Publication date: 02 Jun 2025
In May 2025, the gambling industry underwent significant changes as countries implemented new laws that either tightened or liberalized the sector. 3S.INFO contains all the major regulatory updates for online casinos and bookmakers worldwide. This includes current advertising rules and restrictions, as well as essential information for promoting betting and gambling in May 2025.
How is Gambling Regulated Worldwide?
Let’s start with the latest news from Brazil!
- The online betting sector is booming, with over 2,200 companies registered in this field. However, only 3.5% of these companies have received official approval from the Ministry of Finance to operate legally. As of April 2025, BigData Corp reports that licenses have been granted to 69 legal entities (CNPJ), covering 153 brands and 149 domains ending in “.bet.br.” Taking pre-approved applications into account, the number of license holders increases to 78.
- In May 2025, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting of the Brazilian Ministry of Finance notified 33 payment and financial institutions of suspected involvement in unauthorized betting transactions. Each institution could face fines of up to $2 billion as a consequence.
- Currently, iOS and Android users can only download the official lottery app of Caixa Econômica Federal. Mobile apps of licensed betting companies remain unavailable in the official Apple and Google app stores.
Mexico is updating its regulatory framework for the gambling industry, including online formats. The Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) is drafting a new bill to replace the 1947 Gambling and Lottery Act, which is outdated. The plans include establishing unified federal standards, introducing transparent rules for online casinos, and simplifying the tax system by replacing multiple local levies with a single federal fee.
Meanwhile, Nevis (Caribbean Islands) has unveiled a new online gambling law. Enacted on April 29, 2025, the legislation authorizes licensing for online casinos and betting, positioning Nevis alongside leading gaming jurisdictions such as Malta and the Isle of Man. According to a government representative, “The state is creating a safe, regulated environment for online gambling to attract businesses of any scale—from startups to global brands.”
Paraguay is initiating reforms in its gambling sector. In May 2025, Law No. 7348/2025 was signed, introducing amendments to the previous gambling legislation (Law No. 1016/1997) and opening the market to private operators, both online and offline.
In late 2024, Paraguay’s parliament had already approved reforms that abolished the monopoly on gambling, which was previously awarded solely through state tenders. The sector awaits the modernization of the regulatory framework, which is aimed at achieving greater transparency and efficiency.
In contrast, Japan is introducing strict restrictions on online casinos due to the rise of illegal gambling. The proposed bill bans the establishment and operation of online casino platforms. The document primarily informs the public about the illegality of online gambling and does not include penalty provisions for players. According to police estimates, 3.3 million Japanese people regularly visit online casinos, and the illicit sector’s annual turnover reaches 1.2 trillion yen.
Note that online gambling has been legalized in Japan since 2018, but only for foreign tourists. For local residents, gambling remains strictly prohibited.
Combating Illegal Gambling and Blocking Websites in May
South Africa is stepping up its efforts against illegal gambling by reviving the National Gambling Board, which was dissolved in 2014. The board’s main objective is to combat illegal advertising on social media and digital platforms, where betting promotions often violate the law and target minors. The board will monitor digital advertising and impose harsher penalties for violations. Additionally, the plan includes cooperation with provinces to develop uniform regulations. For more details about the gambling market in South Africa, visit 3S.INFO.
Meanwhile, Colombia is intensifying its crackdown on illegal online gambling. Coljuegos, Colombia’s gambling regulator, announced its collaboration with internet service providers to block websites operated by unlicensed gambling companies. As of May 2025, 26,600 websites have received closure notices. Access will be blocked to sites offering unauthorized gambling services, as well as to platforms advertising or accepting payments for such services. Marco Emilio Hincapié, president of Coljuegos, emphasized, “We protect the interests of 14 licensed operators and ensure that funds are directed to healthcare and social programs.”
Changes to Gambling and Betting Advertising Rules in May 2025
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh ordered the formation of a special committee to investigate the promotion of online gambling through social and mainstream media outlets, as well as the involvement of celebrities. The committee will consist of representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Information Technology, and the police force. In addition to examining betting platform activities and financial transactions, the committee will evaluate influencers’ roles in promoting gambling. The court also demanded an explanation for why the authorities’ inaction against such advertising is not considered illegal. Information on “How to Direct Traffic to Online Betting and Gambling in Bangladesh” is available in the “Market Reviews” section on 3S.INFO.
Kenya has banned celebrity endorsements in gambling advertisements. The Betting Control and Licensing Board made this decision to protect vulnerable populations. All advertising materials must now be reviewed and approved by regulators. These new rules took effect following a 30-day moratorium on gambling advertising that ran from April 29. The updated guidelines stipulate that advertisements must not imply that gambling is a means of earning money and must include warnings about the risks of addiction.
Factors Influencing Gambling and Betting: New Opportunities
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan declared chess a banned activity, equating it to gambling and deeming it contrary to Islamic norms. Over the past 11 months, no official chess tournaments or events have taken place in the country, and the national federation has essentially ceased to exist. Federation officials have fled Afghanistan, and the game is completely prohibited in several provinces. Eleven professional chess players, including five FIDE masters and six candidates, are unable to compete.
Internet speeds have reached new heights! In Japan, it’s now possible to achieve one million gigabytes per second. This allows you to download 10,000 4K movies in one second. This breakthrough was made possible by a 19-channel fiber-optic cable that is externally indistinguishable from a regular cable but has nineteen transmission channels instead of one. Such high bandwidth is crucial for VR and AI development since these technologies require the transfer of massive amounts of data in real time.
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