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Key Moments: President Alexander Stubb signed the Gambling Act reform package into law on January 16, 2026. Gambling companies can begin applying for licences on March 1, 2026. The competitive online gambling market is scheduled to launch on July 1, 2027. Legislative Changes Reshape Finnish Gambling Landscape Finland’s Gambling Act officially became law after President Alexander Stubb signed the reform package on January 16, 2026. This marks a major shift in Finland’s online gambling structure, as the country moves away from a single-operator system and toward a licensing model. Importantly,…

Key Moments: Legislation proposes raising both sportsbook and iGaming taxes in West Virginia to 25% of gross revenue Sports betting tax rate would rise from 10% to 25%, while online casino taxes increase from 15% to 25% Proposed changes align West Virginia with a national movement toward higher gambling tax rates Legislation Moves to Lift Gambling Tax Rates Two bills newly introduced by Delegate Adam Burkhammer call for a sharp increase in gaming taxes across West Virginia. Filed on January 16 and referred to the House Government Organization Committee, HB…

Key Moments Sports event contracts have pushed prediction markets into mainstream attention and triggered legal pushback from states. Major companies, including Kalshi, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Robinhood, have launched or expanded event contract offerings. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), under-resourced as of recent reports, faces industry and state pressure over regulation. Prediction Markets Collide With State Gambling Laws Prediction markets, once viewed as a niche financial tool for speculating on economic indicators or central bank moves, have gained momentum by venturing into sports. These platforms offer event contracts and currently…

Key Moments: The UAE has removed all gambling and betting provisions from its new Civil Transactions Law. The law will take effect on 1 June 2026. Meanwhile, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) has already issued the country’s first internet gaming and sports wagering license. As a result, legal experts view this move as part of a broader transition toward dedicated commercial gaming regulation in the UAE. Revamp of Civil Law Removes Gambling References The United Arab Emirates has updated its civil legislation. Specifically, it has removed all references…

Key Moments: VPN adoption is rising across the gambling industry as players seek to bypass regulatory friction. Stricter KYC and AML rules have made licensed platforms less user-friendly, pushing demand toward offshore operators. Experts note that territorial regulation increasingly clashes with the borderless nature of digital gaming. Growing Prevalence of VPN Usage in Gambling Virtual private networks, once used mainly by tech professionals, are now common across the online gambling sector. Players, operators, and affiliates often encounter VPNs when accessing platforms, engaging in cross-border activity, or navigating different regulatory systems.…

Key Moments: First, a Suffolk Superior Court judge ruled that Massachusetts may block Kalshi from offering sports event contracts without complying with state betting laws. Next, the Attorney General’s office plans to seek an order barring Kalshi from entering new sports contracts with Massachusetts users, possibly starting Friday. Notably, court filings cited by reporters show that by May 2025, sports contracts accounted for about 70% of Kalshi’s revenue. Court Decision Clears Path for State Enforcement Massachusetts is now positioned to become the first U.S. state to force Kalshi to halt…

Key Moments: Hungarian authorities have temporarily blocked access to Polymarket due to suspected gambling law violations. Portugal’s regulator has given Polymarket 48 hours to exit, following unauthorized betting on the Jan. 18 presidential election. The platform remains under mounting regulatory pressure, with restrictions or blocks now spanning over 30 countries. Hungary Issues Temporary Block on Polymarket Hungary’s Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities has instituted a temporary block on Polymarket for users connecting through Hungarian IP addresses. This action comes as the authority takes steps against the platform’s operator, raising concerns…

Key Moments: Since late 2023, the market has grown steadily, led by strong casino game performance. Licensed operators in Ceuta and Melilla benefit from a 10 percent tax rate, compared with 20 percent on the mainland. Unregulated online gambling now totals €231 million, equal to 16 percent of the legal market. Market Momentum and Casino Performance Spain stands out as a mature yet fast-growing gambling market in Europe. Since the pandemic, the sector has rebounded strongly and adapted to tighter marketing rules. According to Eduardo Morales Hermo, senior advisor at…

Key Moments: Records show the Dutch Gambling Authority (Ksa) issued formal data demands to banks and payment providers from 2012 to 2022. Unibet payments and related transactions became a key focus during the company’s unlicensed activity in the Netherlands. Ksa used Dutch administrative law to compel cooperation and access to business records from banks and payment processors. Regulator’s Strategic Use of Payment Data Recently released documents reveal that the Dutch Gambling Authority (Ksa) spent years requesting information from banks and payment service providers. Moreover, these requests often included strict deadlines.…

Key Moments: The UK Gambling Commission criticized Meta over illegal gambling ads on Facebook and Instagram. Executives found active ads from unlicensed operators targeting UK users in Meta’s ad library. Similar enforcement gaps have appeared in other countries, raising global concerns. Commission Challenges Meta on Illegal Gambling Ads The UK Gambling Commission has taken a tougher stance on Meta’s handling of illegal gambling ads on Facebook and Instagram. According to the regulator, Meta relies too heavily on reports instead of stopping unlawful ads before they appear. Tim Miller, the commission’s…