With Donald Trump decisively winning the U.S. presidential election, the early hours brought a burst of excitement to many. Yet, his victory wasn’t the only major decision American voters made. Across the nation, citizens faced numerous high-stakes issues—from Senate and House races to pivotal questions about reproductive rights and, in several key states, decisions about gambling expansion.
The gambling industry, naturally, had its eye on several ballots where voters were set to decide on sports betting and online gaming reforms.
Missouri’s Major Move
One of the biggest pieces of gambling news this election came from Missouri. Voters in the “Show-Me” state narrowly passed Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2, paving the way for both retail and online sports betting. By a slim margin of around 13,000 votes, citizens approved a system allowing 20 retail betting sites and 22 sports betting platforms, with licenses split between local casinos, professional sports teams, and standalone online operators.
Missouri’s favorable 10 percent tax rate on sports betting revenue is expected to generate substantial funds for education and responsible gambling programs. With new laws set to take effect 30 days post-election, legal sports betting could be live in Missouri by early December.
Not all measures passed, however. Voters rejected Amendment 5, which would have authorized a new riverboat casino on the Osage River, with 52 percent voting against it.
Virginia’s New Casino Approval
Virginia also saw significant movement. Voters in Petersburg overwhelmingly approved the construction of a new casino, making it the fifth land-based casino in the state. The new project, led by Cordish Group, is anticipated to be a $1.4 billion investment, a testament to Petersburg’s enthusiasm, with 81 percent of voters backing the plan.
The state originally approved five casinos in 2020, but Richmond’s repeated rejections shifted the opportunity to Petersburg. Cordish Group, known for its Live! Casinos in several states, has historically opposed online gaming, so their presence in Virginia could influence the state’s iGaming landscape.
Arkansas’ Paradox
Arkansas presented a unique case with Issue 2, which initially seemed like a win for gambling enthusiasts. However, instead of expanding gaming, Issue 2 actually revoked prior approval for a new casino in Pope County. Going forward, any new casinos in Arkansas will require direct approval from local voters.
Colorado’s Proposition JJ
Colorado voters weighed in on Proposition JJ, a measure that would redirect gambling tax revenue. Since legalizing sports betting in 2019, Colorado has used a portion of its tax revenue for water conservation efforts. Proposition JJ asked voters to allow the state to keep and use all gambling taxes for environmental projects, instead of issuing refunds to casinos.
With over 75 percent of voters in favor, the initiative passed, giving a boost to Colorado’s conservation programs without raising new taxes.
Looking Ahead
As final counts wrap up, the gambling industry awaits results from Virginia, Arkansas, and Colorado to understand the full impact of this election on state-level gambling reforms. For now, Trump’s win may have dominated headlines, but the shifts in gambling laws across the nation are setting up an equally transformative future in the industry.
The Netherlands Gambling Authority, known as de Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has recently issued formal warnings to three gambling operators for breaching new sponsorship regulations that came into force on 1 July. Under these regulations, gambling sponsorship in television programs and events is banned, with an exception for sports sponsorship, which will only be allowed until 1 July 2025. However, even within sports, companies must ensure that vulnerable groups, such as minors and young adults, are not targeted by their sponsorship activities.
Incident Reports: Sponsorship Violations
The KSA highlighted three recent incidents where gambling companies fell short of compliance:
- Expired Event Sponsorship
After a sponsorship deal expired, a national event organiser continued displaying the gambling operator’s logo beyond the 1 July deadline. The operator swiftly responded to the KSA’s warning and removed all branded materials from the event. - Exposure to Minors at a Sporting Event
In another case, a major sporting event sponsored by a gambling company inadvertently exposed its branding to children and young adults participating in pre-event activities. The KSA reminded operators to take responsibility for ensuring their advertisements do not reach vulnerable groups. - Gambling-Branded Merchandise for Children
In the third incident, an online sports shop was found selling gambling-branded T-shirts, including sizes for children, as part of a sponsorship deal with a popular athlete. Upon receiving the KSA’s notification, the operator removed its logo from children’s sizes to prevent exposure to young audiences.
Ensuring Compliance with Third-Party Partnerships
The KSA emphasized that gambling companies must actively manage third-party sponsorship activities and maintain strict oversight to ensure regulatory compliance. The authority warned that further violations could lead to more severe penalties, urging companies to establish clear guidelines with their partners about the display and distribution of sponsorship materials.
Enforcement on Illegal Gambling: NetX and Winbet Fined
In a separate enforcement action, the KSA imposed significant penalties on two companies, NetX Betting Limited and Winbet, for operating illegal gambling services accessible to Dutch residents.
NetX: Repeat Offender
NetX Betting Limited was fined €675,000 for allowing illegal online gambling on two websites, pferdewetten.de and betbird.com, without any measures to block Dutch users. This is a repeated offense for NetX, highlighting the KSA’s commitment to cracking down on illegal providers.
Winbet Faces Weekly Penalties
Similarly, Winbet faced fines of €280,000 per week, with a maximum penalty cap of €840,000, after a KSA investigation revealed illegal gambling activities on four websites. Despite regulations, Dutch users could freely create accounts, deposit funds, and gamble on these platforms.
Global Gambling Industry Fines in 2024
With recent fines, global penalties for gambling regulation violations have topped $103.1 million in 2024. Australia currently leads in enforcement, contributing nearly $55 million in fines to the global total.
Finland is making major strides towards opening its gambling market to private operators, a move expected to reshape the gaming landscape while preserving its protective frameworks. This updated legislation, recently submitted to the European Commission (EC) for approval, marks a significant step towards modernizing Finland’s gambling industry.
Key Details of Finland’s Re-Regulation Plan
On 1 November, the Finnish government officially notified the EC of its reformed gambling law, a move that precedes the anticipated 1 January 2026 opening of the re-regulated market. For the first time, private operators will be permitted to enter Finland’s gambling scene, provided they secure the appropriate licenses.
Here are the main points:
- Veikkaus Retains Monopoly in Some Areas: The state-owned Veikkaus will retain exclusive control over lottery games, retail betting, and traditional casino gaming.
- Licensing for Other Gambling Forms: Private operators can apply for licenses to offer sports betting, horse race betting, online casino games, and bingo.
- License Terms: Veikkaus’ monopoly license will last for ten years, while licenses for other operators are set at five-year terms.
- Tax Rate and Additional Reforms: Finland plans a uniform tax rate of 22% on gross gaming revenue (GGR), along with amendments to the Lottery Act, Lottery Tax Act, and Income Tax Act to support this transition.
The EC and EU member states will review the legislation over the next three months, while Finland aims to bring the law to the Riksdag (Parliament) in early 2025.
A Business-Friendly Approach
Experts have praised the new draft legislation for its balance between business incentives and regulatory protections. Unlike previous proposals, it includes several business-oriented adjustments:
- Marketing Flexibility: Restrictions on offline marketing have been eased, and operators may now offer bonuses to existing customers under controlled conditions.
- Horse Race Betting Licensing: Previously an exclusive model, horse race betting is now open to competition.
- Accelerated Timeline: The timeline for licensed operations has been advanced, with the market potentially opening as early as 1 July 2026.
“The updated draft law is significantly more business-friendly compared to the initial draft,” remarked Finnish gaming law expert Antti Koivula. While recognizing some drawbacks, Koivula emphasized that the new law’s marketing flexibility and accelerated timeline will benefit the industry.
Nordic Inspiration and Tax Implications
Drawing on frameworks used in Denmark and Sweden, Finland’s law appears to adopt a familiar Nordic approach. As legal expert Morten Ronde noted, the proposed model reflects “significant improvements” over previous drafts, with a moderate bonus policy and a reasonable tax rate. However, the increased GGR-based supervision fee could create an additional tax burden of over 2% at certain revenue levels.
A Careful Stance on Influencer and Affiliate Marketing
Finland’s draft also brings stringent restrictions on affiliate and influencer marketing. The proposal bans Veikkaus from using influencer promotions on personal platforms and prohibits affiliate marketing aimed at driving traffic to gambling sites. Finnish iGaming consultant Pasi Koskela raised concerns about these restrictions, questioning whether they might push traffic toward unregulated casinos.
“People won’t stop searching for ‘online casinos,’ which means traffic directed by affiliates to reputable sites may now shift to unregulated options,” Koskela warned.
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In a development that has energized Britain’s betting industry, the latest autumn budget maintained existing gambling duties rather than implementing widely anticipated increases. The decision represents a major victory for a sector that continues to serve as a vital pillar of UK sports funding and economic development.
Industry Response and Economic Impact
“This budget sends a clear message about recognizing our industry’s vital contribution,” said Grainne Hurst, BGC’s CEO. She emphasized that increased taxation could have triggered an exodus of players to unregulated markets while putting thousands of jobs at risk. The decision to maintain current rates demonstrates the government’s nuanced understanding of the gambling sector’s delicate balance.
The numbers paint a compelling picture of the industry’s economic significance. The gambling sector injects £6.8 billion into Britain’s economy annually while providing employment to 109,000 individuals. Its financial support of British sports is particularly noteworthy, with horse racing receiving £350 million yearly. Other sports, including football, snooker, darts, and rugby league, share an additional £52.5 million in annual funding, underlining the sector’s crucial role in maintaining the vitality of British sports.
Challenges and Future Considerations
Despite the positive news on gambling duties, the sector faces fresh challenges. The increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions has sparked concern, particularly among smaller operators like independent bookmakers and local casinos. While gaming taxes will remain stable through March 2026, the industry is closely monitoring discussions about potential unified remote gambling tax schemes.
Industry experts have largely responded with optimism. Greg Swift emphasized the decision’s critical importance for racing finances, while OLBG’s Richard Moffat praised the stability it brings to the regulated market. “This decision helps maintain the delicate balance between regulation and market viability,” Moffat noted, stressing the importance of preventing customer migration to less secure gambling alternatives.
KiH Group’s Jamie Walters offered a measured perspective, balancing relief over steady tax rates against apprehension about rising insurance costs. Meanwhile, ClickOut Media’s Neil Roarty observed the immediate positive impact on gambling stocks following the announcement, indicating strong market confidence in the sector’s future.
Strategic Planning and Industry Evolution
Looking ahead, the gambling sector remains strategically focused. While the immediate threat of tax increases has subsided, upcoming consultations on remote gambling taxation suggest that significant changes may still be on the horizon. Industry stakeholders are preparing to actively participate in these discussions, recognizing their potential to reshape the regulatory landscape.
The sector’s response to these developments reflects its growing sophistication in balancing commercial interests with regulatory compliance. Industry leaders are increasingly focused on sustainable growth strategies that align with both government objectives and public interest concerns.
Maintaining Momentum
The decision to maintain current tax rates provides the industry with a stable platform for continued growth and innovation. However, sector leaders acknowledge that this stability comes with responsibility. There’s a renewed focus on strengthening responsible gambling measures and ensuring that the industry’s growth continues to benefit the broader UK economy.
As the gambling sector navigates these developments, its ability to adapt while maintaining its significant economic and sporting contributions will be crucial. The coming months will be critical as the industry works to capitalize on this period of stability while preparing for potential regulatory evolution.
Macau has enacted the “Law to Combat Crimes of Illegal Gambling,” which introduces significant changes to tackle unlicensed gambling and associated practices in its gaming sector. Effective October 29, the new law strengthens the city’s measures against illicit gambling activities and aligns Macau more closely with China’s broader regulatory objectives.
Tougher Penalties for Gambling Violations
The law, published in the Official Gazette on October 28, introduces stringent penalties for various illegal gambling activities, such as the notorious “multiplier” practice, unlicensed online gambling, and unauthorized currency exchanges. Under this new legislation, individuals involved in illegal gambling or online gambling could face prison terms of one to eight years—a marked increase from the previous maximum penalty of three years. Additionally, participants in unlawful gambling activities risk up to six months in jail, while those involved in unlicensed currency exchanges could face up to five years.
The “multiplier” practice, a form of under-the-table betting that artificially boosts the value of on-table bets, has come under intense scrutiny. Recent criminal cases involving former junket operators implicated in tax fraud have brought this practice to the forefront, prompting Macau’s government to address it explicitly under the new law.
Crackdown on Unauthorized Online Gambling and Money Exchanges
In response to the rise in illegal online gambling and unlicensed currency exchange, the law also prohibits the promotion and operation of unauthorized online gaming. Macau’s government has reiterated that it has no plans to issue licenses for online gambling operations, signaling a continued hard stance on unregulated digital gaming activities. To bolster enforcement, law enforcement agencies now have extended powers for undercover investigations and nighttime searches across Macau’s casino and resort areas, a move that Macau’s Judiciary Police believe will support the crackdown on illicit gambling-related activities.
Broader Regulatory Shift and Foreign Investor Concerns
The introduction of these measures follows the October 2024 election of Sam Hou Fai, Macau’s new Chief Executive and the first mainland-born individual to lead the region. His leadership reflects a shift towards tighter regulatory control, which mirrors Beijing’s economic strategies, particularly the “common prosperity” and “dual circulation” policies. These strategies aim to reduce Macau’s dependence on gaming revenue, potentially challenging foreign gaming operators who rely on the region’s casino industry.
A recent report by Steve Vickers and Associates (SVA) notes rising regulatory pressures on foreign gaming operators in Macau, as the government encourages investment in non-gaming sectors such as tourism, entertainment, and conferences. With over 11,000 arrests in 2023 related to unlicensed currency exchange and underground banking in Macau, regulatory scrutiny has intensified as Beijing attempts to control capital outflows from the mainland through Macau’s casinos.
Adapting to the New Regulatory Landscape
The regulatory shift signals both opportunities and challenges for foreign investors as Macau’s policies align with China’s broader economic goals. SVA recommends that investors with interests in Macau and China adapt their strategies to address the heightened regulatory risks in the evolving environment. Casino operators are expected to diversify and support non-gaming sectors, a move that reflects China’s broader push for economic diversification.
As Macau’s regulatory framework continues to evolve, investors and businesses operating in the region will need to navigate carefully amid rising political and financial pressures, reassessing their strategies to stay aligned with the city’s—and by extension, Beijing’s—goals.