Author: Maisie Morrison

TLDR Interpol’s Operation First Light 2026 led to 5,811 arrests across 97 countries and territories. Authorities seized $293 million in illicit assets tied to social engineering scams. Illegal online gambling networks turned up in fraud investigations in Eswatini and Palau. Police in Eswatini found a fake Brazilian police station built to trick scam victims. The operation ran from January 15 to April 30 and identified more than 142,000 victims. Interpol has wrapped up one of its largest anti-fraud operations to date. The effort, called Operation First Light 2026, ran from January 15 to April 30 this year. Police across 97…

TLDR Kalshi faces a proposed class action lawsuit filed in a Manhattan federal court. Plaintiffs claim the company shared trading activity and personal data with third-party advertisers. The lawsuit says trackers from Google, TikTok, and LinkedIn were embedded on Kalshi’s website and app. Three named plaintiffs want to represent a nationwide class of Kalshi users. The case follows a separate ruling against Kalshi in a New York gambling dispute. Kalshi is facing a new legal fight. A proposed class action lawsuit was filed against the company in federal court in Manhattan. The lawsuit arrived just days after a judge refused…

TLDR BC.Game has appointed Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa as its new brand ambassador The deal aims to grow BC.Game’s presence in Mexico’s regulated gambling market Ochoa will appear in football campaigns, promotions, and fan events for the brand CEO Kar Kheng Giam says localization helps build trust with local users The move continues BC.Game’s wider strategy of using sports partnerships for growth BC.Game has appointed Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa as its new brand ambassador. The online gambling platform announced the partnership on July 10, 2026. The deal is meant to strengthen BC.Game’s position in Mexico’s regulated gambling market. It centers…

TLDR Panama’s regulated gaming market grew 16.2% in gross wagers from January to May 2026. Licensed operators took in $1.3288 billion, up from $1.1437 billion a year earlier. Slot machines stayed the top segment, bringing in $932.4 million, a 7.3% rise. Online gaming grew the fastest, up 57% year on year to $299.6 million. Sports betting and the horse track both saw declines, while bingo grew slightly. Panama’s regulated gaming market grew 16.2% in gross wagers between January and May 2026. That’s according to new figures from the Office of the Comptroller General, using data from the Gaming Control Board.…

TLDR A 2024 video of Bryce Harper made for FanDuel VIP bettor Terry Thompson has become public. Thompson is suing FanDuel and DraftKings, claiming their apps caused a gambling addiction that cost him $1.5 million. A FanDuel employee reportedly bought the video through Cameo, not as a paid endorsement deal. Gambling experts say the case raises questions about how sportsbooks use personal data to keep bettors engaged. Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board says it is reviewing the situation but has not commented further. A video message from Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has come to light as part of a Pennsylvania…

TLDR The Venetian Las Vegas agreed to a $7.2 million fine for anti-money laundering violations tied to convicted bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. The Nevada Gaming Control Board filed the settlement and a four-count complaint on June 25. The Venetian is the fourth Las Vegas Strip casino fined over Bowyer, joining Resorts World, MGM Resorts, and Caesars Entertainment. Bowyer gambled at the Venetian from 1999 to 2024, with the investigation focused mainly on 2019 to 2024. The four casinos combined will pay $34 million in fines if the Venetian settlement is approved. The Venetian Las Vegas has agreed to pay a $7.2…

TLDR Macau’s casino industry posted its weakest quarter since reopening in 2023. Citi says the FIFA World Cup and poor hold rates hurt gaming revenue. Second-quarter industry EBITDA is expected to fall 7% year on year to $1.923 billion. Galaxy Entertainment Group is expected to gain the most market share this quarter. Sands China is expected to see the biggest drop in market share. Macau’s casino sector just went through its toughest quarter since the city reopened to tourists in January 2023. That’s according to new commentary from Citi, which pointed to two main problems. The three months ending June…

TLDR PAGCOR remitted PHP5.67 billion (US$92.1 million) in dividends to the Philippine government in 2025. The agency ranked fifth among 50 government-owned and controlled corporations for the year. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave PAGCOR a certificate of recognition at the GOCC Day event in Manila. The remittance equaled 50% of PAGCOR’s income, meeting the legal requirement for state firms. PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco said the agency stays committed to fiscal responsibility despite global challenges. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, known as PAGCOR, received recognition from the national government this week. The agency sent PHP5.67 billion, or about US$92.1 million,…

TLDR Indonesia’s OJK ordered banks to run enhanced checks or block 36,191 accounts suspected of ties to illegal online gambling. The list grew by 2,355 accounts since the last update in April 2026. Accounts were flagged using data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs. Banks must also close other accounts linked to the same national ID numbers. The OJK says the move aims to protect the financial system and prevent instability. Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority, known as OJK, has ordered banks to increase checks on accounts linked to illegal online gambling. The order now covers 36,191 accounts. That…

TLDR Seven players from Sport Club Jaraguá are suspended for 30 days over betting irregularities. The case centers on a July 4 match where Juventus de Jaraguá do Sul won 8-1. Sportradar flagged unusual betting patterns before and during the game. Three players had also appeared in suspicious matches between 2022 and 2024. The case now goes to the Santa Catarina sports court, with police also notified. Seven players from Sport Club Jaraguá are facing a 30-day suspension. The suspension comes after a report found betting irregularities tied to a recent match. The match in question took place on July…