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Regulators flexed their muscles worldwide this week, spotlighting how compliance and player protection remain top priorities even as operators push for new markets and higher revenue. From Asia to Europe and North America, enforcement actions, market updates, and fresh partnerships shaped the headlines.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- ACMA fines Tabcorp AU$4 million for breaching spam laws
- Japan enacts stricter measures to block access to offshore online casinos
- European Commission launches legal action against Malta
- Macau casinos report MOP 10 billion in mid-June GGR
- New Jersey’s gaming industry hits $614.7 million for May
- Brazil: Google Play Store allows betting apps and ads for approved operators.
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Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
ACMA Hits Tabcorp with AU$4 Million Penalty for Illegal VIP Marketing, Gambling News
Tabcorp Holdings Limited has been fined AU$ 4,003,270 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching the Spam Act through its VIP gambling promotions. Between February and May, Tabcorp sent over 5,700 marketing messages to VIP customers via SMS and WhatsApp without proper consent, clear sender identification, or functional unsubscribe options.
This marks the first time ACMA has penalized a gambling company for spam-related violations specifically within a VIP program. In response to the violations, Tabcorp has agreed to a three-year court-enforceable undertaking that includes external reviews, regular audits, improved internal systems, and enhanced staff training to ensure compliance with spam laws moving forward.
Japan Tightens Online Casino Access with New Blocking Measures, The Mainichi
Japan’s parliament has passed new legislation aimed at tightening restrictions on illegal online gambling, specifically targeting websites and social media posts that direct users to virtual casinos. The new rules, enacted on June 18, ban intermediary platforms from guiding Japanese users to offshore gambling sites, which are technically illegal for domestic players despite being operated abroad.
The government is now empowered to demand the removal of content that facilitates access to these platforms, reflecting growing concerns about gambling addiction, financial harm, and the potential for money laundering and organized crime associated with online casinos. The legislative move follows a series of incidents involving public figures and athletes caught using illegal online gambling services, and a police estimate that over 3 million Japanese have engaged with such platforms.
European Commission Challenges Malta Over Gaming Law Shielding Local Operators, YOGONET
The European Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Malta, alleging that the country’s recent amendment to its Gaming Act violates EU law by undermining the mutual recognition of court judgments within the bloc. The Commission contends that Malta’s law allows its courts to systematically refuse the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments against Malta-licensed gaming companies, even when such judgments are issued by other EU member states.
The controversy centers on Bill 55, which critics say shields Malta-based gambling operators from legal claims in other EU countries, particularly where courts have ruled against these companies for offering illegal betting services. The Maltese government maintains that the law does not create new grounds for refusing foreign judgments beyond what is allowed under EU regulations, but the Commission disagrees.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Macau Casinos Reach MOP 10 Billion in Mid-June Gaming Revenue, Gambling Insider
Macau’s gaming industry has posted robust results in the first half of June, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching an estimated MOP 10 billion by mid-month. This performance is notable for occurring during what is typically considered an off-peak season, and it has been driven primarily by strong VIP sector results, with win rates exceeding seasonal averages.
Investment banks have responded by revising their full-month forecasts upward, with some now predicting June GGR could reach between MOP 19.3 billion and MOP 20.2 billion, representing a 9% to 14% year-on-year increase and approaching 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Analysts from Citigroup, HSBC, and J.P. Morgan have credited the resilience to elevated VIP activity, stable high-end mass market play, and the positive impact of non-gaming events that have boosted visitor traffic.
Entain has upgraded its full-year 2025 guidance for BetMGM, the US-based joint venture with MGM Resorts, following a strong first quarter and sustained positive momentum into Q2. The company now expects BetMGM to deliver at least $2.6 billion in net revenue for the year, up from its previous forecast of $2.4–$2.5 billion. The growth has been driven by increased sports betting activity and robust performance in iGaming, with online sports betting revenue up 68% and iGaming up 27% year-on-year in Q1.
Entain’s leadership highlighted BetMGM’s strengthened business model and revised strategy as key factors behind the improved outlook, expressing confidence in achieving further growth and a pathway to $500 million EBITDA in the coming years. The company also noted that BetMGM has secured market access in Missouri ahead of the state’s online sports betting launch.
New Jersey Posts $614.7 Million in May Gaming Revenue, Up 20.5% Year-on-Year, iGB
New Jersey’s gaming industry posted a record total revenue of $614.7 million in May 2025, reflecting a 20.5% increase compared to the same month last year. Land-based casinos generated $265.3 million (up 10.9% year-on-year) and iGaming set a new monthly record at $246.8 million, a 28.5% increase from May 2024. Online slots and table games accounted for $244.2 million of the iGaming total, while internet poker contributed $2.7 million.
FanDuel and Golden Nugget Atlantic City led the iGaming market, followed by DraftKings and Resorts Casino Hotel, and BetMGM with Borgata. The state collected $66.8 million in taxes from all sectors during the month, with iGaming providing the largest share. Year-to-date, New Jersey’s total gambling revenue reached $2.74 billion, up 6.6% from the previous year.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Greentube Launches Exclusive Casino Games with BetRivers in Delaware, Gambling Insider
Greentube, the digital gaming and entertainment division of NOVOMATIC, has launched its content exclusively with BetRivers in Delaware, marking a significant step in its North American expansion. The partnership with Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers platform brings Greentube’s portfolio of online casino games to Delaware players for the first time, following earlier successful entries into other US states.
This exclusive rollout is expected to enhance BetRivers’ content offering and provide Delaware’s regulated market with access to Greentube’s popular titles. The move reflects Greentube’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the US by partnering with leading operators and leveraging exclusive agreements to reach new audiences.
Google Issues Rules for Licensed Betting Apps on Brazil’s Play Store, Next.io
Google has announced that licensed betting and casino apps are now permitted on its Play Store in Brazil, provided operators hold a valid license from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA). Apps must include a direct link from the official operator website to their Play Store page and comply with Google’s advertising policies and local regulations.
This policy change allows regulated operators to advertise via Google Ads, both in search results and within the Play Store, as long as they meet Brazil’s licensing requirements. Previously, only apps from Brazil’s federal bank covering state lotteries and horse racing were allowed, forcing betting operators to use unofficial channels.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Spain’s Gambling Regulator Revamps Advisory Council, Prepares 2026–2030 Strategy, Gambling Insider
Spain’s Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has renewed the membership of its Responsible Gambling Advisory Council, bringing together experts from government, academia, health, and the gambling sector to provide balanced oversight. The newly appointed Council has been tasked with reviewing and providing feedback over the next three months on the draft Safe Gambling Program 2026–2030.
Alongside the Council renewal, the DGOJ continues to push structural reforms in the Spanish gambling market, including anticipated advertising restrictions, deposit caps, and behavioral algorithms to detect problem gambling. Recent enforcement actions, such as financial penalties against operators for illegal wagering, underscore the regulator’s commitment to compliance and market integrity.
The Norwegian Lottery Authority (Lottstift) has admitted that a technical malfunction may have caused the loss of hundreds of public lottery tips submitted by players. The fault, which affected the processing system, potentially prevented some participants from having their entries registered in recent lottery draws.
The Authority has launched an investigation to assess the scope of the issue and is working to identify affected players to ensure a fair resolution. While the exact number of lost tips remains uncertain, the incident has raised concerns about system reliability and transparency in public lottery operations.
- Italy has launched an online gambling licensing regime, Marija Nudga on LinkedIn
- Is the Philippines now Gambling Hub? Gebriel Espaniola on X
- Estonia is quietly becoming one of the most attractive jurisdictions for online gambling in Europe, Marija Nudga on LinkedIn
- The Palace has ordered the removal of thousands of illegal gaming websites, PatrioticPh on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Drake showed amount he has lost to stake, has bet $120m in a month, Bitcoin Forum
- MelBet Withheld My Money – Feels Like a Scam, Reddit
- Long-term earnings in sports betting are evidence of high intelligence, Bitcoin Forum
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