Latest News
BGC Warns Permanent Industry Damage Following Delay in Casino Reopening
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that the UK Government’s last-minute reversal of plans to allow casinos to reopen on August 1 has dealt a wrecking ball to the industry, from which it may never recover.
The casino sector employs more than 14,000 people across the UK in 125 casinos and a further 4000 in the supply chain. Casinos also paid over £300 million each year in tax before the lockdown.
With casinos across England forced to remain shuttered, the BGC warns that up to 6000 jobs may be permanently lost.
In a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP on July 31, BGC described the decision to keep casinos closed as “highly illogical, inconsistent and deeply damaging to those businesses and the thousands of staff they employ.”
BGC has also rejected the Prime Minister’s categorisation of casinos as “higher risk” during his Downing Street briefing. Casinos have spent weeks and invested millions of pounds to ensure their premises are covid-secure, with measures such as perspex screens, sanitisation equipment and sophisticated track and trace systems, as well as introducing strict social distancing measures and hygiene protocols.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “The Government are swinging a wrecking ball right through the middle of our industry and large scale job losses, which ought to be unnecessary and avoidable, now look inevitable unless ministers act fast.”
“Casinos are a small but fundamental part of our leisure, hospitality, entertainment and tourism industry. They employ over 14,000 people across the UK and indirectly support another 4,000 jobs in the supply sector, and last year casinos paid over £5.7 million in tax per week.
“The ongoing cost of remaining in a holding pattern to reopen is clearly not sustainable, with more jobs and livelihoods being put at risk with every last minute change and delay to reopening.
“The Job Retention Scheme has helped but our members will now be forced to pay National Insurance and pension contributions on top of salaries in August while they remain closed. As furlough payments are phased out, there will be no flexibility for casinos to adapt to the new working and leisure environment and I now fear that many thousands of jobs could be lost.
“We made the all necessary preparations for safe reopening and we were given the green light by Public Health England on the basis of the significant investment made by operators, and having been told by the Government themselves that casinos posed a ‘negligible’ risk compared with the tens of thousands of other places that they have been reopened.”
Powered by WPeMatico
Compliance Updates
Two US Senators Introduce GAME Act to Protect Youth from Targeted Gambling Advertising
U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced landmark legislation to combat the rapid and concerning rise in youth gambling. The Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement (GAME) Act would prohibit social media companies and other advertising websites from targeting minors with sports betting through online advertising.
“The rise in sports gambling among minors, particularly among young boys, is jarring. We know targeted advertising from gambling and prediction market websites can serve as the gateway to dangerous habits that too often become crippling addictions. Our legislation takes a critical step toward addressing this problem before it worsens. Our next generation is our greatest asset, and it’s our responsibility to take the necessary steps to protect them from online dangers whenever we can—which is exactly what this bill does,” said Senator Britt.
“Sportsbooks and prediction markets are treating young people like a gold rush, flooding the internet with advertisements and promotions to hook them on gambling when they’re young. High schoolers, even middle schoolers, are now gambling on their phones as never before, losing real money and creating life-altering addiction. The GAME Act would create a nationwide ban on targeted advertising of gambling to kids, backed with the force of punishing fines,” said Senator Blumenthal.
A 2024 study found that individuals who begin gambling before the age of 18 are 50% more likely to develop a gambling problem, while 1 in 6 parents say they would not know if their child was gambling.
Senator Britt noted: “Years ago, parents could lock the door at night and assume that their children were safe. In today’s digital age, that is sadly no longer the case—dangers can enter our homes every single day through the palm of our children’s hands. Youth gambling addictions could be developing under parents’ roofs without them even knowing it, which is why it’s critical that we help parents combat this.”
Another recent study found that 45% of adolescent boys who gamble see gambling-related content online. Additionally, 59% reported that gambling-related content began appearing in their algorithms without them proactively searching for it.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be responsible for enforcing the law, which would begin one year after enactment. Failure to comply could result in civil financial penalties and injunctive relief sought through the courts.
Under the GAME Act, repeat offenders can be referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which could impose financial penalties of up to $100,000 for each advertisement shown to a minor that promotes sports gambling. In cases where thousands of advertisements are shown to minors, the financial penalties could become substantial.
Senator Britt has been a leading voice in combating the rise in youth sports gambling and has led two separate bipartisan letters on the issue. In October of 2025, she led a bipartisan effort urging the DOJ to take action against illegal offshore gaming operations, which often lack strong age verification procedures to keep minors off their platform. In January of 2026, she led a bipartisan letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging the agency to further study the alarming rise in gambling among America’s youth.
“I’m thankful to partner with Senator Blumenthal in this bipartisan effort, and I hope our colleagues will rally around this important issue so we can get this legislation to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible,” said Senator Britt.
The post Two US Senators Introduce GAME Act to Protect Youth from Targeted Gambling Advertising appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Acquisitions/Merger
FantasySpin and FastDraft Announce Merger to Create the Ultimate Fantasy Sports Platform
FantasySpin, a premier Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operator, and FastDraft, the rapidly growing Best Ball platform, announced a corporate merger. The strategic combination will create a fantasy sports powerhouse offering sports fans an unparalleled, all-encompassing fantasy experience.
FantasySpin and FastDraft booked over $1M in contest entries in the first year. The stage is now set for massive 2026/2027 growth as FantasySpin contests will be available to an expanded population of 330 million people across 38 U.S. states and Canada.
DFS Innovation Leader
FantasySpin, renowned for its groundbreaking contributions to the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) industry, strengthens its market position with this merger. The company’s patented DFS products gamify the process of building fantasy lineups to provide immediate gratification. FantasySpin users leverage skill and strategy to build teams in a thrilling, slots-like experience—sitting at the intersection of iGaming and fantasy sports. The merger reinforces FantasySpin’s commitment to delivering hyper-engaging user experiences and fostering innovation within the DFS space.
“This merger is a monumental step forward for the fantasy sports industry. Our community loves the immediate gratification of DFS, and we recognize the explosive popularity of the Best Ball format. By joining forces with FastDraft, we are giving more than 60 million fantasy gamers in North America the ultimate toolkit to play how they want and when they want, fast,” said Steve “Dakota” Happas, CEO of FantasySpin.
Revolutionizing Best Ball
FastDraft’s proprietary, user-friendly best ball format allows drafts to finish in under five minutes. The platform eliminates the need for constant in-season roster management, waivers, and trades. The merger allows FastDraft to instantly expand its NFL products to the NBA, PGA, MLB, NHL, and other major sports. With the addition of FantasySpin DFS contests, FastDraft users may now enjoy sweating the action across all major professional sports 365 days a year.
According to FastDraft founder Matt Kelley, the partnership is a game-changer for fantasy sports players around the world.
“These two brands teaming up is excellent news for fantasy players worldwide, and I’m thrilled to witness the exciting possibilities that lie ahead as we unite the best daily and season-long fantasy formats on the planet,” said Kelley.
A Unified Platform Vision
The merger signifies a milestone as FantasySpin looks to integrate its engaging free-to-play and real-money game formats across 5 major professional sports, as well as college football and basketball, into FastDraft’s full suite of NFL fantasy sports contest formats. Users will soon be able to deposit and play seamlessly between platforms, marking a significant advancement in fantasy sports offerings. Anticipated integrations include:
• New DFS Markets: 86% of the U.S. population will have access to FantasySpin’s slots-meets-daily fantasy contests.
• Expanded Contest Optionality: Users will have a robust suite of gamified DFS experiences and rapid Best Ball draft formats across major sports.
• Unified Wallet System: A single account and shared bankroll to manage funds across all game types.
• Shared Promotions and Loyalty Rewards: Earn special prizes, promo funds and free-play bonuses regardless of which format you choose to play.
“The sports gaming ecosystem is heading toward a significant consolidation — operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Underdog, and Betr are all competing for the same users, many of whom already have accounts across every platform, and the rise of prediction markets (Kalshi, Robinhood) has only accelerated that disruption and pressure on traditional operators. The companies that survive will be those who find ways to differentiate their product or merge with others, and we built FantasySpin around a truly unique experience — where skill meets thrill — precisely for that reason,” said Steve “Dakota” Happas, CEO of FantasySpin.
The post FantasySpin and FastDraft Announce Merger to Create the Ultimate Fantasy Sports Platform appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Ani Kobaldze
REEVO Announces New Partnership with Esoterica Games
REEVO has announced a new partnership with Esoterica Games, a fast-growing provider of innovative casino content. This collaboration further strengthens REEVO’s aggregation ecosystem, expanding its offering with a diverse portfolio that includes slots, crash games, player-to-player experiences and instant games.
Through this partnership, Esoterica Games’ portfolio is now available on the REEVO aggregation platform, giving operators seamless access to a wide range of creative and flexible gaming experiences through a single integration. The addition of Esoterica Games reinforces REEVO’s commitment to building a platform that delivers both variety and performance across multiple player segments.
For REEVO, this partnership reflects its continued focus on expanding its aggregation platform with forward-thinking studios that bring creativity and innovation to the ecosystem.
Daniel Cuc, Head of Account Management at REEVO, said: “Partnering with Esoterica Games is an exciting step forward for REEVO as we continue to expand our aggregation platform with innovative and diverse content. Their ability to deliver multiple game formats, from slots to crash and P2P experiences, adds real depth to our ecosystem. At REEVO, we focus on giving operators access to content that stands out and performs, and this partnership strengthens our ability to deliver engaging and flexible experiences across different markets.”
Ani Kobaldze, Account Manager at Esoterica Games, said: “We are excited to partner with REEVO and bring our portfolio of innovative games to an even wider audience. This partnership represents an important step in expanding our global reach and delivering high-quality gaming experiences to more operators and players worldwide. By combining our unique portfolio with REEVO’s strong distribution network and commitment to quality, we look forward to creating even greater value for operators and players alike.”
The post REEVO Announces New Partnership with Esoterica Games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Latest News6 days agoStake releases Zoo casino game: a fast, multiplayer Stake Original where players bet on the wild side
-
Latest News6 days agoCloudbet Adds ELA Games to Its Casino Roster in Latest Move to Diversify Content for Global Crypto Players
-
casino6 days agoCloudbet Adds ELA Games to Its Casino Roster in Latest Move to Diversify Content for Global Crypto Players
-
Amusnet6 days agoWeekend Reels | Week 20: Slot Drops & Trends
-
Games6 days agoStake releases Zoo casino game: a fast, multiplayer Stake Original where players bet on the wild side
-
Baltics6 days agoPopOK Gaming partners with Lithuania’s TOPsport
-
Casino Content6 days agoTom Horn Gaming sets 19 May launch for Giza’s Portals slot
-
Canada7 days agoDigicode to showcase Diger Suite at SBC Summit Canada 2026



