Valentin Darechkin

The Brazilian government is exploring new revenue  sources after political opposition to a proposed increase in the Tax on Financial Transactions (IOF). One option under serious consideration is to raise taxes on the country’s online betting platforms. The Ministry of Finance estimates it would collect about R$1.67 billion monthly from betting operators to reach the […]

South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party has filed an official complaint against Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential candidate, his spouse Kim Hye-kyung, and his son Lee Dong-ho. The complaint was sent to the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office on May 31 for allegations of suspicious gambling funds tied to Lee’s son.  Director […]

India is becoming a global hotbed for illegal online betting, according to CUTS International. The report reveals that 15 unauthorised betting platforms, including 1xBet, Parimatch, Stake, Fairplay, and BateryBet, received over 5.4 billion visits during FY25. These platforms, which operate without regulation, are estimated to handle annual deposits of nearly $100 billion. Many of them […]

A Melbourne man has accused a gambling company of offering him $25,000 if he agreed to withdraw a formal complaint to a national regulator. He said the offer came with strict terms, including confidentiality, indemnity clauses, and a prohibition on future complaints. According to Burns, the settlement offer was tied to strict conditions, including the […]

Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board has introduced strict new regulations banning the use of celebrities and influencers in gambling advertisements. This move comes after a 30-day suspension on gambling ads and is aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from the harmful effects of gambling promotions. The authority made it clear in a notice released on […]

Between January and April 2025, Brazil’s federal consumer complaint platform, Consumidor.gov.br, received more than 1,000 complaints about online gambling companies. This has raised serious concerns about consumer protection and responsible gaming in the country. The National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) revealed users primarily reported issues such as blocked accounts, bonuses with hidden conditions, and illicit promotional […]

The Supreme Court of India on Friday agreed to examine a Public Interest Litigation seeking a complete ban on illegal betting applications and stricter online gaming and fantasy sports regulation. The petition also enacts a comprehensive central law to govern the unregulated online betting ecosystem. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh issued […]

The Haryana government has launched the Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025, bringing changes to betting and gaming operations in the state. This law was enforced on May 21, aiming to curb public gambling activities, such as sports betting, elections, and other events with uncertain outcomes.  Furthermore, the Act defines a bet as an oral […]

After a record-breaking turnout in 2025, SBC Summit Americas will be returning to Fort Lauderdale in June 2026. The announcement follows widespread acclaim from industry leaders and attendees who hailed the event’s content, networking opportunities, and regional inclusivity. This upcoming edition is scheduled to take place at the Broward County Convention Center from 8 to […]

Playtech has reached an initial agreement with Pferdewetten, a German betting group, for the potential takeover of its Happybet subsidiary in Germany. While in its early stages, the deal is a significant move in Playtech’s strategy to exit the business-to-consumer (B2C) market and concentrate solely on business-to-business (B2B) operations. Negotiations and Potential Outcomes The agreement […]