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Casino News Archive - Page 2 of 2
Older sweepstakes, crypto, mystery box, sportsbook, and industry coverage from the CasinoRankr newsroom.
Casino news archive page 2
Roobet Adds Prediction Markets for Crypto Players
Roobet launched prediction markets on May 6, 2026, allowing existing users to trade on real-world outcomes without new sign-ups. The feature makes Roobet the first major crypto casino to integrate predictions directly into its platform.
PokerStars Ontario Shuts Down for FanDuel Relaunch
PokerStars Ontario closed its platform on May 7, 2026, to transition PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel in compliance with regulatory requirements. Player accounts remain accessible until June 4, 2026, with remaining funds mailed as checks after that. This change follows a similar US rollout in March 2026, where poker revenue dipped 12% in Pennsylvania post-transition.
LCKY Group Acquires RoyalCasino: Revenue Jump 18-20%
LCKY Group (formerly Glitnor) is acquiring RoyalCasino, a top Danish online casino, in a deal projected to boost revenue by 18-20% and EBITDA by 29-31%. The move strengthens LCKY's foothold in regulated European markets and adds a leading local brand to its portfolio.
iGaming Ontario to Launch BetGuard Self-Exclusion
iGaming Ontario will launch BetGuard, a centralized self-exclusion system, in May 2026. The platform allows players to block themselves from all 82 provincially regulated online gambling sites in a single process for a period of up to five years.
Lawsuit Alleges Modo.us Exploited Player, Causing $425k in Losses
A civil lawsuit has been filed against ARB Gaming, LLC, the operator of Modo.us, alleging the sweepstakes casino exploited a player's known disability and gambling addiction. The plaintiff claims losses exceeding $425,000 and accuses the company of predatory practices.
CJEU Ruling Unlocks Gambling Loss Recovery Lawsuits
A landmark Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling now allows players to sue offshore operators to recover gambling losses incurred in regions where online gaming was prohibited. The decision, Case C-440/23, is binding across all EU member states and creates significant financial risk for operators who relied on cross-border licenses.
Hard Rock Bet Michigan Pays Out $224K Jackpot on $3.20 Bet
A player at Hard Rock Bet Casino in Michigan turned a $3.20 spin into a $224,944 jackpot win. The payout is the second major jackpot from the operator in recent weeks.
Advocate Calls for Pause on UK Financial Risk Checks
A key architect of the UK's gambling reforms is now calling for an immediate halt to financial risk checks, citing a secretive pilot program that he warns could devastate the horse racing industry.
Modo Casino Lawsuit Claims Disability Exploitation
A lawsuit filed against Modo Casino operator ARB Interactive alleges the company exploited a player's documented disabilities, including a gambling disorder. The plaintiff claims predatory VIP practices and misleading RTP led to losses of approximately $240,000 and is seeking over $1.6 million in damages.
CGA Defends Ontario iGaming Market Capture
The CGA is defending Ontario's regulated iGaming market and its reported capture rate.
AI Fraud Detection: Report Warns Casino KYC Is Obsolete
A 2026 report from software aggregator Slotegrator warns that traditional identity verification is no longer enough to stop sophisticated AI fraud. The report urges online casinos to adopt dynamic behavioral monitoring to counter threats like deepfakes and synthetic identities.
US online gaming deposits surge 18.8% in March 2026, retention slips
US player deposits are climbing while retention signals point in the other direction.
BetMGM Secures Exclusive Elvis Presley Slot Deal
BetMGM is now the exclusive home for all Elvis Presley online slot games through a strategic partnership with developer Octoplay. The first game, 'Elvis Presley: Viva Las Records,' is now live for players in New Jersey, Michigan, and Ontario, with a broader North American rollout planned.
Trump's Stake Post Ignites Unlicensed Gambling Debate
A recent post on Donald Trump's Truth Social featured an AI-generated image with the logo of Stake, an offshore crypto casino not licensed for US operation. The promotion has invited scrutiny from regulators and industry groups, highlighting the growing conflict between influencer marketing and US gambling laws.
PA Skill Games Face Court and Bill Test
Pennsylvania skill games face a legal test from both the courts and lawmakers.
Ontario Launches Safer Gaming PSA for Young Men
Ontario's Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has launched the 'Moment of Reflection' campaign targeting male players aged 19-24. Funded by the industry's CAD 3 million annual Responsible Internet Gambling Fund (RIGF), the PSAs will run on TV, social media, and streaming services to promote safer gaming tools and awareness in a competitive market.
VGW Bets $30K on Tuberville in Alabama Gambling Race
VGW, operator of Chumba Casino, donated $30,000 to Tommy Tuberville's gubernatorial campaign in March 2026. This financial move comes as Alabama lawmakers consider SB257, a pivotal bill that could let voters decide on legalizing casinos, sports betting, and a state lottery.
Maine Tribes Join Defense of iGaming Exclusivity Law
Maine's Wabanaki Nations have been granted permission to intervene as defendants in a federal lawsuit. The suit, filed by Churchill Downs Incorporated, challenges a 2026 state law that gives the tribes exclusive rights to operate online casino gaming in Maine.
Gambana Casino Launches VIP Program with KYC caveat Focus
Crypto casino Gambana.com has launched a new VIP rewards program built around its KYC caveat policy, allowing users to sign up without personal identification. The program aims to attract privacy-focused players with a 200% welcome bonus, rakeback, and free spins, complementing its existing provably fair games and crypto-native features.
Paysafe Launches US Crypto Deposits with MoonPay
Global payments platform Paysafe has launched 'Pay with Crypto', a new deposit method for the regulated US iGaming and daily fantasy sports markets. The feature, powered by crypto infrastructure company MoonPay, allows players to fund their accounts using major cryptocurrencies which are then instantly converted to US dollars for play.
MA Social Casino Ban Halted for Corporate-Backed Study
Massachusetts lawmakers have paused House Bill 4431, which aimed to ban social and sweepstakes casinos. Instead, the bill will become a formal study to gather evidence, a move supported by industry advocacy group, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA). For now, operators like Stake US and Fortune Wins can continue accepting players in the state.
Oklahoma, Tennessee advance sweepstakes casino restriction bills
A bill proposing a ban on online sweepstakes casinos, Oklahoma SB 1589, has advanced unanimously through a House committee. If enacted, the bill would make operating such platforms a felony and includes a specific carveout for tribal nations to run their own online social casinos.
Trainwreck's $781K Slot Jackpot from Bonus Buy Error
Streamer Trainwreck accidentally won $781,250 on the 'Cyber Ronin' slot after a misclick on a $50,000 bonus buy. The win follows a highly volatile period for the streamer, including a recent reported $10 million loss and a separate $4 million Keno win.
Cirsa Online Revenue Soars 26% in FY2025 Results
Cirsa's online division revenue surged 25.8% to €528.9 million in FY2025, fueled by a 49% expansion of its active user base. This user growth was a direct result of its omnichannel strategy and the successful integration of its Peruvian acquisition, Apuesta Total.
Greece Becomes Europe's Fastest-Growing iGaming Market
Greece's online gaming market is now valued at €1.2 billion, with projections showing 15% year-over-year growth. A stable, permanent licensing system has attracted major corporate investment, turning Athens into a key technology and operations center for global brands like Kaizen Gaming and OpenBet.
Michigan Cracks Down on Unlicensed iGaming
Michigan regulators are taking new action against unlicensed iGaming operators.
UK Proposes Sports Ad Ban for Unlicensed Gambling Operators
The UK government has announced a consultation on a proposed ban targeting unlicensed gambling operators sponsoring sports teams. The move, aimed at enhancing player protection, would cover all sponsorship types, including white-label deals, and builds on an existing Premier League shirt ban.
BIA issues favorable Environmental Assessment for Menominee Kenosha casino
The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a favorable Environmental Assessment for the Menominee Tribe's proposed $360 million Hard Rock Kenosha casino. This key federal finding allows the project to proceed toward a crucial land-in-trust designation, a prerequisite for negotiating a gaming compact with Wisconsin.
Governor Vetoes Fairfax Casino Bill in Power Clash
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has vetoed SB 756, a controversial bill passed by the State Senate that would have permitted a temporary Fairfax casino without local voter approval. The move reaffirms local government control over casino development, halting a push backed by developer Comstock Companies.
SkyCity Class Action Questions Malta Casino Legality
SkyCity Entertainment Group is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit challenging the legality of its Malta-licensed online casino for New Zealand players. The legal action seeks to recover six years of alleged player losses, a claim SkyCity vehemently denies and plans to contest.
Stake.us Illinois Exit: IGB Rules Operations Illegal
Stake.us is pulling out of Illinois on May 19, 2026, following a cease and desist letter from the Illinois Gaming Board. The regulator declared the platform's activity illegal gambling. Player accounts will be placed in 'Redeem Only' mode, permitting balance redemptions but blocking all gameplay.
Kangwon Land CEO Void: Will K-HIT Expansion Stall?
Kangwon Land has appointed Nam Hun Gyu as acting CEO following a surprise resignation, creating a leadership vacuum. This uncertainty now casts a shadow over the casino's massive KRW2.5 trillion (US$1.9bn) K-HIT expansion project, and the community is watching closely.
NYC Casino Bidders Top Lobbying Spenders in 2025
In 2025, the three winners of downstate New York casino licenses were also among NYC's top lobbyists. Winning bidder Metropolitan Park and its affiliates spent a staggering $4.6 million over three years, proving a direct correlation between political spending and securing a lucrative casino spot.
Casino Expansion Shock: IN & VA Plans Derailed by Locals
Indiana's new casino expansion bill, HB 1038, surprisingly snubs Indianapolis for a new license, while Virginia's SB 756 faces a complete stall after fierce local opposition in Fairfax County. Both cases reveal a major power shift, where community referendums and county officials, not state lobbyists, hold the ultimate veto power over billion-dollar projects.
How iGaming Aggregators Get You More Games & Better Bonuses
A new iGB/Alea report reveals the secret tech powering your casino: iGaming aggregators. As Alea's CEO notes, 'simply accumulating content isn't enough anymore.' These partners now handle security, compliance, and promo tools that directly impact your game library and bonuses.
SA's 40% Bet Tax: Who Really Pays?
South Africa's government has proposed a new 20% national tax on online gambling revenue. Combined with existing levies, this could push the effective tax rate for operators with published license details to nearly 40%, one of the highest in the world. Critics warn this will cripple the legal market and drive players to unregulated offshore casinos.
Betsson Acquisition: A €64.5M Canadian Market Entry
Betsson is acquiring Rhino Entertainment's Canadian B2C operations and B2B technology for €64.5 million. The deal provides an instant, licensed presence in the Ontario market and bolsters Betsson's tech licensing capabilities for future growth.
DraftKings Super App Targets $80B Market by 2030
DraftKings has announced a new 'Sports & Casino' Super App, aiming to unify its verticals into one experience. The company is targeting a massive $55 billion to $80 billion industry revenue opportunity by 2030, driven by state legalization and its 'Predictions' product.
March Madness: States Crack Down, Markets Rebel
This year's March Madness betting surge is a flashpoint for major legal battles, with over $58M wagered on prediction markets alone. Key states like VA and WI are rushing to regulate or ban them, while a nationwide crackdown also targets sweepstakes casinos.
Virginia iGaming Push Clashes with Sweepstakes Bans
Virginia's iGaming bills are now in a conference committee, signaling a tough negotiation ahead. Meanwhile, states like Tennessee and Oklahoma are advancing sweeping sweepstakes casino bans, creating a volatile legal picture for players nationwide.
Mississippi Sports Betting Deadlock: 3rd Year of Failure
For the third consecutive year, Mississippi legislators have failed to legalize mobile sports betting. House Bill 1581 died in the Senate, while a separate bill to ban sweepstakes casinos, SB 2104, failed in the House, preserving the current status for players.