Regulatory Developments
Belgium Is Transferring the Gaming Commission to the FPS Economy (2025–2026)
Belgium is transferring the Gaming Commission and gambling competence from the Minister of Justice to the Minister of Economy and the FPS Economy. The Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft law on 17 October 2025 and 19 December 2025, a draft royal decree on 30 April 2026, and that decree in second reading on 25 September 2026. The sources read do not confirm final enactment or entry into force.
Flanders Seeks a Simultaneous Rise in the Online Gambling Tax (July 2026)
On 17 July 2026 the Flemish Government approved a note asking the Consultation Committee to agree a simultaneous adjustment by Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels of the tax rate on online bets, currently 11%, because the server location decides which region may levy the tax.
iGaming Ontario Becomes a Standalone Agency (2025)
On 12 May 2025, iGaming Ontario became a standalone provincial agency, separate from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, under the iGaming Ontario Act, 2024.
Ontario’s International Liquidity Case Heads to the Supreme Court
The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled 4-1 for Ontario on international liquidity for peer-to-peer games in November 2025 (2025 ONCA 770); the appeal is now before the Supreme Court of Canada (File No. 42141), with a hearing reported for 7 October 2026.
Ontario Launches a Review of Its Gaming Market (2025)
Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming announced a review of the province’s igaming market and wider regulated gaming sector at the 2025 Canadian Gaming Summit; iGaming Ontario has been feeding it data and advice since.
Gambling Tax Raised to 22% (2024)
Proposition 2023/24:74 raised Sweden's gambling tax from 18% to 22% of net gaming revenue from 1 July 2024, balanced against the risk to the channelisation rate.
Review of the Act's Targeting Criterion
The Riksrevisionen found the gambling act's targeting criterion complicates action against illegal gambling; a government-commissioned review was under way in 2025 with no legislative proposal yet.
Closure of Land-Based Casinos (2025)
Following a Riksdag decision, Sweden's land-based casinos closed by 31 December 2025; Svenska Spel closed Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm in April 2025.
Staged Stake Limits for Virtual Slot Games (2026)
From 1 July 2026 the GGL allows stakes of up to EUR 3 (players 21+) and EUR 5 (after 90 days without conspicuous play) on virtual slots, limited until 31 December 2027.
Second Amendment Treaty to the GlüStV 2021 (2026)
The 2. GlüÄndStV 2021 widens GGL query powers, clarifies OASIS checks and revises the legal basis for network blocks. It takes effect after all 16 states ratify it.
Finland Gambling Licence Application Window (2026)
Finland opened gambling licence applications on 1 March 2026, more than a year ahead of the Gambling Act's main 1 July 2027 start date. By 8 June 2026 the National Police Board had received 50 applications, mostly from foreign companies.
Draft Decrees Under the Gambling Act (2026)
The Ministry of the Interior sent four draft decrees under the Gambling Act for comments in June 2026, covering the exclusive licence holder's rules of play, competitive-market stake limits, winnings-claim periods, and venue and machine numbers. They are drafts, not adopted law.
Veikkaus Restructuring Under the Gambling Act
The Gambling Act requires Veikkaus Group to apply for a licence to keep its exclusive-rights business and lets it separately compete for gambling licences in the newly opened market, with internal functions kept clearly separate and Veikkaus no longer required to stay wholly state-owned.