Paddy Power is closing 57 betting shops in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Rising costs and changing customer behaviour mean that the company can no longer keep the shops profitable.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many casinos in the Netherlands were closed for health reasons. However, several operators were taxed by the Ksa for periods when it was impossible to operate. A recent court ruling has led to a reversal: the Ksa is now offering the operators concerned the possibility of claiming a partial refund of their 2020-2021 taxes.
In the first half of 2025, the legal online gambling market in the Netherlands suffered a clear contraction, according to the Najaar 2025 Monitoringsrapportage published by the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa). GGR is down 14% compared to the previous six months.
The giant Ladbrokes, an emblematic figure in the sector for decades, could close all its physical branches in Belgium, marking the end of a historic model. It’s a decision justified by financial losses and the rise of digital technology, but one that is plunging dozens of employees into uncertainty and arousing the anger of trade unions.
Imagine: you raise a tax, expecting to bring in millions extra, and then… the whole plan falls apart. That is exactly what is happening with gambling tax in the Netherlands. Minister Eelco Heinen expected gold, but got dust. If the tax rate does not increase in 2026 and remains at 34.2%, the treasury will lose no less than 84 million euros. That’s no small change.
Las Vegas caused a sensation with its Fabulous 5-Day Sale, an exceptional sales period that transformed the city into a veritable magnet for visitors. Hotels, restaurants, shows and attractions put on unprecedented offers, giving a spectacular boost to local tourism and creating an unprecedented buzz.
The autumn Golden Week in Macau is dawning with a sense of optimism: tourism authorities are anticipating a significant increase in visitor numbers, higher revenues for casinos, and confirmation of the shift away from gaming that the city-region has been striving to negotiate for several years.
In the Netherlands, a groundbreaking project could radically change the way online gamblers deposit money. The government plans to introduce a financial capacity test, based on open banking, to check users’ income and expenses in real time.
In the midst of an August marked by a drop in tourist numbers, Las Vegas found an unexpected lifeline. While hotels and the airport recorded significant declines, the Strip’s casinos saw their revenues soar. The explanation can be summed up in one word: baccarat.
German online betting group Bet-at-home is going through a period of turbulence. With revenues stagnating in the first half of 2025, the company is warning of the growing burden of regulation in Germany and Austria.
In Germany, the regulation of online sports betting is struggling to establish itself. A recent survey reveals that the vast majority of active sites targeting German players operate without an official licence.
The 2026 Budget Memorandum in the Netherlands shows that gambling tax revenue is much lower than previously expected. The estimate for 2025 is 23.2 per cent below the original forecast.
The first half of 2025 has not been kind to Veikkaus. The long-standing Finnish operator, which has enjoyed a monopoly for many years, has posted declining results. However, behind these gloomy figures, the company is actively preparing for the future: from 2027, the national online gaming market will be opened up to competition. Veikkaus is betting big to remain a key player in this future landscape.
As online sports betting undergoes rapid change, DraftKings is establishing itself as a key player thanks to its strategy focused on in-play betting and proposition bets. Between strategic acquisitions and technological innovations, the American operator is capturing the attention of bettors and investors alike, revealing a market in the midst of transformation.
The legal battle between online casino Circus.nl and the Belastingdienst, the Dutch tax authority, has ended in a ruling against the casino. At the heart of the dispute is the issue of VAT on gaming platform services.
On 9 September 2025, Tipico Group finalised the acquisition of ATLAS Group GmbH, the parent company of ADMIRAL Austria, from NOVOMATIC AG. This acquisition, which was formalised in a transaction that was widely commented on in the gaming industry, marks a strategic turning point for both companies, each of which is now following a clear but different path.
