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 Events has reiterated the 2026 dates and announced the 2027 dates for its flagship SBC Summit, which most recently brought together 30,000 industry professionals in Lisbon. The global event will return to the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and the MEO Arena on 29 September-1 October in 2026 and 21-23 September in 2027.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has ordered stricter measures against the illegal gambling industry by signing a corresponding action plan. While the attention of many European markets undergoing tax reforms is focused on an alternative path currently being explored in Estonia.
Player protection is a complex and difficult topic in a world where regulations and customs differ across the globe. There are tools that operators come back to time and time again, but are they the most effective way of keeping players safe while on site? Those are questions that Simon Westbury, Strategic Advisor at 1xBet, wants to get to the bottom of.
Dutch operators must accept “the human cost of gambling addiction” as the defining factor in strengthening consumer safeguards, according to Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) Chairman Michel Groothuizen.
Romania’s National Office for Gambling (ONJN) has blocked access to Polymarket following a sharp increase in unlicensed activity during the recent elections. While Spribe has responded to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) suspension of its operating licence by confirming that a licensing mishap took place.
Finland’s Director General of Ownership Steering, Maija Strandberg, didn’t rule out the possibility of Veikkaus being publicly listed in 2027 as the dust settles on a new regulatory framework. While Sportradar AG has completed its acquisition of IMG ARENA, staking a claim to being the outright leader in global sports’s biggest data, media, intelligence, and IP rights supplier.
The authority and application of Malta’s controversial Bill 55 continue to be denied by European courts deliberating on whether online gambling licences based in Malta can be held accountable before other EU member state courts.
Despite Thailand’s efforts to restore the flow of tourists from China, the issue of casino legalization has been definitively taken off the table — following a second intervention in two years by Chinese President Xi Jinping. While PAGCOR has highlighted the success of its modernization strategy amid significant regulatory changes, reflected in strong performance driven by digital transformation.
Google has implemented two consecutive policy updates that will directly impact the marketing and visibility of real-money gaming and sweepstakes-style casino products across all regions.
FAVBET Group, one of the leaders in Ukraine’s iGaming market, has reported paying UAH 6.4 billion (around $160 million) in taxes and fees to the state budget during the first nine months of 2025 – nearly 25% more than in the same period of 2024. While Catena Media is now relying solely on revenue from North America operations, officially bringing its reorganisation to an end.
Genius Sports finished on a strong footing in Q3; however, it faced some financial drawbacks by the end of the year. While Galaxy Entertainment Group continued its recovery in the third quarter, with Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rising by 21% year-on-year and 2% quarter-on-quarter to HK$12.2 billion (US$1.57 billion).
Genting Bhd has made progress in its plans to acquire Genting Malaysia, reinforcing its ambitions to expand in the New York market. While iGP has obtained a significant certification to enhance its presence across regulated markets.
Superbet will implement a new leadership structure in 2026 to advance its commercial presence in new and existing markets and complete key technical projects. Effective 1 January 2026, company founder Sacha Dragic will re-assume the role of sole CEO, marking a new chapter in the operator’s long-term growth strategy.
Entain is strengthening its esports vertical across the Baltic and Nordic markets, placing particular focus on Estonia as esports betting volume continues to rise in both regions.
Authorities in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore reported major asset seizures totaling approximately $616 million linked to Prince Holding Group and its owner, Chen Zhi.
3 Oaks Gaming has expanded its presence in Italy after signing a new agreement with BetFlag. While Holland Casino is expanding its slot portfolio for players in the Dutch online gaming market by adding titles from Wazdan.
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