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BGC proposes five-point plan to fight UK illegal gambling surge
The Betting and Gaming Council unveiled a five-point action plan on June 8, 2026, targeting advertising, payments, and website hosting to combat the illegal gambling market in the UK. H2 Gambling Capital projects stakes on unlicensed sites could rise from £17 billion in 2025 to £33 billion by 2028. The proposals are intended to strengthen the government's Illegal Gambling Taskforce.
Bally's Intralot targets Evoke and LiveScore Group in UK consolidation push
Bally's Intralot is pursuing a potential acquisition of Evoke plc, owner of William Hill and 888, with an 8 June 2026 deadline to make a firm offer, according to iGB. The company is separately exploring a bid for LiveScore Group. A combined entity would carry an estimated £3.3 billion in debt, according to analyst Ben Robinson of Corfai.
Balkan Gaming Federation elects working group chair, targets black market
The Balkan Gaming Federation has elected Filip Jelevic as working group chair and will register as a trade body in Croatia, advancing a coordinated campaign against black market gambling across seven Balkan nations. The federation has scheduled a roundtable with regional regulators and plans to elect its first president in September 2026.
Bragg Gaming Acquires Drayton in Share Deal, Q1 Revenue Flat
Bragg Gaming Group announced May 14, 2026, it will acquire Drayton International for 4.5 million shares, adding more than 100 slot titles and advance deposit wagering technology. Q1 2026 revenue rose 0.6% to $29.7 million, with a known revenue headwind in Q2 as a key Netherlands agreement expires.
UKGC delays Financial Risk Assessment rollout after board review
The UK Gambling Commission delayed a final decision on Financial Risk Assessments after its 21 May 2026 board meeting, saying it has not yet fully assessed the evidence. No new timetable has been set, leaving operators, players, and racing bodies without clarity on one of the most contested reforms from the 2023 white paper.
Netherlands councillor proposes online gambling age 24
Enschede councillor Meryam Sümer has called for raising the Netherlands' online gambling age from 18 to 24, citing local debt data. The proposal is a municipal initiative and would require national legislation to take effect. Similar proposals at the national level have not advanced to a parliamentary vote.
AiGC names Dan Keene permanent CEO, Alberta-Ontario liquidity MOU in the works
Dan Keene has been named permanent CEO of the Alberta iGaming Corporation and confirmed the corporation is negotiating an interprovincial liquidity MOU with Ontario ahead of Alberta's scheduled July 13, 2026 market launch. A centralized self-exclusion platform is also set to go live on that date.
MPs urge UK minister to halt Gambling Commission affordability checks
A cross-party group of 19 MPs has written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging a pause on Gambling Commission financial risk assessments, warning the checks would harm horseracing and push bettors toward illegal markets. The Gambling Commission says fewer than 3% of active customers would trigger intervention under the pilot. The UKGC board is expected to make a final decision later this month.
Codere Online CEO defends core market focus after record Q1
Codere Online CEO Aviv Sher says the company's disciplined investment in Spain and Mexico is validated by record Q1 2026 results, with NGR reaching €64.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of €6 million, both described as quarterly records in the company's earnings release. Sher told iGB the company will not chase new geographies, focusing instead on deepening its position in existing markets. The strategy has delivered 13% growth in average monthly players in Spain and a 16% NGR increase there.
UK Gambling Commission Creates Head of Illegal Markets Role to Combat Black Market
The UK Gambling Commission is hiring a dedicated Head of Illegal Markets, a new senior position aimed at coordinating enforcement against unlicensed gambling operators. The role, advertised at £65,000, signals a heightened regulatory focus on the black market and will work alongside the UK government's Illegal Gambling Taskforce.
SBC Summit Malta 2026 Attendance Hits Record High
SBC Summit Malta 2026, held April 28–30, drew thousands of iGaming professionals and set a new attendance record, according to SBC News. The three-day conference at the InterContinental Malta in St Julian's hosted what organizers described as a highly commercial audience. The growth signals continued investment across the casino sector, with potential downstream effects on bonuses, game selection, and platform development.
AGCO fines Relax Gaming, Arrise Solutions $40K each for unregulated supply
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario fined Relax Gaming Limited and Arrise Solutions Limited $40,000 each for making their games available on unregulated gambling sites accessible to Ontario players. Both companies are AGCO-registered suppliers who cooperated and quickly restricted access. The fines reinforce that registered suppliers face penalties when their content appears on unauthorized platforms.
Dutch regulator files 4,600+ illegal gambling ad complaints against Meta
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) submitted more than 4,600 reports to Meta in April 2026 over illegal gambling advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. The enforcement action targets unlicensed operators reaching Dutch players through mainstream social media and coincides with growing political support for a total gambling advertising ban in the Netherlands.
Endorphina secures tier II GCGRA vendor license in UAE
Endorphina Limited received a Gaming-Related Vendor Licence (Tier II) from the UAE's General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) on May 8, 2026, becoming one of the first approved slot suppliers in the newly regulated market. The Prague-based developer, whose library spans 80+ titles, marks the license as a defining step in its global regulated-market expansion, one that its compliance head says puts the company among the top providers worldwide by licensed jurisdiction count.
Emanuel's 10% Online Gambling Tax Proposal Stirs Debate
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed a 10% federal transaction tax on online gambling and prediction markets. The proposal aims to generate $30 to $50 billion for a U.S. 'Innovation Fund,' sparking discussions among players about the potential impact on odds, bonuses, and the future of online play.
Caesars' Ca$hline Slot Expands to PA & WV Online Casinos
Caesars Entertainment has launched its first proprietary game, the Ca$hline slot, in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Developed in-house, the expansion signals a strategic push by major operators to offer exclusive content in regulated US markets.
Rush Street Interactive posts record $370.4M Q1 revenue, raises 2026 guidance
RSI Q1 revenue hit a record $370M (+41%), driven by a 51% user surge. The company raised its 2026 revenue and profitability guidance.
Missouri HB 3533: Casino Entry Fee Could Triple to $5.50
Missouri HB 3533 proposes raising the casino admission fee from $2 to $5.50, applied every two hours, and new sports betting taxes. Opponents say the bill could cost casinos over $500 million. The bill is part of broader debates over income tax cuts.
Game of Thrones Slot Debuts Exclusively at BetMGM Ontario
BetMGM has debuted an exclusive Game of Thrones slot in Ontario under a limited-term agreement with Blueprint Gaming. The branded slot is now available only to BetMGM Ontario players, with a US rollout expected later in summer 2026.
Ontario Player Wins Record $1.86M Jackpot on theScore Casino
An Ontario player won $1.86 million on theScore Casino's exclusive DropZone progressive jackpot with a $1.10 spin, setting a new platform record. The win highlights PENN Entertainment's iGaming growth strategy as it prepares to launch in Alberta on July 13, 2026.
RSI CEO on Casino-First Growth, Market Expansion
Rush Street Interactive posted record Q1 2026 revenue of $370.4 million, up 41% year-on-year, driven by its casino-first strategy. CEO Richard Schwartz outlined controlled expansion into Alberta and Latin America while CFO Kyle Sauers downplayed prediction markets as a competitive threat.
Sweet Bonanza 2500: 25,000x Max Win, New Multipliers
Pragmatic Play released Sweet Bonanza 2500, a cluster-pay slot with a 25,000x max win, 96.53% RTP, and new 2,500x multipliers. The title joins the franchise alongside Sweet Bonanza 1000 and introduces special bet features to boost free spin and multiplier chances.
Caesars Digital Drops Credit Card Deposits, Joining Industry-Wide Shift
Caesars Digital has removed credit card deposits from its U.S. Online gambling platforms, following similar moves by DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. The decision, driven by a review of payment options and customer habits, aligns with state-level bans in eight states and growing regulatory scrutiny.
Nevada AML Rules Tighten: Source of Funds Under Scrutiny
Nevada Gaming Board member George Assad is pushing for stricter anti-money laundering measures beyond the state's April 2026 regulatory reforms. His proposals include restoring state oversight of financial transactions, whistleblower rewards, and mandatory source-of-funds verification for casino patrons.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.