The Netherlands’ gambling tax increase has delivered far less revenue than expected, raising serious questions about whether higher tax rates are damaging the regulated market instead of strengthening public finances. The Dutch gambling tax was increased in two stages. The rate rose from 30.5% to 34.2% on 1 January 2025, followed by a further increase to 37.8% from 1 January 2026. The policy was introduced as a revenue-raising measure, with the government expecting the gamb

The United Kingdom’s public finances are facing renewed pressure after official figures showed a sharp increase in borrowing and record debt interest costs for May. According to the Office for National Statistics, public sector borrowing reached £23.3 billion in May 2026. That was £5.4 billion higher than a year earlier and £5.6 billion above the forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility. It was also the second-highest May borrowing figure on record, behind only th

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has censured CACEIS UK and secured a £31.7 million voluntary payment for affected clients after finding serious weaknesses in the firm’s financial crime controls. CACEIS UK, an asset servicing bank within the Crédit Agricole group, was criticised for failing to act on information that exposed clients to financial crime risk. The FCA said the firm did not respond adequately to warning signs and failed to properly monitor accounts after open

The Netherlands is preparing another major tightening of its online gambling market, with the government moving toward a full ban on online gambling advertising and bonuses. The proposal forms part of a wider reform package aimed at reducing gambling harm, strengthening player protection and giving the Dutch gambling regulator more power over both licensed and illegal operators. If implemented, the measures would mark one of the most restrictive approaches to online gamblin