All around the world #4; a gambling news round-up
From casinos opening their doors to locals, to markets tightening, loosening, or scrapping taxes altogether, gambling regulation continues to move at wildly different speeds around the world.
This latest Slot Gods news round-up takes in huge shifts across Asia, Europe and South America, alongside renewed efforts to tackle illegal gambling, and a UK court ruling that raises fresh questions about responsibility and protection.
Vietnam to open up casinos to locals
In many Asian countries, locals are restricted from playing at certain, or even all, casinos. This has long been the case in Vietnam, but the country is now pushing ahead with major gambling reforms.
This comes after a government impact assessment sped up plans for a new regulatory framework. As a result, Vietnamese citizens will soon be allowed to gamble at select casinos, including Corona Resort & Casino and The Grand Ho Tram. Instead of using financial checks, the Ministry of Finance plans to use an entry-fee system. This comes with a price tag for locals of around $95-100 to enter and stay for up to 24 hours.
While these plans haven’t been enacted just yet, they’re expected to be finalised early next year. The Grand Ho Tram has been piloting a similar scheme already for five years, but with such a large price tag, it’s unclear how many locals will be taking up the offer.
Italy’s iGaming reform forces out small operators
While Vietnam is cautiously expanding, Italy is hurtling in the other direction, radically reshaping its online gambling market by cutting over 400 operating sites. The result is just 52 licences, each attached to only one site.
At the same time, the cost of licensing jumped from around €200,000 to €7 million. It’s hard to see this as anything other than a move to push out smaller operators and leave the market dominated by large, well-funded firms. Major brands like Flutter, Bet365, Betsson and LeoVegas have weathered the changes, merging sites, but staying open.
While the reform was billed as a way to improve control and compliance, it has wiped out competition, removed much consumer choice, and without over-dramatising the situation, created an oligopoly for the giants.
Estonia cuts gambling tax
While Italy makes things more difficult for operators, some countries are going the other way. Estonia has approved a plan to gradually cut its remote gambling tax from 6% to 4% by 2029.
The government hopes lower taxes will attract international iGaming companies and position Estonia as a European hub, competing with Malta and Gibraltar. Supporters say it could create jobs and boost long-term tax revenue. Critics warn the move could end up costing around €13 million if investment fails to materialise. However, the government is keen to remind critics that built-in safeguards will allow the tax cuts to pause if any revenue targets are missed.
Bolivia scraps gambling tax
Taking things a step further than Estonia, Bolivia’s new president, Rodrigo Paz, has approved plans to completely abolish the country’s gambling tax. This comes as part of a wider overhaul of its tax system.
The move aims to attract investment and simplify what the government sees as inefficient, low-yield taxes. As it stands, gambling currently makes up a very small part of Bolivia’s economy (around 1%), with just one licensed casino operating legally. So, while the reform is largely symbolic, it does signal a shift toward a more investor-friendly approach.
European regulators unite against illegal online gambling
While some countries push for more gambling companies to come to their shores, other countries are pushing them away, specifically the unlicensed ones. In Europe, regulators from seven countries, including the UK, France and Germany, have issued a joint statement calling for stronger action against illegal online gambling.
They warned that unlicensed operators are increasingly advertising through social media, video platforms and affiliates, putting consumers at greater risk. The regulators all committed to sharing intelligence, improving enforcement, and urging digital platforms to block illegal gambling ads. This move signals a properly coordinated European effort. Exactly the kind of thing that really could protect consumers, while at the same time strengthening regulated markets.
Police raids expose links between illegal gambling and organised crime
From illegal gambling online to illegal gambling in the real world. Authorities in both Spain and Sweden have carried out major raids targeting an illegal gambling network linked to violent organised crime.
The operation uncovered an estimated €20m a year illegal gambling business, but that wasn’t all. It also found signs of money laundering and human trafficking, alongside drugs, and cash. Europol commented that the gang used violence and intimidation to control elements of the gambling market.
These raids are a frightening reminder of the scale of Europe’s black market, estimated to generate over €80bn annually, costing governments all of that and more in lost tax revenue. And that’s before we start to consider the risks and harms to individual players.
Court rejects £1.5m problem gambling claim
Do you feel like you’re experiencing deja-vu? You’re not, this is the second time the court has seen this case. Again, a UK court has dismissed a £1.5m claim against Betfair. A wealthy property investor was the claimant, who argued the operator failed to protect him from problem gambling.
Judges ruled Betfair neither knew, nor should have known, he was experiencing gambling harm. The reason being, he could afford his losses and did not disclose any issues.
In the early stages of affordability checks and just after Safer Gambling Week, this case feels poignant. It highlights the legal limits of operator responsibility when customers pass financial checks and do not self-exclude or seek help.
Summary
These news highlights illustrate just how fragmented the global gambling landscape has become. While some countries are opening up and competing for investment, others are clamping down hard on gambling activity – licensed and unlicensed alike. But, one of the questions I’m left pondering is where the responsibility of the player ends and the operator begins.