Publication date: 05 Mar 2025
February 2025 was a busy month for the betting and gambling industries worldwide. 3S.INFO has compiled all the essential information on legislative changes, advertising regulations, and site-blocking measures that could impact traffic generation for online casinos and bookmakers.
Legislative changes: betting and gambling in February
In February 2025, the newly elected Austrian government has decided against monopolizing the gambling market. Starting in 2025, licenses for online casinos will be available to private operators through a competitive tender system.
No day in February is without news from Brazil:
- 21 new licenses were issued (including Betano, Bet365 and Betfair);
- 80% of previously blocked illegal BC sites in Brazil continue to operate, redirecting users to other sites or applications, according to local media;
- In February, Brazil banned the use of money and all national symbols in sports betting advertisements;
- Approximately 11,500 illegal bookmaker websites have been blocked since October;
- A national registry is being created to prohibit betting by minors, sports coaches and athletes themselves, referees and members of the government.
The UK continues to reform its gambling and betting market, introducing new rules for operators: new players will now receive a warning before making their first deposit, with the option to set limits.
In February, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs initiated studies on the potential regulation of gambling. Should lawmakers opt for legalization, India could emerge as one of the largest global markets, particularly in cricket betting.
Good news for operators licensed in Curaçao: the European Union removed Curaçao from its gray list of tax havens in February 2025. Consequently, operators licensed in Curaçao must comply with enhanced player monitoring, document verification, and self-exclusion mechanisms lasting up to five years. They are also mandated to leverage gambling and betting frameworks to counteract tax evasion.
Casino and sports betting target audience growth in February 2025
February marks the time to reflect on the previous year’s achievements. In the Philippines, the gambling sector generated nearly $2 million in profits in 2024, representing a 40% increase from the previous year, largely attributed to the meteoric rise of online gambling (+50%).
Similarly, Russia witnessed a 40% upsurge in its sports betting market, culminating in a staggering 1.7 trillion roubles. Around 6 million individuals engaged in betting activities, with 2 million participating in sports betting each month.
Sweden recorded remarkable engagement, with 71% of its population indulging in gambling over the year. Approximately one-third gambled daily, favoring lotteries (84%), sports betting (19%), and online casino games (12%).
Even in Japan, where gambling is technically prohibited, the International Casino Institute in Tokyo estimates that 3.46 million individuals engage in online gambling.
What sites were blocked in February 2025?
Colombia achieved a landmark by blocking a whopping 10,000 illegal online casino, sports betting, and bingo platforms. Accounts promoting these activities on social media were also suspended. According to Marco Emilio Hincapie, President of the local regulator Coljuegos, 35 investigations ensued as a consequence.
In Ukraine, summarizing the results of 2024, 118 applications were removed from the App Store and Play Market at the behest of the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Additionally, the State Service of Special Communications eliminated 4,460 online casino mirror sites. Significantly, in February, KRAIL (Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries) dissolved, transferring its responsibilities to the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
Given the ever-evolving nature of the betting and gambling landscape, staying abreast of legislative and regulatory changes is imperative.
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