Global iGaming Regulators Tighten Licensing and Payment Controls

Several jurisdictions have introduced new regulatory measures affecting unlicensed gambling operators and payment processors. The updates span Brazil, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Uganda, Tanzania, Estonia, and Armenia, with implementation dates beginning in July.

Latin American and European Regulatory Shifts

Brazil enacted Ordinance 1766, which holds payment service providers, banks, and advertisers accountable for transactions with unlicensed gambling entities. Payment processors must block unauthorized transactions within twenty-four hours or assume a portion of the operator tax liability, while advertiser responsibility applies automatically. President Lula also signed Decree 13,033, authorizing authorities to freeze funds belonging to unregistered operators and transfer them to the National Public Security Fund. In the United Kingdom, the Gambling Commission issued a warning to Spribe, developer of Aviator, regarding license compliance between May 28, 2021, and October 30, 2025. The company retains its operating status in the British market. Estonia reduced its gambling tax rate from six percent to four percent, resulting in only two license applications. Finland prepares to launch its regulated market in 2027 with a twenty-two percent GGR tax, already attracting over fifty applicants. In Armenia, authorities revoked the operating license of Shangri La, the largest casino in the country, after auditors identified falsified revenue reports for March 2026.

Asian and African Market Changes

Bangladesh approved the Gambling Prevention Act 2026, replacing legislation originally established in 1867. The new framework criminalizes the organization, promotion, and technical support of unauthorized gambling activities. Uganda will implement a thirty percent gross gaming revenue tax and a fifteen percent withholding tax on player winnings starting July 1. All gambling transactions must route through a mandatory state payment gateway. The national GDP per capita stands at $724. Tanzania introduced a five percent excise duty on all wagers, covering both land-based and online platforms, effective with the July 1 financial year. Regulatory focus has shifted toward payment infrastructure and licensing jurisdiction, establishing transaction routing and compliance as primary conditions for market participation.