Author: Daniel Williams

Key Moments: Crown Perth will implement compulsory carded play for all electronic gaming machines starting December 1, 2025. Players must use personalized membership cards with daily and weekly time and loss limits under the new system. This reform addresses a recommendation from the 2021 Perth Casino Royal Commission and is described as a global first for binding limitations on electronic gaming play. Major Operational Change at Crown Perth Crown Perth in Western Australia has announced a major change. Starting December 1, 2025, all patrons using electronic gaming machines must use…

Key Moments: Authorities have postponed the relocation of Regency Casino Mont Parnes to Maroussi, now targeting a completion date of May 2028. Project Voria, backed by an estimated €300 million investment, is spearheaded by North Star Entertainment at the Dilaveri estate. Regulatory oversight and legal challenges have played major roles in extending the project timeline by approximately two years. Timeline Adjustments Slow Landmark Casino Project However, the flagship initiative to move one of Greece’s key casinos closer to Athens is moving slower than first planned. As a result, the relocation…

Key Moments: Pragmatic Play has invested $15 million to establish a live casino studio in Bogotá, Colombia. The facility is operated by ARRISE and is expected to bring over 1,500 new jobs to the region. More than 100 live tables with native Portuguese and Spanish-speaking dealers and Smart Studio technology will be available to operators. Strategic Expansion in Latin America Pragmatic Play, a leading provider in the iGaming sector, has expanded its presence in Latin America by unveiling an advanced live casino studio in Bogotá, Colombia. Operated by ARRISE, a…

Key Moments: EY forecasted a potential loss of approximately 3,000 jobs with unified betting and gaming duties at 21%. The report has suggested more drastic tax rises could lead to over £2 billion in Gross Value Added losses for the industry. Up to 8% of gambling activity could migrate to unlicensed offshore platforms if taxes sharply increase, according to EY. Proposed Tax Changes Raise Economic Concerns An independent study prepared by Ernst & Young (EY) has cautioned that prospective changes to the United Kingdom’s betting and gaming tax regime may…

Key Moments: UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes stated that crypto use among younger consumers is rapidly influencing the gambling industry, presenting imminent regulatory challenges. The UKGC registered a 300% surge in criminal cases over the past year, largely involving illegal gambling and betting integrity violations. A pilot study highlighted that high-spending gamblers were up to five times more likely to have defaulted on a debt in the past year, especially among consumers under 25. Crypto Forces Regulatory Debate in UK Gambling The rise of cryptocurrency among younger players is creating immediate…

Key Moments: Gamblers Connect has entered into a partnership with Malta-based IZIGROUP, a key figure in European gaming. IZIGROUP reported €920 million in total gaming turnover last year and emphasizes digital innovation and ethical standards. IZIGROUP’s brands, including Dragonara Online Casino and IZIBET, are set to be featured across Gamblers Connect’s platforms. Expanding Partnerships in European iGaming Gamblers Connect has taken a significant step forward by announcing a strategic collaboration with IZIGROUP, a well-established Maltese entity recognized as a leader within the region’s gaming landscape. This move is expected to…

Key Moments: Optimove and Hybrid Interaction have extended their collaboration to deliver improved marketing orchestration for iGaming and sportsbook operators The partnership aims to accelerate campaign deployment, deepen testing, and provide measurable uplift in customer engagement Operators gain access to a blend of predictive AI, tailored CRM services, and real-time performance measurement tools Strategic Partnership for the iGaming Sector Optimove, recognized for its marketing orchestration and player engagement platform in the iGaming and sports betting space, has revealed an expansion of its collaboration with Hybrid Interaction, a CRM and gamification…

Key Moments: Crypto.com has agreed to suspend its Nevada sports prediction market activities after a federal court ruling. Operations will cease for Nevada residents after 3 November 2025 while Crypto.com appeals the decision. The Nevada Gaming Control Board maintains that event contracts are classified as wagering under state law, regardless of CFTC regulation. Background of the Regulatory Clash Crypto.com ventured into the sports prediction sector by offering contracts tied to sports event outcomes, placing the business at the intersection of different regulatory frameworks. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) deems…

Key Moments: The NCAA has authorized college athletes and athletic staff to place wagers on professional sports beginning November 1. Betting on collegiate sports remains prohibited for participating athletes and staff, preserving competition integrity. The association is enhancing responsible gambling education and integrity monitoring with support from stakeholders. Policy Changes Open Path for Pro Sports Betting The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has enacted a significant regulatory update, allowing college athletes and athletic department personnel to participate in wagering on professional sports events starting November 1. This measure was ratified…

Key Moments: The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) plans to issue a single B2C online gaming license per emirate. The same one-license-per-emirate rule currently governs land-based casinos, with only Wynn holding a license in Ras Al Khaimah. Recent B2B licenses awarded to companies like Hub 88 Holdings Ltd and Sportradar AG signal upcoming sector growth. Adopting a Unified Licensing Approach The UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) plans to introduce a single online gaming license system. Similarly, this approach mirrors the current land-based casino framework. Each of…