iGaming This Week: 2025 Week 11 - Wednesday

It's Wednesday, Superstars!

Here are the hottest topics making headlines this week!

?? The online gambling sector in India continues to thrive despite legalization efforts, with a recent study revealing that major platforms received 1.6 billion hits in just three months, and estimates suggest ?2,500 crore in illegal funds pass through such networks each month.

?? In New Zealand, the government's plan to grant 15 online gambling licenses has been met with opposition from SkyCity Entertainment Group and TAB, who argue that this could lead to income tax avoidance and offshore companies dominating the market.

?? Meanwhile, in Brazil, lawmakers are pushing to restrict gambling advertisements, with a proposed bill seeking to prohibit fixed-odds betting ads and limit the use of sportsmen and public figures in promoting gambling services.

Read more below for more exciting developments. ??

Asia

A recent study by Digital India Foundation has shown that gambling and online betting in India is still on the rise despite efforts to legalize them, with four major platforms getting 1.6 billion hits in a span of three months alone. The sector employs offshore networks, digital advertising, and foreign jurisdictions to hide from law enforcement, committing financial fraud and money laundering, with around ?2,500 crore estimated illegal funds passing through such networks each month. To tackle this, the report suggests an all-encompassing enforcement plan, including stricter digital advertising regulation, improved financial regulations, and a government-supported whitelist/blocklist system to monitor online access to betting sites.

In Sri Lanka, the Public Finance Committee is calling on the government to act expeditiously to set up the Casino Regulatory Authority to regulate the nation's gambling industry as it has suffered a substantial loss of revenue in illegal internet betting. Further, the absence of regulation enforcement has seen some $7.4 million in outstanding casino taxes, and the government will table a new bill that will enhance financial surveillance and taxation of the industry. Simultaneously, setting up the regulator is important because Sri Lanka's gaming industry continues to attract unprecedented investment, and the new $1.2 billion City of Dreams Sri Lanka is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2025.

Similarly, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared that her government would postpone the final debate of the contentious casino bill after further thorough study and hearing from the public. The proposed bill legalizing casinos inside mega entertainment hubs has also received strong opposition from numerous groups that hold the perception it will precipitate social vices and destabilize the country. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Paetongtarn has made sure that all these issues are to be addressed before making a decision and that her government will provide transparent reasons to people opposed to the bill in case it goes ahead with the bill.

On a positive note, Digiplus - the premier Philippine gaming technology firm, had record-high net income of Php12.6 billion (US$219 million) in 2024, a 207% increase over the previous year. In addition, this impressive growth was paired with the solid retail game operations of the company and new launch success with the livestreamed games that helped maintain the steep increase in revenues as well as EBITDA. Therefore, DigiPlus announced a cash dividend of Php0.86 per share and remitted Php33.7 billion (US$586 million) in total taxes and regulatory charges, demonstrating its dedication to assisting national development and communities.

Meanwhile, Slotegrator has partnered with SimplePlay, a gaming solutions company that specializes in providing high-standard and technologically advanced games, in a move to improve its profile in the Asian market. Additionally, SimplePlay's large game library boasts more than 60 slot game titles, interactive table games, and fish games, all created on the HTML5 platform to deliver optimal gaming experiences regardless of platform. Thus, the transaction will push innovation in the Asian region by offering superior gaming experiences for both players and operators, while SimplePlay games have been certified by BMM Testlabs to provide assurance and dependability.

Oceania

The SkyCity Entertainment Group and TAB have opposed the New Zealand government's move to grant 15 online gambling licenses, anticipating income tax avoidance and offshore companies dominating the market. Furthermore, SkyCity has asked the government to issue five licenses to companies with a presence in New Zealand, while TAB has proposed five to seven licenses to New Zealand-based firms. But Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has dismissed such calls, saying she is eager to have a level and regulated market where any operator can bid for a license irrespective of their status in New Zealand.

In Australia, The Star Entertainment Group has been offered an unsolicited, non-binding offer by Bally's Corporation for a $158 million capital raising through the issue of convertible notes. Further, Bally's offer would see the company take a 50.1% controlling interest in The Star, and it has pledged to underwrite the entire capital raising with existing shareholders invited to subscribe on a pro rata basis. In the meantime, The Star Board is considering the offer but has warned that there is no guarantee that the offer will go any further, as it weighs the potential advantages and consequences of Bally's investment.

Meanwhile, Australian gaming industry has been warned by former head of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Michael Phelan, against too much taxation and over-regulation, as it is driving punters into the hands of illegal operators. According to Phelan, high regulation and taxation are also likely to make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to monitor the industry, thus opening up a fertile ground for organized crime and illicit financial transactions. Thus, Phelan recommends a concerted action by stakeholders towards creating a fair regulatory climate lest a non-sustainable legitimate market compels competitors to unregulated and dangerous options.

Americas

In Brazil, Senator Styvenson Valentim has introduced a bill to prohibit fixed-odds betting advertisements, with the argument that gambling operators are not adhering to marketing regulations, especially in youths. The bill of amendment also seeks to prohibit gambling ads on all media outlets, taking advantage of current restrictions that compel betting advertisements to bear an '18+' logo and prohibit special offers to youths and children. Meanwhile, the bill was backed by Senator Carlos Portinho, who also tabled further amendments to limit gambling advertising on the radio, in the press, and on the internet, and prohibit the use of sportsmen and public figures for gambling advertising.

In the US, White Hat Studios released Jackpot Royale Express, a progressive jackpot network which is new for the US iGaming industry and offers more regular, though lower jackpot awards. In addition, the Jackpot Royale Express network has also been optimized to maximize player tension and play based on a particular set of player tastes and in addition to the current Jackpot Royale network. Hence, White Hat Studios will be releasing further Jackpot Royale Express titles throughout 2025, beginning with Rick and Morty Strike Back in Michigan, to give US operators a full range of promotional tools and class-leading slots.

Meanwhile, OddsMatrix has partnered with nVenue to expand its footprint in the US micro-betting market, and to provide its customers with an expanded number of betting options. Furthermore, as part of the agreement, OddsMatrix will incorporate nVenue's award-winning micro-markets solutions for top US sports, while providing nVenue's large client base with access to its own Fast Markets solution. In doing so, drawing on their combined experience, the two businesses seek to take advantage of increasing US demand for micro-betting, a product that is stimulating participation and top-line growth for the sports betting industry.

Similarly, Gaming Corps has entered into an agreement with ODDSworks to distribute its game content in North and Latin America through the BetGuard platform, thereby expanding its footprint in the expanding North American iGaming market. In addition, the agreement provides that Gaming Corps' six game engines will be live in major US jurisdictions such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania and in targeted Latin American and Canadian jurisdictions. Gaming Corps anticipates increasing access to its diversified set of games to the operators and players in regulated jurisdictions due to this deal, which could have potential significant beneficial effects on its revenues.

On the other hand, there is an ongoing battle regarding whether prediction markets are legal in the US. A cease-and-desist letter was sent by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to Kalshi, a prediction market website, ordering it to stop all illegal activity in the state. The issue is at the center of what constitutes legal, regulated gaming in the US and the role President Trump and his administration played in shaping the landscape for prediction markets and cryptocurrency. In the meantime, this debate is expected to redefine the US iGaming industry, with other stakeholders, including Native American tribes, lining up to weigh in on the validity of prediction markets and their potential impact on sports betting and traditional gaming models.

Europe

The award-winning game developer, Pragmatic Play has expanded its sportsbook coverage to include greyhound racing, offering over 100,000 events from 80 tracks worldwide to its operators. Furthermore, the addition of greyhound racing is expected to be significant for the UK market, where the sport is particularly popular, and complements the company's recent introduction of horse racing and football player markets. Consequently, with this new offering, Pragmatic Play aims to strengthen its position in the sports betting industry, with greyhound racing being a key market for operators in the UK and beyond.

Meanwhile, Amarix a mobile-first slot and crash game provider has unveiled a range of innovative features to enhance its iGaming platform, including customizable game options, dynamic tournaments, and a flexible bonus system. Additionally, these updates are designed to improve player engagement, increase retention, and provide operators with the tools to create unique and personalized gaming experiences. Consequently, by introducing these new features, Amarix aims to support its partners in delivering exceptional player experiences and driving long-term growth, as stated by CEO Aleksandra Mouton.

Regarding regulations, the Great British Gambling Commission has launched a consultation to provide clarity and consistency on deposit limits for consumers. Moreover, the consultation aims to address the potential confusion surrounding explicit deposit limits and the use of "net" deposit limits, which factor in withdrawals and can be misleading for customers. Meanwhile, the consultation, which runs until April 30, seeks to define and communicate deposit limits clearly to customers, addressing the issue of similar descriptions for different types of limits that can cause confusion.

Thanks for joining me for this edition of iGaming This Week.