The online sports betting industry took a significant hit this week after Illinois lawmakers unexpectedly approved a budget that includes a steep new tax on individual wagers, sending shockwaves through Wall Street and rattling investor confidence. Stocks of major gaming firms tumbled Monday as market leaders scrambled to assess the implications of a late-night legislative move that introduces a first-of-its-kind...
EveryMatrix’s sportsbook division, OddsMatrix, has officially launched the complete version of its proprietary horse racing platform after six months of intensive development. This fully managed solution delivers a robust set of features and capabilities for operators, built on top of EveryMatrix’s advanced technology stack. It offers access to an extensive library of racing content, including more than 10,000 races every month spanning over 20 international jurisdictions....
Golden Odds, a global leader in predictive intelligence for sports betting content, has officially expanded into Thailand by acquiring ThaiScore.com. Known locally for its football-focused platform offering real-time score updates and strong fan engagement, ThaiScore will now integrate Golden Odds’ AI-powered, expert-validated match prediction technology. This marks a significant step in Golden Odds’ wider strategy to grow its presence in emerging Southeast Asian...
Following nearly two decades of legal disputes, regulatory hurdles, and opposition, the Ione Band of Miwok Indians is making significant progress toward realizing its long-planned casino development in Amador County, California. The tribe recently secured a $110 million construction loan from Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. (GLPI), a Pennsylvania-based real estate investment trust, to fund the building of the Acorn Ridge Casino. This new 60,000-square-foot casino will be...
Betsson has officially terminated its agreement to acquire Holland Gaming Technology Ltd and Holland Power Gaming B.V., citing prolonged delays in regulatory approval from the Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA). The original deal, announced in February 2024 and valued at €27.5 million, was designed to facilitate Betsson’s return to the regulated Dutch iGaming market. However, with the KSA failing to deliver a decision by the agreed long-stop date,...
Laurence Escalante, the founder of Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), has initiated a bold move to consolidate his control over the company by acquiring the remaining 30% of shares he does not yet own. The proposed transaction would grant him complete ownership of the sweepstakes casino giant, which is now valued at approximately $3.2 billion. Escalante already holds a 70% stake...
Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has formally submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, seeking approval for a large-scale luxury resort and casino project in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh. With an estimated value exceeding US$2 billion, the development aims to transform Van Don into a premier international entertainment destination and economic hub. Planned for construction in Van...
In a late-night vote just minutes before the constitutional deadline, Illinois lawmakers passed a $55.2 billion state budget that introduces sweeping changes to the taxation of sports wagering. The new fiscal plan, approved strictly along party lines, imposes new fees on every online sports bet placed in the state and introduces the nation’s first progressive tax rate for sportsbooks based...
Macau’s gaming sector recorded its most successful month since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) for May 2025 hitting MOP 21.19 billion (USD 2.62 billion). The figure, released by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), marks a 5% increase compared to May 2024 and stands as the strongest performance since January 2020. It also surpasses the previous post-pandemic high of MOP...
Australia’s financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC has directed two northern casinos—The Ville Resort-Casino in Townsville, Queensland, and Mindil Beach Casino Resort in Darwin, Northern Territory—to appoint independent auditors to examine their anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) protocols. Audit scope to include oversight, risk, and monitoring: The decision comes in response to identified “potential gaps and deficiencies” in the casinos’ existing AML/CTF controls, risk assessments, and compliance oversight....