Gambling Regulatory Deadlines to Watch in July 2026

Each month, we leverage data from our gambling regulatory updates to bring you a glimpse of the key response deadlines and legislation effective dates coming up, so you can plan and take action around some of the most important regulatory developments unfolding right now.

There are 22 regulatory deadlines in July, including 5 consultation end dates. Notably, on July 3, Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 took effect in New Zealand.

Which update is likely to receive the most media attention? 

New Zealand

On June 2, 2026, the Online Casino Gambling Regulations, 2026 were published in the New Zealand gazette.

The regulations are divided into the following five parts:

• Part I Preliminary provisions, which includes the relevant definitions related to online casino gambling.
• Part 2 Harm prevention and minimisation, which includes responsible gambling provisions such as limits, self-exclusion and customer interaction.
• Part 3 Consumer protection, which includes provisions applicable in case of collecting player identity data, ID verification, prohibited payment methods (such as a credit card) and prohibition on misleading practices.
• Part 4 Advertising and marketing, which stipulates requirements applicable to online casino advertising, such as permitted means of ads, age requirements, warning messages, time requirements and prohibition on misleading content.
• Part 5 Fees and levies, which stipulates a NZ$19,000 fee payable for submitting an expression of interest for an online casino licence, and a 3.5 percent levy applicable on the operator's online gambling profits for each return period.

The regulations enter into force on July 3, 2026.

What are the most significant consultation end dates? 

Austria

On June 29, 2026, the federal Ministry of Finance submitted a draft law amending the Gambling Act to public consultation, as part of the pre-parliamentary procedure in Austria.

The proposed reform establishes a licensing system for online gambling and introduces website and payment blocking provisions.

Gambling entities that have organised prohibited lotteries (without an Austrian gambling license) would, in principle, be considered unreliable for holding a licence. Only companies that have fully met their tax obligations, both past and future, would be able to apply for a licence. Additionally, all judgments issued by Austrian courts against aggrieved players ("player protection claims") must be settled. 

A mandatory exclusion register, which would cover all operators and types of gambling is also proposed. Both operator-imposed exclusions and self-exclusions would be centrally recorded in order to protect at-risk players. Additionally, players would be required to set time and monetary limits for online gambling and gaming machines.

Video lottery terminals (VLTs) are to be phased out upon the expiration of the existing concession period and will no longer be offered as a form of gambling.

The consultation period for stakeholder submissions and expert opinions runs until July 15, 2026. During this phase, interested parties - including industry bodies, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders - may submit written statements on the proposed amendments through the parliamentary website. 

Following the consultation period, the draft will proceed through the standard parliamentary legislative process, with or without amendments. The specific nature of the amendments will be clarified once the consultation phase concludes and parliament begins formal deliberation. 

Stakeholders in Austria's gambling sector should monitor developments and consider submitting relevant feedback by the July 15, 2026 deadline.

United States

On June 12, 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register regarding proposed amendments concerning event contract derivatives.

Specifically, the CFTC is proposing amendments to further specify the types of event contracts that may be subject to a determination that they are contrary to the public interest, such that they may not be listed for trading or accepted for clearing on or through a CFTC-registered entity, as provided in the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA).

The proposed amendments set out factors the CFTC would apply in that determination and conform the process by which the determination would be made to the CEA. In addition, the CFTC is also proposing amendments to the procedure for the CFTC's determination to enhance clarity and organization, provide a definition of the term "gaming", and a rule regarding when event contracts "involve" an underlying activity.

Interested stakeholders may send comments in writing by July 27, 2026, through one of the enumerated procedures in the notice.

Which updates may fly under radar?

United Kingdom

On January 29, 2026, the UK Gambling Commission published its response to the consultation on proposed changes to requirements applicable to gaming machines.

In January 2025, the Commission consulted on proposed changes to the Gaming Machine Technical Standards (GMTS), Gaming Machine Testing Strategy (GMTS) and Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). The consultation set out a range of proposals, such as:

• Consolidation of the existing 12 GMTS into a single standard, and amending the format to be more consistent with our Remote gambling and software technical standards for greater clarity
• Removal of obsolete material and make amendments to the Category B2 gaming machine requirements
• Introduction of five new technical standards and one social responsibility code provision designed to support and empower consumers to use gaming machines safely at every stage of the customer journey.

Following the publishing of the response, new rules have been introduced ensuring non-compliant gaming machines are required to be removed from premises quickly and effectively.

From July 29, 2026, all non-remote operators are also required to immediately remove machines if the Commission informs them the the manufacturing, supply, installation, adaption, maintenance or repair of the machine was not carried out based on a gaming machine technical operating licence, or in case of non-compliance with the technical standards.

Philippines

On May 21, 2026, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) published a memorandum for compliance with the application for accreditation of contracted B2B providers.

The memorandum, issued by the Electronic Gaming Licensing Department, applies to all gaming system administrators, integrated resort licensees, gaming affiliates, support service providers, and applicants. 

B2B providers that submit accreditation applications on or before May 31, 2026, may continue operating during an interim period until July 31, 2026, while their applications are under review. 

To secure accreditation, these entities must complete several requirements by the July 31 deadline: 

• Payment of a non-refundable application fee.
• Submission of documentary requirements including probity check reports.
• Satisfactory results from ocular inspection of facilities and testing of electronic gaming systems (EGS) and online gaming platforms (OGP).
• Posting of corresponding performance cash deposits. 
• Failure to meet the aforementioned requirements will result in decommissioning of the provider's EGS, OGP, games, and gaming equipment effective August 1, 2026. 

Gaming system administrators found using services from non-compliant B2B providers will face appropriate regulatory sanctions. The deadline for completing all accreditation requirements is July 31, 2026.

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