The Rio de Janeiro police force launched “Desfortuna Operation” carried out by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro this Thursday, the 7th, already has influencers in its list of targets in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. The operation focuses on criminal schemes involving the promotion of illegal online gambling. A total…
Brazil is gearing up for a major regulatory shift as the Ministry of Finance finalises the National Betting System (SINAPO) – a new central hub designed to bring all betting operators under one roof.
Built by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), the platform looks to unify oversight at both federal and state levels, giving regulators and consumers a clearer picture of which firms are playing by the rules.
The creation of a public register of licensed companies remains at the heart of the reform. Published on the SPA’s website, the list will make it easier for punters to see which operators are legitimate, while giving approved brands valuable benefits.
From smoother bank account openings to legal advertising and app store inclusion, the move is designed to make life easier for compliant operators, but harder for those outside the system.
More than just a name on the list
Perhaps the biggest lure for operators is the opportunity to use a bet.br domain – a digital stamp that signals full SINAPO approval. Securing it means going through NIC.br, clearing legal checks with state or district authorities, and getting the green light from the SPA.
To get through the door, operators have to meet every requirement in Law No. 14,790/2023. They must also plug into Brazil’s anti-money laundering network, Siscoaf, use geolocation to keep betting inside authorised borders, and have all systems approved by testing labs.
Tightening the net on ownership
The SPA has also detailed plans to dig deeper into who really owns Brazil’s betting brands. Under SINAPO, operators will need to disclose their entire corporate chain, from holding companies to individual shareholders.
This is aimed at stopping the same group from picking up multiple concessions across different states – a restriction rooted in Law No. 13,756/2018.
Ongoing shifts
Since Brazil’s regulated betting market officially launched on 1 January 2025, the scene has been moving fast. Lawmakers are already looking at additional measures that would affect both operators and players.
Last week, Senator Humberto Costa proposed raising the legal betting age from 18 to 21 and capping monthly deposits to the equivalent of one minimum wage, while allowing the Ministry of Finance to set extra daily or weekly limits.
The proposal also targets advertising, aiming to restrict betting promotions between 6am and 10pm, ban sponsorship of public sports, cultural or festival events, and stop all marketing aimed at under-21s.
Costa says these measures are intended to protect vulnerable players, citing cases where gambling has caused serious social harm and even diverted funds from essentials like tuition and daily living.
These steps build on earlier rules introduced since the market rollout, including bans on influencer or athlete endorsements, in-stadium ads and live sports betting promotions.
Brazil’s betting scene is expanding quickly, but regulators seem to be acting just as fast to make sure growth happens responsibly.
Ohio lawmakers are studying whether to ban or introduce restrictions on micro-betting, according to ESPN. While the proposed rules are mainly a response to the baseball betting scandal involving Cleveland Guardians, our interest here is not just sporting integrity but responsible gambling. A question of definition: It has been argued that micro-betting is just in-play…
TonyBet has received a warning from the Netherlands Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), after the operator listed betting markets on the winner of the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Boot.
Under Dutch law, such wagers are prohibited because they are decided by votes or jury verdicts rather than by measurable sporting performance during official competitions.
In the Netherlands, the law states licensed sportsbooks can only offer bets on official sports events organised by trusted national or international groups, and only when the results are based on a clear and checkable performance.
The authority made it clear in its statement that awards off the field fall outside of these parameters.
The response
TonyBet confirmed that no bets had been placed on the offending markets before they were removed, and has promised to tighten controls over its sportsbook content to prevent similar breaches in the future.
While the KSA has decided to issue a warning on this occasion, it reiterated that licensees are fully responsible for every betting option available on their platforms, even when those markets are supplied by third-party providers.
The warning to TonyBet comes amid a sustained period of heightened enforcement from the KSA.
Starting 1 January 2025, the organisation implemented a new ‘General Policy of Fines’ to govern Dutch gambling licences. The fine structure was organised into five categories, with basic penalties ranging from €500 (£430) for Category 1 violations up to €2m (£1.7m) for the most serious offences in Category Five.
As the KSA explained: “The New General Policy of Fines aims to ensure penalties are appropriate and serve as punitive and preventive measures. It seeks to deter violations and promote compliance with gambling regulations.”
KSA flags gambling tax concerns
The latest enforcement work is unfolding against the backdrop of mounting financial pressure on the regulated Dutch betting market. The regulator has just warned that January’s rise in gambling tax from 30.5% to 34.2% is hurting the country.
A new impact assessment shows gross gaming revenue falling across both online and land-based sectors, leading to lower tax receipts instead of the expected boost.
KSA Chair Michel Groothuizen cautioned that weakening the financial position of licensed operators undermines long-term player protection. With another hike to 37.8% due next year, the authority is looking for a rethink on certain policies.
New beginnings
In other news, this week the KSA has appointed Marjolein Hoogland, Chief Attorney General of the Dutch Court of Appeal, and Erasmus University Professor Ingmar Franken to its Objections Advisory Committee – which reviews licensee appeals.
They join President Anita Vegter, two existing members, and three independent Chairs at a time when the panel’s workload is expected to grow as new KOA reforms, tighter marketing rules and player protection measures reshape the Dutch market.
Online bookmaker QuestBet has been fined AU$80,000 (£39k) in the state of Victoria for accepting bets from a “distressed customer”.
Suzy Neilan, CEO of the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), personally addressed the operator, calling the culture it exhibits of non-compliance with safer gambling standards “concerning”.
“Our investigation of QuestBet’s practices found the bookmaker failed to have in place adequate systems to protect individuals identifiably at risk of gambling harm.
“Minimising gambling harm is an obligation every operator holds – including bookmakers – who must monitor customer wellbeing and intervene if they observe signs of distress.
“This substantial penalty demonstrates the seriousness of the bookmaker’s failure to meet its legal and moral obligations.”
The investigation was launched after the customer themselves submitted a signal to the VGCCC, complaining about the operator allowing them to bet even after suffering significant losses.
“We found that between April and June 2023, the customer contacted QuestBet more than 20 times to request additional credits and bonus bets. On six occasions, they mentioned having experienced several large losses,” Neilan added.
“This was a clear sign that the customer was struggling. A sign that QuestBet chose to ignore, instead encouraging and enabling the customer to keep gambling with the aid of bonus bets in five of the six occasions.
“Consequently, the customer lost about $15k over two months.”
Staff of gambling operators must provide assistance to customers facing negative consequences from gambling.
Australia law mandates that when there are signs of gambling harm, operators are obligated to inform players of the various problem gambling prevention tools available to them. In QuestBet’s case, the VGCCC said this was not done.
“QuestBet suggested none of these, thereby breaching the Victorian Bookmakers’ Association Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct and causing further distress to the customer.
“Nor did the bookmaker formally respond to our request for an explanation for its lack of care or a reason not to be sanctioned, despite requesting, and being granted, several extensions to do so.”
The topic of problem gambling is usually very sensitive, particularly right now in Australia where reports come out one after another about the cost that the problem incurs on the economy.
In 2023, the Victoria government estimated that gambling had cost the state $14.1bn in social harm in the year prior.
French authorities will adopt new enforcement tools to fight corruption in sports, as new legislation classifies match fixing as an organised crime…
The government of France has classified match-fixing in sports as seriously as organised crime under new amendments included in its law to fight drug trafficking and corruption activities undertaken with proceeds linked or related to drug dealing.
An amendment added in January as part of a bill targeting drug trafficking reclassified match-fixing from a minor offense to a serious crime. The law was approved on 13 June and cases will now be handled by specialised inter-jurisdictional courts (JIRS) that deal with complex criminal matters to enable deeper investigations into corruption in sport.
The law also grants investigators new enforcement tools such as wiretaps, hidden microphones, surveillance, undercover operations and prolonged detention periods. These were previously reserved for cases like drug trafficking, human trafficking and large-scale fraud.
Those convicted of match-fixing in France can now face up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching €1m.
The new measures cover corrupt activities undertaken by private citizens in a context of “passive bribery committed by a participant in a sporting event or horserace where bets are taken, and active bribery committed by a private individual in the direction of such a person”.
They are supported by the regulator Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) systems that record all wagering data to detect atypical bets and unusual odds. As part of the framework, ANJ can decide to ban betting on a competition if there are major indications of manipulation.
ANJ’s anti-match fixing monitoring and training teams meet every six weeks and its teams also train young athletes, magistrates and civil servants to assist them in identifying and detecting cases of sporting fraud linked to betting.
GamCare is preparing to leave its long-standing Holborn base for a new London headquarters later this month, signalling both a physical and strategic shift for the UK’s leading gambling harm support charity.
On 26 August, the charity will open at Salisbury House, Finsbury Circus. The current Saffron Hill site will operate until 22 August, with GamCare confirming no change to contact details and no disruption to services.
A spokesperson said that the relocation will provide “a vibrant, collaborative hub” to support its evolving way of working.
“We’re excited about this new chapter. The new office will give us the space and flexibility to continue innovating and supporting those who need us.”
Strategic shifts
The move coincides with a reconfiguration of GamCare’s programme portfolio.
For example, in July, the charity announced the wind-down of its Young People’s Programme by October 2025, an initiative that has delivered gambling harm education to under 18s.
GamCare did however confirm a new focus towards its Youth Advisory Board “to ensure young people’s voices continue to inform our work”.
Meanwhile, the charity has also launched an external review of its Women’s Pathway Programme, which began in 2024 to improve access to help for women going through negative effects of gambling.
“Fundamental to our approach is understanding the role that building women’s self-confidence/self-esteem, de-stigmatising gambling harm and improving health literacy plays in enabling women to access the services and support that they need,” the firm asserted.
Funding future
The relocation comes as GamCare awaits details on how the new statutory problem gambling levy will be distributed. Introduced on 6 April 2025, the levy replaces the voluntary funding system overseen by GambleAware, which will close by March 2026.
In response to GambleAware’s exit, GamCare stated: “GamCare thanks GambleAware for their leadership and contribution to the sector over many years.
“Under the voluntary funding system, their work has enabled the development and delivery of critical services – including GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline and the National Gambling Support Network.”
The charity said it will soon meet with NHS England, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and regional governments to make sure funding changes happen smoothly and services keep running.
North Macedonian ministers and political parties are preparing for a parliamentary battle over the terms and adoption of a new Gambling Law.
Changes will radically reshape the sector, introducing long restrictions sought by Prime Minister Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova but drawing fierce opposition from industry groups and opposition parties warning of an ‘economic fallout’ for Europe’s youngest economy.
Last year, the newly empowered ‘nationalist coalition’, led by Davkova following her election in 2024, pledged to overhaul the Gambling Act as part of a broader anti-corruption and EU accession strategy. For the nationalist coalition, gambling reform is positioned as both a public health imperative and a political statement on transparency.
The draft legislation, approved by the cabinet in July and presented to the National Congress by Deputy Prime Minister Izet Mejhiti, is billed as a decisive step to curb the influence of the so-called “gambling mafia,” protect minors, and tighten market oversight.
Key provisions include relocating casinos, slot machine clubs, and betting shops with gambling machines at least 500 metres from schools, banning gambling advertising, raising operator taxes and fees, and ending the practice of opening unlimited outlets under a single licence.
Supporters argue the reforms could cut gambling’s physical presence by as much as 70%, reduce youth exposure, and consolidate regulatory control in a market that has expanded steadily for over a decade.
Of significance to stakeholders, North Macedonia’s gambling sector is the country’s largest private-sector employer and hosts over 1,000 land-based venues—casinos, gaming halls, and sportsbooks — operating under a relatively accessible licensing regime with moderate fees. Between 2018 and 2022, state revenue from gambling rose from around €61m to €88m.
Yet the proposal has triggered a sharp backlash from industry associations, including ASOM and APIS, who warn of severe economic fallout. Critics say the bill embeds loopholes that allow certain betting shops to remain near schools, institutionalises exemptions for favoured operators, and most controversially creates a state monopoly over online gambling – viewed as a direct competition block against licensed businesses.
4H Agency, who have been following the Gambling Law’s progression since its inception, warn caution on proceedings: “This legislation is a double-edged sword. While it addresses legitimate concerns about problem gambling and organised crime, the creation of a state monopoly online risks driving players to unregulated platforms and undoing the law’s intended safeguards.
North Macedonia’s gambling regime is already one of the most complex in Europe, marked by fragmented authority, overlapping jurisdictions, and deep ethnic and political conflicts.
Industry leaders fear the new law could exacerbate these problems while wiping out over 10,000 direct jobs, jeopardising another 50,000 in supporting industries, and stripping €280m in annual tax revenue from the state budget.
The 4H Agency further cautioned: “Without a proper transition plan for affected workers and a robust enforcement framework, the law may inflict economic damage without delivering the promised social protections.”
Stakeholders have condemned what they describe as a rushed process with no formal public consultation or economic impact study. “This is not regulation; this is consolidation of control into the hands of a few,” ASOM said in a statement, calling for a full stakeholder review before the bill advances.
Observers warn that beyond the immediate compliance burden, the government will face a test of its ability to both enforce the new regime and safeguard state revenues.
In 2024 the previous parliament passed amendments to the Gambling Act, only for then-President Stevo Pendarovski to refuse his signature, demanding revisions. Now the balance of power has shifted, and the Davkova government has the political capital to push the changes through — though not without a fight.
If enacted in its present form, the legislation would mark the most radical restructuring of the country’s gambling sector in decades. It would also test whether the government can navigate the trade-offs between social policy, fiscal prudence and the realities of criminal enforcement in one of the Balkans’ most politically fragmented states.
Brazil’s betting sector could soon face fresh restrictions after Senator Humberto Costa proposes a bill to raise the legal betting age to 21 and cap player spending.
Bill 3754/2025, filed this week in the Senate, would lift the age limit from 18 and restrict monthly deposits to the value of one minimum wage. The Ministry of Finance would also be able to set extra daily and weekly limits.
Meanwhile, the proposal takes aim at betting promotion too. Humberto seeks to ban adverts between 6am-10pm and block operator sponsorship of public sports, cultural, artistic or festival events, regardless of whether they receive state funding.
On the other hand, ads aimed at under-21s would be banned entirely. Costa said such measures are needed to tackle the social harm linked to Brazil’s still young betting market, overseen by the ‘Bets’ regulatory regime.
He said, as reported by SBC Noticias – Brasil: “In July, a son killed his own mother in Minas Gerais over debts from Bet. Money meant for groceries, local markets, and small businesses is being drained into Bets.
“Many young people of university age are either delaying enrolment or dropping out of college because their tuition money is being spent on gambling, even with the support of Fies (Student Financing Fund).”
The senator added that “Bets should not even exist,” citing the societal impact of the new regulated betting market.
Brazil’s market has expanded rapidly since the market was launched on 1 January 2025 – but growth has brought tighter rules.
Earlier this year, the Senate passed a ban on influencer and athlete endorsements, in-stadium ads and betting spots during live sports, for example.
Could new rules slow things down?
Brazil’s betting market is booming – valued at around BRL 5bn (£680m) in 2025 and, as stated above, it is growing fast.
Industry insiders warn that raising the legal age to 21 and capping monthly spending might push some players towards unregulated or illegal sites, which already make up 20-30% of the market.
On the other hand, consumer advocates back the move, saying it is needed to protect vulnerable groups. Around 10% of young Brazilians aged 18-24 already bet regularly, and problem gambling rates have been climbing.
Gambling activities and licences in Montenegro will now be officially governed by the New Law on Games of Chance.
Adopted as of 1 August 2025, Montenegro will implement a new regulatory structure to govern gambling in the interest of public health, safety and the economic benefit of the state.
Novica Vuković: Montenegro FM
The ‘final submission’ of the New Law received its regulatory approval by Finance Minister, Novica Vuković, who proclaimed “the first such legislation in twenty years — is a clear sign that the state has the strength and will to regulate this sector.”
The government’s announcement praised Vuković for “denying attempts to block reforms in the field of games of chance” as the Ministry “refused to continue the longstanding policy of delay and inaction”.
“This law is more than just new regulation — it is a symbol of institutional strength and political will to bring order to a sector that has long operated outside effective control,” the Ministry declared. “The state has proven its ability to withstand lobbying pressure and special interests, steering the system toward more functional governance.”
Reforms have been long in the making. Since 2022, Montenegro has faced mounting pressure from the European Council (EC) and international watchdogs to align its gambling framework with modern standards, particularly with regards to anti-money laundering (AML), online consumer protections, and fiscal transparency.
In 2024, Montenegro introduced interim gambling reforms that banned access to foreign betting sites and restricted online payments to cards or in-person transactions, effectively limiting digital wallets and mobile banking. The amendments also doubled the fixed annual casino fee to €100,000 and strengthened enforcement powers with tougher penalties for non-compliance.
Further reforms were enacted in March 2025, as parliament fast-tracked new advertising restrictions, including a ban on gambling advertisements on domestic and foreign television and radio between 06:00 and 22:00, even during live sports broadcasts. The measures also introduced a prohibition on misleading promotions, explicitly targeting claims of guaranteed winnings or so-called “free money” incentives.
At the heart of the new regime is a shift from the outdated concession model to an approval-based licensing system. This change, according to the Ministry, will provide “greater legal certainty, clearly defined obligations, and more precise control and oversight.”
The law also introduces real-time digital surveillance, mandatory player identification, and video verification — tools that regulators hope will help trace financial flows and eliminate under-the-table transactions.
A further pillar is a focus on the mitigation of social harms. Underage betting is now explicitly banned as written into criminal law, with enhanced distance requirements for gambling premises near schools and stricter limits on advertising.
“We are introducing strong protective measures for social values,” said Vuković, “through a ban on underage betting, regulation of advertising, and restrictions on gambling locations near educational institutions, while directly addressing gambling addiction.”
Operators are also expected to contribute more to addiction treatment programmes and to submit to regular audits by the Ministry of Finance. “We are not just introducing reform on paper, but taking a concrete step forward — in the fight against the grey economy, the implementation of digital supervision, and the enhancement of internet betting controls, all in line with European best practices.”
Fiscal provisions have not been ignored. The government will increase licensing and operational fees, but insists the rises are moderate and calibrated to “preserve the sustainability of the industry.” Online operators will also be subject to a 10% tax on net gaming revenues, while winnings exceeding €300 are now liable for a 15% personal income tax at the point of payout.
Yet not parties remain to be convinced . The Law on Games of Chance is facing sharp criticism from within the industry, particularly from Montenegrobet, the national association of licensed operators. It has described the legislation as a “proclamation on expulsion,” arguing that the law introduces disproportionate and unrealistic requirements, particularly around criminal liability and licence revocation grounds, that could destabilise the legal market.
Stasya Yautodzyeva: 4H Agency
Speaking to SBC, Stasya Yautodzyeva Head of Market Insights at 4H Agency, provided further warnings: “By removing key legal protections and introducing regulatory burdens out of step with EU standards, the law may unintentionally drive players and companies into the unregulated sector.” The consequences, they argue, could be stark — from widespread closures and job losses to reduced tax revenues and a chilling effect on investment.
“Montenegro is already not a highly attractive destination for European gaming operators,” 4H states, “and the market has limited appeal compared to larger or more digitally progressive jurisdictions. By adopting a more rigid and punitive legal framework, Montenegro risks not only weakening its domestic market but actively repelling prospective licensees.” In doing so, the government could transform a marginal jurisdiction into one that is “fundamentally unattractive.”
A full implementation comes at a time when Montenegro is keen to showcase institutional competence as it continues its long march toward EU accession, ensuring the alignment of high-risk sectors.
By the Ministry’s own account, “this is a strong step forward for the state, public interest, reform, and all those in the industry who operate legally. The state extends a partnership hand — to jointly implement the law, strengthen trust, and build a sustainable, responsible, and transparent sector.”