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Regulatory scrutiny, cost pressures, and new betting formats dominated the iGaming industry this week. Recent moves by lawmakers and regulators point to higher expectations around player protection and compliance, while operators are experimenting with prediction markets and alternative products to sustain growth.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- New Jersey approves campus gambling awareness legislation.
- DraftKings and FanDuel launch prediction market products.
- Bet365 reports a significant profit decline as costs and compliance pressures rise.
- QTech Games adds crypto-ready crash games via a new supplier integration.
- GamCare reports shorter wait times for support ahead of the UK’s statutory levy.
😄 Catch up on last week’s developments with the Dec 13–19 iGaming Recap.
😎 Find out what the iGaming community is talking about with our Opinion Corner. We take trending social media posts and provide our expert commentary.
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
New Jersey Senate Clears Campus Gambling Awareness Bill With Unanimous Vote, Yogonet
The New Jersey Senate passed the campus gambling awareness bill 39–0, requiring public colleges and universities to provide students with education on gambling addiction, warning signs, and available treatment resources.
Under the bill, schools must include this information during student orientation and make resources easily accessible online. The legislation specifically targets increased exposure to sports betting among students following statewide gambling expansion.
Dutch Regulator Finds LeoVegas Guilty of Player Negligence, SBC News
The Netherlands’ gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) ruled that LeoVegas breached its duty of care after failing to intervene when a player lost tens of thousands of euros over a short period.
According to the decision, LeoVegas did not adequately assess risk signals or take timely protective action, despite clear indicators of harmful gambling behaviour. The ruling forms part of the KSA’s ongoing crackdown on operators that fail to actively monitor and protect players.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
DraftKings Officially Launches Prediction Markets Product, NEXT
DraftKings has launched DraftKings Predict, a prediction markets product that allows users to trade contracts on real-world events, starting with sports-related outcomes.
According to the report, the product is operated through DraftKings’ subsidiary registered with the CFTC and is currently limited in scope while the company navigates regulatory uncertainty at the state level. DraftKings said the product is legally distinct from its sportsbook and will expand cautiously.
FanDuel and CME Group Launch Prediction Markets in Five U.S. States, Reuters
FanDuel and CME Group have launched a CFTC-regulated prediction markets platform in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio, Reuters reports.
The platform offers event contracts structured as financial derivatives rather than traditional wagers, placing them outside state sports betting frameworks. The launch follows rising scrutiny of prediction markets by state regulators and signals growing institutional involvement in the sector.
Online Casino Continues to Drive Spain Gambling Surge, iGB
Spain’s regulated gambling market continued to expand in the latest quarter, with online casino GGR rising year-on-year and accounting for the largest share of online revenue, according to official data.
Slots remained the dominant casino vertical, while online sports betting showed slower growth. The figures confirm casino as the primary growth engine of Spain’s online gambling sector.
Bet365 Reports Profit Slump Amid Rising Cost Pressures, NEXT
Bet365 reported a sharp drop in pre-tax profit for the latest financial year, driven by rising technology investment, higher regulatory and compliance costs, and increased staff expenses.
While group revenue declined only modestly, margins narrowed significantly as spending outpaced growth. The company said cost pressures are expected to remain elevated across regulated markets.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
QTech Games Integrates AbraCadabra’s Crash and Crypto-Ready Portfolio, European Gaming
QTech Games has integrated AbraCadabra’s crash-game portfolio, adding titles built specifically for crypto wagering and high-frequency gameplay to its aggregation platform.
The deal brings AbraCadabra’s provably fair crash games to QTech’s operator partners across emerging and regulated markets, with content optimised for mobile-first environments. QTech said the integration responds to growing demand for alternative betting formats beyond traditional slots and table games.
Pascal Gaming Unveils a Fresh New Look, European Gaming
Pascal Gaming has unveiled a new brand identity, including an updated logo, refreshed visual style, and redesigned website.
The company said the rebrand reflects its transition toward a more product- and technology-focused supplier, following recent growth in its games portfolio and distribution footprint. Pascal confirmed the update does not affect existing partnerships or content delivery.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
GamCare Reports Faster Access to Support Ahead of Statutory Levy Transition, iGB
GamCare reported that people seeking gambling-harm support are now accessing services faster than in previous years, with reduced waiting times for treatment and advice.
The charity attributed the improvement to expanded digital tools, triage services and increased funding ahead of the UK’s transition to a statutory gambling levy. GamCare said demand for support remains high as the levy framework moves closer to implementation.
Russia to Introduce National Gambling Self-Exclusion System From Next Year, SBC
Russia confirmed plans to introduce a mandatory national self-exclusion register allowing players to block themselves from gambling activity starting next year.
The system will apply across both online and land-based gambling venues, with operators required to check customers against the database. Authorities said the move is aimed at strengthening consumer protection and reducing problem gambling risks.
- The FBI is warning consumers about illegal online gambling sites, Adrienne Lodge on LinkedIn
- France’s illegal online gambling surged 35% in 2025, Casino Rank on X
- Greece Blocks Over 11,000 Illegal Gambling Websites, Hermann Pamminger on LinkedIn
- India’s Gambling Ban Backfires, iGaming Solutions on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- A reference from poll that we should gamble for fun, Bitcoin Forum
- Do “instant withdrawals” actually exist, Reddit
- Why gambling can not be seen as entertainment, Bitcoin Forum
Keep up with news and trends in the iGaming industry. Gambling ‘N Go provides a recap each week. Join our spam-free newsletter to stay ahead. We are a GPWA-approved portal that supports responsible gambling. Check out our guides for beginners and experts to find trusted and reliable games, avoid scams, and responsible gambling practices.
