While the demise of communism in Russia led to spectacular growth in gambling, Russian Law No 244-FZ will surely halt such explosive growth, as all Russian casino and slot machine operations are now confined to four remote gambling zones. While the new law aims to boost Russia’s tourism industry, it is likely to lead to negative economic and social consequences. 

Russia's continuing influence over Ukraine is evident in its recent moves to address its gambling industry. Despite previously considering a range of policy approaches, and an attempted presidential veto, Ukraine's parliament recently passed a bill to ban the country's gambling industry and establish gambling zones. The bill became law last week upon its publication.

The editor of a Helsinki magazine which accepted ads from online gambling firms looks set to be become the latest individual to be prosecuted under Finland’s Lotteries Act, but observers say that the seemingly random targeting of Metropoli magazine also reveals some uniquely Finnish anxieties that are shaping the reform of the country’s gaming laws.

The chief executive of Gaming VC believes the acquisition of South American-facing site Betboo gives the company access to the “enormous potential” of a region which is less crowded than the European betting and gaming marketplace.

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has launched a consultation in an attempt to patch up tense relations between betting companies and sports organisations.

Political disagreement over how to regulate the global gambling industry is making it easier for criminals to orchestrate match-fixing scams, according to a money laundering report from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Cashcade is looking at taking its Foxy Bingo brand into the area of gambling-TV content in the UK, according to the company’s marketing chief.

Lottery technology company Intralot confirmed that it has signed a contract to operate an online lottery in the Republic of Suriname, in partnership with a group of Caribbean-based lottery investors.

The British bingo industry and its supporters took to the streets outside Parliament yesterday to urge the government to revoke its decision, taken in April’s budget, to impose a 22 percent rate of gross profits tax (GPT).

A court of appeal in Belgium has struck a blow against sporting organisations’ attempts to charge gambling companies a fee for the right to use their names and events for taking bets.