Gambling Regulatory Deadlines to Watch in May 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.

For May, there here are 11 regulatory deadlines in May, including 7 consultation end dates. Notably, on May 1 the extended ban on gambling with credit came into force in Sweden.

Which update is likely to receive the most media attention? 

Finland

On April 29, 2026, Finland's National Police Board launched a public consultation on draft technical regulations to support the country's new gambling licensing system.

The draft regulations detail the technical format for the delivery of gaming data under the new Finnish gambling system and aim to enable the National Police Board to efficiently access and automate the processing of gaming transaction data submitted by licensed operators.

This aligns with the Finnish government's broader objective to reform the gambling system through a competitive licensing model that reduces gambling-related health, economic and social harms while improving channeling rates and ensures the supervisory authority receives the information necessary to carry out its regulatory functions effectively. 

The regulations apply to persons granted gambling licences under the new Gambling Act and become effective on July 1, 2027. The consultation deadline is May 28, 2026. 

Comments can be submitted via the Opinion Service (lausuntopalvelu.fi) using the reference number POL-2025-77152 or by email to arpajaishallinto@poliisi.fi. The National Police Board must notify these regulations to the European Commission under Directive (EU) 2015/1535, triggering a three-month waiting period before adoption.

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What are the most significant consultation end dates? 

Ireland

On March 26, 2026, the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASA) launched a consultation on its Code of Standards for Advertising and Marketing Communications, including Section 10 governing gambling advertising. 

Section 10 applies broadly to any marketing communication that promotes gambling services or products, or the brand and reputation of gambling operators, including both “play for money” and certain “play for free” products. It also captures indirect references to gambling where relevant. 

The Code requires that all gambling advertising include responsible gambling messaging and directs consumers to information on responsible play. It further prohibits marketing that portrays gambling as a solution to financial or personal problems, an alternative source of income, or a risk-free activity, and bans content that exaggerates chances of winning or implies guaranteed success. 

The rules also restrict socially irresponsible messaging, including portraying gambling as indispensable, encouraging excessive or solitary gambling, or linking gambling to personal success, attractiveness or social status. 

Strict provisions apply to the protection of minors. Advertising must not target individuals under 18, feature persons under 25 in a gambling context (subject to limited exceptions), or appear in media or locations aimed at children, including within 100 metres of schools. Marketing must not exploit children’s vulnerabilities or associate gambling with youth culture. The consultation is open until May 9, 2026, and submissions can be made by selecting relevant sections of the Code and providing feedback directly to the ASA.

New York

On March 30, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul released draft responsible gambling measures to prevent youth from gambling online, bar sports wagering operators from using AI to target bettors, establish activity triggers that would require operators to check on their patron, and establish other innovative efforts to "protect New Yorkers who are legally able to gamble from potential harms".

In her 2026 State of the State address, Governor Hochul directed the New York State Gaming Commission (NSYCG) to take action to ensure young people are not downloading betting apps, creating accounts or using others’ accounts. Governor Hochul also directed the commission to consider ways to use new technology to assist with identifying and helping those who may need gambling addiction assistance.

As such, the NYSGC published two draft regulations targeting three primary areas:

• ‍Underage Access and Biometrics: The commission is proposing mandatory biometric data for account creation and each wagering session, to prevent underage individuals from accessing sports wagering in New York. The commission is also considering involuntarily banning any individual who allows an underage person to gamble from participating in any gambling in New York. Such individuals would be prohibited from playing the New York Lottery, attending a horse race, attending a concert or eating at a restaurant at a commercial casino, etc. anywhere in the state.

• ‍Problem Gambling Intervention: The commission is considering adopting a model used in New Jersey to require operators to appoint a responsible gambling lead and monitor specific patron activity for operator intervention. Interventions range from providing resources (Phase 1) and mandatory educational videos (Phase 2) to suspending accounts until a direct consultation with a gaming professional is completed (Phase 3).

• ‍AI and Personalisation: The commission is considering restricting all licensees or franchisees, not just sports wagering, from using AI to offer personalised promotions or suggested wagers or wager amounts to a customer. The commission seeks feedback not just from the sports wagering industry, responsible gaming advocates and problem gambling treatment professionals, but also from parent-teacher organisations, schools, religious organisations and more. Comments will be accepted until May 15, 2026 via email to gamingrules@gaming.ny.gov.

Which updates may fly under radar?

Isle of Man

On March 16, 2026, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) published a draft Fitness and Propriety guidance for stakeholder consultation. The guidance underpins the new suitability requirements for operators licensed under the Online Gambling Regulation Act 2001 and the Casino Act 1986 (“regulated entities”) and for key individuals such as controllers, directors, and senior managers (“regulated persons”).

These requirements are being introduced under the Gambling Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 and are expected to come into force in summer 2026. Once effective, the guidance will replace the current integrity guidance and harmonise suitability standards across both Acts.

The draft guidance explains how the GSC assesses integrity, competency, and financial standing when evaluating regulated entities and persons. It provides transparency on licensing expectations, onboarding, and ongoing supervision, and clarifies how the GSC may consider the integrity of an applicant’s associates.

The GSC is seeking feedback from stakeholders over 10 weeks, from March 16 to May 25, 2026. Responses can be submitted via the consultation form or by email to Consultations.GSC@gov.im

Massachusetts

On April 16, 2026, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) voted unanimously to reopen the sports wagering licensing process in Massachusetts. Massachusetts law establishes three categories of sports wagering licenses: Category 1 for retail sports wagering at a Massachusetts casino; Category 2 for retail sports wagering at a racing facility; and Category 3 for online and mobile sports wagering. Category 3 licenses can be tethered to a Category 1 or 2 licensee, or untethered. 

Companies interested in applying for a sports wagering license must first submit a notice of intent to the MGC to begin the licensing process. The MGC will begin accepting such submissions through May 15, 2026. The completed notice of intent must be sent to mgcclerk@massgaming.gov.

The notice of intent is not an application for a sports wagering license but for informational purposes to aid the MGC in understanding the interest in licenses for sports wagering. If applications for Category 3 mobile-only licenses exceed the number available, the MGC will establish a competitive evaluation process to determine which applicants receive licenses. Further information regarding the licensing process and currently licensed Massachusetts sports wagering operators is available on the MGC's website.

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We’ve only shown you a snapshot of May’s deadlines.

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