Focused on High-Risk? So Are We — Meet BazPay

[BazPay]

It’s a pleasure to join the community!

Allow us to introduce BazPay — a reliable and flexible payment solution provider built especially for the needs of high-risk businesses.

BazPay offers customers a convenient and profitable payment services. We cooperate with highrisk companies and provide them with a full range of services. We offer:

• Payment gateway with which you can be sure that payments are processed on time and that your business is running smoothly
• Card and APM’s processing that will transfer information from the merchant to the payment processor, ensuring seamless and secure payment processing.
• Banking solutions which will provide you with an opportunity to process such payments even better

Connect our payment processing solution and grow your business — no matter what!

Feel free to reach out — we’re open to partnerships, questions, and collaboration!

[BazPay]

Spain warns of loot box risks in new public campaign

Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of loot boxes in video games. The initiative, titled "Not Everything is a Game," targets families and young players. It highlights how these mechanics resemble gambling and may lead to compulsive spending behaviors.

Loot boxes allow users to purchase randomized virtual items with real money. The Ministry noted that their unpredictable rewards can encourage excessive or impulsive play. Officials warn that such features exploit psychological vulnerabilities, especially among minors.

The campaign provides educational materials explaining how loot boxes function and the risks involved. It also offers guidance for parents to help children develop responsible gaming habits. Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy urged game developers to protect minors and promote transparency.

Authorities are calling for clearer odds disclosure and stricter age ratings for games containing loot boxes. Spain joins other European countries pushing for regulation in this area. The government’s move reflects growing concern over the blurred line between gaming and gambling.

[TrustChange]

GambleAware calls for stricter rules on online gambling ads

GambleAware has urged the government to reform outdated regulations on online gambling and marketing content. The charity warned that children and young people are increasingly exposed to gambling promotions online. It says this exposure normalizes gambling and presents it as risk-free.

The organization highlighted that gambling is an age-restricted activity, yet minors still see related ads across digital platforms. Such exposure, according to GambleAware, raises the risk of developing gambling-related harm early. The group emphasized that current safeguards are not keeping pace with modern online behavior.

To address this, GambleAware proposed stricter measures, including mandatory health warnings on all gambling promotions. It also called for greater accountability from online platforms. These changes aim to reduce children’s exposure and protect vulnerable audiences.

The charity’s latest study found that around 85,000 children in Britain were harmed by gambling in 2024. This figure has doubled since 2023, underscoring the urgency of reform. GambleAware’s leadership insists that immediate action is needed to modernize digital gambling regulations.

[BazPay]

Mainland businessman accused of keeping casino jackpot

A mainland Chinese businessman has been accused of keeping a HKD 569,000 (US$72,900) jackpot won while playing a slot machine on behalf of another gambler. The 35-year-old suspect, surnamed Tang, was reportedly given HKD 1,000 to play for the victim during a visit to a Macau casino. The agreement was that any winnings would be returned to the original player.

However, Tang allegedly refused to share the winnings after hitting the jackpot. He collected the prize and attempted to flee the casino before the victim reported the incident to security. The case was then handed over to the Judiciary Police for investigation.

The incident occurred on 7 November, and Tang turned himself in two days later. Authorities said he refused to cooperate during questioning, and no cash was found on him. Police did, however, seize a mobile phone believed to be connected to the case.

The Judiciary Police described the act as a serious breach of trust. The case has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office for further action. Investigators are still working to recover the missing funds and identify any potential accomplices.

[BazPay]

UK to raise remote gaming taxes as new betting duty arrives in 2027

The UK will raise its remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% starting April 2026, according to the latest autumn budget. A new remote betting duty will also take effect in April 2027 at 25%, replacing the current 15% rate. The government expects these changes to significantly increase gambling tax revenues.

The new betting duty applies only to online betting profits and excludes spread betting, pool bets and horse racing wagers. Self-service betting terminals will also remain exempt from the updated rate. The Treasury launched consultations earlier this year on merging the previous three-rate tax system.

Gambling tax receipts are projected to reach £4 billion in 2025–26, representing a 9.8% year-on-year increase. By 2026–27, receipts are forecast to jump by another 24.8% to £5 billion. Other measures include abolishing the 10% bingo duty and freezing casino gaming duty bands for 2026–27.

Officials said operators are expected to pass up to 90% of the higher taxes to consumers, reducing demand and lowering projected revenue by £500 million by 2029–30. Industry groups previously warned that higher remote betting duties would negatively affect retail and horse racing sectors. The Treasury Select Committee later recommended taxing different gambling verticals according to their risk profiles.

[BazPay]

Poland moves to classify loot boxes as Gambling

Poland is considering new rules that would classify loot boxes as gambling and introduce strict age verification. The draft proposal aims to bring virtual goods and chance-based game mechanics under the existing Gambling Act. Lawmakers say the changes are meant to better protect young players.

The proposal requires game creators to obtain special permission and follow licensing standards. It also mandates age checks for in-game purchases with random outcomes. Supporters argue these rules will ensure a safer gaming environment for minors.

The draft defines loot boxes as random rewards that players cannot predict or assess in advance. Lawmakers warn that young audiences are more vulnerable to impulsive behavior and potential addiction. They believe stronger regulations will reduce gambling-like risks inside games.

Taxation rules are also being discussed as part of the reform. The proposal suggests treating monetizable in-game currency as a financial stake under gambling law. If approved, Poland would join several EU countries in formally regulating loot boxes as gambling.

[BazPay]

NBA gambling scandal expands as Terry Rozier fights federal charges

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has been charged in a federal illegal sports betting and money laundering case tied to the use of nonpublic NBA injury information. Prosecutors say the scheme allowed defendants to gain an unfair advantage when placing wagers. Rozier was arrested in Orlando, released on bond, and pleaded not guilty.

Federal authorities describe the case as part of a wider illegal gambling network with links to organized crime. In a related investigation, dozens of defendants were charged for running fixed high-stakes poker games across multiple U.S. cities. Former NBA player Damon Jones was arrested, while coach Chauncey Billups was also placed on leave.

The NBA confirmed that Rozier and Billups have been put on immediate leave as the league cooperates with investigators. Officials stressed that the integrity of the game remains a top priority. The scandal follows earlier probes into unusual betting activity involving NBA games.

Rozier’s legal team has asked a judge to dismiss the charges, arguing prosecutors failed to establish wire fraud or money laundering conspiracies. Attorneys claim his alleged role was limited to sharing information with a friend, which they say does not constitute fraud. The case is set to continue in federal court in 2026.

[BazPay]

Drake named in U.S. lawsuit against crypto casino Stake

Rapper Drake has been named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit filed against the U.S. arm of crypto casino Stake. The plaintiffs allege that Drake was involved not only in promoting the platform but also in using it to obscure financial flows. According to the claim, these funds were allegedly used to artificially boost music streams and views.

The lawsuit was filed on December 31, 2025, and lists Drake, Stake.us operator Sweepsteaks Limited, streamer Adin Ross, and George Nguyen as defendants. The complaint raises two core issues: the overall business practices of Stake.us and the promotional roles played by Drake and Ross. Plaintiffs argue that users were misled about how the platform operates.

Stake.us reportedly does not allow direct real-money gambling, instead using tokens that can be transferred between users and potentially converted into cash. The plaintiffs claim this structure was marketed as a “legal” form of gambling in the U.S. They also allege that the system enabled token transfers that facilitated questionable financial schemes.

The case is filed under the RICO Act, framing the defendants as part of an organized scheme operating since at least 2022. Stake has dismissed the accusations as “absurd,” according to comments cited by The Guardian. Plaintiffs are seeking $5 million in damages, citing losses they claim resulted from celebrity-backed promotions.

[BazPay]

Tennessee orders Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com to halt sports betting

The US state of Tennessee has ordered Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com to stop offering sports-related contracts to state residents. Regulators classified these products as illegal sports betting. The activities were found to be conducted without the required local license.

State authorities said federal registration with the CFTC does not replace state-level authorization. Any company offering sports wagers in Tennessee must hold a local sports betting license. Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com currently do not meet this requirement.

The companies were instructed to cease operations in the state. They must refund user deposits and cancel all open contracts. These actions must be completed by January 31, 2026.

Failure to comply could result in significant penalties. Civil fines may reach up to $25,000 per violation. Criminal charges related to facilitating gambling are also possible.

[BazPay]

Greece moves toward zero tolerance on illegal gambling

Greece is preparing a sweeping crackdown on illegal gambling, adopting a zero-tolerance approach to the growing black market. The government no longer views unlicensed gambling as a minor issue. Authorities are considering harsher enforcement tools, including criminal penalties.

The initiative is led by Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and targets online and land-based gambling. A formal decree is expected in the first half of 2026. Officials estimate the illegal market is worth €1.6 billion and costs the state over €500 million annually.

Proposed reforms would sharply increase penalties for illegal operators. Prison terms could reach ten years, with fines up to €100,000. Repeat offenders and large-scale operations would face even tougher sanctions.

The new framework would also expand enforcement against physical venues and repeat players. Authorities could immediately seal premises and revoke business licenses linked to illegal gambling. The measures aim to curb demand and protect younger users increasingly drawn to unregulated platforms.

[BazPay]

EU lawmaker proposes bloc-wide online gambling tax

Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament, has backed a proposal for a harmonised online gambling tax across the EU. He argues that a small levy on operators could generate significant revenue for the EU budget. Funds would support priorities such as education, youth initiatives, and mental health programmes.

Currently, gambling taxation is controlled by individual member states. Tax rates vary widely across the bloc, ranging from 5% to 40% of gross gambling revenue. Critics say this fragmentation distorts competition and encourages operators to base themselves in low-tax jurisdictions.

Negrescu estimates that even a 1% EU-wide levy could raise tens of billions of euros annually. The online gambling market generated about €130 billion in 2022 and continues to grow steadily. Supporters see the proposal as a way to strengthen EU financial resources without burdening national budgets.

However, the plan faces significant political hurdles. The European Parliament lacks independent taxation powers, and any new EU tax would require unanimous approval from all 27 member states. Countries with strong iGaming sectors could block the initiative, making adoption uncertain.

[BazPay]

Offshore iGaming operator launches Middle East-Themed instant game

Offshore iGaming operator Jackpot.bet has introduced a new instant game called Strike Zone with a return-to-player (RTP) rate of 96%. The game is built around a fictional scenario inspired by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. It is presented as an interactive map where players select targets and place bets.

In the game, users choose countries on a regional map before triggering a simulated missile strike launched from Iran. The potential payout depends on whether the virtual strike hits the selected location. The mechanics follow the standard instant-win model commonly used in online casino games.

The game includes 16 different countries, each assigned a specific probability of being hit and a corresponding payout multiplier. Higher-risk targets offer larger multipliers, while more likely outcomes deliver smaller rewards. These mechanics determine the final payout structure for players.

According to the operator, all outcomes are generated through a random system typical for casino games. The results are not connected to real-world military events or current geopolitical developments. The company presents the title purely as entertainment within its gaming platform.

[BazPay]

Sri Lanka launches inaugural iGaming conference to boost economy

Sri Lanka recently hosted its inaugural Global Game Connect trade show at the City of Dreams in Colombo. The conference gathered international iGaming operators and tech experts to discuss the development of the country’s digital and retail gaming sectors. Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe emphasized the government's goal to transform the nation into a regional hub for technological innovation.

The land-based casino sector is expanding following the successful launch of the country’s first integrated resort, City of Dreams. Investors are now focusing on the unfinished Grand Hyatt tower in Colombo as a potential site for a second major gaming destination. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake views these large-scale projects as essential tools for attracting foreign investment and restoring national solvency.

The government plans to use the gambling industry to promote high-end and sustainable tourism across the island. Officials have set an ambitious target of reaching five million annual visitors by the year 2030 through strategic conventions. While 2025 saw record-breaking tourism numbers, the industry remains a vital component of the country's long-term economic recovery plan.

Despite this growth, recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have caused a significant thirty percent decline in tourist arrivals. Nevertheless, the proximity to the massive Indian market provides a unique advantage for Sri Lanka's burgeoning gaming enterprise platform. By fostering coordination between international suppliers and local regulators, the country aims to unlock its full potential as a premier travel destination.