Latest News
Merkur Increases Stake in Betcenter Group
Merkur Sportwetten GmbH, a subsidiary of the Gauselmann Group, has increased its holding in the Belgian sports betting company Betcenter Group from 50.1% to 74.9%.
Business relations have existed between Merkur Sportwetten and Betcenter for approximately four years. Merkur purchased a share of 50.1% of Betcenter at the beginning of 2018. This holding has now been increased by 24.8%. After the partial sale, Seydi Tekin will remain the managing partner of Betcenter for the long term; Carsten Schaudienst will continue to be active as a board member.
“In 2018, we decided to sell part of our business in order to be able to further expand our business activities in Belgium and grow more strongly as a company. We found an ideal partner in Merkur Sportwetten, which supports us as a technology partner for system bets as well as financially. The partnership quickly brought benefits and we were able to double our turnover in the past two years,” Seydi Tekin said.
“Together, we want to increase the already large footprint of Merkur Sportwetten under the Betcenter brand in Belgium. In line with this, we will further extend the omnichannel product offering (physical as well as online) in the coming months,” Markus Ettlin, Managing Director of Merkur Sportwetten, said.
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Betfair
Flutter Brazil brings Betnacional and Betfair in Copa do Nordeste to promote Responsible Gaming
The semifinal clash of the Copa do Nordeste between Sport Recife and Fortaleza, taking place on May 20 and 27, will feature Flutter Brazil’s brands in a joint activation aimed at reinforcing the commitment to safe entertainment and player protection.
Flutter Brazil, the group that operates Betnacional and Betfair, will promote the “Flutter Brazil Game” during the semifinal ties, with Sport Recife, sponsored by Betnacional, facing Fortaleza, which will feature Betfair’s spot sponsorship for the decisive stage of the regional tournament.
Beyond the on-field competition, the initiative will serve as a platform to amplify messages around Responsible Gaming, balance, and safe entertainment in the betting sector.
The initiative reflects Flutter Brazil’s strategic goals for 2026, focused on brand building, reputation, and the consolidation of a transparent and responsible operation aligned with Brazil’s regulated market framework.
Controlling two of the sector’s leading brands in Brazil, the group recently marked its first year of operations in the country, combining local expertise and regional management with Flutter Entertainment’s global scale and governance standards.
Flutter Brazil emphasizes that responsible entertainment is a non-negotiable pillar and defines betting strictly as a recreational activity, not a source of income.
“The Flutter Brazil ecosystem was built with the purpose of raising standards of integrity, safety, and responsibility in the Brazilian betting environment.
By integrating Betnacional and Betfair sponsorships in a moment of high visibility and regional relevance, we reaffirm that responsible play and balance are not just messages, but part of our operational philosophy and communication DNA,” said Álvaro Garcia, CMO of Flutter Brazil.
Reinforcing its Responsible Gaming agenda and in line with local regulation, Betnacional has developed awareness and player protection initiatives, including the “Play Like a Senior” campaign featuring Vinícius Júnior, focused on safe entertainment practices.
The company also partners with institutions such as IBJR and EBAC, actively contributing to education, prevention, and player support initiatives.
To ensure safety, Flutter Brazil continuously invests in technology, education, and consumer protection. Its platforms offer configurable tools throughout the player journey, allowing users to set deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion options.
The Sport Recife vs Fortaleza activation also reinforces how regulatory progress has increased sector maturity in Brazil, highlighting the importance of operators committed to transparency, innovation, technology, and responsibility.
Flutter Brazil is one of the largest betting ecosystems in Brazil, formed by the merger between NSX Brasil (owner of Betnacional) and Flutter Entertainment, a global leader in the sector and owner of Betfair.
With Brazilian-led operations, the company combines advanced technology with deep local market understanding, promoting a safe, transparent, and responsible entertainment experience. Flutter Brazil also maintains a strong partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR).
The post Flutter Brazil brings Betnacional and Betfair in Copa do Nordeste to promote Responsible Gaming appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Alea
Alea returns to NEXT.io Valletta with Alexandre Tomic joining key industry discussions
Alea is returning to NEXT.io Valletta from May 26th to 28th, with Founder Alexandre Tomic taking part in several sessions focused on leadership, regulation, and the future direction of the iGaming industry.
The week begins on May 26th during NEXT Focus: Start-Up & Investor Day, where Alexandre will join the panel “Founders Anonymous – The Conversations That Don’t Make the Press Release.” The discussion will focus on the realities behind building companies, from fundraising and acquisitions to the difficult decisions founders face as businesses grow.
On May 27th, Alexandre will also moderate “The Day the Lights Go Out,” an interactive keynote built around a simulated regulatory crisis scenario, challenging industry leaders to react live to the sudden shutdown of major markets.
Later that day, he will present “The World Under One Lens,” a keynote exploring how behavioural data at an aggregator scale is reshaping the industry’s understanding of player behaviour, game performance, and global market trends.
Beyond the conference stage
Alongside the conference agenda, Alea will once again sponsor the Ice Bath & Yoga/Breathwork session on the morning of May 26th, led by world-record open water swimmer Neil Agius.
The session has become one of the more unique traditions surrounding the event week, giving attendees a slower start before the pace of the conference takes over.
That same evening, Alea and NEXT.io will host an exclusive CXO dinner at Contessa Restaurant inside The Phoenicia Malta, where selected industry leaders will meet for an evening of conversation, vegetarian dining, cocktails, and live music ahead of the conference opening.
Supporting the Malta community
To close the week, Alea will also attend the BGaming Charity Gala on May 29th in support of DAR Bjorn, the Maltese neurological home founded by ALS advocate Bjorn FormMosa.
“I came to the DAR Bjorn gala last year not knowing very much about Bjorn or the foundation. And then I saw him there, in his bed, while we were all standing on our two legs having a good time. That changes you.
You can’t unsee it. We take so much for granted, the body working, getting up in the morning, walking across the room. Bjorn is fighting for all of that and still showing up. I’m coming back because I believe I have to. If you’re in Malta that week and you’re on the fence, come. There’s something about that room that stays with you,” said Alexandre Tomic, Founder of Alea.
Representing Alea in Malta will be Alexandre Tomic alongside members of the company’s Business Development, Partnerships, Account Management, and Marketing teams.
Event Schedule
- NEXT Focus: Start-Up & Investor Day – May 26
- NEXT.io Valletta – May 27 & 28
- BGaming Charity Gala – May 29
About Alea
Alea is a leading iGaming aggregator, offering a customizable platform that provides operators worldwide with seamless access to over 23,000 games from 170+ top-tier providers through a single API integration.
Known for its innovative technology, Alea simplifies the integration journey and delivers a flexible, scalable solution designed to enhance game variety, player experience, and operational efficiency.
Alea is highly committed to a security-first infrastructure, ensuring reliability and trust at every level. In 2024, the company strengthened its cybersecurity framework through a strategic partnership with Continent 8 and achieved VAPT certification.
In addition to game aggregation, Alea has introduced Alea Pay, an exclusive payment gateway that further optimizes financial transactions. With a strong focus on security, compliance, and ongoing support, Alea continues to empower operators with cutting-edge tools to thrive in the evolving iGaming market.
For more information, visit www.alea.com.
The post Alea returns to NEXT.io Valletta with Alexandre Tomic joining key industry discussions appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
AI
Isle of Man secures Royal Assent for Data Asset Foundations law
The Isle of Man’s Data Asset Foundations legislation has received Royal Assent, bringing into law what the government and partners describe as the world’s first statutory framework for recognising and managing governed data assets.
With Royal Assent granted, the programme moves into implementation. Digital Isle of Man said the next phase includes developing a Data Asset Register, drafting supporting regulations, and building the operational systems needed to run the framework.
A central element is a statutory Data Asset Register intended to record, classify and oversee recognised data assets. Digital Isle of Man said consultation on the register and registrar model has already taken place and industry feedback is being used to shape regulations and operational guidance.
Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said:
‘Receiving Royal Assent marks a proud and historic moment for the Isle of Man and reflects years of dedicated work to develop a concept that did not previously exist anywhere in the world and bring it fully into law.
‘As the first jurisdiction in the world to fully establish a framework of this kind, the Isle of Man is demonstrating what becomes possible when innovation, collaboration and regulatory agility come together with clear long-term ambition.’
Aga Strandskov, Head of Data Strategy at Digital Isle of Man, said:
‘Many organisations already recognise data as a major business asset but have lacked the legal certainty needed to use it with confidence. That’s exactly what this new legislation enables.
‘The focus now turns to building the wider ecosystem, operational capability and practical implementation needed to support the next phase of the programme. The Register, supporting regulations and operational infrastructure are all active workstreams already progressing at pace.
‘For businesses, this creates real commercial opportunities that have previously been difficult to support within existing legal and operational models, from governed AI training datasets and trusted cross-organisational collaboration through to new approaches around data-sharing, financing and value creation.’
John Bottega, President at EDM Association, said:
‘Globally, organisations are increasingly looking for clearer structures around how valuable data can be governed, shared and used responsibly.
‘The Isle of Man taking this step reflects a growing shift towards more mature and scalable approaches to trusted data governance that support both innovation and accountability.’
The post Isle of Man secures Royal Assent for Data Asset Foundations law appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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