Sponsored Post: How Gaming Legislation is Changing Around the World

posted on: Oct 21, 2025

Only a few months into 2025, governments worldwide are reshaping the rules of gambling in ways that reflect both opportunity and caution. From South America to Central Asia, countries are introducing tougher entry requirements, new supervisory bodies, and stronger compliance obligations. While every nation has its own motivations, the common threads are clear: limit unregulated markets, protect vulnerable players, and capture much-needed tax revenue.

In Uzbekistan, reforms are sweeping and ambitious. Starting January 1, the country implemented some of the region’s most demanding entry thresholds for operators. Online casinos and sportsbooks must now hold millions of dollars in authorized capital and maintain significant reserve funds. Beyond the financial hurdles, the government is introducing digital player identification systems and centralized monitoring through the National Agency for Prospective Projects. This move narrows the field to only the most financially secure operators, but it also ensures stricter oversight and more transparent practices.

Thailand, meanwhile, is on the cusp of a historic policy shift. For decades, the nation has banned almost all forms of gambling, but growing concern over the underground betting market is driving lawmakers toward legalisation. High-level discussions are taking place between ministries to pave the way for regulated online casinos, sports betting, and land-based facilities. The proposal is still in its early stages, yet the momentum behind it suggests Thailand may soon become a major new market in Southeast Asia. The political involvement of both the Prime Minister and her father, former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, has amplified the debate and given it greater visibility.

South America is also seeing rapid transformation. Paraguay has ended its long-standing gambling monopoly, opening its market to multiple operators for the first time. The aim is to encourage competition, strengthen enforcement against illegal platforms, and generate new streams of tax revenue. Officials estimate these changes could more than double annual gambling-related income, funding education and social programs. Brazil, too, has moved forward with regulation. After launching its legal framework at the start of the year, the country is now focusing on suppliers of gaming technology. Certification requirements are being developed to close loopholes and prevent unregulated equipment from slipping into the market.

In Europe and Oceania, reforms are similarly far-reaching. Curaçao, once known as a hub for light-touch licensing, is implementing a new system aligned with international standards. Operators will now face higher costs, compliance requirements, and oversight by the Curaçao Gaming Authority. New Zealand, on the other hand, has announced plans to issue up to 15 licenses for online casinos by 2026. The government’s goal is not to expand gambling activity, but to shift players away from offshore websites and into a safer, domestically regulated environment. As one official emphasized, any online casino permitted to operate will be held to strict standards of responsible play and consumer protection.

Armenia, Austria, and Croatia are also moving forward with major reforms. Armenia is raising licensing fees while establishing new oversight bodies. Austria will retain its single-operator system for now but transfer regulatory authority to an independent agency. Croatia’s upcoming overhaul may be the most comprehensive, introducing national ID verification, advertising restrictions, and new zoning laws.

Taken together, these early moves of 2025 highlight a global shift toward more assertive governance in the gambling industry. Governments are no longer simply taxing existing markets; they are actively restructuring them. For operators and players alike, the message is clear: the era of loosely regulated gambling is rapidly fading, replaced by frameworks that prioritize accountability, security, and long-term stability.

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