Weekly round-up: key updates in the world of gambling
In the ever-evolving world of gambling, various changes and updates are shaping the industry landscape across the globe. This year, a notable trend towards increased regulation with a focus on consumer protection, responsible gambling, and compliance can be observed.
Rebranding and Regulatory Changes:
Multiple countries are refining their regulatory frameworks to attract investment and enhance industry oversight. For example, Equatorial Guinea recently launched a new online gambling regulatory framework aimed at responsible gaming and international investment attraction.
In Asia, governments are moving towards centralized regulatory approaches, such as the creation of new centralized gambling regulators, like the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) approved in some Asian markets in April 2025, signaling efforts to unify regulation and enforcement.
Self-Exclusion Systems and Responsible Gambling Tools:
Across the EU and many other regulated markets, there is a strong emphasis on implementing self-exclusion systems and other responsible gambling measures. Common regulatory requirements now include tools for players to set deposit limits, opt for self-exclusion, and access support aimed at preventing gambling addiction.
Responsible gambling is a core focus within licensing and monitoring. Regulators require operators to provide mechanisms to protect vulnerable consumers and ensure fair play.
Advertising Restrictions:
Advertising regulations vary by jurisdiction but generally aim to limit exposure to minors and enforce transparency. The EU and member states provide guidelines and recommendations on advertising standards to ensure ads are not misleading and promote responsible gambling behaviors.
Some regions maintain strict advertising codes that ban certain types of marketing, especially those targeting vulnerable populations or suggesting gambling as a financial solution.
International Regulatory Landscape and Industry Adaptation:
The global gambling regulatory environment is diverse:
- Europe leads with structured legal frameworks emphasizing consumer protection and anti-money laundering.
- Asia experiences complex and evolving regulation, from outright bans in China to partial legalization steps in Japan and burgeoning regulatory activities in newly approving countries.
- Latin America is rapidly opening regulated markets (e.g., Colombia, Argentina, Brazil), focusing on stable, legal frameworks.
- Africa shows mixed approaches, with some countries permitting sports betting but restricting casino games.
- Australia and New Zealand allow sports betting but postpone local casino iGaming licensing, often relying on foreign operators.
Regulators increasingly require compliance with fairness testing, data protection (e.g., GDPR in EU), AML standards, dispute resolution, and licensing restrictions closely tied to jurisdiction. This ensures more transparency and protection in the industry.
Notable Events:
- The Brazilian government has approved a bill that will restrict gambling advertising, including ads featuring celebrities, athletes, or influencers.
- BetMGM has been warned by the Dutch gambling authority KSA for online advertising featuring 17-year-old football star Lamine Yamal, as such advertising is prohibited in the Netherlands.
- Löwen Entertainment has announced the renaming of its subsidiary BluBet Operations to Novoline.de.
- The WSOP 2025 is currently underway, with German poker star Phil Hellmuth advocating for the introduction of a rest day in the World Series of Poker Main Event.
- Europol, in cooperation with Eurojust, carried out raids against telephone lottery fraud, arresting 39 suspects and recovering more than €8 million.
- The German Automated Vending Association (BA) elected a new board, including two automated vending entrepreneurs from Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.
- A player from Lower Saxony won €17.6 million in the Eurojackpot draw on May 30, 2025.
- The Romanian gambling authority ONJN has announced the introduction of a self-exclusion system.
- The NBA Finals 2025 began with an upset, as the favorite Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the underdog Indiana Pacers.
- Merkur is continuing the uniformization and internationalization of its brand presence in Austria, renaming Cashpoint to Merkur Bets.
To summarize:
- Rebranding often involves restructuring regulatory bodies or frameworks to improve oversight and market attractiveness (e.g., new regulators in Asia, Equatorial Guinea’s framework)[4][5].
- Self-exclusion systems are widely mandated as part of responsible gambling policies in regulated markets[1][3].
- Advertising restrictions are broadly enforced with the goal of consumer protection, preventing underage exposure, and combating misleading marketing practices[1][2].
The international gambling industry is steadily evolving with regulators balancing market growth and player protection in 2025. Poker fans criticized Daniel Negreanu for filming with his smartphone at the WSOP tables, despite electronic devices being prohibited at the tournament. World-renowned rapper Jay-Z is planning to build a casino on Times Square, which could make him only the second African American casino owner in U.S. history. Turkish police conducted nationwide raids targeting illegal sports betting, fraud, and money laundering, arresting 145 people and seizing assets worth 5 billion TRY (approximately 111 million EUR). Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen was accused of deliberately crashing into another driver's car during the Barcelona Grand Prix, receiving a time penalty and three penalty points.
Online casinos in Germany are becoming increasingly popular as the industry adapts to regulatory changes and a focus on responsible gambling. For instance, casino-and-gambling platforms in Germany may soon require self-exclusion systems as part of the ongoing efforts to promote casino-games and sports-betting in a safe and controlled manner.
Poker enthusiasts in Germany have been following the WSOP 2025 closely, with German poker star Phil Hellmuth advocating for the introduction of a rest day in the World Series of Poker Main Event. Simultaneously, advertising restrictions are being enforced to protect minors, with the Brazilian government recently approving a bill to restrict gambling advertising featuring celebrities, athletes, or influencers.
The demand for sports-betting in Germany has led some operators to postpone local casino iGaming licensing, often relying on foreign operators. In this dynamic environment, knowledge of the regulatory landscape and industry adaptation is crucial for both operators and consumers to enjoy casino-games and sports-betting responsibly.
