Eight remote gambling operators in Estonia have voluntarily donated about €497,000 after a drafting error exempted the sector from gambling tax in January and February 2026, the Ministry of Finance said. The ministry said the total would be about €637,000 after income tax, while the corrected tax rules take effect on 1 March.
The donations cover only part of the revenue officials expected during the two-month tax gap.
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Spanish tax officials’ association Gestha called for the return of a €2,500 tax-exempt threshold for prizes from SELAE, ONCE and Cruz Roja lotteries. It also urged stronger tax and anti-money-laundering investigations into lottery winnings paid to companies and non-residents, arguing that the current treatment merits review.
Australia has published legislation to end the research and development tax exemption for gambling and tobacco, according to a report. The exemption will remain available where the research relates to harm reduction.
BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst said the UK budget’s exemption for horse racing from the higher General Betting Duty was only cosmetic. She argued that the increase in Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% could affect racing because betting operators fund sponsorships, media rights and the Horserace Betting Levy.
The Netherlands’ gambling tax has risen to 37.8%, while industry voices say the higher rate is weakening regulated operators’ competitiveness against illegal alternatives. Operators also question the effectiveness of sanctions, as the Kansspelautoriteit faces pressure to strengthen compliance; the article attributes concerns about illegal-market growth to industry warnings.
Analysts said proposed UK gambling tax increases could prompt further mergers and acquisitions, including a possible renewed MGM bid for Entain. Equity analyst Andrew Tam said MGM might consider a lower offer, but MGM chief executive Bill Hornbuckle has publicly rejected the prospect of an acquisition; the proposals remain under examination by the Treasury Select Committee.