Regulatory and Market Updates Across the Globe
The global gaming sector is in constant motion, with significant developments this week spanning tax policy, corporate strategy, and market performance. From a new online gambling tax in Colombia to record profits in Denmark and shifting cultural attitudes in Japan, these updates provide a snapshot of a complex and evolving industry. This report synthesizes the top iGaming industry news to keep you informed.
Colombia Reintroduces Emergency Tax on Gambling Deposits
The Colombian government has enacted an emergency decree establishing a 16% consumption tax on all cash deposits made to online games of chance. This measure, affecting both local and foreign-based online operators, is a direct response to severe flooding that has impacted eight of the nation's provinces. The tax is intended to help fund an additional COP8.6 trillion ($2.3 billion) for the 2026 national budget.
This is not the first time Colombia has turned to the gambling sector for emergency funds. In February 2025, a 19% VAT was introduced to handle civil disturbances, which led to a reported 30% drop in online GGR according to the Colombian Federation of Gambling Entrepreneurs (Fecoljuegos). That tax was later suspended by the Constitutional Court, but the government maintains its right to implement new measures for different crises.
“The adoption of tax measures in a previous emergency does not prevent the national government from using them again in a subsequent exceptional situation to address a different crisis,” the government's decree stated.
US and European Market Performance Highlights
Financial reports from Michigan and Denmark show contrasting but equally insightful market trends. Michigan's revenue figures highlight sustained growth, while Danske Spil showcases profitability through strategic adaptation.
Michigan iGaming Revenue Shows Strong Annual Growth
Michigan's commercial and tribal operators reported a combined $313 million in gross receipts from online gaming and sports betting in February. This represents a significant 16.6% increase year-over-year, although it is a 12.2% decrease from January 2026. iGaming continues to be the primary driver, with gross receipts of $273.1 million for the month.
The market's performance is further detailed in the adjusted gross receipts (AGR), which provide a clearer picture of profitability. Operators submitted a total of $55.6 million in taxes and payments to the state from these earnings.
| Metric (February) | Amount | Year-over-Year Change | Month-over-Month Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| iGaming AGR | $262.1M | +25.4% | -8.5% |
| Sports Betting AGR | $25.4M | -6.7% | -31.2% |
Alongside its financial reporting, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is expanding its responsible gaming initiatives. The “Don’t Regret the Bet” program now invites high school sports booster clubs to participate, offering financial support for running responsible gaming ads aimed at youth.
Danske Spil Achieves Record Annual Profit
Denmark’s state-owned operator, Danske Spil, announced a record net profit of DKK 2bn (€268.8m) for 2025. This was achieved despite a minor dip in gross gaming revenue, thanks to efficiency measures and product adjustments. The report highlights a major shift to digital, with 70% of sales now taking place online.
The company’s lottery division, Danske Lotteri Spil, remains its backbone, generating DKK3.01bn in revenue. For 2026, Danske Spil forecasts stable performance and has welcomed the government's new restrictions on gambling advertising, including a whistle-to-whistle ban during sports broadcasts.
Strategic Moves: Allwyn and the Future of Japan's Casinos
Allwyn Appoints New Games Director for UK National Lottery
Allwyn, the operator of the UK's National Lottery, has appointed Katie Harbron as its new director of games. Harbron, who previously held senior roles at MrQ, Flutter, and Sky Betting & Gaming, will lead the effort to innovate the National Lottery’s game portfolio to meet evolving player preferences. This hire signals Allwyn’s commitment to modernizing the lottery's digital offerings and blurring the lines between traditional and interactive games.
Richard Dawkins, managing director of digital at Allwyn, praised Harbron’s expertise as crucial for achieving the company's goals. The appointment is part of a broader strategy that includes major upgrades to the lottery's website and mobile platforms, which were completed earlier this year.
Expert Predicts Cool Reception for Osaka Casino
As Japan prepares for its first integrated resort in Osaka, longtime resident and essayist Pico Iyer predicts the local population may not embrace it warmly. He notes that while activities like horse racing and pachinko are popular, casino-style gambling is not central to Japanese culture. Iyer suggests the Osaka casino may face resistance due to a societal ambivalence towards mass foreign tourism.
The government aims to increase foreign visitors from 30 million to 60 million, but Iyer points out the strain this puts on local life. He describes a potential cultural clash, which could make a large-scale, foreign-facing project like a casino unpopular.
“The presence of foreigners in Japan is much more disruptive than it would be anywhere else... because Japan is based not only on the notion of everybody sharing the same assumptions, but on the notion of everybody being silent, orderly and obedient. Foreigners tend to be unquiet, disorderly and disobedient.”
The $9 billion MGM and Orix resort on Yumeshima Island is a massive undertaking. Its success may depend on navigating these deep-seated cultural values and the public’s mixed feelings about the very tourism it is designed to attract.
