Global Gambling Roundup: Revenue Forecasts, Duty Hikes, and Advertising Controls in Focus
Governments worldwide are pursuing gambling revenue while tightening advertising, player protection, and black-market controls, creating compliance challenges for operators.Summary
This roundup highlights major regulatory and fiscal developments across the global gambling sector. Italy's new Budget Law projects €700m in gambling tax revenue for 2026–2027, with online operators facing a €7m annual licence fee and separate licences per brand since November 2025, while land-based concessions run to end-2028. In the UK, Chancellor John Healey announced a five-percentage-point rise in Machine Gaming Duty to 25% effective April 2027; the Betting and Gaming Council cited EY modelling of nearly 9,000 job losses and about 1,000 venue closures, Entain projected a £25m annual cost to its UK and Ireland retail business, and the British Horseracing Authority warned of up to £57m in annual revenue reduction. A YouGov survey of 1,475 UK adults found 90% of customers combine visits with other high-street activities. Canada's Bill S-211 advances toward a national sports betting advertising framework with support from over 15 organisations, amid a CBC analysis finding approximately 3,000 gambling messages in seven NHL playoff games, 95% without harm-reduction warnings; Alberta and Ontario oppose the bill. A UK Gambling Commission study identified four black-market user groups—'Accidental Tourists', 'Social Explorers', 'Self-Excluders', and 'Skill Advocates'—with Google searches for "not on GamStop" up 120% year-on-year. In Brazil, re-elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reiterated opposition to online gambling as Congress reviews around 100 amendments, with the industry projecting R$1,200m (US$240m) revenue loss and R$400m (US$80m) tax loss. Spain's DGOJ requires operators to integrate a centralised deposit limits system and Player Portal by March 26, 2027, with defaults of €700/day, €1,750/week, and €3,300/four weeks. The developments reflect revenue reliance colliding with protection priorities, favouring operators with strong compliance infrastructure.
(Source：Sccg Management)