TLDR The NCAA ruled Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby permanently ineligible over gambling violations from bets placed on Indiana football games in 2022 Sorsby completed a residential treatment program for gambling addiction and anxiety disorder and posted a public statement taking responsibility Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec confirmed the university will appeal the ruling and publicly backed Sorsby’s recovery Sorsby filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking a temporary injunction to play in the 2026 season The NCAA maintained that betting on one’s own team is among the most serious violations and must be enforced to protect game integrity The…
Author: Maisie Morrison
TLDR France’s ANJ and CNIL released an updated GDPR guide for gambling operators covering casinos, online betting, and exclusive rights holders like FDJ and PMU. The guide clarifies that all data processing, even paper records, falls under GDPR and that sensitive data like health info needs extra safeguards. Operators cannot reuse data collected for responsible gambling purposes for marketing or other unrelated activities. Practical compliance steps include appointing a Data Protection Officer, mapping data flows, and publishing transparent privacy policies. A major section addresses how GDPR intersects with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations, requiring mandatory impact assessments. France’s gambling…
TLDR South Korea’s Korea Sports Promotion Foundation held a gambling education session at Gwangmyeong High School for all 880 students Trained counselors taught students about illegal gambling types, real-world examples, and addiction risks Students were assessed using the Campaign for Adolescent Gambling Intervention scale The session was part of a wider Youth Month campaign in Gwangmyeong that drew around 4,000 participants Multiple agencies including law enforcement and public institutions cooperated on the initiative South Korea’s Korea Sports Promotion Foundation recently held a gambling awareness session at Gwangmyeong High School. The program was carried out in partnership with the local police…
TLDR PAGCOR launched a 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline at (02) 8248-9568 for gamblers and their families The helpline is run in partnership with Seagulls Flock Organization Inc., an NGO specializing in addiction support 12 para-counselors currently staff the line across three daily shifts, with plans to expand Online gambling generates over P100 billion annually for the Philippine government and employs around 32,000 people directly The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has called online gambling a “moral and social crisis” and pushed for a ban The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has launched a round-the-clock helpline to address growing…
TLDR The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue confirmed that casino and gambling jackpot prizes are subject to at least 20% final withholding tax for resident taxpayers Nonresident aliens not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines face a higher 25% tax rate on winnings The tax is calculated on gross winnings with no deductions allowed for service charges, fees, or commissions Gaming operators are designated as withholding agents and face penalties including surcharges and criminal action for noncompliance The guidance applies to both licensed and unlicensed operators and covers cash prizes, progressive jackpots, and table game winnings The Philippine…
TLDR A Santiago appeals court ordered Chile’s telecom regulator Subtel to explain what technical methods can effectively block illegal online gambling websites The case started in 2024 when Lotería de Concepción accused six major internet providers of failing to block unlicensed gambling platforms Subtel admitted last month it has been unable to enforce a Supreme Court order to block twelve betting sites because operators simply switch domain names Authorities are now considering Deep Packet Inspection technology and keyword blocking as potential tools to improve enforcement The Subtel undersecretary told lawmakers her agency was not directly responsible for enforcing the court’s…
TLDR DeGaming has officially launched a Web3 iGaming platform built on blockchain infrastructure to increase transparency in online gambling The platform features proprietary Glass Vault technology providing real-time proof of funds and verifiable transaction visibility A “Bankroll as a Service” model routes all transactions through an on-chain engine, giving players real-time views of platform funds Operators can deploy a full casino or sportsbook within two weeks using the platform’s integrated tools Industry veteran Ulle Skottling has been appointed CEO, bringing experience from RAW iGaming, Videoslots, and NetEnt DeGaming Enters the Market With Blockchain-Based Gambling Infrastructure DeGaming has officially launched its…
TLDR Brazil’s Bets Law, only 17 months old, faces multiple congressional bills aiming to rewrite or dismantle the online gambling framework. President Lula wants a new bill to block indebted citizens and welfare recipients from betting. Two new bills filed on May 19 propose tighter controls on marketing, licensing, and consumer safeguards, with cross-party support. More aggressive proposals seek outright bans on betting operations, advertising, cashback, and VIP schemes. The push is tied to October 2026 elections, with political blocs competing to reshape or bury the current gambling regime. Brazil’s online gambling law is facing a wave of political opposition…
TLDR Hedge funds have made at least $2.3 billion in paper gains betting against gambling stocks in 2026, with Flutter Entertainment accounting for roughly $2 billion of that total. Flutter has lost more than half its market value this year, while DraftKings and Entain are each down around 30%. Short sellers Muddy Waters and Callisto triggered a 20%-plus single-day crash in Sportradar shares after accusing the company of ties to illegal gambling operators. Tax increases in European markets and the rise of US prediction markets are squeezing margins and creating uncertainty across the sector. Some analysts still see recovery potential,…
TLDR Kazakhstan is building casino zones near its borders in four regions, designed exclusively for foreign tourists Local citizens will be legally banned from entering the new gambling territories The country is copying Russia’s model of isolated gambling zones, inspired by Sochi’s success in generating state revenue A nationwide ban on gambling advertising will accompany the new casino developments The government is forcing telecom providers to block payments to unauthorized overseas betting sites Kazakhstan is preparing to reverse nearly two decades of strict gambling policy with plans to build dedicated casino zones near its borders. The zones are designed to…