SBC Eurasia Editorial Team is happy to present a quick recap of the gambling industry events, news, regulations, and partnerships that happened last week.
SBC Awards Europe brought the industry together to recognise the people and companies driving progress and setting new standards in sports betting and gaming across Europe. While SBC Summit 2025 introduces a Latin America & Brazil track, further aligning its conference strategy with the global nature of the event, which is set to welcome 30,000 attendees from around the world this September.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has stated that Bill No. 55 does not shield Maltese operators from legal action in EU member states, amid an escalating dispute with the European Union. While some countries are on their way to be taken off the EU AML risk list, including Gibraltar and the UAE – two hotspots for the gambling sector.
Policymakers in Bulgaria have drafted a proposal to tighten control of consumer online gambling spend and behaviour. While the Church of Romania is taking an active part in shaping the country’s national problem gambling strategy.
Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has officially announced the introduction of a new Provisional Measure that increases the tax rate on gross gaming revenue (GGR) from online betting from 12% to 18% — a 50% hike. While Cambodia’s gambling sector has come under pressure amid an escalating border conflict with Thailand.
Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR has unveiled a new website that allows the general public to check the legitimacy of online gaming operators. While InPlay Matrix has announced that it has further expanded its customer portfolio in a deal with Philippines operator SG8.
The Korean government is facing pressure to establish a new task force focused on addressing gambling abroad by Korean nationals. While Japan has asked the governments of Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Gibraltar, Anjouan Island (Comoros), Curacao (Netherlands), and Isle of Man to block Japanese citizens’ access to online casino sites licensed in those countries as part of a crackdown on online gambling.
The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has conducted a major crackdown on influencers promoting illegal gambling operators. While the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has penalised Tabcorp Holdings with a penalty in excess of AUS $4m for spamming VIP players.
PointsBet’s board has firmly rejected the proposal made by Betr, the trading name of BlueBet, setting the stage for MIXI to become the new owner of the Australian betting group. The decision comes after MIXI made a AU$1.20 per share offer for PointsBet earlier this month, valuing the Melbourne-based enterprise at AUS$402m (€226m), $42m higher than a proposal received from Betr in May.
Raketech has announced the appointment of Kathryn Baker as Chair of the Board following Ulrik Bengtsson’s departure to Sun International. While MGM Resorts International has announced the appointment of Mattias Wedar as the new CEO of LeoVegas.
Entain and MGM Resorts International have maintained profitable momentum with their BetMGM joint venture going into Q2.
Sportradar has secured the exclusive rights to distribute betting data and non-exclusive media content during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 through a partnership with DAZN – broadcaster of the ongoing tournament. Additionally, Betano has become the official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 for the South American region.
As has been the case consistently since 2019, the Premier League stands out as the biggest market for Britain’s bookmakers, and in turn bet365, AK Bets and BetMGM seem to stand out as this year’s big operator winners. Moreover, BoyleSports has formed an alliance with West Ham United to appear on the Premier League side’s shirts for the upcoming 2025/26 season, according to reports.
GR8 Tech is leveraging its partnership with world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to maximise engagement ahead of his next bout. While International Game Technology (IGT) has announced its rebrand as Brightstar Lottery as the firm looks to become a “premier pure play lottery business”.
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