FIRST.bet has appointed industry veteran Ian Bradley as co-CEO, reuniting him with Tom Light, former CEO of SBTech, to lead the B2B sportsbook provider's global expansion efforts. Bradley brings over 20 years of experience in B2B sportsbook operations, including roles at Sporting Index and Sporting Solutions.
FIRST.bet, a B2B sportsbook technology provider, has appointed Ian Bradley, formerly SVP at DraftKings, as its co-CEO. Bradley will partner with founder Tom Light, reuniting two former SBTech executives to lead the company.
Fanatics and Momentum have formed a strategic joint venture to enter the UAE gaming market. This partnership will leverage Fanatics' product and technology alongside Momentum's existing commercial gaming licenses and operations in the region.
Octoplay has obtained conditional license approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC), enabling it to offer its game portfolio to operators in Alberta's newly regulating iGaming market. This expansion follows Octoplay's existing operations in Ontario, where it is live with BetMGM and PokerStars.
DraftKings has launched its proprietary prediction markets exchange, DKeX, integrating it into its existing Sports & Casino app. This move is expected to accelerate innovation, improve content depth, and enhance operating economics for DraftKings' predictions experience, which already generates significant consumer volume.
Indonesian police have dismantled a major international online gambling network, arresting over 300 foreign nationals, predominantly Vietnamese, in West Jakarta. Four Indonesian citizens were also apprehended in connection with the operation of nearly 150 alleged gambling sites.
Bally's Corporation is facing significant development challenges with its temporary casino in Chicago and its Las Vegas project. The company is also anticipating future hurdles with a potential New York casino, signaling a period of considerable operational and financial strain.
Ilitch Companies has announced the formation of Ilitch Gaming, a new platform designed to unify its gaming, hospitality, and entertainment operations. This new entity will oversee existing gaming-related businesses and support future growth within the sector for the organization.
South Korean police are investigating allegations of rigged blackjack games at an unnamed, small casino in Jeju, following a tip-off from provincial officials. The investigation centres on claims that the casino manipulated games to ensure customer losses.
Caesars Entertainment is preparing to launch its online casino in Maine, following successful regulatory approvals. This expansion signifies a new iGaming market entry for Caesars and an increase in online gambling availability for Maine residents.
Fanatics is launching a 'Bad Actor Program' to address and punish bettors who engage in online abuse or threats against athletes. This initiative aims to protect athletes and deter harmful behavior within the legal sports betting ecosystem.
This week's prediction market roundup highlights the potential entry of Meta into this asset class, signaling significant interest from a major tech company. Additionally, the report covers ongoing litigation by Kalshi against a new tax imposed by Illinois, indicating regulatory challenges within the sector.
The British Gambling Commission is actively soliciting feedback from licensed operators regarding the most significant burdens within the UK gambling sector. This initiative is a core part of its 2026-2027 business plan, aiming to foster innovation while upholding regulatory standards.
Egypt and South Africa are intensifying efforts against illegal and unlicensed gambling operations in their respective markets. This crackdown comes amid significant growth in the African betting industry and aims to protect licensed operators and revenue streams.
A group of 17 Democratic Senators is petitioning a Senate subcommittee to prevent the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from using federal funds for legal battles against states regarding prediction market operators. This push comes as numerous states have attempted to regulate prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket under their gambling laws, challenging the CFTC's jurisdiction.
An Illinois gambler is suing DraftKings, alleging that the company's platform constitutes a "defective product" that fosters gambling addiction. The plaintiff claims to have lost over $2 million and experienced suicidal ideations as a result of his gambling on the platform.
Germany's ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has received a reform proposal from its associated Economic Council, outlining a strategy to resolve the country's long-standing gambling market issues. This initiative aims to address Germany's reputation as a challenging market within Europe.
Maltese MEP Peter Agius has warned that proposals to ban online gambling advertisements could inadvertently strengthen the illegal market by driving players away from regulated operators. He argues that responsible advertising by licensed companies is crucial for consumer protection and market oversight.
Georgia is proposing a new gambling license category that would legalize foreign online casinos operating within its borders, but only for foreign nationals and stateless persons. Georgian citizens would continue to be prohibited from accessing these platforms, indicating a unique approach to regulating international iGaming. This move aims to attract foreign operators while maintaining strict domestic gambling controls.
UK horse racing leaders believe their sport will be exempt from potential future gambling advertising restrictions, unlike other sports like football. This stance is based on the sport's deep historical and financial ties to betting, with the betting industry providing significant funding to horse racing.
SkyCity Adelaide will implement a phased elimination of cash transactions exceeding A$4,999 and maintain its junket prohibition. This is part of an agreement to resolve regulatory issues stemming from an independent review, which includes paying a A$21 million fine.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has blocked 12 additional illegal gambling websites, continuing its crackdown on unlicensed offshore operators targeting Australian consumers. This action underscores ACMA's ongoing efforts to enforce gambling regulations and protect players in the region.
European regulators are shifting their focus from broad consumer protection during the World Cup to addressing the rise of illegal betting. This indicates a change in strategy towards channelisation and combating unregulated markets.
Prediction market platform Kalshi is reportedly seeking new investment to achieve a valuation exceeding $40 billion, with an IPO rumored for next year. If successful, this valuation would make it larger than any currently listed gambling company, highlighting significant potential disruption and growth in the broader betting and financial markets.
Brazil's Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) through its deputy secretary, Carlos Renato Xavier, has declared the country's newly regulated betting environment a success, contrasting it positively with the previous unregulated period.