Flutter Entertainment halts Brazil operations after online betting ban. Brazil's online betting ban forced Flutter Entertainment to halt operations as SOFTSWISS released its 2027 iGaming Trends Report in Lisbon. Tldr. * Brazil's government issued a provisional measure on Sept. 25 banning online betting, and Flutter Entertainment stopped operations in the country. * Flutter estimates staying out of Brazil through the end of 2026 would cut revenue by about $70 million and adjusted EBITDA by around $20 million. * SOFTSWISS released its 2027 iGaming Trends Report near Lisbon, putting global online gambling revenue at $349 billion in 2026. * The report says 85% of betting and gaming companies use AI, but the industry's AI maturity score is only 45 out of 100. * Brazil's Congress must approve or amend the ban within 120 days, and Flutter is reviewing its options, including a possible appeal. SOFTSWISS released its fifth annual iGaming Trends Report at an invite-only media event near Lisbon, Portugal. The launch took place on the eve of the SBC Summit. Speakers from SOFTSWISS, AWS, Pentasia and Google joined the panel. CNN's Elliott Gotkine moderated the discussion, which covered AI, compliance and new growth markets. The report puts global online gambling gross gaming revenue at $349 billion in 2026. SOFTSWISS forecasts the market will keep growing. Alexandra Kavelich, Deputy CMO at SOFTSWISS, said the industry's fast growth is starting to slow. The company views this as a sign that the sector is maturing. Brazil ban hits Flutter Entertainment. Much of the discussion turned to Brazil. On Sept. 25, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government issued a provisional measure banning online betting. Flutter Entertainment responded by stopping both sports betting and iGaming operations in the country. Congress must approve or amend the measure within 120 days for it to stay in effect. Flutter estimates that staying out of Brazil through the end of 2026 would cut revenue by about $70 million. It would also reduce adjusted EBITDA by around $20 million. The company bought a 56% stake in NSX in 2025, combining Betnacional with Betfair Brazil. The deal carried total consideration of $674 million. Brazil generated $146 million for Flutter in the first half of 2026. In August, outgoing CEO Peter Jackson called the country "an attractive long-term opportunity." The SOFTSWISS report, written before the ban, lists Brazil among the world's largest online betting markets. It names Betano, Superbet and Bet365 as the top brands by market share. Robin Harrison, Global Content Director B2B at WorldGaming, said the ban would bring "a lot of pain and a lot of wasted investment." Asked where the next growth market might be, he replied, "Last year we said Brazil." SOFTSWISS CBDO Olga Resiga declined to name specific markets. "Big market doesn't mean profitable market, but ready market," she said. Report tracks AI and compliance shifts. The report says 85% of betting and gaming companies worldwide have adopted AI. However, the industry's AI maturity score is only 45 out of 100. Kristina Medvedeva, Head of Marketing at Google, said generative AI makes it cheaper and faster to test new markets. Resiga said AI can speed up decisions, but the final call remains human. The report also says compliance is moving from periodic reporting to continuous, data-driven oversight. Resiga said compliance should be built into products from the start rather than added later. Harrison said real-time monitoring could give regulators a clearer picture of how operators behave. He added that regulation often moves slower than the industry it oversees. Flutter has said it is reviewing its options, including a possible appeal. Harrison noted that, as of Oct. 6, "we don't have a market anymore" in Brazil. Maisie is the News Editor at AlienWP, where she covers the latest developments in the global iGaming industry, including gambling regulation, online casinos, sports betting, licensing, compliance, and emerging industry trends. She has written extensively across the finance, cryptocurrency, and technology sectors for publications including MoneyCheck.com, Blockonomi.com, and Computing.net, bringing a clear, research-driven approach to breaking news and in-depth industry coverage. September 30, 2026

Superbet reinvents retail outlets in response to Romania's local gambling regulations. Key moments. * Superbet launched Home of Superliga locations where retail betting and slot machines are banned. However, staff can still handle cash for online accounts and promote digital services. * New legislation now requires local council approval for land-based gambling operations. The change significantly reshapes the market from September 1. * Superbet now operates several shop formats. Each format depends on local regulatory decisions. Regulatory changes reshape Romania's gambling market. Superbet has changed its retail strategy in Romania following major regulatory reforms. Its Home of Superliga locations can no longer accept traditional sports bets or operate slot machines. However, they still support online gambling through cash deposits, digital promotions, and customer assistance. The changes follow Emergency Ordinance 7/2026. The law transferred gambling oversight from the national government to local councils. As a result, Superbet converted many physical locations to the Home of Superliga format from September 1. These shops no longer offer traditional betting but still support the company's digital services. Local authorization becomes essential for retail gambling. The new rules give local councils greater control over gambling activities. Operators must now obtain local approval in addition to their national licenses. Therefore, a national gambling authorization alone is no longer enough to operate a physical venue in every town. Superbet changed its strategy as many local authorizations expired on August 31. Rather than close affected outlets, the company repurposed them. These locations now focus on online account services and digital promotions. Transforming the betting shop: community and digital focus. The Home of Superliga format focuses on football and community engagement. At the same time, it preserves jobs across Superbet's retail network. Customers cannot place retail bets or play slots at these locations. However, they can deposit or withdraw funds from Superbet and Napoleon online accounts. They can also create digital accounts and receive help from staff. Self-service terminals at these locations only handle deposits. Meanwhile, staff continue to promote digital products and services. Customers are clearly informed that sports betting and slot gaming are unavailable. Diverse outlet types and local regulatory complexity. Superbet's retail network now includes several shop formats. Local licensing decisions determine which services each location can offer. | Shop Type | Number of Locations | | Sports Betting & Slots | 108 | | Sports Betting Only | 37 | | Slots Only | 96 | | Home of Superliga (No Retail Betting/Slots) | Number not specified | These categories highlight the fragmented regulatory landscape. Each location may offer different services based on local council decisions and further regulatory changes. Managing legacy obligations and operational details. The transition has also created challenges for customers with winning tickets from converted locations. These shops no longer pay retail tickets directly. Instead, customers can visit another Standard agency or receive assistance at the original location, depending on availability. The public gambling register has also shown some discrepancies. For example, certain machines appeared operational despite expired authorizations. However, these records do not confirm that the machines were actually operating improperly. Superbet has called on ONJN to clarify the discrepancies. Preserving value in the physical footprint. Keeping physical shops open without land-based gambling creates additional costs. Nevertheless, Superbet still sees value in its retail network. These locations provide cash services, maintain brand visibility, attract customers, and support online gambling. They also help the company maintain a physical connection with players as more activity moves online. Superbet continues to run digital promotions through its retail network. Some campaigns link cash deposits with rewards. These initiatives existed before the latest regulatory changes and show the continuing role of physical locations. Operational separation between land-based and online gambling. Romanian law continues to distinguish between land-based and online gambling. Home of Superliga locations do not accept wagers on their premises. However, staff can help customers access and fund their online accounts. Age restrictions and self-exclusion procedures also remain in place. These measures support responsible gambling standards across the network. The locations may resemble cafés or bars, but their role is different. They provide a link between Superbet's physical presence and its online gambling services while operating within the new regulatory framework. Implications for the future. Local councils now have greater influence over the number and location of gambling venues. This shift is already visible from September 1, as many shops have lost their retail betting and slot services. However, Superbet's strategy shows how operators can adapt to these changes. The company can repurpose its physical network while continuing to support its digital business. The shift also highlights the challenges of regulating gambling based solely on physical locations. Online services can remain accessible even when traditional betting activities disappear from a shop. For now, Superbet's physical presence across Romania remains intact. The role of these locations, however, is changing rapidly as the market moves toward a more digital model. Daniel Williams has started his writing career as a freelance author at a local paper media. After working there for a couple of years and writing on various topics, he found his interest for the gambling industry. Casino Guardian covers the latest news and events in the casino industry. Here you can also find extensive guides for roulette, slots, blackjack, video poker, and all live casino games as well as reviews of the most trusted UK online casinos and their mobile casino apps.