Brazil combats match-fixing in sports, AUSTRAC amends some AML claims against Entain, and an ECJ opinion allows German gamblers to seek online casino refunds – plus other key updates.
Lexology PRO looks at the latest updates and developments across key segments of gambling regulation worldwide to help businesses stay abreast of the most pressing issues.
This key update was produced with the assistance of generative AI.
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Regulatory changes
On 16 September 2025, the Dutch Gaming Authority published new guidance for slot machine halls and gaming casinos to strengthen the implementation of the duty of care under the Remote Gambling Act 2021 (Dutch language only). Alongside the guidance, the authority also clarified the need to verify identities of users and the use of the Central Register of Exclusion of Games of Chance.
On 9 September 2025, Brazil’s Ministries of Finance, Sports, Justice and Public Security issued a joint ordinance establishing a working group combat match-fixing in sports. The group will draft a national policy to combat the manipulation of sports results, aiming to protect the integrity of national competitions. Coordinated by the Ministry of Sports and supported by the Federal Police, the group will act as the executive secretariat and include the Federal Police among its members and will operate for six months, with a possible six-month extension.
On 2 September 2025, the Dutch Gaming Authority published revised policy rules for the licensing of remote gambling, effective 1 January 2026. The changes introduce new obligations for all applicants, including requirements to submit a communication plan for notifying the authority of significant business changes, an exit plan for winding down operations if a licence ends, and a risk analysis under anti-money laundering (AML) rules. Separate procedures are set for renewal applications, with reassessment of addiction prevention, advertising policies, and database integration, alongside consideration of past compliance.
Enforcement action
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) issued cease-and-desist orders on 9 September 2025 against raffle-hosting platform Raffall and an Arizona resident for operating the illegal ‘Phoenix Dream Home Sweepstakes,’ which offered paid entries to win a US$1.3 million luxury home. The ADG found the operation violated Arizona gambling laws because it was conducted for personal profit, was not run by a qualified non-profit and was accessible to individuals under 21 years of age. The alleged felony violations include promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise, and money laundering.
On 2 September 2025, the Dutch Gambling Authority issued a penalty against online betting operator Optdeck Service, under the brand name Unibet, for repeatedly offering unauthorised sports betting between October 2022 and May 2025. The violations included bets on corner kicks, yellow cards, and matches involving players under 21. Despite prior warnings, the authority found insufficient improvement and imposed a weekly penalty of €75,000 (US$87,675) for non-compliance, capped at €450,000 (US$526,050).
On 28 August 2025, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada fined two casino operators, British Columbia Lottery and Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, CA$2.25 million (US$1.63 million) for violating the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act 2000. The operators failed to submit suspicious transaction reports despite clear money laundering indicators, and to implement adequate compliance policies for monitoring high-risk patrons
Litigation
On 4 September 2025, Advocate General at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued an opinion stating that German consumers can seek refunds for losses from foreign online operators without a German licence during the country’s total ban on online casino games from 2012 to June 2021. The case involves a German player's lawsuit against Malta-based online betting company Lottoland, which was referred to the ECJ by a Maltese court in 2023.
On 29 August 2025, AUSTRAC filed an amended statement of claim against gambling giant Entain, removing allegations that the company breached the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 in its role as a money-transfer service provider. AUSTRAC continues to pursue claims that, as a gambling services provider, Entain failed to conduct proper customer due diligence and did not maintain an effective anti-money-laundering compliance programme between 2016 and 2024. Separately, on 28 August 2025, UK prosecutors charged ten individuals, including several former senior figures at Entain, with conspiracy to defraud and pay bribes in relation to the provision of gambling services in Turkey between 2011 and 2018.