Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: North Carolina’s sports betting handle reached $478.7m in August, representing a 29.2 percent increase from July 2025. Gross wagering revenue recorded by the state’s eight licensed operators was $54.1m. Tax revenue for August was estimated at $9.7m, with an 18 percent tax applied to gross wagering revenue. August Revenue and Handle Highlights The North Carolina State Lottery Commission published its August sports wagering revenue report, showing significant growth in market activity. Sports betting handle reached $478.7m for the month, marking a 29.2 percent increase over July 2025. Of…

Key Moments: Social casinos provide casino-style entertainment without real-money wagering, appealing to users seeking risk-free play. The freemium business model allows basic access for free, while offering optional microtransactions for virtual goods and bonuses. Controversies around addictive design, spending behavior, and regulatory gaps have driven debate about consumer protections. Understanding Social Casinos Social casinos are digital platforms or mobile applications that replicate popular casino games such as poker, blackjack, roulette, and slots. Unlike traditional gambling venues, these games operate solely with virtual currency – typically offered for free, but sometimes…

Key Moments: The Wynn Al Marjan Island project remains on track for a 2027 launch, according to Marjan Properties CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli. The resort is projected to help Ras Al Khaimah attract more than 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030. Wynn Resorts and partners completed a US$2.4 billion construction loan in February 2025, with the full project valued at up to US$5.1 billion. Project Overview and Timeline Wynn Al Marjan Island is being developed as one of the UAE’s largest hospitality destinations. The project, headed by Wynn Resorts Ltd…

Key Moments: Macau’s Judicial Court of First Instance dismissed LT Game’s patent claims against Light & Wonder subsidiaries in a ruling dated July 30, 2025. The court invalidated two LT Game patents, finding them obvious and lacking inventive step under Macau’s Industrial Property Legal Regime. LT Game has indicated it will appeal, despite being ordered to stop referencing the revoked patents and cover legal expenses. Court Decision Brings Closure to Extended Legal Fight The Judicial Court of First Instance in Macau has rejected efforts by LT Game to enforce its…

Key Moments: Websites using the “.bet.br” domain recorded 2.21 billion visits in August, surpassing the previous record of 2.18 billion in May 2025 Visits in August 2024 totaled 761 million, making the year-over-year rise nearly 190% Revenues for legal betting companies reached R$17.4 billion in the first half of 2025 after deductions for player payments Record-Breaking Online Traffic Brazil’s legal online gambling sector reached a new peak in August as traffic on registered “.bet.br” sites climbed to 2.21 billion visits, according to data provided by Aposta Legal. This performance overtook…

Key Moments: Authorities have mandated all Macau casinos to close once the No. 8 typhoon signal is raised, reversing earlier guidelines. Super Typhoon Ragasa’s approach has triggered multiple warnings, including anticipated storm surges potentially raising water levels by nearly five meters. Historical closures during severe weather have been rare, including the 33-hour shutdown in 2018 and a nine-hour disruption in 2023. Immediate Casino Closures Amid Storm Warnings Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has declared that all casinos will be required to cease operations when the No. 8 typhoon…

Key Moments: Approximately 500 attendees from Japan and the UK gathered in Tokyo to address growing concerns about youth gambling linked to digital platforms. Younger individuals in their 20s and 30s made up 78 percent of those seeking help for gambling addiction in 2023, up from 64 percent in 2019. Annual illegal betting on overseas sports by residents in Japan is estimated at JPY6.5 trillion (€37.3 billion). Call for Collaboration on Youth Gambling Prevention An international event on gambling addiction convened in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, bringing together specialists, family members,…

Key Moments: Alberta’s launch date for an Ontario-style iGaming market remains undetermined, with expectations set for early next year Industry leaders indicate that other provinces are considering partnerships with Ontario’s AGCO to expedite regulated market rollouts Ontario’s market, with 50 licensed operators, reported a 4% month-over-month increase in wagers to CA $7.56 billion and applies a 20% tax rate Outlook on Alberta’s iGaming Launch The specific date for Alberta’s highly anticipated iGaming launch has yet to be announced. During the Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto in June, Dale Nally, Minister…

Key Moments: Nebraska casinos have generated tax revenue that now exceeds original forecasts For the 2024 tax year, property owners with $200,000 homes saw property tax relief of approximately $250 due to gaming revenue Efforts to legalize online sports betting in Nebraska failed earlier this year Growing Casino Market Strengthens State Finances Casinos in Nebraska, authorized in 2020, have become a significant source of funds used to reduce homeowners’ property tax obligations. Since opening, five casino properties have outperformed revenue projections, leading state officials to allocate an extra $20 million…

Key Moments: Super Group has revised its 2025 revenue guidance upward to a range of $2.13 billion to $2.2 billion, up from $2.04 billion The company now projects adjusted EBITDA for the year between $550 million and $560 million, compared with a previous estimate of $470 million to $480 million Super Group intends to exit the United States market by the fourth quarter of 2025, focusing on regions delivering stronger growth 2025 Guidance Lifted Following Robust Third Quarter Super Group, the global online betting and gaming operator behind Betway and…