Quick Navigation
Licensing demand is outpacing expectations in some markets just as others move toward tighter advertising, payment, and tax rules. Governments are still opening doors to regulated growth, but they are asking more of operators on compliance, financial controls and player protection. Technology is becoming part of that response. AI guidance, fraud-network detection and automated marketing checks are moving deeper into everyday operations.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Germany’s regulated online gambling channelization rate reaches 77% as the GGL pushes for faster, more flexible rules.
- Rank Group could face around £35 million in added annual costs if the UK raises Machine Gaming Duty.
- Malta introduces a voluntary AI charter stressing human oversight in gambling-related automated decisions.
- ACT launches Fraud Rings to detect linked accounts, device manipulation and coordinated fraud activity.
- bet365 partners with Solas Compliance to strengthen marketing oversight across regulated markets.
😄 Interested in last week’s headlines? Visit the Sept 12–18 iGaming Recap!
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Bulgaria Eyes Gambling Ad Ban and Higher Taxes, NEXT
Bulgaria has opened consultations on a gambling overhaul that would further restrict advertising and significantly raise taxes on the sector. One proposal would amount to a near-total gambling ad ban, leaving sports sponsorships as the main permitted marketing channel. Even illuminated signage outside casinos and gaming halls could be prohibited.
The government also wants land-based taxes tied to actual financial results rather than fixed machine and table fees, with gaming equipment reporting data to the National Revenue Agency in real time. Online gambling already faces a 25% GGR tax plus 10% corporate tax, but officials are considering another increase alongside tougher financial reporting and AML controls.
Germany Calls for Faster Gambling Rules as Legal Market Captures 77%, iGamingToday
Germany’s GGL is calling for more flexible regulation as a new study estimates that 77% of the country’s online gambling market is now channelled through licensed operators. The regulator says faster-moving rules are needed to keep pace with changing technology, business models and illegal gambling activity.
Over its first five years, the authority checked more than 6,300 websites and blocked 1,843 illegal sites, while 178 were cut off from payment channels. The GGL also carried out more than 600 supervisory procedures in 2025 and is using the ongoing review of Germany’s 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling to push for more adaptable oversight.
Finland Draws 75 Licence Applications Ahead of 2027 Market Opening, NEXT
Finland has received 75 gambling licence applications ahead of its competitive market launch in July 2027, exceeding earlier expectations of roughly 40 to 60 licences. The total has risen from 50 applications in June as operators position themselves for the end of Veikkaus’ online monopoly.
Each licence carries a €29,000 fee, although the 75 applications do not necessarily represent 75 separate companies because operators and suppliers can apply across different categories. Authorities have warned that decisions can take up to six months, meaning businesses aiming to launch on day one will likely need to apply before the end of 2026.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Brazil Betting Tax Revenue Nears BRL10B Through August, iGB
Brazil collected BRL9.91 billion in federal taxes from the betting sector between January and August 2026, up 69.25% from the same period last year. August brought in BRL1.163 billion, down 20.5% from BRL1.463 billion in July and below January’s nearly BRL1.5 billion peak.
The slowdown has tempered earlier projections that annual collections could reach BRL16 billion. Current estimates put the total closer to BRL14 billion for 2026, while further restrictions on online casinos could reduce that figure even more.
Bulgaria Proposes 1.5% Cap on Gambling Payment Fees, SBC News
Bulgaria has proposed a new rule limiting the amount banks, payment institutions and e-money companies can retain from gambling transactions to 1.5% of the transaction value. Any fee charged above that threshold on deposits or winnings payouts would be redirected to the state budget.
Payment providers would also face monthly reporting and record-keeping requirements under the draft. The proposal could reduce transaction costs for players if providers lower their fees to the 1.5% threshold rather than surrendering the excess, with consultation open until October 23.
Rank Faces Biggest Exposure to Potential UK Machine Tax Hike, iGB
Rank Group could be the most exposed among major listed gambling operators if the UK raises Machine Gaming Duty, according to Deutsche Bank. The bank estimates a potential increase could add around £35 million in annual costs for Rank, equivalent to roughly 17% of near-term EBITDA after partial mitigation.
A doubling of the duty to 40% would hit retail-heavy operators hardest because betting shops carry fixed costs that are harder to offset than online operations. Deutsche Bank estimates Entain could face about £100 million in additional annual costs before mitigation, while Flutter’s exposure would be comparatively limited at under 1% of group EBITDA.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
ACT Launches Tool to Uncover Linked Fraud Networks, European Gaming
Advanced Compliance Technology has launched Fraud Rings, a real-time intelligence tool designed to spot organised fraud that may be missed when suspicious accounts are reviewed individually. The system analyses links across devices, accounts, locations, transactions and betting behaviour to surface hidden clusters and syndicate activity.
Operators can use visual network maps, machine-learning risk scores and behavioural signals to investigate multi-accounting, bonus abuse, account sharing, device manipulation and VPN use. The tool expands ACT’s existing compliance platform, which already covers ID verification, geolocation, AML monitoring and sports integrity.
Malta Sets AI Guardrails for Gambling Operators, iGB
The Malta Gaming Authority and Malta Digital Innovation Authority have introduced a voluntary AI Gaming Charter to guide how gambling companies use artificial intelligence alongside existing rules such as the EU AI Act and GDPR. The framework covers areas including chatbots, fraud detection, AML, responsible gambling, onboarding and KYC.
A central principle is that AI should support rather than replace human judgement, particularly for sensitive decisions such as account restrictions or gambling-harm interventions. The charter also calls for transparency, risk-based oversight, stronger data governance, regular validation of higher-risk systems, and disclosure when players are interacting with AI-driven tools.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
bet365 Partners With Solas to Strengthen Marketing Compliance, SBC News
bet365 has partnered with Solas Compliance, an AI-powered marketing compliance platform, as the operator looks to strengthen oversight across the regulated markets where it operates. The deal focuses on helping bet365 keep its marketing activity aligned with local rules while maintaining responsible marketing standards.
The partnership comes as gambling advertising faces greater scrutiny in major markets, including the UK and Australia. Solas said the agreement represents a major step in expanding its work with large industry operators, while bet365 described the company’s compliance expertise as a key reason for the appointment.
Uruguay Survey Finds Land-Based Gambling Still Dominates, iGamingToday
A new survey from Uruguay’s National Directorate of Lotteries and Quinielas found that 82% of adults surveyed had gambled at least once, with participation higher among men at 86% than women at 78%. The research covered 500 adults and examined both land-based and online betting habits.
Physical gambling remains the clear preference, chosen by 68% of respondents, compared with 12% who preferred online gambling and 8% who used both. The 5 de Oro lottery was the most popular product at 62%, while 83% said they had never wagered more than they could afford to lose. Younger respondents were more likely to use online formats than older players.
- Illegal online gambling websites continue to target Australian consumers, Australian Communications and Media Authority on LinkedIn
- Poland’s four gambling trade bodies have issued a joint statement, iGaming Times on X
- Thousands of websites in Indonesia have been hacked and turned into targeted promotion, IDNSEC on LinkedIn
- A 29-year-old pest control salesman says he bets on sports every day, CBS Sunday Morning on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Curaçao gaming authority experienced unauthorized access to their portal, Bitcointalk
- Polymarket’s Best Traders Are Profitable, r/PredictionMarkets
- Bad news from two old casinos on the forum, Bitcointalk
Keep up with news and trends in the iGaming industry. Gambling ‘N Go provides a recap each week. Join our spam-free newsletter to stay ahead. We are a GPWA-approved portal that supports responsible gambling. Check out our guides for beginners and experts to find trusted and reliable games, avoid scams, and responsible gambling practices.
