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.
Latest News
Where to Drive Tier-1 Sport Traffic in April: Top Events & Promos
April continues the high-intensity sports season, with a dense schedule of matches, tournaments, and decisive stages that consistently drive spikes in player engagement and deposit activity. For affiliates, this creates a strong opportunity window to capture high-intent traffic and scale performance during peak moments.
Affiliates working with N1 Partners can run sports-driven traffic across three products: N1 Bet, RollXO and Lucky Hunter.
This gives you the flexibility to scale on a dedicated sportsbook while also expanding monetization through high-converting casino brands. By covering both betting and casino audiences, you can tap into a wider range of user intent and increase overall revenue potential.
This is especially relevant for partners participating in the N1 SEO Traffic Cup, where timing, traffic allocation, and smart scaling directly impact your final results — and where teams can also drive SEO traffic to sports, expanding their coverage and growth opportunities.
Key Sports Events in April
To help you plan campaigns and scale Tier-1 traffic efficiently, the N1 Partners team has prepared a selection of key sports events worth focusing on this month.
Soccer
April is driven by decisive European competitions and top-league clashes. Quarter-finals and semi-finals in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League, along with key domestic matches, create consistent traffic spikes.
07.04–08.04 | UEFA Champions League | Quarter-finals, 1st leg
09.04 | UEFA Europa League | Quarter-finals, 1st leg
09.04 | UEFA Conference League | Quarter-finals, 1st leg
10.04 | Bundesliga | Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen
11.04 | Premier League | Chelsea vs Manchester City
12.04 | Serie A | Atalanta vs Juventus
12.04 | Ligue 1 | Lens vs PSG
14.04–15.04 | UEFA Champions League | Quarter-finals, 2nd leg
16.04 | UEFA Europa/Conference League | Quarter-finals, 2nd leg
18.04 | Premier League | Man City vs Arsenal
18.04 | Copa del Rey Final | Atletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad
22.04 | DFB Pokal | Leverkusen vs Bayern
23.04 | DFB Pokal | Stuttgart vs Freiburg
26.04 | Serie A | Milan vs Juventus
28.04–29.04 | UEFA Champions League | Semi-finals, 1st leg
30.04 | UEFA Europa/Conference League | Semi-finals, 1st leg
Basketball
The start of the NBA Playoffs marks one of the strongest engagement periods for high-intent traffic and repeat activity
18.04 | NBA | Playoffs
Ice Hockey
April combines regular-season action with the start of NHL Playoffs, where engagement traditionally grows as teams fight for elimination rounds.
10.04 | NHL | Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
18.04–21.06 | NHL | Playoffs
Tennis
21.04 | WTA | Madrid Open
22.04 | ATP Masters | Madrid
MMA & Boxing
Fight cards in April include headline matchups and strong co-main events, which work well for short-term traffic bursts and hype-driven campaigns.
11.04 | Boxing | Tyson Fury vs Makhmudov
12.04 | UFC 327 | Procházka vs Ulberg
12.04 | UFC 327 | Van vs Taira
12.04 | UFC 327 | Blaydes vs Hokit
12.04 | PFL | Pettis vs McKee
Cricket
International series provide steady traffic flow, especially in GEOs where cricket has strong demand.
17.04–23.04 | ODI Series | Bangladesh vs New Zealand
27.04–29.04 | T20 Series | Bangladesh vs New Zealand
Active Promotions Across N1 Partners Brands
To help affiliates maximize conversion and extract more value from traffic, N1 Partners is running a range of seasonal promos across key brands for users. These campaigns give you stronger angles for creatives and help drive higher player engagement.
Fortune’s Gold Lottery (N1 Bet, RollXO)
Period: 09.04–29.04
Prize pool: €85,000 (RollXO) | €100,000 (N1 Bet)
Advent Calendar (N1 Bet, RollXO)
Period: 03.04–12.04
10 daily tasks with rewards for players.
Egg Hunt (RetroBet, Jet4Bet, SlotLounge, Spirit Casino)
Period: 01.04–04.04
Seasonal Easter promo with short-term engagement mechanics.
Race Lottery (RetroBet, Jet4Bet, SlotLounge, Spirit Casino)
Period: 10.04–16.04
Prize pool: €20,000 + 5,000 FS
April Fortune Lottery (SlotLords, SlotsMines)
Period: 10.04–16.04
Prize pool: €10,000 + 5,000 FS (SlotLords) | €7,000 + 3,000 FS (SlotsMines)
Easter Lottery (SlotMafia, SlotHunter, LuckyHunter)
Period: 10.04–17.04
Prize pool: €10,000 (LuckyHunter) | €8,000 (SlotMafia, SlotHunter)
To learn more about the promos, contact your manager.
How to Maximize Results from Event-Driven Traffic
Performance in Tier-1 markets is directly tied to major events. Key matches, playoffs, and finals naturally increase attention and create better conditions for deposits and repeat engagement.
To get the most out of April traffic:
- focus on high-impact matches, playoffs, and finals where user intent is strongest
- align campaigns with match days and key tournament stages
- scale budgets during peak demand windows instead of spreading traffic evenly
- combine sportsbook and casino funnels to increase total monetization
- react quickly to performance data and scale winning campaigns
How Affiliates Can Scale Traffic Right Now
April offers multiple high-conversion windows driven by major sports events and strong promotional mechanics for players.
Drive traffic to key sports events and active promos across N1 Partners brands: N1 Bet, RollXO and Lucky Hunter.
The N1 Partners team is ready to support you with up-to-date promos, analytics, and hands-on guidance to help you scale efficiently.
Join N1 Partners
N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, bringing together 14+ casino and betting brands with strong LTV and Reg2Dep rates of up to 70% across Tier-1 GEOs.
N1 Partners offers competitive terms for top partners, including CPA up to €650-700 and RevShare up to 45%, ensuring stable and scalable performance.
Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners stands out for its transparency, flexibility, and focus on long-term partnerships, supported by a strong product portfolio and advanced retention systems.
The post Where to Drive Tier-1 Sport Traffic in April: Top Events & Promos appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
2RBO Affiliates
2RBO Affiliates Presents Lodur: a Viking-Inspired Casino and Sportsbook
2RBO Affiliates is proud to present Lodur, a new casino and sportsbook brand that brings Norse mythology to life through an immersive, gamified experience.
Inspired by the age of Vikings, their conquests, legends, and spirit of exploration, Lodur invites players into a world where every bet contributes to continuous progression.
At the core of the experience is the Island System, a persistent progression layer that evolves across sessions. Alongside sports betting and casino play, players build and upgrade their own island settlements, unlock new territories, and voyage through more than 110 uniquely themed islands — ranging from Nordic-inspired landscapes to cyberpunk enclaves and eerie cemeteries.
Progression is fueled by Elixir, a resource earned through every deposit and wager. Players use Eliksir to access the Lodur Slot game, where they can win the coins needed to build and upgrade their settlements. Beyond building, landing the right symbols can trigger the Attack feature, allowing players to breach a rival’s defenses and claim their coins.
This interactive layer introduces a fierce rivalry that fuels long-term engagement. Whether attacking an opponent or defending their own settlement, players must constantly evolve their tactics to grow. With a vast world to conquer, Lodur offers a deep and rewarding journey — a high-stakes loop of building and competing that drives continuous player loyalty and forges a lasting bond with the saga.
“Lodur is a product where entertainment and progression go hand in hand. For players, there is always a new island to conquer and new land to explore, ensuring the hunt for glory never ends and the next horizon is always within reach. For affiliates, this creates a high-retention ecosystem where players stay invested in their journey, remain active, and scale in value over time,” commented Aviv, Head of 2RBO Affiliates.
For partners, Lodur is a powerful retention machine. By merging a premier sportsbook and casino with an adventurous Viking world, the brand creates a thrilling journey accessible via both iOS and Android apps. This seamless ecosystem of high-action gaming and continuous progression transforms standard traffic into a loyal, high-value player base, ensuring steady growth and maximum LTV for partners.
Lodur is now live and ready to fuel your profitability. Be among the first to drive traffic to Lodur and unlock a treasury of opportunities with 2RBO Affiliates!
About 2RBO Affiliates:
2RBO Affiliates is a high-performance affiliate program representing top iGaming brands. Built on an advanced platform, it combines modern gamification features, flexible commission models, and a no negative carryover policy to maximize partner profitability.
The post 2RBO Affiliates Presents Lodur: a Viking-Inspired Casino and Sportsbook appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
ELA Games scales up its presence in Europe by certifying a suite of 9 hit games in 5 key markets
ELA Games is accelerating its European expansion strategy after securing certifications for nine of its top-performing titles across five major regulated markets: Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Romania, and Malta.
This latest milestone enables operators in these regions to access a diverse portfolio of proven games, featuring award-nominated mechanics and modern takes on classic casino experiences.
A Balanced Portfolio for Local Markets
With a strong focus on localisation, ELA Games has curated a selection designed to resonate with varied player preferences across Europe. The newly certified lineup is built around three core pillars:
- High-Performing Hits: Titles such as Buffalo Force, Piñatas Festival, and Riches Express have delivered strong GGR growth and demonstrated high player engagement in competitive markets.
- Innovative Mechanics: The rollout introduces ELA Games’ Winpot feature to new jurisdictions. This mechanic, which allows players to control their cash-out strategy, is now available through titles like Zeus Winpot and Rabbit Winpot Deluxe.
- Modernised Classics: Games such as Juicy Crystal and Noble Crown bring updated visuals and smooth gameplay to traditional slot formats, appealing to players who prefer familiar mechanics with a modern twist.
Market Availability
The certified titles are now live across multiple operator platforms, with game selections varying by jurisdiction:
- Sweden: Betinia, Swiper, CampoBet, QuickCasino
- Denmark: Betinia, CampoBet, Swiper, Betoro
- Romania: Don.ro, TopBet, Swiper
- Greece: ElaBet
Strengthening European Partnerships
These certifications build on ELA Games’ growing presence across Europe, supported by strategic partnerships with leading operators. The company has recently expanded in Denmark through a notable collaboration with Stake.dk, alongside integrations with Danske Licens Spil (Tivoli Casino), RoyalCasino, and Casino House.
Further expansion has been driven by partnerships with major industry players such as Betsson, as well as regulatory approval from the Hellenic Gaming Commission in Greece.
With a steadily growing footprint and a portfolio tailored for regulated markets, ELA Games is well positioned to capture additional market share and deliver strong returns for its partners across Europe.
The post ELA Games scales up its presence in Europe by certifying a suite of 9 hit games in 5 key markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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