Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Officials have arrested a 42-year-old man in Bury. This is part of an ongoing probe into horse racing manipulation and suspicious betting activity. The investigation was prompted by irregular betting patterns in horse racing markets reported earlier this year. The detention coincided with unrest in British horse racing. Notably, a nationwide strike occurred on 10 September. Coordinated Action Leads to Arrest A 42-year-old man was taken into custody in Bury after a joint operation by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the Gambling Commission. This arrest is part of…

Key Moments: Dr Stefano Filletti’s recent article highlights that iGaming directors must provide active, ongoing evidence of due diligence as AI shapes operations. Maltese law imposes personal and corporate liability, shifting the burden of proof to company officers once charges are raised. Continuous oversight, documented processes, and live monitoring are stressed as essential tools to meet legal and ethical standards in fast-evolving AI environments. AI Oversight Becomes a Legal Imperative In a detailed discussion by Dr Stefano Filletti, Managing Partner at Filletti & Filletti Advocates and Head of Department of…

Key Moments: The UAE Lottery recently launched Colour Prediction, an online game offering up to AED 60,000 (US$16,338) in prizes every minute. Retail ticket sales have begun at three ADNOC petrol stations in Dubai, following an online-only launch in November 2024. The total number of UAE Lottery winners has reached 247,119, including three who secured AED 1 million prizes. Introduction of Colour Prediction The UAE Lottery has unveiled an innovative online experience, Colour Prediction, designed to engage players with instant win opportunities. This dynamic offering allows users a chance to…

Key Moments: Six key European gambling markets have enacted major tax reforms in 2025, aiming for more than €520 million in additional yearly revenue. Early data from the Netherlands shows a 25% drop in gross gaming revenue and tax receipts falling to 83% of previous levels despite higher tax rates. Germany’s 5.3% turnover tax has led to only 20-40% of slot play occurring on licensed sites, shifting most players offshore. Coordinated Tax Reforms Sweep Across Europe A wave of gambling tax hikes has rolled across six significant European markets, positioning…

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…