Entain is urging UK sports organizations to voluntarily ban sponsorships from unlicensed gambling operators now, ahead of potential legislation. This call comes as the DCMS launches a consultation on illegal gambling sponsorships, a move Entain supports as a step toward addressing the issue.
Evolution has agreed to pay a £4.75 million ($6.4 million) settlement to the UK Gambling Commission. This settlement addresses the company's content being accessible to UK customers through two unlicensed operators across six websites, concluding a license review.
Arizona's Department of Gaming will begin accepting applications for new limited event wagering licenses on July 1, 2024. These licenses allow operators to partner with racetracks and off-track betting facilities, expanding the state's sports betting market to include more physical locations.
Gamstop recorded an all-time high in self-exclusion registrations in May 2026, driven by the lead-up to the World Cup, with individuals under 25 showing the highest awareness of their online gambling habits. This data comes from their H1 2026 report, highlighting increasing engagement with self-exclusion tools.
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has begun construction on the Naskila Resort & Casino in Leggett, Texas, a significant project that will introduce a large-scale, Vegas-style resort to the state. This development, which includes a 366-room hotel and extensive amenities, gained federal approval despite Texas having restrictive gambling laws, marking a major step for the state's gaming landscape.
Twelve more defendants have pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in a rigged poker case linked to an NBA sports-betting scandal, as confirmed by US Attorney Joseph Nocella. This brings the total number of individuals admitting guilt in the widespread investigation involving organized crime and sports betting. The pleas mark a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Illinois saw a significant year-on-year decline in sports betting handle and volume in May, contrary to the national trend of increased World Cup betting. The state's pre-tournament sports wagers decreased by over 10% to $1.1 billion, and total bet volume dropped by 21%.
Evolution has agreed to pay a £4.75m settlement to the UK Gambling Commission, concluding a license review that began in December 2024. The settlement addresses the availability of Evolution's game content on unlicensed websites targeting British consumers through two operators across six platforms.
Evolution has agreed to pay a £4.75 million settlement following an 18-month Gambling Commission review into its content being offered by unlicensed operators in the UK black market. The investigation identified two specific operators that distributed Evolution's games to UK consumers without holding the necessary licences.
Rank Group anticipates exceeding its full-year profit forecasts despite including a £5.0 million provision in its 2025/26 accounts related to an ongoing review of Grosvenor Casinos' operating license. This positive outlook signals strong underlying performance overcoming a regulatory settlement.
Merkur Group has acquired White Hat Studios as part of its strategy to expand its regulated online gaming operations in the United States. This move is a strategic acquisition aimed at strengthening Merkur's position in the US iGaming market.
Chile's online betting market is thriving with numerous platforms operating without local licenses, raising concerns and intensifying debate about their legality and regulation. A recent report by Diario Financiero highlighted the prominent individuals and international connections behind these platforms, primarily located in Cyprus, Estonia, and Greece.
The Czech Republic has banned prediction market platform Polymarket, adding it to its blacklist of unauthorised internet games. This decision mandates internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to the site, reflecting the country's focus on stricter player protection measures.
The UK's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has initiated a consultation to ban illegal gambling sponsors from sports, a move that has been anticipated and is gaining traction amidst frustrations from licensed operators. This consultation follows earlier confirmations from the DCMS regarding its impending launch.
Svenska Spel reported its strongest Q2 revenue since 2019 re-regulation, reaching £151.2m, a 7% year-on-year increase. This growth was significantly boosted by the World Cup, indicating strong performance within the Swedish gambling market.
Betsson Argentina CEO Maximiliano Bellio states that the legal online betting market in Argentina comprises less than 10% of total gambling activity, with the illegal market dominating. Bellio emphasizes that combating this illicit market is the industry's primary challenge.
St8, a casino games aggregator, has secured an iGaming Services Supplier registration in Alberta, Canada. This new license marks a significant step in the company's broader strategy to expand its presence across regulated North American iGaming markets, adding to its existing licenses in jurisdictions such as Sweden, the UK, Romania, and Ontario.
Hungary's state-owned gambling operator, Szerencsejáték Zrt, has undergone a complete board and leadership overhaul under the new TISZA government. Finance and Economy Minister András Kármán appointed Marcell Olajos as the new Chairman, signaling a significant change in the company's direction.
SportPesa, a long-standing operator in key African betting markets like Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania, expresses confidence in maintaining its leading position despite increasing competition from international operators. The company attributes its resilience to a deep understanding of local markets and customer preferences.
Merkur Group has acquired White Hat Studios, a prominent US iGaming slots provider operating in all seven regulated states. This acquisition expands Merkur Group's presence in the US market and leverages White Hat Studios' strong position to enhance its North American operations.
Kerstin Kosanke, President of the German Casino Association, has raised concerns that upcoming EU cash limit regulations and national anti-money laundering requirements could lead to the demise of German casinos due to excessive bureaucracy. She suggests Germany risks following Sweden's path where stringent regulations severely impacted the land-based casino sector.
Greece's Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) has partnered with the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) to implement a new strategy for blocking illegal gambling websites. This initiative will focus on advanced web-blocking and domain name enforcement, including DNS-based blocking, to combat unlicensed operations in the country.
Inspired Entertainment has launched its online slot games with multiple operators in Alberta, following the official opening of the province's regulated iGaming market. This expansion includes partnerships with major brands like bet365, BetRivers, and DraftKings, making Inspired's content available to a new audience in Canada.
bet365 has officially launched its sportsbook and casino services in Alberta, Canada, expanding its presence in the Canadian market beyond Ontario. This move solidifies bet365's strategic growth in North America and includes a partnership with the Canadian Football League.
This article analyzes the strategic rationale behind Banijay's recent €32 billion deal with JOA, highlighting how advisors view the logic as sound despite the market's current state. It reveals a shift in capital flow within gaming M&A, pointing towards new areas of value creation.