News

Key Moments: Libuša Baranová was appointed as director general of Slovakia’s Office for the Regulation of Gambling (ÚRHH) in October. Major legislative changes affecting gambling regulation, tax rates, and consumer protection will take effect in January 2026. Slovakia’s online casino sector recorded nearly 30 percent GGR growth and 35 percent increase in tax contributions in 2024. Recent Leadership and Legislative Developments Libuša Baranová assumed the role of director general at Slovakia’s Office for the Regulation of Gambling (ÚRHH). She has committed to maintaining the Authority’s regulatory priorities during a transformational…

Key Moments: Momentum has introduced online casino and sports betting platforms in the UAE, despite the absence of legal provisions for online gambling. TrueWin and Dream Island are providing a variety of casino and sportsbook offerings, without displaying licensing details from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The GCGRA has not announced any public approvals for these types of products, and the market remains unregulated for online gambling. Online Betting Platforms Go Live Without Local Approval Momentum, which operates the United Arab Emirates’ only approved lottery, has begun offering…

Key Moments: BofA strategists have warned that the rapid growth of online prediction markets may increase consumer credit stress. Low-income individuals and young men have been identified as most vulnerable to gambling-related financial hardships. Kalshi and Polymarket reached over $8.5 billion in monthly notional trading volume in October, marking a record for these platforms. Escalating Risks Linked to Online Betting Platforms Bank of America (BofA) has reportedly expressed concerns regarding the accelerated rise of online betting and prediction markets, emphasizing that these developments could become a significant driver of consumer…

Key Moments: Anita Wyeth won £8,000 via Midnite’s ‘Brace Yourself’ campaign following Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ two goals against Leicester Midnite has committed to matching prize pot winnings with a donation to Saints Foundation The ‘Brace Yourself’ prize fund grows by £1,000 with every league game at St Mary’s Midnite’s ‘Brace Yourself’ Campaign Rewards Southampton Fans A Southampton Football Club supporter, Anita Wyeth, has secured an £8,000 cash prize after Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored twice during a home victory over Leicester. The double from Harwood-Bellis not only ensured another win under interim manager…

Key Moments: QTech Games has strengthened its portfolio by integrating GameBeat’s assortment of cinematic slot games The agreement enhances QTech’s platform with a wider genre of online slots targeting emerging markets GameBeat’s selection becomes available to QTech’s partners, extending the supplier’s global presence Broadened Content Offering Targets Growth QTech Games, a prominent aggregator with a focus on emerging markets, has reinforced its strong expansion trajectory through a new partnership with GameBeat. GameBeat, known for its visually immersive and detail-rich digital slot offerings, will contribute a suite of games to the…

Key Moments: Indiana’s sports betting handle reached $611.6 million in October, up 15 percent from September The state’s taxable adjusted gross revenue hit $43.9 million for the month Steuben County Board of Commissioners expressed interest in casino licence relocation discussions following a state land study October Delivers Record Sports Betting Figures Indiana’s sports wagering market accelerated in October, as an active sports calendar drove the state’s handle to $611.6 million, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission. This total marked a 15 percent increase from September and resulted in $43.9 million…

Key Moments: The UK Gambling Commission has awarded a new four-year contract (2026-2029) for the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). NatCen and the University of Glasgow will continue collaborating to advance GSGB’s comprehensive gambling behavior analysis. Future developments include exploration of longitudinal research and enhanced data linkage. Contract Extension Secures GSGB’s Future The UK Gambling Commission confirmed that NatCen and the University of Glasgow will lead the GSGB for another four years. This period covers 2026 to 2029. This agreement reflects several years of development. The GSGB launched in…

Key Moments: The UK government approved substantial tax hikes for online gambling, while horse racing betting remains at existing rates. Remote Gaming Duty will increase from 21% to 40% in April 2026; remote betting duty rises from 15% to 25% in April 2027 (excluding horse racing). The British Horseracing Authority praised the move as a vital win for the sector, while bingo duty will be abolished. Major Tax Reforms Impact UK Gambling Sector The UK government’s newly announced 2025 Budget brings a series of far-reaching tax changes to the gambling…

Key Moments: Allwyn International AG reported Net Revenue of €1023 million for Q3 2025, a 5% increase year-over-year The company agreed to acquire a majority stake in PrizePicks, expanding into North American daily fantasy sports Allwyn and OPAP plan an all-share combination to form the second largest listed global lottery and gaming operator Financial Performance in Q3 2025 Allwyn International AG has released its preliminary unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September 2025. The company delivered Net Revenue of €1023 million, representing a 5% year-on-year growth. Adjusted…

Key Moments: Fincore launched its Break Clean initiative, calling for improved system architecture, integration, and reliability in the gaming sector. The Break Clean Manifesto reported that 38% of technology budgets in gaming are now allocated to legacy system maintenance. The Manifesto highlighted that legacy platforms continue to cause downtime and suboptimal player experiences for many operators. Manifesto Highlights Industry Technical Debt Fincore, an engineering-focused technology company behind prominent platforms in gaming, iLottery, and sports betting, has introduced the Break Clean initiative. This program urges the sector to adopt elevated standards…