Author: Maisie Morrison

TLDR Polymarket filed a federal lawsuit against New Mexico’s Attorney General and gaming board members The company wants a court to rule that federal law overrides state gambling law Polymarket claims only the CFTC has authority over prediction markets The lawsuit follows New Mexico’s earlier case against competitor Kalshi New Mexico rejected Polymarket’s requests to pause enforcement before the suit was filed Polymarket has taken New Mexico to federal court. The company filed suit against Attorney General Raul Torrez and six members of the state’s gaming control board. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court. Polymarket is asking…

TLDR Azerbaijan’s National Assembly passed the first reading of a bill toughening penalties for illegal gambling, including online betting. Fixed fines of AZN10,000 to AZN15,000 would be replaced with fines of up to twice the illegal proceeds earned. Non-repeat offenders could still face restriction of liberty or imprisonment for 2 to 4 years. Repeat offenders would face mandatory prison terms of 5 to 8 years, removing the option of a non-prison sentence. The bill must still pass further stages in parliament before becoming law. Azerbaijan’s parliament has taken a step toward tougher punishment for illegal gambling. The National Assembly held…

TLDR Aristocrat Leisure said growth is coming from new casino openings and expansions across Asia. The company sees future opportunities in Europe and the United Arab Emirates. Land-based slot machine revenue is forecast to grow 3% a year through 2030, according to H2 Gambling Capital. Aristocrat Gaming is focused on efficiency, including supply chain changes and AI use. Half-year net profit after tax rose 8.4% year-on-year to AUD794.0 million. Aristocrat Leisure Ltd held its 2026 Investor Briefing on Wednesday. The Australian gambling machine maker outlined plans for growth across Asia and other regions. CEO and managing director Trevor Croker led…

TLDR S&P Global expects moderate demand for Asia-Pacific gaming over the next 12 months due to fuel costs and regional tensions. Wynn Resorts may see delays at its Wynn Al Marjan Island project in the UAE tied to conflict in the Middle East. Capital spending is expected to rise in 2026 for MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts, Genting Bhd, and Las Vegas Sands. Las Vegas Sands received a credit rating downgrade linked to its Marina Bay Sands expansion in Singapore. Macau’s gaming revenue is still forecast to grow 5% to 7%, supported by strong visitor numbers. Casino operators across Asia-Pacific are…

TLDR Brazil’s Senate Human Rights Committee held a public hearing on July 2 about online betting. The hearing covered gambling debt, mental health, advertising, and regulation. No representatives from licensed betting companies or industry groups were invited. Senators Eduardo Girão and Damares Alves organized the hearing. Critics say the guest list only included people opposed to regulated gambling. Brazil’s Senate Human Rights Committee, known as the CDH, held a public hearing on July 2. The topic was the impact of online gambling on Brazilian society. Lawmakers looked at several issues during the session. These included consumer debt, gambling addiction, advertising…

TLDR Paradise Co posted casino revenue of KRW477.6 billion (US$308 million) for 1H26, up 5.1% year-over-year. June revenue fell 21.2% year-over-year and 35.6% month-over-month to KRW63.2 billion (US$40.7 million). Table game revenue in June dropped 23.6% year-over-year, while machine revenue rose 16.8%. Paradise Sega Sammy repaid a KRW100 billion (US$64.5 million) loan on March 31, 2026. Paradise Co reported 2025 group revenue of KRW1.15 trillion (US$789 million). Paradise Co reported casino revenue of KRW477.6 billion, or US$308 million, for the first half of 2026. This marks a 5.1% increase compared to the same period last year. The South Korea-based casino…

TLDR The Social Market Foundation wants the government to raise Machine Games Duty on Category B electronic gaming machines above the current 20% rate. Doubling the rate to 40% could raise between £275 million and £458 million a year, according to SMF modelling. Category B machines show higher rates of problem gambling, with 26.5% of casino machine users scoring as problematic gamblers. The Betting and Gaming Council rejects the proposal, warning it could cost tens of thousands of jobs. Regulus Partners estimates up to 70% of betting shops and 90% of adult gaming centres could close if the tax rises.…

TLDR The EU’s MiCA licensing deadline is approaching, forcing crypto firms to seek approval to operate across Europe. Gambling operators that use crypto payments are watching the deadline closely. Binance could lose access to EU markets if it doesn’t secure a license. A shrinking number of licensed crypto providers could limit payment options for gambling companies. Grey market gambling operators, which rely heavily on crypto, may face the biggest disruption. The countdown to the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets deadline is entering its final stage. The effects could reach beyond the crypto industry itself. Gambling operators that use digital asset…

TLDR South Africa’s National Gambling Board is reaching out to foreign regulators to stop offshore betting sites from targeting local players. Licensed operators generated about R75 billion in turnover last year, while unlicensed activity may total as much as R5 trillion. Offshore sites are often licensed in Gibraltar, Malta, the Philippines, and the UK but operate in South Africa without local approval. The board is working with intelligence agencies, telecom regulators, and police to block access to illegal gambling websites. Shoprite’s chief executive says household spending meant for essentials is being redirected toward unregulated betting. South African gambling regulators are…

TLDR The UK government will raise Gambling Commission licence fees by 25%, ignoring pushback from operators. The decision follows a consultation that received 47 responses, mostly from gambling businesses. Personal licences, supplementary licences, licence variations, and single-machine permits are all affected. The Gambling Commission also received an extra £26 million from HM Treasury to fight illegal gambling. The fee hike comes as the regulator loses its Chairman, CEO, and Policy Director within eight months. The UK government has confirmed a 25% increase in Gambling Commission licence fees. The decision stands despite objections from gambling operators. The Department for Culture, Media…