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BGC: Two Thirds of Punters Fear Tax Hikes Would Force Customers to the Illegal Gambling Black Market
A new YouGov survey for standards body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) found 65% of regular punters agreed increased taxes, “would make customers turn to unregulated betting sites that don’t have to pay any tax at all.”
The Government is now consulting on a major change to the way betting and gaming is taxed online, sparking fears it will make betting on sports like racing and football, more expensive.
Sporting betting and online gaming is currently taxed at different rates, but last month the Treasury launched a new consultation titled The Tax Treatment of Remote Gambling, proposing a single new tax.
The BGC has already warned any further tax increases on members would hit punter’s pockets, and hammer horseracing’s fragile finances.
BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said: “This shocking statistic proves what’s at stake if the Government forces through a self-defeating tax hike on ordinary punters.
“It’s clear it will not raise more tax, it simply risks forcing huge numbers of customers out of the regulated market, with its world leading standards on player safety, into the arms of the growing, illegal, unregulated and unsafe gambling black market online.
“Any tax rises would make a mockery of the Government’s growth strategy and be catastrophic for horseracing, which is already facing a bleak financial outlook.
“This is a wake up call for Government, punters have been loud and clear, hit them with further taxes and they will walk away from sports like racing, straight to the black market, triggering a spiral of decline.”
The YouGov survey asked punters, “imagine that betting on sports events like horseracing became more expensive because the government increased the amount of tax that betting companies have to pay.
“How likely or unlikely do you think it is, if at all, that this would make customers turn to unregulated betting sites that don’t have to pay any tax at all?”
Of those who consider themselves regular punters, 65% said it would, in a shock warning to Government. Meanwhile, just 23% of punters said such a tax hike would be unlikely to have an impact on customers drifting to the black market.
A recent study commissioned by the BGC found 1.5m Brits stake up to £4.3bn on the growing gambling black market annually.
This growing, unsafe, illegal gambling black market does not contribute to sport, does not pay tax and targets customers who are vulnerable to harm, including the self-excluded.
Meanwhile, BGC members support 109,000 jobs, generate £6.8bn for the economy while raising £4bn in taxes.
They also help fund horseracing to the tune of £350m a year through sponsorship, media rights and the Levy, while contributing £40m for the English Football League and its clubs, plus millions more for rugby league, darts and snooker.
Each month in Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.
The post BGC: Two Thirds of Punters Fear Tax Hikes Would Force Customers to the Illegal Gambling Black Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Alea is set to take a leading role in São Paulo as the Headline Partner for NEXT.io Focus Brazil, returning for a second straight year to one of the most important gatherings in the country’s regulated iGaming calendar.
The invite-only event takes place on Monday, 6 April at Palacio Tangará and brings together around 100 senior industry decision-makers to examine how Brazil’s market is evolving beyond its launch phase.
The agenda will center on the market’s new reality, including changing player behavior, regulatory maturity, and the long-term sustainability of Brazil’s iGaming sector. Alea CEO Jordi Sendra will open the afternoon by joining the panel “Brazil 2026: The New Reality of Regulated Gambling,” where leaders from TQJ Bet, Esportes, and Stake Brazil will discuss how operators can stay competitive in a more structured environment.
Alea says its renewed partnership reflects the company’s growing commitment to Brazil and its deeper local presence. Over the past year, the company has invested in building a stronger on-the-ground structure to support partners across the market, with Sendra describing Brazil as a fast-changing but increasingly organized industry where open dialogue remains valuable.
The São Paulo appearance also connects directly to Alea’s wider South American push. After NEXT.io Focus Brazil, the team is shortlisted for Best Aggregator at the SiGMA South America Awards, before continuing discussions at SiGMA South America from 7–10 April at Booth N145, where the company will showcase its localized portfolio and technical support for operators navigating Brazil’s evolving market.
The post Alea Leads Brazil iGaming Talks in São Paulo appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BMM Innovation Group is set to reinforce its leadership in compliance testing, cybersecurity, and professional training at the BiS SiGMA Americas, taking place from April 6–9 in São Paulo. Exhibiting at Stand F147, the company is doubling down on its long-term commitment to Brazil’s rapidly evolving regulated gaming ecosystem.
As one of the most dynamic gaming markets globally, Brazil presents both opportunity and complexity. BMM Innovation Group, through its specialized brands, is positioning itself as a critical enabler for operators, suppliers, and regulators navigating this fast-changing environment.
A Three-Pillar Approach to Gaming Compliance
Operating through its globally recognized divisions—BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training—the group delivers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to regulated gaming markets.
- Testing & Certification: BMM Testlabs ensures that gaming products meet stringent regulatory standards, enabling smoother market entry.
- Cybersecurity Solutions: BIG Cyber strengthens digital resilience, a growing necessity as gaming platforms become increasingly interconnected.
- Compliance Training: RG24seven Virtual Training provides certification programs designed to equip employees with the knowledge required to meet regulatory obligations.
Strategic Focus on Brazil’s Gaming Boom
With more than 40 years of industry experience, BMM Testlabs continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Brazil’s regulatory framework. Its investment in local infrastructure, including a dedicated test lab in São Paulo, signals a strong, long-term commitment to the region.
According to Marzia Turrini, Global President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, Brazil stands out as one of the most promising regulated markets worldwide. She emphasized that ensuring integrity, compliance, and cybersecurity readiness is essential for sustainable growth in the sector.
This localized approach allows BMM to help stakeholders confidently launch products while adhering to evolving regulatory requirements—an increasingly important factor as Brazil formalizes its gaming laws.
Driving the Future of Regulated Gaming in Latin America
Attendees at BiS SiGMA Americas will have the opportunity to engage directly with BMM’s experts and explore how the company’s integrated solutions support the future of regulated gaming not only in Brazil but across Latin America.
From certification to cybersecurity and workforce training, BMM Innovation Group is positioning itself at the intersection of trust, technology, and regulation—three pillars that will define the next phase of growth in the global gaming industry.
Industry professionals interested in learning more or scheduling meetings with BMM representatives are encouraged to connect during the event to explore tailored solutions for their operational and compliance needs.
The post BMM Showcases Gaming Tech at BiS SiGMA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
New approvals in U.S. states and applications in Canadian provinces drive Catalist Sports’ latest expansion across regulated North American markets
Catalist Sports, a leading licensed supplier of sports betting content to the regulated U.S. marketplace, has continued to expand its regulated market footprint with new supplier licenses secured in Arkansas and Nebraska, alongside recently submitted Canadian applications in Ontario and Alberta.
Arkansas’ regulated sports betting market is set for significant growth, with major operators including DraftKings and FanDuel entering the state in March 2026. In addition to Arkansas, Catalist Sports has successfully obtained a supplier license in Nebraska.
Following the approval of its supplier license in Missouri, the latest state to regulate online gambling, in December, Catalist Sports is now licensed in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, with two Canadian provinces expected to follow.
These license updates reinforce Catalist Sports’ commitment to serving both U.S. and Canadian regulated betting markets with compliant, high-quality content and services.
“Securing licenses in new jurisdictions and strengthening our regulatory standing is fundamental to serving as a trusted, key supplier to our operator partners,” said James Monk, Vice President & General Manager of Catalist Sports.
“Arkansas represents an exciting next step for us, particularly as major brands prepare to enter the market. At the same time, our licenses in Nebraska, along with applications in Ontario and Alberta, and ongoing license upgrades, position Catalist to continue delivering scalable, compliant, and differentiated services to our partners.”
Catalist Sports’ expanding North American footprint supports the company’s broader strategy to provide licensed operators with premium data, live streaming, and advanced trading capabilities, helping partners maximize in-play engagement, product innovation, and long-term growth in regulated markets.
Catalist Sports distributes official data and live streaming rights from a vast portfolio of events to licensed U.S. sportsbooks. This includes top-tier tennis properties such as the Australian Open, ITF World Tour, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, as well as events across soccer, basketball, and ice hockey, which power year-round engagement for sportsbooks seeking continuous, high-frequency, high-quality live betting content.
The post CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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