After a busy week for the gambling industry, Casino Guru News offers a recap of the most important regulatory updates and business moves from the sector.
Continuing its global expansion, Evolution doubled down on live casino in the United States with Ezugi. This marks a milestone for the former as Ezugi is its second live dealer brand to debut in the US market. As a result, the studio's quality games will be streamed from a dedicated studio located in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
In Europe, Tom Horn Gaming expanded its presence via a deal with Mr Bit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The alliance builds on a strong foundation established between the two companies in 2021 when they joined forces for the regulated gambling market in Romania. Following the success of this collaboration, Tom Horn Gaming's quality content will now reach Mr Bit customers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Business and finance
The world leader in developing and operating international, world-class integrated resorts, Las Vegas Sands, confirmed its intention to quit the iGaming race in the United States. Dropping its plans to bring live casino games to states offering iGaming comes after a revision of the company's objectives. Ultimately, Las Vegas Sands determined that pursuing iGaming expansion in the country doesn't strategically align with its long-term plans.
BETBY, the leading business-to-business provider of sportsbook and iGaming solutions, reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the integrity of esports by becoming an anti-corruption partner of the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC). As a Tier 1 Anti-Corruption Partner, BETBY will collaborate with the Commission with the goal of safeguarding the integrity of esports and identifying risks. Similar to other ESIC members, BETBY will supply valuable insights and information that will contribute to the Commission's goals.
Elsewhere, BETER has further expanded its US market presence by securing a license in Colorado and launching its esports and sports tournaments with bet365. The state gambling regulator, the Colorado Division of Gaming, awarded BETER a Vendor Minor License, permitting the company to immediately launch its content with bet365, a trusted operator with a strong presence.
This week, the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), a leading non-profit association established by operators to safeguard betting integrity, unveiled a new global strategy along with a new logo and slogan. IBIA's new initiative, Mission 2030, serves as a strategic roadmap for the next five years, addressing emerging trends and setting a range of strategic objectives.
Yolo Group has announced it secured gaming vendor licenses for two of its subsidiaries, Hub88 Holdings and Live Online Gaming Services, in the United Arab Emirates. The milestone announcement comes after only recently, the company confirmed that it will engage in a bold transformation of its business and objectives with the goal of growing in the Middle East, a market that holds significant potential.
Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, announced a mind-blowing $2bn investment in Polymarket. The strategic move boosted confidence in prediction markets at a time when such companies are facing scrutiny across the country by gambling regulators.
Regulation and laws
In Michigan, the state gambling regulator, the Michigan Gaming Control Board, issued a warning to licensed betting and gaming operators, as well as casinos, to stay away from prediction markets and similar event contract platforms. Any operator that fails to comply with this request, the regulator said, may face sanctions such as license revocation.
In New York, sports bettors may soon face no restrictions when winning too much. Sports bettors across the country who win more and against the odds often face limits and restrictions. However, a bill in New York seeks to change this and prevent sportsbooks from enforcing such limitations.
In Pennsylvania, the Executive Director of the state's gambling regulator, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), wrote a letter to Washington DC lawmakers, asking them to address prediction market risks. The letter, written by Kevin F. O’Toole, urged DC lawmakers to protect the state's sports betting and gaming vertical that is facing a threat from the fast-growing prediction market industry.
Across the ocean, in the United Kingdom, the country's gambling watchdog, the UK Gambling Commission, clarified details regarding the incoming rules on deposit limits. Initially, new rules on deposit and financial limits will be implemented at the end of this month, while full-scale measures are set to be implemented on June 30, 2026.
Elsewhere in Europe, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling warned against the implementation of further limits on specific casino games. The announcement comes in the context of Svenska Spel's recent proposal to classify certain products as high risk.
Responsible gambling
Earlier in the week, SOFTSWISS announced that its Responsible Gambling team addressed 16,000 responsible gambling cases in the first half of 2025. Such strong results are a testament to the company's dedication to responsible gambling and its support for player protection, compliance and monitoring in markets across the globe.
In Australia, a new ABC Four Corners’ investigation pointed to deficiencies in the way gambling is regulated. The report argued that while gambling regulations can be improved, the real number of gambling harm cases may have been underreported.
The award-winning software company, offering advanced solutions and technology to monitor at-risk and problem gambling, Mindway AI, signed a new responsible gambling (RG) and casino sustainability partnership with Gaming Analytics. The alliance, focusing on boosting player protection, compliance and social responsibility, saw Mindway AI's GameScanner, integrate with real-time AI technology from Gaming Analytics.
The voice of the industry
At SBC Summit Lisbon, Casino Guru News had the opportunity to meet Xanada Investments Managing Partner Vladimir Malakchi and Evenbet Gaming CEO Dmitry Starostenkov, who agreed to participate in the publication's newest format, iGaming Crossfire. Discussing hot topics, the executives were given the option to "Agree" or "Disagree" by flipping a sign.
Earlier this week, Casino Guru News released an op-ed piece by Stanislava Yautodzyeva, the Head of Analytics at 4H Agency. The main focus of the expert's publication was Curaçao's local substance requirements in the context of the jurisdiction's new phase of regulatory development.
During SBC Summit, which wrapped up only recently, Casino Guru News had the opportunity to talk to RedCore's Head of Talent Acquisition, Valeriia Virchenko. In an interview, she spoke about the skills, qualities and competencies people need to get a job in iGaming.
This week, Casino Guru News released an analysis that focused on what states allow smoking in casinos. Smoking indoors is a popular topic, especially when casinos are concerned. Despite many states passing laws to limit indoor smoking and smoking on casino gaming floors, others still permit the activity.
