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What is Laughing Buddha?
The press release also warned operators against complying with any payment requests from departments that aren’t legally authorised to do so.
It called for any such acts to be reported immediately to the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate General of Administrative, Judicial, State Property and Equity Revenues (DGRAD).
The DGRAD has been tasked with identifying and securing the cancellation of any irregularly issued payment notices.
About Laughing Buddha
Kevin O’Neal, a DOCV board member, argued the scale of the investigation calls the GGL’s broader black market estimates into question. He cited the regulator’s 2025 activity report, which put the 2024 share at 23% (€547 million in gross gaming revenue), against Nielsen data suggesting a share of around 56%.
The trade body has long been critical over the discrepancy between channelisation estimates made by the regulator, and other independent reviewers.
The DOCV reinforced its calls for a unified federal licensing regime for online casino games and stronger enforcement mechanisms against illegal operators.
About Laughing Buddha
Their targets included Nellie’s Tavern in Decatur, where an ATM was stolen July 17, and Debbie’s Gaming, also in Decatur, where thieves failed to pry an ATM from the floor July 30.
Investigators said cellphone tracking ultimately led them to the suspects.
Early Monday, Sept. 14, police tracked phones linked to the men to BB’s B.F.E. Bar & Grill in Latham, roughly 25 miles northwest of Decatur.
