月度归档： 2026 年 5 月

(AsiaGameHub) -   Lithuania has restated its commitment to using mandatory player cards as the key reform in its revamp of gambling regulations, which will be fully implemented by 2029. The Gambling Control Authority of Lithuania told SBC News that this mechanism—approved via amendments to Lithuania’s Gaming Law by the Ministry of Finance—was viewed as a new central regulatory tool. While some find the measure controversial, the Ministry of Finance supported it, arguing that stricter controls are necessary to boost consumer protections and enhance operators’ compliance with rules in this high-risk sector. Under the new framework, all customers using services from the country’s 18 licensed land-based casinos, 50 arcade halls, and 10 online gambling operators must use a personalized card linked directly to their player profile and national ID. This mandatory requirement will be rolled out in phases between 2027 and 2028 as part of updates to the Gaming Law. These reforms position Lithuania among Europe’s most heavily regulated gambling markets, introducing what officials describe as the first centralized gambling system implemented by an EU member state. The framework integrates identity verification, spending oversight, and responsible gambling protections into a single system. Poland and Norway’s regulators have used player cards before, but primarily to control access to land-based slot machines by checking customer IDs and tracking play time. Speaking to SBC, the Lithuanian Gambling Control Authority emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader responsible gambling strategy rather than a player surveillance program. “The draft Gambling Law aims to make player cards mandatory for all individuals wanting to engage in gambling activities—whether at land-based establishments or via remote services,” the Authority stated. “This measure seeks to ensure effective regulatory supervision of the gambling sector, reduce potential social, financial, and health-related harms linked to gambling, and support the implementation of responsible gambling policies.” Lithuania prioritises control Account-based gambling controls are at the core of the framework. Each player card connects directly to personal gambling accounts and consumer-chosen spending limits, designed to give players greater visibility over their activity while enabling automated protections when thresholds are exceeded. “Introducing a mandatory player card linked to personal gambling accounts and pre-set permissible limits will ensure compliance with established boundaries,” the Authority told SBC. “Through the player card, users can monitor their expenditure and winnings, while the system will automatically block transactions that exceed pre-set limits.” The player card also integrates into Lithuania’s wider responsible gambling infrastructure, including national self-exclusion systems and age-verification controls. Authorities have simultaneously tightened broader gambling protections in recent years, raising the minimum gambling age and strengthening restrictions on venue access and operating conditions. Lithuania to lead EU on player oversight? The Gambling Control Authority acknowledged that implementing the system increases compliance burdens for operators. “Introducing the player card, along with associated certification requirements, raises technological and financial barriers to market entry,” the Authority said. “However, these requirements apply uniformly to all market participants and ensure equal standards for responsible gambling and data protection.” Lithuania’s framework is likely to attract attention across Europe. Regulators in Spain, France, and the UK have increasingly examined stronger account-based protections, affordability controls, and centralized player protection systems as governments attempt to balance market liberalization with a “single view of the market.” With its centralized control system, Lithuania has now gone further than most European counterparts… For many, the question will be: how far will other jurisdictions follow? 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) -   Behind The Gloves turns SBC Summit Canada into $10,000 charity drive The well-being and mental health initiative Behind The Gloves has successfully raised CAD$ 10,000 (€6,500) for the Toronto-based charity Interval House, following fundraising activities conducted during the SBC Summit Canada event. This significant contribution was generated through a series of boxing and fitness sessions that took place during SBC Summit Canada (held from 19-21 May in Toronto). These sessions received strong backing from industry leaders, sponsorship, and charitable participation, all aimed at supporting women and children who are victims of partner violence. The initiative was prominently supported by lead sponsor Blazesoft and long-term partner Bede Gaming. All funds raised were directed to Interval House, a Toronto charity dedicated to providing emergency shelter, counseling services, crisis intervention, and long-term support programs. Developed specifically for the iGaming and sports betting sector, Behind The Gloves utilizes boxing-led sessions, movement exercises, and well-being activities to foster networking environments that differ from traditional conference formats. The core aim of the initiative is to strengthen professional relationships while simultaneously cultivating broader community engagement and achieving a positive charitable impact. What began as early-morning wellness sessions at SBC Summit Canada evolved into a comprehensive industry fundraising effort, uniting operators, suppliers, and stakeholders around a shared social objective. This model reflects a growing trend within gambling and betting businesses to align event participation and sponsorship activities with demonstrable corporate responsibility outcomes. Explaining the underlying purpose of the program, Behind The Gloves Founder Lee McFarland stated that the initiative was never conceived solely for running conference sessions. “Behind The Gloves was never created just to run sessions at events. It was created to bring people together in a more meaningful way and to use that engagement to create something positive beyond the industry itself.” McFarland further emphasized that the donation serves as a testament to what can be accomplished through industry collaboration. “The donation to Interval House is proof of what can happen when the right people, partners, and purpose come together. That’s what makes this initiative so powerful — the impact doesn’t stop when the event finishes.” Lead sponsor Blazesoft supported the initiative as part of its broader commitment to partnerships that generate social value beyond commercial achievements. Chief Commercial Officer, Yuliya Ivanisova, commented that supporting Behind The Gloves provided the company with an opportunity to engage in an initiative that successfully merged industry interaction with community impact. “At Blazesoft, we believe the strongest partnerships are the ones that create lasting value for both people and communities. Supporting Behind The Gloves at SBC Summit Canada gave us the opportunity to be part of something that combined industry engagement with genuine social impact.” Ivanisova added: “We’re proud to support an initiative that brings people together while contributing to an important cause.” Supporting partner Bede Gaming also highlighted the program's well-being aspect as a key factor in their involvement. Jess Marrs, VP Product Marketing at Bede Gaming, noted that the initiative fosters a distinct form of industry interaction focused on individuals and connections. “Behind The Gloves creates a very different kind of experience within the industry — one centred around people, wellbeing, and connection.” Marrs concluded: “Supporting this initiative was a natural fit for us, and seeing the outcome in support of Interval House shows what’s possible when businesses collaborate around a shared purpose.” Behind The Gloves indicated that SBC Summit Canada is a component of a larger strategy to extend the initiative across various industry events and geographical locations, maintaining a consistent focus on integrating well-being, engagement, and measurable social impact. 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 Gambling Commission has told SBC News that it hasn’t yet decided whether to move forward with Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs). A meeting took place today (21 May), where the regulator looked at the next steps for launching FRAs — the more comprehensive of the two affordability measures outlined in the Gambling Act review White Paper. Before the meeting, there was a flurry of last-minute lobbying, as some industry stakeholders and policymakers viewed 21 May as a sort of ‘deadline day’ — one where FRAs would be finalized and an implementation plan announced. However, both bettors and operators will need to wait to learn the Gambling Commission’s decision, as the board “has not yet fully finished evaluating” the “wide-ranging evidence” submitted. Gambling Commission weighs next steps “The Gambling Commission Board convened to discuss next steps regarding Financial Risk Assessments,” a regulator spokesperson told SBC News this afternoon. “We received a large body of evidence but haven’t yet fully reviewed it. We’ll share more information when the time is right.” There has been a surge of debate around FRAs, with the industry — and other critics in horse racing and political circles — often referring to them as ‘affordability checks’. FRAs are the stricter measure put forward in the April 2023 Gambling Act review White Paper, meant to apply when customers lose significant sums of money quickly. The less strict affordability check, the Financial Vulnerability Check, has been active since February last year. Vulnerability Checks initially had a threshold of a £500 net deposit over a rolling 30-day period, but this was lowered to £150 in August 2025. Numerous figures have voiced opposition to implementing FRAs, including gambling reform advocate James Noyes, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, broadcaster Matt Chapman, and several MPs who wrote a letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy calling for a pause. On Monday, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) informed SBC News that it felt it had ‘little option’ but to launch a legal challenge against the full rollout of the checks. It’s worth noting that the Commission never guaranteed it would implement FRAs after today’s meeting. In a same-day statement to SBC, the Commission confirmed that “no decisions have been made yet”. “If we do implement FRAs in the future, it will be done after careful consideration, based on evidence, and rolled out in a balanced and appropriate manner,” a spokesperson stated then. The regulator also insists that neither the current Vulnerability Checks nor the upcoming FRAs will affect most bettors, as Policy Director Ian Angus emphasized in a speech this week. Update – the BGC has released the following statement in reaction to the Commission’s decision: “We’re pleased the Gambling Commission has confirmed it’s still reviewing the extensive evidence submitted about Financial Risk Assessments. “This is a key and positive step in the process, and shows that the evidence from industry, stakeholders, and experts merits thorough review. “But there’s still more work to do to ensure any future proposals are truly frictionless, proportionate, and don’t push customers toward the expanding unregulated gambling black market. “We’re looking forward to ongoing discussions with the Commission in the coming weeks.” 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) -   A recent preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice (CJEU) has further built momentum pushing back against the application of Article 56A – the legal provision used by Maltese courts to reject the enforceability of foreign rulings on locally domiciled igaming businesses.  The CJEU has delivered its judgment on a 2021 dispute involving Malta-licensed Mr Green, which was ordered by Austrian courts to refund a domestic customer for their gambling losses – an order Mr Green declined to comply with.  After exhausting all domestic legal procedures, the claimant requested Austrian courts in 2024 to review the use of a European Account Preservation Order (EAPO) on Mr Green’s funds held in Ireland, Luxembourg and Sweden, which is described as “a legal mechanism that allows creditors to freeze a debtor’s bank funds across different EU member states through a single application”.  The CJEU has now determined that the Austrian court may take the existence of Article 56A into account when making its decision – a protective measure formerly known as Bill 55 and implemented since 2023 to block or limit foreign legal accountability for Malta-licensed operators. The ruling also established that Austrian courts may factor in the prior conduct of the debtor, which in this case refers to Mr Green’s decision to cut ties with its Austrian payment service provider following the 2021 court order. This decision further reinforces the CJEU’s position that Article 56A cannot be invoked by Malta to shield its licensees from legal action initiated by courts across the EU. There are currently a number of ongoing cases involving players from Austria and Germany who are seeking to recover funds spent on Malta-licensed gaming platforms under their respective national laws. In cases where Article 56A has been cited by Malta’s courts, the CJEU has ruled that the national laws of the jurisdiction where the players were residing at the time of spending take priority over Maltese legislation. This stance, coupled with the CJEU’s confirmation that Bill 55 can be considered when evaluating the use of EAPOs to target Malta-based companies, further erodes the protections Malta’s rules offer its licensees. 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) -   Billionaire businessman Kenneth Dart has become the largest single private shareholder in Flutter Entertainment, further solidifying his influence over the global gambling giant. A notification submitted to the London Stock Exchange on May 20 revealed that Dart now commands 27.6% of all voting rights in Flutter, having acquired additional shares through his investment company Candle Lake. Dart’s most recent acquisition saw his proportion of voting rights held via equity-based swaps increase from 6.25% to 8.8%. These swaps were secured through LBS Ltd., a Cayman Islands-based subsidiary of Candle Lake. When combined with the 18.8% of shares Dart owns directly, the 8.8% of rights held through swaps mean he now controls 27% of Flutter's available shares. Before last week’s purchase, Dart’s total control stood at 25% – comprising 18.7% from direct share ownership and 6.25% from swaps. Based on Flutter’s market capitalization of £12.85 billion (at the time of this article), Dart’s 27.6% stake is valued at approximately £3.55 billion. Implications of this Increased Stake Dart did not increase his direct ownership in Flutter with this latest transaction; rather, he expanded his exposure in the business by 2.55%. The Cayman Islands-based billionaire accrues the gains and losses from additional Flutter shares through an agreement with a third-party bank, which will likely manage its risk by trading the underlying shares in the market. Only the 18.8% of shares represents true ownership, as indicated by the total voting rights Dart possesses. The remainder – now 8.8% and up from 6.25% – constitutes exposure through financial contracts that fluctuate with Flutter’s ongoing share price but do not add to his ownership or standard voting control. By augmenting his voting rights in Flutter, Dart is establishing himself as an increasingly significant figure within the company. His voting intentions and support will now carry considerably more weight in decision-making processes. Is Dart Targeting a Flutter Bullseye? Dart is an American-born businessman currently based in the Cayman Islands. He was born into a prominent business family, best known as the founders of the Dart Container Corporation, a manufacturer of disposable food containers, where he served as President in the 1990s. Over the past year, the gambling industry appears to have captured his interest – particularly one of its most valuable assets, Flutter, which, as of this article's writing, is the second-largest gambling company globally by market cap, after Las Vegas Sands. The company’s extensive brand portfolio includes the leading US sportsbook FanDuel, global betting exchange Betfair, major Italian firms Sisal and Snaitech, British online betting giant Sky Bet, and UK and Ireland omnichannel firm Paddy Power, among others. Despite its enviable list of assets and consistent revenue growth, Flutter’s shares have declined in recent years. The firm’s share price peaked at £236.30 in February 2025 but has since fallen to £72. Year to date, Flutter’s share price has decreased by 55%. One potential reason for this could be investor uncertainty surrounding prediction markets, which are proving to be a disruptive force in the US, Flutter’s most valuable market. While Flutter did engage in the predictions space by launching FanDuel Predicts in December 2025, some felt it may have acted too late, having been outmaneuvered by Fanatics and DraftKings. Dart may view this as an opportunity. Flutter’s formidable brand portfolio still offers ample room for growth, and the share price dip over the past year presents an entry point for those looking to invest before a potential price recovery – assuming a return to 2025 levels. He is not the only one pursuing this strategy. For example, London-based activist investment fund Parvus Asset Management doubled its stake in Flutter from 5.1% to 10% in March, although others, like Los Angeles-based Capital Group, have opted to reduce their holdings. Meanwhile, amidst all this trading, the firm is conducting a review of its London Stock Exchange listing. It has maintained a primary listing on the NYSE since May 2024, having first listed there in January 2024, and is now considering making the NYSE its sole listing. Dart’s latest move follows recent shareholder transactions involving Flutter’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Jackson; Chair, John Bryant; Non-Executive Officer, Stafan Bomhard; and the US-based multinational investment giant, BlackRock. Conversely, Amy Howe, former Chief Executive Officer of FanDuel, took a different path from Dart, divesting 4,711 of her shares via JP Morgan. Howe’s departure from FanDuel was announced concurrently with Flutter’s Q1 report earlier this month. 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) -   Even with new restrictions on iGaming marketing in the UK implemented in response to the rise in remote gaming duty, operators still appear to be seeking out new opportunities for television advertising.  Paddy Power is the latest operator to take this approach, after locking in a new sponsorship agreement for ITV’s programme Nobody’s Fool. Paddy Power Games will serve as the headline sponsor of ITV’s new show, described as ‘a strategic reality quiz format packed full of drama, deception and high-stakes gameplay’, where 10 contestants take on challenges that test intelligence and perception while building up a cumulative prize pot.   Kicking off this Saturday, 22 May, six episodes will air over the next two weeks. The sponsorship package for the Flutter Entertainment brand includes broadcast advertising around the programme, alongside online rights covering all ITVX streaming environments. Paddy Power Games will also launch an exclusive free-to-play game, titled Nobody’s Fool Carnival Chaos. Built in a traditional RNG format and inspired by the show’s challenges, the game has a carousel-style design where players throw to hit a target, and win an instant cash prize if they succeed. A Paddy Power Games spokesperson said: “Nobody’s Fool is exactly the type of entertainment audiences love getting behind – fun, unpredictable and packed with twists.  “The show’s playful competitive spirit made it a natural fit for Paddy Power Games, and we’re excited to bring fans even closer to the action with Carnival Chaos as the series lands on screens later this month.” Image: Matthew Nichols1 / Shutterstock iGaming Expert analysis Many iGaming operators have offset the impact of the remote gaming duty increase from 21% to 40% that came into force at the start of April by cutting back on their marketing spend. However, it doesn’t appear that Paddy Power and Flutter are following this path, despite the current challenging industry headwinds.  In their recent first quarter 2026 financial update, the firm reported 14% revenue growth and 10% growth in average monthly players, respectively, across all its UK and Ireland operations. Peter Jackson, Flutter’s Chief Executive Officer, noted that double-digit iGaming growth was achieved in Q1 for its Paddy Power, tombola and Betfair brands, ‘driven by a strong pipeline of new slots content resulting in strong retention metrics’. Flutter also believes it will be able to gain additional market share in the UK as smaller operators exit the market due to rising costs triggered by the iGaming tax increase. The full impact of the duty increase on Flutter’s UKI iGaming operations remains to be seen, but it is clear the operator wants to give Paddy Power Games a boost before the end of Q2 through this ITV sponsorship. 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) -   X has definitely established a strong reputation for itself in recent years. Not only has it become the go-to social media platform for many people, but it’s also emerged as a key source of news covering everything from politics and celebrity trends to sports and tech advancements.  According to Jeremy Reisler, Head of X Canada, several factors have fueled the rising interest in the platform—though the two most significant are the growing demand for real-time sports updates and the expanding impact of artificial intelligence.  “A lot of people assume politics is the top topic of discussion on our platform, but that’s not the case at all. Sports dominates conversations by a wide margin,” he told attendees at yesterday’s SBC Summit Canada.  “What’s more, 95% of our users are more likely to be sports fans compared to non-X users. They’re passionate about sports across the board, which presents a massive opportunity for the sports betting community. In Canada alone, there were 120 million posts related to this in 2025—an increase of 25%.” This demand for sports content—whether through written posts or multimedia clips—is expected to keep growing in the coming years as X works toward its goal of becoming a one-stop shop for users.  Reisler noted that X’s long-term aim is to go well beyond its Twitter roots and become similar to China’s WeChat, combining everyday communication with practical features like real-time trading and live betting integrations.  Reisler explained that adding live betting integrations to the app will give gambling operators a major chance to reach new audiences and build fresh communities of bettors.  When it comes to platform demographics, Reisler revealed that 57% of X users have a greater interest in gambling than non-users, and 47% are more likely to have used gambling apps.  For sportsbooks and casinos, the key to connecting with this audience is creating content that strikes a chord with their target group— and doing so in real time.  The main hurdle to achieving real-time engagement is making sure brands—whether in the betting sector or other industries—stay updated on the latest trends.  Although some trends are short-lived (lasting around 24 hours), brands need to respond and adjust their content rapidly. Reisler stated that AI can help brands stay ahead of the curve. As tech evolves, he expects more brands to become leaders in shaping social media discussions. “If you want to connect with this audience, they’re actively engaged—no doubt about it. They’re well-off and distinct,” he added.  “We’re driven by AI—Grok is integrated into every aspect of our operations, from ad infrastructure and brand safety to ad tools. We’ve rolled out a new ad platform that’s enabling full-funnel conversions. Most importantly, take this as a promise: we’re going to be the next global mega-app, and it will be the everything app.” 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.