Nordic countries have become attractive to international gambling companies. Finland, in particular, is said to be one of the biggest and most thriving European gambling markets. However, unlike many other jurisdictions in Europe, this country chooses to keep its monopoly regulatory system. It is also unlikely that this scenario will change in the near future. […]

Latin America has been drawing attention as a region where gambling may be an undoubtedly profitable industry. There are more and more discussions about how to adopt gambling friendly regulations and open the market to operators and developers from around the world. Brazil is emerging as a country where legislators seem to have recognised the […]

Russian Duma received recommendations from country’s legislative committee to approve measures targeted to disrupt payment processing with unauthorised online gambling sites. A few months ago Russia proposed a legislation which set out regulations requiring banks and payment processors to block transactions between punters in the country and international operators. Now the State Duma Committee on […]

The government of Ukraine announced its intentions to introduce legalised gambling industry, boost the local economy and start earning from revenue by next year. The Ministry officials sent a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to detail the new plan. Ukraine is trying to assure IMF that the country is worthy to receive a […]

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has unveiled its business plan for 2017/2018 outlining its focuses and priorities for the next financial year. The business plan focuses on 5 key areas: • Empower and protect consumers • Raise standards across all gambling sectors • Build partnerships and understanding • Ensure fair play on the National Lottery […]

Since the first event back in 2015, eSCon is all about connections, insight and discussion. This year, the conference took place at London’s Le Meridien Piccadilly and over the course of two days (5th-6th of April) tried to bring together eSports industry of the UK and greater Europe. eSCOn Europe delivered their promise to provide […]

Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe officially kicked off the inaugural meeting of the government task force. It will make recommendations on licensing and operating integrated resorts (IR) with casinos in the country. The new regulatory body is a result of multiple promises from Japanese officials to address public concerns about the social ills associated […]

The Swedish state gambling monopoly may soon be replaced by the new setup. The government of Sweden requested Hakan Hallstedt, Lotteriinspektionen general director, to investigate the possibility of changing the current monopoly of the industry to a new system that would allow multiple companies to be licensed and taxed. Currently, the online gambling monopoly is […]

Japan signed a law recognising virtual currencies like Bitcoin as a legal method of payment. Even though the bill does not recognise Bitcoin as a currency, it accepted that cryptocurrencies have “asset-like values” that can be used “as payment to indefinite parties for the cost of purchase or rent of items or receipt of services […]

China is committing to crack down on all gambling operators illegally promoting overseas casino resorts in mainland China. Casinos are outlawed in China and so is the promotion of this type of gambling venues. However, a number of international casinos have sent marketing and sales representatives to China to attract big-spending players. Following a high-profile […]

Midi, a development consortium from Malta, proposed a casino hotel and shopping complex for Manoel island. The consortium obtained a 99-year concession on this part of the island 17 years ago. Midi had a meeting with NGOs to introduce the proposal and final development plans. Even though the plans are not public yet, it’s been […]

During the annual meeting of the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), former culture secretary MP John Whittingdale warned betting shop operators to be alerted. Due to the recent government’s review on gaming machines, they are likely to face significant changes. Following the announcement by UK’s Gambling Commission stating that fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) could […]