Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Hann Group is developing a second integrated casino resort in New Clark City as part of the Hann Reserve project’s phase two, with completion targeted for 2030. Meanwhile, land-based casinos in the Philippines generated 45.28 percent of total GGR in the third quarter of 2025, according to PAGCOR. Additionally, Hann Resorts has partnered with PhilWeb Corporation for a regulated online gaming platform, with Hann overseeing compliance and standards. Strategic Expansion in Central Luzon Hann Group is advancing plans for a second integrated resort in New Clark City. This…

Key Moments: Jeff Bezos publicly denied a statement attributed to him by Polymarket on social media. Polymarket has previously drawn criticism for its methods of posting market updates and settling outcomes. The incident raises concerns about accuracy and trustworthiness on prediction market platforms. Bezos Rejects Claim Made by Polymarket Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has called out Polymarket after the prediction market platform published a social media post attributing business advice to him that he never offered. The post, which appeared on Polymarket’s X account, implied that Bezos encouraged…

Key Moments DCMS opened a consultation on higher Gambling Commission license fees on 27 January. The process runs until 11:59pm on 29 March 2026. Three fee models are proposed, including a 30% average increase. This could raise an estimated £8.7m in extra annual income. Any approved changes would take effect through secondary legislation, expected from October 2026. Consultation Opens on Funding the Gambling Regulator UK-licensed gambling firms may face higher costs as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) launched a consultation on increasing Gambling Commission license fees. The…

Key Moments: High Roller Technologies (NYSE: ROLR) confirms plans to introduce a prediction markets platform this year The company has established a binding partnership with Crypto.com Derivatives North America (CDNA) High Roller recently secured $25 million in financing to support its expansion strategy Strategic Partnership Signals Expansion High Roller Technologies (NYSE: ROLR), a Las Vegas-based iGaming firm, has officially announced its intention to enter the prediction markets sector within the year. The company is teaming up with Crypto.com Derivatives North America (CDNA) in order to facilitate this strategic move. Earlier…

Key Moments: Evoke has withdrawn its 2026 financial outlook due to major changes in the UK gambling tax regime. The group is conducting a comprehensive strategic review, considering asset sales, restructuring, or a potential sale of the business. Remote Gaming Duty will increase from 21 percent to 40 percent from April 2026, with further tax hikes scheduled for 2027. Revised Guidance Following UK Tax Shift Evoke, the owner of William Hill UK and 888, has suspended its financial projections for 2026 after the UK government’s altered tax policy significantly raised…

Key Moments: President Alexander Stubb signed Finland’s new Gambling Act on January 16, 2026, setting the stage for regulatory overhaul The online monopoly by Veikkaus is set to end July 1, 2027, transitioning to a licensing framework EGBA considers Finland’s decision as marking the end of the EU-wide monopoly era for online gambling Legislative Shift: Monopoly to Licensing Finland has confirmed a significant transformation in its online gambling landscape with the enactment of a new Gambling Act, signed on January 16, 2026, by President Alexander Stubb. The legislation outlines a…

Key Moments: Cambodia has stepped up enforcement against illegal online gambling and scam operations to avoid re-listing on the FATF grey list. Meanwhile, the National Bank of Cambodia has prioritised anti-money laundering by launching a second national risk assessment and upgrading surveillance systems. As a result, authorities have arrested and extradited high-profile figures, revoked licences, and frozen assets linked to unlawful gambling and online fraud. Government Response to FATF Concerns Cambodia is taking a firmer stance against unregulated online gambling and financial crime as it faces the risk of returning…

Key Moments: The number of moderate-risk and problem gamblers in Norway increased from 188,000 in 2021 to 269,000 in 2024. Nearly half of Norwegian online casino players have continued to use unregulated foreign sites, despite restrictive measures. Gambling Addiction Norway has reported a surge in young people seeking help, pushing its services toward capacity. Growing Gambling Risk Despite Tighter Controls Norway has intensified its efforts over the past three years to curb gambling, deploying advertising prohibitions, blocking certain financial transactions, restricting DNS access, and targeting foreign operators with enforcement actions.…

Key Moments: A new tax rule limits gamblers to deducting only 90% of losses against winnings, leaving 10% potentially taxable even in losing years. Meanwhile, efforts by Nevada lawmakers to overturn the rule stalled earlier this year and are unlikely to resume this session. Slot wins of $2,000 or more, poker profits above $5,000 after buy-in, and bets paying 300 times the wager trigger IRS reporting via W-2G forms. Gambling Loss Deductions Tightened Under New Rule For decades, U.S. tax law allowed gamblers to fully offset winnings with losses, ensuring…

Key Moments: BGaming has entered into a new agreement with PokerStars PokerStars’ user base will now have access to BGaming titles such as Merge Up, Gemhalla, and Wild Cash x9990 This collaboration advances BGaming’s outreach as it prepares for further growth in 2026 Strategic Partnership for Broadening Reach BGaming has officially sealed a partnership with PokerStars, a major name in the online poker landscape operated by Flutter Entertainment. The arrangement gives BGaming an opportunity to showcase its products on a platform that attracts millions of participants every day. Access to…