Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: 101 Labour MPs have signed a letter urging the government to impose a targeted levy on harmful online gambling products The proposed measures aim to generate funds to scrap the two-child benefit cap and address child poverty The Betting and Gaming Council has voiced strong opposition to increasing taxes on the regulated betting and gaming industry Labour MPs Call for Targeted Online Gambling Levy An effort to raise gambling taxes in the UK has gained momentum as 101 Labour Members of Parliament have signed a letter addressed to…

Key Moments: AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB have activated a debit card block feature that prevents use on gambling sites and apps Blocking is customer-driven, with an opt-in process and a mandatory cooling-off period for removal The measure forms part of a broader, national push to address gambling harm, in conjunction with forthcoming regulatory changes Major Irish Banks Launch Gambling Card Block AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB have unveiled a new feature designed to support customers struggling with gambling addiction. Clients may now request that their debit cards…

Key Moments: The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has adopted the GATE system, developed by students from the University of Lampung, to enhance real-time monitoring of online gambling. Authorities removed more than 2.8 million negative items online between 20 October 2024 and 16 September 2025, including 2.1 million linked to online gambling. The government suspended welfare payments to over 300,000 recipients proven to be involved in online gambling during its crackdown. Adoption of the GATE System in Digital Oversight Indonesia has stepped up its campaign against online gambling.…

Key Moments: Grand Korea Leisure Co Ltd has created an AI innovation team to support digital transformation in its casino and customer service operations The company reported a second-quarter net profit of nearly KRW 16.96 billion (approximately US$12.1 million), representing a 49.7 percent increase year-over-year and a 5.3 percent rise quarter-over-quarter In April 2025, Grand Korea Leisure started partnering with Hyundai Robotics to deploy AI-driven autonomous robots at its Seven Luck casinos AI Integration Takes Center Stage Grand Korea Leisure Co Ltd, the largest operator of casinos catering exclusively to…

Key Moments: Dreams has agreed to sell four of its Peruvian casinos to Grupo Cirsa for approximately USD 18 million. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval from relevant competition authorities in Peru. Post-sale, Dreams will retain only two casinos in Peru, significantly reducing its presence in the country. Transaction Overview and Key Properties Dreams, a major gaming industry operator in Latin America, has entered into an agreement to divest four of its six casino properties in Peru to Grupo Cirsa, a prominent player in the global gaming sector, with…

Key Moments Bet-at-home reported gross betting and gaming revenue of €25.3m ($27.5m) for the first half of 2025, showing almost no change from the previous year. Profitability improved, with EBITDA before special items increasing to €3m and net profit nearly tripling to €1.8m, driven by reduced marketing expenses. The company maintained full-year guidance for gross betting and gaming revenue between €46m and €54m despite ongoing regulatory uncertainty. First Half Results Highlight Revenue Stagnation but Higher Profit Bet-at-home reported that intensifying regulatory challenges in its primary European markets continued to weigh…

Key Moments: Community advisory committees rejected all three Manhattan casino proposals this week, with minimal support and limited deliberation. Two key members of the Coney Island advisory committee publicly announced their opposition to the Brooklyn casino project. MGM Empire City and Resorts World NYC remain favored contenders, with decisive advisory committee votes scheduled for today. Setbacks for New York City Casino Projects Recently, the casino licensing process in New York has witnessed significant developments. In particular, a series of community advisory committee (CAC) votes effectively eliminated all three Manhattan casino…

Key Moments: FIRST.com launched in November 2024, establishing itself as a new player in sports betting affiliate platforms. The platform prioritizes transparent sportsbook reviews, focusing on licensed and regulated betting sites. FIRST.com offers carefully evaluated bonus ranking systems and expert tips across a range of popular sports including football and Formula 1. FIRST.com’s Entry into Digital Sports Betting FIRST.com has entered the sports betting affiliate sector, aiming to help bettors navigate the rapidly growing world of online sports gambling. Recently launched in November 2024, the website distinguishes itself through a…

Key Moments: Gabon has implemented a government-approved gambling platform to modernize the gaming sector and boost economic impact The platform will be operated by e-Tech SAS in partnership with a Canadian firm, bringing unified regulation and enhanced oversight Authorities plan to leverage the new system to create jobs, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster responsible gambling practices Nationwide Initiative to Modernize Gambling Gabon is on track to introduce a centralized gambling platform that aims to modernize the industry, generate employment, and fully realize economic opportunities across the sector. The platform, established…

Key Moments: The Swedish government has received a proposal to replace the “direction criterion” with a “participation criterion” for determining illegal gambling. A new statutory presumption would require payment intermediaries to block transactions for unlicensed gambling unless proof exists of a participant’s activity from abroad. The proposed reforms could take effect on 1 January 2027, pending parliamentary approval. Major Shift in Legal Criteria for Gambling The Swedish government has received a proposal for a new gambling law eliminating the “direction criterion.” Currently, gambling is illegal only if services target the…