Compliance Updates
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.
Armenian Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs
Armenia to Implement Strictest Gambling Regulations to Combat a Massive Surge in Addiction
At its meeting on last Wednesday, the Armenian Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs postponed the first reading of amendments to the Law “On Regulation of Gambling Activities” and several related laws until the next meeting for further revision.
Hayk Sargsyan, the author of the legislative initiative and a member of parliament from the ruling Civil Contract faction, stated that the volume of online casino bets in Armenia has increased more than 35-fold over the past eight years.
“While in 2017, the volume of online casino bets was 0.2 trillion drams, in 2025, it will increase more than 35-fold, reaching 7.4 trillion drams. Online casinos have become a scourge and a plague for our people,” Sargsyan said.
According to him, hundreds of thousands of citizens are wasting their money on gambling addiction. Regardless of their location, they have 24/7 access to online casinos and are unable to break their addiction.
“In an attempt to recoup their money, citizens are accumulating debts and loans, thereby further worsening an already critical situation. Under the current circumstances, the National Assembly is obliged to take preventive measures aimed at maximally restricting participation in online casinos for individuals who no longer want to gamble but are unable to overcome their addiction, as well as those in dire social situations or those using government support programs,” Sargsyan said.
The bill proposes establishing a mandatory requirement: all online casinos must place a publicly accessible self-blocking button on their websites and apps.
“After clicking this button, playing at online casinos will be prohibited for a period of five years, with no possibility of early reinstatement. After this period, the ban is automatically extended for another five years unless the citizen submits an application to lift the restriction five days before its expiration. Information about the self-ban will be communicated to the gaming operator. Activity in other online casinos and gaming platforms will also be suspended,” Sargsyan said.
He also stated the need to prohibit participation in online gaming for recipients of social benefits, individuals whose primary source of income is a pension, individuals in bankruptcy proceedings and participants in subsidy programmes implemented with funding or co-financing from the state budget. Furthermore, it is proposed to set a limit on participation in online gaming at 20% of annually declared income.
Government representatives approved amendments that are planned to come into effect on January 1, 2027, following the introduction of the gaming operator institution, which will likely be selected mid-year and implemented as soon as possible.
The post Armenia to Implement Strictest Gambling Regulations to Combat a Massive Surge in Addiction appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Coinbase
Wisconsin DOJ Sues to Stop Alleged Illegal Sports Betting Operations in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it is suing Kalshi, Robinhood, Coinbase, Polymarket, Crypto.com, and their affiliates, to halt their alleged facilitation of illegal sports betting, a form of unlawful commercial gambling, in Wisconsin.
“Thinly disguising unlawful conduct doesn’t make it lawful. These companies’ alleged facilitation of sports betting in Wisconsin should be shut down,” said AG Kaul.
Except in limited circumstances, sports betting and other forms of commercial gambling have long been illegal in Wisconsin. Yet, as alleged in these lawsuits, the defendant companies have chosen to flout Wisconsin law through disguising the sports betting they facilitate on their online platforms as “event contracts,” which pay out just like ordinary bets based on the odds of sports-related outcomes.
The complaints further allege that the companies collect a fee for every bet made, meaning they generate revenue from Wisconsinites by violating the state’s gambling laws. Kalshi, as one example, reportedly generates more than $1 billion in annual revenue from its sports contracts, representing around 90% of its total estimated annualized revenue.
As the complaints allege, by making money from the sports bets they facilitate, these companies are engaging in unlawful gambling activity.
Wisconsin DOJ’s lawsuits, filed on last Thursday in Dane County, request a declaration that, by making sports-related event contracts available for trading by customers located in Wisconsin, the defendant companies are violating Wis. Stat.§945.03(1m) and thereby creating a public nuisance. The lawsuits additionally request preliminary and permanent injunctions enjoining and restraining the defendant companies from making sports-related event contracts available for trading by customers located in Wisconsin.
The post Wisconsin DOJ Sues to Stop Alleged Illegal Sports Betting Operations in Wisconsin appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Amusnet
Amusnet Officially Enters the Philippine Market
Amusnet has announced its official entry into the Philippine market. In a double milestone for the company’s expansion strategy, Amusnet has successfully gone live with its first local operator, 747Live, and is now officially featured on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) List of EGLD-Approved Electronic Games. The list currently includes a total of 214 approved titles, representing a significant achievement and reinforcing Amusnet’s position as a trusted B2B partner in the country.
“These are two major achievements for us: a strong PAGCOR-approved portfolio and going live with our first partner in the Philippines, 747Live – both laying the foundation for accelerated growth and a stronger market presence,” said Kalin Angelov, Business Development Manager at Amusnet.
“We are very pleased to welcome Amusnet to our platform, as their reputation for premium content perfectly aligns with our mission to offer the best gaming experience in the Philippines. As Amusnet’s first partner in the region, we are excited to introduce such an extensive selection of approved titles to our audience,” said Enrico Menghini, CEO at 747Live.
The initial integration with 747Live allows local players to experience Amusnet’s world-renowned gaming mechanics, immersive graphics and signature jackpot features. To celebrate this market entry, Amusnet is highlighting a selection of top-performing titles, such as the dynamic 100 Golden Coins: Reel Fishing, the fan-favourite Extra Crown and the high-energy 100 Golden Coins.
This expansion into the Philippines marks a new chapter for Amusnet. The supplier continues to set new standards in the iGaming industry, providing operators with a robust and diversified portfolio of high-quality content. By entering the Philippine market with such a strong lineup, the company establishes itself as a premier partner for local operators, dedicated to bringing premium gaming experiences to a new and growing audience.
The post Amusnet Officially Enters the Philippine Market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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