News

Key Moments: Mayor Muriel Bowser has introduced legislation to legalize poker, blackjack, and expand commercial bingo within Washington, D.C. The proposal establishes operator fees, tax rates of 25% for poker and blackjack, and includes funding for regulatory positions in the Office of Lottery and Gaming. The plan faces legal, financial, and regulatory scrutiny, with upcoming hearings led by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. Legislative Push for New Gaming Options Washington, D.C. may soon see regulated poker, blackjack, and expanded commercial bingo if Mayor Muriel Bowser’s initiative moves forward. The Poker and Blackjack…

Key Moments: Nevada Gaming Control Board member George Assad stated the state would not allow unlicensed platforms like KalshiEx LLC and Crypto.com to offer products resembling sports wagers. Recent federal court decisions in Maryland and Nevada have delivered mixed rulings concerning the legality of sports-linked contracts. Cases regarding Kalshi and Crypto.com are still ongoing, with the next hearing in Nevada scheduled for December. State Authority Emphasized in Ongoing Dispute At a recent meeting, Nevada Gaming Control Board member George Assad made it clear that the state intends to take a…

Key Moments: George Janssen secured an $18,556 prize in a Michigan poker event while awaiting sentencing for financial institution fraud Janssen was found zip-tied and injured after being reported missing in November 2023 amid claims of abduction by an extortion gang Prosecutors allege Janaasen orchestrated a $3.9 million auto-loan fraud scheme, with $1.9 million still unsettled Tournament Victory Amidst Legal Turmoil George Janssen, a well-known poker player currently awaiting sentencing after admitting to financial institution fraud, recently triumphed in a Michigan poker tournament. Janssen outperformed 311 other participants in a…

Key Moments: Tokyo police referred a 13-year-old boy with a severe online gambling addiction to a child guidance center after he accessed an overseas online casino about 7,000 times in a seven-month period. The boy reportedly lost cryptocurrency valued at ¥260,000 (approximately €1,600) using funds obtained via PayPay’s platform without strict identity checks. New Japanese regulations effective from 25 September 2025 prohibit online gambling advertisements and block the launch of new online casinos. Escalating Incidents of Underage Gambling Authorities in Tokyo have highlighted the case of a 13-year-old boy from…

Key Moments: The Esports World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from July 6 to August 23, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Twenty out of twenty-four game titles for the event have been announced, spanning multiple genres. EWC 2025 awarded $70.45 million in prizes, with Team Falcons taking the Club Championship with 5,200 points. Event Expansion and Global Reach The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has revealed that the Esports World Cup 2026 will feature competitions in 24 titles, of which 20 have now been confirmed. The event is…

Key Moments: Regulation and compliance have surged to become the leading concern for iGaming industry executives, according to a new report. Operators are increasingly focusing on consolidating existing market positions instead of pursuing aggressive geographic expansion. Marketing and retention have emerged as strategic top priorities as companies respond to stricter regulatory and competitive environments. Regulation and Compliance Dominate Industry Priorities A newly released report has revealed a significant shift in focus for iGaming sector leaders, who now cite regulation and compliance as their top concerns. Competition and responsible gaming follow…

Key Moments: The High Court rejected Lee Gibson’s claim against Betfair, dismissing the notion of a duty of care. Gibson has taken his £1.5 million loss case to the Court of Appeal, alleging Betfair failed to act on signs of excessive gambling. The outcome of the case could impact legal expectations for betting operators regarding problem gamblers, including high-value clients. Background of the Dispute Lee Gibson, a 47-year-old property tycoon from Leeds, England, lost £1.5 million on Betfair over a ten-year period by placing over 30,000 soccer bets on the…

Key Moments: An October 6 court filing shows Amazon and the plaintiff have continued settlement discussions after mediation sessions in June and September 2025. Plaintiff Sean Horn alleges Amazon facilitated illegal gambling by distributing social casino games through its Appstore and collecting a 30 percent commission on transactions. A possible settlement may include user refunds, changes to app store policies, or increased transparency in in-app purchases. Overview of the Dispute A legal confrontation between Sean Horn and Amazon has drawn significant attention within tech and gaming circles. The core issue…

Key Moments: Anjouan overhauled its regulatory system in 2023, creating a unified and transparent framework for iGaming licenses. More than 850 licensees are now operating across over 2,000 live websites worldwide under Anjouan’s jurisdiction. The jurisdiction’s single-license model covers multiple iGaming verticals and features a tax-neutral approach. Anjouan’s Rapid Emergence in the iGaming Sector Once relatively unknown in the global gaming market, Anjouan has evolved into a prominent destination for iGaming licenses. Situated in the Comoros archipelago, the island has witnessed a significant transformation following a major regulatory reform in…

Key Moments: Romanian legislators have introduced a draft law to closely align gambling operations with the tourism sector in 56 nationally recognized resort towns. The proposal highlights economic benefits such as job creation, increased VAT revenue, and tax incentives for local communities oriented toward tourism. Questions remain regarding social protections and effective regulation, particularly in managing gambling-related risks among visitors and local populations. Legislative Push to Link Gambling and Tourism Romania’s lawmakers are considering a new approach that positions gambling as a catalyst within the nation’s tourism framework. Under a…