Day: ខែ​មេសា 17, 2026

(AsiaGameHub) –   As anticipated, Brazil has become Latin America’s largest betting and gaming market following regulation in January 2025. However, this leading status has come with intense widespread political scrutiny.

In a guest contribution for iGaming Expert, SBC News Editor Ted Orme-Claye provides a full overview of the political landscape facing Brazil’s still young gaming sector – and questions whether the Brazilian government can keep its policy priorities aligned…

After just 15 months of operation, is Brazil’s experiment with fully regulated online betting already on the brink of failure? A recent shift in stance from the central government in Brasilia regarding the sector suggests it may soon be.

President Lula da Silva appears to be preparing a major legislative push targeting online gambling for May 2026. While the plans do not amount to a full, outright ban, they make clear that the president and his Workers Party (PT) are taking decisive action.

The stor…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Advances in big tech have transformed how iGaming players locate their preferred platforms – yet the regulated sector must take action to win back player focus from unlicensed operators that currently dominate social media channels. 

During the most recent Gaming in Europe Webinar, panel members outlined the tactics unlicensed operators use to take shortcuts to connect with players. 

Timothy Malmros Genach, an SEO specialist, cautioned that unlicensed operators have discovered a fast-track method to secure top positions in Google search results. They identify an aged, expired domain with high authority, then flood it with low-quality, malicious links. 

“Once that domain gets penalized, it becomes completely useless. You then add a canonical tag pointing to a new domain, and Google temporarily overlooks the penalty for one to two weeks. When that new domain also gets flagged, you just repeat the process over and over again indefinitely. This is the most effe…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Following nearly a year of silence, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released an update regarding its pilot study on financial risk assessments.

The announcement arrives as opposition to the proposed checks intensifies, with critics calling for increased transparency and oversight of the pilot program.

Originally proposed in the 2023 Gambling White Paper, financial risk assessments were designed as a seamless method to identify potentially harmful gambling patterns.

However, detractors worry that the intrusive nature of these checks will push gamblers toward the black market and undermine the regulated industry.

In its latest communication—the first since May 2025—the UKGC sought to address the growing backlash, characterizing much of the recent debate as “ill-informed or inaccurate.”

A statement from the regulator clarified: “Some reports have claimed that players are already being pushed toward illegal operators because of financial risk assessmen…

(AsiaGameHub) –   mkodo has appointed David da Silva as its new Managing Director, succeeding Co-Founder Stuart Godfree in a change of leadership.

As the Pollard Banknote-owned firm celebrates 25 years in business and continues its growth, da Silva contributes his expertise in product, commercial strategy, and regulated iGaming markets.

As mkodo moves into a new era, Godfree was commended for his role in the company’s development, steering it from a pioneer in early mobile innovation to an internationally recognised technology provider for operators.

Godfree commented: “Achieving 25 years is a significant milestone for mkodo. The company is well-positioned, with established technology, enduring partnerships, and a superb team. 

“Under David’s guidance, mkodo will maintain its innovative edge while concentrating on reliability, compliance, and user experience in the globe’s most heavily regulated markets.”

David da Silva, Managing Director at mkodo. Image: mkodo…

(AsiaGameHub) –   GR8 Tech is preparing to capitalize on this summer’s Fifa World Cup with a series of enhancements.

The platform provider announced that it has improved bonuses, tournaments, content delivery, and provider integrations within its casino segment to drive monetization and player retention.

Lusine Khudaverdyan, Head of Casino at GR8 Tech, stated: “A World Cup can attract significant new traffic, but that traffic is only valuable if players are given a reason to remain. For casinos, this translates to more adaptable bonuses, captivating tournaments, robust content offerings, and provider features that assist operators in converting interest into repeat engagement.”

GR8 Tech elaborated that product-level wagering will now enable operators to direct promotions towards specific casino verticals, such as live casino and instant games, instead of implementing site-wide promotions.

Furthermore, operators will have the ability to utilize the same game across multiple tournam…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Gustavo Petro has suffered a major political blow as Colombia’s Humana government has been mandated to refund “emergency taxes” that were found to be unconstitutionally implemented.

The latest ruling from the Constitutional Court of Colombia shows that judges have unanimously decided that taxes imposed by the administration, including a 19% VAT, must be returned to those who paid them.

This decision comes after the annulment last week of “emergency taxes” authorized by President Petro for 2025, which were struck down because the executive branch failed to satisfy constitutional requirements for emergency powers.

It is estimated that the Humana administration faces a COP 25bn (€5.5m–€6m) liability, mostly related to the 19% VAT on alcohol and online gambling purchases during the decree’s enforcement.

The 19% VAT, which began in March 2025, was widely criticized by the online betting industry as an overreach by Petro to fund healthcare and welfare projects in t…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Tombola has brought back its “arcade experience” to set its offerings apart from competitors in the UK iGaming sector and unlock new revenue streams.

The transition to an “Arcade 2.0 environment” aligns with the company’s 20th anniversary, as the Sunderland-based bingo and casual games operator seeks to build on two decades of growth and innovation that have expanded the appeal of its games among the UK public.

Tombola frames the Arcade relaunch as more than a superficial update; instead, it positions this as a strategic move to boost player engagement in the most competitive segment of the UK iGaming market. Marion Ryan, managing director of Tombola, stated that the group is leveraging its long-standing expertise in responsible gaming and customer insights to craft a product tailored to its users.

“This isn’t just a product refresh,” Ryan told iGaming Expert. “It’s a strategic entry into a market where standing out ma…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Aggregation stands as a foundational pillar of the iGaming sector, enabling game developers to distribute their content across broad global markets and giving operators access to a vast library of titles to attract new players.

Yet the role of aggregators now extends far beyond simply supplying thousands of games. Operators are seeking additional tools and services to help build a more immersive, unique player experience that lifts the lifetime value of their user base.

Infingame is one such aggregator that is rising to meet this demand, delivering extra value to its full portfolio of operator partners and further strengthening its growing positive reputation across the industry.

Confident in its ability to deliver on its promises, Infingame positions itself as the ‘number one aggregator in the space’ and is fully committed to retaining that leading position.

But what is it about the company’s offering that fuels this high level of confidence?

Dmytro Kryvorch…

(AsiaGameHub) –   A federal judge has concluded the fraud case against poker player George Janssen with a prison sentence. The ruling primarily addresses fraudulent loan activities, while a peculiar kidnapping narrative remains in the background.

Key Details

George Janssen received a sentence of 36 months in federal prison and will be subject to 3 years of supervised release.
He is also ordered to pay $908,235 in restitution.
Prosecutors stated that he utilized fabricated documentation and non-existent vehicles to obtain approximately $4 million in fraudulent loans.

Fraud Conviction Issued Amidst Lingering Kidnapping Questions
George Janssen is set to serve time in federal prison following his guilty plea in a fraud case connected to his car dealership, Bay Auto Brokers. According to court documents and recent reports, the sentence is three years, to be followed by three years of supervised release, along with a restitution payment of $908,235.
The government’s prosecution focused on loan fraud, not …

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Rank Group has announced a further quarter of growth and has maintained its full-year profit forecast. Its physical venues performed robustly, while its digital operations provided additional momentum, with management confirming that existing strategies are expected to lead to improved annual earnings.

Good to Know

Third-quarter like-for-like net gaming revenue increased by 5% to £205.4 million.
The Group anticipates an operating profit of £68 million for FY2025-2026, exceeding the previous year’s £63.7 million.
Revenue growth was reported across the Grosvenor, Mecca, digital, and Spain divisions.

Land Based Growth Keeps Rank On Track
The most significant improvement originated from the company’s brick-and-mortar locations. Grosvenor Casinos generated £95.0 million in Q3 revenue, a 5% increase, with gaming machines driving the advance by growing 10% following the addition of approximately 850 new units after UK regulatory amendments. The company is also e…

(AsiaGameHub) –   DraftKings is positioning itself for the Alberta market ahead of the official opening. The company has initiated pre-registration and targets a July 13 debut, subject to authorization from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission.

Key Highlights

DraftKings intends to go live in Alberta on July 13.
The pre-registration process has already commenced.
Users can register accounts now, though deposit and wagering capabilities will remain disabled for another three months.

DraftKings Secures Early Foothold in Alberta
Although Alberta’s market hasn’t officially opened, DraftKings is already securing its spot. The Boston-headquartered sports betting and digital casino provider announced on Thursday its intention to launch in the province on July 13, coinciding with the start of regulated gambling.
Currently, the operator is accepting pre-registrations while awaiting licensing and regulatory clearance from the AGLC. Consequently, while Alberta residents can set up accounts, they a…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Tennessee legislators have advanced HB 1885, further defining a legislative effort targeting online sweepstakes casinos. A unanimous committee decision moved the bill forward for additional scrutiny, maintaining regulatory pressure on the state’s unlicensed gambling sites.

Key Details

HB 1885 received a unanimous endorsement from the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.
The legislation is scheduled for review by the Calendar and Rules Committee this Thursday.
The proposal seeks to categorize sweepstakes casino infractions under the provisions of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977.

Tennessee Advances Legislation Targeting Sweepstakes Casinos
HB 1885 continues to progress in Tennessee following its approval by the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee. The bill is now slated for consideration by the Calendar and Rules Committee. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Scott Cepicky and co-sponsored by Rep. Clay Doggett.
The primary focus of the bill is to address onli…