Arrests in Vietnam, Stake operating in Argentina, Campaigns related to the 2026 World Cup & More Weekly iGaming News

Stay ahead in the world of iGaming with our complete weekly roundup. The team at Nostrabet.com and I have analyzed all of the most important news and decided to cover everything that matters. Whether you are a casual player or a seasoned pro, our digest keeps you informed, so let’s see what you should have paid close attention to.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation now has a 24/7 Helpline

The Philippines has become the latest country to feature a 24/7 helpline for people who have problems with gambling. Its goal is to strengthen the commission’s responsible gambling activities and provide people with the assistance they need.

Since the idea is to help users, PAGCOR decided to partner with SFO, a non-governmental group. The latter has people with many years of experience in ounceselling, addiction treatment and even behavioral wellness, so these experts can help those who need it.

This hotline is very important for countries like the Philippines, which have established themselves as a local leader in iGaming.

Stake Sequired a License in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Stake continues its expansion in Latin America by launching in another crucial market just days before the World Cup 2026 begins. A few weeks after it became available in Mexico, people can now access stake in the Province of Buenos Aires. The company got a license from the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos which means Stake can offer casino and sports betting services.

An interesting fact about Buenos Aires is that close to 40% of Argentina’s population lives there. Given that the country’s total GGR in 2025 was around $5.03B, it’s no surprise this is one of the most lucrative markets.

Speaking of Argentina, the country continues to have a fragmented licensing framework because most provinces have their own rules. However, this may change soon because a lot of people in the sector are interested in a federal framework that will unify the regulation.

Outside of Argentina, Stake also works in Brazil, Peru, Mexico and Colombia. All of this expansion comes at a time when the world is patiently preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026, so it will definitely be interesting to see what happens.

Authorities in DR Congo plan to build a gambling monitoring platform

It seems DR Congo will be the next big online gambling market in Africa. Local authorities are taking decisive steps to centralize the regulation of the gambling sector. The idea is to tighten control and allow the sector to grow.

According to the news, a new gambling monitoring platform will be launched to increase oversight of gambling operations. Outside of that, the country faces international pressure to improve its sector because there have been reports of numerous financial issues.

Considering DR Congo’s size, it is definitely one of the more interesting countries to keep an eye on in the next couple of years. It may become one of the biggest gambling hubs in Africa.

Two People in Manchester were Arresed Following an Illegal Gambling Raid

We rarely see arrests because of illegal gambling activites in the UK, but there was one a few days ago. Two people were caught when the police investigated an unlicensed gambling venue in Manchester. The police raid took place in late May, and it even had representatives from the Gambling Commission.

Following the actions, two people (aged 33 and 66) were detained. The police found gambling tables, records, account books, and all other things you’d expect to find in a casino. The two will receive charges under the Gambling Act 2005, as well as other laws that apply to the situation.

Austria’s iGaming Sector- What you should know

As we reported last week, Austria will change its gambling laws and put an end to the online casino monopoly. This news is huge for the European market, so we decided to dive a little bit deeper and share everything you need to know so far.

For starters, gambling companies can apply for a license, as long as their HQ are in Europe or the EEA (or Austria, of course). What’s more, license holders from other jurisdictions can also apply for a permit, which includes all of the sites with a license from Malta, for example.

Companies active on the local market will have to clear all outstanding taxes if they want to continue operating in Austria. Those who meet the rules should know that the licenses will be uncapped. In terms of price, operators will need to prepare, as they will most likely need at least 10M EUR in capital.

Outside of that, the new regulations in Austria will also include a lot of restrictions. There will be a central self-exclusion register and limits to different deposits and stakes. For example, people can wager a maximum of 2 EUR per person and can win up to 2000 EUR. There will also be a ban on jackpots and ongoing monitoring of players.

Overall, Austria will become one of the more interesting countries once the gambling reforms take place. The rule seems very strict, however, so we’ll have to see how authorities will deal with the threat of offshore casinos. Many people will decide to opt for them because the restrictions will not apply there.

The Police in Vietnam Launched Criminal Proceedings Against an Agency that Helped Black-Market Gambling

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, became a place where local authorities initiated criminal proceedings against employees of Super Thi Seo Media Services Co Ltd. According to the police, the company is providing illegal information to black market operators.

The reports show that the company helped illegal operators increase traffic in the local market. Aside from the arrests, the authorities in Hanoi also confiscated close to $268,000 in cash that was converted from cryptocurrency. They also froze an account that had around 3B VND in cash.

Following the police raid, many people faced travel restrictions due to the ongoing investigation. This is one of those cases that shows authorities in Southeast Asia are taking a serious approach against illegal gambling in the country.

Ukraine’s Gambling Regulator Issued 250 licenses

It became clear that Ukraine’s gambling regulator PlayCity, completed its inaugural year of operation. According to the report, the regulator granted over 250 licenses and generated close to $12.8M in fees. Out of these licenses, 11 were given to gambling operators, three to lottery companies, and the remaining ones went to brands that supply gambling equipment.

Outside of granting licenses, PlayCity focused a lot on dealing with illegal gambling in the country. The regulator launched a special online complaint system that allows people to report illegal gambling ads.

Furthermore, the regulator works with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the two launched the State Online Gambling Monitoring system. DSOM is a centralized system that tracks gambling activity across the country in almost real time. It keeps a record of various actions, such as wagering, payouts, and returns.

Regarding social harm, the agency reported receiving more than 3,000 requests for gambling restrictions. PlaCity even approved the so-called Principles of Responsible Gambling. As you probably remember, we reported on it before because this is a special restriction related to military personnel.

Regarding what’s next, Playcity outlined plans to expand the DSOM system. It will also continue its strict oversight of the gambling environment market and create greater digital integration.

South Africa’s Gambling Board Warns about Illegal Betting Before the World Cup 2026

South Africa will be one of the countries participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Considering that the country has the most developed online betting in Africa, it’s probably not surprising that regulators warn about a potential increase in illegal gambling activities before the event.

The NGB said that global sporting events almost always result in an increase in illegal betting. Some companies are very innovative and will even create fake betting platforms designed to attract people. The idea behind these places is to force people to pay and then either block them or keep demanding more funds.

Since some people may have issues deciding whether a given site is legit or not, SA’s regulator decided to help. The NGB stated that people should look for a site operating exclusively on its official domain. It must also clearly display the provincial gambling board license information and not require taxes or fees. The site should also not promise any unrealistic profits and guarantee wins.

ANJ has a Campaign related to the Betting Increase during the 2026 World Cup

France will be one of many countries worldwide to experience a surge in betting activity. Surveys revealed that nearly 41% of people interested in watching the event would also wager on it. Once this information became clear, the French regulator decided to launch a campaign and work people of the potential risks when they start betting.

An interesting fact is that many respondents agreed that sports betting carries risk. 19% even said that they know someone who has had gambling-related issues over the years. This means that people realize that they need to be careful when playing.