iGaming Industry News

Austria prepares for a monumental shift in its betting landscape as the Ministry of Finance outlines new draft legislation for the 2027 casino tenders. While the government focuses on age-based loss limits and stricter enforcement against unlicensed sites, major industry stakeholders are lobbying fiercely for a transition from a state-backed monopoly to an open, competitive licensing model to ensure better player safety and tax retention.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 14 Jan 2026

The Star Entertainment Group is set to ax its corporate head office and eliminate hundreds of roles in a radical decentralisation plan. New CEO Bruce Mathieson Jr told staff the current structure added complexity rather than value. The move follows a A$300 million rescue deal by Bally’s and the Mathieson family aimed at satisfying regulators and securing the company’s future.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 13 Jan 2026

Indiana lawmakers are currently debating a massive 750 million dollar casino relocation to Indianapolis alongside a competing 500 million dollar proposal for Allen County as the state also weighs the future of online lottery and sweepstakes gaming.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 13 Jan 2026

Macau opens 2026 with a 1.0 billion dollar windfall in the first eleven days as analysts predict a massive 15 per cent jump in January revenue driven by the resilient mass market segment.

Corporate - Liam O'Brien - 13 Jan 2026

As Iowa legislators gather for the 2026 session, a landmark bill promises to end the impunity of unlicensed gambling platforms. By granting the state commission the power to issue cease and desist orders, Iowa aims to protect its citizens from fraudulent sites and recover billions in lost revenue currently flowing to offshore markets.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 12 Jan 2026

Mississippi’s Senate Bill 2104 is a rigorous legislative filing that aims to classify online sweepstakes casinos as illegal gambling devices, carrying heavy felony charges and asset forfeiture.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 11 Jan 2026

Tennessee regulators have issued a stern ultimatum to Kalshi and Polymarket demanding an immediate halt to all sports wagering activities within the state. The move follows allegations that these platforms are bypassing local gambling laws by offering unlicensed sports event contracts to residents. Companies have until the end of January to refund all customer deposits or face heavy fines and potential criminal investigation.

Prediction Markets - Liam O'Brien - 10 Jan 2026

Dow Jones has signed an exclusive deal to integrate Polymarket's prediction data into The Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch, signalling a major shift in how financial news utilises betting odds to gauge future events.

Prediction Markets - Liam O'Brien - 7 Jan 2026

The KSA enters 2026 with a new leadership structure designed to tackle the digital age, yet the Dutch gambling market remains under threat from low channelisation rates and a looming tax hike to 38 percent.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 7 Jan 2026

Crossing the floor from supplier to operator is a path well-trodden in the iGaming sector, but few make the leap with as much impact, or into as complex an organisation, as Simon Westbury.

Interviews - Liam O'Brien - 7 Jan 2026

Brightstar Lottery PLC and Scientific Games have secured a fifteen year exclusive licence to operate the São Paulo State Lottery through their joint venture SP Loterias SPE S.A. following a R$600m winning bid.

Corporate - Liam O'Brien - 7 Jan 2026

Smart View Tipping Feed and Racing Bet Builder to help operators present racing in a more intuitive, insight-led way for customers

Press Release - Liam O'Brien - 6 Jan 2026

A Polymarket trader turned $30,000 into $436,000 by betting on President Maduro's capture days before it happened, sparking debate over whether prediction markets incentivise insider trading on military conflicts.

Prediction Markets - Liam O'Brien - 5 Jan 2026

Chicago's 10.25% sports betting tax has taken effect after operators withdrew an injunction request, though a constitutional challenge remains active while state lawmakers propose bills to preempt the city's levy.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 5 Jan 2026

Leading iGaming content provider Spinomenal is beginning the year in style with its new game Kami Reign Ultra Mode, part of its popular Mythology Series.

Press Release - Liam O'Brien - 5 Jan 2026

Sri Lanka has enforced new gaming taxes for 2026, doubling the casino entry fee for locals to $100 and raising the operator levy to 18% to boost fiscal revenue.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 5 Jan 2026

Kazakhstan has approved a major expansion of its gambling zones, authorizing new casinos on the Caspian coast and Lake Alakol. The move aims to capture foreign tourism revenue while maintaining strict domestic controls.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 4 Jan 2026

Nevada's casinos generated $1.35 billion in November, driven by strong local demand that offset a rare decline on the Las Vegas Strip and falling tourist numbers.

Corporate - Liam O'Brien - 4 Jan 2026

A class action lawsuit filed in Virginia accuses Stake.us and rapper Drake of running an illegal gambling ring. The suit also alleges Drake used the platform to fund bot networks to inflate his music streaming numbers.

Regulatory - Liam O'Brien - 2 Jan 2026

In the high-stakes arena of iGaming exhibitions, the competition for attention is fierce. Operators invest heavily in floor space, lighting, and booth construction, yet the difference between a crowded stand and an empty one often comes down to an intangible quality: the atmosphere. For over a decade, Eddie Bonello and his team at Molecular Fusion have been the architects of that atmosphere, transforming standard hospitality into a theatrical sales tool.

Interviews - Liam O'Brien - 1 Jan 2026