日期: 2026年5月28日

(AsiaGameHub) -   The reappearance of BloxFlip, an external website facilitating Robux gambling, is anticipated to provoke strong disapproval, reigniting scrutiny over the accessibility of unregulated operators. Last year, Roblox faced significant public criticism following allegations by Sky News that underage individuals could access unlicensed casinos through its platform. Players were able to log into these external sites using their Roblox credentials. The Sky News report led to the shutdown and closure of numerous websites, prompted by an urgent inquiry from the Gambling Commission. Among these was BloxFlip, which at one point was the most prominent gambling platform associated with the Roblox game. Bloxgame was subsequently established by the same group but did not achieve the same level of success as BloxFlip. At the time, a co-owner of Bloxflip stated in a chatroom: “The legal team representing Roblox has begun to apply pressure compelling us to close our platform.” Roblox has once again drawn criticism, however, as Sky News has reported that BloxFlip is reportedly making a comeback after being acquired by new owners, with plans to operate similarly to its previous iteration but with added gameplay features. The site is also promoting the same types of games as before, including Mines, Crash, Plinko, Cases, Blackjack, and Slots. Roblox communicated to Sky News that it ‘firmly prohibits all simulated and actual gambling activities on our platform, and players are prohibited from engaging in off-platform secondary-market transactions for Roblox items or Robux’. The company further stated: “Websites like these are in no way endorsed or authorised by Roblox and we take numerous steps to disrupt their activity, taking action against associated accounts as well as filtering out references to these sites across our platform. “The majority of the sites identified are not currently available in the UK, and in some cases their websites indicate they are in the process of ceasing operations,” a spokesperson for the company commented. “We will continue to pursue the owners and operators of unauthorised sites, and stand ready to support law enforcement or the UK Gambling Commission in their efforts to have web hosting providers shut sites like these down.” Roblox's ability to completely prevent these sites from accessing its user base is somewhat limited, necessitating collaboration with the Commission, social media platforms, and major tech companies to achieve success. The return of the Robux gambling platform is likely to intensify the ongoing debate regarding enhanced measures to combat the proliferation of unlicensed casinos targeting younger audiences. One such avenue involves streaming platforms like YouTube, Discord, and Kick, all of which host significant Roblox communities and could potentially be exploited to engage younger audiences. The UK is currently focusing on the digital engagement of younger generations. An iGaming Expert piece has cautioned that as Prime Minister Keir Starmer actively pursues a social media ban for individuals under 16, their vulnerability increases concerning other harmful sites that promote unlicensed betting platforms. This underscores the importance of a broader strategy for digital prohibition in the context of evolving platforms and streaming landscapes. Banning social media for under-16s will not lead to a resurgence of outdoor activities like playing tag, as seen in the 90s; their attention will remain highly susceptible within the online ecosystem. Governments and policymakers should remain vigilant of predatory sites that may capitalize on this newly available attention. When opportunities arise, regardless of their ethical implications, the black market will exploit them, and the resurgence of Bloxflip serves as another illustration of this. 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) -   Issue 40 of SBC Leaders magazine hits stands today, showcasing conversations with top executives from Fanatics, bet365, Hard Rock, FanDuel, DraftKings, Betsson, Apuesta Total, and Allwyn. Developing a standout product that resonates with sports fans is crucial for building a strong sportsbook brand, according to Selena Kalvaria, Chief Marketing Officer of Fanatics Betting & Gaming, in an interview with the latest issue of SBC Leaders magazine. In the cover story, Kalvaria explains why she left a successful high fashion career for the sports betting industry and shares what she discovered after making the switch. Fanatics is a household name among U.S. sports fans, thanks to its extensive replica sportswear and merchandise division—and that unmatched reputation was initially what drew Kalvaria to the role. Since joining the company, she has learned that the brand’s name would hold little value for bettors if the online gambling team hadn’t followed the clothing division’s lead and adopted a fan-first approach to product development. Its Fair Play injury refund feature was so popular with customers that rival sportsbooks copied it, while FanCash recreates the engagement of retail loyalty schemes for the betting audience. “You have to build an incredible product and proposition that people care about and the team that pre-existed me here was exceptional in the pursuit of having the best product in the market,” Kalvaria says. “With the integration of FanCash and what’s become core to our positioning in Fair Play and the connected ecosystem and loyalty program, we relentlessly enhance the customer and fan experience. That’s what Fanatics exists to do.” In the same cover feature, Fanatics Chief Trading Officer Mark Hughes notes that in a competitive market with well-established rivals, having the right product can help to “give customers zero reason to leave”. While he acknowledges those competitors have “some really good stuff”, Hughes is confident his team has got their product right. “We’re at a phase where the product is very high quality, the loyalty scheme runs throughout all channels, we have tenured customers who are really sticky,” says Hughes. “It’s all come together. We get a lot of feedback from customers now saying, ‘I joined because of FanCash but your product is as good as FanDuel or DraftKings’.” No One Predicts an Apocalypse for Sportsbooks A key part of Hughes’s job is to create “reasons for customers to switch and to stay”, and as a U.S. operator, that means working to attract prediction market players. However, even though Fanatics has launched its own Fanatics Markets offering, Hughes doesn’t expect platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket to compete with licensed sportsbooks long-term. “The product breadth will be hard to match. If it plays out in a way where there’s a parlay product and margins and generosity can be high, maybe it will compete,” he says. “But without that, I don’t really see them as the same product, even if they look and feel very similar to a customer. I struggle to see it cannibalising too significantly in states where sports betting is allowed.” This view is echoed elsewhere in the magazine by James Cooper, Senior Vice President of FanDuel’s Flywheel & New Ventures division—focused on identifying and launching new high-growth products. One such product is FanDuel Predicts, which has helped expand the operator’s total addressable market into states like California and Texas, where legal sports betting isn’t widely available. Despite being directly involved in launching one, Cooper doesn’t expect prediction markets to harm the legal sports betting industry significantly. “We don’t see the sportsbook ecosystem as outdated at all, and it continues to be our north star,” he says. “Sports betting remains the most direct and established way for fans to engage with sports outcomes, particularly in regulated markets with strong consumer protections and meaningful benefits to states.” The magazine also features IMGL President Marc Dunbar evaluating the dispute around the legal status of prediction markets. bet365 Sets Sights on U.S. Top Spot While prediction markets have dominated headlines, bet365’s growth in the U.S. over the past 12 months has been under-reported. The UK-based operator initially took a cautious approach to the U.S. but, unlike many European peers that spent heavily during the post-PASPA gold rush, it’s now starting to thrive. It has become a top-five operator in many of the 17 states it operates in—something Trip Stoddard, Head of Business Development for North America, attributes to its investment in localisation and technology. Stoddard is happy with recent progress, but no one should expect the company to be content with its current position chasing FanDuel and DraftKings. “If you look at bet365’s history, you look at everything we’ve done globally, we don’t go to markets where we’re happy with the top five. We don’t go to markets where we’re happy with the top three,” he says. Stoddard adds: “We’re here to be number one. There’s clearly a top two. We’re watching them, but we’re tailoring our product and our marketing to (a point) where we don’t just think we can compete with them. I’m comfortable saying we think we can beat them.” A Tour of the Global Betting Landscape SBC Leaders issue 40 also includes interviews with Steph Sherman, Chief Marketing Officer at DraftKings, about customer acquisition during the World Cup, and Betsson’s Chief Information Security Officer Donald Tabone about cybercriminal threats to operators. Meanwhile, Hard Rock Digital Chairman Rafi Ashkenazi reflects on his gambling career, Allwyn’s Group CFO Kenneth Morton shares insider insights on the OPAP merger, and Apuesta Total CEO Gonzalo Perez discusses the Peruvian market. Additionally, there’s a deep dive into Latin America’s emerging market opportunities and an examination of why industry lobbying efforts keep falling flat. You can pick up a copy of issue 40 of SBC Leaders magazine at SBC Summit Americas in Fort Lauderdale in June, or read the digital edition here. 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) -   Bally’s Intralot CEO Robeson Reeves has cautioned that high-spending players have effectively exited the regulated UK sector, even as he outlined the operator’s strategy for future growth in the region. During the company’s first-quarter earnings call, executives also hinted at significant progress regarding their ongoing interest in acquiring evoke, with Reeves promising further updates in the near future. He told investors: “I will stick to what has already been disclosed publicly, but I encourage you to consider this alongside our upcoming commentary on our margins, platform capabilities, operational history, and cash flow. The strategic logic is clear.” The discussions between Bally’s Intralot and evoke are taking place against a backdrop of major shifts in the UK market, driven by a rise in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% and the introduction of financial risk assessments, commonly referred to as affordability checks. While much of the sector has voiced strong opposition to these affordability checks, fearing they could damage the market, Reeves noted that they pose little threat to Bally’s Intralot. He stated: “Our platform was designed with this [affordability] in mind from the start, because if customers can afford to play, they can play sustainably over the long term. “When you examine our retention rates and stable growth, it’s clear that our expansion is driven by acquiring new customers on top of our existing base. Consequently, I don’t view affordability measures as a major risk, as our player base remains consistent and stable.” Bally’s Intralot reported a 10.5% increase in UK online revenue for Q1 2026, with preliminary data indicating similar growth trends for April and May. Although many critics of the tax hikes and affordability mandates argue that these measures will drive players toward the black market, Reeves holds a different perspective, asserting that the UK’s "big spenders" have already left the regulated space. He explained: “Over the last five years, the UK has fostered a more sustainable spending environment for the mass market. Therefore, I don’t anticipate a significant shift in market size due to the black market, as high-value players have already migrated there. “People often compare the UK market to regions like the Netherlands, which saw a rapid increase in channelisation. However, there is a fundamental difference here.” Market consolidation already underway Looking forward, Reeves noted that the company is entering this period of transition in the UK from a "position of strength," a point underscored by its pursuit of evoke. Last month, Bally’s Intralot announced it was considering an offer for the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of evoke at 50p per share, valuing the company at approximately £225m. Reeves and CFO Andreas Chrysos declined to provide further details on the potential acquisition, other than confirming that more information would be shared shortly. At the time, the company stated that acquiring evoke could "deliver substantial strategic and operational synergies, including enhanced scale, an expanded geographic footprint, and opportunities for cost efficiencies." The initial deadline for Bally’s Intralot to confirm its intention to proceed with the acquisition was 18 May, but this has since been extended to 17:00 BST on 8 June. Reeves added that further changes are expected in the UK as the industry adjusts to the financial burden of the increased remote gaming duty. He explained: “For other iGaming operators, this represents a 19% change. Since most of these operators have profit margins below 19%, their behavior will inevitably shift. They will lack the budget for marketing, so I expect to see changes in how operators function. “Companies are also scaling back on incentives and promotions. We are clearly witnessing the beginning of industry consolidation.” Overall, Bally’s Intralot reported a major performance turnaround in Q1 compared to the previous year, with revenue rising 180.5% year-on-year to €268.1m, and EBITDA climbing to €100.1m from €30.2m in 2025. These results were largely fueled by the acquisition of Bally’s International Interactive in October 2025, which contributed €183.9m in revenue and €72.7m in EBITDA during the quarter. 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) -   With the majority of Canadian players now gaming on their smartphones, mobile casino apps have become a major battleground in the iGaming sector. Because countless operators guarantee fast speeds, robust security, and smooth performance, identifying the apps that truly deliver has become increasingly challenging for users. To help players navigate the mobile casino landscape, we sat down with Martin Backhouse, an iGaming industry veteran with over 15 years of experience. Currently a Content Editor at Casino.org, Backhouse is dedicated to providing players with top-tier advice. As a passionate casino enthusiast, he excels at identifying premier games and platforms, understanding precisely what Canadian players are looking for. To start off, is a dedicated online casino app actually necessary for mobile play? Technically, an app isn't mandatory for mobile gaming, though it certainly enhances the experience. Playing directly through a mobile browser is a perfectly viable option with its own advantages. For example, it allows for instant play without downloads and grants access to the complete game library found on the desktop site. Many players choose browser-based play simply to conserve storage space and data on their phones. For my own mobile gaming, I lean toward using dedicated apps. They generally offer a faster, more convenient experience, especially since you can remain logged in. A high-quality app provides a highly optimized interface, making it much simpler to browse games, claim promotions, and manage transactions. Additionally, the visual graphics usually appear much sharper. What key factors do you consider when selecting a mobile casino app? Image: Casino.org Just like choosing a standard online casino website, selecting the right app requires evaluating several factors. Safety and security are my absolute top priorities. Before registering an account, I verify that the operator holds a legitimate gaming license and utilizes advanced encryption to safeguard personal data. To ensure game fairness, I also look for eCOGRA certification. User convenience is another crucial element. I look for an intuitive, fast-loading app that features a diverse selection of games from leading software providers, alongside secure payment methods. Furthermore, I look for valuable promotions that extend beyond the initial welcome bonus, such as ongoing loyalty rewards and monthly tournaments. How can players locate the top-rated mobile casino apps? Finding a reliable app can be time-consuming without proper guidance. Consulting player forums and expert review platforms is highly recommended to see what others are saying. This approach saves time, helps you avoid untrustworthy sites, and ensures you maximize your bankroll. At Casino.org, our goal is to equip our audience with the necessary insights for an optimal gaming experience. We aim to give players an advantage in identifying great promotions while avoiding fraudulent sites. Because of this, our reviews and guides remain entirely objective and straight to the point. When it comes to casino apps, does iOS or Android offer a better experience? “While it ultimately comes down to individual preference, I personally favor iOS. Apple's App Store seamlessly hosts fully licensed, real-money betting applications. Conversely, Android users frequently face challenges with inconsistent availability on the Play Store and the need for APK sideloading. Apple also excels in providing smooth transaction processes. Users report rapid deposit and withdrawal times, with Face ID integration offering a quick and secure login. Furthermore, iPhone apps generally perform better due to Metal-optimized graphics, resulting in quicker load times and fewer system crashes.  That said, some Android users appreciate the freedom of APK sideloading, which lets them access offshore casino platforms. However, anyone taking this route must thoroughly research the operator to ensure safety. Another potential benefit for Android is access to larger game selections, as these apps can sometimes bypass strict App Store limitations.” What final advice would you share with our readers? “My most important piece of advice is simply to enjoy yourself! While that may sound obvious, it is easy to lose track of time and money when gaming on a mobile device. Remember to take frequent breaks and keep your wagers small. Utilizing built-in deposit and spending limits is an excellent way to ensure a safe and stress-free experience.” 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.