日期: 2026年4月21日

教皇利奥敦促非洲人留下来“服务你的国家”而非移民，因流离失所情况加剧

(SeaPRwire) -   利奥十四世教宗上周五呼吁非洲青年投身改善本国的事业，不要为寻找更好机遇移民到其他地区。 这位罗马天主教会领袖在非洲进行为期11天的宗座访问期间，在喀麦隆首都雅温得的中非天主教大学向在场大学生发表了上述讲话。 利奥表示：“人们产生移民倾向是可以理解的，这种倾向会让人以为，在别处更容易找到更美好的未来——面对这种情况，我首先邀请你们以服务祖国的热切愿望作出回应，将你们在这里习得的知识用于造福同胞。” 近年来，受经济与政治挑战影响，非洲的流离失所问题持续加剧，利奥称，各国新一代应当“投身社会”，回应本国需求，解决国内的系统性问题。 他说道：“事实上，非洲必须摆脱腐败的祸害。对于年轻人而言，这种意识必须从成长阶段就扎根。” “这些就是智慧与正义的见证，正是非洲大陆所需要的。” 他补充称，通过教育和精神培育，“你们将学会成为各自国家未来的建设者，也成为一个更公正、更人道的世界的建设者。” 根据《世界移民报告》，非洲的流离失所大多发生在非洲大陆内部，2020年有记录显示，共有2100万非洲人居住在非洲其他国家。 非洲向海外移民的规模也在稳步增长，1990年至2020年间，移民人数增长了一倍以上。 数据显示，2020年约有1100万非洲人移民至欧洲，500万移民至亚洲，300万移民至北美。 流离失所的原因主要可归结为政治冲突、腐败、暴力，以及包括普遍贫困在内的经济困境。 这些因素在部分区域尤为突出：比如非洲最大难民来源国之一索马里；自然灾害频发、经济压力沉重的尼日利亚；还有苏丹周边地区，内战、政治动荡和粮食不安全已经引发大规模流离失所。 教宗发表此番讲话，正值唐纳德·特朗普总统在Truth Social上批评利奥数日之后，特朗普称利奥“在犯罪问题上态度软弱，外交政策一塌糊涂”。 这次批评发生在教宗批判美以在伊朗的战争、呼吁恢复和平之后。 双方的紧张关系在数天前就已激化，教宗在上周六表示，与总统辩论“完全不符合我的利益”。 利奥始终坚持，他的立场核心是弥合各国分歧，推动和平与和解。本文由第三方内容提供商提供。SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/)对此不作任何保证或陈述。 分类: 头条新闻,日常新闻 SeaPRwire为公司和机构提供全球新闻稿发布，覆盖超过6,500个媒体库、86,000名编辑和记者，以及350万以上终端桌面和手机App。SeaPRwire支持英、日、德、韩、法、俄、印尼、马来、越南、中文等多种语言新闻稿发布。

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以色列在脆弱停火期间推出针对伊朗支持真主党的颠覆性火炮

(SeaPRwire) -   耶路撒冷：以色列国防军（IDF）推出了一款新型自行榴弹炮，作为防御真主党袭击的武器，用于打击黎巴嫩境内的真主党恐怖分子。“Ro’em”（希伯来语意为“雷霆”）可能在以色列与真主党之间为期10天的脆弱停火协议破裂时发挥重要作用。黎巴嫩和以色列大使之间旨在解除真主党武装的第二轮会谈定于周四在华盛顿特区举行。停火协议于周四生效。以色列国防军首席炮兵军官 Ehud Bibi 告诉 Digital，“Ro’em”为炮兵部队和整个以色列国防军带来了新的能力，重塑了战场上火力运用方式。这标志着一个历史性的里程碑，开启了一个更精确、更快、更灵活的火力新时代，使我们能够更有效地支援地面部队。”根据以色列国防军的声明，“在行动中，部队对真主党的多个反坦克和地对地导弹发射阵地进行了精确炮火打击，这些阵地曾向以色列国防军部队发动袭击。此次射击效果显著，取得了作战成果，并引入了新的炮兵能力，从而降低了对以色列国防军部队和以色列平民的威胁。”以色列国防军表示，这些发射是在停火期间对伊朗支持的真主党恐怖分子进行的纯粹防御性打击。该榴弹炮射程约为40公里（约25英里）。一个由三名以色列国防军士兵组成的团队操作“Ro’em”。Elbit Systems 在其网站上表示，它“能够自动装填和瞄准火炮系统，具有快速进出阵地时间和高射速。它为三名乘员提供了一个受保护的驾驶室。”并补充说，“根据任务需要，SIGMA 能够自动选择和装填所需的弹丸、发射药和引信，并瞄准火炮以最佳方式打击目标。”“Ro’em”也被称为 SIGMA，由 Elbit Systems of America 位于南卡罗来纳州的子公司生产。真主党违反了此前由美国斡旋的2024年11月停火协议，于3月2日向以色列发射导弹，以回应以色列与伊朗联合对伊朗政权的战争。黎巴嫩政府和黎巴嫩武装部队未能遵守2025年解除真主党武装的最后期限。联合国安理会第1701号决议也要求在2006年以色列与黎巴嫩战争后解除真主党武装。根据以色列国防军发给 Digital 关于这款现代化榴弹炮的声明，上周二，“炮兵部队第282火力旅的部队，在 Mali（陆地训练中心）火力中心的‘Ro’em’分部带领下，进行了……他们首次使用‘Ro’em’榴弹炮的实战射击，以支援在以色列北部作战的以色列国防军部队。”声明继续指出，“‘Ro’em’是最近列装以色列国防军的新型榴弹炮，为战场带来了先进和创新的能力。它显著提高了射速，与现有系统相比能够实现更远的射程，并提供了增强的野战机动性和操纵性。自3月2日以来，真主党对以色列的袭击已导致2名平民和15名以色列士兵死亡。Reuters 报道称，真主党尚未公布其伤亡数字。黎巴嫩当局报告称，自3月2日以来，黎巴嫩已有近2300人丧生。这些数字没有区分真主党恐怖分子和平民。在该国阵亡将士纪念日活动上，该国防长 Israel Katz 承诺确保以色列北部居民的安全，他们曾面临真主党的大规模空袭。Katz 说：“即使我们聚集在这里纪念我们的阵亡将士，在以色列国防军部队在黎巴嫩南部进行了数周的坚定行动之后，我们对北部居民的承诺依然明确而坚定，那就是为他们带来安全。”他指出：“如果黎巴嫩政府继续不履行其义务，以色列国防军将通过持续的军事行动来履行。”Reuters 对此报道亦有贡献。本文由第三方内容提供商提供。SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/)对此不作任何保证或陈述。 分类: 头条新闻,日常新闻 SeaPRwire为公司和机构提供全球新闻稿发布，覆盖超过6,500个媒体库、86,000名编辑和记者，以及350万以上终端桌面和手机App。SeaPRwire支持英、日、德、韩、法、俄、印尼、马来、越南、中文等多种语言新闻稿发布。

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墨西哥寺庙枪手向人质 rant 金字塔的可怕历史：“不许动，否则我就献祭你们” 需要说明的是，原文中“rant”这个词在这里翻译为“rant”有些不太准确，它更准确的意思是“咆哮、激昂地说”，翻译后的句子表述稍显生硬，更通顺准确的翻译可以是：墨西哥寺庙枪手向人质咆哮金字塔的可怕历史：“不许动，否则我就献祭你们” 。

(SeaPRwire) -   周一，在墨西哥古金字塔杀害一名加拿大游客并致多人受伤的枪手，据其一名人质拍摄的视频显示，曾吹嘘要祭祀受害者。27 岁的胡里奥·塞萨尔·贾索（Julio César Jasso）据报道痴迷于阿道夫·希特勒。在墨西哥城郊外的特奥蒂瓦坎遗址，他站在月亮金字塔顶端，用枪指着惊恐的游客大声叫喊。据 New York Post 报道，他说：“别动，否则我就拿你祭祀。”在一名游客拍摄的视频中，他说：“这里是为祭祀而建的。不是为了让你们来参观，拍这些该死的烂照片。”贾索据称特意选择了枪击时间，以契合科罗拉多州科伦拜恩高中枪击案 27 周年以及阿道夫·希特勒的生日。他说：“看吧。我言出必行。那儿有两个该死的韩国人死了。我像宰狗一样把他们祭祀了。”他继续说道：“你们这些从该死的欧洲来的混蛋，一个也别想回去。”在位于墨西哥城郊外的特奥蒂瓦坎建筑群，共有 7 人中弹。该遗址是墨西哥游客最多的考古地标之一，每年吸引数百万国际游客前来参观其高耸的前西班牙时期建筑。共有 13 人受伤。其他伤者的伤情性质尚未披露，但枪击开始时有人摔倒，其中包括一些正在攀爬金字塔的人。当地政府表示，送往医院的人员中包括 6 名美国人、3 名哥伦比亚人、1 名俄罗斯人、1 名巴西人、1 名荷兰人和 1 名加拿大人。墨西哥当局称，受伤者中年龄最小的 6 岁，最大的 61 岁。贾索系单独行动，随后开枪自杀。当局后来在现场发现了一把枪、一把刀和弹药。本文由第三方内容提供商提供。SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/)对此不作任何保证或陈述。 分类: 头条新闻,日常新闻 SeaPRwire为公司和机构提供全球新闻稿发布，覆盖超过6,500个媒体库、86,000名编辑和记者，以及350万以上终端桌面和手机App。SeaPRwire支持英、日、德、韩、法、俄、印尼、马来、越南、中文等多种语言新闻稿发布。

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A new system to track material design processes

TSUKUBA, Japan, Apr 22, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Discovering and characterizing new materials is important for unlocking advances in fields like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and improved infrastructure. Researchers use machine learning and other computational tools to help them, but the trial-and-error nature of the process creates specific challenges. The research produces large amounts of experimental and computational data, and scientists need tools that can track and store not only the results but also the chain of reasoning behind them.A newly developed system tracks and stores not only the results but also the chain of reasoning behind them, allowing researchers to review the decision making process for a greater transparency and reproducibility in materials science research.A new system called pinax, published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods, provides precisely those features. Developed by engineers at Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), pinax captures the entire process of developing new materials, including machine learning workflows and decision-making processes. “By formalizing both successful and unsuccessful trial-and-error processes, pinax enhances reproducibility, accountability, and knowledge sharing while maintaining strict data governance,” says Satoshi Minamoto of NIMS, the study’s lead author.The new pinax system consists of three layers: the core machine learning infrastructure (bottom), the provenance recording and tracking that visualises the reasoning behind final results (middle), and the advanced feature layer for materials development (top). Credit: STAM-MMachine learning models are playing an ever-larger role in materials discovery and characterization. While the models are powerful tools, the reasoning processes they use are generally opaque. Researchers don’t know what considerations and trial-and-error processes went into their final predictions. “The system introduced in this study visualizes these invisible processes. This enables others to review, verify, and build upon the path to the conclusions,” says Minamoto.Minamoto highlights the importance of such access in applications where safety, reproducibility, and accountability are important, saying that this work “demonstrates how transparent AI systems can transform scientific discovery into a more reliable, efficient, and socially responsible endeavor.”The team tested pinax using two case studies: one on predicting steel properties and another using transfer learning to predict the thermal conductivity of polymers. The system made it possible to link the model’s performance predictions to the specific data or model aspects that influenced them, and to reproduce complex, multi-stage workflows. “In particular, the transfer-learning example highlights pinax’s ability to track how information flows between intertwined datasets and models, making every step in the reasoning process explicitly traceable,” says Minamoto.The engineers plan to expand pinax towards an autonomous, closed-loop materials discovery system. By integrating pinax’s tracking capabilities with automated experimental and simulation systems, they aim to create a loop that can use data generation, machine learning models, and decision-making systems to systematically and independently carry out the entire research cycle.Further information Satoshi MinamotoNational Institute for Materials Scienceminamoto.satoshi@nims.go.jpPaper: https://doi.org/10.1080/27660400.2026.2629051 About Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods (STAM-M)STAM Methods is an open access sister journal of Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM), and focuses on emergent methods and tools for improving and/or accelerating materials developments, such as methodology, apparatus, instrumentation, modeling, high-through put data collection, materials/process informatics, databases, and programming. https://www.tandfonline.com/STAM-MDr Kazuya SaitoSTAM Methods Publishing Director SAITO.Kazuya@nims.go.jpPress release distributed by Asia Research News for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

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Graid Technology Launches Agentic AI Storage Portfolio to Eliminate KV Cache Bottlenecks

SUNNYVALE, CA, Apr 22, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Graid Technology, the pioneer in GPU-accelerated NVMe storage, today announced its Agentic AI Storage Portfolio: a purpose-built family of KV cache solutions designed to eliminate the storage bottleneck that stalls "always-on" production AI. The portfolio spans three deployment tiers: KV Cache Server, KV Cache Rack, and KV Cache Platform, all built on SupremeRAID™ technology. KV Cache Platform, the portfolio's highest tier, is purpose-aligned to NVIDIA's STX reference architecture, with native BlueField-4 DPU execution on the roadmap for H2 2026.As agentic AI moves from experimentation to production, the infrastructure assumptions that underpinned single-shot inference have broken down. Models running continuous multi-step tasks and maintaining context across hours of operation generate KV cache demands that overwhelm GPU HBM. The result: latency spikes up to 18x, GPU utilization as low as 50%, and model-level failures, including hallucinations and reasoning degradation, that are difficult to detect and costly to recover from.SupremeRAID™ addresses this directly, aggregating up to 32 NVMe drives into a single 280 GB/s virtual pool, bypassing the CPU via GPU Direct Storage, and delivering KV cache reads at 1.3ms- 77x faster than standard NVMe. The three portfolio tiers bring this capability to every deployment scale:KV Cache Server - single-node NVMe acceleration for individual inference servers and edge AI deployments. Available now.KV Cache Rack - rack-scale, partner-validated solutions co-engineered with leading server OEM partners for enterprise multi-GPU clusters. Available now.KV Cache Platform - Purpose-built for NVIDIA's STX reference architecture, with native BlueField-4 DPU execution and rack-scale storage expansion on the roadmap."A year ago, at GTC 2025, Jensen Huang predicted that storage would become GPU-accelerated for the first time. This year, NVIDIA turned that concept into an architecture with STX and CMX," said Leander Yu, CEO of Graid Technology. "Our KV Cache Portfolio is built for precisely this moment, delivering the storage performance that agentic AI demands, at storage-tier economics."For enterprises and infrastructure teams evaluating agentic AI deployments, the full deployment architecture, technical specifications, and NVIDIA STX compatibility details are available in the solution brief: Graid Technology Agentic AI Storage Portfolio: Purpose-built KV Cache Solutions for Inference at Scale.To learn more about Graid Technology's AI offerings, visit graidtech.com/ai.Media Inquiries:Andrea Eaken, Sr. Director of Marketing, Americas & EMEAandrea.eaken@graidtech.comAbout Graid TechnologyGraid Technology is building the storage backbone for the future of AI, enterprise, and high-performance computing. As the creator of SupremeRAID™, the world's first and only GPU-based RAID, and the global steward of Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC), Graid Technology delivers flexible RAID solutions that maximize NVMe performance while ensuring resilient, scalable data protection for modern data infrastructure. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with global operations and R&D in Taiwan, Graid Technology is advancing RAID innovation for the next generation of data-intensive workloads. To learn more, visit graidtech.com.SOURCE: Graid Technology Inc. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

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Graid Technology 推出 Agentic AI 存储产品组合，旨在消除 KV 缓存瓶颈

桑尼维尔, 2026年4月22日 - (亚太商讯 via SeaPRwire.com) - GPU加速NVMe存储领域的先驱Graid Technology今日宣布推出其Agentic AI存储产品组合：这是一系列专为消除阻碍“始终在线”生产型AI运行的存储瓶颈而设计的键值缓存解决方案。该产品组合涵盖三个部署层级：KV Cache Server、KV Cache Rack 和 KV Cache Platform，均基于 SupremeRAID™ 技术构建。作为产品组合中最高层级的 KV Cache Platform，其设计与 NVIDIA 的 STX 参考架构高度契合，并计划于 2026 年下半年支持原生 BlueField-4 DPU 执行。随着自主人工智能从实验阶段迈向生产环境，支撑单次推理的基础设施假设已不再成立。运行连续多步骤任务并在数小时运行过程中保持上下文的模型，会产生远超GPU HBM处理能力的KV缓存需求。其结果是：延迟激增至原来的18倍，GPU利用率低至50%，并引发难以检测且恢复成本高昂的模型级故障，包括幻觉和推理能力下降等问题。SupremeRAID™ 直接解决了这一问题，它可将多达 32 块 NVMe 硬盘聚合为一个 280 GB/s 的虚拟存储池，通过 GPU Direct Storage 绕过 CPU，实现 1.3 毫秒的 KV 缓存读取速度——比标准 NVMe 快 77 倍。其三个产品层级可将这一能力应用于各种部署规模：KV Cache Server——为单个推理服务器和边缘 AI 部署提供单节点 NVMe 加速。现已上市。KV Cache Rack——与领先的服务器 OEM 合作伙伴共同设计、经过合作伙伴验证的机架级解决方案，专为企业级多 GPU 集群打造。现已上市。KV Cache Platform——专为英伟达的STX参考架构打造，支持原生BlueField-4 DPU执行，并计划在未来实现机架级存储扩展。“一年前，在 GTC 2025 大会上，黄仁勋曾预言存储将首次实现 GPU 加速。今年，NVIDIA 通过 STX 和 CMX 将这一概念转化为架构，”Graid Technology 首席执行官 Leander Yu 表示。“我们的 KV Cache 产品组合正是为这一时刻而打造，能够以存储层的成本效益，提供自主人工智能所需的存储性能。”对于正在评估代理式人工智能部署的企业和基础设施团队，完整的部署架构、技术规格以及 NVIDIA STX 兼容性详情，请参阅解决方案简介：《Graid Technology 代理式人工智能存储产品组合：专为大规模推理设计的键值缓存解决方案》。如需进一步了解Graid Technology的AI解决方案，请访问 graidtech.com/ai。媒体咨询：Andrea Eaken，美洲及欧洲、中东和非洲地区市场营销高级总监 andrea.eaken@graidtech.com关于 Graid TechnologyGraid Technology 正致力于构建支撑未来人工智能、企业级应用及高性能计算的存储骨干网络。作为全球首款且唯一基于 GPU 的 RAID 技术 SupremeRAID™ 的缔造者，以及英特尔® 虚拟 RAID on CPU（Intel® VROC）的全球技术维护方，Graid Technology 提供灵活的 RAID 解决方案，在最大限度提升 NVMe 性能的同时，为现代数据基础设施提供弹性且可扩展的数据保护。Graid Technology 总部位于硅谷，业务遍及全球，研发中心设在台湾，致力于推动 RAID 技术创新，以满足新一代数据密集型工作负载的需求。如需了解更多信息，请访问 graidtech.com　。来源：Graid Technology Inc. Copyright 2026 亚太商讯 via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

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英国精锐特种部队因“法律战”担忧面临人员流失——美军的前车之鉴？

(SeaPRwire) -   据《每日电讯报》（The Telegraph）报道，英国精锐的特种空勤团（SAS）正面临越来越多的人员流失，士兵们因担心自己在战场上的行为可能面临多年的法律审查而辞职。多位消息人士告诉这家英国报纸，英国陆军最精锐的22 SAS团成员因对阿富汗、叙利亚和北爱尔兰涉嫌战争罪的调查感到愤怒，已申请提前退役。这场争论并非仅限于英国。城市战争研究所（Urban Warfare Institute）执行董事约翰·斯宾塞（John Spencer）表示，如果政治领导人不能区分合法调查和出于政治动机的运动，美国军队可能会面临类似的担忧。"我欢迎对违规指控进行及时调查，"斯宾塞告诉Digital，"但希望我们的领导人保护所有部队——无论是特种部队还是普通部队——免受有议程或政治化的‘政治迫害’（witch hunts）。"在澳大利亚，维多利亚十字勋章获得者本·罗伯茨-史密斯（Ben Roberts-Smith）的案件已成为退伍军人的集结点，他们担心精英士兵在参战后面临多年的法律诉讼。罗伯茨-史密斯是澳大利亚在世的获得勋章最多的士兵，他否认了在阿富汗犯下战争罪的指控。今年4月初，澳大利亚当局指控他在阿富汗服役期间犯有五项谋杀罪。对许多英国退伍军人来说，澳大利亚的案件加剧了他们的担忧，即这一趋势可能蔓延到包括美国在内的其他西方军队。至少有两个SAS中队受到影响，一些现任和前任成员称人员流失是"对国家安全的威胁"。出于安全原因，该报没有公布具体的离职人数。这些辞职发生之际，英国首相基尔·斯塔默（Keir Starmer）领导的政府正因国防开支和退伍军人待遇问题面临批评。近年来，英国武装部队的规模和战备状态面临越来越多的审视。但英国政府表示正在扭转这一趋势，报告称截至2026年1月1日，武装部队总兵力为182050人，其中包括136960名正规军，比上一年有所增加。政府还承诺进行自冷战以来最大规模的持续国防开支增长，到2027年军费开支将达到GDP的2.6%，本财年额外增加50亿英镑，本届议会期间国防投资总额为2700亿英镑。英国还表示，目标是在下届议会结束前将国防开支提高到GDP的3%。现任和前任士兵表示，他们认为英国的法律体系已经与那些被派去为政府作战的士兵对立。"如果一名士兵开枪，他们几乎肯定有一天会被找上门，"22 SAS前团级军士长乔治·西姆（George Simm）告诉《每日电讯报》。"这感觉像是背叛，是信任的破裂。"这场争议的核心是对英国特种部队行动的持续调查。目前共有242名特种部队士兵（包括120名仍在服役的士兵）参与法律调查，每月费用约为100万英镑。这些调查涉及在阿富汗、北爱尔兰和叙利亚的行动。批评人士表示，这些调查营造了一种文化，让士兵们担心在战斗中做出的决定日后会导致起诉。伦敦智库亨利·杰克逊协会（Henry Jackson Society）的高级研究员、前英国陆军军官安德鲁·福克斯（Andrew Fox）告诉Digital，士兵与政府之间的关系已受到严重破坏。"当兵包含着政府与那些受雇使用致命武力的人之间的契约，"福克斯说。"士兵们会在国际法为他们设定的规则范围内夺取生命，作为回报，他们的政府应该支持他们。"这一情况已经颠倒，国际法被我们的敌人武器化和利用，用来迫害我们的士兵。政府往往站在那些敌人一边，而不是我们的军队一边。"福克斯表示，一些士兵不再愿意服役是可以理解的。"当然，违法应该受到惩罚，但当政客们允许军队被不公正地送上法庭时，我们看到政府和武装部队之间的信任正在破裂，"他说。斯宾塞表示，专业军队依赖于通过强大的内部司法体系来维持公众信任。"一支专业的军队之所以能获得社会的信任，是因为它遵循严格的道德准则、法律和规则，"斯宾塞告诉Digital。"这种信任赋予士兵在人类所能面对的最恶劣条件下使用致命武力的独特权力。"斯宾塞表示，对不当行为的指控应该迅速、公正地进行调查。"我们需要对任何可信的指控进行迅速、公正的调查，"他说。"如果有确凿证据表明存在违反武装冲突法或交战规则的不当行为，那么军队和社会都必须采取行动。这是保持信任的方式。"与此同时，斯宾塞警告称，一些法律运动可能越过界限，变成士兵们所认为的出于政治动机的"政治迫害"。"我看到太多人权律师模糊了基本人权与实际武装冲突法之间的界限，"斯宾塞说。"他们并不总是理解武力使用的背景或战斗中瞬间的混乱。当这变成士兵们所说的政治迫害时，它会侵蚀士气和战备状态。"斯宾塞表示，政府既有责任调查可信的指控，也有责任保护军队免受他所说的有议程驱动的运动的影响。"政府也有责任保护军队免受有议程驱动的政治迫害，"他说。"一个严格的军事司法体系和诚实的自我监督对于一支有道德的军队来说至关重要。没有这些，这个职业就会失去让它能够履行职责的信任。"英国国防部发言人告诉digital："尽管历届政府的长期政策是不评论英国特种部队，但我们为所有武装部队及其为维护英国国内外安全所做的非凡贡献感到无比自豪。""我们致力于确保管理我们武装部队的法律框架反映军事行动的实际情况——并且那些光荣服役的人得到适当保护，"他补充说，"在英国采取军事行动的地方，它完全遵守英国和国际法。我们清楚，维护这些标准不会阻止我们的武装部队开展有效行动。"英国前军事首脑在2025年底给斯塔默的一封公开信中警告说，士兵们越来越相信他们必须担心"不仅是面前的敌人，还有身后的律师"。"别搞错了，"退休将军们写道，"我们最亲密的盟友正不安地注视着，而我们的敌人则会幸灾乐祸。"本文由第三方内容提供商提供。SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/)对此不作任何保证或陈述。 分类: 头条新闻,日常新闻 SeaPRwire为公司和机构提供全球新闻稿发布，覆盖超过6,500个媒体库、86,000名编辑和记者，以及350万以上终端桌面和手机App。SeaPRwire支持英、日、德、韩、法、俄、印尼、马来、越南、中文等多种语言新闻稿发布。

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Gentoo Media: The Most Prevalent Systemic Barrier in the iGaming Industry

(AsiaGameHub) -   Emma-Elizabeth Byrne, Head of Publishing at Gentoo Media, discusses career progression, systemic barriers, and inclusive culture within the iGaming sector with iGaming Expert. What are the most common mistakes you see people make when trying to make career progress in iGaming? A significant error observed in the iGaming industry is the assumption that career advancement occurs naturally over time. Given the rapid pace and intense competition of this sector, a lack of deliberate career planning leads to stagnation. Success requires seizing opportunities, taking ownership of projects and initiatives, and, crucially, clearly articulating one's professional ambitions. What systemic barriers do you see most often in iGaming, and how can individuals realistically navigate them? The predominant systemic obstacles often involve a lack of clarity regarding career progression, isolated teams, and unequal access to opportunities, particularly in less established companies. Sometimes, career ladders are unclear, and promotion can rely more on visibility or chance than on a structured development plan. To overcome this, individuals should be proactive instead of waiting for formal frameworks. This involves acquiring knowledge across different functions, pursuing projects outside their immediate responsibilities, and ensuring their contributions are recognized. Developing versatile skills—such as data literacy, AI proficiency, business acumen, and regulatory knowledge—is also vital to avoid over-reliance on a single specialty. What are the key aspects companies must consider when striving to create a genuinely inclusive culture for employees? Establishing a truly inclusive environment extends well beyond written policies. A major shortfall is often a lack of openness. When the processes for hiring, compensation, and promotion decisions are unclear, bias can take hold. Defined systems and accountability are more impactful than well-meaning intentions. The conduct of leadership is another critical element. Inclusion cannot be solely an HR function; it must be championed by leaders and evident in decision-making, opportunity allocation, and what issues are addressed. If leadership does not actively demonstrate inclusive behavior, it remains theoretical. Companies also frequently concentrate on recruiting a diverse workforce without a plan for integration. The true measures of success are retention and advancement. If new hires do not feel listened to, supported, or capable of growth, the culture is not inclusive—it is merely superficially diverse. What are the key lessons you’ve learned during your time in the iGaming industry for cultivating a positive workplace culture and navigating the complications associated with career progression? In a dynamic field like iGaming, transparency and effective communication are essential. Without them, expansion breeds uncertainty and damages trust rapidly. Regarding career growth, I've found it is seldom a straight path. Those who advance are adaptable, develop a broad understanding of the business, and proactively generate opportunities instead of waiting for them to appear. It is also evident that practical experience outweighs theoretical discussions. Genuine development occurs when individuals are granted actual responsibility and can push their limits. Ultimately, managers act as catalysts; they influence both the daily work environment and the tangible progress of their team members. Shifting focus to Gentoo’s performance, the company described 2025 as a ‘reset year’ following its separation from Gaming Innovation Group in late 2024. What are the company’s aspirations for 2026 as it seeks to navigate the challenges facing the affiliate sector? After a essential restructuring period in 2025, the strategy for 2026 centers on sustainable growth instead of pure expansion. Gentoo is beginning the year in a more streamlined and concentrated position, with defined goals to enhance profitability, fortify cash flow, and regain traction in its primary publishing and media operations. Concurrently, there is a pronounced shift towards prioritizing quality over quantity, increasing the value of web traffic, concentrating on high-yield markets, and adopting a more discerning approach to paid media after the difficulties encountered in 2025. Gentoo’s publishing unit experienced an 8% year-over-year improvement in revenue in Q4 2025. How significant was the December Google Core Update in improving publishing visibility, and what specific tactics made the difference? The December Google Core Update had a beneficial effect, but it was not the primary driver behind the performance increase on our platforms. Although it enhanced visibility and aided in stabilizing search rankings, it essentially confirmed the efforts invested during 2025. The improvement resulted from executing core principles effectively: Superior, more pertinent content Enhanced website architecture and user experience A focus on quality in SEO practices A deliberate emphasis on value rather than sheer volume was also key, ensuring that traffic led to conversions, not just increased numbers. Therefore, while the algorithm update facilitated better results, the substantial gains were achieved by aligning with the direction of search: quality, trustworthiness, and user benefit. Emma-Elizabeth Byrne, Head of Publishing at Gentoo Media, is scheduled to speak at the SBC Summit Malta. Get your tickets here. Complimentary passes are available for affiliates and operators. 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.

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墨西哥总统对导致美墨官员遇难的缉毒行动不知情

(SeaPRwire) -   墨西哥总统克劳迪娅·舍因鲍姆周一表示，她将要求解释美国和墨西哥官员在墨西哥因车祸死亡时正在做什么。据美联社报道，舍因鲍姆称，她的政府将调查这起事件，以确保周日死亡事件发生后没有违反法律，并补充说，州政府必须获得墨西哥联邦政府的授权才能与美国和其他外国实体合作，“正如宪法所规定的那样”。这起致命事件导致两名美国大使馆人员和奇瓦瓦州调查局（AEI）的两名人员死亡，发生在墨西哥一次与毒品相关的行动之后。“这不是安全内阁知晓的行动，”据美联社报道，舍因鲍姆表示，“我们没有得到通知；这是奇瓦瓦州政府的决定。”根据英文翻译版本，奇瓦瓦州总检察长塞萨尔·豪雷吉·莫雷诺在周日发表的一份声明中宣布，“州调查局成员以及美国大使馆的两名教官在从莫雷洛斯市摧毁秘密实验室的行动返回途中发生事故死亡”。总检察长在另一份声明中表示，该行动没有外国特工参与，且与事故无关。根据英文翻译版本，4月20日的声明称：“为避免围绕奇瓦瓦山脉埃尔皮纳尔社区发现毒品实验室的行动产生猜测和误解，州总检察长塞萨尔·豪雷吉·莫雷诺明确表示，只有州调查局（AEI）和墨西哥军队的人员参与了该行动。”该办公室表示：“通过上述内容，他排除了外国元素的干预，但明确指出美国教官当时在该州及邻近社区，但目的是其他方面，例如教授无人机操作。他表示，约有80名官员参与了毒品实验室的查封行动，其中40名来自AEI，另外40名来自国家国防秘书处（DEFENSA）。”豪雷吉·莫雷诺表示，AEI主任佩德罗·罗曼·奥塞格拉·塞万提斯“会见了美国大使馆的教官，他们当时在波兰科教授无人机操作课程”，并且“他们周日早上从奇瓦瓦市出发，请求协助与主任所在的车队一同出行”。豪雷吉·莫雷诺说：“他们大约在凌晨两点上车，车辆冲出道路坠入该地区的一个峡谷，发生事故导致他们丧生。”他还指出“埃尔皮纳尔从未有任何外国特工参与”。据美联社报道，他指出“在查封毒品实验室的行动中没有美国特工”。该媒体报道称，墨西哥安全内阁证实，军队和州检察院周末在奇瓦瓦州联合行动，针对同一地点莫雷洛斯的毒品实验室。美国驻墨西哥大使罗纳德·约翰逊在周日X平台的一篇帖子中表示：“我们对这起事故中两名美国大使馆人员、奇瓦瓦州调查局（AEI）主任和一名AEI官员的不幸遇难深感悲痛。”他补充道：“我们向他们为应对我们这个时代最大挑战之一所付出的奉献和不懈努力致敬。我们的思念和祈祷与他们及其亲人同在。这一悲剧庄严地提醒我们，那些致力于保护我们社区的墨西哥和美国官员所面临的风险。它坚定了我们继续他们的使命、推进我们在安全和正义方面的共同承诺以保护我们人民的决心。”美国国务院周二未向Digital提供进一步评论。美联社对本报道有贡献本文由第三方内容提供商提供。SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/)对此不作任何保证或陈述。 分类: 头条新闻,日常新闻 SeaPRwire为公司和机构提供全球新闻稿发布，覆盖超过6,500个媒体库、86,000名编辑和记者，以及350万以上终端桌面和手机App。SeaPRwire支持英、日、德、韩、法、俄、印尼、马来、越南、中文等多种语言新闻稿发布。

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German Rapper Handed Gambling Fine at Live Event

(AsiaGameHub) -   Germany’s regulatory body GGL has set an example with a prominent local influencer, demonstrating that no individual is exempt from gambling laws. Rapper Capital Bra is widely regarded as one of Germany’s most successful figures in his field, amassing large followings throughout his music career. But beyond his loud music and controversial lyrics (in the author’s view), his recent event also featured a police visit arranged by the GGL… According to a GGL investigation, the rapper has been advertising unlicensed gambling operators to German audiences on his social media channels, frequently filming himself using these platforms. Streaming illegal gambling live and promoting black market operators via affiliate links violates Germany’s 2021 GlüStV gambling legislation. The GGL initiated proceedings against the rapper in October 2025, but he did not attend a scheduled hearing. This resulted in a warning of a financial penalty, which also went unanswered. Eventually, the GGL took further action and imposed a €250,000 (£217.4 million) fine. Wiesbaden police, assisted by the West Hesse police department, delivered the penalty to the rapper during his live performance. In an official press release, the GGL emphasized that unlicensed black market gambling platforms lack the safety features of regulated ones, do not provide player protection, and can result in fraud with no legal recourse. Compounding the issue, Germany currently has the highest rate of black market gambling penetration in Europe and one of the lowest rates of legal channelisation, which makes the GGL’s enforcement efforts all the more determined. The regulator stated: “While such procedures can present specific challenges—particularly when individuals are hard to reach and service of documents is difficult—the Authority will utilize all legally allowed methods and work with relevant police agencies to enforce the law. Experience demonstrates that these efforts are effective.” Ronald Benter, a member of the GGL’s board, concluded: “We do not hesitate to take action against high-profile individuals. Anyone promoting illegal gambling should expect consistent regulatory measures.” Black market gambling operators’ use of influencers and other prominent media figures to promote betting and casino services has been documented in multiple countries, including Germany, Finland, the UK, and Brazil. 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.

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Endorphina’s Ontario licence strengthens its North American presence

(AsiaGameHub) -   Endorphina has been granted a license to operate in the Ontario iGaming market by the provincial regulator, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). This supplier registration now permits Endorphina to offer its gaming content to licensed operators in Ontario. The slot provider collaborates with more than 6,000 operators across over 50 jurisdictions, delivering its collection of over 200 premium slot titles worldwide in regions including Europe and Latin America. Džangar Jesenov, Head of Compliance at Endorphina, commented: "Obtaining approval in Ontario is a major milestone for Endorphina. "It validates the quality of our products, the robustness of our compliance systems, and our capability to succeed in strictly regulated markets." The Ontario license will further Endorphina's objective of broadening its footprint in North American markets. The company's expansion efforts are not limited to new jurisdictions, however. Endorphina recently finalized an agreement with Agreegain, which will see the supplier's games distributed across the aggregator's network of partner operators. Inga Kadyrova, Partnership Manager for Endorphina, said: "Partnerships such as this one strengthen our position throughout the industry, and I am confident our games will be an excellent fit for their portfolio. We are delighted to welcome Agreegain as a new partner." For more stories like this, visit the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, SBC's central hub for multimedia content, where our experts provide in-depth analysis of the major developments in 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.

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Yggdrasil Boosts Its South Africa Presence With Two Partnerships

(AsiaGameHub) -   Yggdrasil Gaming has broadened its footprint in South Africa via fresh partnerships with SportyBet and Playco.za. Both brands now gain access to more than 100 titles from the developer, including games like MexoMax, Bob Marlin Goes Deep and Vikings Go to Olympus. Through its expansion in South Africa, Yggdrasil aims to leverage the strength of the nation’s iGaming industry. The company cited figures from the National Gaming Board indicating the market produced €75.5 billion in turnover for the 2024/25 fiscal year. Giovanni Fodera, Regional Manager at Yggdrasil, said: “South Africa is a strategically vital market for Yggdrasil, and launching with well-established brands like SportyBet and Playco.za marks a major milestone for the company. “These collaborations boost our regional footprint, widen the reach of our content, and mirror the robust momentum we’re building throughout Africa.” Yggdrasil made its South African debut in 2021 via a partnership with Intelligent Gaming Limited (IGL), granting the developer access to IGL’s roster of operator partners. In the meantime, additional collaborations with aggregators like Vyking have provided Yggdrasil with expanded access to operators across the African continent. South Africa continues its tax debate Due to the success of online betting and gaming in South Africa, the nation’s National Treasury has put forward a 20% tax on gross gaming revenue from online operations, which will be applied alongside provincial tax rates imposed on all gambling activities. Provincial tax rates range from 6% to 9%, meaning the nation’s effective tax rate will lie between 26% and 29% should the proposal be successfully implemented. Should the tax be implemented, it is expected to generate R10 billion (£456.1 million) annually. However, the Ministry of Finance stressed that the primary goal of the tax is to offset the costs associated with potential social harm stemming from the growing popularity of online gaming. A public consultation on the proposed change concluded on February 27, and stakeholders are now waiting for South Africa’s legislators to decide whether to implement the new tax. 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.

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KSA sees ‘structural shift’ as Dutch online gambling revenue drops significantly

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has noted a “sharp contraction in online revenues” stemming from licences under the Netherlands’ Remote Gambling Act (KOA), indicating a structural shift in market dynamics. In its Jaarverslag Kansspelautoriteit 2025, the Dutch regulator asserts that the overall gambling market stays stable at roughly €4.3bn (£3.7bn), notwithstanding increasing pressure on the online sector. Figures derived from tax receipts of licensed operators indicate an 18.5% year-on-year drop in online gambling revenues, with KOA activity decreasing to an annual baseline of about €1.2bn – equating to €600m for each half-year. This drop comes after growth seen in 2024 and mirrors what the KSA terms a “counter-reaction to curb market expansion”. The downturn was expected after the introduction of tighter regulatory controls, such as a tax hike from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025, which is set to rise to 37.8% in 2026.  In addition to fiscal measures, operators must enforce monthly net deposit caps of €700 for adults and €300 for players aged 18–24, markedly cutting the spending of high-value customers. The KSA is of the opinion that these measures have changed consumer behaviour within the KOA market. Although player channelisation stays high, with roughly 94% of users betting with licensed operators, revenue channelisation has diminished.  Nevertheless, data shows the legal GGR share dropped to nearly 49% in early 2025, with the authority cautioning that players in the illegal market are “much less well protected”. Dutch online gambling trade body VNLOK has contested the KSA’s interpretation, asserting that headline channelisation stats “do not reflect where the money is going,” and cautioning that high-value players are moving to unlicensed operators in growing numbers. VNLOK contends that the KSA should not make player channelisation a priority, deeming this figure a “false metric” since 50% of GGR seems to be unaccounted for by KOA licences. Despite the online slump, other verticals have balanced out the online losses. The Dutch lottery and land-based gambling (casinos and betting) sector expanded by 4.6%, aiding in stabilising the total market at €4.3bn.  Looking to the future, the KSA’s regulatory focus stays firmly on player protection. “The focus point for 2025 was better player protection,” the authority declared, observing that gambling harm goes beyond financial loss to affect mental health, relationships, and social wellbeing. As the market adapts, the KSA will uphold this mandate while waiting for the government’s next legislative stage. A new Gambling Act is projected to be drafted in late 2025, with consultation in 2026, as policymakers mull stricter than advertising bans, higher age limits, and more rigorous enforcement. Instead of an immediate repeal, the KOA regime is poised to be reshaped via incremental reforms, pointing to a more restrictive future for the Dutch gambling market 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.

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Did the Maryland sweepstakes legislation fall short?

(AsiaGameHub) -   The momentum behind the Maryland sweepstakes bill seems to have faded, as the state’s legislative sessions concluded without a formal decision on the bill’s passage. Two key opportunities to ban dual-currency sweepstakes arose: the House of Delegates passed two separate bills in 2026 that would have prohibited such sweepstakes. The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) celebrated the lack of progress on the bill, claiming there had been “false allegations” driven by casino interests. SGLA Managing Director Sean Ostrow said: “We are pleased with this result in Maryland and want to thank the Maryland lawmakers who took the time to thoroughly consider this issue.” “Over multiple hearings and dozens of meetings, SGLA addressed false allegations by casino interests by demonstrating that the Social Plus industry already offers strong consumer protections and contributes to Maryland’s economy, while pushing back against efforts to misrepresent long-standing lawful activity as gambling. “We are eager to work with lawmakers and regulators in 2027 to codify SGLA’s best practices for the broader social games industry, which can generate significant tax revenue while keeping consumers safe online.” Neither House Bill 295 nor House Bill 1226 advanced from the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. HB 295 was sponsored by the House Ways and Means Committee at the request of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA), and there were prior hints that Gov. Wes Moore would support the bill. The bills were a response to cease-and-desist letters that had been sent out. However, the MLGCA warned that compliance with these letters had not been achieved. Still, the District of Columbia has been identified as the next market to prohibit sweepstakes via the introduction of the Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act. DC intends to take a tough stance against sweepstakes with heavy sanctions: each violation could result in a civil fine of up to $100,000, which may increase to $500,000 for repeated violations of the ban. Councilmember Wendell Felder stated in a letter to the DC Council: “Inaction carries real consequences. Without a legal framework, revenue continues to flow to unregulated operators, consumers remain exposed to risk and the district falls behind neighbouring jurisdictions that are moving forward.” If the act passes, the district will join Indiana and Maine as U.S. jurisdictions that banned online sweepstakes casinos in 2026. 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.

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SOFTSWISS celebrates two years with Rubens Barrichello, strong Q1 results highlight growth

(AsiaGameHub) -   Software solutions provider SOFTSWISS is lauding its two-year partnership with Rubens Barrichello, as the company continues to expand its presence in the Brazilian market. The Malta-based firm reported a 64% year-over-year increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for Q1 2026, while total bets rose by 65%. Barrichello joined SOFTSWISS as a Non-Executive Director for its Latin American operations in 2024, and these divisions have grown significantly over the past two years. The company has scaled its local footprint from a single representative to a dedicated team focused on business development, account management, and marketing. The former Formula 1 driver has actively represented the company, attending major industry events throughout his tenure. SOFTSWISS noted he has played a key role in connecting the company to the local market—supporting educational initiatives, engaging with partners, and contributing to business growth. “I’m pleased with our fruitful partnership. As we enter our third year, our focus is on building further on what we’ve started,” said Barrichello. “I look forward to helping the team engage partners through racing experiences—it’s a way to share something personal while forging genuine connections.” SOFTSWISS’s recent developments Across the group, SOFTSWISS has been implementing several business improvements in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Last month, it launched the Partner API Tester, a self-service tool for testing its sports betting API, Sportsbook Partner API 2.0. Most recently, the company entered the prediction markets space, which has gained considerable traction in recent times. On Barrichello, Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, commented: “As a lifelong racing fan, I know that in business, just like on the track, milliseconds can determine success. Speed and precision matter even more over long distances. “This is exactly the mindset Rubens inspires in our daily work. It’s this approach that has helped shape our industry position and will continue to drive us forward.” 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.

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BGC Calls on MPs to Consider the Impact on Advertising Before Criticizing Promotions

(AsiaGameHub) -   In advance of this week's Westminster debate on gambling advertising, Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive Officer of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), has called on MPs to proceed carefully. The debate, scheduled for this Thursday, was arranged by the Backbench Business Committee and was proposed by Alex Ballinger and Dr Beccy Cooper, the MPs for Halesowen and Worthing West, respectively. Significantly, both Ballinger and Cooper are advocates for gambling reform. They have been especially outspoken on the issue of gambling advertising and have consistently engaged in discussions promoting stricter marketing controls. During a debate on gambling reforms last December, Cooper stated: “We need regulatory and legislative tools to tackle industry marketing practices, and we must make sure that children are protected from the proliferation of gambling ads, sponsorship and influencer marketing. “We have heard about the last Government’s White Paper, which does not give us the right road map to address this public health crisis…and it fails to address advertising, sponsorship and the modern marketing of gambling. “We must look to review the White Paper and set a timeline for a new gambling Act.” Following this, Ballinger contributed to a January debate on gambling harm and youth protection, emphasising that social media presents the most significant risk of exposing minors to advertising and calling for greater government oversight of marketing. “There is a real problem in the self-regulation of content marketing,” he said. “The Advertising Standards Authority has a Committee of Advertising Practice code of practice that requires gambling marketing communications to be clearly identifiable as such, but again and again, we are not seeing that followed. “The evidence is clear. The public is tired of gambling adverts—that much is obvious. I urge the Government to heed the report of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling reform, which will include proposals on limiting the most harmful forms of advertising, particularly as it affects young people.” However, as in any political debate, there are opposing views. In an opinion piece for PoliticsHome, Hurst advocated for a balanced strategy that acknowledges the responsibilities of the licensed sector and the major threat it confronts in the UK – the black market. To support her argument, the BGC CEO referenced research from the global marketing intelligence agency WARC, which revealed alarming findings about the growing presence of illegal operators. Marketing spending by legal operators is forecast to fall by 9.2% in 2026 to £1.1bn. Conversely, the firm anticipates advertising expenditure from unregulated providers will increase by 32% over the next two years – exceeding the £1bn threshold by 2028. Since many licensed UK operators are currently reducing their gambling expenditure due to the Remote Gaming Duty tax rising from 21% to 40%, it can be inferred that the share of licensed advertising will continue to decline, while the illegal market's share grows. This aligns with WARC's conclusion, which indicates regulated operators are projected to represent less than half of all advertising spend by October 2028. “The direction of travel is clear: regulated firms are scaling back their advertising, while the harmful black market grows rapidly. That should give policymakers pause,” Hurst added. Faced with this potential future, the UK government has the sensitive job of continually balancing player protection with the risks of overregulation, a process that continues with the upcoming advertising debate on Thursday. 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.

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and Eisai Provide Update on Phase 3 LITESPARK-012 Trial Evaluating First-Line Combination Treatments for Certain Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

TOKYO and RAHWAY, N.J., Apr 21, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada), and Eisai (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito) today announced results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-012 trial evaluating combination treatments for the firstline treatment of patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The trial evaluated the triplet therapy of KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib), the orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discovered by Eisai, plus WELIREG® (belzutifan), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s first-in-class hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor. The study also evaluated MK-1308A, the coformulation of KEYTRUDA and quavonlimab, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s investigational anti-CTLA-4 antibody, plus LENVIMA. Both combination regimens were compared to KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA for these patients.At a pre-specified interim analysis, the combination regimens did not meet the dual primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the first-line treatment of patients with RCC compared to KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA. The safety profiles of the combination regimens were consistent with those observed in previously reported studies evaluating the individual medicines and the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination. A full evaluation of the data from this study is ongoing, and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and Eisai will work with investigators to share the results with the scientific community.“With the LITESPARK-012 trial, we explored whether combining therapies with established activity could improve upon well-established standards set by KEYTRUDA-based regimens, reflecting our commitment to continuously explore ways to improve outcomes for the kidney cancer community,” said Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza, Vice President, Global Clinical Development, MSD Research Laboratories. “While these regimens did not demonstrate the results we hoped, the data deepen our understanding of advanced renal cell carcinoma and will help shape the next generation of treatment approaches.”“While we are disappointed that LITESPARK-012 did not meet its primary endpoints, the findings reinforce the central role of KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma,” said Dr. Corina Dutcus, Senior Vice President, Oncology Global Clinical Development Lead at Eisai Inc. “Findings from trials such as this play an important role in shaping health care providers’ perspectives as the treatment paradigm for advanced renal cell carcinoma continues to evolve. We are committed to advancing the care of people living with this disease and we are grateful to the patients, caregivers and investigators whose participation and dedication made this research possible.”Results from the LITESPARK-012 trial do not affect other ongoing trials from the LITESPARK clinical program, including those conducted jointly with Eisai. As previously announced, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted two supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDA) for review based on Phase 3 LITESPARK-011 trial evaluating WELIREG in combination with LENVIMA for certain previously treated patients with advanced RCC and has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of Oct 4, 2026.KEYTRUDA is currently approved as adjuvant monotherapy and in combination regimens for appropriate patients with RCC in the U.S., European Union (EU), Japan and other countries around the world.KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA is approved in the U.S., the EU, Japan and other countries for the firstline treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC. Lenvatinib is approved as KISPLYX for advanced RCC in the EU.LENVIMA in combination with everolimus is approved in the U.S., EU and other regions for the treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy.WELIREG is approved in the U.S., EU, Japan and other countries for the treatment of adult patients with advanced clear cell RCC following a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and 1-2 VEGF-TKIs based on results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-005 trial.About LITESPARK-012LITESPARK-012 is a randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04736706) evaluating either the triplet therapy of KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA plus WELIREG or MK-1308A plus LENVIMA compared to KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced clear cell RCC. The primary endpoints are PFS, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ, and OS. Secondary endpoints are objective response rate and duration of response as assessed by BICR according to RECIST v1.1, as well as safety. The study enrolled 1,688 patients who were randomized to receive:KEYTRUDA (400 mg intravenously [IV] every six weeks [Q6W]) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally once daily [QD]) plus WELIREG (120 mg orally QD);MK-1308A (coformulation of pembrolizumab [400 mg] and quavonlimab [25 mg] IV Q6W) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally QD);KEYTRUDA (400 mg IV Q6W) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally QD).All study drugs were continued until protocol-specified discontinuation criteria. KEYTRUDA and MK-1308A were administered for up to two years (approximately 18 cycles). WELIREG and LENVIMA may have been administered in combination or as a single agent until progressive disease or discontinuation.About renal cell carcinomaRenal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, with about nine out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses being RCC. In 2022, there were about 435,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed and approximately 156,000 deaths from the disease worldwide. Renal cell carcinoma is about twice as common in men as in women. Most cases of RCC are discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other abdominal diseases, and about 70% are a form called clear cell RCC, which tends to be more aggressive and faster spreading. Approximately 30% of patients with kidney cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage. About Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s research in genitourinary cancersMerck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA is advancing research aimed at helping transform the treatment landscape and broaden options for people with genitourinary (GU) cancers, including bladder, kidney and prostate cancers. Globally, GU cancers account for an estimated 2.6 million new cancer diagnoses each year, equaling over 1 in 8 of all cancer incidences. Through a robust clinical development program with more than 50 ongoing clinical trials evaluating more than 22,000 patients around the world, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA is investigating the potential of several portfolio medicines and pipeline assets, leveraging multiple novel combination strategies, across various stages of disease, to help address unmet needs in GU cancers.About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection for intravenous use, 100 mgKEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 2,800 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.About LENVIMA® (lenvatinib); available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsulesLENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is an orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, LENVIMA decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity in combination with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody compared to either treatment alone. LENVIMA has been approved for the indications below.Thyroid cancer– Indication as monotherapy(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe, China and Asia)Japan: Unresectable thyroid cancerThe United States: The treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)Europe: The treatment of adult patients with progressive, locally advanced or metastatic, differentiated (papillary/follicular/Hürthle cell) thyroid carcinoma (DTC), refractory to radioactive iodine (RAI)Hepatocellular carcinoma- Indication as monotherapy  (Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe, China and Asia)Japan: Unresectable hepatocellular carcinomaThe United States: The first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)Europe: The treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have received no prior systemic therapy- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA (generic name: pembrolizumab) and transarterial chemoembolization (Approved in China)Thymic carcinoma- Indication as monotherapy (Approved in Japan)Japan: Unresectable thymic carcinomaRenal cell carcinoma (In Europe other than the United Kingdom, the agent was launched under the brand name Kisplyx®)- Indication in combination with everolimus(Approved mainly in the United States, Europe and Asia)The United States: The treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior antiangiogenic therapyEurope: The treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma following one prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeted therapy- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia)Japan: Radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinomaThe United States: The first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinomaEurope: The first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinomaEndometrial carcinoma- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia)Japan: Unresectable, advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma that progressed after cancer chemotherapyThe United States: The treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is pMMR or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiationEurope: The treatment of adult patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma (EC) who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgeryAbout WELIREG® (belzutifan); available as 40 mg tablets, for oral useWELIREG, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s first-in-class hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, is an orally administered small-molecule designed to reduce transcription and expression of HIF-2α target genes associated with cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and tumor growth. By inhibiting HIF-2α signaling, WELIREG aims to disrupt key pathways certain tumors may use to adapt to low-oxygen conditions, including those that help promote abnormal blood vessel formation and support tumor survival.WELIREG has demonstrated antitumor activity in certain von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated tumors, renal cell carcinoma and in pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. As part of a broader clinical program, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA continues to research WELIREG monotherapy and combination approaches for people with genitourinary, breast and gynecologic cancers across a range of treatment settings to further define where HIF-2α inhibition may provide clinical benefit and to better understand which patients are most likely to respond.About the Eisai and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA Strategic CollaborationIn March 2018, Eisai and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and cocommercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, and HIF-2α inhibitor, WELIREG.Eisai’s focus on cancerEisai positions Oncology as one of its key strategic areas, and aims to contribute to the cure of cancers through the discovery of innovative new drugs with new targets and mechanisms of action under the Deep Human Biology Learning (DHBL) drug discovery and development organization. By utilizing biomarker data obtained from our products to elucidate the mechanisms of the incidence and root causes of cancer, as well as drug resistance, and using Eisai Group's precision chemistry technology to turn undruggable intracellular therapeutic targets into druggable ones, we will create new backbone therapeutic drugs.About EisaiEisai’s Corporate Concept is “to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides.” Under this Concept [also known as our human health care (hhc) Concept], we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.In addition, our continued commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is demonstrated by our work on various activities together with global partners.For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), us.eisai.com (for U.S. headquarters: Eisai Inc.) or www.eisai.eu (for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand headquarters: Eisai Europe Ltd.), and connect with us on X (U.S. and global), LinkedIn (for U.S. and EMEA) and Facebook (global).Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s Focus on CancerEvery day, we follow the science as we work to discover innovations that can help patients, no matter what stage of cancer they have. As a leading oncology company, we are pursuing research where scientific opportunity and medical need converge, underpinned by our diverse pipeline of more than 20 novel mechanisms. With one of the largest clinical development programs across more than 30 tumor types, we strive to advance breakthrough science that will shape the future of oncology. By addressing barriers to clinical trial participation, screening and treatment, we work with urgency to reduce disparities and help ensure patients have access to high-quality cancer care. Our unwavering commitment is what will bring us closer to our goal of bringing life to more patients with cancer. For more information, visit https://www.merck.com/research/oncology.About Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USAAt Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on  X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USAThis news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov). Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

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ReferOn launches crypto payment solution to streamline iGaming affiliate payouts

(AsiaGameHub) -   Affiliate management platform ReferOn continues to enhance its integration of advanced technologies within the iGaming affiliate sector. Throughout the past year, the company has made extensive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and tokenisation technology. Most recently, ReferOn has introduced a new built-in crypto finance layer to facilitate crypto payments through its licensed partners’ payment gateways. The firm is confident that its new solution can reduce friction in crypto payments by scaling payout volumes without increasing headcount, and by managing manual work to expedite payment cycles. “To be honest, manual crypto payments are a disaster waiting to happen,” stated Vlad Bondarenko, Head of Product at ReferOn. “When teams fear entering the wrong address, making a double payment, or organising ever-growing spreadsheets, the team environment becomes conservative and reactive.” The announcement of ReferOn’s crypto finance layer arrives a few months after the firm unveiled its latest tokenisation project in December 2025. The company has also been experimenting heavily with AI, and last month it announced the launch of a new analysis product, Evolution Cohort. Regarding the latest initiative, the crypto finance layer is part of a broader financial control centre – a dedicated finance page on the Refer platform accessible to all partner programmes. The platform aims to provide clarity on programme funding and top-ups, a transaction journal, and an automated payout flow. “Our new crypto finance layer eliminates this confusion by providing managers with a comprehensive, centralised hub that automates manual tasks via integrated payment partners,” Bondarenko added. “This feature isn’t just about offering affiliates a fancy new payment method or automating for the sake of it; it’s about freeing you up to run a revamped financial operation.” 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.

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墨西哥金字塔劫持人质并杀害1人的枪手身份已确认

(SeaPRwire) -   据官员称，周一在墨西哥一座历史金字塔上开枪打死一名加拿大游客并打伤十多人的一名枪手已被确认身份。据一位不愿透露姓名的州官员称，当局已确认枪手为27岁的墨西哥公民 Julio Cesar Jasso。该官员之所以匿名，是因为他们无权公开讨论此案。Jasso 随后开枪自杀身亡，安全官员在现场发现了一把枪、一把刀和弹药。当局表示，他是单独作案，墨西哥州政府周一晚间证实他是唯一的袭击者。官员们表示，七名受害者被枪击中，而其他人则在人们争相逃离金字塔的混乱中受伤，一些人在恐慌中跌倒。据当局称，住院的伤者包括来自美国、哥伦比亚、俄罗斯、巴西和加拿大等多个国家的游客。受害者年龄从 6 岁到 61 岁不等。当地媒体流传的视频片段显示，嫌疑人位于金字塔顶部，游客们则在下方仓皇逃命，枪声在现场回荡。特奥蒂瓦坎遗址位于墨西哥城郊外，是该国最受欢迎的考古遗址之一，每年吸引数百万国际游客前来参观其高耸的前西班牙时期建筑。枪击事件发生在上午 11:30 刚过，当时有数十名游客正在月亮金字塔的顶部。据一位当地导游称，该遗址的安全措施近年来有所改变，例行的入场检查不再一贯执行。墨西哥总统 Claudia Sheinbaum 在社交媒体上写道，将对此次枪击事件进行调查，并表示她已与加拿大大使馆取得联系。她写道：“今天在特奥蒂瓦坎发生的事情让我们深感痛苦。我向受影响的个人及其家人致以最诚挚的声援。”加拿大外交部长 Anita Anand 在 X 上表示，由于“一次可怕的枪支暴力行为，一名加拿大人在特奥蒂瓦坎被杀害，另一人受伤”，她的“思绪与他们的家人和亲人同在”。当晚晚些时候，美国驻墨西哥大使 Ronald Johnson 也对死亡和众多伤亡事件表示“深切关注”和悲痛，并在 X 上发帖称，美国“随时准备在墨西哥当局继续进行调查时提供必要的支持”。国家人类学和历史学会在一份声明中表示，特奥蒂瓦坎考古遗址将暂时关闭。本文由第三方内容提供商提供。SeaPRwire (https://www.seaprwire.com/)对此不作任何保证或陈述。 分类: 头条新闻,日常新闻 SeaPRwire为公司和机构提供全球新闻稿发布，覆盖超过6,500个媒体库、86,000名编辑和记者，以及350万以上终端桌面和手机App。SeaPRwire支持英、日、德、韩、法、俄、印尼、马来、越南、中文等多种语言新闻稿发布。

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Government urges action to curb rising gambling ad spending

(AsiaGameHub) -   New data outlining the trajectory of black market advertising spending has ramped up calls for the UK government to take action. Forecasts from marketing intelligence firm WARC indicate that by September 2026, regulated gambling operators will account for just over 53% of UK gambling ad spend. However, the balance is set to shift in favor of the unregulated sector as early as 2028. Total advertising spending in the 12 months from October 2025 to September 2026 is projected to hit £1.9bn, with regulated operators contributing £1.05bn — a 9.2% drop compared to the prior year. Legacy media will face the sharpest cuts to gambling ad spend, with expenditures set to fall by as much as £45m, or 11.5%, per WARC, driven by higher production costs and longer lead times for campaigns. Online advertising expenditure across video, social and search formats is also set to decline by 7.1%, or £33m, by September 2026. In contrast, black market ad spending is expected to rise by 32% to reach £845m this current year. This report arrives as pressure mounts on regulators and sports industry stakeholders to do more to curb the promotion of unlicensed gambling operators. Betting and Gaming Council Chief Executive Grainne Hurst has urged the government to take further action to combat the black market, as unlicensed advertising spending draws closer to the unlicensed sector. “The Government must go further and faster to clamp down on the black market before it is too late,” said Hurst, who noted that Members of Parliament are scheduled to debate gambling advertising later this week. “Targeting licensed operators when their advertising spend is already falling will not reduce overall advertising; it will simply bolster the harmful illegal black market, which is aggressively targeting UK customers. This should sound alarm bells in Westminster.” Tax takes its toll Gambling operators of all sizes across the UK have warned that any tax increases will significantly harm their spending power and empower the black market. However, in November, Rachel Reeves announced a rise in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%, which has now come into effect, alongside an increase in general betting duty for remote betting to 25%, set to take effect in April 2027. Following these policy changes, companies including Flutter, Entain and evoke all announced that their marketing budgets will likely be cut by as much as 20% to offset these new costs. Even Paddy Power — a brand renowned for its attention-grabbing marketing stunts — confirmed last month that it is restructuring its marketing department, with redundancies possible for “a small number of staff”, according to a Flutter UK&I spokesperson. Black market takes over Conversely, black market gambling advertising, which largely takes place online where rules are less strictly enforced, is only growing faster. Alongside this year’s rise to £845m, WARC predicts that illicit operator spending will reach £934m in 2027 and surpass £1bn in 2028. This data emerges in the same week that Google announced it blocked more than 270 million gambling ads in 2025, a figure that pales in comparison to the overall scale of black market gambling advertising. Prior research commissioned by the BGC and carried out by Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) found that operators are evading marketing filters used by search engines like Google by using names and brands linked to trusted organizations. Specifically, affiliates promoting links to “not on GamStop” casinos have been found to have hijacked inactive websites, with the most high-profile example being a domain once used by Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party. “Illegal operators are advertising aggressively online with no safeguards, no age checks and no consumer protections, posing a major risk to consumers,” said Hurst in February when the A&M report was released. Sponsorship in the spotlight According to WARC, sponsorship is growing even faster than advertising spending, with the firm reporting that unregulated operators will account for all sponsorship growth this year and make up more than half of total sponsorship spending by October 2027. While overall sponsorship spending has continued to grow, rising from £158m in 2019/20 to a projected £260m in the 2026/27 season, spending from regulated companies peaked in 2021/22 and has declined every year since. “This, in turn, has a significant impact on how visible and recognizable these unregulated companies are to UK consumers,” the report stated. Premier League viewers will recognize this trend, as several teams still feature unlicensed operators as their main shirt sponsor, despite an upcoming ban on gambling front-of-shirt sponsors. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched a consultation on implementing a ban on unlicensed gambling sponsorships, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stating that it is “not fair” that such companies can boost their profile without meeting the same standards as UK-licensed operators. These proposals would deal a major blow to unlicensed operators. However, no timeline has been set for when the ban would be introduced if approved, meaning sponsorship spending will only continue to rise in the interim. As Westminster prepares for the gambling advertising debate taking place on Thursday, 23 April, key industry stakeholders will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if MPs recognize the threat posed by the black market and the full scale of its spending power. 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.

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