OpenBet names Nikos Konstakis as CEO, as Jordan Levin becomes chairman
OpenBet has appointed Nikos Konstakis as its new CEO. Former CEO Jordan Levin, who led the company through its management buyout, will transition to chairman of the board.
Betting industry news
BreakingRegulatory
UK’s latest round of AML clampdowns point to issues other than tax hikes
The UK gambling industry faces increasing scrutiny over Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and duty of care compliance, potentially impacting market consolidation more significantly than tax increases. Recent regulatory actions and enforcement highlight a growing focus on these areas.
Q&A: Harry Heynes joins Soft2Bet as Business Development Director
Soft2Bet has appointed Harry Heynes as its new Business Development Director. Heynes will focus on enhancing the commercial capabilities of the company's B2C and B2B operations.
BreakingRegulatory
Five years of GGL: Authority established and effective
Germany's Joint Gaming Authority (GGL) has marked its five-year anniversary, asserting its establishment as the national online gambling regulator. The authority has overseen the development of the legal online gambling market and effectively combated illegal gambling. GGL also expressed a desire for regulatory approaches that can keep pace with market developments.
Trading transformed: Inside Kambi’s first fully AI-powered World Cup
Kambi successfully deployed its first fully AI-powered trading platform during the 2026 World Cup, handling over 100 million bets with zero downtime. The system achieved an 18% operator trading margin, showcasing the potential of AI in sportsbook trading. This event provided significant insights into the future capabilities of automated trading solutions.
BreakingRegulatory
“More international, more digital, more growth” – inside Veikkaus and Fennica’s plans for expansion beyond Finland
Finland's state-owned lottery and betting company, Veikkaus, is preparing for the end of its monopoly in July 2027, transitioning to a new market model. The company supports this change and plans to expand internationally and digitally. This transformation will establish Europe's newest betting market.
Kambi puts network data at the heart of its sportsbook advantage
Kambi is leveraging its extensive sportsbook network data to provide a competitive advantage to its operator partners. Billions of bets inform pricing, risk management, and product development, aligning with their updated brand tagline, "Powerful Network. Proven Edge."
Circa Survivor under 9,000 entries left after Week 2
The Circa Survivor contest saw a significant reduction in entries after Week 2, with fewer than 9,000 remaining. Over 8,000 entries were eliminated in Week 2 due to upsets, following a similar pattern in Week 1.
Circa Resort & Casino named A's first founding partner
Circa Resort & Casino and Circa Sports have been named the first founding partner of the Las Vegas Athletics. They will serve as Official Resort and Sportsbook for the team and its new ballpark.
UK bingo operators warn tax hike could lead to venue closures, job losses
UK bingo operators are warning that a potential increase in Machine Games Duty on slot machines from 20% to 40% could result in venue closures and job losses. Industry leaders, including Rank Group and Buzz Bingo, have communicated these concerns to government officials.
Boyd Gaming sells former Eastside Cannery site for $28.8 million
Boyd Gaming Corp. has sold the former Eastside Cannery site in eastern Las Vegas for $28.8 million. The sale follows Clark County commissioners' approval of Lennar Corp.'s plans to develop a 279-lot residential subdivision on the 29.5-acre property.
BreakingRegulatory
Netherlands: KSA reissues eight online gambling licences for five years
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has reissued eight online gambling licenses for a five-year term, effective from October 2026 to September 2031. These are the first follow-up licenses since the market launched in 2021, replacing initial licenses set to expire in September 2026.
UK Commission suspends Ken Howell's remote license after AML probe
The UK Gambling Commission has suspended the remote operating license of Targetlocal Ltd, which trades as Ken Howell's Sports Betting (kenhowells.com). The suspension follows an inquiry that identified anti-money laundering (AML) failings within the company's operations.
Caesars Entertainment expands remote gameplay with Remote Roulette
Caesars Entertainment has launched Remote Roulette, expanding its remote gameplay offerings for New Jersey. This new experience allows online players to participate in live roulette streamed directly from Tropicana Atlantic City's casino floor.
BreakingRegulatory
MGA launches AI Gaming Charter for responsible use across gaming sector
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), in collaboration with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), has introduced an AI Gaming Charter. This voluntary, principles-based framework aims to promote the ethical, responsible, transparent, and accountable use of artificial intelligence within the gaming sector.
AMIG warns against prohibition as Lula targets Brazil’s betting sector
Brazil's women-in-gaming association (AMIG) has cautioned against policies that could dismantle the regulated betting market, citing risks to female employment. The warning comes amidst President Lula's increasing scrutiny of the sector, with AMIG highlighting the potential for women to be pushed towards unlicensed operators.
BreakingRegulatory
IBJR backs new financial controls on illegal betting in Brazil
Brazil's Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has implemented new procedures to identify and block payment transactions linked to unauthorized fixed-odds betting operators. This ordinance mandates financial institutions to prevent and repress transactions associated with illegal betting activities.
BreakingRegulatory
Dominican Republic gambling bill sent to president after Senate approves deputies’ changes
The Dominican Republic's gambling reform bill has been sent to President Luis Abinader for assent after clearing both legislative chambers. The Senate approved the modified text, incorporating amendments from the Chamber of Deputies, completing its passage through Congress.
Chile – Court admits Latamwin challenge to betting-site blocking
The Santiago Court of Appeals has accepted a protection action filed by W&C N.V., operator of Latamwin, challenging the blocking of its online betting platforms in Chile. The company initiated the legal action against the SCJ and Subtel over the blocking order.
Circa named Athletics’ first founding partner ahead of 2028 Las Vegas ballpark opening
Circa Resort & Casino and Circa Sports have been named the first Official Founding Partner of the Las Vegas Athletics. This multi-year agreement establishes Circa as an Official Resort and Sportsbook of the team and its new ballpark, set to open in 2028.
Entain urges UK to ban unlicensed sponsorships now
Entain has urged the UK government to immediately ban sports sponsorship deals involving unlicensed gambling operators. In its response to a DCMS consultation, the company advocated for closing the loophole allowing such sponsorships without delay.
Tunica-Biloxi launches Kalshi-powered trading platform amid opposition from other tribes
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana has launched SaltTrade Derivatives, a tribally owned prediction market trading platform powered by KalshiEX LLC. This move places the tribe in opposition to other Native American gaming organizations who are challenging Kalshi's sports event contracts.
Zitro Digital extends Latin American presence with DoradoBet deal in Peru
Zitro Digital has expanded its Latin American presence by launching its full content library on DoradoBet in Peru. This partnership strengthens the gaming supplier's footprint in the regulated Peruvian iGaming market, offering a range of slot titles to DoradoBet's platform.
Wiesbaden’s higher slot machine tax upheld despite alleged ‘strangling’ effect
A German state court has upheld Wiesbaden's higher slot machine tax, dismissing claims that it had a 'strangling' effect on operators. The court ruled against arguments that the 2024 tax increase was detrimental to businesses. This decision solidifies the higher tax rate for slot machine operations in the region.
Brazil football clubs oppose possible ban on sports betting
Brazilian football clubs and state federations are opposing a potential government ban on sports betting, warning it could lead to financial instability for many clubs. Organizations like Flamengo, Fluminense, and several state federations argue against suspending the regulated market.