Source: Mpumalanga Economic Regulator
The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator has launched MER Connect, an online services platform for gambling and liquor stakeholders in Mpumalanga. The regulator said a pilot involving selected licensees was completed and the system is ready to roll out to all existing and prospective licensees.
Licensees can use the platform for gambling-related applications and licence amendments.
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The fight against illegal gambling will define the future of gambling regulation worldwide, according to Vusi Mtsweni, CEO of the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator. Mtsweni told iGaming Business that consumer protection, rather than lost tax revenue, is the main concern, and that regulators must evolve alongside technology. He called for cooperation with banks, payment providers and other authorities on enforcement.
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.
The Philippines' gaming regulator PAGCOR reported gross gaming revenue of PHP83.72 billion for Q3 2026, down 11.41% year on year. Electronic gaming revenue fell 22.86% to PHP35.28 billion, while licensed commercial casinos recorded PHP45.38 billion, 0.40% below the prior-year quarter. PAGCOR said it expects at least PHP350 billion in revenue for 2026.