UK Betting Shop Battles, Iowa Targets Illegal Gaming & Portugal’s Casino Delays

Weekend conversation corner - 9 January

Welcome to the premiere of Season 2! Join hosts Oliver and Charlotte for this edition of Weekend Conversation Corner from Focus Gaming News.

This week, we dive into the Iowa Department of Inspections’ proposal to crack down on unlicensed gambling sites and discuss the delays in Portugal’s casino tender process that have led to license extensions for major operators. We also look at Romania’s 2026 compliance agenda aimed at restoring regulatory credibility and celebrate a decade of growth for Focus Gaming News.

Finally, we tackle the heating debate in the UK, where public support for advertising restrictions is rising and politicians are pushing to scrap the "aim to permit" rule for new venues. With 300 politicians calling for its removal, are local councils about to regain the power to block new betting shops? Tune in to find out!