LATIN AMERICA


Three newly regulating markets to watch in 2026


THE ONES TO WATCH


Dot country regulation is becoming the default for online gambling worldwide, with Alberta, Finland and Ireland among the key markets to watch in 2026, says BetComply’s Chief Compliance Offi cer, Mike de Graaf.


only going to accelerate in 2026. For a range of reasons, governments are recognising that regulating online gambling and making it a part of their wider digital economy is the best move for both consumers and the treasury. This is creating a host of new opportunities for operators and suppliers. But while new markets mean new growth potential, they also bring additional compliance burdens.


W


alking around ICE Barcelona last month made one thing very clear: the global shift towards dot country regulation is


So, which newly regulating markets are worth watching most closely this year? Top of the list for me is Alberta. Ontario has already demonstrated what liberalisation can deliver in Canada. Since launching its regulated online market in 2022, around 45 operators have entered, creating a competitive and diverse market that continues to attract investment. Alberta is smaller by population, with around fi ve million residents versus Ontario’s roughly 16 million. But it punches above its weight economically, driven by higher GDP per capita and a relatively younger demographic. Perhaps most importantly, Alberta is closely following Ontario’s regulatory blueprint. That dramatically lowers friction for companies already active in Ontario. Licensing structures, compliance expectations and technical standards will feel familiar. For many, Alberta represents a natural next step rather than a leap into the unknown. We should see the market become operational in the coming months. When it does, expect rapid early momentum.


Another market worth watching is Finland.


Finland is transitioning away from a long-standing state monopoly model. Operators can apply for licences from March 1, although the regulated competitive market is not expected to go live until July 2027. That long runway creates an interesting dynamic. Major international operators will have plenty of time to prepare, localise products and build compliance infrastructure. Many will choose to apply early to secure a strong position ahead of launch. However, competition will not start from zero. Former monopoly operator Veikkaus will continue operating as a commercial business. It retains strong brand recognition, an established customer base and deep local market knowledge. New entrants should not underestimate that advantage. The third market I would highlight is Ireland. Ireland has now signed off on granting the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) the power to begin issuing licences.


For many UK-facing operators, Ireland is particularly attractive. It offers geographic proximity, cultural familiarity and the potential to offset some of the cost pressure created by recent increases in UK gambling taxes. That said, Ireland is not a soft-touch jurisdiction. Compliance will be taken seriously from day one. The GRAI has the authority to issue fi nes of up to €20 million.


BETTER TO REGULATE


The broader pattern across all these markets is consistency.


Governments are increasingly accepting the basic reality that it is better to regulate and supervise online gambling than to pretend it does not exist. Unregulated offshore markets provide fewer player protections and generate no domestic tax revenue.


At the same time, political focus on player protection is intensifying. New regimes are not free-for-all environments where companies can simply enter and extract value. Success will depend on deep understanding of local compliance requirements, investment in responsible gambling and the ability to adapt product offerings to regulatory constraints.


For companies willing to do the work, this is a healthy evolution. More regulation means more long-term stability to build better products and standards.


This is really encouraging, and best of all, I’d expect many others to follow Alberta, Finland and Ireland over the coming years.


30 FEBRUARY 2026 GIO


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