iGaming This Week: 2025 Week 10 - Wednesday

Good morning, superstars!

The iGaming industry is abuzz with significant developments, these include:

The Philippine government's impending review of Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs) and their potential social impact on financially vulnerable citizens.

Meanwhile, major deals are unfolding, such as Japanese technology giant 株式会社MIXI 's planned acquisition of Australian betting company PointsBet for $220.80 million, pending approvals.

In other news, industry veteran Catie Di Stefano has taken the reins as Marketing Director of iGaming agency Vegas Kings , bringing over a decade of experience to drive business growth and innovation in the sector.

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Asia

The Philippine government is set to review the operations of Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs), following the recent ban on POGOs, and Senate President Francis Escudero has called for an examination of the sector's potential social impact, citing concerns over its effects on financially vulnerable Filipinos, but the government's next move is being closely watched, as PIGOs may face increased regulation or even a ban similar to that of POGOs.

Meanwhile, Thailand's latest casino bill has been revised to remove the $1.5 million deposit requirement for local gamblers, instead requiring them to have submitted tax returns for the past three years to access casinos, and the bill aims to prohibit online gambling and live streaming of gambling activities, including provisions for identity verification and regulation of gambling activities within entertainment complexes.

The cabinet is expected to review the Thai bill on March 11th, despite opposition from protest groups who argue that it would be harmful to society, and this development is being scrutinized in conjunction with the Philippine government's review of PIGOs, as both countries navigate the complex issues surrounding gambling regulation.

The CGMC has set up 13 onsite offices within licensed casinos across Cambodia to ensure compliance with the Law on the Management of Commercial Gambling, and these offices will oversee casino operations, provide guidance to operators, and establish a Casino Management System to strengthen administrative procedures and uphold national and international standards.

The initiative is part of Cambodia's efforts to enhance the regulation and transparency of its gambling sector, moving from a largely unregulated environment to a more structured framework, but meanwhile, in a landmark ruling, Malaysia's Federal Court has rejected the enforceability of overseas casino credit debt, siding with a prominent businessman in a dispute with NagaCorp over alleged gambling debts.

This decision sets a significant precedent for similar cases in Malaysia, solidifying the country's position on not recognizing or enforcing gambling-related debts, and consequently, it highlights the differing approaches of Cambodia and Malaysia in regulating and enforcing their respective gambling sectors.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is hopeful that legislation to legalize basketball betting in Hong Kong will be passed by September, potentially generating HK$30 billion ($3.86 billion) in annual revenue, and this move is expected to require an infrastructure investment of HK$1-2 billion ($129-257 million) while yielding HK$1.5 billion ($193 million) in yearly tax revenue for the government after four years. Meanwhile, the proposed framework for basketball betting would follow the existing model for football betting, with a 50% duty on net betting revenue, and could divert 30-40% of illegal betting turnover to legitimate channels, but the success of this venture will depend on various factors, including the response of illegal betting operators.

Additionally, the trend of increasing betting revenue is not unique to Hong Kong, as China's lottery sales reached a 40-year high of $85.8 billion in 2024, representing a 7.6% increase from the previous year, and this growth was driven primarily by the country's sports lottery market, which accounted for 66% of total sales.

Japanese technology giant 株式会社MIXI has agreed to acquire Australian betting company PointsBet for A$353 million ($220.80 million) in cash, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, and this deal, which values PointsBet at A$1.06 ($0.66) per share, has been endorsed by the PointsBet board. However, rival BlueBet has submitted a competing offer of A$340 million to A$380 million ($212.55 million to $237.15 million) in cash and scrip, but the acquisition, expected to be finalized by mid-June 2025, would still mark MIXI's expansion into the Australian betting market.

Meanwhile, Lottomatica Group S.p.A. has reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, with record-breaking performance across key business segments, including a 23% year-over-year increase in total revenue to €2 billion, and the company has set ambitious guidance for 2025, with projected revenue between €2.32 billion and €2.37 billion.

SPAYZ.io is targeting Africa with its innovative payment solutions, aiming to streamline financial transactions and capitalize on the region's growing demand for digital payments, and the company's plans for Africa include attending SIGMA Africa, expanding into new markets like Cameroon, and building on its existing presence in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. Meanwhile, GR8 Tech has formed a strategic partnership with Betting Software (BSW) to broaden its presence in the Asian and Latin American markets through the integration of its cutting-edge Sportsbook iFrame Solution, which enables the company to extend its reach to a wider audience of operators, and this collaboration is expected to equip operators with a top-notch solution to elevate their sportsbook offerings.

As a result, both companies are well-positioned for growth, with SPAYZ.io poised to tap into the African digital payments market, which is expected to reach $236.06 billion in 2025, and GR8 Tech set to enhance the player experience for operators in Asia and Latin America by leveraging the iFrame's robust features, including a vast content library and advanced risk management capabilities.

THNDR has introduced a new Blackjack game that utilizes the Bitcoin Lightning Network to improve player engagement and address liquidity issues, and this innovative game offers instant payouts and a robust betting network, ensuring seamless player matching and minimizing unfilled wagers, thereby combining skill-based competition with cutting-edge technology to drive player retention, revenue growth, and market expansion for iGaming operators and aggregators. Meanwhile, Million Games has unveiled Chicken X, a thrilling casino game that combines arcade-style gameplay with high-stakes betting, and with its innovative features, including five difficulty levels and a strategic cash-out system, Chicken X offers an exciting and rewarding experience for players.

Overall, both THNDR? 's Blackjack and Million Games' Chicken X are poised to revolutionize the iGaming industry, as they bring fresh takes on casino gaming, blending nostalgia with high-stakes excitement, and offering maximum payouts, such as Chicken X's 10,000x payout, to attract and retain players.

Betano , a leading global operator, has launched MGA Games content in Portugal and Belgium, expanding its gaming offerings in these markets, and this launch is part of a series of recent partnerships and content releases in the gaming industry, including collaborations with Push Gaming, Amusnet, and Gaming Corps. On the other hand, Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has announced the launch of Betzone in the UK, its second successful launch in the country in just two months, leveraging its powerful CoreX iGaming platform, which showcases GiG's expanding footprint in the UK market and its ability to deliver high-quality solutions.

As a result, while Betano is enhancing the gaming experience for its customers in Portugal and Belgium with a wider range of exciting games, GiG is driving growth and establishing Betzone as a major player in the highly competitive UK online betting market through its innovative platform and partnership.

OddsMatrix has strengthened its live betting offerings through a partnership with micro-market specialist Kero Gaming, expanding its platform with new football-focused micro-markets, and this integration enhances its existing live betting coverage, which already spans over 170,000 monthly events, providing operators with instant betting options on key in-game moments. At the same time, Elantil has also expanded its online marketplace by partnering with Altenar, a leading sports betting software provider, to offer a seamless and flexible sportsbook solution to operators, which marks a significant milestone for Elantil as Altenar becomes the first online sportsbook to be featured in its marketplace.

By combining forces with Kero Gaming and similarly Elantil partnering with Altenar, both companies aim to create a more immersive and engaging experience for their clients, further solidifying their positions as leading providers in the iGaming industry, while driving growth and adding value for operators.

In the US, Fanatics , a leading online sportsbook and iCasino operator, has partnered with Intelitics to leverage its data and AI-driven marketing platform and enhance player acquisition and retention efforts. This collaboration enables Fanatics to optimize its performance marketing activity across its 22 regulated states in the US, utilizing Intelitics' cutting-edge technology to track and analyze customer engagement in real-time. By teaming up with Intelitics, Fanatics aims to strengthen its position in the competitive US market, driving customer growth and retention through data-driven marketing strategies.

Catie Di Stefano has been named the new Marketing Director of Vegas Kings , a leading iGaming creative and development agency, where she will leverage her expertise to drive business growth, and concurrently, she brings over 10 years of experience in the gaming industry to her new role, with a strong background in content marketing, digital transformation, and gaming operations. At the same time, Cherry Play has enhanced its leadership team with the appointment of Daniela Fricchione as Commercial Account Director, poised to drive the company's growth and success, and she will play a key role in developing and implementing strategic plans to expand Cherry Play's presence in the industry. Whilst Di Stefano will be focusing on helping Vegas Kings expand its global reach, Fricchione will be utilizing her skills to build strong partnerships, optimize internal processes, and capitalize on Cherry Play's innovative subscription-based model.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has continued its crackdown on underage gambling, with the Victorian Amateur Turf Club being fined $7,000 for allowing a child to enter a poker machine area. The regulator's CEO, Annette Kimmitt AM , warned venues that they must ensure children cannot enter gambling areas or participate in gambling activities, and that staff must be trained to supervise the area.

The fine follows an incident at the Peninsula Club in Dromana, where a child was able to use poker machines on two separate occasions, highlighting the need for stricter controls to protect children from the risks of gambling.

ALT Sports Data, Inc. has been named the Official Betting Data Supplier for Formula 1 , marking a significant step forward in the sport's betting landscape, and subsequently, this partnership will introduce advanced betting solutions, including real-time analytics and proprietary data, to enhance the fan experience and create new wagering opportunities. In a separate development, UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has partnered with SPRIBE as a brand ambassador for its popular crash game Aviator, which is a key component of SPRIBE's broader agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship , aiming to increase Aviator's visibility and attract new players to the game's massive user base. Nonetheless, both partnerships share a common goal, as Formula 1 and ALT Sports Data, as well as SPRIBE and the UFC, join forces to drive engagement and innovation, revolutionizing their respective industries and expanding their reach in the global sports and entertainment market.

SOFTSWISS has announced a partnership with @Eduardo Barrichello, a talented young driver, to support his participation in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, and as part of the Racing Spirit of Leman team, Barrichello will drive an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3, with the SOFTSWISS brand prominently featured on his racing gear and vehicle. Whilst this development is unfolding, kwiff, a sports betting service, is separately sponsoring Millwall Football Club in their upcoming FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, which will be broadcast live on BBC One, as the company seeks to raise brand awareness across the UK and Ireland.

Nonetheless, these two separate initiatives underscore the growing involvement of technology and gaming companies in the world of sports, with SOFTSWISS demonstrating its commitment to supporting emerging talent in motorsports, and kwiff bringing its "Supercharged" betting experience to a wider audience through its sponsorship of Millwall FC.

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