Latest Industry News
Two landmark Australian casino AML/CTF cases resulted in an A$260 million Federal Court penalty for The Star in 2026 and an A$450 million penalty for Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth in 2023. This guide explains the findings, why the amounts are not directly comparable, and how Australia’s 2026 customer due diligence reforms affect certain gambling services.
Read MoreThe Star casinos have not been shut down as a group following the A$260 million AML/CTF penalty. As of 29 October 2026, Sydney continues under a government-appointed manager despite its suspended licence, Gold Coast’s suspension remains deferred, and the group reports improving EBITDA alongside material going-concern uncertainty.
Read MoreAustralia’s Federal Court has ordered The Star’s casino operators to pay a combined A$260 million civil penalty following systemic anti-money laundering failures. AUSTRAC says inadequate controls exposed high-risk customers and transaction channels to financial-crime risks.
Read MoreThe Dutch Gambling Authority disclosed a €37.25 million administrative fine against EOD Code SRL on October 22, 2026, involving 12 unlicensed gambling websites including Instantcasino and Skyhills. The decision was issued on October 6. Payment and final legal status remain unconfirmed.
Read MoreWith the blocking of bets in Brazil, bettors are looking for information about withdrawals and refunds. Check the official refund calendar, the October 2026 deadlines, and what to do if the money has not yet reached the
Read MoreOn October 13, 2026, police in São Paulo, Brazil, launched Operation Disque 151 targeting two suspected illegal online betting platforms. Three suspects were arrested, and a court authorised asset freezes of up to R$154 million. Investigators are examining suspected financial fraud and money laundering, although the amount actually frozen and the final judicial outcome remain unconfirmed.
Read MoreBlocked betting sites in Brazil raise questions about access, withdrawals and refunds. Understand the possible reasons for the restrictions and learn how to check operator information on BetVerity.
Read MoreThe Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) announced on October 7, 2026, that its existing online gaming licensing portal would not return to service and that the regulator was transitioning to a new platform. The decision followed an earlier unauthorised access incident. CGA confirmed that existing gambling licences remain valid and that regulatory obligations for operators and suppliers are unchanged.
Read MoreOn October 8, 2026, Italian gaming group Lottomatica and Spain’s CIRSA announced that their respective boards of directors had approved a plan for a cross-border merger. Under the agreement, each CIRSA share will be exchanged for 0.668 newly issued Lottomatica shares. The transaction also entails a pre-merger special dividend of approximately €262 million and a proposed post-merger capital return of €744 million. The merger remains subject to shareholder and relevant regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2027.
Read MoreSpain's gambling regulator, the DGOJ, approved four individual gaming licence renewals for Paf Games S.A. and Beatya Online S.A. on 7 October 2026. The decisions cover roulette and blackjack licences associated with the PAF and Admiralbet brands. These are renewals of existing authorisations rather than new market-entry approvals.
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