News

Key Moments: DigiPlus Interactive Corp. reported a 59 percent decline in third-quarter net income to Php1.71 billion (US$29 million). The industry slowdown followed the mandated separation of gaming platforms from major e-wallets GCash and Maya. Nine-month net income climbed 15 percent to Php 10.11 billion, while revenues surged 30 percent to Php 66.83 billion. Third Quarter Decline Tied to Regulatory Changes DigiPlus Interactive Corp., an online gaming operator based in the Philippines, recorded a sharp drop in net income for the third quarter of 2025. Net income fell 59 percent…

Key Moments: The Flamingo has announced a complete overhaul of its lobby, set to be finished in time for its 80th birthday celebration next year. Recent property additions in 2024 include Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Gordon Ramsay Burger, Havana 1957, and the Go Pool. Upcoming enhancements feature a new Salt & Straw ice cream shop, Category 10 entertainment, and an updated Bugsy’s Bar. Lobby Transformation Set for Milestone Year The Flamingo, one of the oldest casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, is preparing for a significant renovation. On Monday, the…

Key Moments: Crown Melbourne received a $100,000 fine after staff failed to detect an excluded gambler for 14 hours and 40 minutes. The incident was uncovered only after a VGCCC inspector notified casino employees, highlighting deficiencies in monitoring protocols. Crown Melbourne has since relocated facial recognition cameras, redesigned entrances, and expanded staff training to prevent similar incidents. Prolonged Security Breach Raises Oversight Concerns An excluded individual entered Crown Melbourne and gambled for nearly 15 hours without being recognized or stopped. The player had been formally excluded from the casino two…

Key Moments: Merkur Group has acquired a significant stake in Slovenia-based Electronic Table Games specialist Spintec d.o.o. The partnership has evolved from a technological collaboration initiated in 2019 to a corporate investment. The alliance supports Merkur Group’s ambition to broaden its global reach and enhance its gaming offerings. Deepening Collaboration for Strategic Growth Merkur Group, a leading German gaming company, has taken a decisive step to expand its alliance with Spintec d.o.o. by acquiring a substantial share in the Slovenian company. Spintec is recognized for developing and manufacturing high-quality Electronic…

Key Moments: Media reports indicate gambling companies in the United Kingdom may be spending up to $3.27 billion on advertising Industry representatives counter that real advertising spending is closer to $1.31 billion Political leaders highlight a perceived imbalance between advertising outlays and industry tax contributions Conflicting Estimates Fuel Sector Debate Attention has turned to the scale of advertising spending among UK betting operators, following media reports that these companies devoted as much as $2.62 billion to advertising. According to The Guardian, the actual total could be even higher, reaching an…

Key Moments: The NCAA has maintained its prohibition on professional sports betting for student-athletes, team staff, and athletic department employees. Roughly two-thirds of Division I schools voted to overturn a prior rule change that would have allowed legal pro sports betting participation. An NCAA survey found that 67% of college students engaged in sports betting on campus over the past year. Policy Remains in Force The NCAA has decided to keep its restriction on student-athletes, team personnel, and athletics staff betting on professional sports, reversing an earlier move to permit…

Key Moments: UK Gambling Commission suspended Deadheat Racing’s remote and non-remote betting licenses due to suspected social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures The company, licensed since January 2015, is now undergoing a comprehensive suitability review Recent enforcement actions include sizable fines for Videoslots and NetBet, and a licence suspension for Spribe OÜ Regulator Takes Swift Action The UK Gambling Commission has suspended the remote and non-remote betting licenses of Deadheat Racing with immediate effect. This development follows findings that raised concerns about the company’s compliance with licensing standards, particularly regarding…

Key Moments: Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has called for increased honesty and compassion around addiction during the UK’s Addiction Awareness Week. A recent Ipsos poll conducted for the Forward Trust surveyed 2,124 people, revealing that more than half have personal or close experience with addiction. The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has allocated £100,000 to a new research project on the effects of digital interruptions in parent-child relationships. Royal Advocacy Spotlights Addiction In the wake of recent industry discussions on the impact of gambling harm, Catherine, the Princess…

Key Moments: AUSTRAC has advised reporting entities to review and update risk settings following the latest updates from FATF. The FATF Call for Action continues to single out the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, and Myanmar for significant compliance gaps. Australian entities must enhance due diligence on transactions involving high-risk and increased-monitoring jurisdictions. FATF’s Evolving Risk Landscape and Impact on Australia Australia has been reminded of the rapidly changing nature of financial crime risks, as AUSTRAC has called on reporting entities nationwide to reassess their existing controls. This alert…

Key Moments: Groove Technologies has entered into a distribution agreement with InOut Games, bringing the studio’s content to its global operator network. InOut Games is launching Chicken Royal, its first slot game, broadening its portfolio beyond crash mechanics. Groove’s platform now includes titles from more than 150 leading providers, available to operators via a unified API. Strategic Partnership Expands Game Selection Groove Technologies has announced a new partnership with InOut Games, integrating the studio’s highly innovative portfolio into its global platform. This distribution agreement gives Groove’s operator network access to…