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From VIP defections in Australia to esports bets in Brazil, the global gambling market is shifting faster than ever, and operators are scrambling to keep pace.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Australia’s top casinos are bleeding high rollers to Asia amid tightening compliance and plummeting margins.
- Bet365 could be headed for a $9 billion sale or a U.S. IPO in what may be the gambling sector’s biggest deal yet.
- Brazil is now officially betting on Fortnite, VALORANT, and Counter-Strike as it expands its legal gambling framework to cover popular esports.
- Gamstop’s latest report confirms 1% of UK adults have self-excluded—far more than initially expected.
- Stake’s new “Stake Engine” is opening the gates for developers to build games at scale.
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Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
How Aussie Casinos Lost the Floor to Asia, The Australian
Australian casinos are rapidly losing ground to their Asian counterparts, particularly in the VIP and high-roller segments. Heightened regulatory scrutiny in Australia, spurred by anti-money laundering investigations and public pressure, has led to stricter compliance requirements, reduced junket operations, and a less attractive environment for international gamblers.
As a result, key players like Star Entertainment and Crown Resorts have seen a significant exodus of VIP customers, who are now flocking to more welcoming destinations such as Macau and Singapore, where regulatory regimes are perceived as less restrictive and the overall experience is tailored to high-stakes play.
The financial impact is evident, with Australian casino operators reporting declining revenues and narrowing profit margins, despite cost-cutting efforts. Broader industry data confirms a drop in traditional gambling spend, as both regulatory headwinds and the rise of online alternatives erode the appeal of brick-and-mortar venues.
New York has emerged as the U.S. leader in gambling-related arrests, surpassing even Nevada, the traditional gambling capital. In 2023, the state recorded 339 gambling arrests, outpacing Nevada’s 236, according to recent FBI data. This surge comes despite the legalization of sports betting and daily fantasy sports, which have made New York one of the largest gaming markets in the country.
The arrests are largely tied to illicit betting operations-often linked to organized crime, where seemingly legitimate businesses serve as fronts for underground gambling activities. The persistence of a black market is attributed to New York’s long-standing ties to organized crime, and experts suggest that legal gambling has not diminished illegal activity but may have shifted its nature.
Brazil Updates Betting Rules to Include New Categories of Esports, Esports Insider
Brazil has taken a landmark step in expanding its gambling regulations to include a broader range of esports, opening the door for legal wagers on major tournaments and popular titles such as Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, and Fortnite. Announced by the Ministry of Sports through Ordinance No. 36 in April 2025, the new rules allow betting on esports events as long as organizers secure the necessary licenses or authorization from game developers.
The updated regulations also emphasize fair competition by prohibiting exclusivity agreements between operators and game developers, thereby promoting consumer choice and market growth. Strict safeguards remain in place to protect minors and prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring the integrity of the betting environment. By incorporating popular shooter games and extending legal betting to Olympic-style esports, Brazil is responding to market demand and aligning its laws with global trends.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Bet365 Explores £9 Billion Sale or U.S. IPO, The Guardian
Bet365, one of the world’s largest online gambling operators, is exploring a potential sale valued at approximately £9 billion or a blockbuster U.S. IPO. The Coates family, who own and run the company, have reportedly engaged Wall Street banks and U.S. advisers to weigh scenarios ranging from a partial sale to private equity to a full public listing.
This move follows a robust financial year, with Bet365 posting a £3.72 billion turnover and a notable 9% year-on-year growth, even as it recently exited major Asian markets to focus on expanding in the Americas. A U.S. stock market listing or a significant sale would mark one of the largest deals in the gambling industry’s history, unlocking capital for further expansion and increasing Bet365’s visibility among global investors.
Caesars Digital Reports Record Q1 Earnings, Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment’s digital division delivered a standout performance in the first quarter of 2025, reporting a record Adjusted EBITDA of $43 million, up sharply from $5 million in the same period last year. The company’s consolidated results also showed growth, with total net revenues rising to $2.8 billion and same-store Adjusted EBITDA increasing 4% year-over-year to $884 million.
CEO Tom Reeg attributed the strong results to significant gains in the digital segment, contributions from newly opened regional properties, and a solid showing in Las Vegas despite a challenging comparison to last year’s Super Bowl quarter. The company also managed to narrow its net loss to $115 million, compared to $158 million in the prior-year quarter.
Nevada Gaming Revenue Drops 1.1% for March 2025; Las Vegas Strip Down 4.8%, iGB
Nevada’s gaming industry saw a modest decline in March 2025, with total gaming win falling 1.1% year-over-year to $1.28 billion. The Las Vegas Strip, the state’s flagship gaming corridor, experienced a steeper drop of 4.8%, reflecting softer demand and challenging year-over-year comparisons. This dip comes after a period of record-breaking revenues and highlights the volatility facing the state’s casino sector amid shifting consumer behaviors and increased competition from other markets.
While the overall decline is relatively mild, the sharper downturn on the Strip signals potential headwinds for operators reliant on high-traffic tourism and major events. Industry analysts will be watching closely to see if this is a temporary blip or the start of a broader trend, as Nevada casinos adapt to evolving market dynamics and increased competition from both domestic and international rivals.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Stake Introduces Stake Engine for Game Developers, NEXT.io
Stake, the world’s largest online casino, has launched Stake Engine, a next-generation Remote Gaming Server (RGS) designed to empower game developers with unprecedented creative freedom and scalability. The platform enables developers to build, launch, and monetize their own games directly on the Stake platform, offering robust tools for game design, math balancing, and analytics.
Stake Engine supports over one million bets per second and provides industry-leading commercial terms, including a 10% gross gaming revenue royalty model with transparent, monthly payments. The new engine aims to streamline the game development process, removing traditional barriers such as lengthy negotiations and restrictive templates.
Neosurf Launches Payment Services in Mexico, Gambling Insider
Neosurf has officially launched its payment services in Mexico, offering secure, cash-to-digital transaction options tailored to the country’s growing sports betting market. This marks the company’s debut in Latin America, where many players still prefer cash-based methods.
Neosurf’s first major partner in the region is Fun88, and the company plans to expand to other SEGOB-licensed operators soon. Its offerings include built-in KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) tools to ensure regulatory compliance and secure operations.
According to Sue Page, Neosurf’s CEO for the Americas, Mexican operators have faced service gaps in payment infrastructure, compliance support, and customer service. Neosurf aims to close those gaps by delivering a frictionless and trustworthy payment experience. Fun88 Mexico’s legal representative, Christian Ramos, praised the partnership for aligning with consumer preferences while enhancing compliance.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Gamstop Annual Report: 1% of UK Adults Now Self-Excluded, Gambling Insider
Gamstop’s latest annual report reveals that 1% of the UK adult population, amounting to 560,000 individuals, have registered for its gambling self-exclusion service since its 2018 launch. This milestone significantly surpasses earlier projections, emphasizing the scale of gambling harm and the growing demand for protective tools.
The report also notes that 75% of users surveyed in a 2024 Ipsos study said they no longer gamble online, showcasing the platform’s effectiveness. Furthermore, a notable increase in self-exclusion among under-25s has been observed, especially in the North-East of England. To respond to surging registrations, Gamstop is introducing automatic five-year renewals to its exclusion program.
Mindway AI Confirms Partnership with BetComply, European Gaming
Mindway AI, a leading provider of safer gambling technology, has announced a strategic partnership with BetComply, a specialist in regulatory and technical compliance for the iGaming sector. The collaboration aims to improve Mindway AI’s player protection solutions, particularly its GameScanner software, by utilizing BetComply’s expertise in safer gambling practices and sustainability.
This partnership is expected to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical implementation, ensuring operators can more effectively deploy Mindway AI’s solutions to safeguard players. By combining Mindway AI’s award-winning software with BetComply’s operational experience, the two firms aim to set new standards for proactive, data-driven responsible gambling across the industry.
- There is no denying that sports betting is hugely popular in Ghana, Victoria Bright on LinkedIn
- The government has BANNED these ILLICIT betting websites, Bianca™ on X
- Is Greece Undermining Its Own Gaming Market? Gaming in Greece on LinkedIn
- Teens who start gambling early are four times more likely to develop a serious gambling problem, Michigan Gaming Control Board on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Does online gambling lead to more addiction? Bitcoin Forum
- Stake Froze My Account After KYC – Holding Over $26K, Reddit
- Stop confusing casino games with sports betting! Bitcoin Forum
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