Compliance Updates

European Court of Justice Rejects Challenge to Italian Gambling Taxes

Published

6 years ago

February 28, 2020

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Italian gambling taxes do not constitute discrimination against companies based in other countries.

The case involving one of the EU’s largest betting companies, Stanleybet, was sent to the European Court of Justice by Italian tax authorities after the British company complained that an 8 million euro tax bill was illegal.

The Luxembourg-based court held Wednesday that because the tax “applies to all operators who manage bets collected on Italian territory, without making a distinction on the basis of the place of establishment of those operators…the imposition of that tax on Stanleybet Malta cannot be regarded as discriminatory.”

Founded in Northern Ireland in 1958, Stanleybet operates so-called data transmission centres, or DTCs, in Italy. In Italy, gamblers can place bets at licensed betting shops and also at DTCs, which operate essentially as internet cafes where gamblers can place bets online.

One of the principal legal concepts of the 27-member political and economic union is that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of nationality. However, member states are allowed to impose taxes as they see fit, so long as the assessments comply with EU law.

According to the five-judge panel, countries are not obligated to alter their own systems to ensure double taxation within the EU doesn’t occur.

The taxation case will now be returned to the Italian national courts for a final ruling.

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Arizona Department of Gaming Names Juan Carlos Estrada as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Executive Director

Published

10 hours ago

January 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

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Two decades of agency experience inform Executive Director’s new post

The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) announced that it has appointed Juan Carlos Estrada as Executive Director, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (BMMA). A long time employee of the Department with roles spanning regulation and operations, including for high-profile boxing and mixed martial arts events and activities, Estrada will now serve as Executive Director of BMMA and will also continue to hold the position of Assistant Director of BMMA and Racing.

The Department’s Division of Boxing and MMA supports the Arizona State Boxing and MMA Commission in its regulation of unarmed combat sporting events taking place in Arizona, including licensing fighters, referees, judges, inspectors, and physicians. The Commission licensed over 1,027 fighters, promoters, and event officials in Fiscal Year 2025, while overseeing 28 events, including nine events that were also televised worldwide.

“Over the past decade, Juan Carlos Estrada has served in various capacities regulating the unarmed combat sports industry in Arizona supervising hundreds of boxing, mixed martial arts and muay thai events,” said Jackie Johnson, Director, Arizona Department of Gaming. “He has earned a reputation for a balanced and transparent approach as a state regulator, and I’m thrilled to congratulate him on this milestone.”

With past roles since 2004 including Investigator, Racing Steward, and Employee Certification Unit Supervisor, Estrada has continued to work collaboratively and across divisions to promote fair and effective regulation. In the Executive Director position, he will serve as the direct liaison between the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission and the Department, and will lead all responsibilities and initiatives with respect to unarmed combat sports – ensuring the health and safety of participants and enforcing applicable laws and rules.

“I’m humbled to accept my appointment as the Executive Director of Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts,” said Estrada. “I want to sincerely thank the promoters, athletes, officials, and my colleagues for the trust and confidence they have given me over the years. I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the public while ensuring that contests are safe, fair, and regulated.”

A Native Arizonan, Estrada has given back to his community by volunteering for the City of Phoenix Police and Fire departments while continuing his leadership at the Department and attaining professional development in the industry. His experience includes working with organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), King of the Cage, Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), and numerous regional and local promotions.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Names Juan Carlos Estrada as Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Executive Director appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Compliance Updates

Cyprus Betting Authority Deploys 150 Secret Agents to Conduct Raids on Betting Agencies

Published

13 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

cyprus-betting-authority-deploys-150-secret-agents-to-conduct-raids-on-betting-agencies

The Cyprus NBA is significantly ramping up its regulatory oversight for 2026. Raids on betting agencies are being carried out by “undercover” agents as part of stepped-up checks by the NBA to ensure compliance with the law.

The NBA has procured inspection services from the private sector, deploying 150 undercover agents who pose as customers and enter betting premises unannounced.

While on site, the agents monitor staff conduct, check whether illegal bets are being placed and verify that minors are not present.

Alongside these surprise visits, NBA officers also carry out on-site inspections and monitor betting websites used by hundreds of players, while inspections are also conducted to identify potential money-laundering activity.

The issues related to the violations of rules were raised during a meeting of the House Finance Committee, where an NBA representative said the Authority imposed fines totalling €46,000 last year.

Of that amount, €26,000 related to breaches linked to the lack of required licences, with the remainder stemming from the presence of minors on premises and other violations of the legislation.

At the same time, data submitted to parliament showed that bets worth €1.3 billion were placed last year, with players receiving €1.17bn in winnings.

Against that backdrop, and following an increase in the betting tax, state revenue from betting rose to €6 million, up from €3.2m a year earlier.

During the discussion, it was also noted that a draft bill has been pending at the Ministry of Finance for around a year.

The bill provides for new products and services, as well as enhanced safeguards for responsible gaming and the protection of minors.

A representative of the ministry clarified that there are no plans to introduce online casino games.

Expected revenue from betting activity is projected at €71.85m this year, an increase of 28.03 per cent, or €15.73m, compared with 2025.

Revenue is forecast to rise further to €75.27m in 2027 and €78.59m in 2028.

Breaking down the figures, betting tax is expected to generate €53m, licence fees €8.2m and betting activity contributions €10m.

Class A and Class B licence holders pay tax at a rate of 10 per cent on net betting earnings, with Class A covering land-based betting and Class B online betting.

In addition, €32m relates to betting tax on Opap’s Cyprus’ gross profits under the new contract, while licences for Class A and B operators, authorised representatives and premises are expected to bring in €2.8m.

A further €5m concerns Opap’s Cyprus’ licence fee and €0.4m its supervision contribution, also under the revised agreement.

The post Cyprus Betting Authority Deploys 150 Secret Agents to Conduct Raids on Betting Agencies appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell

AG Campbell Secures Court Order That Will Block Kalshi from Offering Unlawful Sports Wagers in Massachusetts

Published

13 hours ago

January 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

ag-campbell-secures-court-order-that-will-block-kalshi-from-offering-unlawful-sports-wagers-in-massachusetts

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell released the following statement after securing a preliminary injunction in her lawsuit against KalshiEX LLC (Kalshi), a self-described online “prediction market”. The court’s order will allow a preliminary injunction to take effect, prohibiting Kalshi from accepting online sports wagers and related events contracts from Massachusetts customers until the company follows the state laws that govern sports gaming, including licensure by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). The order also denied Kalshi’s motion to dismiss the AGO’s lawsuit filed against them in September 2025.

“The Court has made clear that any company that wants to be in the sports gaming business in Massachusetts must play by our rules – no exceptions. Today’s victory marks a major step toward fortifying Massachusetts’ gambling laws and mitigating the significant public health consequences that come with unregulated gambling, “ said AG Campbell.

In September, AG Campbell filed a lawsuit against Kalshi, alleging that the company uses an online “exchange” to offer sports wagering under the guise of “event contracts,” which allow bettors to place wagers connected to sports, such as the likelihood of a certain team winning a game or a certain player scoring a particular number of points. Kalshi’s platform offers “event contracts” on sporting events, including moneyline contracts, point spread contracts, and over-under contracts. These “event contracts” closely resemble sports wagers offered by licensed operators. The platform actively promotes its sports wagering offerings on television, social media, and online. Kalshi has neither applied for nor received a Massachusetts sports wagering license from the MGC, as required by law.

This matter is representative of AG Campbell’s ongoing efforts to combat the public health harms associated with sports betting and gambling, especially among young people. In June 2025, AG Campbell issued cease-and-desist letters to two online gaming operators for offering online gambling and betting products without obtaining a license. In March of 2024, AG Campbell announced the formation of the Youth Sports Betting Safety Coalition, a private-public partnership to raise awareness about the laws and risks surrounding youth online sports gambling.

The post AG Campbell Secures Court Order That Will Block Kalshi from Offering Unlawful Sports Wagers in Massachusetts appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.