Compliance Updates
Maria Ozawa denounces Online Casino K9Win for illegally using her image on its promotional campaigns
Maria Ozawa recently released a strongly worded open letter admonishing K9Win for using her image and likeness in promotional materials after her contract with them as brand ambassador ended.
According to the letter, Ozawa signed a one-year deal with K9Win. She was ordered to use her personal social media accounts for their campaigns, leading to them either getting banned or restricted, upsetting her as she was not compensated for this misstep.
In addition, she feels that she has been grossly misled as the online gambling company continues to include her in promotions and posts on their website and social media accounts even after her contract with them has elapsed.
“To my full understanding and as explained to me by K9Win during the contract signing, I would cease being their brand ambassador upon the completion of our contract,” Maria pointed out in her letter.
“This misdirection has caused significant distress to me and my current partners,” she went on. “Hence, I would like to set the record straight and make things clear: I am no longer K9Win’s brand ambassador and am in no way associated with their company.”
She concluded her letter with: “I am currently a proud business partner of Asia’s leading online gaming entertainment platform, M88 Mansion.”
In a few days following the letter, Ozawa conducted a live stream where she further emphasized that she is no longer K9Win’s brand ambassador and that the company should stop using her likeness to their benefit.
Compliance Updates
Nevada Rep. Dina Titus to Add FAIR BET Act to 2026 Defense Budget

Nevada Rep. Dina Titus is strategically pushing forward her Fair Accounting for Income Realized from Betting Earnings Taxation Act, commonly known as the FAIR BET Act. She intends to attach it to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a key piece of legislation that must pass annually. This maneuver, revealed on August 27, is designed to increase the chances that her proposal will be enacted into law.
The FAIR BET Act seeks to reverse a disputed provision introduced under former President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The provision lowered the gambling loss deduction from 100% to 90%, which is set to take effect in January 2026. This change has met significant resistance from both the gaming industry and individual gamblers, who argue that it unfairly taxes money that they never actually won.
Representative Titus, who co-leads the Congressional Gaming Caucus, initially introduced this succinct bill in July. However, it stalled in the House Ways and Means Committee. To overcome this hurdle, she is leveraging a common legislative tactic by attaching the amendment to the NDAA. Around two decades ago, a similar strategy helped pass the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act amid a port security bill.
The initiative enjoys strong support from major gaming industry leaders and state officials. Prominent executives from companies such as MGM Resorts, Caesars, and Wynn Resorts have expressed concern to lawmakers about the financial impact this deduction limit could have on both players and casinos. The American Gaming Association has also condemned the recent tax rule, stressing that it unfairly penalizes a legal and regulated industry.
The FAIR BET Act is gaining momentum across party lines. So far, ten members in the House have endorsed it as co-sponsors. In addition, a Republican counterpart titled the WAGER Act was introduced in July by Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky. In the Senate, Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has proposed a similar measure known as the FULL HOUSE Act.
Supporters emphasize the importance of this amendment for states like Nevada, where gambling significantly contributes to the economy. However, some critics argue that inserting tax policy changes into a defense authorization bill represents an overreach by lawmakers.
The amendment is currently under review by the House Rules Committee, with a vote expected within the next several weeks.
The post Nevada Rep. Dina Titus to Add FAIR BET Act to 2026 Defense Budget appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Compliance Updates
Romania Blocks 30 Unlicensed Gambling Websites

Romania’s gambling authority, the ONJN, has blacklisted 30 gambling websites after finding they were offering online casino and sports betting without local licences. Internet service providers (ISPs) now have 15 days to cut access, redirecting users to an official ONJN page explaining the block.
The 30 blocked sites range from obscure names to platforms that had been attracting steady traffic. Domains include wazbee.casino, jacktop.com, roostake.com, a string of “nv” branded casinos (nv5.casino through nv93.casino), and several under the ybets label.
Some of these platforms appeared almost overnight and marketed heavily on social media. Others had been active for months, drawing Romanian players with offers that licensed brands simply cannot match under current advertising rules.
The ruling obliges Romanian ISPs to redirect any traffic from the blacklisted domains to a designated ONJN IP address. Players trying to access those sites will instead see a page confirming the operator is not authorised to operate in Romania.
The post Romania Blocks 30 Unlicensed Gambling Websites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
New Indian Law Aims to Curb Online Money Gambling Sector, Prohibits Related Advertising

Following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 on August 21, the government of India imposes a complete ban on online money games, alongside the advertisements related to the sector.
Passed by the parliament, any financial transactions related to these platforms would be considered unlawful as stated under the Information Technology Act of 2000. The legislation also aims to establish a national-level regulatory authority that will govern the categorising and registration of online games.
The said authority shall issue guidelines, codes of practice and directions for compliance, with strict punishments induced, leading to imprisonment for up to three years, and a fine to one crore rupees or 114,017 USD.
The advertisement of the said games is also punishable with similar penalties, with imprisonment up to two years and a fine of up to fifty lakh rupees 1140 USD.
While the law prohibited online money gaming such poker, rummy and fantasy sports that offer cash rewards, e-sports are considered and recognised as a legitimate competitive sport in India, and is not included in the total ban, as well as online social games or casual games that are recreational in nature.
This draws that the bill-turned-law, used a “balanced approach” since recognising that the online gaming sector is one of the most dynamic segments in the digital and creative economy, hence, still allowing esports and online social games.
This came after the report of over 45 crore or 45,000,000 people were reportedly affected by online money games and have lost more than Rs. 20,000 crores or 2,280.414 USD, according to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology.
According to the same ministry, the total ban was driven by the following reasons:
• Addiction and Financial Ruin
• Mental Health and Suicide
• Fraud and Money Laundering
• Threat to National Security
• Closing Legal Loopholes
• Encouraging Healthy Alternatives
Meanwhile, the bill also stated that while the online gaming authority governs the registration of online games, the central government still has the authority to frame the rules for the promotion and advertisement of e-sports, online social games and other rules related under the law.
In total, the legislation aims to safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly the middle class and youth by introducing these strict regulations and a greater emphasis on brand responsibility and ethical advertising.
The post New Indian Law Aims to Curb Online Money Gambling Sector, Prohibits Related Advertising appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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