Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: 13 percent of adult grassroots football players in England meet criteria for problem gambling, compared to 2.5 percent of the general population Over 16.4 percent of adult male amateur footballers experience gambling problems, far higher than the male national average of 3.3 percent More than 20 percent of players aged 11 to 15 reported gambling in the previous month Research Uncovers Surprising Levels of Gambling Harm A new study led by the University of Bristol has highlighted a significant link between gambling problems and grassroots football in England.…

Key Moments: Robinhood highlighted sports event contracts and new parlay combinations at a recent investor event. The company revealed its prediction markets have traded 11 billion contracts through more than 1 million users. Robinhood introduced football-focused “player contracts” and launched new coverage via its Sherwood News “Scoreboard” newsletter. Investor Event Unveils Prediction Market Growth and New Features At its latest investor gathering, Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ: HOOD) turned the spotlight on its expanding prediction market initiatives. The company put a strong emphasis on sports event contracts, announcing the arrival of new…

Key Moments: Connecticut and Nevada authorities enforced state gambling laws against event-contract platforms in 2025 Major operators like DraftKings, Fanatics, and Flutter launched or expanded prediction-market services in 2025 The American Gaming Association’s position on prediction markets led to high-profile operator resignations Regulation and Legal Showdowns Define 2025 In 2025, the US betting landscape saw prediction markets rapidly intersect with state gambling regulation. As various platforms received federal approvals and began offering sports-linked event contracts, regulatory questions erupted in states including Connecticut and Nevada. The central issue centered on whether…

Key Moments: Recent regulatory reforms have increased licensing costs and operational requirements for gambling operators in Italy. Major international brands, including Unibet and Betway, have exited the Italian market, leading to a more consolidated operator landscape. Stake has emerged as a leading platform, with Winamax expected to enter the Italian poker segment in the future. Market Transformation Following Regulation Changes The restructuring of Italy’s online gambling regulations has significantly altered the competitive environment. The introduction of greater licensing fees and stronger compliance requirements has resulted in a decrease in the…

Key Moments: Sweden’s gambling tax debate was reignited following the UK government’s recent decision to increase online gambling taxes. Online operators, represented by BOS, warned that higher taxes could push more players toward unlicensed platforms. ATG argued for differentiated tax rates based on risk and social impact, advocating a lower rate for horse racing and higher for online casinos. Renewed Tensions Over Swedish Gambling Tax Policy The recent move by the UK government to nearly double taxes on online gambling has reverberated across Europe, sparking fresh debate in Sweden regarding…

Key Moments: Citigroup reported that high-value mass-market players have led Macau’s gaming revenue growth in 2025 The average wager per premium mass player rose 6 percent year-over-year to HK$24,018 (approximately US$3,086) December’s total observed wager surged 18 percent year-over-year to HK$12.6 million, driven by major event programming Premium Mass Segment Drives Strong Results Macau’s gaming sector has registered impressive growth throughout 2025, with the premium mass segment playing a pivotal role. Citigroup’s latest annual table survey found that the majority of revenue gains came from high-value mass-market participants. This finding…

Key Moments: The Sports Betting Alliance has selected Joe Maloney, a former executive of the American Gaming Association, as its new president and CEO. Jeremy Kudon will shift to the role of chairman, concentrating on legislative strategy after serving eight years as president. The leadership transition occurs as SBA members and industry stakeholders confront disagreements over the role of prediction markets. Leadership Transition at the Sports Betting Alliance The Sports Betting Alliance has announced a pivotal leadership change, appointing Joe Maloney as its president and chief executive officer. Maloney, who…

Key Moments: Coinbase is preparing to introduce prediction markets and tokenized stocks at a showcase event on December 17 Tokenized equities will be issued internally by Coinbase, according to Bloomberg Tokenized-equity transfer volume increased 32% in the past 30 days, reaching $1.45 billion Coinbase’s Strategic Product Rollout Coinbase Global is reportedly getting ready to unveil prediction markets and tokenized stock offerings during its upcoming showcase event on December 17, as covered by Bloomberg and attributed to unnamed sources. This development signals Coinbase’s intent to move into rapidly expanding areas of…

Key Moments: Regulatory approaches to iGaming remain fragmented across Europe heading into 2026 Estimated total online gambling gross revenue in Europe is projected to surpass €27 billion as of 2025 Germany reported over €3.6 billion in online gambling GGR in 2024 following recent regulatory changes Regulation Shapes Competitive Dynamics As 2026 approaches, Europe’s iGaming sector reveals a patchwork of regulatory systems. Certain countries have embraced thorough oversight, issuing licenses to private operators for online casinos, poker, and sports betting. Italy stands out as a pioneer, having created one of the European Union’s…

Key Moments: DATA.BET has released an upgraded Bet Boost feature to enhance operator flexibility and player engagement worldwide. Notably, the new Bet Boost introduces multiple configurable bonus options that allow tighter promotional control. As a result, operators can tailor bonus mechanics to specific events, competitions, or customer segments. Enhanced Promotional Tools for Global Sportsbooks DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook technology provider, has unveiled a revamped Bet Boost product. Overall, the update gives operators more control over promotional campaigns and loyalty programs across global markets. Moreover, the system allows dynamic odds adjustments…