SOFTSWISS Sees Regulatory Shift towards Financial Enforcement
Malta.- 31 July 2026 www.zonadeazar.com SOFTSWISS has published a review of the principal regulatory developments affecting the global iGaming industry during the first half of 2026.
The analysis identifies three dominant trends: the introduction of new licensing systems, substantial gambling-tax increases and greater regulatory attention to payments, advertising, player protection and financial enforcement.
The Malta-headquartered company produced the review as an update to its annual iGaming Trends 2026 report, covering measures that took effect or reached a formal milestone between 1 January and 30 June.
News Details
In Europe, Finland began accepting applications for its future regulated market, which will allow private companies to offer betting, online casino games, slots and electronic bingo from July 2027. The framework will apply a 22% tax on gambling margin and introduce customer identification, transfer limits and centralised self-exclusion.
Ireland also activated its licensing process while gradually developing its National Gambling Exclusion Register, Social Impact Fund and new advertising restrictions.
The Netherlands increased its gambling tax to 37.8% and added requirements covering market-exit plans, anti-money-laundering risk assessments and compliance with court judgments.
The United Kingdom introduced one of the most significant tax changes, increasing Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026. Sweden expanded its restrictions on credit-financed gambling and strengthened operator connections with the national self-exclusion register.
Industry Context
In Latin America, the report highlights Brazil’s transition from an initial licensing-focused phase towards an enforcement strategy targeting the financial infrastructure supporting illegal operators.
A decree issued in June gave the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting procedures to order the blocking of accounts linked to unauthorised operators and prevent further transactions directly or indirectly supporting illegal betting.
Brazil also amended the allocation of fixed-odds betting revenue to direct an increasing proportion towards the Federal Police Equipment and Operational Activities Fund.
Colombia introduced a 16% national consumption tax on online gambling for 2026 and extended compliance responsibilities to payment, technology, software, content and media providers serving unauthorised businesses.
Mexico increased the special tax applied to betting and sweepstakes from 30% to 50%. The reform also brought foreign digital providers within scope, even when they do not maintain a permanent establishment in the country.
International Outlook
SOFTSWISS also noted regulatory progress in Alberta, where private operators prepared to launch in July 2026 through a model combining regulatory registration and commercial agreements.
In the United States, the first-half debate centred on taxation and conflicts between federal and state oversight of prediction markets. The CFTC initiated legal action against several states seeking to intervene against federally regulated contract markets.
India activated a national regime prohibiting online money games and requiring payment providers to block transactions connected with prohibited activity.
New Zealand took a different approach by creating the legal framework for its first competitive online casino market, with up to 15 licences, spending and deposit limits, identity controls, self-exclusion and restrictions on certain game features.
Africa
In Africa, the most significant development covered by the review occurred in Kenya, where the Gambling Regulatory Authority began implementing the Gambling Control Act 2025.
Regulations issued on 30 June 2026 require online platforms to use robust geolocation technology, provide secure real-time monitoring and integrate with the regulator’s Central Monitoring System and national gambling register.
Player data must be stored and processed on servers located in Kenya unless prior authorisation is granted. Kenyan-licensed operators serving only foreign markets must also meet minimum capital and financial-guarantee requirements while preventing access from users located inside the country.
Next Steps or Impact
The review shows regulators extending their controls beyond operators to banks, payment processors, technology suppliers, advertisers, affiliates and media companies.
This development requires iGaming businesses to assess not only licence costs and taxation but also data localisation, monitoring systems, payment traceability and the compliance standards of their commercial partners.
SOFTSWISS believes growing regulatory fragmentation and operational complexity are increasing demand for providers capable of combining technology, resilient infrastructure and compliance expertise within a single ecosystem.
The second half of 2026 will be shaped by the implementation of several reforms, pending court decisions and further assessment of whether higher taxes and tighter restrictions support licensed-market channelisation or encourage activity with unauthorised operators.
Edited by: @_fonta
