News

Key Moments: The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) secured a conviction against Haydon Simcock for running an unlicensed betting operation on WhatsApp. Simcock received a 30-week suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay over £290,000 in compensation. Court findings covered illegal gambling activities between 18 October 2023 and 11 September 2024, and unauthorized advertising from 26 May 2023 to 1 March 2024. Summary of the Case A Stoke-on-Trent resident, Haydon Simcock, has been found guilty by the UK Gambling Commission for running an unauthorized gambling operation on WhatsApp. He posed…

Key Moments: Unlicensed gambling platforms generated €617 million in the first half of 2025, outpacing regulated Dutch operators at €600 million CRUKS self-exclusion registrations exceeded 100,060 by mid-2025, with over half joining within the last six months The channelization rate fell to 49% as more Dutch wagers shifted to offshore platforms Regulatory Environment and Player Shifts The Netherlands’ online gambling sector has experienced significant change since the implementation of the Remote Gambling Act and the CRUKS self-exclusion system in 2021. As the regulatory landscape tightened, Dutch authorities sought to strengthen…

Key Moments: A single crypto wallet earned nearly $1 million in profit by accurately wagering on Google’s 2025 Year in Search prediction markets. The trader correctly forecasted 22 out of 23 outcomes, spurring industry-wide concerns over potential insider information. This controversy has emerged just as Polymarket re-entered the U.S. market and received a significant investment, boosting its valuation close to $9 billion. Extraordinary Winning Streak Grabs Industry Attention A crypto wallet, publicly identified by the address 0xafEe and previously using the name AlphaRaccoon, has drawn sharp focus across the prediction…

Key Moments: Genting Berhad launched a MYR5 billion (US$1.22 billion) Medium Term Notes Program to increase financial flexibility. Recent debt offerings have brought total issuances to MYR3 billion (US$729 million) in the past month. New York gaming license developments have positively impacted Genting Malaysia’s market outlook. Expanding Debt Facilities to Support Ownership Goals Genting Berhad has intensified its fundraising activities, unveiling a substantial Medium Term Notes Program and issuing new debt through various subsidiaries. These efforts aim to facilitate the parent company’s plan to take full control of Genting Malaysia…

Key Moments: The UK government has announced significant tax increases on online gambling products, with new rates set to take effect in April 2026 and April 2027. The Office for Budget Responsibility projects that around £500m in potential tax receipts may be lost by 2029-30 as customers and operators adjust their behavior in response to the higher duties. The Betting and Gaming Council estimates that stakes in the black market could rise by 140%, with nearly 17,000 jobs at risk due to the new tax measures. Government Reveals Major Tax…

Key Moments: BetMakers finalized an agreement to acquire the assets and liabilities of LVDC, with the deal announced on 5 December 2025 LVDC is expected to generate approximately US$4.5 million in revenue for BetMakers in the first 12 months of ownership The acquisition remains subject to regulatory approval, with completion anticipated in the early second half of fiscal 2026 Strategic Entry Into the Nevada Market etMakers Technology Group agreed to purchase the assets and liabilities of LVDC. LVDC is a veteran wagering services provider in Nevada. The company announced the…

Key Moments: Novomatic has extended its takeover bid for Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd. until 7 pm Sydney time on 30 January 2026 The company’s unconditional offer values Ainsworth at AUD336.8 million ($222.5 million) and remains at AUD1.00 per share A competing proportional offer from Kjerulf Ainsworth seeks to acquire 2.9% of each shareholder’s holdings at AUD1.30 per share Extended Timeline for Novomatic’s Offer Novomatic AG, the Austrian gaming equipment provider, has further pushed back the closing date for its acquisition offer for Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd. According to a filing…

Key Moments: Recent cases have revealed that responsible gambling practices often fall short of stated policies. Regulatory penalties and enforcement actions have highlighted systemic weaknesses, particularly in AML and VIP programs. Legal rulings in the United States have confirmed that casinos generally do not have a duty of care to halt compulsive gambling, shifting responsibility to operators and regulators. Policy Promises Versus Real Outcomes Industry stakeholders frequently highlight their commitment to responsible gambling, showcasing dedicated sections on their websites that promote various safeguards and assistance tools. However, practical incidents tell…

Key Moments: On December 2, Connecticut’s DCP sent cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Robinhood, and Crypto.com regarding unlicensed sports-related event contracts Kalshi responded by filing a lawsuit and seeking an injunction in Connecticut District Court the next day Robinhood and Crypto.com have not taken legal action as of the time the article was written State Enforcement Actions Target Sports Event Markets On December 2, Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) sent cease-and-desist letters to Robinhood, Kalshi, and Crypto.com. The agency argued that their sports-related event contracts for Connecticut residents amount to…

Key Moments: Moon Intelligence has entered a multi-year partnership with 55 Tech to strengthen its position in US prediction markets. The alliance integrates odds from over 300 global bookmakers directly into Moon Intelligence’s AI-driven market-making platform. Both companies anticipate this deal will deliver enhanced speed, liquidity, and reliability for US-facing trading firms and operators. Strategic Partnership Brings Global Data Capabilities Moon Intelligence has signed a long-term agreement with data provider 55 Tech, marking a significant development as the London-based company accelerates its entry into the US prediction markets sector. The…