iGaming News, Trends & Insights

CFTC signals exclusive jurisdiction for prediction markets enforcement.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

CFTC Vows “Full Force of the Law” to Combat Prediction Market Abuse

In a landmark speech at the 2026 Innovation Task Force launch, CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to overseeing the rapidly expanding prediction market sector. While positioning event contracts as the “new frontier of finance”, Selig issued a stern warning: federal preemption of state gambling laws does not equal a regulatory vacuum. Instead, the CFTC is prepared to take “tough action” against any platform or participant engaging in market abuse, wash trading, or the misuse of non-public information. This proactive stance comes as global prediction market volumes are projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. Selig emphasised […]

Hawaii reviews legalised gambling benefits.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Hawaii Legislators Evaluate Economic Gains Against Social Costs of Gambling Expansion

Members of the Hawaii State Legislature have entered a critical phase of deliberation regarding the potential legalisation of various forms of gambling. During recent public hearings, lawmakers scrutinised the balance between generating new state revenue and the potential for increased social harm, marking a pivotal moment for a state that has historically maintained some of the strictest anti-gambling laws in the United States. The discussions centre on whether the introduction of a state lottery, sports betting, or a single integrated resort could provide the necessary funding for affordable housing and Native Hawaiian programs, or if the resulting societal strain would […]

Data supports frictionless risk assessments in gambling.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

UKGC Advances to Analytical Phase Following Financial Risk Assessment Pilot

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has officially entered a crucial post-pilot analysis phase for its proposed financial risk assessments (FRAs). In a significant update published in April 2026, the regulator clarified that the data gathered during the testing period supports a more “targeted and proportionate” approach to player safety, countering industry fears of heavy-handed “affordability checks”. According to the Commission, the pilot results indicate that the vast majority of assessments, approximately 97%, can be conducted frictionlessly using credit reference data. This means that for nearly all affected players, the check occurs “behind the scenes” without requiring manual document submission or […]

EGBA criticizes EU-wide online gambling levy proposal announcement.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

EGBA Warns Against “Fundamentally Unworkable” EU Online Gambling Levy

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has issued a sharp rebuke to a proposal from the European Parliament’s Budget Committee regarding the introduction of a Union-wide online gambling levy. The measure, floated as a potential “own resource” to fund the EU’s long-term budget, has been described by industry leaders as a move that would inadvertently strengthen illegal offshore operators at the expense of the licensed European market. The friction arises from a recent push within the European Parliament, where MEPs have called for a 10% increase in the EU’s long-term budget to support core priorities such as defence, digital […]

Ukraine digitalises gambling licensing with Diia portal announcement.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Ukraine Integrates Gambling Licences into Diia App for Seamless Market Entry

In a global first for regulatory technology, Ukraine has officially integrated its gambling licensing process into Diia, the state’s flagship digital services portal app. This move, spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transformation in collaboration with the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries (KRAIL), marks a complete shift away from paper-based bureaucracy toward a transparent, automated, and paperless ecosystem. The launch on the Diia portal allows gambling operators to apply for, renew, and manage their licences entirely online. By removing the “human factor” from the initial stages of the application, the Ukrainian government aims to eliminate corruption risks, […]

Banner image about iGaming Ontario launching BetGuard.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

iGaming Ontario BetGuard: Centralized Self-Exclusion System Officially Launches for 2026

In a landmark move for North American player safety, iGaming Ontario (iGO) has officially introduced BetGuard, the province’s highly anticipated centralised self-exclusion (CSE) system. The announcement was made during the Discovery 2026 conference, marking a pivotal shift in how Ontario manages gambling harm prevention. BetGuard is designed to provide a “one-stop” solution for players who wish to take a break from gambling. Instead of having to register for self-exclusion on every individual operator’s platform, a process that was previously fragmented across dozens of licensed sites, players can now opt-out of all regulated iGaming activities in Ontario through a single, unified […]

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Landmark EU Ruling Confirms Players Can Sue to Reclaim Losses from Unlicensed Operators

In a decision that has sent shockwaves through the international iGaming industry, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued a definitive ruling regarding the legality of cross-border gambling services. The court has confirmed that EU member states possess the authority to prohibit gambling services offered by operators not licensed within their specific borders, even if those operators hold a licence in another EU jurisdiction. Crucially, the ruling establishes a legal pathway for players to sue these “offshore” companies to recover their lifetime gambling losses. The case, which primarily involved Lottoland but carries implications for all secondary […]

Banner image about the KSA Spring 2026 report.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

KSA Spring 2026 Monitoring Report: Dutch Online Market Reaches a Plateau Amid Stricter Controls

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Dutch gambling regulator, has released its Spring 2026 Monitoring Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the online gambling market’s performance throughout the second half of 2025. The findings signal a significant shift in the market’s lifecycle: the period of rapid, explosive growth following the 2021 market opening has officially transitioned into a phase of stagnation and stabilisation. According to the report, key metrics, including Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), the number of licensed operators, and player channelisation, remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous reporting period. While the market size has levelled off, the KSA notes that […]

Banner image about Gibraltar's defence of its decision to license PredictStreet.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Gibraltar Regulator Rejects “Sensationalist” Claims Over Prediction Market Licensing

The Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, Andrew Lyman, and the Minister for Justice, Trade, and Industry, Nigel Feetham, have issued a firm rebuttal against recent media reports concerning the licensing of ADI (operating as PredictStreet). In a move to protect the jurisdiction’s regulatory reputation, officials characterised the critical coverage as “sensationalist reporting” that fails to account for the technical nuances of the licensing process. The controversy stems from the decision to grant a licence to the territory’s first specialized prediction market operator. While the move was initially celebrated as a milestone for the Rock’s evolving ecosystem, notably highlighted when Gibraltar issued its […]

Banner image featuring Finland's legislative proposal to ban political betting.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Finnish Lawmaker Calls for Political Betting Ban as National Market Reform Approaches

As Finland prepares for a historic shift in its gambling landscape, a prominent Member of Parliament has raised concerns regarding the inclusion of political events in the new wagering framework. Jouni Ovaska, representing the Centre Party, has formally urged the government to implement a total ban on political betting, arguing that allowing wagers on election outcomes and political processes could undermine the integrity of the nation’s democratic institutions. This proposal arrives at a critical juncture for the Nordic nation. Finland is currently in the process of dismantling its long-standing state monopoly, Veikkaus, in favour of a competitive licensing model. While […]