TLDR Malaysian authorities are ramping up efforts to block illegal online gambling ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 (June 11 – July 19). The MCMC is expanding digital monitoring of websites, social media, and online platforms during the tournament. The Royal Malaysia Police leads enforcement, with the MCMC providing technical support and site-blocking coordination. Internet service providers are being used to block access to illegal gambling sites identified during the crackdown. Authorities are working directly with social media platforms to remove illegal gambling content and strengthen moderation systems. Malaysia’s Illegal Betting Crackdown Before the World Cup As the FIFA…
Author: Maisie Morrison
TLDR New Zealand published regulations for the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, taking effect July 3, 2026 Operators must offer spending limits, break-in-play features, and self-exclusion tools Credit cards and multiple accounts per platform are banned Advertising is heavily restricted, including bans on sponsorships and affiliate marketing A 3.5% quarterly levy on gambling profits will apply; up to 15 licences will be issued New Zealand has published the rules that will govern its new online casino industry. The regulations were issued on Friday and come into force on July 3, 2026 — the same month the licensing process is expected…
TLDR The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has warned licensees to increase monitoring of suspicious betting during FIFA World Cup 2026 The tournament runs June 11 to July 19, creating what the MGA calls an “elevated risk environment” Operators must report suspicious transactions through the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism under Regulation 43 Licensees must appoint a Sports Integrity Point of Contact and work with the MGA’s Sports Integrity Unit Advertising rules also apply — promotions must be socially responsible and must not target minors or vulnerable groups The Malta Gaming Authority has issued a formal warning to its licensed gambling operators…
TLDR Google updated its policy on June 2, 2026 to ban prediction market ads in Ohio, making it the second banned state after Nevada The Ohio Casino Control Commission did not request the ban but said it “applauds” Google’s move Kalshi is currently fighting 18 federal and state lawsuits over its claim of federal CFTC oversight Ohio attorneys are actively fighting Kalshi’s lawsuit to overturn a cease-and-desist order Minnesota became the first state to legislatively ban prediction markets in May 2026 Google quietly updated its advertising policy on June 2, 2026, banning prediction market ads in Ohio. The move adds…
TLDR Kenya’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) is building a central monitoring system to track all gambling transactions in real time The sector generated KSh33 billion (US$257 million) in tax revenue in the 2024-25 financial year The GRA expects collections to exceed KSh40 billion (US$310 million) this financial year Every licensed operator will be required to connect to the system, giving regulators a live view of deposits, wagers, and payouts The system will also help tackle money laundering and support responsible gambling tools Kenya’s gambling regulator is building a real-time monitoring system that will give authorities direct access to transaction data…
TLDR Google banned prediction market ads in Ohio effective June 2, 2026 The ban updates a policy launched in January 2026 that allowed such ads across the US Ohio and Nevada are now both excluded from prediction market advertising on Google A federal court earlier rejected Kalshi’s bid to block Ohio regulators from enforcement Ohio fined Kalshi $5 million for operating without a state gambling license Google has confirmed it will no longer allow prediction market advertising in Ohio through its Google Ads platform. The restriction took effect on June 2, 2026, and updates a policy the company introduced just…
TLDR Florida has an estimated 48,000 unregulated gambling devices operating illegally across the state Illegal online casino sites alone generated over $4 billion in Florida last year Several bills to strengthen gambling laws stalled in the legislature in 2025 Florida Gaming Control Commission Chair Julie Brown says penalties must be upgraded from misdemeanors to felonies Organized crime, including Eastern European mafia elements, is linked to illegal gambling operations in Florida Florida is sitting on a massive illegal gambling problem, and the state’s top gaming regulator says lawmakers need to do more to fix it. Julie Brown, chair of the Florida…
TLDR Hong Kong police warn that betting on overseas sites can still break local gambling laws 4,482 people were arrested for serious gambling offenses in 2025 Fifa named Gibraltar-registered ADI Predictstreet as its official prediction market partner for the 2026 World Cup Police warn against using VPNs to access offshore betting platforms Young gamblers are at risk of debt, depression, and links to organized crime Hong Kong police have issued a warning to football fans ahead of the Fifa World Cup, which kicks off on June 11. They say placing bets on foreign websites could still break local gambling laws,…
TLDR A Texas judge granted a temporary injunction blocking the NCAA from banning Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Sorsby admitted to placing at least 40 bets on his own team and wagering over $9,000 on college football His lawyers argued a permanent ban would harm his mental health The NCAA filed for an accelerated appeal, but it could take 9-12 months to resolve Sorsby must sit out the first two games of the season and continue counseling A Texas judge has blocked the NCAA from permanently banning Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, allowing him to return to the field despite…
TLDR Vietnamese police raided a digital marketing firm accused of driving traffic to illegal gambling sites CEO Pham Ngoc Manh was arrested; about £105,830 was allegedly generated from promoting illegal sites in 2026 Crypto played a key role — 41 electronic wallets were used to receive payments from illegal websites Around £199,714 in cash and crypto-converted assets was seized, along with 29 computers and 41 phones The enforcement mirrors a wider regional trend, with Japan also targeting affiliates and payment processors Vietnam Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling Marketing and Crypto Payment Channels Vietnamese authorities have shifted their focus in the…