Regulated iGaming Markets See Major Licensing and RG Advances
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Key Takeaways
- Major new regulated market activities with over 80 licensed operators, creating Latin America's largest framework focused on player protection and taxation.
- Ontario progresses toward a unified self-exclusion system, strengthening responsible gambling standards in a competitive, open-licensing environment.
- Malta Gaming Authority recognizes 17 licensees with ESG certifications, highlighting a commitment to ethical and sustainable operations.
Large-Scale Regulated Market Launches with 81 Authorized Operators
A newly regulated Latin American jurisdiction officially commenced operations on January 1, 2025, with the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets publishing the names of 81 licensed operators. The framework, established under federal law, grants 15 full concessions and 66 provisional authorizations, each requiring substantial licensing fees and adherence to strict anti-money laundering and responsible gambling requirements.
Global operators, including Flutter Entertainment, Entain, and Betsson, secured entry through local entities, transitioning from prior grey-market presence. Mandatory features include dedicated national domains, 12% GGR taxation, fund segregation, and self-exclusion tools. The immediate activation establishes a formalized competitive landscape, offering players enhanced protections and dispute mechanisms while enabling regulators to address previously dominant unlicensed activity. Industry stakeholders gain access to a high-growth market with significant revenue potential.
Source: iGaming Business
Ontario Finalizes Standards for Province-Wide Self-Exclusion Program
iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario updated the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming on December 19, 2024, requiring all registered operators to prepare for a centralized self-exclusion system scheduled for mid-2026 rollout.
The mandate applies to over 50 operators under AGCO's registration and iGO agreements, building on the province's established open-market model launched in 2022. Integration will allow players to exclude from all platforms with a single action, supported by unified technical standards. Parent companies of major international groups must ensure compliance across subsidiaries. This development reinforces player protection in a market generating substantial wagering volumes, providing regulators greater oversight and operators a framework for sustainable growth amid ongoing competition.
Source: Gambling Insider
Malta Gaming Authority Awards ESG Seals to 17 Licensees
The Malta Gaming Authority granted Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Code of Good Practice Approval Seals to 17 B2C and B2B licensees for the 2025 cycle, acknowledging voluntary adherence to enhanced responsible gambling and ethical standards.
Recipients span diverse ownership structures within Malta's extensive remote gaming ecosystem, governed by the 2018 Gaming Act. The certification complements existing MGA licenses and promotes transparency, player welfare tools, and sustainability reporting. Immediate application for 2025 supports operators in differentiating within Europe's key hub, benefiting players through verified ethical platforms, aiding regulators in promoting best practices, and strengthening stakeholder confidence for partnerships and market positioning.
Source: European Gaming
