World News.Week 32
🌐 SOFTSWISS enters the South African market
The platform has launched the local brand Mzansibet, offering online casino games and sports betting. Read more
🔞🇺🇸 Bets on sex toy incidents in the US
Operator BetOnline has introduced betting lines on potential sex toy incidents during WNBA games after two recent mishaps. Wagers include the item’s color, the method of removal from the court, and even a crossover bet on whether it matches the color of “Gatorade.” Read more
🥩🇦🇺 Stake founder creates his own ChatGPT
Ed Craven has funded the startup MainCode to develop Australia’s first LLM. The team plans to release a fully trained model by the end of the year, using its own infrastructure. Read more
🥩🇹🇹 Stake becomes title sponsor of Trinbago Knight Riders
Crypto casino Stake has signed a multi-year deal with the cricket team, a four-time Caribbean Premier League champion, announcing the partnership through a teaser campaign featuring star players. Read more
📱🇺🇸 DraftKings launches viral campaign on X
The operator invited users to guess a number between 1 and 1 million with no prizes, generating 1.5 million impressions. The post went viral, with new attempts appearing daily.
🇹🇭 Casino projects frozen in Thailand
The government has suspended the construction of up to five casino resorts following public protests over concerns about gambling addiction and crime. The bill was removed from the parliamentary agenda after a scandal involving the prime minister.
World News.Week 31
🤷♂🕊 Polymarket Launches Market on Second Coming of Christ in 2025
Prediction platform Polymarket has launched a market where users can bet on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ before December 31, 2025. Currently, the total bet volume stands at $ 778,886, with only 2% betting “Yes” and 98% betting “No.” The market will resolve positively only if there is a “consensus from authoritative sources” confirming the event. Read more
📱🥩 Rapper Drake Shares Viral Meme Video Promoting Crypto Casino Stake
Rapper Drake posted a new video on Instagram that quickly went viral, amassing 39.8 million views. In the video, he promotes the crypto casino Stake, once again highlighting the growing presence of cryptocurrency in the entertainment world. Read more
🤔🇺🇸 Kalshi and xAI Announce Partnership in the U.S.
U.S.-based prediction platform Kalshi and Elon Musk’s company xAI have officially announced a partnership after two months of speculation. The chatbot Grok will generate analytical market summaries on politics, sports, and current events for Kalshi users. CEO Tarek Mansour emphasized the importance of AI in evolving prediction markets. Read more
⚡️🇮🇹 Rabona Becomes Official Betting Partner of SSC Napoli
Operator Rabona (part of 7StarsPartners) has signed a long-term partnership with reigning Serie A champion SSC Napoli. The deal includes player Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive promotions for European markets under the slogan “Be Napoli. Play with Rabona”. Read more
World News.Week 30
✍️🇺🇸 Polymarket Returns to the US!
The prediction platform Polymarket has acquired futures exchange and clearing firm QCEX for $ 112 million. This move will allow the company to operate within a regulated framework for US users, eliminating lengthy bureaucratic procedures. This comes shortly after the conclusion of a federal investigation into Polymarket, which included a raid on CEO Shayne Coplan’s home. Read more
⚡️🥩 Patrice Evra Becomes the Face of Stake Casino!
The former Manchester United and Juventus defender has accepted the role of brand ambassador for the popular crypto casino Stake.
🤼♂️🇺🇸 WWE and Fanatics Casino Launch Exclusive Games!
In partnership with Fanatics Betting and Gaming, WWE will release a range of branded games including WWE Blackjack and SmackDown Big Money Entrance! The games will be available in several US states, with a special promo campaign planned for August. Read more
🇬🇧📉 Decline in VIP Customers at UK Bookmakers
According to a UKGC report, the number of VIP clients has dropped by 95% over the past 5 years.
🤑🔍 New Casino Rules in Nepal
Operators must now track and report any customer spending over 1 million Nepalese rupees (~$ 7,400) within 24 hours.
🎰👌 Light & Wonder Secures UAE License!
The company has announced it received a supplier license, unlocking new business opportunities in the region.
World News.Week 29
🇮🇹 46 online casinos apply for new license in Italy.
- Italy is introducing new gambling regulations: to obtain a 9-year license, operators must pay € 7 million.
- Major players such as Flutter Entertainment, Eurobet, Stake, and other well-known brands are among the applicants.
- Licenses are expected to be granted in the fall, with a six-month window for companies to launch operations. Currently, 81 licensed operators are active in Italy, but the new rules could reduce this number to 50.
⚡️🇩🇰 Betano becomes official betting partner of Denmark’s 3 °F Superliga.
Betano (Kaizen Gaming) has signed a partnership agreement with Denmark’s top football league, gaining rights to display its logo and promotional materials starting from the 2025/26 season.
⚡️🐝 MelBet announces actress Monami Ghosh as brand ambassador.
Monami Ghosh will be part of the company’s new entertainment initiative — the MelBet Night Show — highlighting MelBet’s ambitions to expand in the entertainment space.
🇮🇹 Bet365 Scores partners with Italian club Napoli.
Bet365 Scores has signed a sponsorship deal with one of Italy’s top football clubs, further strengthening its position in the sports market.
👋 Betway’s parent company exits the US market.
Due to strict regulations and low profitability, Betway’s parent company has decided to leave the US market — underscoring the challenges faced by operators in the region.
World News.Week 28
🇳🇱📉 Decrease in Player Losses in the Netherlands
According to the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA), new player protection rules — such as strict deposit limits and mandatory affordability checks — have led to a 31% reduction in average player losses.
⌨️😵 Hacker Attack on Paddy Power and Betfair
A recent cyberattack compromised the personal data of customers, including usernames, email addresses, and residential addresses.
📱 Brazil: Aposta Ganha Launches Mobile App
Aposta Ganha has become the first licensed brand in Brazil to release its own app on Google Play. This marks a significant step for the company and the country’s regulated gambling market.
🪙🇺🇸 DraftKings Launches My Budget Builder
In the U.S., DraftKings has introduced a new tool called “My Budget Builder” to help users manage their gambling activity. Players can set limits on deposits, bets, and play time, promoting responsible gaming.
World News.Week 27
🇪🇸🛍 Spanish Gambling Market Shows Growth
According to the Spanish gambling regulator’s report, the total gross gaming revenue (GGR) for Q1 2025 reached € 398.1 million, indicating positive momentum in the industry.
🇩🇪📊 Illegal Operators Hold a Significant Share in Germany
A recent GGL report reveals that illegal operators control 25% of the online gambling market in Germany, highlighting the urgent need for stronger regulation and oversight.
🎩🇺🇸 Hasbro Enters the iGaming Market
Board game and toy giant Hasbro has announced a series of long-term agreements to expand its presence in the gambling space. Provider Evolution will gain exclusive rights to develop live games and slots based on Hasbro IP, while Galaxy Gaming will create land-based casino games inspired by Battleship and Yahtzee. The first Evolution games using Hasbro IP are expected to launch in January 2026.
🇦🇷🎗 Boca Juniors Players Lead Responsible Gambling Campaign
In partnership with Betsson, Boca Juniors stars Cavani, Merentiel, and Blanco are fronting a responsible gambling campaign, urging players to use only legal and secure platforms while emphasizing player protection and age verification.
World News.Week 26
🏛🇺🇸 DraftKings Creates Political Committee to Lobby for Gambling Industry Interests
DraftKings has filed documents with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to establish its first Political Action Committee (PAC). The new PAC will focus on supporting candidates whose decisions impact the gambling industry, including opposing tax increases, legalizing prediction markets, and expanding online casinos. Read more
🇫🇷 Macron Bets on “Betting League”
French President Emmanuel Macron has drawn attention to the betting company “Betting League” by releasing a video featuring the track “Capybara.” The advertisement sparked a strong reaction from users, garnering 6.7 million views on TikTok. Although the news about Macron registering with the betting company is a joke, it helped the company attract attention to its brand. Read more
⬆️ Bitcoin.com Launches Crypto Casino
A new project called Bitcoin.com Casino offers users classic slots, live games, sports betting, and regular promotions, including a weekly draw for 1 BTC. The casino operates under the Tobique Gaming Commission license and focuses on crypto-anonymity.
🇧🇷 Google Opens Play Market to Legal Bookmakers in Brazil
As of June 18, Google has allowed licensed bookmakers and fantasy game apps to be listed in the Brazilian segment of Google Play. This decision aims to simplify players’ access to legal platforms and reduce the share of the gray market, made possible by pressure from regulators and industry representatives. Read more
World News.Week 25
🥊 Scandal at Fight Nights Global
Kamil Gadzhiev, founder of Fight Nights Global, was involved in an incident during a hockey practice where he assaulted a top manager of a major Russian betting company. Details of the conflict have not yet been disclosed.
📱 Twitch Tightens Gambling Policy
Twitch has announced a full ban on gambling-related streams, marking the third major restriction in this area. The ban now covers:
- Streams from gambling websites
- Advertising via banners, referral links, and promo codes
- Free and social versions of gambling games
A list of prohibited domains has also been published, including Stake, Rollbit, and others. The move comes amid growing competition with Kick, a platform that allows gambling streams under legal compliance.
📱 Polymarket Introduces Hourly Crypto Betting
Polymarket now allows users to place bets on the hourly price movement of Bitcoin and Ethereum. This new format is expected to attract more traders and boost trading volumes.
🇵🇭 Launch of MegaFUNalo iGaming Platform in the Philippines
Filipino billionaire Enrique Razon has unveiled his new iGaming platform — the online casino MegaFUNalo. The site offers not only gambling games but also features a free “Viva Films” cinema section.
World News.Week 24
🏀🇺🇸 The First AI-Created TV Commercial
The American prediction platform Kalshi has unveiled a unique TV ad entirely generated by artificial intelligence. The script and visuals were developed in just 48 hours with minimal costs. The video highlights the platform’s wide range of markets — from sports to economics and politics. One memorable scene features an alien and a beer, reflecting the slogan: “The world has gone mad — trade on it.”
🇸🇪 Sweden Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling on Twitch
The regulator Spelinspektionen has intervened in the promotion of unlicensed gambling operators on Twitch. Popular influencers were advertising casinos without proper licenses, which violates Swedish law. The authority continues to monitor the situation, focusing on protecting minors and young players.
🤝 X Chooses Polymarket Over Kalshi
Platform X has announced a partnership with Polymarket for betting on real-world events. Interestingly, a deal with Kalshi was previously under discussion but did not materialize. Rumors suggest a potential conflict of interest between Musk and Trump may have influenced the decision.
🎰🚫 CEGA Urges Clubs to Drop Unlicensed Gambling Sponsors
The public organization CEGA has called on Everton and Leicester City to end their partnerships with unlicensed gambling operators Stake and BC Game. Leicester has already removed the BC Game logo.
World News.Week 22
🕵️♂️ Pinnacle quietly exits Curaçao.
One of the oldest gambling companies, Pinnacle, is leaving Curaçao, where it had operated since the late 1990s. The office is now empty, staff have been laid off, and customer support is unresponsive. Although the company’s license is valid until summer 2025, there are no plans to renew it. Unofficial sources say the exit is due to high salary expenses, while competitors operate from cheaper offshore locations. Pinnacle already holds a backup license from the island of Anjouan.
🛑 Royalty Revenue affiliate program halts new player registrations.
As of May 20, the Royalty Revenue affiliate program is no longer accepting new players. The brands Drake Casino, VipSlots, and Gossip Slots will continue to pay commissions on Revenue Share deals, but CPA deals will only be paid out for activity through May. This indicates that the brands themselves are not shutting down.
💰 Bybit launches trading of traditional markets via USDT.
Starting May 19, Bybit users can trade stocks of 78 major companies, including Apple and Tesla, without using fiat currency. Gold and oil trading is also available. The update has drawn mixed reactions from U.S. authorities.
🇬🇪 Europebet rebranded as Betsson Georgia.
Betsson Group has rebranded Europebet to strengthen its position in the Georgian market and integrate the local brand into its global portfolio. Europebet is one of the most recognized brands in Georgia and was acquired by Betsson Group in January 2015.
🇧🇪🔍 Study: 25% of Belgian players use unlicensed iGaming platforms.
A recent study shows that around a quarter of Belgian players prefer unlicensed gambling platforms, raising concerns about regulation and player safety in the sector.
World News.Week 21
🎨 BC GAME updates logo and slogan. The new minimalist logo merges the letters “b” and “c”, while the slogan “Stay Untamed” reflects the brand’s commitment to a transparent and decentralized gaming experience.
🇳🇱 Pragmatic Play expands partnership with Starcasino to launch a new platform in the Netherlands.
🥩🔥 Drake trolls Kendrick. The artist released a viral video proudly announcing his role as an ambassador for iGaming brand Stake, ironically responding to accusations of gambling and drug addiction.
🪖🇺🇸 U.S. military spends budget funds in casinos. Last year, over 8,000 casino transactions totaling more than $ 40 billion were recorded. Senators are demanding investigations and reforms in the use of government-issued cards.
🇧🇷 iGaming Tracker reports that PG Soft and Pragmatic Play are achieving strong performance in Brazil, while Playtech and Evolution are also showing growth.
World News.Week 20
💼 Flutter Entertainment Completes Acquisition of NSX Group.
Flutter Entertainment has successfully completed the acquisition of a 56% stake in Brazilian company NSX Group for $ 350 million. This deal strengthens the operator’s position in Brazil’s rapidly growing market and opens new opportunities for expansion.
🇦🇫 Afghanistan Bans Chess.
Authorities in Afghanistan have declared chess a form of gambling and banned the game entirely. A spokesperson for the country’s sports department stated that under Sharia law, chess must be immediately prohibited at the legislative level.
🤑 Record Online Casino Revenue in the U.S.
In March, online casino operators across seven regulated U.S. states reported a record gross revenue of $ 905.6 million — a 26.2% year-over-year increase. All states saw growth of at least 20%, with Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey each generating approximately $ 240 million. The surge coincided with the NCAA March Madness tournament, which attracted a new wave of users.
🖥 FanDuel Launches Real-Time Check-In Feature.
FanDuel has introduced a new Real-Time Check-In technology that allows user activity within the app to be tracked live. The feature aims to enhance personalization and user engagement while giving operators more tools to analyze player behavior.
