News

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Key Moments: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has raised concerns about the impact of skins gambling on younger individuals and identified insufficient protections. The DCMS review found that many skins gambling platforms allow easy access for minors without age checks or identity verification. Calls have been made for specialized legislation and joint action by regulators, developers, and families to address skins gambling risks. Regulatory Concerns Over Skins Gambling The UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has conducted an in-depth assessment into the phenomenon of skins…

Key Moments: The number of £8 payout machines fell by 38 percent in 2024, while £25 machines declined by 0.7 percent. Total gambling turnover in Northern Ireland was reported at £170.9 million in 2023, over 75 percent lower than in 2016. The number of VAT-registered gambling businesses reached a record low of 80 in 2024, with five new businesses registered so far in 2025. Amusement Permits and Gaming Machines Report Ongoing Decline The Department for Communities (DfC) has published its 2024 Northern Ireland Gambling Licensing and Industry Data report, which…

Key Moments: EGT Digital has strengthened its position in Italy through a partnership with HBG Online and Microgame. The casino provider’s games are now live on Quigioco, which is operated by HBG Online Gaming, a part of NOVOMATIC Italia Group. Popular jackpot series Bell Link and Clover Chance are now available to players on the Quigioco platform. Collaboration with Leading Local Partners EGT Digital has taken a significant step forward in its expansion across Italy by partnering with industry leaders HBG Online and gaming aggregator Microgame. Through this collaboration, EGT…