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.
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.
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.
The UK Gambling Commission has decided that all regulatory settlements and fines from betting companies will now be paid directly into the government's Consolidated Fund, following a consultation. This move changes how penalties are allocated, previously often directed towards various charitable and social responsibility initiatives.
For the fourth consecutive month, the UK's gambling industry has maintained a high level of compliance with advertising standards, as reported by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). This ongoing positive performance indicates effective self-regulation and adherence to marketing guidelines within the sector.
Sportsbook platform provider FIRST has entered the regulated Argentinian market through a partnership with local iGaming tech supplier ONDISS and operator City Center Online. This move expands FIRST's global footprint and leverages ONDISS's local expertise and City Center Online's existing casino platform.
Evolution received a £4.75m settlement from the UK Gambling Commission due to "serious weaknesses" in its anti-money laundering (AML) oversight between December 2023 and November 2024. The Commission launched a review of Evolution's UK licence after its branded games were found on unlicensed gambling sites, with the supplier narrowly avoiding licence suspension.
Australia's Labor government is pushing forward with its Gambling Reform Bill, which includes significant changes to advertising and aims to create a much higher barrier to entry for betting operators. This legislative movement is a key topic at the party's annual conference, signaling major shifts for the Australian betting industry.
Germany's Federal Authority of Gambling (GGL) is preparing to expand the LUGAS central monitoring system, which tracks cross-operator customer depositing thresholds. This expansion aims to enhance data and transactional monitoring across Germany's interstate gambling regime (GlüStV), improving regulatory oversight and player protection.
Bulgaria's Deputy Financial Minister has rejected proposals from opposition parties for a total ban on gambling advertising and increased taxes on the industry. This decision comes despite ongoing political debates around gambling reforms within the country.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has appointed a new Chair at a critical time when UK horse racing is heavily involved in debates surrounding betting regulations, specifically Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), and industry taxation. The new leadership will navigate these significant challenges impacting the sport and its relationship with the betting sector.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has appointed a new Chair at a time when the UK racing industry is heavily involved in debates concerning betting affordability checks and taxation. This leadership change occurs as the BHA navigates significant regulatory and political challenges impacting bettors and the sport.
FIFA reported no suspicious betting activity during the entire 2026 World Cup, attributing this to robust monitoring by its internal integrity taskforce and collaborations with betting integrity watchdogs. This success highlights the effectiveness of current measures in preventing match-fixing within major sporting events.
A UNODC report highlighted the escalating problem of illegal gambling in Southeast Asia, which is increasingly a front for cyber fraud and human trafficking. The UN is urging a coordinated regional effort to combat these interconnected criminal activities.
Sports betting technology provider Kambi reported a significant turnaround in Q2, driven by the FIFA World Cup. The company saw a 13.5% year-over-year revenue growth to €45.9m and a 102% increase in adjusted EBITDA to €7.6m, reversing a difficult start to the year.
TAB, Tabcorp's flagship brand, has been fined AU$2.7 million by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for multiple breaches of consumer marketing rules. This penalty follows repeated failures by TAB to comply with regulations.
Allwyn has launched Powerball in the UK as part of its strategy to revamp the National Lottery and significantly increase returns to good causes by 2034. This move introduces a popular US lottery format to the UK market, aiming to expand the National Lottery's appeal.
BetConstruct AI's new CEO, Lena Yasir, has outlined her strategic vision focusing on utilizing AI and consolidating operator tech stacks to address industry margin pressures. Her appointment marks a new phase in BetConstruct's corporate development, aiming for operational excellence.
Entain is searching for a new Chief Marketing Officer for its UK brands after Charlotte Emery's departure. The incoming CMO will be responsible for marketing strategy, media planning, and brand development for key UK brands like Ladbrokes and Coral.
The Romanian county of Iași is set to close all land-based venues hosting slot machines following a recent central government law, with all 98 local councils deciding to implement the closures. This move will significantly impact the retail gambling sector in Romania's second-largest county.
Following UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's cabinet appointments, Lisa Nandy will retain her role as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Maintaining stability in this key department is significant for the iGaming industry due to the DCMS's oversight of gambling regulation.
The UK Gambling Commission is introducing a new licence condition, LCCP 18.1.1, effective July 29, 2026, requiring land-based operators to remove any gaming machines deemed non-compliant by the Commission. This move aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure compliance within the UK's gambling machine sector.
Ireland's Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) is considering legal action against an unnamed prediction markets platform, as confirmed by CEO Anne Marie Caulfield. This move highlights GRAI's concern over the legality and regulation of prediction markets in Ireland.
A significant clash is anticipated in the UK regarding the implementation of financial risk assessments (affordability checks) within the gambling industry. This ongoing debate, involving the Gambling Commission, horse racing, betting operators, campaign groups, and MPs, is a central component of the 2023 Gambling Act review and has been a contentious issue for over five years.
ADI Predictstreet has partnered with sportsbook technology provider FIRST.bet to introduce regulated prediction markets across Latin America. This collaboration integrates ADI Predictstreet's prediction market infrastructure with FIRST.bet's B2B sportsbook platform, aiming to expand betting offerings in the region.