An open letter published on 18 June urged Kenya’s parliament to reject the proposed Finance Bill 2024, arguing that its tax provisions would harm the betting industry. The writer said the bill would raise excise duty on gaming stakes from 12.5% to a proposed 20%; the proposal was before the National Assembly.
The proposed tax increase could affect betting companies operating in Kenya if parliament approves it.
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Brazil’s Congress president, Davi Alcolumbre, extended the provisional measure prohibiting fixed-odds betting for a further 60 days, with the decision published on 11 November. The extension gives lawmakers until February to consider the measure, which would end betting authorisations, block websites and apps, and return user balances; the government estimates the ban would reduce revenue by BRL12bn.
Brazil’s provisional ban on fixed-odds betting has been extended by another 60 days by Congress president Davi Alcolumbre. The decision appeared in the federal official gazette on Wednesday 11.
Lithuania's Finance Ministry declined to send a Farmers and Greens Union proposal to raise gambling and lottery taxes to the Seimas. The proposal would have increased the gambling duty from 22% to 30% and the lottery tax from 18% to 25%; Deputy Januš Kizenevič said operators already faced costs from regulatory changes. The ministry instead proposed keeping the lottery tax at 18% while changing how its proceeds are allocated.
It was reported that Brazil’s finance ministry announced new online betting rules through a forthcoming SPA-MF interministerial ordinance. The measures will address platform design and game recertification within 180 days.
It was reported that Serbia’s finance ministry urged parliament to reject a proposed 80-metre separation for new betting venues. It argued the exemption for existing operators would restrict competition without reducing current concentrations.
Austria's new gambling law is under review, and the finance ministry is expected to tender new lottery licences in autumn, according to a report. Brightstar is developing a consortium, while another unnamed major bidder has formally entered the race; Casinos Austria and its majority owner Allwyn also have interests in the lottery business.