Fast Offshore brings you the top news from Gambling, Fintech, and Crypto for June 2025.
France wrestles with iGaming regulation
The French gambling regulator, l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), reported contributing to a government consultation on legalizing online casino gaming, initially planned for 2024 but delayed due to opposition from land-based casinos. Currently, France restricts online gambling to sports, poker, and lotteries, with casino games limited to physical venues. The ANJ emphasized a cautious approach to expansion, citing significant public health risks and economic impacts, and advocated for strict regulation. It compared the potential market to the 2010 online betting liberalization and studied international online casino regulations. Online gambling revenue hit €2.6bn in 2024, up 12% due to major sporting events, but operators face challenges from rising taxes: lotteries to 69%, instant draw games to 56.5%, retail betting to 42.1%, online betting to 59.3%, and online poker to 10% of GGR, raising concerns about financial pressures.
New Zealand Moves to Regulate Online Casino Gambling by 2026
New Zealand is set to legalize and regulate online casino gambling with the Online Casino Gambling Bill, introduced by Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden on July 1, 2025. The bill aims to replace the unregulated offshore gambling market, which the government says exploits vulnerable consumers, with a controlled environment prioritizing harm minimization, consumer protection, and tax collection.
“The Online Casino Gambling Bill will introduce a regulatory system for online gambling in New Zealand, which will prioritize harm minimization, consumer protection, and tax collection,” said Van Velden. “The bill will proceed to the select committee later this year, and New Zealanders will have the ability to have their say through the select committee process.”
Up to 15 three-year licenses will be auctioned to qualified operators, with firms like bet365, 888, TAB, and SkyCity expressing interest. Unlicensed operators face fines up to NZ$3 million, and advertising restrictions will apply. The legislation, building on the 2003 Gambling Act and 2020 online sports betting amendment, mandates strict measures like self-exclusion protocols and limits on betting and promotions to curb problem gambling. The bill will proceed to a select committee later this year for public input, with a target implementation by 2026. Treasury projects annual revenues of NZ$150-180 million by 2027, with 20% directed to public coffers.
UAE Eyes Online Casino and Sports Betting Expansion
The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), established in 2023, is cautiously advancing the nation’s gaming industry. Momentum, the Abu Dhabi-based operator of the UAE’s national lottery, has posted job listings for online casino and sports betting roles, signaling potential iGaming expansion. The ads, including positions for a commercial director and casino games manager, suggest Momentum is preparing to launch an online casino and sportsbook. No online gaming or sports betting licenses have been issued yet, with only Wynn Resorts holding a physical casino license. A regulated betting market could boost fan engagement, leveraging the UAE’s growing sports calendar, including the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Dubai World Cup. The GCGRA’s deliberate pace ensures responsible gaming, with further developments expected by 2027.
Ontario iGaming Market Surges 25.3% in April, Signals Robust Growth
Ontario’s online betting and iGaming market soared to CA$313.5 million ($228.4 million) in non-adjusted gross gaming revenue in April 2025, a 25.3% increase from April 2024, making it the second-highest month on record, per iGaming Ontario. Total wagers reached CA$7.8 billion ($5.7 million), down 2% from March, but revenue grew 6% month-over-month, driven by a 3% rise in active player accounts. Online casinos led with CA$242.8 million ($176.9 million), up 1%, while sports betting surged 35% to CA$64.5 million ($46.9 million), likely fueled by NHL playoffs. Online poker dipped 11% to CA$5.9 million ($4.3 million). Market share was 78% for casinos, 21% for sports betting, and 1% for poker. Since Ontario’s multi-license system was launched in 2022, gaming revenue has increased by 613.7%, with casinos experiencing a 993.7% rise. Alberta, inspired by Ontario’s success, is advancing its own multi-license iGaming market with Bill 48, aiming for a 2026 launch.
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