Brazilian President Lula has intensified his criticism of the betting sector, labeling gambling a 'scourge of lies' in an apparent move to appeal to conservative voters. This rhetoric could signal potential shifts in government policy or public perception towards the nascent Brazilian betting market. While seemingly politically motivated, presidential statements can significantly influence a market's future regulatory environment.
QuinnBet has agreed to pay a £609,104 settlement to the UK Gambling Commission for social responsibility and anti-money laundering deficiencies. The regulator stated it expects other operators to learn from this enforcement action regarding compliance with due diligence requirements.
Legal expert Claire Pinson-Bessonnet suggests that while an EU-wide iGaming tax faces significant hurdles, the discussion itself could initiate a crucial debate on harmonising online gambling regulation across the European Union. This process could bring the long-overlooked iGaming industry into sharper focus for EU policymakers, potentially leading to more unified regulatory frameworks.
Peter & Sons, a game studio, has entered the Philippine market through a partnership with BingoPlus, a leading licensed digital entertainment platform and subsidiary of DigiPlus Interactive Corp. This expansion follows Peter & Sons' recent PAGCOR approval, marking a significant new market entry for the company.
QuinnBet will pay £609,104 following a Gambling Commission investigation that uncovered significant anti-money laundering (AML) and social responsibility (SR) failures. These failures included inadequacies in their manual processes for customer interaction and source of funds checks, as well as delays in implementing new SR measures.
Fanatics Betting & Gaming has secured an official sports betting partnership with the NFL, positioning it as a key operator for the upcoming season. This agreement grants Fanatics access to NFL branding and data, enhancing its offerings to fans.
A new study by LCA Consultores and Instituto Locomotiva indicates a modest decrease in Brazil's illegal betting market, though unlicensed operations still hold a substantial share. This suggests potential positive impacts from the country's ongoing regulatory framework development.
Australia's Labor government has secured a deal with the opposition to advance long-awaited regulatory reforms concerning gambling advertising rules. Concurrently, Entain and its subsidiaries, Ladbrokes AUS and Neds, are facing an expanding class action lawsuit.
George Daskalakis, CEO and Co-Founder of Kaizen Gaming (owner of Betano), is reportedly in talks to acquire a significant stake in EFL Championship club Bristol City. This potential investment marks a notable move by a major iGaming industry leader into sports club ownership. Kaizen Gaming is a prominent operator with a $10 billion valuation.
Billionaire Kenneth Dart, through his investment group Candle Lake, has acquired a 5.8% stake in DraftKings. This move comes despite a significant loss on his nearly 30% holding in Flutter, FanDuel's parent company. Dart is betting on a strong recovery for major gambling giants.
South Korean regulators have banned Polymarket, a prediction market platform, deeming it a violation of national gambling laws. Industry experts suggest this decision by the Korea Communications Standards Commission could effectively end the domestic prediction market sector in the country.
Bally's is reportedly in discussions to sell its $1.1 billion development project adjacent to the Las Vegas Athletics' stadium. This move is aimed at addressing the company's substantial $4.5 billion debt, as Bally's seeks to shed assets to improve its financial position.
Holland Park Leisure Limited, an adult gaming center operator, has been fined £150,000 for failing to comply with self-exclusion requirements. This penalty was imposed to address shortcomings in measures designed to reduce gambling harm.
The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has introduced a new Marketing and Advertising Code, establishing consistent standards for its members. This code aims to enhance consumer protection across advertising practices within the online gaming industry. It reflects a commitment by ROGA members to responsible marketing.
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with executives from prediction market and crypto companies, including Polymarket, Kalshi, Coinbase, and Robinhood, alongside the chairs of the CFTC and SEC. This high-level meeting indicates potential future discussions or regulatory developments concerning these industries, which have significant implications for the iGaming and betting sector due to their overlap with financial and political betting markets.
Billionaire investor Kenneth Dart, via his firm Candle Lake, has acquired a 5.8% stake in DraftKings, signaling a significant investment in one of the leading publicly-listed gambling companies. This move follows Dart's previous investments in other major gambling firms, indicating his confidence in the industry's future growth.
Romania's gambling authority, ONJN, has reportedly made significant progress in modernising its internal control mechanisms, according to the country's Court of Auditors. This comes after a 2025 audit revealed a scandal involving over €900m in missing taxes from ONJN's records, prompting a restructuring of its management and processes.
The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has fined Crown Sydney $1.75 million and The Star Sydney $500,000 for allowing a 16-year-old minor to enter their venues multiple times using a fake ID. The incidents occurred between April and August 2025, highlighting a significant breach of age verification protocols at major Australian casinos.
Cambodia has intensified its crackdown on technology-based scam networks by revoking 20 casino licenses, suspending 29 others, and allowing 23 licenses to expire. This large-scale action is part of a broader effort to combat illegal activities linked to the casino industry in the country.
A South Korean developer is proposing to include a foreigner-only casino and a 3,600-room hotel as part of a US$15.72 billion land-reclamation project on the Yellow Sea coast. The Saemangeum Development Corporation believes a major anchor facility is essential to drive tourism and investment for the new waterfront city.
Danish payments firm Inpay has been hit with an injunction by Denmark's financial regulator for failing to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) legislation. The regulator cited Inpay's insufficient due diligence on its iGaming customers as the reason for the enforcement action.
Allwyn UK, operator of the National Lottery, is replacing its CEO, Andria Vidler. An interim CEO, formerly a high-level executive at William Hill and 888, will take over.
Allwyn UK, the operator of the National Lottery, has announced a leadership change as its CEO, Andria Vidler, steps down. Industry veteran Phil Walker, formerly of William Hill, will assume the role of interim CEO.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, CEO of Swedish online gambling trade body BOS, advocates for a comprehensive re-evaluation and 'hard reset' of Sweden's gambling market and regulatory framework. He expresses significant concerns with the government's handling of the market since its re-regulation. This signals potential major changes or strong industry pressure for reform in the Swedish iGaming sector.
The gambling industry has strongly reacted to Andy Burnham's comments labeling them as "dodgy businesses," expressing frustration at being unfairly targeted. While the industry's anger is evident, the article suggests this alone will not secure a political win against negative perceptions.