Overview: what changed in 2025
Crypto-facing gambling is moving into tighter compliance worldwide. In the UK, the Gambling Commission brought new remote technical standards and is piloting deeper financial risk checks; in the EU, MiCA’s stablecoin rules are live; Curaçao’s full online regime (LOK) switched on; Ontario reiterates that cryptocurrency is not legal tender for regulated sites; and Australia’s ACMA continues aggressive ISP blocking of offshore brands. Operators are adapting payment rails, onboarding, and disclosures accordingly.
United Kingdom (UKGC): safer game design and “high-risk” treatment for crypto funds
The UKGC phased in new remote technical standards (RTS) for online products and moved opt-in marketing changes to May 1, 2025. In parallel, the Commission is piloting “light-touch” financial risk checks that are expected to intensify in 2025. For AML, April 2025 bulletins highlight emerging risks and continue to classify cryptoasset flows as higher risk, requiring enhanced controls when customer funds originate from crypto.
What this means: UK-licensed operators can accept customers who previously used crypto, but must treat such funds as high-risk and evidence robust KYC/SoF/transaction monitoring. Expect more documentation requests.
European Union (EU): MiCA reshapes stablecoin rails
MiCA entered application in two waves: stablecoin rules for asset-referenced and e-money tokens from June 30, 2024, and most remaining CASP rules from December 30, 2024. EBA/ESMA guidance clarifies authorizations and prudential expectations for EMTs, which many gambling operators use for faster deposits and payouts. Operators serving EU players increasingly vet which stablecoins and issuers meet MiCA criteria.
Practical takeaway: if your brand relies on stablecoins in the EU, align with MiCA-compliant EMT/ART issuers and monitor EBA/ESMA updates for transitional timelines.
Malta (MGA): DLT policy carried forward post-sandbox
Malta’s regulator closed its earlier sandbox and, in 2023, set out a formal policy position on using DLT/virtual financial assets in gaming. The annual report summarizes how DLT can be used within licensed operations subject to AML/consumer-protection controls. Crypto payments remain possible only under strict governance, risk, and compliance programs.
Curaçao (CGA): the LOK era replaces the legacy system
Curaçao completed a major overhaul. Under the new LOK, the Curaçao Gaming Authority is now the online gaming regulator, rolling out the OGL licensing pathway and stronger AML, data, and player-protection expectations. This raises the bar for operators that historically relied on light-touch setups.
Tip for applicants: under LOK, anticipate deeper ownership, compliance, and technical due-diligence checks compared with the prior regime.
Isle of Man (GSC): mature licensing with clear guidance
The Isle of Man maintains one of the most reputable iGaming frameworks. The GSC outlines licence types, application steps, and—via its 2025 guidance—key corporate presence and director requirements. Crypto-funded play is possible where full AML/KYC and source-of-funds standards are satisfied.
Canada (Ontario): iGaming Ontario standards prohibit crypto deposits
Ontario’s regulator states plainly that cryptocurrency is not legal tender and shall not be accepted on regulated sites. Operators must use approved fiat rails and apply strict funds-management standards. Ontario continues to enforce a local licence model for legal iGaming.
Kahnawà:ke note: the Kahnawake Gaming Commission remains an established licensor for international operations, but Ontario-facing sites still require provincial registration. Always verify acceptability for your target market.
United States: mostly fiat in the regulated market; crypto still rare
U.S. iGaming and sportsbooks operate under state licences with federal AML overlays. While discussion of crypto acceptance persists, industry reporting indicates only a small number of jurisdictions have contemplated allowing it; most regulators and operators remain on the sidelines. If you see “crypto sportsbooks” servicing U.S. customers, they are usually offshore and unregulated.
Reminder: advertising offshore crypto casinos to U.S. residents can create legal exposure; players should stick to state-licensed sites and fiat rails unless a regulator expressly permits otherwise.
Australia (ACMA): strict blocking of offshore crypto brands
Australia aggressively enforces the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. ACMA routinely orders ISPs to block illegal sites and publishes enforcement stats. In 2025, media reports also highlighted ACMA action against crypto-native prediction and betting platforms targeting Australians via social media. Offshore licences (including small-island licences) do not make an operator legal in Australia.
Brazil: regulated fixed-odds betting, fiat payment rules, and enforcement
Law 14,790/2023 and subsequent Ministry of Finance ordinances created a national framework for fixed-odds betting, with 2024–2025 rules tightening payments and sanctions. Cash-in/cash-out must move through accounts at institutions authorized by the Central Bank—exclusive electronic transfers between bettor and operator accounts—curbing loosely supervised methods. Authorities have begun suspending or blocking unlicensed sites.
Implication: while crypto is common offshore, Brazil’s regulated market is steering operators onto banked rails under financial-sector oversight.
Philippines (PAGCOR): record revenue—and an offshore crackdown
PAGCOR projects record industry revenue and is simultaneously moving to revoke remaining offshore operator licences (POGOs) amid crime concerns. The direction of travel is toward domestically supervised e-gaming, tighter KYC/AML, and reduced tolerance for offshore brands courting Philippine users.
Anjouan (Comoros): fast licensing—but recognition varies by market
Anjouan positions itself as an official gaming-licensing authority with quick turnaround. However, enforcement stories from major markets show that sites licensed there may still be blocked if they target jurisdictions without local approval. Treat “global” licences skeptically; local legality depends on the player’s country.
Quick comparison (crypto-relevant highlights)
| Jurisdiction | Can licensed operators accept crypto?* | 2025 headline |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Possible with strict AML/SoF; crypto flagged high-risk | RTS updates; financial-risk pilots; AML bulletins flag crypto |
| EU (general) | Depends on national gambling law; MiCA sets stablecoin issuer rules | EMT/ART rules live; CASP rules applied Dec 2024 |
| Malta | DLT policy governs use; case-by-case | MGA DLT policy referenced in 2023 report |
| Curaçao | Yes under LOK with stronger compliance | New CGA regime replaces legacy system |
| Isle of Man | Permissible with full AML controls | Mature licensing and 2025 guidance |
| Ontario (Canada) | No—crypto not legal tender for iGaming | Funds-management standard forbids crypto deposits |
| United States | Rare in regulated market | Most states/brands remain fiat-only |
| Australia | Offshore crypto sites blocked | Ongoing ACMA ISP blocking |
| Brazil | Regulated market uses banked rails | MOF rules mandate bank transfers; enforcement rising |
| Philippines | Domestic e-gaming; offshore licences revoked | PAGCOR plans to end POGOs |
*Always subject to local licence conditions, AML rules, and payment-network permissions.
Compliance checklist for operators and affiliates
- Map your target markets to regulator expectations—do not rely on a single “global” licence.
- If you touch the EU, review MiCA impacts on any stablecoin rails you support.
- For UK traffic, update game-design, marketing consent and AML playbooks for 2025 timelines.
- For Ontario, disable crypto deposits and align with funds-management standards.
- Geo-fence Australia and heed ACMA blocks and notices.
- In Brazil, ensure banked payment flows through authorized institutions only.
FAQs
Is a Curaçao licence still enough in 2025?
Curaçao now runs a stricter LOK regime through the CGA. It can be a valid path for global operations, but many markets still require local licences and will block unapproved sites.
Can I accept stablecoins in the EU?
Only if your overall gambling licence allows it—and you should use MiCA-compliant tokens/issuers while meeting AML/KYC and payment-services rules. Coordinate legal and payment partners.
Do UK-regulated sites accept crypto deposits?
Some may, but the UKGC treats crypto-origin funds as high risk; operators must apply enhanced checks and show strong controls. Many brands therefore default to fiat.
Why do “crypto casinos” get blocked in Australia?
Because most are unlicensed for Australia. ACMA orders ISP blocks under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, regardless of where a site is licensed.
Is Ontario different from the rest of Canada?
Yes. Ontario runs a separate iGaming regime and explicitly forbids cryptocurrency deposits for regulated sites.
