Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Government estimates showed New Zealanders deposited NZ$1.36 billion annually into mostly offshore online gambling platforms between October 2023 and September 2025. Casino-focused platforms led a 38% year-on-year increase in spending, while sports betting spending dropped 37% within the same period. Individuals in New Zealand’s most disadvantaged communities contributed a disproportionately high share of online gambling expenditure. Offshore Gambling Spend Far Exceeds Expectations Recently unveiled data from New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has provided new insight into the scale of online gambling activity prior to the country’s…

Key Moments: DATA.BET reported a 168% rise in turnover from its virtual football content between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026 Meanwhile, virtual content accounted for 39% of total virtual sports turnover and generated 45% of profits during the period In addition, the company recorded strong growth in active users, GGR, events per quarter, and total bets placed Robust Year-over-Year Statistics DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook solutions provider, recently shared new figures showing strong year-over-year growth in its in-house virtual football product. Between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, turnover from the supplier’s…

Key Moments: The UK increased its Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% of net gaming revenue on April 1, 2026 Major operators like Entain and Evoke have signaled restraint, but analysts warn of delayed financial impact Operators have begun reducing slot Return-to-Player rates and bonuses, with some smaller firms exiting the market Tax Hike Sets the Stage for Major Market Shifts The United Kingdom’s dramatic increase in the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) has completed its first six weeks, signaling the start of potentially transformative changes for the iGaming sector.…

Key Moments: A bipartisan Senate bill proposes fines of up to $100,000 for each gambling ad shown to a minor online Moreover, the FTC and Justice Department would gain new enforcement powers if the bill passes However, the legislation focuses on digital ads targeting minors, not general television broadcasts Overview of the Proposed Legislation A bipartisan bill is moving through the Senate. It aims to address what lawmakers call a growing issue. Online gambling ads now reach children through smartphones, gaming apps, and social media. Senators Katie Britt of Alabama…

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…