News

Key Moments: A guest on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas allegedly jumped overboard to evade a £12,354 ($16,710) casino debt He was apprehended with multiple IDs, two phones, and £10,794 ($14,600) in cash The individual faces potential federal penalties including up to five years imprisonment or a £185,000 ($250,000) fine Incident Overview An individual identified as Jey Gonzalez-Diaz has been accused of leaping from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas in a bid to sidestep over £12,000 in gambling liabilities. The ship was completing its journey at the Port…

Key Moments: Groupe Partouche reported a 5.3% rise in gross gaming revenue to €189 million in Q3 2025 French casino revenue increased 5.3% to €169.1 million, following a 5.8% uptick in attendance and the addition of Casino Partouche Cannes 50 Croisette International revenue grew 5.6% to €19.9 million, led by a 19% jump in Switzerland online gambling to €6.6 million and the opening of Casino Partouche Cotonou in Benin Revenue Advancement Across Portfolios Groupe Partouche saw gross gaming revenue reach €189 million for Q3 2025, up 5.3%. This improvement outpaced…

Key Moments: PredictIt has received CFTC approval to relaunch in the United States as a licensed political prediction market. Aristotle has secured both Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organisation (DCO) licenses, enabling in-house clearing and settlement of trades. The new structure represents a resolution to longstanding legal disputes and signals a major development for prediction market regulation in the U.S. Regulatory Approval Marks a New Era PredictIt is set to reenter the U.S. market following regulatory clearance from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Operator Aristotle confirmed that…

Key Moments: A University of Bristol study found NHL Stanley Cup Finals broadcasts averaged 3.5 gambling-related messages per minute, compared to just 0.26 in NBA Finals games. The UK expanded its CAP Code gambling regulations on 1 September 2025, impacting all licensed operators targeting UK consumers regardless of location. Operators now face significant compliance costs, with some budgeting between £10,000–£20,000 per campaign for asset retrofits and larger brands allocating six-figure sums annually for compliance staffing and technology. Research Highlights Stark Differences in Sports Gambling Promotions A recent study led by…

Key Moments: South Korean police have arrested ten individuals tied to a KRW 44bn online gambling ring operating out of Cambodia The syndicate recruited over 11,000 users and officials seized KRW 270m in cash, with an additional KRW 120m frozen Enforcement actions continue in cooperation with Interpol, with efforts extended until 31 October Police Arrest Ten in Multi-Billion Won Gambling Operation Authorities in South Korea have cracked down on a vast illegal online gambling network based in Cambodia that handled KRW 44bn in transactions. The Daegu National Police Agency’s Cybercrime…

Key Moments: Horse racing betting has maintained significant popularity in major European markets, notably the UK, France, and Ireland, with some regions seeing nearly 40% revenue share from the activity. The UK generated close to 2 billion dollars in horse racing betting last year, reflecting continued relevance despite evolving betting trends. Almost half of all horse racing wagers in Europe are currently placed through online platforms, highlighting the industry’s successful digital adaptation. Historic Significance and Current Trends Although online slots and sports betting apps have become increasingly prominent in Europe,…

Key Moments: SOFTSWISS launched a Gambling Regulation Directory to support iGaming operators navigating global gambling laws. The directory presents legal status, tax details, and licensure specifics for multiple countries, with upcoming interactive tools. Operators at SBC Lisbon 2025 Stand B160 can access the directory and engage directly with the SOFTSWISS team. Launch of Gambling Regulation Directory SOFTSWISS, a technology leader with more than 15 years of experience in iGaming, has unveiled a new resource called the Gambling Regulation Directory. This addition aims to streamline the research process for operators by…

Key Moments: Spain has maintained over 80 licensed gambling operators contributing to a stable regulatory environment and steady tax revenue. The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) has enacted a transparent and robust licensing system since 2011. Regulatory clarity in Spain has fostered innovation, player protection, and strong market competition. Effective Regulation Drives Stability Spain has positioned itself as a model for regulated online gambling markets in Europe by building a balanced system that safeguards players without stifling business growth. Since its licensing framework was introduced, over 80 operators…

Key Moments: François Bayrou, a key supporter for gambling operators, lost a no-confidence vote, ending his term as Prime Minister. French operators reported to Senate hearings that their effective tax rates reach up to 70% of gross gaming revenue. Potential prime minister candidates have shown mixed support for gambling industry positions, leaving future policy uncertain. Government Change Leaves Online Casino Efforts in Limbo The French gambling industry is grappling with an uncertain future after the departure of Prime Minister François Bayrou, following his defeat in a no-confidence vote. Bayrou had…

Key Moments: The Labour Party and its left-leaning allies have secured a majority, ensuring the current Norwegian government remains in place. The Progress Party (FRP) saw its share of the vote rise to 23.9%, marking an increase of 12.2 percentage points from the previous election. Despite increased momentum for FRP, Norway’s state gambling monopoly is expected to remain unchallenged over the next four years. Election Outcome Maintains Status Quo Norway’s latest parliamentary election has resulted in no changes to the governing coalition, with the Labour Party and its allies in…