日期: 2026年5月26日

(AsiaGameHub) -   A new report from the Financial Times (FT) shows that hedge funds have earned no less than $2.3 billion (£1.7 billion) in 2026 by short-selling shares of publicly traded online gambling companies. This update comes just over a month after Muddy Waters and Callisto claimed that Sportradar, a technology firm operating in the gambling sector, collaborated with illegal gambling operators. The two entities were reported to be openly shorting Sportradar’s stock at the time. Their strategy proved successful: the Nasdaq-listed company saw its shares drop by more than 20% on the day the allegations were made (April 23). However, Sportradar has since pushed back against these claims, stating it will “unequivocally challenge” any suggestion that it works with unlicensed operators. Short selling: Is it proving profitable? Yet short selling appears to have been a common—and arguably successful—practice in the industry so far this year. Well-known publicly traded firms like Flutter Entertainment, DraftKings, and Entain have all seen significant share price declines in 2026: 55%, 30%, and 30% respectively. The FT report indicates that traders who positioned themselves to profit from these share drops have earned $2 billion, $351 million, and $35 million from each company this year. The share price declines for gambling and gambling-related PLCs in 2026 aren’t limited to these three companies, though. Stockholm-listed Betsson, whose shares have surged nearly 1,200% since its initial listing almost 20 years ago, has lost a third of its value this year alone. Its fellow Swedish firm Raketech has seen a nearly 10% drop. Paris-listed FDJ United, which now owns Unibet and 32Red, is down just over 1% year-to-date—though it fell around 9% when it released its Q1 2026 results. While companies like Playtech, Evolution AB, and Rank Group are bucking the trend of plummeting shares, gambling PLCs have faced headwinds from the rise of prediction markets and higher taxation across Europe (notably in the UK) over the past 12 months. Even LSE-listed evoke, which is up 56% in 2026, remains down 39% over the past year with a share price of around 34.5p—far from Bally’s Intralot’s pending 50p-per-share offer for the entire business. It’s not all bad news for gambling PLCs However, analysts have shared signs of optimism with SBC News in recent months regarding certain gambling stocks. Sports data and technology provider Genius Sports is down 50% year-to-date following its $1.2 billion acquisition of digital sports and gaming media network Legend. At the time of the deal, investors expressed some apprehension over perceived confusion about how Legend would align with Genius Sports’ overall strategy. But in April, analysts from Needham and Macquarie were confident the stock could recover. Since then, Genius Sports’ share price has bounced back from $4.38 to $5.35—a jump of over 20%. Macquarie analysts are also confident that Flutter Entertainment (the world’s largest online gambling PLC, owning brands like FanDuel, Paddy Power, and Sky Betting and Gaming) can offset UK tax rises and the looming threat of prediction markets in the US. The investment firm maintains a target price of $190 for Flutter—nearly double its current $97 share price—because it believes the company’s underlying numbers are still in its favor. For now, though, short sellers seem to be coming out on top overall. With many headwinds still impacting industry businesses globally, this trend may continue in the future. But there are still some who hold out hope for gambling PLC shares. 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) -   Werner Becher, Chief Executive Officer of Kambi Group, has grown his shareholding in the Stockholm-listed firm after purchasing 20,900 shares on May 20. This purchase, completed through his affiliated company WBCH Invest Ltd, brings the CEO's total shareholding to 119,260 shares, representing 0.43% of the company's total share capital. The transaction was carried out at an average price of SEK 156.00, for a total value of SEK 3,260,400 (approximately €310,000).  On LinkedIn, Becher emphasized the share purchase as: “An investment that reflects my confidence in our long-term trajectory. And, importantly, my trust in the Kambi team to deliver on it. “We remain fully focused on executing our Vision2030 and strategy, and on generating sustainable value.” Justifying the investment Former Sportradar EMEA CEO Becher took up the top role at Kambi in 2024, to lead the transformation of the sportsbook technology supplier and roll out its new “modularisation strategy” following the consecutive acquisitions of esports firm Abios and Shape Games. During Becher's first year in the role, Kambi restructured its commercial pipeline after losing two major clients: US-based Penn Entertainment, and founding partner Unibet (Kindred Group), which moved to build its own proprietary sportsbook platform.  Since that point, the company has rolled out a series of significant changes, including an expansion of its OddsFeed+ product line, a stronger presence across the United States, Europe and Latin America, and fresh investments in artificial intelligence.  These changes already appear to be delivering returns. In its Q1 results for the current year, the Swedish betting technology group reported a 4.9% rise in revenue to €43.5m, while adjusted EBITA surged 63.5% from a €3.5m loss to a positive €5.7m. Based on its Q1 performance, Kambi projects full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA will land between €20m and €25m. AI-driven growth path Unlike other publicly listed gambling companies, Kambi has also bucked the industry trend of falling share prices.  At the time of publication, Kambi's share price has risen 31.01% over the last month of trading, with the largest single-day gain recorded on April 29, the same date the company released its quarterly trading results. Becher's purchase of additional Kambi shares appears to signal the CEO's strong confidence in the company's growth trajectory for 2026 and beyond, a path that, based on updates from the first half of the year, will be led by artificial intelligence investments.  This trend was reflected in its Q1 results, with a record 60% of all network bets both priced and traded autonomously using AI, a substantial increase from the 28% recorded in 2024. By buying the additional shares ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Becher is demonstrating his faith in Kambi's ability to scale its AI algorithmic trading engine to drive growth and maintain margins for its operator partners. However, the upcoming World Cup will come with its own set of challenges. Ahead of the tournament, the sportsbook technology provider has outlined plans to deploy 100% AI-powered sports betting trading for the full duration of the event.  With 48 national teams competing in 104 matches across multiple time zones, alongside expected extremely high betting volumes, AI algorithmic scaling will be more than just a desirable feature. It will be a critical requirement. By complementing its existing trading team with AI capabilities, Kambi is ensuring it enters the tournament with the ability to deliver new, wide-ranging sports betting experiences without eroding its partners' bottom-line margins.  This new technological milestone may well be the reason Becher decided the additional Kambi shares were a worthwhile personal multimillion-SEK investment. 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) -   Leonardo Biazzi As election campaigns heat up, the only point of agreement is that political blocs will need to negotiate to dismantle the Bets regime, according to Leonardo Biazzi from SBC Noticias Brazil It’s becoming more and more probable that Brazil’s Bets Law will be revamped through the ongoing political negotiations among various parties in Congress, given that the future of online gambling in Brazil remains a divisive issue ahead of the upcoming General Election. A mere 17 months after its enactment, numerous ministers are now asserting that the Bets Law (No. 14,790/2023 In Brasilia, Congress has indicated cross-party agreement to repeal the Bets Law and establish a new federal online gambling system with stricter rules on conduct, marketing, and licensing—altering the market’s participation landscape. The Bets Law Lacks Support While hindsight is perfect, stakeholders should have seen the repeal of the Bets Law coming. First proposed in 2019 during Michel Temer’s presidency, the law was rejected by President Jair Bolsonaro and the Liberal Party when it came up for final approval in 2023. But after a year of revisions, the PT administration approved the Bets Law in January 2025. Still, the regime has angered President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who sees gambling as conflicting with the PT’s policy goals and its economic aid programs for the poor. During his campaign for the upcoming election, Lula promised to introduce a new presidential bill to eliminate debt linked to Brazilian gambling and bar those receiving financial aid from placing bets. Lula has also vowed to reveal his plans for gambling reforms. But the President could be overtaken by Congress’ political blocs, which are negotiating to resolve the issue before the October 4 elections. Political Bloc Moves The push to revamp the Bets Law gained clearer momentum on May 19, when ministers submitted two distinct bills to Congress, each aimed at revising different sections of the framework. The two bills—No. 2,470/2026 and No. 2,478/2026—were filed in the Chamber of Deputies. Both call for sweeping changes to online betting regulations, focusing on enhancing protection for mental health, consumers, and household finances. The documents also include guidelines to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm, broadening the sector’s regulatory reach. The Senate proposal includes ministers from parties across Brazil’s ideological spectrum, such as Republicanos, the Workers’ Party, the Liberal Party, and the Social Democrats. The Chamber’s initiative similarly garnered backing from lawmakers with widely differing political views. Lurking in the background of Congress is the ‘Evangelical Caucus’—a group that has long criticized gambling on moral grounds and grown into an increasingly powerful force in Brazilian policy-making. Worries about household debt, consumer harm, and financial vulnerability have transcended traditional political lines, paving the way for legislative consensus. Negotiating Consensus These proposals don’t go as far as full prohibition, but some others do. Pedro Uczai, a PT-SC federal deputy, has put forward Bill No. 1,808/2026, which would go much further by banning betting operations and advertising, as well as dismantling parts of the existing regulatory framework. Uczai claims that betting platforms have become “a constant tool for siphoning off popular income”, worsening household debt and financial instability. Senator Eduardo Girão’s Bill No. 1,018/2026 targets betting engagement tools like cashback offers, VIP programs, and gamification features—reflecting rising worries that operators are increasingly using retention tactics that promote excessive gambling. Girão asserts that gambling has created “a situation of deep social, economic, and institutional worry”, necessitating more robust state intervention. Lastly, Senator Damares Alves continues to push forward proposals for a nationwide ban on gambling advertising, which would drastically alter sponsorship, media, and customer acquisition strategies in Brazil’s betting sector. In short, during this election period, negotiations and deal-making will increasingly decide which political bloc manages to dismantle the Bets regime and bring an end to Brazil’s first federal gambling system. 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) -   Grupo CIRSA continues to present a “unique and attractive story” to global markets as the gambling PLC seeks fresh avenues for organic growth, profitability, and a robust balance sheet. Ten months after its debut on the Bolsa Madrid Exchange, CIRSA has reported record-breaking first-quarter results, reinforcing investor confidence that it stands out among European gambling PLCs. Supported by Blackstone, the gambling firm recorded a Q1 net profit of €44.6m, a 59% increase from the previous year. It also achieved record quarterly revenues of €623m and an EBITDA of €193.9m, with leadership highlighting “71 consecutive quarters of growth” (excluding the COVID-19 era). With record earnings, reduced financing expenses, and a swiftly improving debt profile, management is increasingly confident that “CIRSA has reached a new platform of growth and dominance in its operating markets”.  Debt Reduction However, perhaps the most crucial development of 2026 lies beneath the top-line numbers: leadership has slashed net debt to roughly €2bn. This includes a strategic €500m reduction in Q1, granting management the ‘economic flexibility’ required to chase expansion prospects. Antonio Hostench – CIRSA Antonio Hostench, CEO of CIRSA, stated that the group is actively evaluating new strategic opportunities in both mature and emerging markets: “There might be some temporary increase, but we would quickly return to levels of 2.5 times EBITDA or lower. Hostench noted that CIRSA is considering “complementary acquisitions in Latin America, Spain, Italy and Morocco,” while also “exploring new geographies” throughout Western Europe and the Americas through both digital and land-based gambling channels. The CEO also emphasized his belief that the opportunities “already identified by management could begin materialising during 2026”. For the leadership team, the strategy seems clear: prioritize debt reduction, then followed by accelerated growth. This bolstered financial stance arrives as Chairman Joaquim Agut ramps up efforts to persuade the market that CIRSA remains Europe’s most undervalued gambling PLC—a sentiment reiterated consistently since the beginning of 2026 trading. Agut: CIRSA undervalued among PLCs  “CIRSA is severely undervalued,” Agut remarked to shareholders during the company’s inaugural AGM earlier this year.  The Chairman contended that wider market sentiment toward listed gambling firms has created a gap between share prices and actual operational performance. “The company’s stock market performance does not reflect its operational reality,” Agut asserted, suggesting that sector-wide market pressures—rather than CIRSA’s own execution—are the primary factors weighing on its valuation. Although CIRSA has solidified its status as Spain’s largest gambling operator and reported an FY2025 EBITDA of €736m, its shares have mostly traded between €13 and €14 since listing, falling short of the company’s €15 IPO price. Agut specifically cited the emergence of prediction betting products in the US and higher gambling taxes in key European markets, including the UK, as factors that have broadly exerted significant pressure on listed gambling stocks.  “The IPO allowed the company to reduce its financial burden while maintaining a high level of investment to support growth, alongside lower debt and the continuation of a strong shareholder return policy,” Agut concluded. On the operational front, CIRSA maintains that it continues to surpass its competitors. Retail casinos, slots, and arcades remain the group’s primary earnings drivers, significantly outperforming online gaming revenues and offering stability against the market volatility seen in South American jurisdictions  Together with decreased financing costs and better leverage metrics, management is convinced that CIRSA is entering the second half of 2026 from a position of strength. Blackstone's Actions Focus will inevitably shift to majority shareholder Blackstone, which still holds roughly 75% of CIRSA’s equity. Spanish investors are keen to know if the private equity giant plans to gradually reduce its majority stake. For dealmakers, interest is centered on CIRSA’s primary Spanish rival, Codere SA, as investors aim to sell the company with a target valuation of €2bn. A potential sale of Codere could pave the way for CIRSA’s next M&A move, either domestically in Spain or internationally.  Analysts in Madrid have proposed that CIRSA might initiate a deal to grow its footprint in Italy’s new online gambling landscape or pursue further M&A in South American markets like Brazil or Chile, depending on regulatory developments in 2026.   Spanish licensees are gearing up for heightened compliance requirements under the DGOJ’s watch, as policymakers bolster consumer protections and mandatory duty-of-care protocols. However, unlike several other major European jurisdictions, Spain has held off on introducing extra gambling taxes … for the time being.  Amid tighter regulations, investor wariness, and sector volatility, CIRSA is striving to distinguish itself from European PLC peers as its debt declines, profits climb, and appetite for M&A returns to the forefront.  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 2025/26 Premier League season provided ample discussion points, extending beyond Arsenal's first title in two decades and Tottenham Hotspur's fight against relegation – a point we acknowledge with sympathy for Spurs supporters. For bookmakers, the season unfolded as the typical nine-month period of intense trading, with bettors consistently testing their luck on both weekly matches and season-long outcomes. With the final weekend now concluded, we are building on last week's "Bookies Corner" by offering further insights into the recently concluded season. These insights come from contributions by bet365 Sports and Trading Expert, Steve Freeth; Flutter Entertainment's Senior PR Executive, James Mackie; Paddy Power's PR Manager, Rhys Turrell; and Betway's PR Manager, Lewis Knowles. Arsenal delivered one of their strongest league campaigns in years. Was this level of performance anticipated by bettors for the Gunners in 2025/26? Steve Freeth, bet365: While many bettors maintained their belief in Arsenal following three previous near misses, their past performances carried a degree of doubt, akin to a 'timeform squiggle' in horse racing – suggesting unreliability. The betting market showed stronger support for other clubs; Liverpool, for instance, were heavily backed pre-season to secure consecutive titles, as were Chelsea after their Club World Cup victory. Surprisingly, Manchester United emerged as the best-backed team, having opened at odds of 66/1. This triumph for Arsenal will undoubtedly challenge the "bottler" reputation they've faced, particularly after finally securing the trophy after a 22-year wait. Consequently, they are now the clear 6/4 favourites to win it again next season. Regarding player markets, did most bettors favour Haaland for the Golden Boot this year, or were there any unexpected contenders that stood out in trading? Rhys Turrell, Paddy Power: Erling Haaland was always a prominent figure in the Golden Boot market due to his prolific scoring record, yet he was not the most frequently backed player by bet volume. Liverpool's British-record signing, Alexander Isak, led this market, with Arsenal's new striker, Viktor Gyökeres, also attracting a significant number of wagers. Lewis Knowles, Betway: The majority of pre-season and early-season activity focused on Haaland; he represented the largest liability by a considerable margin, despite his relatively restrictive odds. A few fortunate bettors placed speculative each-way bets on Igor Thiago. Early season bets on Isak and Gyokeres, both highly popular, did not yield the expected results. James Mackie, Flutter: On the Betfair Exchange, Erling Haaland was priced at 7/5 to be the top scorer this year, a notable shift from previous years where he was odds-on. He was assigned a 41% probability of securing his third Golden Boot in four seasons. The other primary contenders were Mo Salah at 21%, Alexander Isak at 17%, and Viktor Gyokeres at 14%. On the Betfair Sportsbook, some bettors placed bets on Igor Thiago at 275/1 for the Golden Boot during the pre-season. He reached a low of 9/2 on April 15th. On the Betfair Exchange, he was matched at a high of 599/1. Who were the surprise packages this year? Did any bettors anticipate an unexpected team to emulate Leicester City's feat? Steve Freeth, bet365: The phrase 'You’re only ever three feet away from somebody who has backed Sunderland +52 on the handicap' was a common sentiment I expressed throughout the season, as the Black Cats were a popular choice before the season even began. They attracted more money for winning the Premier League than Aston Villa, ranking as the ninth most backed team in the summer. While newly promoted teams had struggled in recent campaigns, Sunderland's summer recruitment, including the signing of Granit Xhaka, saw their odds for a top-half finish shorten from 33/1 to 16/1 by early August. Rhys Turrell, Paddy Power: As anticipated, Manchester City, who began the season as second favourites for the title behind Liverpool, garnered the most interest in the outright market. Manchester United attracted the second-highest number of bets. Interestingly, more bettors backed Aston Villa than Arsenal. Sunderland was another notable name, attracting the tenth-highest number of bets in the outright winner market, a strong performance for a newly promoted side. Sunderland started the season at 1000/1 but still received numerous optimistic bets throughout the campaign, suggesting many punters hoped they might replicate Leicester City's success. Did Sunderland's impressive form, particularly at the start of the season, result in payouts for some, or did it derail more accumulator bets? Steve Freeth, bet365: Despite their solid start, their underlying performance data was not particularly strong, and they were still available at significant odds. For example, they were priced at 21/10 at home against Brentford, 4/1 away at Forest, and notably, 12/5 at home against Newcastle, as they continued to defy market expectations. What about the bottom three at the season's conclusion? Were the newly promoted sides expected to be relegated, or were there any unexpected teams in that position? James Mackie, Flutter: Yes, bettors considered the promoted clubs to be the three most likely teams for relegation this season. According to the odds on the Betfair Exchange, Burnley had a 74% chance, Sunderland 68%, and Leeds 38% of being relegated. Interestingly, Manchester City's chances of relegation reached 25% this season, amidst ongoing speculation surrounding financial charges throughout the campaign. Is the pricing of Premier League matches becoming increasingly one-sided, with consistent struggles for certain clubs while the traditional 'Big Six' and their peers typically dominate? Steve Freeth, bet365: I would argue the opposite; the gap has narrowed over the years. The mid-tier teams are now closer to the traditional 'Big Six' than they were a decade ago. For instance, a motivated and relatively in-form Manchester United was priced at 8/11 at home against Leeds last month – a few years ago, the Red Devils would have been considerably shorter. The availability of performance metrics has benefited both sides, and in reality, the 'Big Six' have not held a dominant position in terms of match ratings for several years. ___________________________________________ Interested in more content like this? Visit the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the central hub for all multimedia content at SBC, where our team provides in-depth analysis of the most significant stories across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate, and payments industries. 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.