Vietnamese government reinforced control on slot machines used in facilities open to foreigners in Vietnam. The new regulation follows the Decree 175/2016/ND-CP approved on December 30, 2016 and will come into effect on February 15, 2017. According to the Decree on business in prize-winning electronic games for foreigners, slot machines have to be 100% new, […]

After long discussions the Ministry of Finance and the Israeli National Lottery (Mifal Hapayis) have come to an agreement, which could significantly change the situation of gambling in the country. The two parties finally agreed to allow the residents of Israel to play online lotteries and other games like Keno. Israeli business newsletter Calcalist announced […]

Illegal gambling at internet cafes and mini-casinos appears to be a rising problem in Greece judging from the number of times unauthorised gambling operations have been brought to light. The police made 300 arrests in 51 raids in the last fortnight of 2016 alone. According to official figures released by gaming watchdog Hellenic Gaming Commission […]

Brazil’s gambling vote has been long-delayed and it looks like 2017 will not be an exception. A vote to legalise gambling has been delayed again after Brazil’s law makers decided they have more important issues to deal with. Brazilians hoped to arrange a final vote on the two competing gambling bills – the Senate’s 186/2014 […]

Residents of Singapore are receiving unsolicited gambling advertisements. The messages appearing on their phones are offering online gambling, “easy” loans and may be abetting illegal activities, according to the local privacy watchdog. From January until September 8,800 public complaints regarding text message spam promoting unauthorised online gambling services and financial loans were received by Singapore’s […]

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is introducing a new fee structure in April 2017 that is said to benefit most of operators. However, a few of them will see their fees rise. The findings of the consultation with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the new fee structure were announced on UKGC website. […]

President Rodrigo Duterte announced his plans to close all online gambling firms in the Philippines. He ordered the closure saying that the government is not getting proper taxes from such operations. This has been revealed while presenting a budget for 2017, without specifying the timing of the ban and in this way leaving the country […]

Polish lawmakers have approved amendments to the country’s gambling legislation. Once signed by the president Andrzej Duda, the new changes will take effect on April 1, 2017. The changes to the Polish Gambling Act have already been accepted by both legislative chambers of Poland. Many of the changes purposed are already known to the public. […]

A push to ban advertisements promoting “free” and “bonus” bets to online gamblers in Australia is backed by a newly formed body representing giant betting agencies. Responsible Wagering Australia was launched only a few weeks ago. The main goal of the association is to promote stronger regulation in the industry. The group that was founded […]

As the Swiss government is considering introducing limits on certain gambling sites, the Swiss Association For Information, Communications And Organisation Technology publicly expressed it disagreement with such plans. The Committee for Legal Affairs of the Swiss National Council is currently debating on a new legislation that would require ISPs to block foreign gambling sites operating […]

Japanese parliament passed a new law to legalise land-based casinos in the country. The approval of the ‘integrated resorts’ bill ends a political argument that has been ongoing for 15 years. International Casino operators are celebrating this decision as the way for multi-billion dollar projects is now clear. The legislation was pushed through by the […]

Polish government is preparing a new gambling bill that would allow sports betting and online poker in the country. Gambling was outlawed in Poland seven years ago. In an interview with Polish radio Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Gowin said that “Poland suffered enormous, multibillion losses” when a Gambling act banning gambling outside casinos and online […]