Australia

The Australian government has formed a group to take a closer look at foreign gambling operators which are servicing the Australian gaming population. According to SlotsExpert.com, this comes on the back of news that high profile operator Bet365 may be forced to amend some aspects of their promotional advertising, with their ?matched deposits? offer in particular under the spotlight. There are concerns that this newly formed group may decide to block access to overseas gaming sites by forcing local internet service providers to deny users site access.

Malaysia

Australia and Malaysia seem to be moving in the same direction at the same time, with news that Malaysia?s Communication and Multimedia Commission will use all of its powers to prevent local residents from accessing any online gaming sites, whether domestic or overseas. Watch this space as the Commission gathers more information before taking things further.

France

Sports betting boomed in France during the third quarter, with a remarkable increase in gross profits of 94% being reported. The local regulatory body, the ARJEL, released a statement noting that betting stakes had increased in the third quarter by 35% when compared to the third quarter of 2013. It wasn?t all happy news though, with the ARJEL reporting that horse racing and online poker are in apparent decline.

Spain

Spain?s struggling domestic economy may be in for a boost courtesy of the online gaming fraternity with news that the local regulatory body, the DGOJ, is considering releasing new licenses to online operators in an attempt to boost the countries flailing economy. Up to 12 new licenses may be issued by the DGOJ, as gaming revenue saw a drop in the second quarter of 2014, down 6% on 2013 figures.

Mexico

Mexico?s prolonged discussions regarding online gaming may finally be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, with reports that legislative framework might be on the way in the coming weeks. The previously set deadline of 20th September has long since passed, and legislators are trying to tie together a package that will award 10 year licenses to gaming operators, as well as keep the countries notorious organised crime syndicates in check.

Romania

Romania could be set to join the party with parliamentary discussions underway on how to open up the country to online gaming through the provision of operating licenses to various parties which will be categorised in three distinct classes. The changes are not expected to be ratified in the short term though as Presidential elections are currently taking place in the country.

United Kingdom

An updated UK Gambling Act arrived on the 1st of November which now entails all gaming operators in the UK to be compliant with the legal statures of the UK Gambling Commission. The Act had been held up for a month by legal procedures, and the new regulations now oblige international gaming companies to comply with the Commission?s legal requirements. This is expected to hit the profits of Microgaming, Playtech, Gamysys slots, and other companies operating in the UK market.