News

Key Moments: Industry analysis finds EU governments missed out on €22.9bn in tax revenue due to illegal online gambling in 2025 Estimates of the black market’s size remain highly disputed among industry groups Multiple regulatory strategies have been proposed to counter illegal operators across Europe Major Findings from Latest Study A recent impact study commissioned by the European Casino Association (ECA) and conducted by Gambling Compliance International (GCI) reports that illegal online gambling targeting EU consumers reached €91.6bn in 2025, an increase of approximately 14 percent from the prior year.…

Key Moments: Authorities confiscated over £110,000 in cash, gold bars, coins, and jewelry during raids in Sheffield and Doncaster targeting illegal gambling operations. Sixteen unauthorized betting terminals and substantial amounts of illicit goods, including stolen motorbikes and counterfeit tobacco, were found during the enforcement activity on August 4 and 5. Seven arrests have taken place in relation to suspected immigration violations, possession of a bladed article, and gambling crimes, with further investigations ongoing. Extensive Raids Target Unlawful Gambling and Linked Crimes Joint operations led by South Yorkshire Police, the Gambling…

Key Moments: Hard Rock Bet has entered Ontario, marking its first expansion outside the United States Ontario operators generated more than $4 billion in revenue in 2025, a 34 per cent increase year-on-year Alberta’s gambling market recorded $1.28 billion in consumer spending in the 12 months ending June 2026 Hard Rock Bet Begins Operations in Canada Hard Rock Bet has officially launched in Ontario, establishing itself as a new participant in the province’s regulated gambling landscape. This move represents the brand’s inaugural venture outside the United States and intensifies competition…

Key Moments: Serbia’s Ministry of Finance rejects proposed limitations on new betting outlet locations Officials argue that the distance rule would favor existing operators and hinder new market entrants Licensed slot machine venues in Serbia have fallen from 61 in 2024 to 50, according to government data Debate Over New Betting Shop Regulations The Serbian government is at odds with a parliamentary initiative that seeks to impose minimum-distance requirements for new betting shop openings. Lawmakers Vaso Obradović and Milica Rondović from Serbian Democracy (NSD) have advocated for a rule mandating…

Key Moments: ENJOY launched its slot games on Lottomatica.it and GoldBet, both operated by Lottomatica Group The rollout was finalized via Microgame, providing immediate access to major ENJOY titles This initiative follows ENJOY’s recent market entry in Italy earlier in the year New Distribution Channels in Italy ENJOY has expanded its footprint in Italy’s regulated iGaming sector by introducing a suite of its slot games on Lottomatica.it and GoldBet. Both platforms are managed by the Lottomatica Group and represent two of the country’s most established gaming destinations. The launch was…

Key Moments: All Diamond Casino games in GTA Online have been disabled for Australian players this week No explanation has been given by Rockstar for the sudden restriction Australia joins approximately 50 regions where betting features are blocked in GTA Online Casino Gameplay Suspended for Australian Users This week, Australian players logging into GTA Online found that major gambling features within the Diamond Casino had been deactivated. All casino-related activities, including blackjack, roulette, poker, slot machines, Inside Track horse racing, and the Lucky Wheel, have become inaccessible. Attempting to interact…

Key Moments: Midnite has tripled its turnover during the first year of partnership with Sporting Risk The Sub Hero promotion enabled bettors to transfer wagers to substitute players throughout the World Cup Sub Hero will continue into the upcoming football season, powered by Sporting Risk’s technology Year of Growth and Innovation Midnite and Sporting Risk are marking one year of partnership, highlighted by significant business growth and the introduction of innovative sportsbook features. Over the past 12 months, Midnite has established itself as the UK’s fastest-growing sportsbook. During this period,…

Key Moments: Wazdan has introduced its game portfolio to Betnacional’s platform in Brazil via Relax Gaming’s aggregation service The collaboration expands Wazdan’s footprint in Latin America and delivers a selection of its popular slot titles to Betnacional’s players The agreement builds on Betnacional’s integration into Flutter Entertainment, reinforcing Wazdan’s reach in regulated markets Strategic Expansion Into Brazil Wazdan has moved to strengthen its presence in Brazil by launching its portfolio on Betnacional through the Relax Gaming platform. This development is in line with the company’s broader growth strategy in Latin…

Key Moments: Regulators in Ireland have issued warnings about criminal liability tied to promoting unlicensed gambling operators Rainbet, promoted by Cork-based influencers, operates without an Irish betting license and has contested regulatory credentials Munster Technological University has acknowledged awareness of the situation and cited its disciplinary processes Influencer Business Model Under Spotlight A recent incident at a furniture showroom in Cork brought publicity to local influencer Vladyslav Morhulets, known online as Rendy Vlad, when security escorted him out after staff found him hiding under display bedding as part of a…

Key Moments: Australia’s states and territories are expected to collect more than $10.5 billion in gambling taxes during 2025/26. New South Wales collected about $3.6 billion in gambling tax revenue in 2024/25, equal to roughly 7% of total state tax receipts. Australians lost more than $104 billion to gambling in the three years following the Murphy Review. Balancing Harm Reduction and State Budgets Australia’s gambling reform debate has become closely tied to state finances. State and territory governments rely heavily on gambling taxes to fund public services. Although the federal…