ACCELERATING GLOBAL GROWTH

The global gaming markets are regulated at the national level by legislation established by national legislatures. The extent and reach of national legislation differ from country to country.

Covid has played a role in accelerating the process of certain countries legalising or being more open to gaming worldwide. Here we see the latest major gaming trends which took place worldwide and an outlook of some of the regulatory developments set to take place in 2022.

Canada

Gaming is becoming increasingly popular in Canada, and the sector shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The single event betting code was revised in Q2, '21 after more than ten years of effort, to abolish prohibitions on betting on single events. In February 2022, the first licensed operators were allowed to begin operating in Ontario.

United States

In October 2021, Connecticut kicked off online casino and mobile wagering offerings. In January 2021, Michigan established online sports betting, with New York following suit on January 8, 2022, after which in-person betting kicked off in 2019. According to the American Gaming Association, 2021 was the highest-grossing year in the history of the US commercial gaming sector, with $53 billion in revenue. 2022 might see newcomers, Illinois and Indiana, also legalise online casinos.

Ukraine

After more than a decade of prohibition, last year saw Ukraine legalise gambling as part of a larger drive to bring this industry out of the shadows and enhance government revenue. In early February 2021, the first gambling licenses were issued.

This year Hungary’s parliament introduced new online gaming legislation that unlocked the market to private online operators, bringing an end to the prevailing state monopoly on sports betting.

Tanzania

In terms of GGR, online casinos were the fastest-growing gaming activity in the financial year 2018/2019. Their GGR increased by 97% from the previous year to TZS 13.8 billion. The recently approved Tanzania national budget for 2021-2022 has also cut the gaming tax on wins from 20% to 15%. This modification is expected to encourage more people to place bets as the payout will be taxed at a lower rate.

India

Sikkim and Nagaland have begun issuing licenses to internet casinos and sportsbooks as of 2021. The Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act 2021 was also passed last year, allowing operators to get a license to operate online and land-based games of chance such as slots, roulette, keno, wheel of fortune, and more throughout the state.

Japan

Singapore

In Singapore, the Ministry of Home Affairs formed a Gambling Regulatory Authority in 2021 to enforce greater industry oversight, and heavier penalties.

The newly founded Japan Casino Regulatory Commission issued regulations in 2021 enforcing the Specified Integrated Resort Area Development Law, which establishes rules and conditions for these landbased casinos also known as IRs.