New regulatory measures affecting lottery operators and betting markets have been introduced across Brazil, the United States, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Croatia, and international sports events. These updates include revised penalty structures, independent audit requirements, and adjusted revenue allocations for 2026.
Regional Regulatory Updates
The Brazilian Ministry of Finance has issued new rules targeting unlicensed lotteries and prize draws. Operators found in violation face fines reaching 100% of the prize value, while repeat offenders may receive bans lasting up to 3 years. In the United States, a coalition featuring Kalshi and Crypto.com is requesting state auditors to examine regulatory connections with the American Gaming Association. The review will initially cover 20 states, beginning with Arizona, Connecticut, and Kentucky.Legislative changes are also advancing in Eurasian and European markets. The Azerbaijani parliament has passed a bill in its first reading that replaces fixed fines of 10,000 to 15,000 manat with income-based penalties. The legislation adds imprisonment terms of 2 to 4 years for first-time violations and 5 to 8 years for repeated or organized operations.
Meanwhile, Kyiv is coordinating with the UK Gambling Commission regarding updated operator requirements, and the regulator PlayCity may transition to direct government oversight. Croatian authorities have doubled the gambling revenue allocated to social and addiction-prevention programs to €214m for 2026 as part of Plenković reforms.
International Sports Betting Activity
International sports betting activity shows shifting commercial terms. Kalshi secured a co-branding agreement with FIFA for the ADI Predictstreet by paying approximately $20m, significantly below the initial $150m request. Trading volume on the platform remained limited during the tournament launch, with some opening matches recording under $100 in activity.Earlier regulatory frameworks in these regions relied on fixed penalty scales and centralized oversight models. The current adjustments reflect broader efforts to align gambling taxation with operator revenue and to separate regulatory bodies from industry trade groups.