Brazil’s betting ban, Malta’s tax overhaul and global igaming shifts
Weekend conversation corner - 2 October
Welcome to the thirty-seventh episode of Season 2 of Weekend Conversation Corner, brought to you by Focus Gaming News! Join your hosts, Oliver and Charlotte, as we unpack the most critical regulatory shifts and headlines shaping the global gaming industry this week.
Will Brazil’s abrupt online betting ban backfire and push punters into the black market? In this episode, we take a close look at President Lula da Silva's controversial suspension of online betting, examining expert warnings over market stability, constitutionality, and investor trust.
Beyond Brazil, Oliver and Charlotte guide you through key updates from around the globe:
- Malta: The rollout of simplified gaming tax structures and VAT rules, alongside the MGA's suspension of Condor Malta Limited's licence.
- Bulgaria: Warnings from opposition leader Assen Vassilev regarding potential brand loopholes in proposed gambling advertising bans.
- Great Britain: Confirmed phased regulations for gaming machines coming into effect across 2027 and 2028.
- Georgia: The launch of a new international igaming licensing framework with a 5 per cent GGR tax to draw overseas operators.
- Finland: A surprising surge of 75 licence applications submitted as the country prepares to end the Veikkaus monopoly in July 2027.
Tune in as we cut through the noise and deliver the essential insights you need to stay informed, motivated, and ahead of the curve!
