日期: 2026年4月16日

(AsiaGameHub) -   Australia's communications regulator has blocked a number of websites operating outside the nation's licensed gambling market, which includes the creatively titled Mafia Casino. A total of 19 online gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), as authorities maintain a firm stance against unlicensed operators. The newly blocked sites are: Bass Bet, BetWhale, CasinOK, Cleobetra, Diva Spin, FatPirate, Free Spinz, Gransino, JackBit, Legiano, Mafia Casino, Magius, Monster Win, NewLucky, Nonbetstop.com, Slotexo, Talismania, Tiki Casino and Vegas Hero. The authority commented: "The ACMA is reminding consumers that even if a service appears legitimate, it probably lacks essential customer protections. Australians who use illegal gambling services are therefore at risk of losing their money." Preventing access to a vast number of websites presents a significant challenge for regulators, creating a 'whack-a-mole' situation where operators frequently change their branding to evade detection. Concurrently, the ACMA has issued a formal warning to the sports betting company Chasebet. An investigation found the operator did not sufficiently promote Betstop – Australia's national self-exclusion register – in three marketing emails and on its website. The ACMA reported that Chasebet addressed the problem quickly once notified of the breach, explaining that a software error was to blame. This update on the scale of Australia's black market emerges as the country's politicians debate proposed reforms to gambling advertising regulations. The ACMA stated it has now blocked more than 1,640 illegal gambling websites, with an additional 230 ceasing operations in Australia since enhanced enforcement measures started in 2017. The Labor government, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has put forward plans to limit TV gambling ads to three per hour from 6am to 8.30pm. The proposal also includes a ban on ads during live sports broadcasts and during specified school drop-off and pick-up hours. Furthermore, the government is evaluating a 'triple lock' for digitally distributed gambling content. This would mandate that social media platforms and websites require user logins, age verification for users over 18, and provide an option to opt out of gambling content. However, these digital plans have been criticized as 'unworkable' by opposition MPs, who have raised doubts about the practicality of the triple lock. They point out that adults and children frequently share accounts on services like Spotify and YouTube. Independent MP Kate Chaney stated to The Guardian: "The term 'triple-lock' implies a level of protection that is not realistic – since most families share streaming accounts, gambling ads will still be seen unless parents meticulously navigate each platform to find and enable the opt-out settings." A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells has verified that 'specific definitions' will be published to prevent loopholes before the new laws are implemented. iGaming Expert analysis: Although gambling reform in Australia has been intensely debated since the 2023 Murphy Report, political disagreement risks weakening the legal market and strengthening illegal operators. For the regulated sector to remain healthy, the Labor Government must find a balanced solution that enhances consumer protection while also supporting the growth of licensed businesses. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Concerns that a flood of players might seek to recover losses from Maltese operators have grown stronger following the latest ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The CJEU has sided with the view that contracts between players residing in Germany and operators without a license in the country are fundamentally void. Prolonged legal disputes between Malta and the EU member states of Germany and Austria over numerous compensation claims have escalated over the past decade, requiring a determination from the Attorney General of the CJEU. In a preliminary ruling requested by Malta’s First Hall of the Civic Court, the EU court outlined that players may be entitled to claim back losses from operators not licensed in the country. The European Court held that Article 56 TFEU – an EU law governing restrictions on the provision of unrestricted services – does not take precedence over national laws related to online gambling disputes. The latest ruling will be a setback for Malta’s legislative framework, as it continues to face cases against operators regarding compensation for former customers of unlicensed entities. At the time the relevant activities took place in Germany, the country’s regulatory frameworks had not yet been finalized by the Bundestag, Germany’s federal government. Since then, the framework has shifted due to the Glücksspielneuregulierungsstaatsvertrag (GlüNeuRStV), the online gambling regulatory framework launched in July 2021. However, the EU’s preliminary ruling stated that a change in German lawmakers’ approach to the gambling sector did not invalidate the prior prohibition in place when the wagers were made. That said, the CJEU’s ruling is somewhat unsurprising and continues the trend away from Malta, given a previous opinion by Advocate General (AG) Nicholas Emiliou of Cyprus, which noted: “A sports betting operator that offers services in a national market without the required license may be required to refund the stakes collected from players.” This was in relation to a long-running German dispute challenging Tipico Malta’s online gambling license over loss recovery for the period between 2013 and 2020. Malta has yet to enact Bill 55 in the specific case ruled on by the CJEU, which involved Lottoland and two German players. Even so, Malta could still rely on the law as a shield against EU regulations and domestic frameworks in EU markets. Whether this will provide an effective shield for Maltese operators remains to be seen, however, given key developments from the latest EU ruling stating that Article 56A of the TFEU “must be interpreted as not precluding national legislation which imposes a prohibition on the organization of online casino games, in particular slot machines, and of forms of betting such as online betting on the results of lottery draws.” Germany’s regulator, the GGL, has been one of the most vocal critics of Maltese operators being shielded from European law. The GGL has pursued the case with the European Commission, arguing that the bill needs to be reassessed, along with its alignment with EU frameworks. Previously, the GGL stated: “We are of the opinion that this law should not be compatible with European requirements for the recognition of decisions (Regulation (EU) 1215/2002). “However, the final assessment of this question is not the responsibility of the GGL. We have informed the federal states of our assessment and are otherwise in contact with the relevant authorities.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   SBC Summit Americas has partnered with BettingStartups to boost its support for early-stage businesses, with a distinct focus on helping founders connect with investors and pushing fresh ideas to the forefront of the Americas market. As part of this strategic collaboration, BettingStartups will assume the role of the official host of the Startup Zone at SBC Summit Americas 2026. The space will feature 13 exhibition booths and a dedicated lounge, granting startups a prominent presence on the show floor and direct access to key decision-makers—51% of last year’s attendees held budgetary responsibility. Recognized as a key player in the early-stage gaming ecosystem, BettingStartups has built a reputation for supporting founders through its media platform, podcast, newsletter, events, and investment arm. By leveraging this network, the partnership will bring a curated group of high-quality startups to the event, giving attendees the chance to discover and engage with the next wave of innovation shaping the industry. A central highlight of the Startup Zone programming will be the First Pitch Americas Competition, taking place on Thursday, 11 June (14:00 – 14:40) on the Leaders Stage. Hosted by BettingStartups founder Jesse Learmonth, the competition will feature five standout startups pitching live to a panel of leading investors and executives. Participants will compete for a grand prize package valued at $108,900, designed to accelerate their growth and industry visibility. The prize includes a 3x3m exhibition booth at SBC Summit Americas 2027, alongside additional contributions from Are You Watching This?!, MetaBet, AWS, GameOn, Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC, Square in the Air, and Vegas Kings. The judging panel consists of: Paris Smith, Founder and CEO, Defy the Odds Javier Altamirano, Global Head of Startup, Sportradar Evan Meyer, Managing Partner, Astralus Capital Management Scott Secord, Partner, Cardinal Sports Capital Meredith McPherson, CEO and Managing Partner, DRIVE by DraftKings Applications for the First Pitch Competition are currently open, with a submission deadline of 17 April, and selected participants will be notified by 4 May. The 2025 edition saw B2B social sports betting software provider Wager Games take home the top prize. Complementing the competition, attendees will also benefit from dedicated educational content, including the “Fundraising 101: Win Your First Round” workshop, taking place on Thursday, 11 June (11:00-12:00). Led by Shaun Gold, Chief Evangelist at OpenVC, the session will provide founders with a practical, no-nonsense roadmap to securing early-stage investment. The partnership is designed to position SBC Summit Americas as a must-attend event for startups, investors, and operators active in the region. By combining SBC’s global reach with BettingStartups’ specialized ecosystem, the collaboration aims to attract high-potential companies, generate pre-event momentum, and deliver unique, startup-focused content. Through curated participation, targeted marketing campaigns, and dedicated programming, BettingStartups will also support delegate growth, with a goal of driving significant new registrations from its engaged community. Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “This partnership strengthens our commitment to innovation and to supporting the next generation of companies shaping the future of gaming in the Americas. BettingStartups brings a highly engaged community and deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, which will elevate both the quality of exhibitors and the overall experience for attendees.” Jesse Learmonth, Founder of BettingStartups, added: “SBC Summit Americas is a key meeting point for the industry in the region, and we’re excited to play a central role in building out its startup offering. Our focus is on bringing the most exciting early-stage companies to the event and giving founders a platform to be seen, heard, and funded.” About SBC Summit AmericasSBC Summit Americas is a leading industry event bringing together key stakeholders from across the North and Latin American gaming and sports betting markets. Taking place from June 9-11 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, the event continues to evolve its offering with a strong focus on business outcomes. This year, SBC introduces the SBC Connections networking program, featuring eight new ways for attendees to connect, alongside a new five-tier ticketing system designed to give participants greater control over their experience based on their business priorities. Startups and industry professionals are invited to secure their place at SBC Summit Americas 2026. Get tickets Inquire about exhibiting in the Startup Zone Apply for the First Pitch Competition This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued a further setback to Malta's efforts to defend its gambling legislation and licenses against challenges from other EU nations. A preliminary ruling from the ECJ was released today concerning the conflict between German regulators and the Malta-based operations of Lottoland and Maltese officials. The ECJ found that European Union law does not stop member states from prohibiting online services offered by operators from other member states. This judgment supports Germany's prohibition on online slot machines and lottery betting, affirming that players retain the right to seek compensation for losses from companies operating without a license or in violation of EU law. The ruling addresses a protracted legal conflict between Maltese and German judicial bodies over the operations of companies based and licensed in Malta within other EU jurisdictions. Initial disputes involved Malta challenging German court decisions, arguing that licenses issued by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) adhered to the principles of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Invoking TFEU provisions for "unrestricted services," MGA licensees believed they could legally offer iGaming services, especially while Germany's federal states and government remained deadlocked over terms for a new Interstate Gambling Regime. After over ten years of arbitration and regulatory stalemate, Germany's federal states implemented the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüNeuRStV), which took effect on 1 July 2021, establishing a finalized framework to regulate and license online gambling. DACH drama The EU legal battles primarily involve two Malta-licensed firms active in Germany and one in Austria during the late 2010s and early 2020s. While the ECJ has previously offered opinions, this marks its first preliminary ruling—an authoritative interpretation of EU law. The two companies in question regarding Germany are Tipico and Lottoland. The former was challenged by a former customer seeking to reclaim losses sustained between 2013 and 2020. Tipico operated without a German license during that period, though it had applied for and later obtained one following the market's re-regulation in 2021. In Lottoland's instance, a customer sought to recover losses from 2019 to 2021. The ECJ's preliminary ruling directly concerns the Lottoland case, but its implications will undoubtedly influence ongoing litigation involving Tipico and Virtual Services Digital Limited—the latter being the company embroiled in Austrian legal proceedings. The court explicitly ruled that Article 56A of the TFEU "must be interpreted as not precluding national legislation which imposes a prohibition on the organisation of online casino games, in particular slot machines, and of forms of betting such as online betting on the results of lottery draws". In essence, the EU's highest court has declared Malta's primary legal defense concerning its licensed companies' activities to be invalid. Bill 55 at the bat? Malta has sought to protect its gambling sector through Bill 55, the common name for a 2023 amendment to its Gambling Act—specifically, Article 56A. Bill 55 empowers Maltese courts to dismiss foreign legal orders against Malta-based and licensed firms that are compliant with Maltese law, even if they violate the laws of other EU member states where they operate. Malta's position rests on the EU principles of freedom to provide services and freedom of establishment, grounded in Article 56 of the TFEU. Maltese courts contend that EU freedom of trade principles form the foundation of Bill 55 and justify the activities of its licensed gambling operators in countries such as Germany. Does this ECJ ruling signify the end of these disputes? It is highly improbable. The international legal clashes between Maltese and other EU courts are long-standing, and Bill 55 was specifically crafted to shield gaming businesses from foreign legal actions. The ECJ has now delivered two rulings in 2026 that reinforce the right of Member States like Germany and Austria to ban cross-border gambling services and impose civil liability for violations—further weakening the legal protection afforded by Malta's Bill 55. Gambling contributes approximately one-tenth of Malta's GDP, and the island faces emerging competition to its status as a global iGaming hub from locations like Estonia and the UAE. As an EU member, Malta can invoke 'public policy exceptions' under the EU’s Brussels I Recast Regulation. This regulation is based on the mutual recognition and enforcement of legal judgments. By citing this law, Malta argues that foreign court rulings which contradict its own regulatory framework should not be enforced within its territory, claiming this exception is relevant to its online gambling system. Malta insists that Bill 55 is a necessary protective measure to prevent its domestic courts from being inundated by a surge of related litigation stemming from online gambling disputes, many of which EU courts have delegated to third-party claims firms—a pattern evident in the current caseload. Therefore, Bill 5 effectively enshrines this stance into national legislation. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Leading sportsbook provider BETBY has announced a robust beginning to 2026, highlighted by a historic March, driven by expansion in both its sportsbook and esports division, Betby.Games. This 61% increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) year-on-year for the first quarter coincides with the Malta-based company's efforts to broaden its market presence and advance product innovation. Additionally, BETBY saw a 38% rise in its active player base, suggesting that its recent foray into specialized markets such as MMA, hockey, and the emerging sport of teqball is proving successful. The firm has recently expanded its operations in Latin America by naming Gonzalo Navarro to the position of Senior Business Development Manager. As previously mentioned, March achieved record-breaking results for the company, indicating strong momentum heading into a crucial season. This is especially true for football, with the conclusion of major European leagues and tournaments approaching, alongside the upcoming World Cup this summer. Betby.Games also showed strong performance in Q1 2026 compared to the prior year, recording a 42% increase in GGR and a 32% growth in active players. “It’s been a really solid start to the year for us,” stated Leonid Pertsovskiy, Chief Executive Officer of BETBY. “We’re seeing strong growth across both sportsbook and esports, and that comes down to the work we’ve put into the product and the trust our partners place in us. “What’s particularly encouraging is that this growth is consistent across key metrics, which shows the strength and stability of what we’re building. We’ll keep pushing in the same direction, focusing on delivering long-term value for our partners.” BETBY’s safe prediction market strategy This announcement arrives after the company ventured into the prediction market sector earlier this month with BETBY Predictions. However, this was not a hasty decision; the company has observed the controversies surrounding platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi. BETBY Predictions intends to avoid ‘highly sensitive or controversial topics,’ excluding events related to geopolitics, ongoing conflicts, wars, and any occurrences ‘involving human suffering’ from its platform. The impact of this expansion into prediction markets on the company's results remains to be seen, but BETBY aims aims to sustain this positive trajectory throughout the rest of FY26 and into the future. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   DATA.BET has introduced In-Stream Betting as the newest addition to its sportsbook solution offerings. This latest feature is seamlessly integrated into existing streaming infrastructure, allowing users to place bets without interrupting their live broadcast viewing. Players can access betting markets, odds, and bet slips directly within the stream, thereby enhancing customer engagement and retention. Developed with a mobile-first approach, DATA.BET's In-Stream Betting addresses current digital trends, acknowledging that most bets are now placed via mobile devices. The overlay is on-demand, giving customers the flexibility to activate or deactivate it at any point during a stream. By eliminating the need to look away from the broadcast, operators can expect increased user engagement, extended betting sessions, and a higher lifetime value from their customers. Clients can integrate this feature at the frontend level, requiring no backend implementation, which simplifies the process and accelerates time-to-market. When combined with DATA.BET's virtual content, this solution enriches the user experience with broadcasts featuring near-zero latency. Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET, stated: “In-Stream Betting is designed to engage players where their attention is already focused — within the broadcast.” “For our clients, this provides an additional layer of engagement that is straightforward to implement yet yields significant improvements in retention and player satisfaction. “Having all necessary elements on a single screen reduces the time required to place a bet, and this kind of seamless experience is precisely what fosters long-term player loyalty towards the operator.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has criticized a proposed EU online gambling levy that would be imposed alongside existing national gambling taxes, labeling the initiative as ‘fundamentally unworkable’. According to the EGBA, an EU online gambling levy would solely favor unlicensed operators, coming at the ‘cost of consumer protection’ and cutting into member states’ tax incomes. The European Parliament’s Budget Committee approved the EU’s upcoming long-term budget—the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034—by a vote of 26 to 9 (with five abstentions). This framework references possible new direct revenue sources, such as an EU online gambling levy. While the framework moves forward to the next phase, EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer is urging lawmakers to rethink the levy due to its possible effects on the sector. Haijer stated: “Today’s vote is a provisional, conditional request for Member States to look into the concept of an EU online gambling levy. It is not a formal proposal or a final decision. At present, gambling is not standardized across the EU, and there is no legal foundation to outline, manage, or collect this type of levy.  “Putting these legal barriers aside, adding another levy on top of existing national taxes—especially in a sector where licensed operators in certain Member States already face tax rates over 50% of their gross gaming revenue—would leave only one group better off: unlicensed operators.” Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association. Image: SBC Media Victor Negrescu, Vice President of the European Parliament, put forward a unified levy on European online gambling and betting services during a plenary session in February, noting it could bring in an extra “€2bn to €4bn annually”. For the levy to become a new direct revenue source for the EU budget, all 27 member states must agree unanimously via the EU Council. The European Parliament is set to vote on the Committee’s stance at its late April plenary session. Following that, formal MFF negotiations will start, with a resolution anticipated by the end of 2026. Haijer added: “Since they don’t pay taxes, unlicensed operators can already offer players more appealing products and prices, without any of the consumer protections that licensed operators have in place.  “Introducing an EU levy would exacerbate this issue: it would grow the black market, undermine consumer protection for EU residents, and lower total tax revenues for Member States.” Interested in more stories like this? Visit the new SBC Media YouTube Channel—SBC’s new hub for all multimedia content—where our team takes an in-depth look at the top stories from the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate, and payments sectors. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Gaming technology provider GR8 Tech is taking steps to ready casino operators for the World Cup, introducing an additional dimension to its toolkit and approach for keeping customers engaged. While the World Cup is universally acknowledged as a major opportunity for sportsbooks to acquire, activate, and retain customers, GR8 Tech contends that its capacity to attract casino players is often overlooked. The company reports it has been 'preparing its casino vertical accordingly,' having improved its bonuses, tournaments, content delivery, and integrations with game providers to highlight casino offerings during the tournament, which is typically dominated by sports betting. Casino clients represent significant business for GR8 Tech, which boasts a network of more than 200 casino partners. The firm asserts that with the right support, casino operators are well-placed to capitalize on the World Cup traffic surge. “A World Cup can drive substantial new traffic, but that influx only becomes valuable if players are given an incentive to remain,” stated Lusine Khudaverdyan, Head of Casino at GR8 Tech. “For the casino sector, this entails more adaptable bonuses, compelling tournaments, robust content offerings, and provider features that assist operators in turning initial interest into sustained gameplay.” On the technical side, GR8 Tech has refined its bonus and tournament mechanics, improved product-specific wagering requirements for bonuses, and modified its tournament system to let operators feature the same game in several concurrent tournaments. This announcement follows shortly after GR8 Tech rolled out enhancements to its ULTIM8 Sportsbook in preparation for the World Cup, including refinements to the platform's widget-based design and the separation of live and pre-match betting processes. Dinos Doxiadis, Head of Sportsbook Business at GR8 Tech, remarked previously: “The World Cup will generate enormous betting volume irrespective of individual operator actions. The crucial issue is what portion of that volume is retained.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Entain has highlighted its strong interest in the UK gambling sector, as Chief Executive Officer Stella David noted that the operator is expanding its market presence as the 40% remote gaming duty (RGD) period commences. Mike Snape, Chief Financial Officer, pointed out that the UK gambling industry has been compelled to evolve due to tax reforms, which David described as ‘draconian’, thereby creating openings for Entain to secure market share.  During this accelerated market transformation, Snape revealed that the operator has refused to slow down, whereas many other market participants have seen their enthusiasm dampened by such harsh tax adjustments. “We are capitalizing on the current market landscape, and this represents just the beginning of what we believe we can accomplish with our UK operations.” David also offered a positive outlook on Entain’s performance in the UK. She informed investors that the company aims for further market share expansion, reporting a 6% year-over-year rise in UK & Ireland net gaming revenue (NGR), with online NGR climbing 13%. When asked about the impact of the UK’s RGD rise, David remarked: “It’s really too early to say. I think the more important point is that we have definitely been increasing our share in the UK in advance of those tax increases and part of our strategy is to continue to increase our share.  “Certainly in gaming, if you look at the market, there is a long tail of tier two and tier three operators all having very small percentage shares of the market, so within the regulated sector, we definitely see there’s an opportunity to continue to build on that share gain. We will see over time just how much of an impact that the black market has on the overall growth of the regulated sector.”  Despite the changing market, David encouraged the industry to persist in lobbying the government. She stated it is vital to prevent further encroachment by the black market resulting from stricter regulations.  The World Cup has been consistently identified as a major opportunity for Entain to gain market share. However, David revealed the operator is approaching the event with realistic expectations.  David detailed that the tournament will be ‘a rollercoaster’, emphasizing that during its early stages, margins are tight with lopsided games. She added that the focus is more on recruitment. NGR growth amidst retail battles  Entain’s group NGR grew by 3% YoY in Q1, with gaming NGR up 7% YoY but sports NGR down 3% YoY. Online NGR improved by 5% YoY, while retail NGR decreased by 3% YoY. International NGR increased by 1% YoY, with online NGR up 2% YoY, but retail NGR fell by 4% YoY. CEE NGR dropped by 6% YoY, with online and retail NGR declining by 1% and 30% YoY, respectively.  BetMGM revenue reached $696m, up 6% YoY. Total group NGR, including BetMGM, rose by 5% YoY. Entain also confirmed its 2026 guidance, projecting 5%-7% online NGR growth on a constant currency basis, remaining confident in market expectations for group underlying EBITDA, as well as achieving at least £500m of annual adjusted cashflow in 2028. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the gambling regulatory body of the Netherlands, has allocated additional funding to efforts focused on reducing problem gambling across the country. Five new projects in total have been announced as grant recipients from the KSA’s Addiction Prevention Fund. The financing supports the treatment and prevention of gambling-related harm among the Dutch public, 20% of whom are currently at moderate to high risk of harmful gambling behaviour, per the regulator. One grant will be awarded to the Anonymous Gamblers Foundation (AGOG), a support group for people with compulsive gambling issues, to fund training for new counsellors. In addition, AGOG will carry out further research into launching digital counselling services targeted at residents living in regions where in-person support meetings are not accessible. The Dutch Association for Psychiatry (NVvP) is another grant recipient under the Addiction Prevention Fund, and the awarded money will be used to develop specialised guidelines for treating gambling disorders. Since the NVvP currently provides guidance to mental health professionals via a series of existing recommendations, adding content focused on problem gambling to these resources is designed to help build a healthcare system that is better equipped to treat patients affected by gambling harm. Another grant recipient in the healthcare field is the independent mental health research centre, the Trimbos Institute, which has launched two pilot programmes to expand its professional expertise into the area of problem gambling. The first project will investigate methods to increase gambling harm education for young people, including conducting surveys, carrying out data monitoring, and facilitating discussions with local municipalities and relevant stakeholders. For its second project, the Trimbos Institute will focus on upgrading the existing mechanisms that allow employers to provide effective support to staff members who may be struggling with gambling-related harm. Stichting Naast is the next organisation on the grant list, which will use its subsidy to develop webinars, one-on-one guidance sessions and informational newsletters as support tools for the family and friends of problem gamblers. The Addiction Prevention Fund has been an extremely valuable resource in addressing problem gambling in the Netherlands, and will continue to fulfill this role through 2026 as the KSA prepares to tackle falling channelisation rates and the growing prominence of the unregulated black market gambling sector. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Media companies operating in Turkey have received a warning that more stringent checks of content and platforms will be carried out to prevent the promotion of illegal gambling services. This direct warning comes from Ticaret Bakanlığı, Turkey’s Ministry of Trade, following the department’s completion of its latest advertising sweep of digital platforms. Drawing mainstream media attention in Turkey, the Ministry announced that it had “blocked 15 high-follower social media accounts,” though it has yet to disclose the identities of the individuals involved and which platforms they were misusing. Turkish media outlets were informed that the “individuals will be charged for promoting illegal gambling platforms with access to all their online inventory blocked.” This enforcement action forms part of a broader crackdown led by the Ministry’s Advertising Board, which has concluded an ‘investigation of 132 cases, finding 117 in breach of national advertising rules’. The board has issued administrative fines totalling TRY 49.8m (€1m), underscoring the Ministry of Trade’s intent to tighten oversight of advertising on digital platforms. The Ministry has reported to the federal government that it views social media and, in particular, influencer-led content as a ‘priority concern’ regarding how Turkish audiences are being exposed to illegal gambling websites. Digital platforms have been warned that they must guarantee the safety of their media environments, ensuring shared responsibility for compliance with advertising standards. Expanding sanction limits As such, enforcement will not be limited to account suspensions; additional financial penalties and potential legal proceedings are on the table for repeat offenders. Both foreign and domestic media incumbents were advised to strengthen internal controls and vet third-party advertising partners more rigorously to avoid exposure. Turkey’s crackdown on illegal gambling is being formalized into a fully centralized enforcement model, with Ticaret Bakanlığı now expected to report directly to Justice Minister Akın Gürlek on the monitoring of online platforms, advertising activity, and digital environments. The move signals a tightening alignment between commercial regulators and criminal enforcement bodies, as Ankara expands scrutiny of how illicit operators use media channels to reach Turkish consumers. Gürlek’s appointment in March, replacing Yılmaz Tunç following a reshuffle ordered by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, sets a new tone for enforcement. Tasked with prioritizing the prosecution of unlicensed gambling platforms, the former Istanbul Chief Prosecutor has moved quickly to impose a coordinated, nationwide framework. In his first month in office, Gürlek issued directives to 171 Public Prosecutors’ Offices across all 81 provinces, requiring structured cooperation with police and financial intelligence units. The scale of enforcement is already being felt. Gürlek confirmed that authorities conducted 729 operations in March targeting drug offences, illegal betting, and online gambling, resulting in 2,996 arrests and judicial measures against a further 820 suspects. These actions underline the government’s shift from regulatory oversight to active disruption and prosecution of illicit networks. At the centre of this effort sits the intelligence agency MASAK, which continues to act as the financial gatekeeper by monitoring suspicious transactions and feeding intelligence into criminal cases. Prosecutors have been instructed to strengthen evidence collection, particularly in digital environments, with a focus on asset tracing and the identification of operators targeting local communities. The next phase of enforcement will be shaped by Turkey’s 11th Judicial Package, due to take effect in 2026. The reforms introduce harsher prison sentences, higher financial penalties, and the direct seizure of accounts linked to illegal gambling activity. Industry observers are now watching closely to see whether breaches tied to media and advertising will also fall under the expanded scope of these measures. Taken together, the developments point to a more aggressive and coordinated strategy—one that places media platforms, financial systems, and law enforcement under a single enforcement umbrella. For operators and their affiliates, the message from the President and central government is unambiguous: the space to promote or facilitate illegal gambling in Turkey is rapidly tightening across finance, media, and digital landscapes. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Looking ahead at how BetBuilders will evolve ahead of the World Cup, Tamazi Gambashidze, Head of the Sports Brand Experience Department at Adjarabet, shared two key factors that can help bring the product to new audiences. Gambashidze also noted his view that slightly raising margins for BetBuilders makes sense, during his conversation with iGaming Expert about sportsbook products during this summer’s major sporting event. iGaming Expert: Could you elaborate on how you think bet builders will change over the coming years? Tamazi Gambashidze: Artificial intelligence and personalization will further advance BetBuilders. The more data we incorporate, the more efficient the tool will become, as every user will receive tailored suggestions based on their past betting activity. A wider range of sports and betting markets will be added. In my part of the world, BetBuilders are still a relatively new feature, so not many users have tried them yet, but by the end of the 2020s, roughly half of all bettors could be placing wagers via BetBuilder. I’d also love to see BetBuilders expand into in-play betting, as from our experience, most users currently place pre-match bets, but adding this functionality would ultimately boost user engagement. iGaming Expert: Is it a given that operators must raise margins on BetBuilders to keep them appealing to users? Tamazi Gambashidze: Slightly raising margins makes sense, given the high level of competition in the BetBuilder space. The correlations between different betting markets are stronger, and the underlying logic hinges on whether one event or action occurs, which makes the likelihood of a linked action happening far greater. Users only see straightforward odds, and from our experience, they don’t understand why BetBuilder odds are lower than those for individual standalone markets. To avoid this negative user response, bookmakers will most often adjust margins for BetBuilder wagers. iGaming Expert: How significant a platform will the World Cup be for BetBuilders and sportsbook user engagement? Tamazi Gambashidze: The World Cup is the marquee event that every online gambling operator has been anticipating, with promotions like free-to-play games and tournament brackets driving activity. A huge number of products are being tailored for the World Cup, as it offers an ideal chance to trial new features and concepts. The majority of betting markets can’t be combined in a single betslip, and matches are mostly treated as separate entities (apart from the final matchday of the group stage), so BetBuilders are the perfect option for users who enjoy multi-wager bets, letting them take part in single-game multi bets. iGaming Expert: What kind of impact will second-screen engagement have on European football fans during the World Cup? Tamazi Gambashidze: Game kickoff times are really inconvenient for European fans. Picture having to place bets at 2 a.m., 4 a.m., or 5 a.m. — that would be a total nightmare. But given the scale of this tournament, I think in-play betting will still remain popular. Second-screen engagement will help drive interest in some new football betting markets, and micro-betting, which is far less common in Europe than it is in the United States, is set to gain traction during the World Cup thanks to this type of engagement. iGaming Expert: What will the key drivers be for cross-selling sportsbook users to casino products during the World Cup? Tamazi Gambashidze: The World Cup is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for cross-selling. I recall during Euro 2024, when my home country Georgia competed for the first time, we saw a massive jump in users who engaged with multiple of our products. There is a clear divide between countries that are competing in the World Cup and those that are not. For this tournament’s debutant teams: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. Online betting is legal in three of these nations, so this will be a massive opportunity for operators in those three countries to cross-sell sportsbook users and attract customers to their other product lines. iGaming Expert: Are there any key steps operators can take to keep users engaged after their first bet of the tournament? Tamazi Gambashidze: The most critical factor is to make the sportsbook as user-friendly as possible. For regular sportsbook users, things can stay largely the same, but for new users, they prefer a sportsbook that is as simple and straightforward as possible. Another major piece of the puzzle is to keep users active from the first day of the tournament right through to the final match. If you can pull that off, you’ll turn them into loyal, long-term customers. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The United Arab Emirates lottery has expanded into the physical realm with the launch of its inaugural land-based location, where customers can now buy tickets for lottery draws. Initially launched in December 2024, the UAE Lottery was accessible solely via digital platforms. The debut of a brick-and-mortar store in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, now enables players aged 18 and above to buy tickets directly for games like Lucky Day Draw and Pick 3. As reported by Gulf News, the UAE Lottery stated: “Every aspect, from striking visuals to user-friendly layouts, has been designed to create a seamless and captivating customer experience. Prominent signage and an inviting, open interior encourage steady visitor traffic, and interactive displays alongside attentive staff guarantee that every visit is both educational and pleasurable.” The organization also reaffirmed its dedication to responsible gambling, noting that customer service personnel will be on hand to support players. All games will be overseen by the national regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority. “The UAE Lottery offers a variety of tools and materials to empower participants to make educated decisions, fostering a secure, enjoyable, and equitable lottery setting.” We’re officially open. Our very first retail shop is here!Walk in, say hi, and let our team give you the warmest welcome. Grab your tickets in person and experience the lottery like never before! M40, Musaffah, Abu Dhabi: https://t.co/iFkbx7G8NZ Open Daily, 9:00 AM –… pic.twitter.com/zSryXqdY57— The UAE Lottery (@theuaelottery) April 15, 2026 This move to establish a physical lottery outlet in the UAE coincides with ongoing developments by multiple casino companies, which are constructing their own venues for gaming operations. MGM Resorts International CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, recently noted that the company is optimistic about the prospects of its non-gaming management deal. This agreement could introduce its Bellagio, Aria and MGM Grand brands to the area in partnership with Wasl Hospitality in Dubai, a location that may eventually host a casino. Hornbuckle remarked: “It’s not our project, so the construction and funding are handled by Wasl. However, it establishes a foundation for a potential casino in the future. “In the long run, we are particularly enthusiastic about the airport's location and its development trajectory. We believe Dubai is the key market. For the present, we are content with a management agreement to operate what we view as a genuine brand extension, and we shall observe how things progress.” Concurrently, Wynn Resorts is developing the nation's first licensed casino resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island, in Ras Al Khaimah. Construction has recommenced following a temporary halt caused by regional conflict. Interested in more stories like this one? Visit the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the central hub for all multimedia content at SBC, where our experts provide in-depth analysis of the major news from the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate, and payments sectors. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.