Golden Matrix Group, now Meridian Holdings, rebranded to better align with its MeridianBet ownership. Six months post-rebrand, the company reported its first profitable quarter, indicating a successful strategic move.
Kaizen Gaming is actively preparing to launch its Betano sportsbook in Spain by seeking a Managing Director and building a local leadership team. This move follows an update to the DGOJ's regulatory license registry, signaling Betano's imminent entry into the Spanish market.
A new bill has been introduced this week with the objective of banning sports prediction markets. This marks another legislative attempt to regulate or prohibit these types of betting activities.
Live betting and microbetting are driving significant growth for sportsbooks, contrasting with traditional pre-flop betting. However, this growth also raises concerns about increased gambling-related harm for users, as highlighted in a lawsuit against major industry players.
Polymarket is challenging the French gambling regulator (ANJ) over its decision to block the platform, arguing that the ANJ's action targets users seeking information, not just trading. This legal battle highlights the ongoing conflict between prediction markets and traditional gambling regulations regarding their classification and legality.
A Victorian gambling operator has been fined $75,000 for allowing a self-excluded customer to gamble due to system failures. This case highlights the critical importance of robust self-exclusion protocols within the gambling industry.
Jim Townsend has been appointed as the new Chair of the Michigan Gaming Control Board. He will lead the current board members, including Joni M. Thrower Davis, Mark Evenson, Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds, and Andrew T. Palms, in overseeing Michigan's gaming industry.
An Indonesian Instagram influencer faces a two-year jail term for promoting an online casino, highlighting the strict enforcement of online gambling bans in the country. This case follows a trend of Indonesian authorities prosecuting individuals who endorse illegal gambling activities on social media.
The Council of Europe has contradicted FIFA's claims that there were no suspicious betting alerts during the recent World Cup, despite FIFA's assurances that its Integrity Task Force found no such cases. This raises questions about the transparency and effectiveness of FIFA's match-fixing integrity monitoring.
Kalshi, a prediction market platform, is accused of using a child protection bill focused on facial recognition to expand its reach into sports and gaming contracts. Lawmakers introduced the Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act alongside Kalshi's CEO, raising concerns about the true intentions and potential implications for the industry.
A new report from Australian anti-gambling advocates reveals that the country's 20 largest superannuation funds collectively hold US $10.3 billion in gambling stocks. This significant investment by pension funds in the gaming industry highlights substantial financial ties, potentially sparking debate among stakeholders and the public regarding ethical investment.
SkyCity Entertainment Group has signed a non-binding agreement to sell The Grand Hotel within its Auckland complex. The sale is conditional upon due diligence, final documentation, and approval from New Zealand's Overseas Investment Office. This move indicates a potential streamlining of SkyCity's asset portfolio.
The UK Gambling Commission confirmed that regulatory settlement funds will be directed to the government's Consolidated Fund, despite industry consultation feedback advocating for alternative uses. This decision finalizes the process for how monetary penalties from regulatory breaches will be allocated.
The Colombian government, under the Petro administration, is making a final effort to permanently implement a 19% VAT on online gambling before their term ends. This move aims to establish the tax as a permanent fixture in the country's fiscal policy for the iGaming sector.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is proposing that increased gambling taxes levied on Adult Gaming Centers (AGCs), and potentially bookmakers, be used to fund high street regeneration initiatives. This move suggests specific targeting of the gambling industry to contribute to local economic relief, with uncertainty still surrounding the inclusion of retail betting in the tax hike.
Brazil's Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) has initiated a public consultation to gather input for revising the licensing procedures for betting operators. This move aims to shape the regulatory framework for the country's upcoming regulated betting market.
Wynn Macau has secured government approval for a US$950 million expansion of its Wynn Palace integrated resort in Cotai. The expansion, named The Enclave at Wynn, will include a new luxury hotel tower, theatre, and events center, significantly enhancing the property's offerings.
Betano has extended its sponsorship deal with Aston Villa FC for another three years, running until the 2028/29 season. This renewal demonstrates sports betting operators' continued investment in Premier League partnerships despite the upcoming ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships.
PENN Entertainment's theScore Bet has secured a multi-year deal with the Canadian Football League (CFL), becoming its Official Sports Betting and Online Casino Partner in Ontario and Alberta. This partnership aims to enhance fan engagement through sports betting, fantasy football, and digital content.
1X2 Network has expanded its North American presence by going live in Alberta, distributing its content across seven prominent operators in the newly regulated iGaming market. This move includes gaining homepage placement for its studios, enhancing visibility among Albertan players.
Netflix has appointed Ian Hunter, previously from Snap Inc., to lead its real-money gaming (RMG) advertising solutions, marking its first dedicated hire in this sector. This move signals Netflix's entry into RMG advertising and its expansion of global advertising efforts.
A new bipartisan House bill, the Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act, aims to ban sports and casino-style prediction markets on federally registered exchanges in the US. Sponsored by Congressmen Steven Horsford and Mark Amodei, the legislation seeks to distinguish between legitimate hedging and gambling, preventing these platforms from operating under the guise of an exchange.
The Korea Casino Association warns that proposed increases to the Tourism Promotion and Development Fund will lead to bankruptcy for South Korean casino operators and push players to competing markets in Southeast Asia and Japan. This policy change could significantly impact the financial viability of the country's largest casino groups.
Two Fertitta Entertainment executives have received licensing in Nevada, suggesting progress in the proposed acquisition of Caesars Entertainment. However, details regarding the status and timeline of the deal remain largely undisclosed by both parties.
Following a congressional hearing on prediction markets, a federal ban on sports event contracts is deemed unlikely, but continued legislative discussion is anticipated. This indicates ongoing scrutiny of how these financial vehicles interact with existing sports betting frameworks.