Category: iGame

(AsiaGameHub) –   New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced a series of proposals aimed at protecting against underage online gambling.

Hochul set aside a portion of her 2026 State of the State speech to instruct the New York State Gaming Commission to take suitable measures, noting that mobile sports betting is ‘luring everyone—including our young people—to place bets without fully thinking through the outcomes’.

“We require robust regulatory protections to stop individuals under 21 from gambling, prevent artificial intelligence from exploiting gamblers, and mandate sports betting operators to take meaningful steps if any of their customers display signs of gambling-related harm,” she added.

In response to this directive, the state’s gaming regulatory body has released proposals that will mandate operators to utilize geolocation tools and put in place age-verification and device registration measures to stop individuals under 21 from downloadi…

(AsiaGameHub) –   SOFTSWISS has rolled out its new feature Motion in a bid to lower the demand for technical resources across operations.

Billed as a ‘no-code workflow automation tool’, the feature is embedded into SOFTSWISS’s casino platform and allows operators to automate core processes including bonus distribution, user segmentation and player tagging.

Designed for use by CRM and customer retention teams, Motion operates using three core elements: a trigger, a condition and an action.

As an example, operators can input a trigger event such as a new player registration or deposit, then set a rule that specifies which players the relevant action applies to. The action then determines the end result, for instance distributing a bonus to eligible users.

Once fully configured, Motion runs these established rules automatically with no requirement for manual input from staff.

Suren Vardanyan, Head of Sales for SOFTSWISS’s Casino Platform, commented: “Motion solves a commo…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Following extensive deliberation, a new chapter is finally set to begin for gambling in Australia, as the government rolls out a long-awaited legislative overhaul.

The Albanese Government’s reforms will establish a far stricter framework for gambling advertising, either restricting or fully banning when and where these ads can appear across the nation’s broadcast, digital and social media platforms.

These new gambling advertising rules will be paired with a crackdown on certain harmful products and illegal offshore gambling operators, alongside strengthened enforcement measures and improved support for self-exclusion programs and financial counselling.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had previously held reservations about implementing a gambling advertising ban. Now, however, he appears poised to introduce such a measure to strike the right balance in Australia’s gambling market.

Albanese remarked: “This government is taking decisive action to address the com…

(AsiaGameHub) –   The leader of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has cautioned that prediction markets could meet a fate similar to FTX without a unified regulatory approach.

Michael Selig, during a guest appearance on the Farokh Radio podcast, shared his worries that the sector might ‘implode’ as it is pushed further into offshore markets.

He remarked: “We witnessed the downfall of FTX and various crypto entities, and I fear a similar outcome for prediction markets if they are forced into unregulated offshore spaces.

“It is essential that these platforms register within the United States so that our regulatory framework can ensure market fairness, safeguard investors, and establish clear boundaries.”

Regulated by the CFTC, companies like Kalshi and Polymarket have seen significant growth in the U.S., serving as substitutes for sports wagering in regions where such activities remain illegal.

Major gambling firms, including DraftKings and FanDu…

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Lucien Barrière Group has acquired one of Portugal’s most historic casinos, Póvoa de Varzim Casino, thereby expanding its international retail portfolio.

Póvoa de Varzim Casino, a seaside resort that employs 220 individuals, has been a fixture for nearly a century, having opened its doors in 1934. It is situated approximately 30km from Porto.

Featuring French architecture, the acquisition will grant Barrière access to the casino’s 500 gaming stations, which include slot machines and electronic table games, as well as 11 traditional gaming tables, a restaurant, a bar, and a theatre with over 400 seats that hosts a regular schedule of shows and events.

Clément Martin-Saint-Léon, General Manager of the Lucien Barrière Group’s Casino, commented: “Póvoa de Varzim embodies all the elements that make the projects we develop unique: a place rich in history, a dynamic destination, and genuine potential f…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Evoke, the operator of William Hill, is poised to close approximately 200 of its betting shops across the UK, with the initial closures slated to commence in May. This decision stems from the group grappling with increased operational costs, a more stringent tax environment, and an ongoing strategic review that could still lead to further modifications across the business.

Good to Know

Evoke intends to shut down about 200 outlets, which constitutes roughly 15% of its retail portfolio.
The program for these closures is scheduled to begin in May.
The broader strategic assessment might still encompass asset divestitures or other potential alternatives.

Evoke Cuts Shops as Tax Pressure Builds
The operator informed its staff on Tuesday that around 200 retail locations would be permanently closed. Evoke later confirmed this plan, stating that the closures are part of a wider strategic review that has been underway since December.
This review extends beyond just the shops. The group has be…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Gibraltar has awarded its first license to a prediction markets operator, putting the territory at the forefront of a sector that remains unregulated across most of Europe. The approval was granted to Predict Street Ltd, while officials also signaled their expectation of further growth in this industry vertical.

Good to Know

Gibraltar granted a license to Predict Street Ltd on 26 March under the 2005 Gambling Act.
Minister Nigel Feetham stated that prediction markets could develop into a significant growth area for Gibraltar.
Malta is also developing a local regulatory framework, though Gibraltar appears to be the first European jurisdiction to issue a direct license for this type of operation.

Gibraltar Takes an Early Lead on Prediction Markets
The license was issued prior to the new Gambling Act taking effect, so Gibraltar utilized the older 2005 Gambling Act to secure the approval. During Tuesday’s parliamentary session, Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry Nigel Feetha…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Gibraltar is exploring a new path to secure growth as it navigates headwinds brought on by the UK’s decision to raise gambling taxes.

Nigel Feetham, the British Overseas Territory’s Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, told parliament that the government had granted a license to a prediction markets firm, describing the sector as a “substantial area of potential growth” for Gibraltar.

Gibraltar’s government lobbied intensely against the UK’s choice to increase online gambling tax, arguing the move would directly hit tax revenues and negatively impact the island’s economy.

Nevertheless, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that remote gaming duty will nearly double to 40%, taking effect from today (1 April). A new 25% general betting duty rate for remote betting will also be rolled out starting April 2027.

Feetham stated: “Following the implementation of the recent UK gambling duty hikes, I have taken on more direct responsibilit…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Nepal’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has initiated steps to enforce the nation’s ban on online gambling by blocking access to associated applications and websites.

According to reports from The Himalayan Times, these government directives were put into effect over the weekend, with officials implementing previously announced measures.

The decision regarding online gambling platforms was finalized during a meeting chaired by Minister for Communications and Information Technology Bikram Timilsina, alongside ministry officials and division heads.

Collaborative efforts between the Nepal Telecommunications Authority and the country’s internet service providers were instrumental in disabling access to the targeted apps and websites.

Crucially, the government is now blocking IP addresses within Nepal to expedite action against any remaining operators, aiming to prevent the growth of a black market under stricter domestic regulations.

Prior to this ban, Nepal…

(AsiaGameHub) –   The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has informed gambling licensees and other interested parties about two approaching deadlines concerning its assessment of regulations.

The initial deadline is for the conclusion of the Commission’s consultation regarding revisions to the Destination of Regulatory Settlements, set for April 2nd.

This consultation is part of the regulator’s adaptations subsequent to the implementation of the statutory levy, which is scheduled for April 2025 as a key provision of the Gambling Review’s White Paper, High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age.

A re-evaluation of existing procedures was deemed essential because financial penalties levied by the UKGC are deposited into the UK’s Consolidated Fund. Nevertheless, regulatory settlements and payments made instead of formal penalties have traditionally taken a different route, frequently supporting research, prevention, and treatment (RPT) programs independent of central government bodies.

This approach ha…

(AsiaGameHub) –   Potential operators have been alerted following Alberta’s confirmation that its regulated online gambling sector is set to commence operations on July 13.

Becoming Canada’s second regulated jurisdiction alongside Ontario, the province has seen several major industry players confirm plans to enter a market projected to generate more than $700m annually.

PointsBet and Caesars Entertainment have already initiated pre-registration processes for residents of Alberta prior to the official launch.

Simultaneously, operators including BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Betway have announced their entry into the market to expand their existing footprint in Canada.

For Betway and its parent firm, Super Group, the primary task involves shifting players from their unregulated offerings to the new regulated platform.

Before this regulatory framework, Play Alberta was the sole entity legally permitted to provide iGaming products. Nevertheless, it is believed that 70% of Alberta’s gamblers participa…