Sweeping changes are coming to the regulatory landscape in the gaming and gambling industries this week, with regulators on the move across the United States, Australia, and beyond.
To start with, India has passed a bill that now seeks to outlaw all forms of online gambling. This is the latest volley against the iGaming and sports betting sectors, but also against skill games that will also be caught in the crossfire, along with social and sweepstakes casinos.
The Indian Parliament has elected to impose a blanket ban through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which now envisages a jail term of up to three years and a fine for anyone found to be breaching the law.
The measure has been criticized as ineffective, and failing to recognize the realities, i.e., that offshore gambling will continue to thrive and dominate with no regulated market to try and keep it in check.
Massachusetts is also brewing an antagonistic piece of legislation of its own, with a new proposed law seeking to outlaw social and sweepstakes casinos. The measure has been opposed by the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which has said that banning a well-established sector would only serve to hurt the local economy, innovation, and technological progress.
At the same time, the trade group acknowledged that an actualization of the tax code regarding social and sweepstakes casinos could be necessary to work out a compromise with lawmakers.
Massachusetts is hardly the only state to have acted against the sweepstakes vertical this week. New Jersey’s governor, Phil Murphy, also signed a bill into law that effectively bans sweepstakes from the state. The measure moved swiftly through both the House of Representatives and the Senate, resulting in decisive action on behalf of the governor.
"New Jersey has a proud tradition of responsible gaming regulation that we don’t want to be undermined by bad actors seeking to exploit legal loopholes at the expense of consumers," explained Sen.John Burzichelli, one of the co-sponsors of the bill.
Elsewhere in Australia, the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has censured Crown Melbourne, a prominent local property. An investigation uncovered certain failures on the part of the property in ensuring that pre-commitment levels were met, resulting in dozens of players overspending.
While the VGCCC rebuked Crown Melbourne sternly, it said that it would not seek to impose a further penalty related to the case. However, the watchdog warned that the current incident was a matter of regulatory record, and the VGCCC would not hesitate to act decisively should another similar issue arise.
Business and finance
Business is also interested in limiting certain areas of gambling, with Xpoint, a company specializing in compliance solutions, becoming the latest to join a list of attorneys general across the United States in urging the Department of Justice to step up its efforts in limiting the reach of illegal gambling across the nation.
In the meantime, both FanDuel and DraftKings have gained access to the local market in Missouri. Notably, DraftKings secured an untethered license that allows it to directly launch an online betting platform locally without the need to have a land-based partner.
BGaming, a cutting-edge supplier of online casino content, has reported breakaway success for its alternative crash-style game – Avimasters. Avimasters has focused on shifting player expectations from a "crash event" to a "landing event," giving it a unique twist.
The title has continued to register triple-digit-percentage net gain over the past several months on player bases, with no slowdown in sight, indicating its potential long-term success. BGaming is expecting more great things from its flagship title.
In the meantime, Octoplay has expanded its overseas presence in the North American iGaming market, with the company achieving an entry into New Jersey through a Rush Street Interactive partnership and the BetRivers brand.
Responsible gambling
Responsible gambling is once again an important part of this week’s discussions and news round. Finland recently issued a study in which it argued that gambling ads are related to increasing gambling-related harm and harmful gambling habits.
Advertisements have come under attack by GambleAware in the United Kingdom, with the charity arguing that certain video ads run by gambling operators, and that were meant to raise awareness for responsible play and the dangers of gambling, have backfired, possibly leading to more harm.
Similarly, in Slovakia, a new report focused on the threats posed by the illegal gambling market. The comprehensive report was published by the Institute for Gambling Regulation in Slovakia (IPRHH) and disclosed insights regarding the structure and social impact of illegal gambling in the country.
Not least, Casino Guru has been shortlisted for the 2025 Global Regulatory Awards by VIXIO for the company’s Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling. You can find out more about this here.
The voice of the industry
Wrapping up, this was yet another week during which Casino Guru News spoke with gambling industry insiders.
Etienne van Namen, Founding Partner and Attorney at Law at Westhoff Van Namen, joined Casino Guru News to discuss the fast-evolving Dutch gambling market, where shifting regulations and rising compliance demands are reshaping the landscape for licensed operators.
Similarly, Dmitry Arabuli, CEO and UBO of Tonybet, discussed the company’s growth, its position in the competitive iGaming market, and the strategies driving its success. He highlighted Tonybet’s focus on innovation, player experience, and responsible gaming, while also reflecting on the broader challenges and opportunities facing the industry. You can find out more in the interview.
