Regulated iGaming Markets Advance Globally
Best Casinos 2025
Key Takeaways
- Brazil's regulated online gambling market officially launches with 81 licensed operators, establishing a structured framework in Latin America's largest economy.
- Ontario prepares for the rollout of a centralized self-exclusion program, enhancing responsible gambling protections across the province's competitive iGaming ecosystem.
- UK Gambling Commission introduces updated legislation that aligns with consumer protection reforms and strengthens oversight of licensed operators.
Brazil Launches Regulated Online Gambling Market with 81 Operators
Brazil's Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) published the final list of 81 licensed operators on December 31, 2024, enabling the official launch of the regulated online casino and sports betting market on January 1, 2025, under Law 14.790/2023. This includes 15 definitive licenses valid through 2029 and 66 provisional authorizations, with major international firms such as Caesars, Betfair, and Betnacional securing approvals after paying the BRL 30 million concession fee and complying with AML and responsible gambling standards.
Owned by global conglomerates with established European and international operations, these entrants position Brazil as a key emerging market with projected annual revenues exceeding $10 billion. The framework imposes a 12% GGR tax, mandatory .bet.br domains, and player protection tools, including self-exclusion registries. Operations commenced immediately in January 2025, intensifying competition against former grey-market players. Players gain access to verified platforms with fund security; regulators secure fiscal oversight; stakeholders benefit from formalized channels, reducing illegal activity estimated at 80% pre-regulation.
Source: iGaming Business
Ontario AGCO Prepares Centralized Self-Exclusion System
iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced preparations for a centralized self-exclusion (CSE) program launch in the first half of 2026, with updated Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming effective immediately as of December 19, 2025. This system allows players to self-exclude across all regulated operators, building on the province's April 2022 open-market framework, managed by iGaming Ontario.
Backed by provincial oversight, the initiative involves over 50 licensed operators, including subsidiaries of Entain and Flutter Entertainment, ensuring unified harm-prevention across a market generating CAD 3.2 billion in annual revenue. Competitive dynamics favor compliance-focused brands amid 31% YoY growth in wagering. Implementation timelines target Q1-Q2 2026, with mandatory integration of AI-driven monitoring. Players receive seamless protection, reducing relapse risks; AGCO enhances enforcement granularity; operators align with evolving standards, supporting sustainable expansion in Canada's leading regulated jurisdiction.
Source: Casino.org
UKGC Aligns LCCP with Enhanced Consumer Protections
The UK Gambling Commission introduced amendments to the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) on December 19, 2025, improving transparency on operator ownership, finances, and interests while harmonizing with revised consumer legislation. These updates reinforce the statutory levy introduced earlier in 2025 and ongoing reforms from the Gambling Act review.
Applicable to all remote and land-based licensees in the mature £14 billion market, the changes emphasize data-driven accountability for entities owned by major groups such as Entain and Rank. In a landscape with strict advertising codes and stake limits, compliance bolsters entry for new applicants. Rollout immediately, with audits phased into 2026. Players benefit from enhanced safeguards; regulators gain detailed insights for proactive interventions; and industry stakeholders navigate reinforced frameworks that promote long-term viability.
Source: Gambling Insider
