iGaming News, Trends & Insights

Announcement of Minnesota's ban on prediction markets in public safety bill.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Minnesota Targets Prediction Markets with Felony Penalties in New Omnibus Bill

The Minnesota Legislature has officially passed Senate File 4760 (SF 4760), a comprehensive omnibus public safety bill that includes a landmark prohibition on prediction markets. The measure, which passed the House 100-32 and the Senate 57-9 on 12 May 2026, makes Minnesota the first US state to enact an explicit statutory ban on “event contract” platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. The legislation now moves to the desk of Governor Tim Walz. If signed, or if it passes without his signature, the provisions are set to take effect on 1 August 2026. The ban is framed by proponents as a vital […]

Announcement urging the financial sector to address gambling harm.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

RGC Urges Canadian Financial Institutions to Strengthen Protections Against Gambling Harm

The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) has issued a formal call to action for Canada’s financial institutions, urging the sector to play a more proactive role in mitigating gambling-related harm. In a newly released position paper, the RGC highlights that banks and credit card issuers are uniquely positioned to identify early warning signs of problematic wagering through transaction data and financial patterns. As the Canadian gaming landscape, particularly in Ontario, continues to expand, the RGC argues that financial institutions must evolve beyond passive payment processing. The council suggests that the financial sector should integrate responsible gambling (RG) protocols into their core […]

Announcement of the UK government's new illegal gambling taskforce.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

UK Government Formalises Remit for New Illegal Gambling Taskforce

The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published the official terms of reference for its newly established Illegal Gambling Taskforce. Chaired by Baroness Fiona Twycross, the Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, the body has been commissioned for an initial 12-month term to identify and implement non-legislative solutions to the growing threat of unlicensed offshore operators. The taskforce is designed to act as a high-level collaborative forum, bridging the gap between government policy, law enforcement, and private sector infrastructure. While the group will work closely with the Gambling Commission, the terms of reference explicitly state that the […]

Announcement of new ANJ data on excessive gambling concerns.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

ANJ Algorithm Reveals Excessive Gambling Accounts for 60% of French Industry Revenue

The French national gaming authority, l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has released a groundbreaking report utilising a new proprietary algorithm to track player behaviour. The findings are stark: during the second half of 2025, approximately 60% of the industry’s Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) was generated by “excessive” or at-risk gamblers. The data indicates that out of the total €2.1bn generated across the French online market in H2 2025, nearly €1.2bn was tied to players exhibiting signs of gambling-related harm. This technological deep dive provides the most granular view yet of the market’s health, following the broader trends noted in the […]

New York issues high-alert warning against unregulated betting platforms.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

NYSGC Launches ‘Avoid Risky Bets’ Campaign to Combat Unlawful Online Gambling

The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) has officially launched a new public awareness initiative titled “Avoid Risky Bets”, designed to educate New Yorkers on the significant dangers of using unregulated, offshore gambling websites. The campaign arrives as the state seeks to fortify its legal market by highlighting the lack of consumer protections, financial security, and responsible gambling oversight inherent in illegal platforms. By utilising a mix of digital advertising, social media outreach, and educational resources, the NYSGC aims to dismantle the misconception that offshore sites are “safe” alternatives to licensed operators. The commission emphasises that while these illegal sites […]

Australia hikes gambling levy for harm prevention.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Australia 2026-27 Budget: Federal Government Hikes Levy to Bolster Gambling Harm Prevention

The Australian Federal Government has unveiled its 2026-27 Budget, introducing a significant increase in the levy imposed on licensed gambling operators. The measure is designed to secure long-term, sustainable funding for the nation’s gambling harm prevention infrastructure, most notably the maintenance and expansion of the BetStop national self-exclusion register. According to the Budget Paper No. 2, the increased financial burden on the industry is framed as a “cost-recovery” mechanism. The government asserts that the commercial entities benefiting from the digital betting market must bear the administrative and social costs associated with player protection and regulatory oversight. Strategic Framework: Funding the […]

Dominican Republic tightens responsible gambling oversight.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Dominican Republic Establishes National Self-Exclusion System Under New Federal Resolution

The Ministry of Finance of the Dominican Republic has issued Resolution No. 184-2026, a landmark regulatory update that fundamentally reshapes the nation’s player protection framework. The directive mandates the creation of the first “National Self-Exclusion System”, providing a centralised mechanism for citizens to voluntarily prohibit themselves from participating in all forms of legalised gambling, including casinos, lottery agencies, and online betting platforms. This legislative pivot reflects the government’s commitment to mitigating gambling-related harm as the digital sector continues to expand. By formalising these standards, the Ministry aims to harmonise the Dominican Republic’s regulatory environment with international best practices, ensuring that […]

Kentucky targets prediction markets in legal offensive.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

Kentucky Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Kalshi Over Illegal Gambling Allegations

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has initiated legal proceedings against Kalshi, a prominent prediction market platform, alleging that the company is operating an unauthorised gambling business within the Commonwealth. The lawsuit, filed in Franklin Circuit Court, claims that Kalshi’s event-based contracts, which allow users to trade on the outcomes of political elections, economic indicators, and pop-culture events, constitute illegal wagering under Kentucky’s strict gaming statutes. The legal challenge represents a significant escalation in the state’s efforts to regulate digital “information markets”. General Coleman argued that Kalshi has bypassed the state’s licensing requirements and consumer protection standards, creating a “digital casino” […]

Congress targets youth exposure to betting and prediction markets.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

US Lawmakers Demand Accountability from Betting and Prediction Market CEOs Over Youth Gambling Rise

United States Representatives Valerie Foushee (D-NC) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) have issued a formal inquiry to the chief executive officers of leading sports betting and prediction market platforms. The letter expresses “deep concern” regarding the increasing accessibility of gambling-like products to minors and demands detailed information on how these firms prevent underage participation. The move signals a broadening of congressional scrutiny beyond traditional sportsbooks to include emerging “event contract” platforms. Lawmakers are specifically questioning the efficacy of existing age-verification protocols and the impact of aggressive marketing campaigns that frequently blur the lines between financial investment and speculative wagering. Strategic Framework: […]

FATF Identifies high-risk channels in Singapore for money laundering.

Yagmur Canel Content Manager

FATF Mutual Evaluation 2026: Scams and Illegal Gambling Flagged as Primary Singapore Risks

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has released its 2026 Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) for Singapore, providing a comprehensive assessment of the city-state’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) framework. While Singapore was praised for its robust technical compliance and strong international cooperation, the FATF specifically highlighted an evolving threat landscape driven by digital transformation. The report identifies scams, cyber-enabled fraud, and illegal gambling as the most significant money laundering (ML) threats currently facing the jurisdiction. According to the FATF, the “complex and sophisticated” nature of these crimes, often involving cross-border syndicates, requires a more granular focus on the nexus […]