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Gambling News Roundup: New Regulations, Big Wins, and More

Published

3 years ago

June 19, 2023

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.

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Booming Games

Booming Games targets South American dominance with major investment, flagship partnerships and exclusive Ronaldinho content

Published

32 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

booming-games-targets-south-american-dominance-with-major-investment,-flagship-partnerships-and-exclusive-ronaldinho-content

Booming Games, the award-winning game development studio known for its entertainment-first approach and deep market reach, has announced a major strategic push into South America, targeting one of the world’s fastest-growing online gaming markets.

With the Latin American online gambling market projected to exceed $10 billion annually by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.9%, and Brazil’s fully regulated gambling launch in 2025, Booming Games is executing a multi-pronged strategy to establish market leadership across the continent.

Max Niehusen, Founder of Booming Games, said:
“Brazil is the market that will separate the leaders from the rest. Players demand relevance, entertainment, and connection — that’s where we excel. Our goal is to challenge the status quo, partner with top operators, and create experiences that truly resonate. Getting Brazil right sets the stage for global success.”

A Market-Defining Opportunity

South America represents a generational growth opportunity, with 440 million people, 84% internet penetration, and an estimated 100 million online casino players in Brazil alone. Booming Games is investing in high-value operator partnerships, specialist talent, and a fully localised content roadmap to dominate the region.

Strategic Operator Partnerships

Booming Games has secured collaborations with Betano, Betnacional, 7K Bet, Cassino Bet, Brazino, H2 Bet, Esportes da Sorte, Bet365, SportingBet, and SuperBet, ensuring broad market access while delivering tailored player experiences.

Its flagship Brazilian portfolio includes: Fortune Surge Series, Inferno Fortune Instastrike, Fortune Paw, 7 Fruits of Riches, and Monkey Charm, all designed for maximum accessibility, commercial impact, and customisable white-labelling. A growing range of instant games is scheduled for Q2.

Craig Asling, Director of Games, said:
“Brazil is more than a market — it’s a culture. Our games are built to connect deeply with players through localised storytelling, data-driven insights, and real player preferences.”

Exclusive Ronaldinho Content

A cornerstone of Booming Games’ South America strategy is an exclusive content partnership with football legend Ronaldinho, one of Brazil’s most iconic figures with 150 million global social media followers.

Building on prior successes like Ronaldinho Spins and Ronaldinho Scores: Shoot To Win, Booming Games is launching two major new titles:

Ronaldinho’s Streetball Bonanza – a 6×5 scatter-pay slot inspired by Brazilian street football, featuring the Street Skill Meter and continuous high-energy gameplay.
Bruxo da Sorte – a fast-paced 3×3 slot casting Ronaldinho as “The Wizard,” offering x10 multipliers and high-frequency wins.

Dan Paleu, COO of Booming Games, said:
“Ronaldinho bridges global appeal and local relevance. He’s instantly recognisable worldwide, yet deeply rooted in Brazilian culture, allowing us to create games that feel personal to players and commercially scalable.”

Platinum VIP Lounge at SiGMA BiS South America

At SiGMA BiS South America (6–9 April 2026, São Paulo), Booming Games will host the Platinum VIP Lounge, an immersive, custom-built space inspired by Ronaldinho’s Streetball Bonanza. The Lounge offers senior industry networking, premium hospitality, exclusive merchandise, and direct access to Booming Games’ leadership, highlighting bespoke partnership opportunities and next-generation content.

The post Booming Games targets South American dominance with major investment, flagship partnerships and exclusive Ronaldinho content appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Betfred

Betfred Enters into Partnership with BR-DGE

Published

32 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

betfred-enters-into-partnership-with-br-dge

BR-DGE, the independent payment orchestration provider, has partnered with Betfred, one of the UK and Ireland’s fastest-scaling betting operators, to support high-performance payments.

Betfred is using BR-DGE as its payment orchestration layer to manage both pay-ins and pay-outs through a single integration. Now live in the UK, with additional markets to follow later, the partnership is already delivering strong conversion rates, improved speed and resilience, as well as an enhanced player experience at the checkout. At the recent Cheltenham Gold Cup – Betfred’s most successful to date – BR-DGE processed over one million transactions as part of Betfred’s book, over the 4-day event.

As well as gaining simpler connectivity to multiple PSPs and payment methods (including cards, bank-to-bank payments and digital wallets) Betfred will also benefit from layered pre-and post-authorisation real-time fraud and identity decisioning, with a specialist partner integration via BR-DGE. This will support Betfred’s fraud prevention teams in keeping fraud levels in check, while maintaining smooth checkout process for genuine customers.

During major sporting events, when transaction volumes can spike dramatically, Betfred’s payments infrastructure can now scale effortlessly to meet demand — ensuring players experience no slowdowns or payment restrictions at the moments that matter most.

Betfred also benefits from flexible, independent control over deposit and withdrawal flows, with the ability to apply tailored routing logic. This gives them stronger performance, better cost management and greater reliability across every stage of the payment journey — without the operational complexity.

PCI-DSS scope has also been significantly reduced for Betfred. By using BR-DGE Vault, sensitive card data is captured and stored entirely outside of its own environment. This simplifies compliance obligations and unlocks the freedom to route network tokens across multiple providers — complete with built-in failover protection — delivering higher approval rates and a seamless cashier experience for players.

Jacob Spencer, Chief Revenue Officer at BR-DGE, said: “Betfred operates at real scale, particularly during major sporting events, when transaction volumes increase rapidly and payment performance is put under pressure. This partnership gives Betfred the ability to handle those spikes without slowing or restricting transactions, while providing the flexibility and confidence to support future growth and new payment requirements.”

Nick Cockerill, Group Chief Product Officer at Betfred, said: “From the Grand National to a Saturday afternoon football fixture, our customers expect betting to feel easy and trusted. That includes being able to pay and get paid their winnings without delay. Working with BR-DGE helps us support that experience during our busiest periods, so payments don’t get in the way of the bet. Our business can continue to expand at speed, with the confidence that our payments infrastructure is in safe hands.”

This partnership adds to BR-DGE’s growing presence within the gaming and gambling sector, where operators are increasingly adopting independent orchestration layers to support scale, enhance payment performance and deliver excellent customer experiences.

The post Betfred Enters into Partnership with BR-DGE appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BMM Innovation Group

BMM INNOVATION GROUP HIGHLIGHTS LEADERSHIP IN PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION AT THE ITALIAN GAMING EXPO & CONFERENCE, APRIL 14–15 IN ROME

Published

32 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

bmm-innovation-group-highlights-leadership-in-product-testing-and-certification-at-the-italian-gaming-expo-&-conference,-april-14–15-in-rome

BMM Innovation Group (“BMM,” “The BIG Group,” “BIG,” or “the Company”), a global provider of compliance testing, cybersecurity, and training solutions for the regulated gaming industry, has announced its participation as both an exhibitor and sponsor at the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference, taking place April 14–15 at the Salone delle Fontane, Stand No. 3. This presence underscores BMM’s ongoing commitment to supporting Italy’s regulated gaming market.

The Company is also shortlisted for two prestigious Italian Gaming Awards: the “Do the Right Thing” Award and “Best Executive Leadership” for Marzia Turrini, BMM’s Global President of iGaming & Cybersecurity. These nominations reflect BMM’s continued leadership in integrity, compliance, and innovation across regulated gaming markets worldwide.

At the Expo, BMM will showcase its comprehensive suite of services through:

BMM Testlabs – trusted testing and certification for suppliers, operators, and regulators.
BIG Cyber – advanced cybersecurity protection.
RG24seven Virtual Training – compliance-grade, BMM-certified employee education.

Marzia Turrini will also take part as a featured panelist on April 15:

Women Empowerment in Gaming: Leadership, Skills and the Future of the Industry (11:05–11:50)
Exploring the growing role of women in leadership and how new skills and perspectives drive a more innovative and inclusive gaming industry.
Digital Transformation in Gaming: From Compliance to Growth (12:00–12:45)
Examining how technology, compliance strategy, and modern operating models help gaming companies enhance performance and accelerate growth in regulated markets.

Turrini commented:
“We’re thrilled to support the Italian Gaming Expo and one of Europe’s most important regulated markets. With our office and test lab in Bologna, BMM helps safeguard and grow the industry through trusted testing and certification that enables faster time to market while maintaining the highest compliance and security standards. Our cybersecurity and training solutions empower organizations to innovate confidently in Italy.”

BMM Testlabs provides certification across Italy’s gaming ecosystem, including:

Land-based AWP and VLT machines and systems
Retail sports betting and horse racing platforms
Lotteries and instant gaming
Online casino, sports betting, and wagering technologies
Skill games with prizes

Combined with BIG Cyber’s cybersecurity services and RG24seven Virtual Training’s expert-led programs, BMM delivers a complete compliance and security solution, helping organizations meet regulatory requirements, enhance readiness, and build knowledgeable teams across Italy’s regulated gaming sector.

Expo attendees are invited to visit Stand No. 3 to learn how BMM continues to support Italy’s gaming industry with global expertise, local insight, and trusted compliance leadership.

The post BMM INNOVATION GROUP HIGHLIGHTS LEADERSHIP IN PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION AT THE ITALIAN GAMING EXPO & CONFERENCE, APRIL 14–15 IN ROME appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.