Author: Maisie Morrison

TLDR Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court will hear a case questioning the constitutionality of the country’s online betting laws. The challenge was filed by the Office of the Prosecutor General. Justice Luiz Fux is the rapporteur assigned to the case. The case raises concerns over consumer debt, gambling harm, and public awareness of betting risks. A ruling could change how Brazil’s regulated betting market operates. Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court is set to review a case that questions whether the country’s online betting laws are constitutional. The case was brought by the Office of the Prosecutor General, known as the PGR. The…

TLDR Macau’s casino revenue fell 8.4% year-on-year in July, largely due to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Seaport Research Partners expects revenue to grow 4.5% year-on-year in August. The firm forecasts an 11% year-on-year increase in September. Analysts point to a stronger renminbi and easier visa policies as support for growth. Risks remain, including China’s economy and possible travel restrictions. Macau’s casino industry is expected to bounce back in August and September after a weak July, according to Seaport Research Partners. The brokerage says business slowed down last month mainly because of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Many gamblers stayed…

TLDR Flutter Entertainment delisted its shares from the London Stock Exchange at 8 am UK time on August 3. The New York Stock Exchange is now Flutter’s only primary listing. The company pointed to low trading volumes, high costs, and regulatory demands as reasons for leaving London. Flutter will keep running its UK and Irish brands, including Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Betting & Gaming, and tombola. Flutter shares closed at £75.88 on their final day of London trading, down from £81.38 earlier in the week. Flutter Entertainment has left the London Stock Exchange. The gambling company completed its delisting at…

TLDR Top online gambling operators in Chile have formed a new group called the Responsible iGaming Association (AGR). The group wants to help build a legal framework for online gambling, which does not yet exist in Chile. Attorney Sandra Kemp will serve as the association’s president. Founding members include Betano, Juegalo, Novibet, Betsala and Estelarbet. A regulated market could bring in about $625 million in gross gaming revenue within two to three years. Chile has a new industry group focused on online gambling. It is called the Responsible iGaming Association, or AGR. Top operators in the country formed the group…

TLDR Romania’s new gambling winnings tax took effect on August 1, 2026. The tiered system raises tax rates on larger payouts, up to 40%. The change is part of PM Ilie Bolojan’s plan to cut the budget deficit. Romania’s gambling regulator, ONJN, faces fresh corruption allegations. A deputy director general is accused of taking bribes to speed up approvals. Romania started a new tax system on gambling winnings on August 1, 2026. The change is part of a wider plan by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan to fix the country’s budget problems. Romania’s budget deficit sits at 7% of GDP. That…

TLDR Playson has entered Alberta’s regulated iGaming market through a partnership with Betty Casino. This is Playson’s first content launch in the province, following an earlier partnership in Ontario. Betty Casino players in Alberta can now access Playson titles, including 4 Chili Amigos: Hold and Win and Rhino Coins: Hit the Bonus. The move adds to Playson’s growing presence in Canada’s regulated online gaming markets. Executives from both companies said the deal builds on past success and supports future growth plans. Playson has entered Alberta’s regulated iGaming market. The move comes through a new content deal with Betty Casino. This…

TLDR The CFTC fined former Rep. George Santos about $35,000 for manipulating a Kalshi prediction market on his State of the Union attendance. Santos must give up $17,569.98 in trading profits and pay a $17,500 penalty. He also agreed to a three-year ban from trading on CFTC-regulated markets. The CFTC said Santos made misleading public statements about his travel plans while trading both “Yes” and “No” contracts. Santos settled without admitting or denying wrongdoing and later criticized Kalshi, calling it a gambling platform. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has fined former Congressman George Santos roughly $35,000. The agency said he…

TLDR Betfred will close 132 betting shops in the UK, putting around 600 jobs at risk. The closures mark more than 10% of Betfred’s total estate, leaving about 1,100 shops open. Betfred blames higher National Insurance costs, wage inflation, and rising gambling taxes for the decision. The UK government raised remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%, with online sports betting duty set to rise to 25% in 2027. Rivals William Hill, Paddy Power, and Ladbrokes have also announced shop closures in recent months. Betfred has confirmed it will close 132 betting shops across the United Kingdom. The closures will…

TLDR WSOP’s new owner, NSUS Group Inc., introduced a secret approval process for sponsor patches at the 2026 series. Crypto poker sites CoinPoker and Phenom Poker were denied patches, while offshore site Americas Cardroom was approved. Players say no reasons were given for denials, and the rules allow instant disqualification for unapproved logos. The company that owns WSOP traces back to a British Virgin Islands shell company with no public ownership records. Solana Foundation became WSOP’s presenting sponsor in June, even as competing crypto poker brands were shut out. The World Series of Poker changed its sponsor patch rules this…

TLDR Romania introduced a three-tier tax system on gambling winnings starting August 1, 2026. The new rules raise the state’s cut of payouts at every level, from small wins to large prizes. The tax change is part of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s plan to cut Romania’s budget deficit. Romania’s gambling regulator faces a corruption case involving a deputy director accused of taking bribes. A 2025 audit found nearly €1 billion in unpaid gambling tax revenue. Romania has a new tax rule on gambling winnings. It took effect on August 1, 2026. The change is part of a fiscal plan led…