Compliance Updates
Ukraine’s Evolving Gambling Landscape: Insights from the Panel of European Gaming Congress in Warsaw
The panel discussion last week, at the European Gaming Congress made me feel inspired to contemplate on critical facets of Ukraine’s burgeoning gambling industry, positioning the nation as an appealing prospect for Western European investors. Although unique challenges, including historical financial corruption and external pressures, exist, Ukraine’s European identity makes it an attractive hub for investment. As the country grapples with ongoing conflict, it must simultaneously address customary market concerns such as safeguarding against Russian interference and protecting the personal data of its citizens.
A striking parallel emerged between Ukraine’s gambling landscape and the realm of cryptocurrencies, where combating money laundering and terrorist financing poses significant challenges. The National Bank, equipped with the capacity to monitor financial flows, plays a pivotal role, in conjunction with law enforcement agencies. A comprehensive strategy to combat mis-selling and gray schemes is being executed by the National Bank of Ukraine, alongside the Commission and the Ministry of Finance, resulting in the revocation of licenses, particularly among operators with Russian ties. Comparable license revocations have occurred in several European nations that have issued cryptocurrency licenses.
However, amid the ongoing struggle against these challenges, errors have emerged, exemplified by the imposition of sanctions on prominent Ukrainian industry leaders like Parimatch and Pokermatch. These sanctions have not only significantly impacted the legal gambling sector but have also cast a shadow of caution over Western investors. Notably, the President’s directive to the Cabinet of Ministers, prompted by a citizen petition with 25,000 signatures, seeks to investigate the circumstances leading to the inclusion of Parimatch in the sanctions list of the National Security and Defense Council.
In the wake of the Parimatch case, it’s worth noting that the Cosmolot brand has also recently faced heightened scrutiny, with law enforcement agencies conducting searches and investigations, further emphasizing the need for a robust law enforcement process. Ukrainian Gambling Council, representing 80% of licensed gambling operators, committed to serving its members by actively working on player protection, advertising regulation, and acting as a valuable business ombudsman for the industry, contributing to a more secure and transparent gambling landscape in Ukraine.
As technical impediments are surmounted, the regulatory body demonstrates its efficiency. Critical issues, such as streamlining market access through license issuance, promoting responsible gambling, stricter advertisement rules, and reinvigorating investments, are coming to the fore.
Once the security concerns are addressed, Ukraine is poised to unleash pent-up demand in its gambling sector. This situation will spur investors to contemplate their entry into the market, whether through direct investment, partnerships, or mergers and acquisitions, underlining the evolving landscape of opportunities in Ukraine’s vibrant gambling industry.
Article by Viktoriya Zakrevskaya, Founding Member and Deputy Chairwoman for Communications, Ukrainian Gambling Council
Viktoriya was a speaker at the European Gaming Congress by Hipther, that took place on 31 October at the InterContinental Warsaw. She discussed the emerging Ukrainian iGaming market at the Panel “The Greek Odyssey, La Dolce Vita, La Fiesta Española, The Ukrainian Spirit, and The Portuguese Fado”.
New approvals in U.S. states and applications in Canadian provinces drive Catalist Sports’ latest expansion across regulated North American markets
Catalist Sports, a leading licensed supplier of sports betting content to the regulated U.S. marketplace, has continued to expand its regulated market footprint with new supplier licenses secured in Arkansas and Nebraska, alongside recently submitted Canadian applications in Ontario and Alberta.
Arkansas’ regulated sports betting market is set for significant growth, with major operators including DraftKings and FanDuel entering the state in March 2026. In addition to Arkansas, Catalist Sports has successfully obtained a supplier license in Nebraska.
Following the approval of its supplier license in Missouri, the latest state to regulate online gambling, in December, Catalist Sports is now licensed in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, with two Canadian provinces expected to follow.
These license updates reinforce Catalist Sports’ commitment to serving both U.S. and Canadian regulated betting markets with compliant, high-quality content and services.
“Securing licenses in new jurisdictions and strengthening our regulatory standing is fundamental to serving as a trusted, key supplier to our operator partners,” said James Monk, Vice President & General Manager of Catalist Sports.
“Arkansas represents an exciting next step for us, particularly as major brands prepare to enter the market. At the same time, our licenses in Nebraska, along with applications in Ontario and Alberta, and ongoing license upgrades, position Catalist to continue delivering scalable, compliant, and differentiated services to our partners.”
Catalist Sports’ expanding North American footprint supports the company’s broader strategy to provide licensed operators with premium data, live streaming, and advanced trading capabilities, helping partners maximize in-play engagement, product innovation, and long-term growth in regulated markets.
Catalist Sports distributes official data and live streaming rights from a vast portfolio of events to licensed U.S. sportsbooks. This includes top-tier tennis properties such as the Australian Open, ITF World Tour, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, as well as events across soccer, basketball, and ice hockey, which power year-round engagement for sportsbooks seeking continuous, high-frequency, high-quality live betting content.
The post CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Catalist Sports, a licensed supplier of sports betting content to the regulated U.S. market, has strengthened its North American presence with newly secured supplier licenses in Arkansas and Nebraska, alongside fresh applications submitted in Ontario and Alberta, Canada.
Arkansas is expected to see significant growth in its regulated sports betting market, with major operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel set to enter in March 2026. Alongside this, Catalist Sports has also successfully obtained a supplier license in Nebraska, further extending its reach across key U.S. jurisdictions.
Following its recent approval in Missouri—the latest state to regulate online gambling—Catalist Sports is now licensed in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, with Canadian expansion expected to follow pending approvals.
These developments reinforce the company’s commitment to delivering compliant, high-quality betting content and services across regulated markets in both the U.S. and Canada.
“Securing licenses in new jurisdictions and strengthening our regulatory position is essential to supporting our operator partners,” said James Monk, Vice President and General Manager of Catalist Sports. “Arkansas represents an exciting opportunity, particularly as major brands prepare to enter the market. Combined with our Nebraska license and Canadian applications, we are well positioned to deliver scalable, compliant, and differentiated services.”
Catalist Sports’ continued expansion supports its broader strategy of providing operators with premium data, live streaming, and advanced trading capabilities, helping to drive in-play engagement, product innovation, and long-term growth.
The company distributes official data and live streaming rights from a wide portfolio of events to licensed U.S. sportsbooks, including leading tennis competitions such as the Australian Open, ITF World Tour, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, alongside coverage across soccer, basketball, and ice hockey to power year-round betting engagement.
The post CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Board of Directors convened at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego in conjunction with the 2026 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, marking a critical gathering of tribal leadership focused on governance, financial stewardship, and the protection of tribal sovereignty.
During the annual Board Meeting, the IGA Board formally approved the FY2025 independent audit report, reaffirming the organization’s strong financial position and continued commitment to transparency and accountability to its member tribes.
In addition to approving the audit, the Board adopted a formal resolution opposing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) efforts to regulate so-called “event contracts,” including sports-related prediction markets. The resolution underscores IGA’s position that these activities constitute gambling and fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of tribal and state governments.
“Today, our Board took decisive action to protect what generations before us fought to build. These so-called prediction markets are an attempt to bypass tribal authority and recast gambling as a financial product. We will not allow that. We will stand united to defend tribal sovereignty and the integrity of Indian gaming,” said David Z. Bean, Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association.
With more than 350 exhibitors and thousands of attendees gathered in San Diego, the 2026 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention continues to showcase the strength, resilience, and unity of tribal gaming.
The post IGA Board of Directors Convenes at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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