Category: iGame

(AsiaGameHub) –   Betsson is opting to avoid several major Western European gambling hubs due to recent regulatory shifts and operational hurdles, according to CEO Pontus Lindwall.

During a recent appearance on the iGaming Daily podcast, Lindwall discussed the company’s first-quarter financial results. Total group revenue for the period fell 3% year-on-year to €285.3m, compared to €294m in Q1 2025.

B2B earnings saw a sharp decline to €51m from €90m in the prior year’s quarter, while B2C revenue grew by 15%.

Despite the overall dip, Betsson saw double-digit year-on-year growth in both Western Europe (€61.3m) and Latin America (€93m), maintaining momentum in those regions despite broader challenges.

Lindwall remarked: “The Latin American market is somewhat behind Europe in its development cycle. This means online gaming hasn’t fully penetrated the region yet, leading us to believe there is significant structural growth potential in many of these markets movin…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Social media platforms are growing increasingly saturated with anonymous accounts sharing the same viral clips.

At first glance, there may seem to be no clear pattern to why these accounts post identical videos. But a closer look reveals an entire industry of “clippers”, who are paid to edit and distribute content across social media platforms, with their earnings directly tied to the number of views each clip receives.

Anthony Fujiwara, Founder of Clipping, one of the companies leading the industrialization of this content strategy, told Forbes that top-earning clippers can make between $30,000 and $40,000 per month.

Clipping can charge clients as little as a few cents per million views, meaning advertising costs through this clipping model are far lower than through other traditional advertising channels. Brands or content creators will often share content via Google Drive for clippers to download and repost through their own personal accounts.

He stated in his intervi…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Amusnet is making a powerful impact across the Baltics following a new partnership with the Lithuanian Muay Thai and kickboxing tournament, UTMA 18.

This alliance saw the supplier back the UTMA 18 event, hosted at Kaunas’s Žalgiris Arena in Lithuania. With over 13,000 spectators and a main event where Sergej Maslobojev defeated Ignas Pauliukevičius, Amusnet has further extended its influence throughout the Baltic region.

In addition to its on-site visibility, Amusnet contributed to conversations on the official UTMA podcast, addressing subjects like the evolution of combat sports and the expectations of today’s viewers.

Liliya Chatalbasheva, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Amusnet, stated: “As backers of UTMA events locally, we concentrate on projects that enhance the link between sport and spectator experience on a large scale.

“Our expansion in the Baltics is founded on partnerships built on trust, ongoing commitment, and significant interaction…

(AsiaGameHub) –   With only one month left, the highly anticipated Casino Guru Awards 2026 are entering their final stage, recognizing brands, initiatives, and individuals who are driving transparency, fairness, and significant progress within the global iGaming sector.

The Casino Guru Awards, organized by Casino Guru, have established themselves as a standard for trust and responsibility in online gambling. In contrast to conventional industry honors, these awards celebrate those who go beyond mere marketing statements, acknowledging contributors across the ecosystem who actively enhance player protection, effectively resolve issues, and contribute to elevating industry standards.

A distinct form of industry recognition

Central to the Awards is Casino Guru’s enduring mission: to create a safer online gambling environment for players worldwide. Winners are determined through a combination of data-driven assessments and expert evaluations, leveraging the platform’s extensive database,…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Authorities in Japan are considering all available measures, including the potential implementation of website blocking, as illegal gambling activities in 2025 have reached unprecedented levels.

According to reports from The Japan News, these proposals are currently under discussion by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry and have been recognized as a viable strategy for reducing participation in online gambling platforms.

However, there are ongoing concerns that enacting these measures could contravene provisions within Japan’s constitution pertaining to the ‘secrecy of any means of communication’.

Consequently, the Ministry views website blocking as a measure of last resort, to be employed only if other strategies prove ineffective in combating online gambling.

Last week, the National Police Agency reported that enforcement actions were taken against 317 individuals in 2025, marking a record high since data collection began in 2018. Among thes…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Following a Polymarket case connected to Nicolas Maduro that led to criminal charges against a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, federal and state officials are tightening restrictions on prediction market trading by public employees.

Good to Know

DOJ reports Gannon Ken Van Dyke earned roughly $400,000 from trading on Polymarket.
The trades were linked to the January capture of Nicolas Maduro.
New York now prohibits state employees from using confidential information in event contracts.

The Maduro Case Becomes a Test for Prediction Market Rules
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was the first to act on regulations for public employees this week, signing an executive order that bans state workers from using confidential information to trade event contracts. The White House had already warned its own staff against similar conduct on prediction market platforms. Hochul said:
“Profiting from bets using insider information is straightforward corruption, no question. Our actions will gu…

the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, Parallel TCG is now live, providing Parallel Studios with a broader pathway to reach players following years of PC testing, card set releases, and esports investments.

(AsiaGameHub) –   Good to Know

Parallel collectibles have amassed $125 million in secondary market trading volume.
Parallel Studios secured an additional $35 million in funding in March 2024.
The Parallel League Championship has featured prize pools of $250,000, $1 million, and $2 million.

Parallel’s Mobile Launch Opens Up A Broader Testing Ground
Parallel makes its mobile debut with a distinct profile compared to many older Web3 gaming projects. Instead of forcing every player into crypto features, the game uses NFTs as an optional layer. Players can leverage these assets to boost PRIME earnings, but the core trading card game remains free-to-play and cross-platform.
This setup gives Parallel Studios a stronger chance to connect with card game players who prioritize gameplay over tokens…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Web3 gaming has seen a value drop of roughly $15 billion as investor interest wanes for token-based games, NFT initiatives, and GameFi frameworks that prioritize speculation over actual player needs.

Good to Know

Caladan reports that 93% of GameFi projects are no longer active.
GameFi token prices have plummeted by approximately 95% since their 2022 peak.
Over 300 blockchain gaming ventures have shut down.

Token Hype Outpaced The Actual Games
The Web3 gaming slump is currently impacting both funding flows and player counts. Per a Caladan report, the majority of GameFi projects are inactive now, and crypto gaming token prices have dropped significantly from their 2022 highs.
The issue began with premature funding. Numerous blockchain games secured substantial funds via NFTs and digital tokens before completing their products. Pixelmon stands out as a stark example: it raised $70 million in 2022 without launching any significant playable content.
This model functioned only as long as …

(AsiaGameHub) –   A recent SSRN working paper indicates that Polymarket’s predictive accuracy stems less from collective crowd wisdom and more from a small group of traders with a distinct advantage. Researchers also flagged 1,950 accounts whose trading patterns may suggest the use of non-public information.

Good to Know

The study examined 1.72 million Polymarket accounts.
Only 3.14% were classified as skilled winners.
Flagged accounts earned an average of about $15,000 each.

Insider Trading Concerns Are at the Core
The paper, “Prediction Market Accuracy: Crowd Wisdom or Informed Minority?” was published on April 20, 2026, and revised on April 25. It was co-authored by Roberto Gomez-Cram, Yunhan Guo, and Howard Kung of London Business School, along with Theis Ingerslev Jensen of Yale University.
One segment of the research focused on potential insider trading. The authors identified 1,950 accounts with timing and conviction patterns that hinted at possible use of non-public informat…

(AsiaGameHub) –   As part of a crackdown on online scam networks, illegal gambling, and foreign-linked fraud operations, Cambodia has mandated the closure of 91 casinos.

Key Points

Cambodia reports over 250 suspected scam centers have been raided in the last nine months.
Authorities have documented 13,039 deportations related to scam activities, involving individuals from 33 different nationalities.
A new law targeting online scams took effect on April 6, introducing penalties that can extend to life imprisonment in cases resulting in death.

Cambodia’s Casino Closures Part of Broader Cybercrime Offensive
The Cambodian government has intensified its campaign against online scams by ordering the closure of 91 casinos accused of participating in fraudulent activities.
According to a government statement reported by the Chinese news agency Xinhua, authorities have conducted raids on more than 250 suspected scam centers over the past nine months. Officials also indicated that 241,888 individuals voluntari…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Brazil has officially declared prediction markets unlawful, closing off access for operators like Polymarket in Latin America’s largest market. The announcement followed the National Monetary Council’s approval of a resolution that restricts which products qualify as derivatives.

Good to Know

Brazil stated that prediction markets cannot operate under derivatives regulations.
Anatel has already blocked 28 platforms offering event contracts.
The government notes that Law 14.790 only covers fixed odds betting and online games.

Brazil Affirms Event Contracts Lie Outside Legal Betting Guidelines
Brazilian Finance Minister Dario Durigan and Miriam Belchior, Chief of Staff for the Presidency, announced the decision on Friday. The National Monetary Council’s resolution specifies that sports events, virtual gaming events, political outcomes, elections, social events, cultural activities, entertainment events, and similar results cannot serve as underlying assets for derivat…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Boyd Gaming recorded a modest increase in revenue for the first quarter of 2026, overcoming headwinds from a softer Southern Nevada market and ongoing casino renovations. Revenue climbed to $997.4 million from $991.6 million in the prior-year period.

Good to Know

Boyd Gaming’s Q1 revenue increased marginally to $997.4 million.
Net income dropped to $105.5 million, and adjusted EBITDAR decreased to $317.4 million.
Performance in Southern Nevada was impacted by reduced visitor demand and renovation activity at Suncoast.

Midwest Growth Helps Balance Las Vegas Pressure
Boyd Gaming experienced mixed performance across its properties during the quarter. Net income was $105.5 million, or $1.37 per share, versus $111.4 million, or $1.31 per share, in Q1 2025. Adjusted earnings decreased to $123.1 million, or $1.60 per share, from $137.7 million, or $1.62 per share. Total adjusted EBITDAR declined to $317.4 million from $337.5 million.
CEO Keith Smith stated:
“Our first-quarter perform…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Penn Entertainment kicked off 2026 with rising demand at retail locations and improved iCasino performance. The firm reported first-quarter revenue of $1.4 billion, with segment adjusted EBITDAR reaching $471.4 million.

Good to Know

Penn noted that Q1 saw its most significant retail expansion in three years.
The interactive division recorded $358.3 million in revenue alongside a $10.8 million adjusted EBITDA loss.
theScore Bet is preparing for its mobile sports wagering and iCasino debut in Alberta.

Retail Locations and iCasino Drive Penn’s Q1 Performance
Penn Entertainment experienced a surge in foot traffic at its regional properties, with guests spending more during their visits. CEO Jay Snowden highlighted that increased attendance and higher spending levels resulted in the most substantial quarterly growth for rated customer segments in three years.
Snowden remarked:
“Higher visitation rates and increased spending per guest across the company drove year-over-year gr…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Next month, S&K Gaming will open 400 Horses Casino in Polson, Montana, launching a new tribal gaming property that features over 300 gaming machines, a full-service restaurant, and more than 75 new job openings.

Good to Know

The grand opening is scheduled for May 5 at 2 p.m.
The casino spans 34,000 square feet and is located off Irvine Flats Road.
60% of the casino’s revenue goes back to tribal communities to fund social services.

400 Horses Casino Brings New Tribal Gaming Space to Polson
The new 400 Horses Casino is located on a 79-acre tribal land parcel, with approximately 10 acres of that tract leased for the casino project. The land was incorporated into the city of Polson in 2023, which allows the casino to connect to municipal water and sewer systems instead of relying on a private well or septic drain field.
Construction kicked off on April 9, 2025, after final project plans received approval in late 2024. The development has been in motion since 2021, operated und…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Thursday night’s NFL Draft betting kept fans plenty engaged, but sportsbooks faced a tougher go of it. Multiple first-round surprises allowed bettors to cash in on prop markets, while both Circa and BetMGM posted mixed results across player draft position, team selection, and top 10 betting markets.

Good to Know

Circa took another loss on NFL Draft betting, though the overall damage remained manageable.
BetMGM paid out bettors who wagered on Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 and Ty Simpson being selected by the Rams.
Long-shot picks including Mansoor Delane at No. 6 and Carnell Tate at No. 4 delivered sharp, profitable results for bettors.

Bettors Score Big on Multiple NFL Draft Prop Bets
Per Mike Palm, vice president of operations for Circa, The D, and Golden Gate sportsbooks in Las Vegas, Circa had another losing NFL Draft. The operator took relatively smaller hits when Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love went third overall to the Arizona Cardinals and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpso…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Lawmakers in Minnesota have advanced a bill to ban prediction markets—potentially the first state-level legislative prohibition of its kind in the U.S. The Senate Finance Committee approved the measure unanimously on Friday, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.

Good to Know

The legislation targets prediction markets linked to sports, politics, court decisions, legislative actions, and violent incidents.
Legal retail or online sports betting is not permitted in Minnesota.
Prediction market operators will likely challenge the bill in court if it becomes law.

Minnesota Focuses on Event Contracts Ahead of Senate Vote
Sen. John Marty is pushing the bill as a way to clarify Minnesota’s gambling laws. He argues that prediction market companies use federal commodities rules to frame event contracts as investment products, while marketing them to consumers as wagers on real-world outcomes.
The bill now awaits a vote on the Senate floor. If senators pass it, the House …

(AsiaGameHub) –   Tennessee legislators have given the green light to SB 2136, legislation designed to prohibit sweepstakes casinos and internet-based casino-style platforms utilizing virtual currency systems. The proposal is now moving through the formal enrollment process prior to arriving at the desk of Gov. Bill Lee.

Key Points

Following the resolution of the final wording by House and Senate members, SB 2136 successfully passed both legislative chambers.
This legislation specifically targets sweepstakes casino applications that operate on virtual or multi-currency frameworks.
Once the bill is delivered to him, Gov. Bill Lee will have a 10-day window to take action.

SB 2136 Reinstates Sweepstakes Casino Language in Tennessee
Tennessee is poised to potentially become the latest state to outlaw sweepstakes casinos. On Thursday, legislators sanctioned an updated iteration of SB 2136 after a joint committee composed of House and Senate members resolved prior disputes regarding the text.
The legislati…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Las Vegas Sands announced improved first-quarter performance, driven by increased revenue, enhanced gaming activity, and stronger earnings from its operations in both Macau and Singapore. The company’s net income saw a 57.1% surge to $641 million, and total net revenue grew by 25.3% year-over-year to $3.59 billion.

Good to Know

Las Vegas Sands exceeded analyst forecasts, reporting adjusted earnings of 91 cents per share.
Revenue from Macau grew 23.7% to $2.11 billion, with The Londoner Macao and The Venetian Macao as the primary contributors.
Revenue at Marina Bay Sands increased by 27.9% to $1.49 billion, bolstered by robust gaming demand and elevated room rates.

Macau And Singapore Lift Las Vegas Sands Q1 Results
Adjusted earnings per share came in at 91 cents, surpassing analyst projections of 78 cents. The consolidated adjusted property EBITDA also increased by 24.6% to $1.42 billion, underscoring the significant role of Asian demand in the quarter’s success.
Macau continued to …

(AsiaGameHub) –   BetVictor has introduced a new brand campaign titled “For All Your Favourite Things,” which focuses on sports, betting, and the typical weekend routines of supporters. This initiative also marks the first project delivered by Barn Door Studios and Bountiful Cow after their recent collaboration with the brand.

Good to Know

This campaign represents BetVictor’s most significant investment in audio-visual media so far.
The advertising will appear on Sky, ITVX, Channel 4, Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, as well as various digital and social media platforms.
Key Premier League matches like Arsenal vs Newcastle and Chelsea vs Leeds are featured as part of the campaign’s launch weekend.

BetVictor Puts Sport And Betting At The Centre
The latest BetVictor campaign employs an adapted version of “My Favourite Things” from The Sound of Music to link betting with recognizable football scenarios. Barn Door Studios produced the advertisement using genuine sports footage, incl…

(AsiaGameHub) –   A vigorous discussion during this week’s Westminster Hall debate on gambling advertising has raised questions about UK MPs’ grasp of the gambling industry’s complexities.

Alex Ballinger, a Labour MP and Co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Reform (GRAPPG), faced scrutiny from Conservative MP Esther McVey regarding the accuracy of statistics he presented on gambling advertising.

McVey, whose husband is former Tory MP and ex-Star Sports Chairman Philip Davies, inquired whether Ballinger, who has advocated for stricter controls on gambling advertising, had been contacted by the Gambling Commission concerning his use of their data.

Ballinger consistently denied this, asserting that any challenges to his figures originated from “members of the gambling industry.” However, the UKGC’s Log of Requested Corrections indicates that Ballinger was indeed contacted on three separate occasions regarding the misuse of statistics.

In each instance…