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Earlier in August, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) published a response to its December call for views on variable recurring payments (VRPs) and their expansion in the UK. The call for views set out initial proposals on how the PSR could support the Phase 1 expansion of VRPs to regulated financial services, regulated utilities sectors, and local and central government. The PSR’s latest publication summarises stakeholder feedback on the expansion of VRPs, revealing support for better coordination, but concerns about the need for a multilateral agreement (MLA) and, within that, a central price.

Victoria state’s gambling regulator has slapped wagering giant Tabcorp Holdings with a A$4.6m ($3.1m) fine over systematic compliance breaches, a state record for the company, as well as letters of censure and an operational overhaul order.

A new study reveals that the crypto industry has spent "unprecedented" amounts on influencing this year’s US elections, Tether is launching a new UAE stablecoin, and Australia counts the costs of crypto scams.

New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has granted conditional authorisation to Payments NZ to develop a framework for open banking, as regulators look to disrupt the "oligopoly" of the country’s four largest banks.

A new study has found that the US is now the global capital of corrupt banking, while Canada’s TD bank has set aside $2.6bn to pay anti-money laundering (AML) penalties.

Brazil received an unprecedented 113 applications for federal licences to operate sports betting and online gaming before an initial deadline of midnight on Tuesday, but at least some applicants are not expected to pay the hefty R$30m (US$5.5m) price tag when the time comes. 

New Zealand opens consultation on account-based play rules and Bovada adds Ohio to growing list of restricted states.

The Netherlands Gambling Authority has said it is “urgently” warning Formula One, Team Sauber and the Dutch Grand Prix that they should not promote unlicensed, and therefore, illegal online gambling operator Stake.com during this weekend’s racing event in the Netherlands.

South Africa has become the latest jurisdiction to unveil its plans for AI, using a new policy framework to warn that outdated legislation risks hindering its progress.

The buy now, pay later (BNPL) industry is responding “favourably and constructively” to the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), its chair Rohit Chopra has said, as he confirmed that the often interventionist agency will not be enforcing against firms as they come into compliance with its new interpretive rule for BNPL.

Legal medical marijuana sales in Nevada launched seven years ago, which has led to the opening of cannabis lounges and dispensaries, but any integration with the licensed gaming industry remains off limits due to the federal government classifying it as an illicit drug.

The judicial tide has turned in the case against unlicensed operators in the state of Rio de Janeiro, after a judge granted an injunction to Kambi to allow the company to stay in business without a licence. 

The Swedish Gambling Authority is warning that illegal land-based gambling may increase after the planned closure of Svenska Spel’s last remaining land-based casino in Stockholm.

Australian banks outside the "Big Four" are failing to update their anti-scam measures in line with current best practices, the country’s financial regulator has said.

The go-live date for the receipt of instant payments took place this week for large Swiss financial institutions, as the country readies itself for a step-change in payment habits similar to its neighbours in the EU.

A key deadline has passed ahead of the go-live of the UK’s new rules on scam reimbursement, while in the EU, Luxembourg has launched a DORA Readiness Survey.

Japan’s police force is set to begin a major investigation into the use of foreign casino websites by Japanese gamblers, ramping government efforts to disrupt the massive gambling segment.

New Jersey gambling regulator continued its recent trend of issuing significant monetary fines or ordering licensees to reimburse patrons for violations of the state’s gambling regulations, issuing a $75,000 fine to Borgata Casino.

Today marks the last day operators can file for a licence in Brazil and be guaranteed an answer by the new year. 

A Swiss blockchain association has criticised the country’s financial regulator for issuing new stablecoin rules with "no recognisable legal basis" and without consulting firms that will be affected.