Author: Maisie Morrison

TLDR Nepal police raided a rented house in Pokhara’s Sedi area and arrested eight people. The operation is linked to a larger betting network based in India. The group allegedly ran the network’s 27th branch and used Telegram and WhatsApp to manage bets and payments. Police say more than NPR 200 million moved through the operation since May. Seven of the eight suspects arrested are Indian nationals; one is Nepalese. Police in Nepal have dismantled an online betting operation they say was tied to a criminal network based in India. The raid took place in Sedi, Pokhara, at a rented…

TLDR Conor McGregor returned to the UFC after five years away, facing Max Holloway at UFC 329. The fight ended in just over a minute after McGregor suffered a knee injury. The event became the most heavily wagered MMA fight in BetMGM’s history. DraftKings said 92 percent of the money bet on the fight backed McGregor. Sportsbooks profited heavily as most bets became worthless within minutes. Conor McGregor stepped back into the UFC octagon after five years away from the sport. Fans had waited a long time for his return. The anticipation translated into one of the biggest betting events…

TLDR Alberta’s iGaming market launched July 13 with 22 platforms going live, ending the province’s single-operator monopoly. Major brands including FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, BetMGM and Caesars are now available to Alberta residents. Play Alberta, the former sole legal operator, remains active alongside the new commercial platforms. Another 28 registered operators have not yet launched, meaning more brands could join in coming months. Analysts project Alberta’s gambling revenue could reach nearly C$2.8 billion within two years of regulation. Alberta’s online gambling market officially opened on Monday. Twenty-two platforms went live on the first day of the province’s new multi-license system. The…

TLDR Michael Burry has taken new positions in Flutter Entertainment and DraftKings stock. Flutter makes up about 60% of the investment, DraftKings the remaining 40%. Sports betting stocks have fallen from their highs as growth slows. Prediction market platforms are pulling bettors away from traditional sportsbooks. Burry’s bet may hinge on regulation and lower marketing costs boosting profits. Michael Burry has added two well known sports betting companies to his portfolio. New filings show he bought stock in Flutter Entertainment and DraftKings. Burry is known for finding value in companies other investors have written off. His latest move follows that…

TLDR Zeal Group has bought UK prize draw operator SevenCanyon in its first move outside Germany. CEO Stefan Tweraser says tougher UK rules would actually help Zeal because of its German regulatory experience. The deal costs £33.9 million upfront, plus up to £4.8 million more if targets are met. SevenCanyon made about £99 million in billings last year, with £30 million in gross gaming revenue. SevenCanyon’s founders will leave within six months, replaced by a Zeal insider named Alex Green. Zeal Group has entered the UK prize draw market for the first time. The German company bought SevenCanyon, a UK-based…

TLDR Betano data shows 71% of bettors expect Argentina to beat England in the semi-final. France are seen as even stronger favorites, with 79% predicting a win over Spain. Kylian Mbappe is the top pick to score against Spain, backed by 60% of users. Lionel Messi leads scoring predictions for the Argentina vs England match, at 34%. Jude Bellingham is slightly ahead of Harry Kane in fan predictions for England’s top scorer. Kaizen Gaming has shared new betting data from its Betano platform ahead of the World Cup semi-finals. The numbers show which teams and players fans expect to shine…

TLDR Rio de Janeiro became the first Brazilian state capital to ban sports betting ads in public spaces under Decree No. 58,274. The city decree followed new federal rules restricting how betting operators can advertise nationwide. Interministerial Ordinance No. 73 bans ads that portray betting as a financial opportunity or income source. A separate ordinance requires new warning labels on betting ads starting July 17. Regulators are investigating broadcasters and operators over ads shown during live sports events, including World Cup coverage. A sports betting billboard near Rio de Janeiro’s Siqueira Campos Metro station was taken down this week. In…

TLDR New Zealand has opened registration through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) for its first online casino licence auction. Registration only grants access to the platform. It does not let companies apply for a licence yet. The process follows a three-stage system under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. Up to 15 online casino licences will be issued, and regulators can withhold licences if applicants don’t meet standards. Licences last three years with one renewal option and cannot be sold or transferred. New Zealand has taken its next step toward a regulated online casino market. The government has opened…

TLDR Pure Canadian Gaming has applied to launch its own online gambling platform ahead of Alberta’s iGaming market launch. The company runs 7 casinos across Alberta, including 2 in Edmonton, and has operated in the province for over 25 years. CEO Brad Belhouse says the company will compete on trust and local presence rather than advertising budgets. More than 48 platforms have applied to enter Alberta’s new iGaming market, including BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365. Alberta officials expect the regulated market to generate about $76 million in its first year. A local casino operator in Alberta is preparing to launch…

TLDR PAGCOR has tightened its probity check system after the Philippines left the FATF grey list in February 2025. The checks are tied to FATF Recommendation 28, which keeps criminals out of casino ownership and management. Reviews are split into three tiers based on risk level, from basic checks to enhanced third-party screening. Licensed entities must report ownership or board changes to PAGCOR within 15 days. Most checks finish within 30 days, but missing paperwork can delay approval or lead to license suspension. PAGCOR has made its probity check process a bigger part of how it runs the gaming industry.…