UK sets up bet limits, Curaçao reforms gambling sector, and Colombia imposes deposit tax
Starting October 31, 2025, the UKGC will make operators set financial limits before the first deposit, and from April 2026, they'll introduce a new fee of up to 1.1% of GGY. Curaçao is no longer on the EU gray list, and they are tightening up their responsible gambling controls. In Colombia, the president put a 19% tax on player deposits using emergency powers.
UKGC introduces new requirements for gambling operators
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced a series of new regulations that are set to take effect on October 31, 2025. A key provision requires licensed operators to enable players to establish a financial limit prior to their initial deposit. This initiative is designed to enhance user protection and regulate responsible gambling.
Furthermore, after a six-month period, operators will be responsible for notifying players to review their limits and analyze their recent transactions.
Another significant innovation is the introduction of a mandatory statutory levy for operators. This fee will range from 0.1% to 1.1% of GGY, depending on the gambling sector, the type of games, and the risk profile of the products offered. The tax is expected to take effect on April 6, 2026, but the final date has not yet been confirmed.
According to the UKGC, the UK online gambling market continues to expand, with GGY reaching £1.54 billion in Q4 2024, marking a 21% year-on-year increase.
Curaçao is removed from the gray list of EU tax jurisdictions
The European Union has decided to remove Curaçao from its list of tax jurisdictions that it considers to be “gray”. This means that the country has successfully implemented tax reforms and now complies with the standards of the European Union. As a result, it will no longer be under enhanced control.
According to information published on Curaçao.nu, the island has met all the requirements set by the EU and has been granted the status of being free from Annex II, which is a list of countries committed to improving their tax policies. The countries remaining in Annex II are Turkey, Costa Rica, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, and Vietnam.
Concurrently, the illegal gambling market in the EU shows no signs of abatement, with revenue continuing to rise. In the last six months, unlicensed casinos have earned €32 billion, which is three times the revenue of licensed competitors.
At the same time, the Curaçao Gambling Authority (CGA) initiated a major reform of responsible gaming.
The recently updated regulations impose stringent requirements on operators, with the aim of safeguarding players and preventing problem gambling. Operators are now obligated to verify documents during registration, provide players with the option of blocking their account for various periods of time, and implement systems to monitor playing time and spending.
The new rules also tighten advertising standards — marketing campaigns targeting minors and vulnerable groups will be prohibited, and affiliates will be required to comply with the principles of responsible gambling.
Operators are encouraged to adapt to the new standards as soon as possible. The discussion period for the new requirements will last until March 5, 2025.
Colombia president imposes tax on player deposits
On February 14, Colombian President Gustavo Petro made the unilateral decision to impose a 19% value-added tax on player deposits. This decision follows the declaration of a state of emergency on January 24, which the president cited as a response to ongoing violence in the Catatumbo region, which is located on the border with Venezuela.
The decree will be automatically referred to the Colombian Constitutional Court, which will determine its constitutionality. If approved, the tax will remain in force until the end of 2025. However, it is possible that the mechanism for using emergency powers will be found to be abusive.
