CasinoRankr Newsroom

Casino News Archive - Page 2 of 2

Older sweepstakes, crypto, mystery box, sportsbook, and industry coverage from the CasinoRankr newsroom.

May 8, 2026

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.

IndustryApr 16, 2026

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.

SweepstakesApr 16, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 16, 2026

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.

IndustryApr 16, 2026

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.

IndustryApr 16, 2026

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.

SweepstakesApr 15, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 14, 2026

CGA Defends Ontario iGaming Market Capture

The CGA is defending Ontario's regulated iGaming market and its reported capture rate.

IndustryApr 14, 2026

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.

IndustryApr 14, 2026

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.

IndustryApr 14, 2026

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.

IndustryApr 13, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 11, 2026

PA Skill Games Face Court and Bill Test

Pennsylvania skill games face a legal test from both the courts and lawmakers.

IndustryApr 11, 2026

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.

SweepstakesApr 11, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 11, 2026

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.

CryptoApr 11, 2026

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.

CryptoApr 11, 2026

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.

SweepstakesApr 11, 2026

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.

SweepstakesApr 11, 2026

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.

SweepstakesApr 11, 2026

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.

IndustryApr 11, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 10, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 10, 2026

Michigan Cracks Down on Unlicensed iGaming

Michigan regulators are taking new action against unlicensed iGaming operators.

RegulationApr 10, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 10, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 10, 2026

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.

RegulationApr 3, 2026

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.

SweepstakesMar 25, 2026

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.

IndustryMar 23, 2026

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.

RegulationMar 22, 2026

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.

RegulationMar 22, 2026

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.

IndustryMar 22, 2026

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.

RegulationMar 22, 2026

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.

IndustryMar 22, 2026

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.

SportsbooksMar 17, 2026

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.

SportsbooksMar 16, 2026

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.

SweepstakesMar 10, 2026

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.

SportsbooksMar 5, 2026

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.