Allwyn reported a significant 21% increase in total revenue to over €1.2 billion in Q1 2026, alongside a 26% rise in Adjusted EBITDA to €441 million. CEO Robert Chvatal described the quarter as transformative, indicating strong financial performance for the lottery and gaming operator.
The South Korean Supreme Court has affirmed that illegal online casino operators can face penalties for personal data privacy violations, in addition to charges for operating an illicit casino. This ruling stems from the dismissal of an appeal by an individual previously convicted of such breaches.
Investment firm TPG is reportedly poised to finance a takeover bid for Evoke, the operator of William Hill, by Greek casino operator Bally's Intralot. TPG's involvement suggests a significant potential shift in ownership for the prominent betting brand.
Flutter-owned Betfair is facing a UK court lawsuit brought by Annie Ashton, who alleges the company is responsible for her husband's suicide due to compulsive gambling on its platform. This legal challenge follows a coroner's ruling in 2023 and could significantly impact operator responsibility and duty of care within the industry.
People Inc, formerly IAC, is bidding to acquire a controlling 50.1% stake in MGM Resorts International, an $18 billion deal that would take the casino operator off the NYSE. MGM officials are currently reviewing the proposal to determine the best course of action for the company and its stakeholders.
The Galveston County Sheriff's Office conducted raids on seven game rooms and 12 financial institutions, alleging they were involved in an illegal criminal network. This action highlights ongoing enforcement against unregulated gambling operations.
Illinois has approved a new budget that includes a 14.25% tax on sports prediction market operators' transaction fees or adjusted revenues. This move is expected to face resistance from operators and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Texas Tech is appealing the NCAA's ban on quarterback Brendan Sorsby for violating anti-gambling rules, despite Texas Tech voting against relaxing these same rules. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between evolving sports betting landscapes and traditional NCAA regulations.
Marves Fairley, who recently pleaded guilty to charges related to bribing NBA and NCAA players to underperform for betting gain, is reportedly still posting sports picks online. This comes after his admission of involvement in two significant basketball gambling scandals.
Fertitta Entertainment has agreed to acquire Caesars Entertainment in an all-cash deal valued at $17.9 billion, including debt. Caesars' board has approved the merger and recommended shareholder approval for the transaction.
Chinese gambling syndicates are reportedly using e-commerce cards, gift vouchers, and gaming credits as a form of payment on illegal online casinos. These vouchers are then converted to cash by money mules and third-party platforms, allowing illicit gambling activity to flourish.
A Japanese court has sentenced three individuals who laundered over $26.5 million for illegal online casinos. The trio used fake documents and cryptocurrency investments to conceal their illicit activities.
DraftKings is preparing to launch a new prediction market platform, DraftKings Exchange, which will feature microbetting. This move is seen as a significant innovation in the betting space, though some question if it's also a strategy to navigate regulations.
Kalshi, a prediction market platform, has established Americans for Fair Markets (AFM) to counter what it calls a smear campaign by the group FairPredicts. AFM aims to defend prediction markets against alleged misinformation from the traditional gambling industry. This move comes as FairPredicts runs ads with the slogan "Kalshi Lies."
Hedge funds have reportedly generated $2.3 billion this year by shorting major gambling companies like Flutter and DraftKings. This financial activity mirrors the 'Big Short' strategy, indicating a significant bearish sentiment among some investors regarding the iGaming industry's short-term prospects.
Spain and Indonesia have officially classified prediction markets as unlicensed gambling, leading to bans on platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs blocked these websites, citing their operation as unauthorized gambling services.
Chinese prosecutors have issued a warning that individuals transporting gamblers or gambling paraphernalia to illicit dens could face prison sentences. This public advisory from the Gaolan County People’s Procuratorate emphasizes the criminal nature of aiding illegal gambling operations in China.
Kazakhstan is expanding its legal gambling landscape by creating new coastal and urban gambling zones, moving beyond the two previously designated areas. This development, effective May 17, 2026, signals a significant shift in the country's approach to regulated gambling.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Hockey League (NHL) to combat insider trading in prediction markets. This agreement follows a similar deal with Major League Baseball, as US sports leagues strengthen efforts to maintain integrity in sports prediction markets.
A California court has blocked Attorney General Rob Bonta's proposed restrictions on cardrooms, including a ban on blackjack. This ruling comes after the California Gaming Association (CGA) filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the new rules, temporarily saving cardrooms from the ban.
Bill Miller, CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA), urged the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to cease defending prediction markets. Miller contends that these platforms are misrepresenting sports betting as financial contracts, thereby infringing on regulated sports betting. This marks a new front in the battle over the regulatory oversight of prediction markets versus traditional sports betting.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2289, a bill unanimously passed by both the House and Senate, empowering state authorities, including the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), to issue cease-and-desist orders to illegal gambling operators, specifically targeting sweepstakes casinos. This legislation aims to curb unregulated gambling activities within the state.
A Kyiv court has ordered the liquidation of the Premier Palace Casino, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling in Ukraine. This action comes amidst concerns from industry leaders that the country's black market for betting has surged to an estimated $1.4 billion.
New Jersey plans to escalate its legal dispute with prediction market Kalshi to the Supreme Court. This move could significantly impact the legality and regulation of prediction markets nationwide, similar to New Jersey's role in legalizing sports betting.
The Catawba Tribe has opened the initial phase of its new $1 billion Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. This partial opening marks the first step in a larger development, with the full project still under construction.