IAGR 2026 Lima

A range of case studies from around the world showcasing successful actions that jurisdictions have taken independently or in collaboration.

A deep dive into some of the more novel and emerging threats the IAGR illegal gambling working group have compiled that regulators are experiencing, and technological boundaries that are being pushed.

A look at the priorities of the IAGR Illegal Gambling Working Group. We’ll explore what the group is doing to harness the power of collective action at a global level.

As gambling advertising becomes increasingly embedded in sports, regulators worldwide face growing challenges in balancing industry interests with consumer protection. This presentation highlights findings from multiple studies we conducted, analysing gambling marketing across soccer (Premier League, UEFA Euro 2024), basketball (NBA), ice hockey (NHL), rugby, and cricket, examining its prevalence, regulatory gaps, and potential policy responses.
Our research, conducted across the UK, US, Canada (Ontario), South Africa, and Europe, investigates gambling advertising across live sports broadcasts, news coverage, radio, and social media platforms. Findings reveal the significant scale and reach of gambling marketing, for example, with 29,145 gambling messages recorded during the UK’s 2024 Premier League opening weekend alone — a 165% increase from 2023, despite additional regulations. In Canada, gambling logos were visible for over a fifth of NHL and NBA match broadcasts, while social media gambling promotions generated millions of impressions. In the US, 58% of sports betting ads on social media were not clearly identifiable as advertising, posing challenges for transparency and consumer protection. Meanwhile, emerging data from South Africa highlights the growing integration of gambling sponsorships across major sports, including cricket, rugby and soccer.

These findings suggest that current regulatory measures seem insufficient in reducing the volume of gambling marketing — as well as its associated harms relating to high exposure. While efforts such as advertising codes and self-regulation exist, they struggle to keep pace with evolving marketing strategies, particularly in digital spaces. This presentation will outline key regulatory challenges, international case studies, and potential strategies for enhancing oversight, transparency, and harm reduction. By fostering a dialogue between researchers and policymakers, this session aims to support the development of evidence-based, adaptive regulatory approaches that can better address the complexities of gambling marketing in sports.

As crypto-assets become more visible in online gambling ecosystems, regulators and operators alike are grappling with how to manage their use responsibly.
This session explores the practical, regulatory and policy implications of crypto-assets in online gaming — including how they’re currently used, how volatility is managed and what obligations operators face under anti-money laundering and source-of-funds rules. Panellists will examine the challenges of overseeing crypto-based transactions in gambling environments.
The session will also explore broader public policy questions, including whether consumer demand alone justifies regulatory change — and what future developments may emerge as jurisdictions weigh innovation against integrity.

How can regulators and operators balance commercial goals with meaningful harm prevention? This session from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission explores early steps taken to examine player wager limits and VIP programs through a lens of sustainability. Mark Vander Linden and Carrie Torrisi from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will share insights into their review of operator practices and discuss how regulatory frameworks might evolve to better manage risk while supporting a healthy gambling environment.

As gambling products and markets continue to evolve, so too must our approaches to understanding what actually reduces harm. But without clear evaluation, how do we know if safer gambling initiatives are working?
This session explores how outcomes-based evaluation can strengthen harm reduction efforts by identifying what works, for whom, and under what conditions. Panellists will introduce core principles of outcomes measurement, its integration with gambling harm assessments, and practical methodologies used across jurisdictions.
Through case studies and applied examples, participants will gain insights into how evaluation can inform policy, improve practice, and support shared progress toward safer gambling goals.

In many countries, young adults are not (yet) seen as extra vulnerable when it comes to gambling. Limiting offering or even prohibiting gambling carries the risk that this group will see advertisements for illegal offering, and will start to play illegally and don’t join the legal offering. What is the best solution for this group when it comes to protective measures?