Author: Maisie Morrison

TLDR ISPA says any blocking of offshore gambling sites must follow proper legislation, not just regulator orders. The group released a position paper responding to the National Gambling Board’s call for internet blocking. ISPA outlined five principles, including court oversight, transparency, and time-limited orders. The association says providers should not have to redesign networks or absorb blocking costs alone. ISPA says blocking must balance the right to access information with limiting gambling harm. South Africa’s Internet Service Providers’ Association has spoken out on internet blocking. The group says any move to block offshore gambling websites must be backed by proper…

TLDR Prediction markets topped $50 billion in trading volume in June, a record for the industry. Kalshi handled about 65% of all trading, up from 57% in May. The FIFA World Cup drove close to half of all trading activity across platforms. DraftKings, Polymarket, and Robinhood-backed Rothera expanded their presence in the sector. Regulators may reshape the industry’s rules depending on future political changes. Prediction markets had their biggest month ever in June. According to a new report from Macquarie Equity Research, the sector generated more than $50 billion in trading volume during the month. The FIFA World Cup played…

TLDR The illegal online gambling market targeting EU consumers grew to €91.6 billion last year, up about 14% from the year before. The European Casino Association wants Europol to take on a bigger role in fighting unlicensed gambling operators. The illegal market cost EU member states roughly €22.9 billion in lost tax revenue. Over 6,200 unlicensed operators are actively targeting European customers, according to the report. The European Commission says the Digital Services Act already gives platforms tools to fight illegal gambling ads. Europe’s licensed casino industry is asking Brussels to strengthen Europol’s role in fighting illegal online gambling. The…

TLDR Governor Josh Stein signed North Carolina’s $34 billion state budget into law on July 8, 2026. Sports betting operators will now pay a 23% tax on revenue, up from 18%. The budget adds a new 6% tax on prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket. Bettors can now deduct gambling losses on state taxes, retroactive to January 1, 2025. The new rules take effect January 1, 2027, and could lead to legal disputes over state versus federal authority. Governor Josh Stein has signed North Carolina’s $34 billion state budget into law. The budget brings several changes to how…

TLDR Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a US Army Special Forces member, wants a federal judge to dismiss the CFTC’s case against him. The CFTC sued him in April, the same day the DOJ filed a related criminal indictment. Prosecutors say he used secret military information to bet on whether Maduro would be removed from office. He allegedly turned about $33,000 into more than $400,000 in profit. His lawyers argue the Polymarket contracts were not “swaps” under federal law. A U.S. Army Special Forces member is fighting back against a federal case tied to his trading activity. Gannon Ken Van Dyke…

TLDR Coljuegos has blocked 46,228 illegal gambling websites since 2022, according to its Official Bulletin No. 25. Since the regulator began, it has issued 55,658 total blocking orders, with most coming under the current government. Coljuegos credits an Artificial Intelligence Center for improving detection and blocking of unlicensed sites. The regulator is working with Colombia’s Ministry of ICT to speed up blocking through internet service providers. Colombia’s Council of State made a suspension of Coljuegos’ 2023 Advertising Resolution permanent in June. Colombia’s gambling regulator, Coljuegos, has blocked 46,228 illegal gambling websites since 2022. The agency shared the number in its…

TLDR BetMakers Technology Group signed a new distribution deal with ATG, Sweden’s national horse racing wagering operator. The deal brings ATG’s nominated Swedish and Danish horse racing to betting operators in Australia and New Zealand. ATG’s live vision signal is included, giving operators access to race footage along with betting data. BetMakers COO Martin Tripp called the partnership one the company has wanted for a long time. ATG international business officer Peter Johansson said the deal helps ATG reach new customers abroad. BetMakers Technology Group has signed a new content deal with ATG, Sweden’s national horse racing wagering operator. The…

TLDR Brazil’s Senate extended Provisional Measure 1.355/2026 for 60 more days. The measure created the New Desenrola Brasil debt renegotiation program. Congress has not formed the joint committee needed to review the bill. The program blocks debt relief recipients from online betting for 12 months. Lawmakers now have until September 14, 2026 to vote on the measure. Brazil’s Senate approved a 60-day extension of Provisional Measure 1.355/2026 this week. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre signed the extension. The measure created the New Desenrola Brasil debt renegotiation program. The federal government first announced the program on May 4. Congress could not finish…

TLDR The National Youth Center of Korea and the Korea Center on Gambling Problems signed a partnership agreement on July 8. The deal focuses on youth gambling awareness, education, and prevention programs. Both groups plan to jointly research, develop, and operate prevention programs together. A new interactive project called After-school Detective Squad MISSING: Find the Missing Friend will use smart devices to teach youth about gambling risks. Director Jeong Cheolsang says the AI-based content aims to make prevention lessons more memorable for young people. Two organizations in South Korea have joined forces to tackle youth gambling. The National Youth Center…

TLDR Konami Gaming filed license applications with the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission. The company says it is the first manufacturer to apply across all supplier license categories. The filing comes while MGM Osaka is still under construction, with an opening set for 2030. MGM Osaka is led by MGM Resorts International and Japan’s Orix Corp. Konami says it has spent time and money on localization and compliance planning for the Japanese market. Konami Gaming Inc has filed license applications with Japan’s Casino Regulatory Commission. The company says it is the first gaming equipment maker to apply across every supplier license…