Author: Maisie Morrison

TLDR U.S. gambling companies spent $520 million on celebrity and athlete partnerships in 2025, compared to just $60 million on responsible gambling programs. Total marketing spend across the industry reached $3.9 billion, with responsible gambling communications making up only 1.5% of that. Only 4 of 12 publicly traded gambling operators disclose responsible gambling spending as a percentage of their marketing budgets. BetMGM ranked first across sports betting, iGaming, and land-based casino categories for responsible gambling communication. AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini cite companies with more responsible gambling content more often when answering questions about player safety. A new audit…

TLDR Prediction markets could grow into a $1 trillion industry by 2030, according to a Bernstein estimate. Kalshi currently leads the prediction market space, with Polymarket as its main rival. ProphetX was approved last month as a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization. 365Prediction has a similar application pending with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Lawmakers and courts are still working out rules for the industry, including sports-related contracts. Prediction markets are drawing new competitors even as the rules around them stay unsettled. Two newer companies, ProphetX and 365Prediction, are trying to carve out space in a market currently…

TLDR NSW Labor is preparing tougher poker machine rules ahead of the next state election The plan includes a moratorium on new poker machine licences Clubs earning over AU$20 million from machines would face higher taxes Mandatory facial recognition in gaming rooms is part of the proposal The state plan follows new federal rules limiting gambling ads on TV New South Wales is preparing a tougher set of rules for poker machines. The changes are expected to become part of the state Labor Party’s platform for the next election. The issue was a main topic at NSW Labor’s annual conference…

TLDR Philippine gross gaming revenue fell 15.9% in the first quarter of 2026 S&P Global Ratings says easier visa rules and an online gambling recovery could support growth Electronic games dropped 22.4% as inflation tied to Middle East wars cut consumer spending The Philippines extended visa-free entry for Taiwanese passport holders through June 2027 Pagcor expanded anti-money laundering rules covering banks and e-wallets in e-gaming The Philippines’ gaming industry may return to growth this year. S&P Global Ratings points to easier visa rules and a recovery in online gambling as the main drivers. The outlook follows a weak start to…

TLDR Sands China was named to the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices for the sixth year in a row. The company sits on both the World Index (fifth straight year) and the Asia Pacific Index (sixth straight year). Sands China says it is the only integrated resort operator listed on both indices at the same time. Parent company Las Vegas Sands made the World and North America indices for the seventh consecutive year. The news follows a June placement in the top 1% of the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. Sands China has been named to the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices for…

TLDR Brazil’s Senate held a hearing on July 2 about the rise in betting advertising during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Senator Eduardo Girão called for the repeal of Brazil’s Betting Law, citing harm to families and public health. Brazil’s Ministry of Health reported that gambling disorder treatments through the public health system rose 140% between 2018 and 2025. Over 25 million Brazilians gambled in 2025, and 4.4% showed symptoms of gambling disorder. Officials discussed new consumer protection rules, including spending limits and better monitoring of betting platforms. Brazil’s Senate met on July 2 to discuss the rise in betting…

TLDR Genting Malaysia has dropped its recapitalisation plan for Empire Resorts. Empire Resorts repaid its full $300 million senior secured notes on July 2. The planned $525 million sale of non-gaming assets at Resorts World Catskills will not move forward. Genting Malaysia took full ownership of Empire Resorts in June 2025. Genting Malaysia posted a net loss of MYR25.2 million in the first quarter of 2026. Genting Malaysia has ended its recapitalisation plan for Empire Resorts, its wholly owned subsidiary in the United States. The company made the announcement after Empire Resorts repaid a large chunk of debt tied to…

TLDR Sportsbet has finished all remediation work required under a 2024 enforceable undertaking with AUSTRAC. AUSTRAC confirmed the agreement is now closed after an independent auditor verified the changes. The undertaking followed concerns about risk assessment, customer monitoring, and suspicious matter reporting. Sportsbet had to improve five core areas of its anti-money laundering framework. AUSTRAC said finishing the undertaking does not lower its expectations going forward. Sportsbet has finished the remediation work required under an enforceable undertaking with AUSTRAC. The agreement is now closed after a multi-year process. AUSTRAC is Australia’s financial intelligence and regulatory agency. It oversees anti-money laundering…

TLDR Michigan Gaming Control Board has withdrawn from the National Council on Problem Gambling. The exit is a protest against Kalshi’s new platinum-level membership with the council. Kalshi pledged $2 million over two years to join NCPG in May. Michigan secured a temporary restraining order against Kalshi on June 29 over sports event contracts. NCPG says it stays neutral on the legality of specific gambling products. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has ended its relationship with the National Council on Problem Gambling. The move is a direct response to the council accepting Kalshi as a platinum-level member. The decision was…

TLDR Cambodia’s casino regulator met to discuss stronger oversight of the gaming sector. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission reviewed inspection standards and staff rules. Dealers and pit supervisors are classified as special employees under Cambodian law. The deputy prime minister called for full reviews of casino licenses nationwide. Casinos linked to fraud or illegal activity could lose their licenses. Cambodia’s casino regulator has met to talk about ways to improve oversight of the country’s gaming industry. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission, known as the CGMC, held the meeting as part of a wider review of inspection standards. The meeting was…