The Czech Republic is implementing a novel cross-operator data system aimed at enhancing player protection in its gambling sector. This initiative, highlighted by Jan Řehola of IPRH, seeks to redefine responsible gambling practices, though its potential shortcomings are still being evaluated.
Brazil's Federal Public Ministry has initiated an inquiry into the federal government's regulation and supervision of online sports betting advertising during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This investigation casts doubt on the effective enforcement of Brazil's existing gambling laws and could lead to stricter advertising controls.
The Brazilian Senate has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the impact of fixed-odds betting, specifically scrutinizing the significant increase in advertising during football broadcasts. Lawmakers and experts are calling for stricter regulations on betting promotions, citing concerns over public health and consumer protection due to what they deem excessive and abusive advertising practices.
Brazilian Senator Irajá Abreu indicates that the Federal Senate may vote on a bill to legalize and regulate various forms of gambling, including casinos, bingo halls, 'jogo do bicho,' and horse racing, before the July parliamentary recess. This move could significantly open up a major new market for the iGaming and betting industry.
EveryMatrix has secured an omnichannel partnership with Betcenter Belgium, involving the migration of Betcenter's customer activities and operations to EveryMatrix's full technology stack. This agreement signifies EveryMatrix replacing Betcenter's existing in-house legacy platform.
Lawyers believe the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) holds an advantage over state regulators in an impending Supreme Court case concerning prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. States allege these platforms operate as unlicensed sports betting, indicating a significant dispute over regulatory jurisdiction in this emerging market.
Banijay Gaming is entering the French land-based gambling market through the acquisition of JOA, aiming to leverage omnichannel opportunities within the country. This move signifies Banijay's strategic expansion and strengthens its presence in the French gaming sector.
EveryMatrix has secured a deal with Betcenter, a Merkur Group-owned Belgian operator, to replace its existing sportsbook platform with EveryMatrix's full omnichannel technology stack. This agreement covers both Betcenter's online and retail sportsbook operations and includes migrating customer operations.
Bet365 has agreed to a remediation plan with Australia's financial intelligence agency, Austrac, following a compliance review that identified deficiencies in its anti-money laundering (AML) processes. The agreement stems from concerns initially raised in August 2022 and an external audit conducted later that year.
Gaming stocks experienced a challenging first half, with the Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF (BETZ) underperforming the S&P 500. Despite recent gains, BETZ remains down over 9% for the year, as the market looks ahead to Q2 earnings reports for insights into the industry's performance.
The Dutch Supreme Court has ruled against players seeking reimbursement for online gambling losses incurred before the regulation of the Dutch online gambling market. This decision significantly impacts ongoing and future cases related to pre-regulation gambling debts in the Netherlands.
A Wall Street analyst from Jefferies Equity Research warns of increasing long-term headwinds for Las Vegas and Macau casinos, despite strong anticipated Q2 results. The analyst predicts scarce growth for Sin City, suggesting a challenging future outlook.
Australia's financial regulator, AUSTRAC, has reached a binding agreement with bet365, requiring the operator to significantly enhance its anti-money laundering (AML) controls. This overhaul includes implementing an ongoing risk assessment methodology and strengthening suspicious transaction monitoring to adapt to evolving risks.
Italy's Senate is reviewing a new bill, 'Provisions reordering the football system,' that proposes a 2% tax on all football bets. This legislation aims to overhaul Italian football and introduce new accountability rules to restore trust in the sport.
Banijay Gaming is set to acquire Groupe JOA's network of 33 casinos, significantly expanding its presence in the French market. This acquisition, enabled by a put option with funds managed by Blackstone and Kings Park Capital, will bolster Banijay Gaming's domestic portfolio.
Banijay Gaming has agreed to acquire JOA, France's second-largest casino group with 33 casinos, from Blackstone and Kings Park Capital. This acquisition is a significant move in Banijay's strategy to expand its omnichannel presence and become a diversified European gaming leader.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board secured a temporary restraining order against KalshiEX, LLC, preventing the platform from offering unlicensed internet sports betting to Michigan residents. This court order immediately halts Kalshi's operations in the state, pending further legal proceedings.
EveryMatrix has secured a deal with Betcenter in Belgium to power its sports platform through an omnichannel delivery. This partnership involves EveryMatrix replacing Betcenter's legacy in-house system with its full tech stack, covering both online and retail sportsbook operations.
Xpoint has released a new pattern-analysis engine designed to detect and prevent sophisticated fraudulent activities, such as organized bonus abuse and spoofing, for betting and gaming operators. This technology is currently being rolled out with partners across North America to enhance compliance and security.
Groupe Partouche reported a 2.6% increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) to €371.1m and a 3% rise in turnover to €240.4m for the first half of its financial year (November 2025 to April 2026). This significant growth indicates strong business momentum for the casino operator.
BoyleSports' CEO Vlad Kaltenieks confirmed the company's continued commitment to retail betting, despite industry-wide pessimism, as they opened their 400th betting shop at Galway Racecourse. This expansion underscores retail's integral role in BoyleSports' overall business strategy.
Betcris has launched ChatBet on WhatsApp, utilizing Plannatech's platform to offer what it believes is the next evolution in online sports betting: conversational betting. This move represents a significant step for a major operator into an innovative user interaction model beyond traditional websites and apps.
BETBY has released a report analyzing the Mexican betting and iGaming market, featuring insights from industry leaders. The report combines market data and player research to assess Mexico's position relative to regional benchmarks.
A recent Gaming in Europe webinar discussed the place of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket in the European gambling sector. Experts weighed in on whether these platforms fit into existing regulatory frameworks in the region.
Entain is divesting its Central and Eastern European (CEE) assets, including operations in Poland and Croatia, due to the impact of the UK tax hike. Industry experts indicate that the pre-existing deal structure with EMMA facilitated this swift decision, despite the CEE division performing well.