unit. The Unit was formalized through Resolution No. 20250022644 on October 6,…

Key Moments: The Mocha Grand Dragon Hotel slot hall is scheduled to close on Monday, November 24, at 11:59 p.m. Melco Resorts is reallocating gaming machines and reassigning 44 affected staff members to other Macau venues. Patrons will continue to have the right to redeem gaming slips at alternative Melco properties. Ongoing Closures Across Melco’s Macau Slot Venues Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd is moving forward with the closure of Mocha Grand Dragon Hotel’s slot-machine hall, which will cease operations at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 24. This Taipa-based venue…

Key Moments: 7,200 former online gamblers have had their social assistance reinstated after re-verification Government’s comprehensive audit flagged 600,000 welfare recipients for gambling activity, leading to temporary account blocks Financial oversight measures and digital checks resulted in a drop in gambling transactions and stricter beneficiary monitoring Policy Adjustment Signals New Approach Indonesia has restored social benefits to 7,200 individuals who previously lost access due to involvement in online gambling. This reinstatement, confirmed by the Ministry of Social Affairs after a thorough verification procedure, comes amid the government’s ongoing crackdown on…

Key Moments: Austria is set to introduce a draft law to reshape online gambling regulation, with a target enactment date in summer 2026 Lawmakers are debating whether to limit the number of licences or open the market, replacing the current monopoly Player protection measures such as a nationwide self-exclusion registry and potential payment or IP blocking are under discussion Reform Efforts Advance as Licences Near End Date Austria is entering a crucial phase in its efforts to modernize online gambling regulations, as government leaders work to finalize reforms before existing…

Key Moments: The Gambling Commission has not yet published an estimate of illegal online gambling activity in Great Britain. Measurement challenges stem from unlicensed operators’ opacity, offshore bases, and masking tactics. The Commission is prioritizing alternative methodologies and deeper cooperation to improve future data accuracy. Policymaker Imperatives: Why a Reliable Estimate Matters After: Estimating the true scope of illegal online betting in Great Britain carries significant weight. It affects regulatory strategies and government decision-making. The Gambling Commission says that knowing the size of the unlicensed market helps allocate resources. It…

Key Moments: Kenya surpassed 10,000 active BetBlocker users in 2025, leading the African continent South Africa also reached over 10,000 active users in 2025, marking it as the seventh country to hit this milestone BetBlocker unveiled the Scheduler tool during Safer Gambling Week, introducing early intervention options for users Surging Adoption Across Kenya and South Africa BetBlocker, the registered charity offering digital self-exclusion tools for online gambling, has experienced dramatic user growth across Africa. Kenya made history in 2025 as the first nation on the continent to register more than…

Key Moments: Wynn Las Vegas agreed to a $130 million settlement with federal authorities over illegal cash transfers. Nevada regulators fined Wynn Las Vegas an additional $5.5 million for related compliance failures. Investigations revealed a sophisticated underground banking network supporting high-stakes Chinese gamblers in Las Vegas. Federal Crackdown on Underground Casino Banking Las Vegas casinos became the center of a large illicit financial operation. The scheme allowed high-end Chinese gamblers to bypass strict currency controls. According to CNN, underground bankers and criminal groups helped move millions of dollars in unreported…

Key Moments: A federal bill introduces a 90 percent cap on gambling loss deductions effective January 2025. Industry leaders and lawmakers are pushing to restore the full deduction before Congress adjourns. Analysts project a significant decrease in betting volume if the new rules take effect. New Tax Rule Alarms Gambling Sector A last-minute change in Washington has quickly become a major concern for both betting operators and high-frequency gamblers. Hidden in a sweeping federal legislative package, a provision set to take effect in January 2025 will prevent Americans who itemize…