Regulators close ranks as grey areas face decisive pushback.

Global policy momentum continues to tighten around emerging betting models, with coordinated efforts to rein in prediction markets, sweepstakes structures, and offshore operators while reinforcing state and national control. At the same time, stricter compliance frameworks, enhanced reporting standards, and expanding enforcement actions signal a clear shift toward more robust oversight across both established and developing markets.

Let’s dive into this week’s Regulation Roundup!

Tax Issues

• Bipartisan federal bill introduced to ban sports prediction markets
  
  Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT) introduced the Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act on March 23, seeking to prohibit CFTC-registered entities from offering sports event contracts or casino-style games. The bill aims to restore state authority over sports betting and eliminate what sponsors call a backdoor around state consumer protections.

• Minnesota introduces felony-level bans on prediction markets and sweepstakes casinos
  
  On March 17, Minnesota legislators introduced SF 4511 and SF 4474, proposing felony bans on prediction market event contracts and dual-currency sweepstakes casinos respectively, both effective August 1, 2026. A companion bill, SF 4139, would simultaneously legalise online sports betting through 11 tribal licences.

• Macau passes Law No. 3/2026 strengthening judicial and security oversight
  
  The Macau Legislative Assembly unanimously approved Law No. 3/2026 on March 19, expanding powers of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security to classify cases, issue binding unappealable decisions, and mandate closed-door trials. The law raises compliance requirements for the territory's six casino concessionaires, who hold combined investment commitments of MOP 118.8 billion through 2032.

Legislative Hikes

• UK Gambling Commission updates LCCP with new key event reporting thresholds
  
  Changes to Licence Condition 15.2.1 came into force on March 19, raising the shareholder reporting threshold from 3% to 5% and expanding 'relevant persons' coverage to entities without share capital. A further amendment aligning fair and transparent terms rules with the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 takes effect April 6.

Enforcement and Compliance

• Macau regulator has opened 22 enforcement cases against concessionaires since 2022
  
  Disclosure by the DICJ confirmed 22 administrative infraction proceedings against casino concessionaires under the revised 2022 Gaming Law, with five resulting in sanctions and ten closed for insufficient evidence. Fines of up to MOP 5 million and temporary casino area closures are available under the revised framework.

• Australia AML/CTF reforms take effect in March 2026
  
  Australia's sweeping Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing reforms came into force this month, expanding compliance obligations for casinos, gaming venues and wagering operators to include updated risk assessments, enhanced customer due diligence and new proliferation-financing requirements. The reforms also extend coverage to gambling-adjacent professions such as lawyers, accountants and real estate agents

• Egypt blocks online sports betting platforms as parliament drafts tougher digital law
  
  Egyptian authorities have begun blocking major offshore betting platforms including 1xBet, with MP Ahmed Badawy announcing that blocked apps will not be permitted to return. Draft legislation is being prepared to permanently ban non-compliant platforms, introduce user penalties, and require all digital gambling platforms operating in Egypt to maintain a registered local legal presence.

• Illinois sends 65 cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes casinos
  
  Illinois regulators ordered 65 sweepstakes casino operators to block Illinois residents or face civil and criminal penalties, one of the largest state-level crackdowns on the sector to date. The action follows Indiana becoming the first state to enact a sweepstakes ban in 2026, signed into law on March 12.

Emerging Markets

• Spain faces potential emergency contract dispute amid gaming sector concerns
  
  Spanish authorities flagged a €7.9 million emergency contract matter in the gaming sector this week, adding to broader European scrutiny of operator procurement practices. Spain's advertising ban remains fully enforced, continuing to limit operator acquisition strategies.

• UK Gambling Commission appoints new Executive Director of Operations
  
  The Gambling Commission announced Sue Young as its new Executive Director of Operations this week, as leadership transitions ahead of CEO Andrew Rhodes' planned departure on April 30, 2026.

• Iowa advances prediction market licensing bill through committee
  
  Iowa's Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved a bill on March 11 requiring prediction market platforms such as Kalshi to obtain a US$10 million state licence and pay a 20% tax on event contract revenue. The bill advances to the full Senate as one of the most concrete state-level regulatory proposals for the sector so far.

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