Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela told parliament that the government would oppose taxes collected directly at EU level and could use its veto, according to the report. A gambling levy is among unofficial funding ideas being discussed in Brussels, but whether it becomes a formal proposal remains uncertain.
Malta’s opposition could complicate efforts to advance an EU-level gambling levy through formal budget negotiations.
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Flamengo has opposed a proposed amendment that would redirect Brazilian betting tax revenue from sport to public security. The club said lawmakers introduced the amendment during consideration of the Security PEC before July’s parliamentary recess. Flamengo supports additional security funding but argues that reallocating betting revenue would reduce resources already committed to sport.
It was reported that Lithuania’s finance ministry urged the government to reject proposed increases in gambling taxes and licence costs. The ministry cited higher taxation and additional responsible gambling requirements already introduced from 2025.
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) is considering the constitutionality of Provisional Measure 1,394/2026, which temporarily suspended the regulated fixed-odds betting market. At a 3 November hearing, Justice Luiz Fux raised questions about legal certainty, non-retroactivity and the measure’s constitutional basis; the source says the court may consider how a ruling affects companies already approved. A separate appellate ruling granted temporary relief to CDA Gaming, though the source text ends before detailing its effect.
Justice Luiz Fux of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) scheduled a hearing on November 3, and 36 associations attended to debate Provisional Measure (MP) 1,394/2026. Under that measure, Brazil's regulated fixed-odds betting market was put on temporary hold.
Researchers from four Irish universities have proposed tighter gambling controls in Ireland, including restrictions on low-cost scratchcards, according to the study. It suggests minimum gambling spend thresholds of €5, €10 or €15 and measures such as stricter advertising rules, health warnings and higher taxes. Lead author Dr Frank Houghton of the Technological University of the Shannon said policymakers could draw on tobacco-control measures.
Researchers from four Irish universities are calling for tighter gambling controls, with low-cost scratchcards among the targets. They suggest setting the lowest permitted gambling spend at €5, €10 or €15, aiming to curb impulsive play and gambling by under-age people.
Brazil's Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) unanimously dismissed a complaint alleging federal inaction over illegal betting, ruling that it did not identify a specific unlawful act or an unfulfilled duty. The court noted that the Ministry of Finance's betting secretariat had monitored and acted against unauthorised operators before Provisional Measure 1.394/2026; the measure remains subject to congressional review.
Brazil's Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) has dismissed and archived a complaint alleging omission, inertia or insufficient action by the state and federal bodies over the spread of illegal betting platforms. The Second Chamber approved ruling 5.284/2026 unanimously at its session on 27 October. It found that the complaint pointed to no unlawful act, no body that failed to act and no unfulfilled duty.