News
1177 articles.
Leah Neutel of Relax Gaming Discusses Leadership, Culture, and Future iGaming Talent
Leah Neutel, Head of Relax Gaming's Malmö Studio and a Women in Gaming Awards finalist, discusses her leadership philosophy centered on fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and psychological safety. She emphasizes empowering teams, investing in long-term career development, and balancing commercial objectives with employee wellbeing to drive success in the iGaming industry.
2026-07-08
Former NCAA Basketball Player Kerr Kriisa Indicted on Wire Fraud Charges, No Point-Shaving Accusations
Former NCAA basketball player Kerr Kriisa has been indicted on five counts of wire fraud involving a $2.2 million scheme, though notably, no point-shaving charges were included. This development occurs as other college basketball betting scandals, including a widespread point-shaving case and an alleged scheme involving a former DraftKings trader, continue to progress.
2026-07-07
ESMA Classifies Some Prediction Markets Under Financial Derivative Restrictions
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has clarified that some prediction market products, especially binary yes-or-no contracts with fixed payouts, are considered restricted financial derivatives under MiFID II and subject to retail sales bans. This stance, addressing the growing sector for the first time, emphasizes consumer protection and has led to regulatory actions against several platforms across Europe.
2026-07-07
Gambling Commission Proceeds with Phased Launch of Financial Risk Assessments
The Gambling Commission has announced the phased implementation of Financial Risk Assessments, beginning with higher spending thresholds and targeting larger operators, despite significant industry opposition. These checks aim to protect vulnerable customers by identifying potential financial harms, with initial stages focusing on specific deposit limits and eventually expanding criteria for broader player segments.
2026-07-07
ESMA Designates Specific Prediction Market Contracts as Regulated Financial Instruments
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued a warning, classifying certain prediction market contracts with binary outcomes and fixed payouts as restricted financial instruments under MiFID II, thereby prohibiting their sale to retail clients. This guidance refutes common operator assumptions and highlights a contrasting approach from Gibraltar, which is licensing such platforms.
2026-07-07
Italian Senate Advances Bill for 2% Levy on Football Bets
The Italian Senate is reviewing Bill 1902, proposed by Senator Paolo Marcheschi, to impose a 2% levy on domestic football bets starting January 1, 2027. This revenue-neutral initiative aims to redirect approximately €230 million annually to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to fund youth development, women's football, and problem gambling prevention, addressing significant financial challenges within Italian football.
2026-07-07
Czech Republic Forges New Path in Gambling Governance with Cross-Operator Data System
The Czech Republic is pioneering a new model for gambling governance with its IRIS system, which enables licensed operators to share pseudonymized player data for enhanced protection. This collaborative, data-driven initiative aims to identify and intervene in problematic gambling behavior across platforms, supported by new legislation and a broader national strategy against illegal gambling.
2026-07-07
Iowa Authorizes Cease-and-Desist Orders Against Sweepstakes Casino Operators
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed Senate File 2289, empowering state regulators to issue cease-and-desist orders against unlicensed gambling operators, a move expected to significantly impact sweepstakes casinos in the state. This action follows a national trend since 2024 to scrutinize and regulate these platforms, prompting some operators to exit Iowa while others remain.
2026-07-06
Reno's Gaming and Tourism Surge Continues Amidst Las Vegas M&A and NBA Hype
While Las Vegas draws attention for M&A activity and NBA expansion talks, Reno is experiencing a strong period of growth with significant increases in gaming revenue and tourism, bolstered by substantial new investments and development projects across the region.
2026-07-06
Banijay Gaming Expands French Footprint with JOA Casino Network Acquisition
Banijay Gaming has acquired JOA's 33 French regional casinos to strengthen its omnichannel presence and become a land-based gaming leader in France. The acquisition, expected to finalize in the second half of this year, aligns with Banijay's broader strategy of consolidating in regulated European markets and follows its recent purchase of Tipico.
2026-07-06
Bet365 Australia Agrees to Remediation Plan Following Austrac AML/CTF Review
Bet365's Australian division, Hillside (Australia New Media) Pty Ltd, has agreed to a remediation plan with Austrac to address significant deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing controls. This follows a comprehensive review that identified shortcomings in Bet365's AML/CTF program and customer due diligence, with a final compliance report due by July 2027.
2026-07-06
Dutch Supreme Court Affirms Validity of Pre-Regulation Online Gambling Contracts
The Dutch Supreme Court has ruled that players are not automatically entitled to reimbursement for online gambling losses incurred before the Netherlands regulated its market in October 2021, affirming that contracts with unlicensed operators during that period are not inherently void. This decision aligns with the view that the national gambling act does not retrospectively invalidate such agreements, a stance welcomed by operators like Entain, amidst ongoing legal discussions across Europe regarding similar pre-regulation claims.
2026-07-06