Welcome to the first edition of Regulation Roundup.

In this weekly newsletter, we break down the key movements shaping regulatory change across tax, legislation, enforcement, and emerging markets. Our aim is to deliver clear, concise insights that help you stay ahead of risks, spot opportunities, and understand the trends that matter most in a fast-moving landscape.

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

Tax Issues

• US lawmakers intensify push to restore full gambling loss deductions amid 90% cap backlash
  
  Bipartisan efforts in Congress aim to repeal the One Big Beautiful Bill's provision limiting deductible gambling losses to 90% starting in 2026, warning of "phantom income" taxes that could devastate high-volume bettors and the gaming industry.
  
  
• Brazilian government shelves 50% gambling tax hike but eyes 18% increase for 2025 launch
  
  Provisional Measure 1,303 proposing a 50% GGR tax rise was withdrawn before voting, but regulators signal a potential 18% adjustment to balance revenue needs with operator viability in the newly legalized market.
  
  
• Pennsylvania sports betting tax structure holds steady despite federal deduction pressures
  
  With $2.18 billion in 2025 iGaming revenue under the 36% rate, state officials resist hikes but monitor federal changes that could indirectly burden bettors via reduced loss offsets.
  
  
• Northern Ireland aligns with UK on operator-funded RG amid calls for tax-linked harm funding
  
  Stakeholders urge enhanced levies on gambling firms to support addiction programs, paralleling broader UK debates on fiscal measures for responsible gaming initiatives.

Legislative Hikes

• Wisconsin tribal sports betting bill faces renewed opposition in Assembly over revenue shares
  
  The bipartisan measure for online wagering via tribes was again sidelined on November 20, with debates centering on the 60% tribal cut stalling progress toward 2026 rollout.
  
  
• Slovakia advances vetoed reforms in parliamentary reconvene for EU-compliant rules
  
  Post-Pellegrini's rejection, legislators revisit tighter online regulations, prioritizing enforcement timelines and operator adaptations amid 2025 delays.
  
  
• New Zealand consults on bill's 4% revenue allocation for community harm support
  
  The revised framework caps offshore licenses at 15 while earmarking duties for local aid, gaining traction in late-2025 talks to harmonize expansion and mitigation.
  
  
• Thailand Cabinet withdraws integrated resort bill amid public opposition to casinos
  
  Despite tourism ambitions, the no-casino policy holds firm after a July survey showed 69% rejection, shelving proposals for Southeast Asia's gambling growth.

Enforcement and Compliance

• UKGC imposes £650,000 penalty on Videoslots for AML and safer gambling failures
  
  The regulator fined the operator on November 20 for inadequate voucher checks and player interactions, mandating audits amid a surge in compliance actions.
  
  
• UK Gambling Commission launches data-driven offensive against unlicensed platforms
  
  CEO Andrew Rhodes detailed November escalations, with interventions hitting records to protect consumers from high-risk payments and illegal operations.
  
  
• Nevada updates restricted license fees to bolster executive vetting processes
  
  From November 2025, NGCB's revised charges for applications and tech reviews aim to fortify oversight amid audits of casino leadership and systems.
  
  
• ACMA escalates blocks and warnings to offshore sites under IGA expansions
  
  November actions targeted unlicensed betting and casino platforms with fines and restrictions, reinforcing Australia's crackdown on illicit digital wagering.

Emerging Markets

• UAE's GCGRA expands to 155 active brands with 36% engagement surge
  
  The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority boosts federal rollout under new chief Jennifer Carleton, positioning the Gulf as a regulated iGaming hotspot with blockchain integration.
  
  
• Zimbabwe opposition demands closure of legislative gaps in betting act
  
  Critics highlight enforcement voids allowing illicit operations, calling for audits and tech upgrades in Africa’s fastest-growing $500M market to prevent money laundering.
  
  
• Luxembourg introduces state monopoly on lotteries amid addiction spike
  
  Government proposals centralize control with mandatory RG tools and revenue sharing, responding to a 25% rise in cases while eyeing EU harmonization for online expansion.
  
  
• Brazil mandates national self-exclusion database for operators
  
  The SPA requires real-time checks against a central registry, enhancing player protection in the newly licensed market with 81 operators handling $2B in projected volume.

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