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A new Gambling Act has been approved in Finland, meaning its gambling market will officially open to competition, although only partially.
This major reform in the Nordic country will see the national gaming company’s (Veikkaus) exclusive right to offer gambling services to end for betting games, as well as online slot machine and casino games, in the summer of 2027.
Veikkaus will, however, keep its exclusive right to lottery games, scratch cards, and physical slot machines and casino games. The company is 100% owned by the Finnish state.
This also means that gambling companies can apply for licenses as of 1 March 2026, with licensed gambling operations in the new license-based market to begin from 1 July 2027.
Finland’s gambling industry becomes licensed-based market
Veikkaus will be amongst those that apply for a license as it will have to do so for its exclusive operations and may also apply for licenses to provide gambling services.
“The model we have been awaiting will improve the possibilities to channel gaming into legal offerings. Veikkaus has not, for a long time, had a genuine monopoly on gambling in Finland. According to various estimates, as much as 600–900 million euros is played annually outside the official system,” says Veikkaus’ Deputy CEO Velipekka Nummikoski.
The aim of the reform in Finland is to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm by directing gambling more effectively to regulated services. Any foreign competitors will be brought under the same rules and conditions at Veikkaus.
“It is important that the license-based market is sufficiently attractive for companies to apply for a license. At the same time, it is essential to ensure that offshore offerings are tackled effectively. If unlicensed gambling cannot be effectively prevented, there is a risk that achieving the channelling objective and reducing gambling-related harm will become more difficult,” Nummikoski says.
The supervision of gambling activities in Finland will also now be transferred from the National Police Board to a new Licensing and Supervisory Authority.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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Bragg Gaming has expanded its presence in Brazil through the Blaze platform, with its proprietary and exclusive content now live through this additional company in the South American country.
The launch includes all of the iGaming content and technology supplier’s certified content, comprising around 80 games including regional favorites such as Electric Jungle and Mighty Mountain.

Bragg is proud to announce it has successfully gone live with its proprietary and exclusive content on the Blaze platform in Brazil.
Read more here: https://t.co/YiRukcHPgI
$BRAG #BraggGaming #Blaze #LatAm #iGaming #RGS #Content pic.twitter.com/IH5q0Mab8G
— Bragg Gaming (@Bragg_Gaming) December 16, 2025

The company says this is “another step towards achieving Bragg’s 2025 goal of increasing revenue generated through the provision of high-margin exclusive online casino content.”
It is through distribution with Blaze that the expansion has taken place, with this being an iGaming operator already in Brazil. According to the announcement, Bragg is executing the strategy to globally grow proprietary and exclusive content revenue through expansion of content and both existing and new content partnerships.
Bragg Gaming advances on market in Brazil, following another deal earlier this month
Jorge Domingos, the head of iGaming integration at Blaze, stated: “The launch of Bragg’s full suite of content is highly anticipated by our customers. We are confident their exclusive titles, including local favorites, will perform exceptionally well, adding significant value to our casino offering in Brazil.”
It was earlier this year when Bragg launched in Brazil and they say they’ve seen “significant growth” since doing so. This partnership with Blaze is explained as growing on the “already stellar operations” in the Brazilian regulated iGaming market.
Sara Mosallaee, regional director, LATAM at Bragg Gaming Group, commented: “The sheer scale of this launch, featuring our entire certified library of around 80 games, ensures we are maximizing our reach in this critical market.
“Going live with Blaze directly supports our profitability goals and allows us to diversify our revenue stream through increasing the proportion generated via our proprietary and exclusive content.”
Earlier in December, Bragg also announced a content distribution agreement with the Brazino777 network to supply its online casino content across regulated LatAm markets, including Mexico and Brazil.
Featured Image: Bragg Gaming
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A report out of the UK shows the government’s defense ministry is developing a new policy that focuses on gambling harms reduction in veterans and serving military members.
According to the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report, “research shows that veterans and serving personnel face a much higher risk of gambling-related harm than civilians.” The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect.

Good chat with the Veterans Minister to talk about protecting service people and veterans from gambling harm. pic.twitter.com/aEeFuEMIpe
— Alex Ballinger MP (@AlexBallingerMP) October 17, 2025

An Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, from 2007, has been listed with this suggesting 1.4% of veterans met the criteria for problem gambling, compared with 0.17% of non-veterans which is over eight times more likely.
“Importantly, this elevated risk was not attributable to difference in mental health, substance misuse or financial management,” the report continues.
Veterans 10 times more likely to experience problem gambling, study finds
The most recent data from the UK Armed Forces Veterans’ Health Gambling Study, which involved 1,037 veterans and 1,148 matched civilians, showed that 43.1% of veterans had scores indicative of problem gambling, compared to 6.5% of non-veterans. In this example, veterans were over ten times more likely to experience problem gambling.
It’s not known when this new policy will come into action, but its aim will be to examine innovations that can be made in-service and what skills or awareness can be raised to make sure that gambling is not something that begins post-transition.
This falls under the work taken to improve the healthcare services provided to the Armed Forces in the UK, with other measures including a newly formalized Defense Health and Wellbeing Advisor course and better support for servicewomen who are giving birth, amongst others.
Another measure recently brought in, and in partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners, sees NHS England continue to roll out the Armed Forces ‘veteran friendly’ GP practice accreditation scheme across England.
Featured Image: Canva
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MGM Resorts now has GameSense advisors located across more than 20 properties nationwide, with more than 2,000 employees focusing on its responsible gaming program.
The GameSense program was first licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017, and it has since been integrated across the company, with this offering players information on how gambling works, how to set responsible limits, and providing accessible resources so people can receive support and assistance.
These advisors consist of frontline and executive MGM Resorts employees working in more than 30 company departments.
MGM Resorts: number of GameSense advisors has risen
The milestone is said to have been reached following a recent training session at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, with similar sessions having been conducted for employees at properties across the U.S and in non-gaming establishments like the Shadow Creek Golf Course and T-Mobile Arena.
“Our investment in GameSense ensures an approach where responsibility is woven into the heart of the MGM Resorts brand,” said Stephen Martino, SVP & Chief Compliance Officer, MGM Resorts, in a press release. “With GameSense at the center, we’re empowering employees to play an important role in promoting responsible gaming awareness and enjoyable experiences for our guests.”

In this week’s #MGMMinute: MGM Resorts surpasses 1,900 certified GameSense Advisors, Motley Crue Residency begins Sept. 12 at @parkmgm, @TMobileArena extends TKO partnership, @MGMGrandDetroit & @BetMGM renew @Lions partnerships, MGM Resorts supports Hunger Action Month, & more! pic.twitter.com/Fdc57ofOyI
— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) September 8, 2025

The advisors have all received research-based responsible gaming training designed to help them to proactively promote responsible play and address problem gambling concerns through the program.
Once trained, these employees can reinforce player education for guests and can identify at-risk behaviors, escalate concerns, and provide support and local resources for anyone who may need them.
Garrett Farnes, Executive Director of Responsible Gaming, MGM Resorts, said, “This accomplishment is made possible by leadership and team members who genuinely want to make a difference. We’re committed to a culture of responsibility that turns every interaction into an opportunity to build trust and provide a level of hospitality that truly matters.”
Featured Image: Credit to MGM Resorts GameSense page
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