Gambling News Roundup: UK, Ireland, EU & US Updates

Regulators across several markets have been busy this month, from a new licensing authority in Ireland to a wagering cap taking full effect in the UK. Here's a rundown of the developments comparison resources like casino bonuses have been tracking as operators adjust to the changes.

Ireland's New Regulator Opens Licensing

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has taken over licensing responsibility from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, with existing online licences expiring on 1 July. The GRAI's strategy statement outlines an annual inspection programme starting this month, a dedicated enforcement unit expected by the third quarter, and a National Gambling Exclusion Register similar to the UK's GamStop. A new industry levy is also set to fund a Social Impact Fund supporting addiction treatment and public education, with at least €14 million expected annually.

UK's 10x Wagering Cap Now Fully in Effect

The UK Gambling Commission's cap on bonus wagering requirements, limiting operators to 10 times the bonus amount, has been in force since 19 January. The rule also bans "mixed-product" promotions that require activity across different gambling categories, such as placing a sports bet to unlock casino spins. Operators must now show the cash value of wagering requirements rather than just a multiplier, a change aimed at making offers easier to compare before signing up.

Netherlands Enforces Advertising Rules During Football Season

The Dutch regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), ordered operator TonyBet to withdraw an advertising campaign during the recent football World Cup after it used imagery closely resembling recognisable footballers, which Dutch rules prohibit under restrictions on role models in gambling promotion. TonyBet removed the campaign, and the KSA opted not to impose a financial penalty in this instance. Separately, the regulator's latest semi-annual report showed the combined market share of the three largest licensed operators in the Netherlands has narrowed to between 30% and 40%.

US States Continue Targeting Sweepstakes Casinos

In the United States, several state legislatures have advanced bills aimed at sweepstakes-style online casinos, which operate under a different legal framework than licensed real-money platforms. Mississippi, Iowa, and Oklahoma have recently passed restrictions on the format, and hearings on similar bills are ongoing in Florida and Maine. One bill, which cleared a state House by a wide margin, would define and prohibit multi-currency sweepstakes casinos and impose civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation.

Tracking the Changes

With rules shifting across several jurisdictions at once, platforms such as CasinoBonusesFinder have had to review listings market by market, since a promotion valid under one country's rules may not comply with another's. Casino Bonuses Finder's team said Irish and UK listings in particular required the most adjustment this month, given how closely the timing of the GRAI rollout and the UK wagering cap overlapped.

The GRAI's enforcement unit and exclusion register are expected to be operational by the third quarter, while the Dutch regulator's next semi-annual report should show whether market share concentration continues to shift. In the US, the sweepstakes casino bills moving through state legislatures this session could reshape which platforms remain available to players in several states by the end of the year.

By GamesAndCasino