Category: iGame

(AsiaGameHub) - The 2026 legislative session in Florida concluded without the passage of any bills targeting illegal gambling. While several proposals moved forward, with one even passing both chambers in differing versions, no legislation was enacted before the session adjourned on March 13. Good to Know SB 1580 came closest but died when the Senate did not take up House changes. HB 189 was the broad House proposal and never reached a final vote. Florida regulators keep the same enforcement tools they had before the session. For the second consecutive year, Florida's legislature did not approve measures that would have strengthened regulations concerning illegal gambling. As a result, illegal gambling arcades remain in a legal gray area, and sweepstakes platforms are not subject to new restrictions. SB 1580 Came Closest SB 1580 represented the most viable opportunity for reform. The Senate passed the bill unanimously in early March. Subsequently, the House made amendments and passed its own version on March 11. With just two days remaining, the Senate did not revisit the legislation. This bill would have established new criminal offenses for individuals who knowingly or recklessly participate in or profit from illegal gambling. It also aimed to extend liability to government employees involved in certifying, licensing, or hiding illegal gaming operations, increase penalties for gambling houses, and impose new restrictions on internet gambling. Another component proposed a Limited Slot Machine Surrender Program, granting operators immunity in exchange for turning in their machines.House Changes Added Friction Amendments made in the House contributed to its failure. One change would have permitted licensed gambling establishments to relocate up to 1,320 feet without losing their licenses. Additional concerns were raised that the wording could inadvertently affect veteran groups. These issues were left unresolved. HB 189 pursued a more comprehensive approach. The extensive, 100-plus-page bill aimed to reform multiple areas of Florida's gambling laws. Its provisions would have prohibited internet gambling and online sports betting not covered by the Seminole Tribe compact, increased penalties for operating or advertising gambling houses, created new violations for illegal gambling advertisements, and expanded the enforcement power of the Florida Gaming Control Commission. It also targeted broader aspects of the illegal gambling trade, such as transporting individuals for gambling purposes, making false claims about machine legality, and implementing harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Despite this, HB 189 stalled before a final House vote. Some of its elements were later incorporated into SB 1580, which intensified the disagreement between the chambers. Other related bills made little progress. SB 1164 and HB 591, which had similar objectives, failed to advance beyond initial committee hearings. SB 204, which emphasized regulatory clarity over new criminal penalties, moved through two Senate committees before also stalling.Illegal Arcades Stay in Play The proliferation of illegal gambling arcades throughout Florida was a primary motivator for lawmakers to address the issue. Many of these venues operate in a murky legal zone, often presenting themselves as amusement arcades or skill-based game businesses. Regulatory action has intensified; in 2025, the FGCC seized $14,474,336 and 6,725 illegal slot machines across the state, more than doubling the approximately $7 million seized the previous year. While sweepstakes casinos were not explicitly mentioned in the primary bills, provisions in HB 189 and HB 591 concerning internet gambling and dual-currency prize models could have applied to them. With the failure of both bills, these potential restrictions are not in effect. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Elon Musk has outlined plans for a chip production project involving Tesla and SpaceX. The proposed facility, named Terafab, would be constructed near Tesla's operations in Austin, with the aim of fulfilling internal demand for AI and robotics chips. Good to Know Musk noted that chip supply is not keeping up with demand from Tesla and SpaceX. The proposed Terafab site would be located near Tesla's headquarters and the Austin gigafactory. Musk did not provide a timeline for the project during the Austin event. Musk Wants Direct Control of Chip Supply Rather than relying on external semiconductor suppliers, Elon Musk suggests Tesla and SpaceX may need to develop their own solution. Speaking at an event in downtown Austin on Saturday night, Musk stated that current chip manufacturers are not producing quickly enough to meet the needs of artificial intelligence and robotics across his companies. “We either build the Terafab or we don’t have the chips, and we need the chips, so we build the Terafab.” A photo displayed during the event indicated the site would be situated close to Tesla's headquarters and the company's gigafactory in Austin. This location would place the project adjacent to one of Tesla's primary manufacturing centers, while also linking it closely to broader work in AI, automation, and robotics.Musk described a very high target for output. He said the plan is to produce chips capable of supporting 100 to 200 gigawatts of computing power per year on Earth, along with a terawatt in space. He did not clarify when the project could start or how long construction and production setup might take. This absence of a timeline is significant because semiconductor manufacturing is one of the most challenging industrial sectors to execute. Chip fabrication requires extensive engineering expertise, lengthy build cycles, complex supply chains, and major capital investment. Musk is well-known for setting highly ambitious goals, and Bloomberg highlighted that he does not have a background in semiconductor manufacturing. Even so, the reasoning behind the proposal is easy to understand. Tesla is expanding further into AI and robotics, while SpaceX also requires more computing power for advanced systems. If external supply remains tight, an in-house or tightly controlled chip operation could give Musk greater certainty over one of the most critical components of that technology stack. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Maestro has introduced Mezzamine, a Bitcoin credit platform designed around Bitcoin mining economics. The offering targets institutional investors who wish to generate yield from idle BTC, while also providing mining firms with an additional avenue for obtaining capital. Good to Know Mezzamine initially launched via a collaboration with Sazmining. The platform aims to deliver an annual yield of approximately 8% to 9% in Bitcoin for investors. Its credit structure is secured by future mining rewards rather than traditional fiat-based debt models. Maestro Tries a Bitcoin Native Answer to Mining Finance Mezzamine is structured as a Bitcoin-denominated credit market, moving away from conventional dollar loans or new equity sales. This is significant as many miners receive income in Bitcoin yet take on debt in dollars. A sharp decline in Bitcoin's price can strain balance sheets and increase the risk of liquidation due to this currency mismatch. Maestro aims to reduce this friction. Through this new framework, institutional investors can allocate Bitcoin to credit facilities linked to anticipated mining production. Returns are derived from block rewards produced by additional hardware and increased hashrate. Maestro reports existing demand, noting that mining companies exploring alternative funding have expressed interest in financing exceeding 1,500 Bitcoin.Protection during bear markets is a key feature. The platform employs hedging mechanisms connected to both Bitcoin's price and mining operational expenses. Essentially, the objective is to prevent a scenario where dropping prices lead directly to margin calls or compulsory asset sales. The model is instead designed to mirror how mining operations genuinely generate revenue via block rewards. For institutional investors, this presents a distinct Bitcoin yield approach. Instead of keeping BTC inactive or lending within a fiat-centric system, they can deploy coins into a credit facility connected to mining and aim for returns in Bitcoin. Miners gain from access to funding that more closely aligns with the asset they generate. The inaugural program is already operational with mining services provider Sazmining. Maestro states the platform is intended for asset managers, family offices, corporate treasuries, and similar professional investors. This direction aligns with a wider trend in digital asset markets, where an increasing number of financial products are being developed natively within the Bitcoin ecosystem rather than relying on external fiat systems. A native Bitcoin credit market also provides the industry with an additional foundational component as institutional participation expands. Mining companies have traditionally relied on outside lenders, equipment financing, or equity sales. Solutions like Mezzamine indicate an alternative path, where capital, collateral, and yield all remain intrinsically linked to the economics of Bitcoin mining. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Hailey Welch has spoken out about the aftermath of the HAWK memecoin’s collapse, connecting the incident to months of public backlash, threats, and legal scrutiny surrounding the unsuccessful token launch. Good to Know HAWK was launched in December 2024 and temporarily hit a market capitalization exceeding $490 million. The token plummeted by over 91% the following day, sparking online allegations of a rug pull. A lawsuit filed by investors targeted the team and organizations behind the launch, though Welch was not included. Hailey Welch States HAWK Aftermath Left Her Traumatized Hailey Welch, commonly referred to online as the Hawk Tuah girl, shared that the collapse of HAWK and the subsequent public response took a significant personal toll. In an interview with Andrew Callaghan on Channel 5, Welch mentioned she was drawn into a crypto project she didn’t fully comprehend. “I got talked into doing something that I didn’t know anything about, really, but you’ve got to be really careful what you put your name on,” Welch told Andrew Callaghan of the Channel 5 YouTube channel on Friday. Welch stated she collaborated with an FBI investigation in 2025 and was exonerated of any misconduct. She added that she received none of the launch funds and lacked the technical expertise required to develop or manage the memecoin.Despite this, public outrage targeted her. Welch revealed she received death threats and remained out of public view for months as tensions escalated over the failed launch. “I was starting to get death threats and everything else. People telling me I owe them all this money, and I’m like, ‘I didn’t do this.’ I’m sitting here, and I’m the one getting hit for this. It’s rough. It’s one of those things where if you come out of the house, you put your head down.” HAWK launched in December 2024 and quickly reached a market cap of over $490 million within hours. By the next day, the token’s value had fallen to approximately $41 million—an over 91% collapse. This drop led to widespread rug pull claims across crypto social media platforms and kept the project in the spotlight across gaming, influencer, and digital asset news. Welch also noted that the actual losses incurred by retail investors were lower than many people believed during the backlash. Per her attorney, the total losses for individual investors amounted to around $200,000.Additionally, a lawsuit filed by investors in December 2024 alleged that the team and entities behind HAWK’s launch sold unregistered securities. Welch was not a defendant in the case. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - PENN Entertainment intends to launch Hollywood Casino Aurora on June 24, pending regulatory clearance. This new land-based venue in Aurora will succeed the enduring riverboat establishment on the Fox River, introducing an expanded entertainment scope to the greater Chicago area. Good to Know Hollywood Casino Aurora is scheduled to take the place of the existing riverboat casino on the Fox River. The new facility will feature a hotel, a retail sportsbook, a spa, an event center, and upwards of 1,200 gaming positions. PENN indicates the location will hire approximately 700 employees, almost twice the size of the existing workforce in Aurora. PENN Gets Ready for a Larger Aurora Casino and Resort PENN is preparing to transition Aurora gaming operations to a freshly constructed facility near Interstate 88, opposite Chicago Premium Outlets, moving away from the outdated floating casino model. This shift is significant as land-based casinos typically offer operators greater capacity for accommodations, dining, entertainment, and year-round events compared to older riverboat configurations. The project is valued by PENN at $360 million. Upon its debut, Hollywood Casino Aurora will become the company's second newly constructed venue in the Chicagoland area, following the August 2025 opening of Hollywood Casino Joliet. This provides PENN with a modernized retail casino presence in a Midwest market where operators continue to depend significantly on in-person gaming, hospitality, and sportsbook visitors. “We are just months away from unveiling another premium entertainment hub in the greater Chicago region,” stated Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment. “We are excited to build on the successful launch of Hollywood Casino Joliet last summer with another new land-based site, reinforcing our retail footprint in the Midwest and strengthening our community ties.”Gaming represents just one component of the offering. The upcoming Aurora facility will boast 226 hotel rooms, over 1,200 gaming positions, a retail sportsbook, a spa, an outdoor entertainment area, and a 12,000 square foot event center. Additionally, PENN anticipates the site will employ roughly 700 staff members, almost doubling the staffing numbers associated with current Aurora operations. Dining is also receiving significant focus. PENN announced that celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis will launch Sorella by Giada, an Italian California fusion eatery. Boulevard Food & Drink Hall will introduce concepts from Stephanie Izard and other collaborators, providing the casino with a blend of local favorites and new culinary choices. For regional casino operators, food and beverage offerings can help increase time spent on-site and expand the demographic beyond traditional gamblers. Rafael Verde, PENN Senior Vice President of Regional Operations, remarked: “These celebrated restaurateurs will offer our guests exceptional dining experiences at the new Hollywood Casino Aurora. Combined with our hotel, event center, spa, and other amenities, visitors will enjoy a lively atmosphere at this new local destination.”Meetings and live events form another key element of the strategy. PENN noted that the event center is already accepting reservations for conferences, weddings, and entertainment acts, with public event disclosures anticipated shortly. This strategy aligns with a comprehensive casino resort model where gaming, lodging, dining, sports betting, private functions, and live shows operate cohesively under a single roof. Regarding the project's backing, Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. is projected to supply $225 million in financing at a 7.75% capitalization rate around the opening. The City of Aurora is providing $50 million, and PENN stated the remaining $21 million is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Concurrently, the firm is collaborating with the Illinois Gaming Board to move operations from the existing riverboat Hollywood Casino Aurora to the new land-based location. FAQ When will Hollywood Casino Aurora open? PENN Entertainment has indicated that June 24 is the scheduled opening date, contingent on regulatory authorization. What is replacing the old Aurora casino? The existing riverboat casino on the Fox River will be succeeded by the new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora. Where is the new property located? The location is situated near Interstate 88, directly across from Chicago Premium Outlets. What features will the new casino include? The venue will feature 226 hotel rooms, over 1,200 gaming positions, a retail sportsbook, a spa, an outdoor entertainment area, and a 12,000 square foot event center.How many jobs will the property support? PENN projects that the new Hollywood Casino Aurora will employ approximately 700 individuals. What dining options are planned? PENN confirmed that Sorella by Giada, led by Giada De Laurentiis, will launch at the venue, accompanied by Boulevard Food & Drink Hall concepts featuring Stephanie Izard and other partners. How is the project being financed? Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. is set to contribute $225 million, the City of Aurora is adding $50 million, and the remaining $21 million is anticipated by year's end. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Allwyn is seeking alternative methods to develop its own sportsbook technology following the termination of its agreement with Novibet. This development was shared during the group's FY25 earnings call, where company leaders also highlighted PrizePicks as a valuable resource for prediction markets and attracting new customers. Good to Know Allwyn abandoned the Novibet acquisition following input from the Hellenic Competition Commission. Executives stated that proprietary sportsbook technology continues to be a strategic objective. PrizePicks provides Allwyn with a substantial customer base and a unified application for DFS and predictions. Allwyn Looks Elsewhere for Sportsbook Tech After Novibet Deal Falls Apart Allwyn continues to pursue its own sportsbook technology, despite the failure of its Novibet acquisition. On the FY25 earnings call, CEO Robert Chvátal confirmed that sportsbook technology is still a focus and that the company has begun evaluating other possibilities. The Novibet deal was announced earlier this month but was subsequently called off after the Hellenic Competition Commission provided feedback. “This interest in the sportsbook technology remains on the radar of Allwyn,” Chvátal stated.Chvátal stated. “We have already started exploring other opportunities when it comes to sportsbook technology, to maybe solidify our sportsbook position in some markets of Allwyn.” CFO Kenneth Morton emphasized that internalizing sportsbook technology is a definite priority. He noted that while Allwyn already manages the majority of its lottery technology, which is crucial for user experience and sustained success, sports betting is the final component not yet handled in-house. “Sports betting is the one bit that we don’t currently have in-house, which we do think is strategically important. So we certainly see benefits to having it in-house, but as Robert said, there are many other ways that we can achieve that.”PrizePicks was another major topic of conversation. Allwyn secured a deal last September to purchase a 62.3% share in the DFS operator for an initial $1.6 billion, with additional payments contingent on performance across three years. The transaction was finalized in January, and Morton indicated the company is well-placed to pursue expansion in the US prediction market. Morton explained that PrizePicks holds an advantage as it does not require the same level of expenditure on customer acquisition as some competitors. He added that integrating DFS and predictions into a single application improves the user experience and reduces the cost of acquiring customers. “A number of operators have launched actually with three apps, so DFS, OSB and predictions in separate apps,” Morton added. “Essentially, to some extent you’re having to acquire the same customer three times. “That’s not the case for PrizePicks. On day one they went live with predictions within their DFS app, which is obviously better for the user experience, but it’s also much better from the customer acquisition cost perspective.” Allwyn also announced FY25 net revenue of €4.1 billion, a 4% increase compared to the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA also grew by 4%, reaching almost €1.6 billion. The company anticipates finalizing its merger with OPAP this month, following shareholder approval in February, which will form a combined entity worth €16 billion. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - A Nevada court has provided state regulators with a recent victory in the ongoing dispute concerning prediction markets. Following a temporary restraining order issued on Friday, Kalshi is now prohibited from offering contracts related to sports, elections, and entertainment events in Nevada. A subsequent court hearing has been scheduled for April 3. Good to Know A Nevada court issued a temporary restraining order preventing Kalshi from offering sports, election, and entertainment event contracts within the state. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the decision means that all known unlicensed prediction markets are now restricted in Nevada. A hearing to determine if a longer-term injunction will be imposed is set for April 3. Nevada Cuts Off Kalshi as Prediction Market Fight Keeps Growing Although Kalshi previously secured an early victory in Nevada, the situation has now reversed. The Friday order prevents the company from offering or enabling sports, election, and entertainment event contracts in the Silver State. This strengthens the position of Nevada regulators after months of legal battles over whether these contracts constitute unlicensed gambling. State regulators have consistently contended that Kalshi is operating without the gaming license mandated by Nevada law. In the court order, Judge Jason Woodbury stated that the Nevada Gaming Control Board has a reasonable likelihood of success. Reuters reported that the judge determined Kalshi's event contracts linked to college basketball, professional football, and elections fall under a Nevada I This is significant because Kalshi has persistently argued a contrasting position. The company maintains that federal oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission places its event contracts beyond the reach of state gambling control. Nevada has dismissed this perspective, and the judge concurred, at least for the time being, permitting the state's case to proceed.The Kalshi case is also part of a broader conflict playing out across multiple states. Nevada has already compelled other operators to accept state-specific limitations. Court documents from Nevada indicated that Crypto.com ceased offering sports contracts to Nevada residents, while Robinhood agreed to halt offering sports event contracts in the state pending an appeal. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - The European Court of Justice (CJEU) has made another ruling concerning how member state laws apply to recovering and compensating online gambling losses. A ruling by Cypriot Advocate General (AG) Nicholas Emiliou states that: "A sports betting operator providing services in a national market without the necessary license may be required to return the money wagered by players." The AG's opinion relates to a long-standing German dispute questioning Tipico Malta's online gambling license regarding loss recovery for the 2013-2020 period. A German customer attempted to reclaim losses from Tipico, which was operating in Germany with a license from the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA). At that time, German gambling regulations were in turmoil, as parliament hadn't finalized terms for launching the fourth interstate market (GlüNeuRStv). The AG considers that "under German law, the consumer's claims against Tipico seem fundamentally justified. However, Tipico argues in its defense that it couldn't secure a German license due to flaws in the licensing process." Per AG Emiliou, Tipico's lack of a German license makes the agreement between the operator and consumer 'invalid'. However, the AG maintains that member states can apply tort laws (covering harm or loss) regardless of Tipico's licensing status. This case intensifies pressure on Malta regarding its use of Bill 55 as a defense for gambling licenses used throughout Europe. However, in an earlier interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Tipico CEO Axel Hefer stated the company wouldn't use the bill as a shield and doesn't need to. He said: "We're a Maltese-German firm with 1,500 staff at multiple major German sites. We clearly don't rely on Maltese law for protection. We've never used 'Bill 55." Germany has strongly criticized this potential operator protection, with its regulator GGL saying: "We believe this law likely conflicts with European decision-recognition requirements (Regulation (EU) 1215/2002). "However, GGL isn't responsible for the final evaluation of this matter. We've notified the federal states of our view and remain in touch with relevant authorities." Continued pressure The Tipico case comes after a recent CJEU AG ruling on the Wunner case (Austria v Malta), which confirmed that Member States can enforce their tort laws on gambling disputes, regardless of licenses issued in other EU jurisdictions. A key point in the Wunner Case was the CJEU rejecting Malta's "EU passporting" argument for gambling. The ruling clarified that, unlike financial services, a gambling license from one Member State doesn't automatically permit operations in another. Each country can establish its own requirements, as long as they're proportionate, non-discriminatory, and transparent. This maintains pressure as the unresolved legal conflict between Austria and Malta escalates, with Malta invoking Article 56A, widely known as Bill 55. Malta's courts activated this Article to dismiss prior CJEU opinions on the prolonged disputes between the two jurisdictions. The operator is using Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) as its case basis—the freedom to provide services across EU member states—which Maltese law protects through Article 56A. Instead of ignoring European Court of Justice rulings, Maltese courts are invoking public policy exceptions under the Brussels I Recast Regulation (EU) 1215/2012, strengthened domestically by Article 56A, to prevent enforcement of foreign civil judgments they claim threaten Malta's gaming regulatory system. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Lawmakers in Kazakhstan are looking to attract foreign visitors by launching four new casino zones. Per the new regulation, these zones will be situated in well-known tourist destinations. They include the Mangistau region along the Caspian Sea coast, Paniflov District and the shores of Lake Alakol in Almaty region’s Talgar District, as well as the Marakol Area and Zaisan District. Per reporting from Qazinform News Agency, the amendment to the ‘On Gambling Business’ law has been signed off by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This move will raise the total number of such gambling zones to six, adding to the existing gambling provisions in the city of Konaev within the Almaty region and the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort area in the Akmola region. In contrast to the already established zones, which welcome both Kazakh citizens and foreign visitors, these four new areas will only be accessible to overseas travelers. According to Kazakhstan’s government, over 15.7 million foreign nationals visited the country in the first nine months of 2025, including many visitors from both Russia and China. Baurzhan Rapikov, the country’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports, stated that he expects each new casino will create 500 jobs and generate annual tax revenue ranging from 2bn to 4bn tenge (£3.1m to £6.2m). This decision to limit gambling to specific zones aligns with existing legislation in Russia, where casino and slot machine operations are restricted to four designated areas. Restricting access solely to foreign citizens also echoes policies implemented in numerous countries across the world. In South Korea, local citizens are limited to just one casino, with all remaining venues exclusively for foreign visitors. Meanwhile, in Malaysia and Singapore, local gamblers face strict entry requirements and are required to pay an admission fee. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - One of Europe’s biggest gaming hubs is set to see changes now that Gibraltar’s parliament has approved the first reading of the 2025 Gaming Bill. The new law aims to replace the 2005 Gambling Act and usher in a new chapter for the island, especially as it faces major challenges from the UK’s increase in remote gaming taxes. iGaming Expert explains all the key details about these changes. Years in the making Plans to update the jurisdiction’s laws have been ongoing for years, with consultations on a new bill starting as early as 2016. Nigel Feetham MP, Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, told parliament the proposed legislation is “one of the most thoughtfully and expertly crafted and widely consulted bills” in Gibraltar’s legislative history. Progress was held up multiple times: first by Brexit in 2016, which led EU gambling businesses to eventually leave the island, and then by Gibraltar’s effort to get off the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list – a goal it reached in February 2024. The bill also had to adapt to changes in the gaming industry brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Roy Clinton MP, Shadow Minister for Finance & Value for Money, noted that the bill was developed through a “thorough consultative process.” Shifting focus of regulation In his parliamentary speech, Feetham emphasized the need for a “more adaptable regulatory system” capable of meeting the needs of a rapidly changing landscape. Specifically, he stated the law will shift from focusing on where technology is based to where the management and control of a gambling operation actually take place. Feetham said: “We’ve witnessed the growth of cloud IT infrastructure providers, a trend of gambling firms using a multi-jurisdictional strategy, and many jurisdictions moving from a restricted or monopoly model to one where local licenses are offered to commercial gambling companies on an open, non-discriminatory market basis. “We need a law that covers any business with significant management or control of its operation in or from Gibraltar, instead of over-relying on where technology is located.” Bringing marketing under the microscope To gain better oversight of the peripheral services that support the gambling industry, the new act requires certain outsourced B2B services – like marketing and player fund management – to apply for a Gaming Operator Support Services (GOSS) Licence. Feetham pointed out the growing number of companies in the B2B supply chain that compete across multiple jurisdictions. He also expressed worry that some marketing activities by island-based companies fall outside “the regulatory scope.” “Gambling services marketing has evolved, especially in social media promotion,” he said. “Player acquisition and retention are the industry’s lifeblood, but marketing gambling products and managing customer relationships is controversial. If unregulated and unchecked, it could harm the industry’s reputation and the broader regulatory system.” More power to the commission The bill also boosts the regulatory authority of the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, giving it new powers to use risk-based enforcement tactics, conduct investigations, and impose financial penalties on non-compliant businesses. “A key practical flaw in the current act is that it only offers the ‘nuclear option’ of suspending or revoking licenses for violations,” Feetham explained. “In contrast, the new bill outlines a range of proportional penalties and lets the gambling commissioner use a more structured, statutory approach to regulatory investigations and inquiries.” To account for these enhanced enforcement powers, the bill also creates a gambling appeals tribunal. Flexibility in legislation Feetham frequently noted the industry’s rapidly changing nature and the need for the new regulatory framework to reflect this while maintaining clear regulatory goals. He stated the bill “enables future-proofing” as technological innovation speeds up, and work has already started on a digitalization project to improve communication with the industry. Feetham concluded: “The new act won’t alter Gibraltar’s business-friendly culture. If you’re ready to be a responsible corporate citizen – paying taxes, protecting consumers, and preventing financial crime – you’re welcome here. We’re open for business and will keep innovating.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.