UK Gambling Tax Hikes Threaten Gibraltar's Economy
The UK government is facing calls to assess the financial repercussions of its proposed gambling duty increases on Gibraltar's economy. Labour MP Gareth Snell recently proposed an amendment to the Finance Bill, urging an impact assessment by April 1, 2027. This assessment would specifically examine how sections 83 and 84 of the Act, which raise the **UK Remote Gaming Duty to 40%** and Remote Betting Duty to 25%, could affect Gibraltar.
Gibraltar's economy is heavily reliant on the gambling sector, with one-third of its tax receipts stemming from the industry. Nigel Feetham, Gibraltar's Minister for Justice, Trade, and Industry, has voiced strong concerns, noting that these are taxes on revenue, not profit. Modeling suggests the effective tax rate for operators could soar to between 80% and 100%. The sector directly employs approximately 3,500 people in Gibraltar. Snell warned that reducing turnover or changing UK customer betting habits could lead to a tax base shortfall running into tens or even hundreds of millions of pounds for the territory.
“One third of Gibraltar’s tax receipts come from the [gambling] sector, so anything we do in this place that has an impact on the sector there – I entirely accept that this is not an intended consequence of the decision – would leave a huge hole in its economy, and that will have to be filled.”
— Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central
While Snell also advocated for an assessment of potential black market impacts due to these tax increases, MP Alex Ballinger from Halesowen downplayed this threat. Ballinger cited a 2021 Gambling Commission study, which found only a very small proportion of UK gamblers used unlicensed sites. Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson affirmed that while no immediate changes to the bill are expected, the government will continue to monitor its impact and engage with Gibraltar ministers.
Malta Gaming Authority Focuses on Crypto and Integrity in 2026
The **Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)** has released its Supervisory Engagement Efforts for 2026, outlining key regulatory priorities for the upcoming year. Building on a refined 2025 framework, the MGA will maintain a risk-based, evidence-led, and outcomes-focused supervisory approach. This strategy aims to enhance the identification and assessment of regulatory risks, allocating resources to areas of greatest concern.
As a prominent iGaming hub, Malta hosts numerous industry giants, including SOFTSWISS, EveryMatrix, Casumo, Betiton, Tipico, Mr Green, Betsson, Kindred, and LeoVegas. The MGA's 2026 supervisory work will center on three core themes: compliance, **player protection**, and **sports betting integrity**.
Key MGA Priorities for 2026
The MGA has identified several targeted focus areas based on its ongoing risk assessments and observations:
- A thematic review of internal control frameworks governing cash and cash equivalents within the online gaming industry.
- A separate, crucial review focusing on internal controls related to **crypto assets** use. Recognising crypto's increasing role, the MGA has already implemented strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations for operators accepting crypto deposits.
- Focused integrity reviews examining the risks of athletes betting on their own sport, alongside integrity concerns linked to esports betting markets. This follows recent incidents, such as Major League Soccer (MLS) banning two players for life due to extensive betting violations.
- Increased oversight of player protection measures, including closer scrutiny of the quality and consistency of operators’ monthly Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) reporting, ensuring compliance with complaint resolution procedures.
The growing number of iGaming firms in Malta underscores the importance of stringent regulatory oversight. Many in the iGaming industry are watching how the MGA's measures will evolve, especially as other countries like Estonia aspire to become regional industry hubs.
Uruguay Renews Efforts to Regulate Online Gambling
Uruguayan Senator Felipe Carballo has reintroduced legislation in the Senate of Uruguay, aiming to establish a comprehensive **Uruguay online gambling bill** regulatory framework for online gambling in the country. This marks another significant effort to modernize Uruguay's gambling laws, which date back to the 19th century.
The proposed bill outlines the creation of a State Online Gambling Platform, to be operated by the National Directorate of Lotteries and Pools. This entity would be responsible for offering, regulating, and monitoring online gambling services. Furthermore, an independent National Online Gambling Regulatory Agency would be established, empowered to issue licenses, audit gambling platforms and algorithms, monitor financial transactions, and enforce penalties against non-compliant operators.
Key provisions of the legislation include mandatory registration for all online players on a national database, personalized spending limits, and guaranteed financial traceability of gambling transactions. Operating an online gambling service without a license would become a criminal offense. Senator Carballo highlighted public health and underage gambling as significant concerns, noting that the National Directorate of Lotteries and Pools currently blocks over 150 illegal gambling websites daily.
“For us, this is a central issue. There have been other initiatives in previous periods, including one presented by my political party's caucus (Frente Amplio) in the Senate during the last term, as well as by the previous Executive Branch, and none of them succeeded.”
— Senator Felipe Carballo
Carballo sees this bill as a starting point for parliamentary debate in 2026, intending to replace outdated legislation. While previous attempts, including one in November 2025, did not align with President Yamandú Orsi’s vision for a balanced market, Orsi has pledged to resolve the online gambling regulation issue. This renewed push could pave the way for Uruguay to join other Latin American countries with regulated gambling activity.
Leadership and Ethics in the iGaming Industry
In a related industry insight, Clemence Dujardin, CEO of MyAffiliates, discussed how personal beliefs can shape an authentic company culture within the iGaming sector. Dujardin, known for her activism, emphasizes that fighting for personal convictions doesn't need to be separate from professional life. She advocates for allowing personal values to form the foundation of an authentic company culture.
Dujardin clarifies that her activism remains personal, not corporate, maintaining a clear boundary. However, her visible commitment to causes indirectly impacts her workplace, fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing what matters to them, whether personal, mental health, or wider ethical issues. She champions leading by example rather than by mandate, encouraging openness and respect. This perspective aligns with the broader push for transparency and responsibility seen in the latest **Gambling Regulation Updates** globally, highlighting the importance of ethical considerations alongside compliance.
These **iGaming industry** developments underscore a dynamic period for **regulatory compliance**, with governments and authorities worldwide refining their approaches to taxation, digital currencies, and market integrity. Operators must remain vigilant and adaptable to these evolving legal landscapes.
