Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Mexico’s 2026 Economic Package was officially submitted to the Congress of the Union by the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). The package aims to sharply increase the ad valorem tax on remote betting from 30% to 50%. Additional tax hikes are proposed for sweetened drinks, tobacco, and digital video games featuring violent content. Overview of the Economic Package Mexico’s Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) has introduced the 2026 Economic Package to Congress. The proposal seeks to grow national income while also supporting welfare, health,…

Key Moments: Several high-profile M&A deals have taken place in the prediction markets sector, including partnerships involving Underdog, Crypto.com, FanDuel, CME Group, and DraftKings’ pursuit of Railbird. Industry leaders and analysts have raised concerns that regulatory loopholes, rather than innovation, are fueling these moves, potentially reshaping competition and consumer protection. Regulators and market experts have highlighted significant regulatory, financial, and responsible gambling risks as the sector evolves. Industry Shifts Spark Fresh M&A Activity Prediction markets are experiencing a sharp rise in mergers and acquisitions. Deals include Underdog’s venture with Crypto.com,…

Key Moments: LOTBA has organized specialized training sessions for celebrities and influencers cited for promoting unlicensed online gambling. Official figures reveal 23 influencers have completed this training, with 93 legal notices and 22 legal complaints concerning unauthorized gaming venues. The “Hablar es Ganar” campaign continues to advocate for open dialogue to prevent underage involvement in illegal gaming. Training Influencers to Address Illegal Gambling Risks The Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA) recently rolled out a new educational initiative, targeting celebrities and influencers who had previously faced legal complaints for endorsing unregulated…

Key Moments: Authorities have traced over PHP1 billion ($18.3 million) in alleged money laundering through 13 casinos between 2023 and 2025. Senate investigators revealed that the suspected officials lost nearly PHP950 million ($17.4 million) across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Pampanga casinos. Asset freezing steps have been initiated following the submission of names and aliases to the Anti-Money Laundering Council. Revelations Surrounding Casino-Based Money Laundering A recent Senate hearing brought to the forefront a significant money laundering case allegedly involving former engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)…

Key Moments: Resorts World Las Vegas has appointed Lou Dorn as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, and Elizabeth Tranchina as General Counsel. Both executives have extensive backgrounds in regulatory and compliance roles within the gaming and financial sectors. The appointments bring expertise in legal operations, governance, and risk management to the resort’s executive team. Experienced Executives Join Legal Operations Resorts World Las Vegas has expanded its executive team with the addition of two accomplished legal professionals. Lou Dorn has been named Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, while Elizabeth…

Key Moments: Intralot has identified Bally’s International Interactive’s UK customer retention capabilities as central to its global B2C expansion strategy. The combined group targets launching one to two B2C products annually in new markets following completion of the merger. Intralot has announced a €2.7 billion acquisition of Bally’s International Interactive, with expectations to close the deal in Q4. Bally’s UK Expertise to Guide Intralot’s B2C Strategy Intralot is set to capitalize on Bally’s International Interactive’s strengths in customer retention in the United Kingdom, using these capabilities as it aspires to…

Key Moments: A guest on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas allegedly jumped overboard to evade a £12,354 ($16,710) casino debt He was apprehended with multiple IDs, two phones, and £10,794 ($14,600) in cash The individual faces potential federal penalties including up to five years imprisonment or a £185,000 ($250,000) fine Incident Overview An individual identified as Jey Gonzalez-Diaz has been accused of leaping from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas in a bid to sidestep over £12,000 in gambling liabilities. The ship was completing its journey at the Port…

Key Moments: Groupe Partouche reported a 5.3% rise in gross gaming revenue to €189 million in Q3 2025 French casino revenue increased 5.3% to €169.1 million, following a 5.8% uptick in attendance and the addition of Casino Partouche Cannes 50 Croisette International revenue grew 5.6% to €19.9 million, led by a 19% jump in Switzerland online gambling to €6.6 million and the opening of Casino Partouche Cotonou in Benin Revenue Advancement Across Portfolios Groupe Partouche saw gross gaming revenue reach €189 million for Q3 2025, up 5.3%. This improvement outpaced…

Key Moments: PredictIt has received CFTC approval to relaunch in the United States as a licensed political prediction market. Aristotle has secured both Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organisation (DCO) licenses, enabling in-house clearing and settlement of trades. The new structure represents a resolution to longstanding legal disputes and signals a major development for prediction market regulation in the U.S. Regulatory Approval Marks a New Era PredictIt is set to reenter the U.S. market following regulatory clearance from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Operator Aristotle confirmed that…

Key Moments: A University of Bristol study found NHL Stanley Cup Finals broadcasts averaged 3.5 gambling-related messages per minute, compared to just 0.26 in NBA Finals games. The UK expanded its CAP Code gambling regulations on 1 September 2025, impacting all licensed operators targeting UK consumers regardless of location. Operators now face significant compliance costs, with some budgeting between £10,000–£20,000 per campaign for asset retrofits and larger brands allocating six-figure sums annually for compliance staffing and technology. Research Highlights Stark Differences in Sports Gambling Promotions A recent study led by…