The moving parts — explained, and kept current.
iGaming’s rules shift constantly, and we are not a newsroom — we keep the record. Four ways in: In brief reads a fresh development in three lines; The Ledger logs every change the moment it is dated and sourced; Living data turns the datasets we maintain into the current state of play; and Data-essays walk one number back to what it actually means for you. No fabricated headlines.
Brazil opens a public consultation on fixed-odds betting authorisation
The SPA has put a draft ordinance out for 45 days of comment — the next step in bedding down the federal Bets regime.
Read the brief →Brazil makes harm warnings mandatory on betting adverts
From 17 July 2026, every fixed-odds betting advert must carry a rotating harm warning on at least 10% of its area, and ads aimed at under-18s are deemed abusive.
Read the brief →UK sets out a staged rollout of financial risk assessments
After its pilot, the Gambling Commission confirmed frictionless affordability checks would start with the largest operators at a GBP 5,000 net-deposit trigger, with lower thresholds intended later.
Read the brief →Spain introduces deposit limits that add up across all operators
Real Decreto 520/2026 creates a national system that aggregates a player’s deposits across every licensed operator, with default ceilings of EUR 700 a day, EUR 1,750 a week and EUR 3,300 per four weeks - in force from 25 March 2027.
Read the brief →Living data
maintained datasets, kept current — the state of playThe state of regulation
Where online gambling stands, jurisdiction by jurisdiction — regulated, in transition, or partial.
Open the data →How the world taxes gambling
Every jurisdiction by tax base and headline rate — and why a low number can bite harder than a high one.
Open the data →Where gambling ads are being pushed back
Every tracked market by how hard it restricts gambling advertising — from a content test to a total ban.
Open the data →Self-exclusion around the world
Every national self-exclusion scheme by how far the block reaches — from online-only to every channel, online and land-based.
Open the data →The FATF lists — where AML risk is flagged
Every jurisdiction FATF places under increased monitoring or a call for action — the global signal that shapes where gambling money can flow, and how hard operators must look.
Open the data →US online gambling, state by state
Where online casino and online sports betting are legal across the United States — the fastest-moving map in the industry, and the two are not the same fight.
Open the data →Data-essays
one number, walked back to what it meansWhy a “97% RTP” slot still costs you money
RTP is the number the marketing shows you. The house edge is the one that decides your night.
4 min read →Headline tax rates lie: why the base beats the rate
A 15% tax can hurt an operator more than a 40% one. What is taxed matters more than the number.
5 min read →Gambling ad rules only move one way
A decade ago gambling ads were everywhere. Now market after market restricts or bans them — and in mature markets, almost none loosen. The direction of travel is one-way, and it quietly reshapes how operators reach you.
5 min read →Self-exclusion is only as wide as the licence behind it
Every national self-exclusion scheme blocks every licensed operator at once — that is the easy part. Where they differ is how far the block reaches and how hard it is to undo. And every one of them stops at the same edge: the licence.
5 min read →How a game earns its keep
Every title in the lobby is quietly on trial. Here is the arithmetic that decides which games survive — and which vanish.
6 min read →The rules keep changing. We keep the record.
A living, dated, sourced record of every change we track — each linked to the profile it came from and the fundamentals it touches. Announced-but-not-yet-live changes are flagged coming into force and never shown as already in effect.Coming into force 8
Announced and cited, not yet in effect — a clean forward look no news feed keeps.
Phased advertising restrictions continue; sports-shirt/stadium sponsorship being phased out through 2025-2028.
Belgium: all sports shirt/jersey and sports sponsorship advertising banned from 1 January 2028.
Gambling Act enters into force in full; licensed online betting and casino market opens; Veikkaus loses online exclusivity
Remote General Betting Duty announced to rise from 15% to 25% from April 2027 (land-based, horse-racing and pool bets carved out at 15%)
Cross-operator joint deposit limits take effect (Real Decreto 520/2026, published 25 June 2026): a national system aggregates a player deposits across all licensed operators, with default ceilings of EUR 700 per day, EUR 1,750 per week and EUR 3,300 per four-week period that the player can lower or raise
Consolidated gaming-tax and VAT framework takes effect: the gaming tax and gaming-device levy are merged into a single gaming-tax structure classified by game type for operators serving Malta-based players, with clarified VAT treatment (published 1 April 2026)
New remote 'deposit limit' requirements (RTS 12) take effect, extended from 30 June 2026: operators must offer a gross deposit limit based solely on money paid in, reserve the term 'deposit limit' for that form, and give it at least equal prominence to other financial limits
2026 27
SPA opened a 45-day public consultation (27 July to 9 September 2026, via Brasil Participativo) on a draft ordinance setting the rules and conditions for authorising commercial fixed-odds betting operations.
Evolution Malta Holding Ltd fined GBP 4.75m by the Gambling Commission for supplying online games to unlicensed businesses
Advertising ordinance (Portaria SPA/MF no 1.964, published 10 July 2026) took effect: every fixed-odds betting advert must carry a rotating harm warning occupying at least 10% of its area, misleading and specialist-endorsement ads are barred, and advertising aimed at under-18s is deemed abusive
Beneficiaries of federal debt-relief programmes (Novo Desenrola Brasil, Desenrola Adimplentes, Fies Empreendedor) barred from fixed-odds betting, with operators required to block their registration (Portaria SPA/MF no 2.066 and Instrucao Normativa MF no 21, 13 July 2026)
Gambling Commission set out a staged rollout of Financial Risk Assessments: Stage 1 (largest operators) triggers at GBP 5,000 net deposit in 24 hours for over-25s (GBP 2,500 for under-25s), with intended final thresholds of GBP 1,000 in 24 hours or GBP 3,000 in 90 days, assessed frictionlessly via credit reference agencies - announced, start date to be confirmed
Brazil standardised ad-warning messages (≥10% of the ad) effective 3 July 2026 (SPA/MF Ordinance 1,964/2026).
Online casino tax rises from 18% to 20% in the sixth year after launch (~late 2026) per PA 21-23 section 17
GGL intensified enforcement against unlicensed operators (IP and payment blocking); ongoing industry and political debate over the 5.3% turnover tax and strict deposit/stake limits pushing players toward the illegal market, alongside a scheduled evaluation of the GlüStV 2021 regime.
UK Remote Gaming Duty rising to 40% (1 April 2026) is a major pressure on Gibraltar operators serving the British market
Gaming tax rose to 34.2% on 1 Jan 2025 and to 37.8% on 1 Jan 2026; both increases took effect as enacted despite industry pressure to pause or reverse them.
Online casino (slots/table games) still not authorized; would require new legislation
Ongoing operator pressure to switch the turnover-based sports-betting tax to a GGR base; no change enacted as of verification.
NGB issued Remote Gambling Server compliance notices and sought monitoring/blocking solutions to detect and block illegal online gambling
Spelinspektionen measured channelisation of the competitive market at 84% for 2025 (down from 85% for 2024), on licensed turnover of SEK 28.2bn
Remote Gaming Duty raised from 21% to 40% effective 1 April 2026 (Autumn Budget 2025); Bingo Duty abolished April 2026
HB 4397 / HB 4398 propose raising the iGaming and sports-betting tax to 25% — in House committee, not enacted.
Petfre (Gibraltar) Ltd fined GBP 900,000 by the Gambling Commission for social-responsibility failures
Stakelogic BV fined GBP 122,835 by the Gambling Commission for responsible product-design standard breaches
PGCB levied consent-agreement fines totalling USD 180,000 at its monthly meeting, mostly iGaming-related: Greenwood Gaming (betParx) USD 40,000 for underage floor access and USD 40,000 over unlicensed staff with access to iGaming patrons data, and Wind Creek Bethlehem USD 50,000 for KYC failures enabling fraudulent iGaming withdrawals
Expanded ban on gambling on credit took effect: the prohibition now covers all forms of deferred payment - including credit cards, invoices, buy-now-pay-later and loans from relatives - across all licensed operators and gambling intermediaries
GGL set out its position on the 2021 State Treaty evaluation, describing the ~77% online-gambling channelisation rate as scientifically confirmed; the states final evaluation report is expected by end-2026
MGA set out its 2026 supervisory priorities: cash and cash-equivalent controls, crypto-asset use, sports-integrity and athlete betting, and the quality of ADR reporting
National Police Board begins accepting online gambling licence applications (partial entry into force)
GSC published the Island's first dedicated gambling-sector money-laundering national risk assessment, rating overall risk 'Medium High' (updating the 2020 assessment), ahead of the 2026 Moneyval inspection
GRAI opened B2C remote (online) betting licence applications
New licensing policy rules (Beleidsregels vergunningverlening Koa 2026) took effect: applicants must submit an exit plan for rapid repayment of player funds on wind-down and a Wwft (AML) risk analysis, face tighter restrictions on holding player funds, and can be refused on a trustworthiness ground for non-compliance with Dutch court rulings
2025 36
UK CAP Code extended from 1 September 2025 to cover non-paid social, influencers and overseas operators' UK-facing marketing.
AGCC continued to update its fee schedule and enhance AML and technical/testing standards
UK-facing operators licensed in Alderney still require a UK Gambling Commission licence and pay UK duties on GB customers (UK Remote Gaming Duty rose to 40% on 1 April 2026)
Government considering the 2023 Murphy inquiry ('You win some, you lose more') recommendations, including a phased ban on gambling advertising — response pending
Regulated market live; SPA and courts pursuing blocking of unlicensed operators; ongoing debate over advertising and a possible higher tax
Complementary Law 224/2025 (sanctioned 26 Dec 2025) raised the operator GGR tax to 13% (2026), 14% (2027) and 15% (from 2028), adding a social-security contribution on top of the original 12% earmark.
Brazil: only SPA/MF-authorised operators on .bet.br domains may advertise from 1 January 2025.
Temporary 19% VAT on online gambling: taxed player deposits 14 Feb–31 Dec 2025 (Decree 0175/2025, upheld by Constitutional Court C-431/2025); a January 2026 emergency decree moved the 19% VAT to GGR for 2026, now under constitutional challenge.
Curaçao LOK: new National Ordinance for Games of Chance in force 24 Dec 2024; direct CGA licensing replacing the master/sub-licence model; old sub-licences expired in 2025 and the transition (portals, migration, detailed rules) is ongoing — high volatility.
Ministry of Finance continues maintaining the illegal-gambling blocklist (IP and payment blocking) and updating player-protection rules
New B2B game-supplier licensing requirement and updated game-certification programme took effect 1 January 2025; revised Executive Orders for betting and online casino issued June 2025.
Finnish Parliament passed the new Gambling Act in December 2025, confirming a 22% GGR tax and market opening
Government proposal to legalise online casino (2025 Budget) withdrawn after opposition from land-based casinos; online casino stays prohibited.
The 2025 Social Security Financing Act raised GGR levies from 1 July 2025 (online sports betting to ~59.3%, poker to a flat 10%, horse-race betting to ~52.9%) and added a 15% tax on operators' advertising spend.
Gambling Act 2025 in force 1 October 2025, replacing the 2005 Act: new B2C/B2B/GOSS licence categories, substance requirements, empowered Commissioner and Appeals Tribunal; a new tiered fee schedule (up to £200,000 for the largest operators) and codes of practice
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 fully replaced the 2013 edition — certifications had to migrate by October 2025.
Public tender for new nine-year online concessions (€7M entry fee) under D.Lgs 41/2024 expected to proceed; each concession limited to a capped number of skins/domains.
2025 Budget Law raised the online betting tax to ~24.5% and online gaming/casino/poker/bingo to ~25.5% of GGR (up from 24% and 25%).
MGA continued tightening AML and player-protection technical/reporting requirements amid ongoing EU pressure over cross-border licensing
Effective 1 July 2025, NJ raised the tax on online casino GGR from 15% to 19.75% (and internet sports wagering from 13% to 19.75%, DFS from 10.5% to 19.75%) via the FY2026 budget bill A5803; Gov. Murphy had initially sought 25%.
New Jersey moved to restrict/ban unlicensed sweepstakes ('social casino') operators offering casino-style play.
iGO continued as an independent agency (12 May 2025) under the iGaming Ontario Act, 2024, ending its subsidiary relationship with the AGCO; national single-event/interprovincial questions continue to develop.
PGCB reported record annual gaming revenue with interactive gaming (iGaming) continuing strong growth; the 54% online-slots / 16% table-games iGaming tax rates were unchanged.
Continued legislative debate over taxing and regulating unlicensed 'skill games' and possible future online-tax changes, but iGaming rates remained as set as of 2026.
Rapid growth of domestic online e-Games prompting tighter advertising and responsible-gaming restrictions amid public concern
Planned privatisation of PAGCOR's own casino operations advancing, aiming to resolve the operator/regulator conflict
Authorization tax ~30% of GGR (min ~EUR 480,000) from 1 Aug 2025; self-exclusion register procedure (Order 79/2025) effective 17 June 2025
Online betting revenue surged, overtaking casinos, intensifying calls to regulate interactive gambling
National Gambling Amendment Bill / Remote Gambling Bill proposals under discussion to create a national interactive-gambling framework — not yet enacted
Safer-gambling rules under RD 176/2023 (intensive-player monitoring, mandatory limits) in force and being enforced.
Updated annual supervision fees (around SEK 264,000 per licence) applied from 1 January 2025.
Continued focus on channelisation and measures against unlicensed/offshore operators targeting Swedish consumers.
Statutory levy on operators (0.1%-1.1% of GGY; 1.1% for remote) commenced 6 April 2025; financial-risk / affordability checks being piloted under the 2023 White Paper
UK statutory RG levy came into force on 6 April 2025 (0.1%–1.1% of GGY, banded by sector).
51 of the 64 new PCI DSS v4.x requirements became mandatory on 31 March 2025 (current v4.0.1).
UK 'light-touch' financial-risk checks began 28 February 2025 (>£150 net loss in 30 days).
2024 18
Australia banned online betting with credit cards from June 2024; seven rotating RG taglines mandatory since 30 March 2023.
Minimum gambling age for betting and casino products raised to 21, effective 1 September 2024.
SPA issued implementing ordinances (portarias) and granted the first federal authorisations for a 1 Jan 2025 start
2024 consolidation package raised the general gambling-tax rate from 23% to 30% (effective 1 Jan 2024) and increased the minimum per-machine tax; technical games remain at 35%
Rush Street/BetRivers relaunched online casino and launched mobile sports betting (January 2024)
Undisclosed paid content and fake reviews brought under the UK DMCC Act 2024.
EU AML package adopted May–June 2024 (AMLR 2024/1624, AMLD6 2024/1640, AMLA 2024/1620, seated in Frankfurt).
GSC adopted an updated enforcement policy (June 2024) emphasising civil penalties and public disclosures; increased enforcement activity since.
Storting adopted DNS-blocking powers (May 2024) to reinforce the monopoly against offshore operators; ongoing EU/EEA scrutiny of the model
President Marcos banned all POGOs (July 2024); operations to cease by 31 December 2024
Online casino launched 1 March 2024 via Bally's - the newest US iCasino state at launch
GEO 80/2024 and related measures tightened local-presence and B2B compliance obligations
Constitutional Court (April 2024) annulled parts of advertising decree RD 958/2020, easing some sponsorship/advertising restrictions.
Spain: April 2024 Supreme Court ruling 527/2024 partially annulled parts of Royal Decree 958/2020.
Gambling tax raised from 18% to 22% of gross gambling revenue effective 1 July 2024; industry (BOS) warned it could pressure channelisation toward unlicensed operators.
UK domestic PEPs recalibrated to a lower-risk baseline than foreign PEPs from 10 January 2024.
2023 17
ROFUS onsite betting-shop identity checks introduced from 1 October 2023.
UK crypto Travel Rule in force from 1 September 2023 (MLR Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2022).
BetStop national self-exclusion register launched; customer pre-verification ('customer ID') requirements strengthened
Belgium near-total gambling-ad ban effective 1 July 2023 (Royal Decree 27 Feb 2023); stadium ads banned from 2025.
Law 14.790/2023 enacted (30 Dec 2023), setting the 'Bets' framework, 12% GGR tax and R$30m fee
Tax reform (Ley 2277 of 2022) and subsequent debate over applying VAT to online gambling
Government launched the reform to move from Veikkaus monopoly to a partial licensing system (October 2023)
iTech Labs acquired by GLI Group in May 2023 (continues under its own brand).
Combined penalty for AML and social-responsibility failures, including weak source-of-funds triggers and controls
Bill 55 (Gaming Act amendment) shields MGA licensees from enforcement in Malta of certain foreign judgments contrary to Malta's regime — controversial with other EU states
Netherlands untargeted gambling-ad ban in force 1 July 2023; sports sponsorship fully phased out by 1 July 2025.
New consolidated Gambling Act (pengespilloven) in force 1 January 2023, merging three earlier acts and codifying the exclusive-rights monopoly
OASIS brought under the new federal regulator GGL from 1 January 2023 (GlüStV 2021).
GEO 82/2023 overhauled the regime: higher fees, GGR-based authorization tax, larger guarantees and enforcement/blacklist measures
UK DAML reporting threshold raised from £250 to £1,000 (January 2023).
Record UK settlement for widespread anti-money-laundering and social-responsibility failings across the group's brands
2022 4
UK CAP/BCAP 'strong appeal' to under-18s test in force from 1 October 2022.
AML and social-responsibility failings, including letting customers deposit up to £40,000 before source-of-funds checks
Then-largest UKGC penalty for AML and social-responsibility failures across online and land-based businesses
One of Malta's largest gaming AML fines, for breaches of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act following a 2019 inspection
2021 3
PA 21-23 enacted; online casino and online sports betting launched 19 October 2021
First cohort of permanent online licences awarded; HGC continues tightening advertising, player-protection and self-exclusion rules
2020 2
Single Customer View originated from a 2020 Gambling Commission challenge (ICO regulatory sandbox).
GAMSTOP registration became mandatory for GB-licensed operators on 31 March 2020.
2019 5
UK whistle-to-whistle betting-ad ban effective 1 August 2019.
FIPS 140-3 approved March 2019, effective September 2019 (replaced FIPS 140-2).
Law 4635/2019 overhauled online gambling: permanent 7-year Type 1 (betting, EUR 3m) and Type 2 (other games, EUR 2m) licences and a 35% GGR tax
Lawful Internet Gaming Act (PA 152) and Lawful Sports Betting Act (PA 149) enacted
Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (art. 22E) enacted; online casino launched July 2020
2018 2
Italy Dignity Decree gambling-ad ban from 14 July 2018; sponsorship ban from 1 January 2019.
Lottery Sports Wagering Act (art. 22D); retail and online sports betting launched
2017 1
Interactive Gambling Amendment Act closed the in-play 'click-to-call' loophole and enabled ISP blocking of illegal offshore sites
2016 1
Acuerdo 04 of 2016 regulated online games; first operators live 2017
2013 2
Online casino and poker launched under the 2012 Gaming Competitiveness Act
Interactive online poker launched under AB 114 (Ultimate Poker Apr 2013; WSOP.com Sep 2013)
2010 1
GLI acquired Technical Systems Testing (TST) in 2010 to build its interactive/iGaming testing arm.