The Maryland House of Delegates passed House Bill 518 by 132-0 on 18 March and sent it to the Senate. The proposed measure would restrict collegiate player-specific bets and credit-card transactions, require account safeguards and problem-gambling rules, and take effect on 1 July 2026 if enacted.
Operators may face new betting, account-control and reporting requirements if the Senate passes the bill and it becomes law.
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Virginia’s House of Delegates passed HB 515 by 94–3 on 28 January, sending the measure to the Senate. The bill would bar the Virginia Lottery from allowing sportsbooks to accept credit card deposits or withdrawals; sponsor Del. Marty Martinez said it aims to discourage gambling with borrowed money.
Chicago’s City Council passed an alternate 2026 budget that includes a 10.25% tax on wagers placed within city limits and a video gaming terminal provision. The Sports Betting Alliance warned the proposed licensing framework could prevent operators from complying by 1 January 2026 and force them to suspend services; the budget now goes to Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Ontario's sports betting handle passed $1bn in June, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup driving activity. The tournament was held across the United States, Mexico, Toronto and Vancouver.
A Quaest poll found that 16% of respondents who were optimistic about Brazil's future cited regulation of betting and social media as a source of hope under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. That group represented 44% of respondents, making the combined issue about 7% of the full sample; the poll did not separate betting from social-media regulation. The survey interviewed 2,004 people from 30 October to 2 November.
Brazilian political analyst Jussara Soares and Arko Advice vice-president Cristiano Noronha forecast that Congress will approve Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, which bans fixed-odds betting and online games. Noronha said approval could include a transition period; the measure enters urgent procedure on 9 November while its joint committee remains uninstalled.