Nevis Launches Tier 1 iGaming License
On 29 April 2025, the Nevis Island Assembly passed the Nevis Online Gaming Bill, a new piece of legislation positioning Nevis as a premier,tier-1, well-regulated hub for online gaming. Introduced by Mark AG Brantley, Minister of Finance, the Bill aims to diversify Nevis’s economy, create jobs, and generate new revenue streams. Brantley declared this is a forward-thinking moment for Nevis, emphasising its role in building a globally trusted framework that promotes regulatory integrity and responsible gaming.
The Bill establishes the Nevis Online Gaming Authority to oversee licensing, compliance, and monitoring, and enforce strict standards for anti-money laundering, data protection, and consumer safeguards. By creating a secure, business-friendly environment, Nevis attracts iGaming operators who want a gold standard license and a competitive edge. For operators looking to capitalise on this tier-1 jurisdiction, Fast Offshore offers expert guidance to secure your Nevis license. Contact us today to find out more!
Ontario’s iGaming Market Reaches $3.2 Billion in Revenue
Ontario’s regulated iGaming market continues to flourish, reporting $82.7 billion in wagers and $3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue for the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking a 32% revenue increase and 31% wager growth over 2023-24, according to iGaming Ontario’s unaudited report. With 49 operators running 84 gaming sites, the province offers a competitive market. “Ontario’s regulated market continues to grow by offering a safer environment for players,” said Heidi Reinhart, iGaming Ontario’s Board Chair, highlighting the diverse game offerings and mandatory protections absent in unregulated markets.
Casino games led the way, with $69.6 billion in wagers—up 34%—generating $2.4 billion in revenue, a 36% rise. Sports betting wagers reached $11.4 billion, up 17%, with $724 million in revenue, while peer-to-peer poker held steady at $1.7 billion in wagers and $66 million in revenue. Despite 84% of Ontarians using regulated sites, 20% still engage with unregulated platforms, indicating room for growth.
Peru’s iGaming Surge Balances Regulatory Success and Challenges Ahead
Since Law No. 31557 took effect in February 2024, Peru’s regulated iGaming market has attracted global operators like Betsson, Stake, and Rush Street Interactive. Mincetur, the regulator, has authorised 60 technology platforms and 280 service providers, while registering 683 new betting venues since December 2024, totalling 4,516 nationwide. The regulator’s crackdown on illegal gambling has slashed illicit platforms by 40%, with 15% of illegal sites removed through intensified oversight by the General Directorate of Casino Games and Slot Machines and payment transaction blocks. However, a 0.3% consumption tax, set to rise to 1% by July 2025, alongside a 12% GGR tax, raises concerns about double taxation. Industry leaders warn this could drive operators and players to the black market.
Visa’s AI Payment Innovation Sparks Debate in Africa’s iGaming Sector
On May 6, 2025, Visa unveiled its Visa Intelligent Commerce technology, enabling AI agents to autonomously handle payments, from booking holidays to online purchases. This leap, announced by Visa’s chief product officer Jack Forestell, could transform digital transactions across Africa’s 14,500 banks and 150 million merchants. However, its implications for the tightly regulated iGaming sector are raising concerns.
In markets like South Africa, Kenya, and Botswana, where anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) rules are stringent, casino operators question whether AI-driven payments can meet compliance standards. Issues like detecting underage gambling or preventing fraud via AI agents pose significant challenges. Yet, if integrated into secure platforms, AI could streamline transactions, offering instant top-ups and pre-set limits, enhancing user experience in Africa’s booming iGaming market.
Alberta Poised to Launch Regulated iGaming Market with Bill 48
On May 27, 2025, Alberta’s legislature passed Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, marking a significant step toward a regulated online gambling market. The legislation establishes the Alberta iGaming Corporation, modeled after Ontario’s iGaming Ontario, to oversee online lottery, sports betting, and casino games under Canada’s “conduct and manage” mandate. This move ends Play Alberta’s monopoly, allowing private operators to enter, making Alberta the second Canadian province after Ontario to open its iGaming market.
The Alberta iGaming Corporation will license private operators, with revenues supporting public services like addiction treatment. However, challenges remain, including drafting regulations, ensuring consumer protections, and addressing First Nations’ concerns about impacts on their casinos. Transitioning from unregulated “grey market” operators also poses hurdles. While Ontario’s $1 billion monthly wager market sets a benchmark, Alberta aims for a smoother launch by late 2025 or early 2026.
Anjouan’s iGaming Boom: 825 Licenses Power 2,017 Global Websites
On May 20, 2025, Anjouan, a small island in the Indian Ocean, celebrated a monumental milestone: 825 active iGaming licenses supporting 2,017 live gaming websites worldwide. This achievement, driven by recent regulatory streamlining, has transformed Anjouan into a trusted, cost-effective hub for online gaming operators. Just two years ago, such growth seemed rather ambitious, but the Anjouan Gaming Authority, alongside partners like Fast Offshore, has made it a reality. The island’s single, comprehensive license, covering casinos, sports betting, poker, and blockchain games, eliminates the need for multiple permits, unlike jurisdictions like Malta or Curacao.
With licenses issued in days, not months, and no taxes on gross gaming revenue, VAT, or corporate income, Anjouan maximises operator profitability. Its modernised framework ensures robust compliance while minimising bureaucracy, earning global credibility. To capitalise on this thriving market, partner with Fast Offshore for expert licensing support. Contact us to launch your iGaming venture today!
Japan Proposes Stricter Laws to Curb Illegal Online Casinos
Japan’s parliament is set to review a bill tightening regulations on illegal online casinos, as reported by Yomiuri Shimbun on May 23, 2025. Following a bipartisan meeting, the proposed legislation, expected this month, aims to amend the 2018 gambling addiction law. Key measures include banning the operation of online casino platforms and prohibiting advertisements directing users to such sites via social media or other channels.
The bill seeks to close legal loopholes, enabling communication providers to swiftly remove illicit ads at the request of authorities. Japan’s National Police Agency estimates 3.37 million citizens wager JPY1.24 trillion (US$8.52 billion) annually on illegal online gambling sites, despite overseas licenses being invalid domestically. This crackdown aligns with Japan’s broader anti-addiction strategy, approved in March 2025, ahead of the MGM Osaka integrated resort opening in 2030.
UK Gambling Commission Reports Robust Q1 2025 with £1.45 Billion in Online Revenue
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) reported a Q1 2025 online gross gambling yield (GGY) of £1.45 billion, reflecting a 7% year-on-year increase, driven by a surge in digital betting platforms amid evolving regulations. From January to March 2025, online bets and spins climbed 5% to 25.2 billion, with digital slots leading the charge, achieving an 11% GGY rise to £689 million and 23.4 billion spins.
Monthly active accounts soared 6% to a record 4.5 million, with slot sessions lasting over an hour up 5% to 10.1 million, though average session length remained steady at 17 minutes. Real event betting GGY grew 5% to £596 million, fueled by a strong Cheltenham Festival, despite a 1% drop in bets. In contrast, retail betting struggled, with Licensed Betting Operator GGY declining 3% to £554 million and bets falling 5% to 3.1 billion. Over-the-counter gambling and self-service betting terminals also saw declines.
Indonesia Intensifies Crackdown, Freezes 28,000 Bank Accounts in Gambling Purge
Indonesia’s anti-money laundering agency, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), froze over 28,000 bank accounts in 2024 to combat illegal online gambling. PPATK chief Ivan Yustiavandana revealed that criminals exploited dormant accounts for deposits on illegal gambling platforms and to launder proceeds from fraud and narcotics. The agency’s aggressive measures, intensified under President Prabowo Subianto, aim to curb the social harms of online betting, including family breakdowns.
Since October 2024, Jakarta has blocked 900,000 gambling-related webpages and arrested operators of the TAHU69 portal. Earlier, $36.2 million in gambling-linked funds were frozen, alongside 5,000 accounts. Despite calls to legalise casinos, Indonesia’s Islamic authorities firmly oppose gambling, citing cultural norms.
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