Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Fanatics launched Fanatics Markets on 3 December 2025. It left the American Gaming Association (AGA) one week later. Fanatics, FanDuel, and DraftKings all left the AGA over disputes about prediction markets. The AGA warned that prediction markets bypass state regulation, reduce tax compliance, and weaken consumer protections. Fanatics Launches Prediction Market Platform and Leaves AGA Fanatics introduced its new prediction-market platform, Fanatics Markets, on 3 December 2025. Within a week, the company exited the American Gaming Association (AGA). This followed similar exits by FanDuel and DraftKings in November.…

Key Moments: Evoke PLC has launched a strategic review. The process may lead to a full or partial sale as UK gambling taxes rise sharply. The new UK tax regime will increase Evoke’s annual duty costs by £125m–£135m once fully implemented. About £80m will hit the company in 2026. Evoke still carries heavy debt from its £2.2bn purchase of William Hill’s non-US business. Net debt will reach about £1.8bn by the end of 2024. Strategic Options on the Table Evoke PLC, the parent of William Hill, is reviewing major strategic…

Key Moments: Tribal gaming leaders in California are increasing pressure against prediction market platforms, citing threats to exclusivity and state tax revenues. Fanatics and other companies have launched sports-related trading products, raising concerns about bypassing state and tribal regulations. California Attorney General Rob Bonta is being urged to take an active role in legal action against prediction market operators. Tribal Concerns Grow Over Prediction Markets California’s tribal gaming authorities are intensifying their response to prediction market platforms. They warn that new products from Fanatics and other companies could weaken their…

Key Moments: MiCA and ESMA are introducing stricter crypto regulations across the EU, affecting exchanges, wallets, and payment services. Finland plans to transition from a gambling monopoly to a licensing model for online casinos, targeting implementation in 2027. Operators aiming to serve Finnish players must address both updated crypto requirements and forthcoming national gambling regulations. Overview of Regulatory Changes Recent discussions about crypto regulation in Europe have centered on the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) introduced by the EU. Meanwhile, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is drafting extensive…

Key Moments: Kenny Alexander initiated civil litigation against the UKGC in London, alleging breaches of privacy. Entain agreed to pay more than £585 million ($790 million) following an investigation into Headlong’s activities in Türkiye. Negotiations for a stake in 888 Holdings ended after the UKGC warned of a license review due to an ongoing HMRC probe. Leadership Under Scrutiny Kenny Alexander, previously the CEO at Entain, formerly GVC Holdings, has launched a civil lawsuit against the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) in London. He is contesting what he describes as privacy…

Key Moments: European Safer Gambling Week 2025 registered over 80 million social media impressions in the UK, a 40% increase compared to the previous year The campaign, held from 17 to 23 November, received significant political and industry support, including from Chelsea FC and key government figures Industry data from 2024 indicated that more than 1.5 million unique accounts utilized a safer gambling tool, and deposit limits rose by 14 percent Unprecedented Social Media Reach in the UK The European Safer Gambling Week 2025 has achieved its highest impact in…

Key Moments: A late recommendation for mobile sports betting was inserted into the Senate Study Committee’s final report on tourism Debate persists over linking sports wagering revenue to tourism investments, inspired by models such as North Carolina’s Legislative action remains uncertain following Rep. Marcus Wiedower’s resignation and ongoing opposition to gaming expansion New Recommendations Spur Legislative Attention Georgia’s longstanding debate on mobile sports betting has gained renewed momentum after a last-minute addition to the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism’s final report. This proposal,…

Key Moments: Elantil has established a partnership with software developer Just Slots to broaden its gaming marketplace. Operators now have access to titles such as Shogun Skylord and Unholy Mystery via Elantil’s platform. Elantil allows direct agreements between operators and suppliers, offering greater flexibility without hidden fees. Growth Through Strategic Partnerships Elantil, a leading platform solutions provider with a focus on transforming how operators and suppliers collaborate, has expanded its offering through a new alliance with Just Slots. This partnership strengthens Elantil’s marketplace by incorporating additional gaming content from a…

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…