Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Octoplay has launched with StarCasinò, marking its third major integration with a top Italian operator in four months StarCasinò joins PokerStars and Sisal as part of Octoplay’s rapid expansion strategy within Italy Octoplay currently holds operational licenses in 17 global jurisdictions Strategic Growth in the Italian Gambling Market Octoplay has extended its reach in Italy by going live with StarCasinò, recognized as Betsson Group’s leading casino brand in the region. This development comes as Octoplay advances its growth momentum in one of the world’s major gambling markets. Recent…

Key Moments: Evoke plc granted Bally’s Intralot a three-week extension, moving the takeover deadline to June 8, 2026. Evoke faces significant financial pressures, with net debt of approximately £1.86 billion and several major maturities approaching between 2028 and 2031. Bally’s Intralot is pushing for a full-group acquisition, diverging from rival strategies focused on piecemeal asset purchases. Takeover Extension Adds New Twists to Evoke Negotiations Instead of reaching a final decision by Monday’s 5:00 PM cutoff, Evoke plc and Bally’s Intralot opted to extend their takeover discussions for an additional three…

Key Moments: The ANJ’s new detection tool identified 600,000 players likely to be problem gamblers in the second half of 2025, representing 8.7% of the registered player base. These players generated €1.2 billion in gross gaming revenue, accounting for 60% of total GGR—a figure that has steadily increased since 2023. Operators identified 89,000 problem gamblers in 2025, but this number remains far below the estimated total flagged by the ANJ’s algorithm. Regulatory Findings Reveal Heavy Revenue Dependence on Problem Gamblers The French gambling authority, Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has…

Key Moments: Gaming Corps has expanded its global agreement with bet365 to bring its games to the Brazilian market via Light & Wonder. bet365 began operating in Brazil’s regulated iGaming sector in January 2025 following full license approval. Brazil’s iGaming market is projected to generate $10 billion in annual revenue by 2029. Strategic Rollout in the Brazilian Market Gaming Corps, a Swedish-listed developer of casino games, has officially launched its content portfolio with bet365 in Brazil. This move broadens the global partnership established between the two companies in January 2026,…

Key Moments: Incentive Games has received an interim gaming license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board The company is now able to provide its real-money gaming products to licensed operators in Pennsylvania This regulatory milestone follows Incentive Games’ previous licensing in Michigan in 2025 Pennsylvania License Broadens Incentive Games’ North American Reach Incentive Games, a B2B supplier specializing in gaming content, has secured interim approval to operate in Pennsylvania. The decision from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is effective immediately, allowing Incentive Games to make its suite of real-money gaming…

Key Moments: On January 1, 2026, new federal tax rules will restrict gamblers to deducting only 90 percent of losses from winnings. Dana White sent a letter to President Trump, criticizing the new tax law’s impact on bettors and the legal gaming sector. Lawmakers and industry groups have rallied behind repeal efforts, citing potential threats to gaming jobs and local economies. OBBBA Tax Rule Reshapes Gambling Deductions Significant changes to federal gambling tax deductions are causing widespread concern across the industry. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), starting…

Key Moments: The Gambling Harms Research UK Evidence Centre has launched and excludes commercial gambling involvement. In addition, the center is funded through the government’s Gambling Levy as a UKRI investment. It supports research initiatives and Innovation Partnerships. Moreover, harmful gambling is estimated to cost the UK about £1.4 billion each year. This affects health services, families, and individuals. Establishing Independent Gambling Harm Research Britain’s newly established Gambling Harms Research UK Evidence Centre provides an independently funded research infrastructure long requested in the sector. The center uses funding from the…

Key Moments: Lawmakers sent a bill banning prediction markets to Governor Tim Walz for review. The ban sits in Senate File 4760, which passed the House 100-32 and the Senate 57-9. If Walz signs it, operators and promoters of prediction markets will face felony charges starting August 1, 2026. Details of the Legislative Action Minnesota stands close to passing new regulation as Governor Tim Walz reviews a public safety bill that bans prediction markets. The measure appears in Senate File 4760. If signed, Minnesota would become the first U.S. state…

Key Moments: Tipico said Thursday it will deliver World Cup 2026 livestreams to German users, but only under strict conditions. Users must verify their identity, stay in Germany, and either hold funds or place a bet within the past 24 hours to access streams. Livestream video will occupy one-third of the screen on desktops and tablets, while smartphones will show half-screen playback. Updated Messaging Follows Industry Backlash Tipico, a major sports betting operator, has revised its approach to World Cup 2026 streaming in Germany. The company now responds to scrutiny…

Key Moments: The UK Gambling Commission has introduced the ‘Head of Illegal Markets’ role with an annual salary of £65,000. Research indicates the UK black market betting volume increased to £16.6 billion in 2025, about three times its 2019 level. Applications for the new position are open until 24 May, with interviews scheduled between 5 and 9 June. New Leadership Role Designed to Tackle Illegal Gambling The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced a significant organizational update with the unveiling of the ‘Head of Illegal Markets’ role. This senior position…