News

Key Moments: Virgin Bet has officially started operations in South Africa, its first market outside the UK. LiveScore Group has reinforced its presence in Africa with this expansion, complementing LiveScore Bet’s activity in Nigeria. Virgin Bet has implemented robust responsible gambling features and appointed Gail Odgers as Head of Marketing for South Africa. International Launch Sets New Direction Virgin Bet has taken a significant step in its business journey by entering South Africa, the company’s first venture beyond the United Kingdom since it began operations in 2019. This development opens…

Agcom has begun a one-month public consultation on newly proposed responsible gambling advertising guidelines. The regulatory framework may include limits on the use of professional footballers in gambling campaigns and set strict standards for responsible gambling messages. Operators are required by law to fund responsible gambling initiatives as part of their annual budgets, with new technical requirements now under review. Key Moments Event Details Agcom Approval Structured guidelines for responsible gambling advertising given the green light Public Consultation Launch One-month period opened for comments from industry stakeholders and consumers Planned…

Key Moments: The Kansspelautoriteit has instructed operators to limit bets strictly to live athletic events. Operators have been required to remove award-based and non-compliant markets following direct communication from the regulator. The authority has demanded that platforms swiftly address any unauthorized betting offers and maintain rigorous internal controls. Defining the Legal Scope of Sports Betting The gambling landscape in the Netherlands continues to undergo significant change, driven by new and precise guidance from the country’s main gaming regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA). Recently, the KSA delivered a firm message to licensed…

Key Moments The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Board established July 13, 2026, as the deadline for operator license applications and grey market exits Prospective operators must complete a dual registration process with both the AGLC and the newly formed Alberta iGaming Corporation Over 55 operator sites have shown initial interest, with 9 completing the first registration steps as of mid-March Date Event Details July 13, 2026 Application Deadline All operator applications and fees must be submitted by this date Possible Extension: October 13, 2026 Grace Period End Three-month extension…

Key Moments: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has fined BetMGM $100,000 for failures related to customer verification and fraud prevention during 2023 and 2024. Four separate fraud rings conducted illicit activities involving over 2,000 accounts and placed wagers totaling over $2 million across BetMGM and Borgata platforms. BetMGM has also faced recent penalties in Massachusetts for regulatory violations involving unauthorized betting markets and promotional issues. Regulators Uncover Extensive Fraud Activity The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board imposed a $100,000 fine on BetMGM following an investigation that identified significant shortcomings in its…

Key Moments: Malta has begun evaluating the establishment of a legal structure for prediction markets, focusing on innovation and responsible growth. Prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi were reported to record a combined wagering volume exceeding $37bn in 2025. Differing global regulatory responses have emphasized the urgent debate over whether prediction markets are classified as gambling or trading. Government Signals Intent to Lead in Prediction Market Policy The government of Malta is analyzing the prospects of introducing a definitive legal framework for prediction markets, a rapidly expanding industry positioned at…

Key Moments The Future of Sport in Canada Commission has proposed channeling sports betting tax revenue into national sports funding gaps this week. Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees have expressed strong support for reinvesting betting taxes in the sports system. The commission has identified significant integrity and responsible gambling concerns if gambling revenues fund youth and community sports. Report Recommends Betting Tax Solution Canadian sports are facing significant funding shortages, as federal support for the national sports system has stagnated for years. A new report by the Future of Sport…

Key Moments: The legal foundation for gambling oversight in the EU remains at the national level, due to principles laid out in the treaties. European Court of Justice case law has consistently upheld the authority of Member States to tailor gambling rules for consumer protection. Attempts at harmonizing gambling regulation across the EU encounter obstacles related to fiscal policy, cultural values, and social priorities. EU Treaties Set Boundaries for Gambling Oversight Every few years, the topic of creating EU-wide gambling standards surfaces, often suggested as a way to bolster consumer…

Key Moments: Codere has appointed Jefferies and Macquarie Capital as advisors for the planned sale Interested buyers must submit preliminary offers by mid-May, with binding bids due in early July The transaction is targeted for completion before the European summer holiday break begins in August Accelerated Sale Timeline Codere, a leading Spanish gambling corporation, has moved forward with plans to sell its business by enlisting financial advisors Jefferies and Macquarie Capital. According to information reported by the financial publication Expansion, the company is estimated to potentially command a final purchase…

Key Moments: In the year leading up to September 2025, UK game development employment fell by 1,537 jobs, marking a 4.5% decrease and the fastest decline on record. The number of new UK game studios dropped over 30% for the third consecutive year, with 2,110 companies remaining as of the latest report. TIGA has urged the UK Government to enhance the Video Games Expenditure Credit, proposing increased support that could generate thousands of new jobs. Industry Employment Sees Record Decline TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry,…