A major step toward regulating online gambling in New Zealand has been taken, as the proposed Online Casino Bill passed its first reading in Parliament. The legislation, introduced by Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden, received broad support with 83 votes in favor and 39 against in a conscience vote, marking a shift in the country’s approach to a market currently dominated by unregulated...
Hard Rock International has placed senior vice president Alex Pariente on unpaid leave following serious allegations of misconduct tied to the company’s Punta Cana casino operations in the Dominican Republic. The suspension comes as the casino giant actively pursues a high-profile gaming license in New York City in partnership with Mets owner Steve Cohen. Whistleblower triggers internal probe: The accusations, which emerged through multiple...
In an exciting move to transform classic game nights into immersive, real-world experiences, Mattel has opened the doors to its first UNO Social Club at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The initiative—anchored in colorful nostalgia and elevated social interaction—is part of a broader campaign to reimagine the way fans engage with the iconic card game. Ray Adler, Mattel’s...
History was made on Sunday night, July 13th, as Spain’s Leo Margets secured her seat at the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table, becoming the first woman to achieve the feat since Poker Hall of Famer Barbara Enright in 1995. Margets’ breakthrough comes three decades after Enright’s fifth-place finish and stands as a landmark moment in the world of professional poker....
Three of the Philippines’ leading integrated casino-resort operators—Solaire Resort, Newport World Resorts, and Okada Manila—have publicly defended their online gaming operations in response to intensifying scrutiny from lawmakers and advocacy groups. In a rare joint statement issued over the weekend, the operators emphasized that their digital gaming activities are compliant, transparent, and responsibly managed under the oversight of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Digital...
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has initiated a preliminary review into the proposed acquisition of IMG Arena by sports data powerhouse Sportradar, launching a two-week consultation period to evaluate the competitive implications of the $225 million deal in the UK market. CMA launches consultation over competition concerns: On 11 July 2025, the CMA opened what it describes as an “invitation to comment,” signaling the beginning of...
New York’s online sports betting market saw a notable dip in total wagers for June 2025, marking the lowest monthly handle since August of the previous year. According to the New York State Gaming Commission (pdf), handle for June totaled $1.65 billion. While that represents a 25.4% drop compared to the record-breaking $2.21 billion wagered in May, it still stands 12% higher than the...
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has unveiled the trio of industry pioneers who will be enshrined in the 2025 Gaming Hall of Fame. David Berman, Ann Simmons Nicholson, and Charles Lombardo—figures whose careers have left indelible marks on the legal gaming landscape—will receive the industry’s highest distinction this October at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas. Launched in...
Reef Casino Trust (RCT) has announced it has entered into a Takeover Bid Implementation Agreement with Iris Cairns Property Pty Ltd, part of Sydney-based Iris Capital, for a proposed AU$177 million acquisition. The offer values each RCT unit at $3.5541—a 17.69% premium on the July 11 closing price and more than 30% above the unit price prior to RCT’s February...
South Africa’s gambling sector has undergone a seismic transformation, with online betting at the center of an industry now valued in the trillions. Fueled by mobile technology, aggressive advertising, and shifting consumer habits, online gambling has not only eclipsed traditional casinos in revenue but also sparked growing concerns over regulation, ethics, and sustainability. During the financial year ending March 2024,...