Latest News
Gambling News Roundup: New Regulations, Big Wins, and More
Millions of people enjoy gambling, whether it is a spot on a horse race or the football results. But many of them are at risk of addiction and must be better protected. That’s why the government has announced plans to update gambling rules for the digital age. These include extra powers for the Gambling Commission, curbs on bonus offers, and affordability checks for online slots.
Legalization of sports betting
The legalization of sports betting in the United States has brought a host of new opportunities for gamblers. People can now place bets on a wide variety of games, and some have even made huge profits from their wagers. This has boosted the economy and helped casinos make money. It is expected to continue growing over the next few years.
Several states have legalized sports betting, and many others are attempting to do so. Previously, most people had to travel to Nevada to place bets on their favorite teams and players. But now, sports betting is available in most states and can be enjoyed by anyone with an internet connection.
In addition to boosting the economy, legalized sports gambling is also helping state governments collect revenue. Over the past two years, sports betting taxes have generated over $3 billion in revenues for local and state governments and over $570 million for federal authorities. Some states are putting all of the money they receive from sports betting into general funds, while others are using it to fund programs such as education and law enforcement.
As the demand for legal sports betting continues to grow, many lawmakers are working on legislation to regulate the industry. Some proposals call for a percentage of the revenue to go towards anti-corruption measures in professional sports leagues, while other states are creating categories of licenses with different fees and requirements. In Illinois, for example, the new laws allow sports books to pay a “master sports wagering license” fee of $10 million to be licensed, and they must use official league data to set odds.
Other states, such as Montana and Nebraska, have ballot initiatives to legalize sports betting. In Nebraska, Proposition 27 will ask voters to amend the state constitution and allow regulated sports wagering. The measure has received support from the governor but will require 2/3 of the legislature’s approval to be placed on the ballot.
In Florida, the legislature approved sports wagering via a tribal-state compact with the Seminole Tribe in May 2021. Once the federal Department of Interior approves the compact, retail and mobile sports betting could launch in late 2021.
Legalization of medical marijuana
In the United States, medical marijuana is legal on a state level in 29 states and Washington, DC. However, you can learn more about the same from Focus Gaming News. The Trump administration has signaled a tougher stance on drug enforcement, but limited Department of Justice resources and large marijuana tax revenues in some states may discourage federal interference. Physicians are able to prescribe cannabis to treat nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy and wasting (severe weight loss) associated with AIDS, as well as spasticity from multiple sclerosis. The FDA has also approved synthetic marijuana-derived compounds such as Dronabinol and Cesamet, as well as the oromucosal spray Sativex for multiple sclerosis and cancer pain.
Legalization of online gambling
The legalization of online gambling in the United States is a complex issue. While the activity is largely legal in most areas, it is still subject to state and federal laws that restrict or regulate different aspects of the industry. For example, states have passed laws that allow sports betting while limiting the types of online gambling platforms that can accept wagers. Some states have even banned online gambling entirely. The most recent development in the US has been an attempt to circumvent these state-by-state patchworks by legalizing online gaming at the federal level.
Initially, the movement to legalize online gambling in the US was focused on sports betting. The 2018 Supreme Court decision overturned PASPA, allowing individual states to legalize sports betting in their jurisdictions. In the wake of this ruling, several states enacted legislation to legalize online betting on various sporting events. The most popular sports to bet on are football, basketball, and baseball. However, there are other popular games that can be wagered on as well, including horse racing and video games.
Online casinos and poker rooms are also becoming more accessible in the US. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware were among the first states to introduce legal online casino games and poker sites. Since then, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan have joined the party, and other states are considering legalization as well.
While some people may enjoy online gambling without any problem, others can be harmed by its consequences. These problems range from financial loss to addiction and even death. In the worst cases, gambling harm and addiction can lead to suicide. As a result, the industry has become more vigilant in its efforts to protect vulnerable players.
In 2022, California will vote on two competing proposals for the legalization of online sports betting. One is backed by FanDuel and DraftKings while the other is supported by California tribes. Both initiatives face an uphill battle. The state has a large Mormon population and many residents oppose the initiative due to religious beliefs. The other major holdout in the US is Hawaii, which has a similar climate and a lack of interest in expanding its gambling regulations.
Legalization of Video Poker
Amid the excitement over the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize sports betting, many states are considering new regulations that could further expand gambling. One example is a bill that would make it easier for gambling firms to monitor the habits of their customers and take steps to intervene when they exhibit problem behaviors. This bill would also allow casinos to sell betting apps and offer a range of responsible gambling products.
The state of South Carolina has a complicated relationship with gambling. Its laws ban most forms of gambling, but video poker is in a gray area because it is not specifically mentioned in the law. It was only able to survive in the state by hiding in a 1986 legislative favor. A tiny amendment in the back of a giant budget bill erased two words in a state statute, allowing video poker players to win jackpots. The state has never formally banned video poker, but it has used suits and lobbying to stymie efforts to pass a ban.
Some states have a better relationship with gambling than others, but even the best-behaved states sometimes struggle to enforce their laws. For instance, the state of Kentucky took a hard line against online poker in recent years and attempted to seize 140 gambling domains. The effort was ultimately thwarted by the court, but the state still maintains a harsh anti-online poker policy. The Kentucky Supreme Court might eventually review the case, but it is unlikely that the state will legalize online poker anytime soon.
Another state with a good relationship with gambling is West Virginia, which has launched regulated sports betting sites. In 2023, the state is expected to roll out a broader set of iGaming offerings, including online slots and table games. It is likely that the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes will launch these sites in the state, though they may face some challenges.
The state of California has 78 land-based casinos and 60 poker clubs. It has also dozens of horse tracks, OTBs, casino cruises, and bingo halls. But it has never passed a legalized version of online poker, partly because of the industry’s unpopular image. A bill that would legalize a statewide poker network was defeated in February, but lawmakers are looking at other ways to boost gaming revenues. They are considering expanding land-based casino machines, allowing players to use their mobile devices, and adding a gambling ombudsman to help resolve disputes between punters and companies.
Conferences
ProgressPlay Celebrates Major Success at ICE Barcelona 2026 and Prepares to Expand Worldwide
ProgressPlay, a prominent iGaming platform provider, today looked back on a transformative and highly successful presence at ICE Barcelona 2026, where its recently launched Dual-Engine Strategy struck a strong chord with operators and industry leaders. The occasion acted as an active confirmation of the company’s targeted vision, creating notable partnership momentum and paving the way for rapid international expansion in the coming year.
The company’s strategic focus on its Standalone and dedicated Sweepstakes solutions was central to discussions at its booth, indicating a distinct market need for more sophisticated and bold partner opportunities.
ProgressPlay indicated a remarkable number of high-caliber meetings with well-known brands and driven newcomers, all in search of strategic resources to develop, possess, and grow their gaming enterprises effectively.
“The response at ICE was phenomenal and precisely aligned with our thesis,” said Itai Lowenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay. “The industry is actively seeking more than a one-size-fits-all solution. Operators are strategists, and they came to us looking for the right engine for their specific ambition.”
Lowenstein continued: “Whether it was the profound control of the Standalone model for building a legacy asset or the agile, acquisition-focused power of our Sweepstakes framework, we demonstrated that ProgressPlay is the versatile partner for this new era. The conversations have moved from ‘what can you do’ to ‘how do we build our future together’.”
Operators expressed strong appreciation for the Standalone solution’s potential for genuine commercial autonomy, allowing full ownership of the player relationship from start to finish, while utilizing ProgressPlay’s powerful technology framework. At the same time, the Sweepstakes category was acknowledged as a brilliant way to access high-growth, engagement-driven markets, especially in areas where combining entertainment with gaming elements is essential.
“ICE 2026 was a defining moment for our partner-centric narrative,” stated Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay. “We engaged with visionary leaders who saw our Sweepstakes solution not as a niche product, but as a strategic funnel for community building and market entry.”
Nahhas explained: “Equally, the Standalone model attracted partners with deep brand equity looking for a technology ally, not just a supplier. The energy confirmed we are providing the essential toolkit for the next wave of iGaming innovation.”
After the achievement in Barcelona, ProgressPlay is now strongly dedicated to transforming this momentum into enduring partnerships. The company reiterates that its robust, adaptable platform is accessible to operators in every market, as long as the operator secures the required local license.
This concept of empowered collaboration allows brands to utilize ProgressPlay’s acclaimed casino and sportsbook offerings, managed services, and unique technology to enter their selected markets effectively and in compliance.
The team is currently getting ready for the upcoming series of significant industry events where they will further promote discussions on growing strategic partnerships.
“The journey continues from here,” concluded Lowenstein. “ICE was the launchpad. Now, we enter a phase of execution and collaboration with the partners who joined our vision in Barcelona. Our platform is ready, our strategy is proven, and our commitment is to be the growth engine for every licensed operator, anywhere in the world, who shares our ambition for excellence.”
The post ProgressPlay Celebrates Major Success at ICE Barcelona 2026 and Prepares to Expand Worldwide appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Ebaka Games
Ebaka Games secures first aggregator partner with Hub88 deal
Ebaka Games has taken a major step in its growth journey by securing its first aggregator partnership with Hub88, officially ending its period of exclusivity with menace.com and opening up to new commercial opportunities.
The new agreement will see Hub88’s network of operators among the first to access Ebaka Games’ distinctive portfolio, known for its original mechanics and bold approach to instant-play gaming.
Through seamless integration via the Hub88 API, partner operators can quickly onboard Ebaka’s full suite of instant games. The portfolio is designed to stand out, featuring dynamic gameplay, striking visuals, proprietary Ebaka game modes, high-volatility mechanics, and generous multipliers. The studio’s focus is firmly on delivering instant entertainment and driving strong player engagement.
Commenting on the partnership, Ebaka Games CEO Vitalii Zalievskyi said:
“It is time to bring Ebaka Games’ genuinely thrilling content to players around the world, and partnering with Hub88 is an important step as we scale our operations. We’re excited that operators can now integrate our games so easily, and we look forward to building a strong, long-term partnership with Hub88 as we expand globally.”
The Hub88 deal marks the first phase of Ebaka Games’ wider distribution strategy. The studio has confirmed that additional partnerships are already in the pipeline, with its content set to roll out across major operators and leading aggregators in the near future.
The post Ebaka Games secures first aggregator partner with Hub88 deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
QTech Games Partners with PEA Gaming to Roll Out More Premium Weightless Games
QTech Games, the top game distributor in all emerging markets, has sustained the momentum in its 2026 pipeline, attributed to its recent agreement with the up-and-coming supplier of weightless games, PEA Gaming.
Lighter than light, this weightless category features games that are under 1% the size of conventional light games. Importantly, PEA Gaming provides the sole games that are entirely compatible on various devices, ranging from basic feature phones to advanced smartphones.
Incorporating offerings from the most imaginative and cutting-edge “weightless games” supplier further enhances QTech Games’ expanding platform, which brings the broadest selection of online games to new markets, featuring both renowned brands and the industry’s most thrilling emerging developers.
The games offered to its partners include well-known favorites and new titles, such as Penalty, Roulette, Hilo, Tusks & Tails, and Target, all of which are supported by robust mathematical modeling and easy, recognizable gameplay.
Participants in developing markets frequently face technological obstacles to participation, including limitations in handset quality, limited access to high-speed networks, or elevated data expenses. Consequently, PEA Gaming’s games are tailored for this particular segment, aiming to address these challenges while maintaining a high-quality product. The agreement further expands PEA Gaming’s global presence, opening up previously inaccessible regions from Africa to Latin America for varied development.
Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “PEA Gaming is injecting a prized weightless specialism into the sector, particularly in emerging markets where network connectivity can encounter serious challenges. We’re integrating more and more “weightless” games for markets like Africa to overcome those ongoing data/network obstacles without sacrificing the delivery of high-quality product.
“PEA Gaming’s keystone is developing easily intelligible and engaging games for all – prioritizing performance wherever you set your scene on the map. These games are indicative of our strategy to bring more agile entertainment options to the QTech Games platform for our partners worldwide.”
Permi Jhooti, CEO of PEA Gaming, added: “We’ve created a new space of weightless games that finally provide an immersive gaming experience to all users, regardless of device and bandwidth limitations. Partnering with QTech represents a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our product distribution across emerging territories and deliver our great games to a range of top-tier partners.
“That’s why we design every game with emerging market players in mind: those facing real-world challenges like basic handsets, slow networks, and expensive data. Our games are purpose-built for this audience, tackling these limitations head-on while still delivering a high-quality, seamless experience. Our approach is simple: create fun, rewarding games without the excess — and it works. By stripping out all the fluff, our games are a mind-blowing 2,000 times smaller than many so-called “light” games, making costly data usage a thing of the past.
“Above all, this collaboration marks a significant step forward for PEA Gaming’s growth strategy in untapped territories like Africa and Latin America where our games will doubtless prove popular since they work everywhere, even in regions where low-end devices and limited network speed are prevalent.”
The post QTech Games Partners with PEA Gaming to Roll Out More Premium Weightless Games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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