We are back again and we have another week of epic news from the gambling industry. A lot of things have happened on Nostrabet.com and I will gladly share everything with you. Let’s analyze some of the more intriguing news that has happened and what you should know about them. There were several scandals, as well as big sponsorships and legislative changes.
Lithuania to Propose Mandatory Gambling Player Cards from 2029
Lithuania is among the most interesting European countries for gambling, as it has a fairly large market. The most recent news from the country involves its Ministry of Finance, which has proposed introducing player cards. The idea is for the regulator to use the cards and monitor people’s activities while using online and physical venues.
Assuming everything goes according to plan, the new rule should take effect on January 1, 2029. Every person wishing to gamble must obtain a physical card containing specific information. The card should link gambling transactions to a given person’s identity.
Aside from that, the Gaming Control Authority will have the power to oversee compliance across land-based and remote gambling operations. There will be a three-year transition period that will be enforced and allow operators to have enough time to upgrade their equipment.
Lithuania’s gambling reform aligns with the one present across other European countries. In Austria, for example, the government introduced special reforms to ban gambling ads. Ukraine, on the other hand, implemented a special system that blocks military personnel from playing.
Uganda Wants to Add a 30% GGR Tax
The Government of Uganda has introduced an interesting proposal regarding the country’s gambling tax. Its aim is to increase taxes on gambling for both players and operators. If the new changes become reality, there will be a 30% GGR tax rate, in line with the iGaming rate.
Outside of that, the government approved the Income Tax Bill 2026, which will add a 15% withholding tax on net winnings from betting and gambling. If the two bills become law, they will take effect on July 1.
It’s worth noting that Uganda’s current gambling tax regime is complex. It’s split into two different tiers, but the bill will unify them and increase the tax from 20% to 30%. When it comes to betting, it still has a 20% tax.
Bear in mind that Uganda is not the only country in the region looking to alter the tax on gambling. Kenya is also in the same boat because it recently added a 5% tax on every withdrawal. Nigeria (more specifically Lagos) also implements a 5% withholding tax on winnings.
The gambling market in Uganda is promising, with revenue reaching $438.3M in 2025. Many predictions estimate it to increase up to $995.5M by the end 2029.
Play’n GO added Three New Slots
Play’n GO has always been among the biggest casino software suppliers in the world. The company always tries to improve its portfolio by adding new games, and it recently released three of them.
The first one is called ValhaLucks and it focuses on the Nordic mythology. The game leans into classic slot style and features 25 paylines and 5 reels. Play’n GO classifies it as a Medium Volatility slot that has a theoretical RTP of around 96.25%.
Honey Rush Black and Yellow is the second new game from one of the leading casino software studios. It is a vibrant 7-reel one-payline game that has an RTP of up to 96.25%. The game has high volatility and I expect it to appeal to a lot of players.
Nugget n’ Nonsense is the last new game from Play’n GO, at least for now. As its name implies, it focuses on mines and features loads of amazing graphics. What sets it aside from the rest is that it features 243 palyines and 5 reels. Its theoretical RTP is also at 96.2% and this is a high volatility slot. Unlike the rest, Nugget n’ Nonsense will become available on April 16.
Macau Casinos Will Most Likely Surpass Their 2025 GGR
Macau seems to be in a good place yet again, as casinos generated close to $2.8B in GGR in March alone. This is 15% more than the same period in 2026, which is really impressive. Overall, GGR increased by 9.8% over February and this is mainly thanks to the massive influx of tourists during the Lunar New Year celebrations. The stats for January are even more impressive because the industry generated 65.87B MOP, a 14.3% increases versus the 2025 stats.
There are two main reasons for Macau’s success: the stable Chinese economy and the tourism growth. Almost all big resorts in the city host unique performances that attract world-famous bands and singers. This allows Macau to get additional visitors.
All in all, Macau is doing great and we expect this to continue to be the case. I have visited the place recently, and I can safely say it’s a must for every gambling fan out there.
La Liga Partners with Polymarket
Polymarket is the world’s largest prediction market site and it’s safe to say it has become a global phenomenon. Despite the numerous restrictions in Europe and other parts of the world, the site does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, it has recently signed a crucial sponsorship deal with none other than LaLiga North America.
The two parties signed a multi-year agreement and it’s the first such partnership between a major European football league and a prediction market operator. The deal will cover the US and Canada and allow Polymarket to manage the LaLiga prediction market in these territories.
Outside of Polymarket, the league works with many other big companies. You can find brands like Verizon, Walmart and McDonald’s. This was another big sports deal for Polymarket as the company also has a contract with the NHL and the UFC. Major League Baseball also named the brand as its official partner, so it’s safe to say it is doing really well.
Most Bettors in the UK are Against the Stricter Affordability Checks
According to a recent poll from YouGov, 65% of nettprs are not willing to share personal financial data. This comes after it became clear that there might be different affordability checks. If these things become a reality, they can drive people away from regulated operators.
Based on the poll, people are just not happy with the fact that they might have to share such data. The rule may come into existence after the UKGC announced that it could do several important changes. Whether it will actually happen remains uncertain, but there is no arguing that people do not like iit.
One of the things that experts say is that such a move could force people to use unlicensed operators. In fact, some of the stats show that around 60M GBP were wagered on these sites during the Cheltenham Festival alone, so it’s definitely something to consider.
Kentucky is About to Reform its Sweeps Betting Laws
After the new law was introduced in March, the Kentucky legislature advanced the controversial House Bill 904. Once it comes into power, the bill would introduce a wide array of updates to the gambling network. There will be changes to things like age limits, revised taxation and even the introduction of new betting formats.
Keep in mind that the changes will not happen immediately because some will take more time. Perhaps the most important one is related to the legal gambling age. Nowadays, people can take part in sports betting if they are 18, but the new House Bill will increase the age to 21. What’s more, companies must do everything in their power to prevent underage access.
The new bill will also address prediction markets and horse racing. The tax rate will be 14.25% for online bets and 9.75% for doing it on-site.
The Malta Gaming Authority Canceled Winzon Group’s License
The Malta Gaming Authority is among the most respected gambling regulators in the world, and it has proven it once again. Following the recent event, the regulator decided to revoke Winzon Group’s B2C gaming service license. The decisions come into power retroactively, starting from March 11.
Following this decision, the operator must notify players about the decision. It also has to refund the funds to all players and provide the regulator with a transactions report. As for the financial part, the Winzon Group must settle around 46k EUR in MGA fees and pay a 147K EUR penalty.
It’s worth noting that Winzon is not just a random company because it has more than 40 sites. Many of them included games from some of the top-tier software suppliers like Relax Gaming, Tom Horn Gaming, and Booming Games.
Closing Thoughts
All in all, this week highlights the evolution of the gambling industry. We saw stricter compliance measures, expanding markets and new game releases. All of these developments underline the sector’s growth potential and the importance of responsible oversight.
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