Entain has reiterated its call for 10 Premier League clubs to cease affiliations with unlicensed gambling operators, following up on previous correspondence. The Ladbrokes Coral owner informed SBC News it has written to clubs regarding their sponsorship deals with bookmakers lacking proper licenses.
Bet365 has officially launched its online sports betting platform in Washington D.C., marking its entry into the jurisdiction. The move is supported by three major sports partnerships, offering D.C. bettors a comprehensive sportsbook with over 100 sports and extensive live betting options.
Armenia is implementing new reforms to tighten oversight of online gambling, with the State Revenue Committee planning to block unlicensed gambling websites via telecommunications operators. This move aims to curb illegal operations and increase regulatory control within the country's iGaming market.
France's National Gaming Authority (ANJ) is scrutinizing the sponsorship deal between Ligue 1 club OGC Nice and fintech company Robinhood. The concern stems from Robinhood's nature, which the ANJ links to prediction markets, as part of its ongoing efforts to regulate such activities and their promotion in sports.
A Bulgarian political party, We Continue the Change, is pushing for a full ban on gambling advertising, aiming to close perceived loopholes in existing legislation. This move reflects their historical criticism of the gambling industry and could significantly impact marketing strategies in the country.
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey, is reportedly considering a significant increase to Machine Games Duty in the upcoming Autumn Budget. This potential move, reported by The Times, signals further stricter measures being contemplated for the gambling industry by the new government.
The UK Gambling Commission has appointed Ruth Evans as its permanent Chair, ending a nearly two-year vacancy. Appointed by the DCMS, Evans's role is a key development for the UK gambling sector, filling a critical leadership position within the regulatory body.
Underdog, a US-based sports firm, is closing its fantasy sports operations in seven states to prioritize its prediction market offerings. This strategic shift follows its acquisition agreement with UK-based IG Group and indicates a focus change for the company.
FIRST.bet has secured an exclusive partnership to become the sportsbook technology provider for game aggregator Alea. This collaboration will integrate FIRST.bet's localized, tier-one sportsbook tech into Alea's extensive network, enhancing Alea's product offering. Alea chose a single provider for a streamlined approach to sportsbook integration.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is reviewing its stance on consumer access to investments, which could lead to a re-evaluation of the 2019 UK ban on retail binary options. This review, expected in September, might open a path for prediction markets to launch in the UK, potentially expanding the regulated landscape for such financial-betting products.
Two UK bookmakers, Bet St George and BresBet, have surrendered their operating licenses following suspensions by the Gambling Commission. The suspensions were issued due to suspected failings in social responsibility and anti-money laundering protocols. This action leads to their immediate cessation of operations.
Bet St George and BresBet, two UK bookmakers, have surrendered their operating licenses following suspensions by the Gambling Commission. The suspensions were issued due to suspected failings in social responsibility and anti-money laundering protocols, leading to their exit from the market.
A recent political debate in the Netherlands highlighted strong divisions regarding the future direction of the country's gambling legislation, particularly the ongoing reforms to the Remote Gaming Act (KOA). The discussions revealed diverse opinions on how to proceed with the existing mandates, indicating potential challenges for unified policy implementation.
Bally's Corporation is searching for a new CFO after Mira Mircheva announced her resignation, citing "personal reasons." Her departure comes amid ongoing liquidity concerns and a significant drop in the company's share price, adding to uncertainty about Bally's future.
Brazilian Senators are reportedly planning to dismantle key commercial aspects of the country's regulated online gambling market. This development indicates a significant political battle over gambling policy, especially as Brazil approaches its October elections, potentially undermining the recently established 'Bets Law'.
Hungary is considering terminating its gambling regulator, the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH), just five years after its establishment. A resolution published in the Hungarian Gazette indicates the government's intent to examine the regulator's operations, raising significant uncertainty for the country's iGaming sector.
Flutter Entertainment is considering closing up to 100 Paddy Power retail shops in the UK, potentially putting 400 jobs at risk. This move is attributed to the recent rise in remote gaming duty and general economic uncertainty impacting the retail gambling sector.
Finland's state monopoly Veikkaus Group reported H1 growth as it prepares to pay approximately €1 billion over 10 years for an exclusive license. This move is ahead of Finland's market liberalization, with licensed gambling operations set to begin on July 1, 2027, transitioning from the current monopoly system.
Entain is set to be removed from the FTSE 100 Index due to a significant drop in its market capitalization, which is now the lowest among companies on the index. This change, expected by City analysts, marks the end of Entain's six-year presence on the London Stock Exchange's premium index.
Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has launched a probe into the product design and terms and conditions of Polish bookmakers regarding consumer fairness. Industry expert Dr. Justyna Grusza-Głębicka highlights that the absence of clear, sector-specific online platform standards in Poland could hinder this necessary assessment.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva reportedly held discussions at the Planalto Palace to assess the impact of the regulated gambling regime on family budgets, specifically excluding gambling industry stakeholders from the talks. This move suggests potential further friction between the government and the sector, raising concerns about future regulatory direction in the newly regulated market.
BetMakers reported an 8.8% year-on-year revenue increase to AU$92.6m and a 205% EBITDA rise for FY26, despite operating in a turbulent Australian market facing political scrutiny. The company's financial results are announced amidst a proposed takeover bid from Tabcorp, adding a significant M&A dimension to its current operations.
Mozzartbet Group will cease operating its international Mozzart.com brand under its Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license from 1 October 2026. The company confirmed this strategic decision, which will see Mozzartbet Malta Limited discontinue its MGA-licensed operations established in 2019.
Kambi has unveiled a new brand identity and strategic positioning, 'Powerful Network. Proven Edge.', emphasizing AI and data to navigate the evolving sports betting landscape. This rebrand highlights Kambi's extensive network of over 70 partners and aims to future-proof its offerings amid the growth of AI and bet builders.
SBC News is launching a new Global Prediction Markets Forum to address the complex regulatory and operational questions surrounding prediction markets. The forum aims to bring together industry leaders to clarify whether these markets should be classified as financial or betting products, a key challenge for regulators worldwide.