This week saw significant regulatory developments across multiple jurisdictions, from Indiana’s ban on sweepstakes casinos to Bulgaria’s proposed affiliate licensing. Meanwhile, industry partnerships and product launches signal ongoing evolution in the iGaming space, as operators adapt to new rules and market demands.
Regulation & Policy
- Indiana bill banning sweepstakes casinos takes effect —
Indiana’s House Bill 1052, which bans online sweepstakes casinos that use dual-currency systems, has taken effect as of July 1 after receiving Governor Mike Braun’s signature.
- Scotland seeks applications for gambling levy funding —
Grassroots organisations in Scotland are being invited to apply for a share of a new £375,000 funding pot dedicated to gambling research and support services.
- Everton Moves Stake to Shirt Sleeve as Premier League Gambling Ban Nears —
Everton FC has renewed its partnership with offshore gambling operator Stake, but the brand’s logo will move from the front of the shirt to the sleeve as the English Premier…
- Bulgaria proposes licences and levy for gambling affiliates —
Bulgaria is moving forward with a proposal to introduce licensing requirements and a new levy targeting gambling affiliates, as part of the country’s long-delayed 2026 budget.
- UKGC License Fees to Rise 25% From October as Costs Mount for Operators —
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced that license fees for gambling operators will increase by 25% starting October 1, adding to the growing financial pressures on…
- Chaos grips gambling sector in Bulgaria —
Bulgaria’s gambling sector is facing a period of uncertainty as the country’s delayed 2026 Budget heads to the National Assembly for final approval, with a new rule targeting…
- Trade body launched to foster self-regulation in UK prize draw sector —
A new trade body has been established to promote self-regulation within the UK prize draw sector, according to an announcement covered by iGaming Business.
- France clears path to impose youth loss limits on bookmakers —
The National Assembly of France has approved a series of amendments to the “Professional Sports Bill”, a legislative measure that seeks to re-order controls and protections for…
- British gambling sector warns proposed rise in gaming machine tax could “put venues and jobs at risk” —
The British gambling sector is raising alarms over a proposed increase in tax on land-based gaming machines, warning that the measure could threaten the viability of venues and…
- Austria publishes full list of draft online gambling provisions —
Austria’s government has published a full list of draft online gambling provisions, marking a significant step toward the liberalisation of the country’s online gambling market.
Fines & Penalties
- Gambling mascot proves too cute for UK adverts watchdog —
The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has issued a warning to online casino operator Mr Vegas over a social media advertisement on Facebook that promoted four slot…
- AGCO issues fine against Great Canadian Entertainment —
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a $120,000 fine against Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE) for using unauthorised gaming system software at four…
Partnerships
- Soft2Bet secures landmark North American brand licensing deal with WPT Royale a World Poker Tour licensee and partner to scale igaming operations —
Soft2Bet, a B2B iGaming provider, has entered into a multiyear brand licensing agreement with WPT Royale, an official licensee and partner of the World Poker Tour.
Product Launches
- DraftKings is bullish on new exchange, but questions remain on fee generation —
DraftKings has unveiled its new exchange product, DKeX, signaling a strategic push into the betting exchange market.
Across the Industry
- South Korean Man Used AI App to Plot Mother’s Murder, Hide Gambling Debts —
A South Korean court has sentenced a 28-year-old man to five years in prison for attempting to murder his mother in order to conceal his gambling debts.
- Man in Modified Shirt Helped Chinese Bettors Wager at Macao Casinos’ Baccarat Tables —
Police in Macao have arrested a man accused of using a specially modified shirt to place bets on baccarat tables at local casinos on behalf of illegal gamblers in Mainland…
- 12% of Russians are Addicted to Gambling, Lawmakers Warn —
Russian lawmakers have issued a stark warning about the prevalence of gambling addiction in the country, with new estimates suggesting that approximately 12% of the adult…
- Michigan Gaming Control Board Withdraws From NCPG Over Kalshi Partnership —
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has withdrawn its membership from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), citing the organization’s partnership with Kalshi as…
- 5 Leaders – 1 Question: What can the rest of Africa learn from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa? —
As Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa collectively account for 70 per cent of Africa’s gaming revenue, their regulatory trajectories are increasingly seen as reference points for…
- Chinese Police Continue to Crack Down on Illegal World Cup Betting Rings —
Chinese police have intensified their efforts to combat illegal World Cup betting rings, arresting numerous individuals across the country as part of a nationwide crackdown.
- Meta Talked to Kalshi About Takeover Bid Before Prediction Market Pivot —
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, reportedly held discussions with prediction market platform Kalshi regarding a potential acquisition before…
- Everton moves Stake to sleeve and swaps front-of-shirt bookmaker deal with financial spread betting —
Everton Football Club has announced a significant change to its sponsorship portfolio, replacing its front-of-shirt partnership with international betting firm Stake with a…
- What really makes the Italian igaming market different —
The Italian iGaming market stands out as one of the most regulated and tightly controlled in Europe, but its distinctiveness goes beyond regulatory frameworks.
- Jakarta Has Become an Illegal Gambling Hotspot, Says Indonesian AML Agency —
Indonesia’s anti-money laundering agency, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), has identified Jakarta and its surrounding metropolitan area as the…
- Disgraced Australian financier wants his money back from Entain —
Gavin Fineff, a former financier in Australia who was jailed in 2023 for fraud to fund his gambling, is now seeking to sue Entain to recover his losses and return the money to…
- Sports Betting Veteran Robert Walker on the ‘Art’ of Bookmaking —
Robert Walker, a veteran with over four decades of experience in the sports betting industry, recently shared his insights on the evolution of bookmaking in a feature published…