New Mexico tribes have filed a lawsuit against prediction market Kalshi, adding to the legal challenges faced by the industry. Concurrently, Minnesota has passed a bill explicitly banning various prediction markets, including those on sports and elections.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill that would have banned sweepstakes casinos, leaving their legality in a gray area. This decision comes shortly after the state legislature rejected a separate bill aiming to legalize sports betting. The twin actions indicate a stalled movement towards clear gambling regulation in Oklahoma.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has instructed the National Gambling Control Commission (NGCC) to establish a 'safety net' to address the growing issue of youth gambling. This directive follows the swearing-in of new NGCC board members and underscores the government's concern regarding underage participation in gambling.
Law professor Melinda Roth suggests the CFTC is the appropriate regulatory body for prediction markets, particularly as companies like Kalshi consider expanding into sports-related offerings. This comes after Kalshi's success in offering election markets.
Indonesian police anticipate a surge in illegal online gambling during the upcoming soccer World Cup, despite all sports betting being prohibited in the country. This presents an ongoing challenge as numerous offshore gambling sites continue to target Indonesian residents.
Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) has frozen over 33,000 bank accounts linked to online gambling, impacting millions of dollars. This action signals a significant intensification of the country's crackdown on online casinos and illegal gambling operations.
Pennsylvania is considering House Bill 2497, which would introduce a $1 million licensing fee and a 20% revenue tax for companies operating prediction market platforms in the state. This move aims to regulate and monetize prediction markets, even as some other states consider banning them.
Significant and suspicious betting line shifts occurred for the Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley fight at UFC 328, leading to some bookmakers suspending markets. Despite initial odds favoring Brady, Buckley became the favorite just hours before the fight, raising concerns about potential irregular betting activity.
A new study by Japan's Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction (SCGA) reveals a significant increase in online casino usage and debt among Japanese gamblers, with average debt reaching $69,000, despite government crackdowns. This highlights the growing challenges of illegal online gambling in the region.
Italian soccer players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli have received criminal punishments for illegal gambling, in addition to already serving lengthy football suspensions. Tonali was banned for 10 months and Fagioli for 7 months by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) starting October 2023.
Bali police have arrested 35 Indian nationals suspected of operating an online gambling syndicate, including an alleged mastermind. The suspects face charges related to illegal betting and organized crime, with prosecutors now to decide on indictments.
Manchester United is reportedly signing Betway as its new training kit sponsor, despite an impending ban on gambling sponsorships on matchday shirts in the Premier League. This move highlights how clubs are adapting to the ban by shifting gambling sponsorships to other advertising avenues.
FanDuel CEO Amy Howe has been dismissed due to the company's underperformance, a decision confirmed by Flutter CEO Peter Jackson. This leadership change signals a refocus on growth strategies for the major US sports betting operator.
Ukraine's gambling regulator, PlayCity, has fined Slots UA, operator of Betking and 777 brands, nearly $10,000. This action signals increased regulatory oversight within the country's legal betting sector.
ChatBet, an AI-powered betting chatbot backed by Meta, has launched version 3 of its platform in Latin America. The technology aims to enable seamless betting via messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord, turning them into revenue channels for operators.
DraftKings co-founder Paul Liberman expressed the company's interest in offering microbetting markets, despite ongoing lawsuits alleging these markets contribute to gambling addiction. Microbetting involves wagering on specific in-play events during live sports.
Gambling addiction among young people is a growing concern, highlighted by associate professor Daniel Durkin as a significant social ill. This issue is prompting increased scrutiny and calls for greater responsibility within the iGaming industry regarding youth exposure to gambling products.
Chinese gamblers are moving to rural areas to avoid police, who are actively shutting down illegal outdoor betting operations nationwide. Authorities are also targeting online casino promoters who recruit through tech startups.
Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov announced that the legalization of casinos for foreign passport holders in 2022 has been an economic success, with visitors spending "millions." This move has been lauded by the President as proving its economic value to the state.
Minnesota is advancing legislation (SF4511) that would ban sweepstakes casinos and prediction markets, including those for sports. The bill has passed the Senate and is now under review in the House, poised to significantly restrict these activities if enacted.
Gaming stocks, represented by the Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF (BETZ), continue to underperform significantly in 2026, remaining down 7.7% for the year. This contrasts sharply with the broader S&P 500 Index, which has reached new record highs.
The alleged mastermind of a $73 million illegal online sports betting platform, surnamed Huang, has been repatriated to China from Cambodia. Huang is accused of launching the 'Wanhe Soccer' portal in September 2022, targeting mainland Chinese bettors while operating from Cambodia.
South Korean authorities are intensifying crackdowns on "Texas Hold 'em pubs" and other gambling experience venues accused of allowing real-money wagering. Over 6,000 individuals have been arrested in previous operations, signaling a significant enforcement effort against illicit gambling. This renewed focus could impact the informal gambling scene in the country.
Thai police, through their Department of Special Investigation (DSI), have dismantled an online casino money laundering operation, seizing over $15.3 million in funds. This action highlights ongoing efforts to combat illicit gambling activities in the region. The operation involved raids and freezing of multiple bank accounts linked to a notorious online gambling network.
South Korean casino operator Kangwon Land reported a 47% year-on-year drop in Q1 net profits, despite overall revenue growth. Operating profits also declined by 7.2% for the quarter.