Author: Maisie Morrison

TLDR Sweden’s gambling channelization rate dropped to 84% in 2025, down from 85% in 2024 and 86% in 2023 Players excluded via the Spelpaus.se self-exclusion register are turning to unlicensed sites Over 2,100 unlicensed gambling websites were identified by April 2026 Industry body ATG suggests the real rate could be as low as 73% Sweden’s gambling regulator is undergoing a leadership change, with a new Director General starting August 2026 Sweden’s gambling regulator Spelinspektionen has reported that 84% of online gambling in the country took place on licensed platforms in 2025. That is down from 85% in 2024 and 86%…

TLDR Florida AG James Uthmeier issued cease-and-desist letters to Visa, Mastercard, and American Express for processing payments for illegal gambling sites Visa has until June 24 to show proof it has blocked transactions for offshore gambling operators AG warns payment processors could face charges under Florida’s RICO Act if they don’t comply Florida has made 81 arrests and seized over 3,100 illegal machines since the start of 2026 Hard Rock Bet is the only legal sportsbook approved in Florida under the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive compact Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has sent cease-and-desist letters to Visa, Mastercard, and American Express,…

TLDR Laila Mintas, former PlayUp US CEO, filed for CFTC approval to launch 365Prediction, a regulated prediction market exchange The exchange would operate as a designated contract market, clearing trades through Next Gen Clearing, LLC Mintas argues prediction markets are exchange-traded products, not gambling, and should stay under federal oversight 365Prediction has partnered with FiscalNote for expansion into political prediction markets The company licensed Eventus surveillance technology to monitor trading and detect market abuse Laila Mintas, former CEO of PlayUp US, has filed an application with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to launch a federally regulated prediction market exchange called…

TLDR Lionel Messi posted a paid Instagram ad for Kalshi tied to its Argentina Football Association sponsorship The post got over 1.4 million likes and reached Messi’s 500M+ followers Kalshi reported a record $5.1 billion in trading volume in the World Cup’s opening week Minnesota has banned prediction markets outright; several other states are pushing back The CFTC is blocking state enforcement against Kalshi in Arizona, Minnesota, New York, Illinois, and Connecticut Lionel Messi promoted prediction market platform Kalshi in a paid Instagram post, giving the company one of its biggest marketing moments yet during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.…

TLDR Winning Asia Technology Macau Ltd is partnering with Hong Kong-based Aimo Robotics to bring AI-powered robots to casino resort operations. The robots handle security, surveillance, facial recognition, and data analysis — and can also do marketing and answer visitor questions. Winning Asia launched a new 8-player fishing game, AGT FishKing 8, at G2E Asia 2026 to attract younger and tourist audiences. The company is looking to expand beyond its traditional 40-50 age bracket by developing more innovative game features. Winning Asia continues to distribute games from partners including LT Game, Euro Games Technology, and Jackpot Digital. Winning Asia Technology…

TLDR The Dominican Republic has launched an anti-crisis economic package targeting 40–50 billion pesos in new revenue Large companies earning over 1 billion pesos annually will face a 3-point corporate tax surcharge, raising the rate to 30% Casinos and gambling activities face higher taxes, though exact rates haven’t been announced A new law would turn the National Lottery into an independent state body overseeing all gambling in the country The package also includes new taxes on e-cigarettes, e-transfers, and airline tickets Dominican Republic’s Anti-Crisis Package Targets Big Business and Gambling The Dominican Republic has rolled out a major economic reform…

TLDR Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has begun blocking online gambling and betting websites A government committee is reviewing platforms targeting Syrian users while restrictions are in place Unemployment in Syria has climbed above 60%, with poverty affecting 90% of the population Syrian law already prohibits gambling but enforcement is difficult as most operators are based abroad Authorities have also asked social media companies to remove gambling advertisements targeting Syrian users Syria’s government has started blocking online gambling websites after a surge in digital betting activity drew official attention. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced the…

TLDR The CFTC sued New Mexico, adding it to a growing list of states facing federal challenges over prediction market laws Nevada asked a court to hold Kalshi in contempt for allegedly violating a May injunction Crypto.com’s Nadex platform sued New York Attorney General Letitia James over state gambling law enforcement A new industry group called the Coalition for Fair Markets sued Kentucky over its 14.25% prediction market tax The CFTC argues federal law gives it exclusive authority over event contracts on regulated exchanges Prediction market legal fights expanded on June 12, 2026, as federal regulators, exchange operators, and state…

TLDR Macquarie estimates global 2026 FIFA World Cup betting volume at $50 billion The U.S. accounts for only about 5% of legal global betting volume during the tournament Per-match forecast stays at $500 million, similar to the 2022 World Cup Prediction markets are excluded from Macquarie’s forecast entirely Flutter Entertainment, Super Group, and Rush Street Interactive are seen as best placed to benefit The 2026 FIFA World Cup is on track to be the biggest betting event in history. Investment bank Macquarie has put global wagering volume at $50 billion for the tournament. But the U.S., despite its growing sports…

TLDR Slovakia’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (URHH) has warned operators to follow strict consumer protection rules during the 2026 FIFA World Cup All advertising campaigns across TV, online, social media, and outdoor must meet regulatory standards Operators must promote self-exclusion and deposit limit tools in their marketing URHH will intervene immediately if operators break gambling or consumer protection rules The crackdown follows over a year of debate around gambling reform in Slovakia Slovakia’s gambling regulator has put operators on notice ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that the tournament will not be an excuse for aggressive or irresponsible marketing.…