Today’s roundup covers a wave of regulatory developments, from UK calls for a national gambling database to Ireland’s anti-underage campaign and EU AML consultations. Meanwhile, market launches in Alberta and multi-state poker in the US signal continued growth, while enforcement actions against Polymarket and prediction markets highlight ongoing scrutiny.
Regulation & Policy
- UK think tank calls for creation of national gambling database — The Social Market Foundation (SMF), a UK-based think tank, has called for the creation of a national gambling database as part of a broader push to treat problem gambling as a…
- Irish gambling regulator launches campaign against underage play — The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at preventing underage gambling, just two weeks after new Irish online gambling…
- Google to ban prediction market extensions from Chrome Web Store — Google has announced that it will prohibit browser extensions that facilitate or promote real-money prediction markets from the Chrome Web Store, effective August 1.
- SMF wants gambling harm implemented into national health policies — The Social Market Foundation (SMF), a prominent UK-based think tank, is advocating for the integration of gambling harm into national health policies.
- EU calls on gambling licences to shape common AML architecture — The European Union’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) has issued a call for gambling licence holders to participate in its latest consultation on risk profiling and…
Enforcement & Licence Actions
- Polymarket booted out of the Czech Republic — Polymarket, the blockchain-based prediction market platform, has been banned from operating in the Czech Republic after being classified as an unlicensed gambling platform by the…
Fines & Penalties
- FINTRAC fines Atlantic Lottery for AML compliance failures — Canada’s financial intelligence unit, FINTRAC, has imposed a fine of C$212,025 (US$149,700) on the Atlantic Lottery Corporation for violations of the country’s anti-money…
Deals & Acquisitions
- CIRSA enters Paraguay gaming market with Slots del Sol acquisition — Spanish gaming group CIRSA has entered the Paraguayan market by acquiring a majority stake in local operator Slots del Sol, marking its first move into the South American…
- CIRSA makes Paraguay its seventh Latam market with Slots del Sol acquisition — CIRSA has entered the Paraguayan regulated market by acquiring a majority stake in local online casino operator Slots del Sol, marking its seventh Latin American market.
Partnerships
- Georgia’s Setanta Bet integrates GR8_TECH sportsbook — Cyprus-based B2B technology provider GR8_TECH has expanded its partner network by integrating its sportsbook solution with Georgian operator Setanta Bet, the betting arm of sports…
- ChatGPT Now Integrates Kalshi Odds Into Its Responses — ChatGPT, the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, has begun integrating live odds from prediction market platform Kalshi into its responses.
- Pascal Gaming expands distribution through EGT Digital partnership — Pascal Gaming has entered into a distribution agreement with EGT Digital, integrating its game portfolio into the X-Nave Gaming Aggregator.
- EGT Digital becomes official sponsor of PFC Ludogorets — EGT Digital has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Bulgarian football club PFC Ludogorets, becoming an official sponsor of the team.
- Setanta Bet Joins GR8_TECH’s Champions Club with GREAT_SPORTSBOOK iFrame — GR8_TECH has entered into a partnership with Georgian online betting operator Setanta Bet to deploy its GREAT_SPORTSBOOK iFrame solution.
Market Launches
- DraftKings Launches Multi-State Poker in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania After MGCB Approval — DraftKings has launched multi-state online poker in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania following approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
- Alberta’s iGaming Market Opens With 22 Platforms, Dozens More Await Launch — Alberta’s iGaming market officially opened on Monday, with 22 platforms going live on the first day of the province’s long-awaited multi-license framework.
People Moves
- Brian Quintenz joins Coalition for Prediction Markets — The Coalition for Prediction Markets has appointed former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) commissioner Brian Quintenz as a senior adviser.
- Digitain’s new CCO discusses European & African ambitions — Digitain has appointed Dario Jurcic as its new Chief Commercial Officer for Europe and Africa, a role in which he will spearhead the company’s expansion across both continents.
Across the Industry
- Ed Davis Pleads Not Guilty in NBA Gambling Corruption Case — Ed Davis, the retired NBA player accused of acting as a conduit for Malik Beasley in a scheme to manipulate prop bets, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to four counts in a federal…
- Polymarket blocked for offering unlicensed gambling in the Czech Republic — Polymarket, a prediction market platform, has been blocked in the Czech Republic after being designated an unlicensed gambling operator by the country’s Ministry of Finance.
- England vs. Argentina World Cup Odds, Picks, Predictions — Kalshi, the event contracts platform, has posted odds for the upcoming World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina.
- Urban Institute report highlights financial strain among online sports bettors — A new study from the Urban Institute has found that online sports bettors in the United States are significantly more likely to experience financial strain compared to those who…
- Michigan court narrows Kalshi restrictions but temporary suspension remains in place — A Michigan court has narrowed the scope of a temporary suspension against prediction market operator Kalshi, though the ban on offering sports event contracts in the state remains…
- Match Fixers are Often Victims & Efforts Must Prosecute Corrupters, Panel Tells House of Lords — The UK House of Lords International Agreements Committee has held another session on the potential ratification of the Macolin Convention, with witnesses arguing that match-fixers…
- FIFA World Cup 2026: A game-changing event for iGaming and affiliate marketing across Latin America — The FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, is being hailed as a transformative event for the iGaming and affiliate marketing sectors, particularly across Latin…
- Matt Fitzpatrick Echoes Jordan Spieth, Gambling ‘Definitely Becoming a Problem’ for Pro Golf — Professional golfer Matt Fitzpatrick has added his voice to concerns about gambling within the sport, echoing comments made by Jordan Spieth two weeks prior.
- 2026 Open Championship Betting Guide: Odds, Picks & Predictions for Season’s Final Major — CasinoBeats has published a betting guide for the 2026 Open Championship, the final major of the golf season.
- England an unpopular pick against Argentina according to Entain and Betano — Betting data from Entain and Betano indicates that England is an unpopular pick against Argentina among Scottish punters ahead of the World Cup semi-final.
- Chinese TikTok Douyin Flags 417,000 Accounts for Gambling in World Cup Crackdown — Douyin, the Chinese sister app of TikTok, has flagged 417,000 accounts for promoting or enabling gambling as part of an intensified crackdown during the World Cup period.
- Chinese Police Arrest Over 200 in Raid on ‘High-Speed’ Mahjong Gambling Dens — Chinese police have arrested over 200 individuals in a series of raids targeting illegal gambling dens operating a high-speed variant of mahjong known as zhuanzhuan mahjong.
- Chinese Police Scour Mountains and Forests for Illegal Gambling Rings — Chinese police have intensified efforts to crack down on illegal gambling operations that have moved into remote mountainous and forested areas, according to a report from…
- BOYLE Sports ramps up Serbia hub investments — BoyleSports is deepening its commitment to its Serbia-based technology hub, with the omni-channel operator reporting that the centre offers ‘exceptional’ opportunities as the firm…
- Athlete abuse vs sponsor returns – are golfers getting their fair dues from betting? — English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick has blamed sports betting for a rise in abuse directed at professional golfers, especially those competing in the United States.
- Michigan Judge Extends Kalshi Sports Contracts Ban, Ramps Up Potential Fines — A Michigan judge has extended a temporary ban preventing Kalshi from offering sports contracts in the state, while also increasing the potential fines for non-compliance.
- Former NBA Player Ed Davis Faces Charges of Bribing Malik Beasley in Court Today — Former NBA player Ed Davis is set to be arraigned on Tuesday in connection with an alleged scheme to bribe Malik Beasley, a current NBA player, to underperform in games.
- Beyond payments: How BC.GAME is building a crypto-native igaming ecosystem — BC.GAME is evolving its crypto-centric iGaming platform beyond basic payment functionality, integrating emerging digital assets such as CASHCAT and enhancing user engagement…
- Sen. Nathan Manning, Ohio Gambling Supporter, to Leave Legislature for Judicial Post — Ohio state Senator Nathan Manning, a key legislative supporter of gambling expansion in the state, is leaving the legislature to become a judge on the Ohio Ninth District Court of…
- Rank Group’s staff layoffs lead to £8m increase in full-year profit expectations — The Rank Group has raised its full-year profit expectations by £8m following a round of staff layoffs, with the operator now forecasting underlying operating profit of at least…
- Michigan Extends Kalshi Sports Contract Ban, Gives Company Until Aug. 12 to Geofence State — A Michigan judge has extended a temporary restraining order that bars Kalshi from offering sports-event contracts in the state, giving the prediction market company until Aug.
- Zeal CEO says stricter prize draws regulation would benefit its UK expansion — Zeal Network CEO Helmut Becker has indicated that tighter regulation of prize draws in the UK could actually benefit the company’s expansion plans in the market.