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Regulators moved to tighten coordination and enforcement this week, while operators posted strong revenue results in several markets. New research also added nuance to ongoing debates around gambling harm and black market activity, setting the tone for the updates below.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Brazil creates a national forum to align betting and lottery regulation.
- Virginia lawmakers block iGaming and skill games.
- Evoke posts its strongest quarter of FY25, driven by gaming growth and margins.
- Linko Studios prepares to release Linko 5 across the Games Global network.
- New research questions the reliability of black market gambling estimates.
😄 Catch up on last week’s headlines, visit the Jan 17–23 iGaming Recap!
😎 Interested in the iGaming community talk? Find out with our Opinion Corner, where cover trending social media posts and provide our expert commentary.
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Brazil Creates National Forum to Harmonize Betting and Lottery Rules, iGamingToday
Brazil has established a national regulatory forum to coordinate betting and lottery rules across federal, state, and municipal levels. The forum will include representatives from regulators, state lotteries, and the Ministry of Finance.
It also includes a mandate to avoid overlapping regulations and jurisdictional conflicts as the regulated betting market develops. This follows growing concern that fragmented local rules could undermine market clarity and enforcement.
Tabcorp and Five Other Operators Targeted by ACMA for BetStop Violations, NEXT
Australia’s communications regulator ACMA has taken action against Tabcorp and five other wagering operators for breaches linked to the BetStop national self-exclusion register.
The regulator found failures in how excluded customers were identified and prevented from accessing betting services. ACMA warned that compliance with BetStop requirements is a core licence obligation and that further enforcement will follow repeated breaches.
Virginia Gaming Subcommittee Advances Regulatory Bills, Blocks iGaming and Skill Games, Gambling Insider
A Virginia House gaming subcommittee advanced several regulatory measures while blocking proposals to legalise online casino gaming and skill games. Lawmakers approved bills focused on enforcement and oversight but rejected expansion measures.
This signals continued resistance to broader gambling growth in the state. The decision keeps Virginia limited to its existing sports betting framework for the foreseeable future.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Brazil Sports Betting Records R$37bn in Gross Gaming Revenue in 2025, iGamingToday
Brazil’s regulated sports betting market generated R$37 billion (€6.8bn) in gross gaming revenue in 2025, according to official figures. Online betting accounted for the vast majority of activity, reflecting rapid adoption following formal regulation.
Evoke Posts Strongest Quarter of FY25, Gambling Insider
Evoke reported its strongest quarterly performance of FY25, driven by growth in gaming revenue and improved operating margins. The company cited higher player activity and better monetisation across its product portfolio. Management said performance reflected both scale benefits and disciplined cost control during the quarter.
Rank Group Reports Revenue Growth Across All Business Units in H2 2025, NEXT
Rank Group recorded revenue growth across all divisions in the second half of 2025, including Grosvenor Casinos, Mecca Bingo, and online operations. Both digital and land-based segments contributed to the uplift. The company said momentum carried into the new financial period as customer volumes and spend improved.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Crypto.Casino Debuts In-Depth Reviews and Community Feedback Platform, Yogonet
Crypto.Casino has launched a new content offering focused on detailed reviews of crypto casinos, combining expert analysis with user-submitted community feedback. The platform aims to improve transparency around crypto gambling sites by covering factors such as game fairness, payments, bonuses, and player experience.
Linko Studios to Release Linko 5 Across Games Global Network in February, Yogonet
Linko Studios will release Linko 5, the latest entry in its slot series, across the Games Global distribution network in February. The new title builds on the mechanics of earlier Linko games, introducing updated features and gameplay enhancements. The rollout gives the game immediate access to Games Global’s broad network of operator partners.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Study Finds Black Market Gambling Data Relies on Weak Assumptions, SBC News
A new Nordic study has warned that widely cited black market gambling estimates are based on fragile assumptions, including survey bias, inconsistent definitions, and limited behavioural evidence.
The report argues that headline figures often overstate illegal market size and fail to distinguish between occasional unlicensed play and systematic channel leakage. Researchers called for more transparent methodologies before such data is used to shape policy decisions.
Problem Gambling Rate Stable, but Regional and Gender Gaps Persist, SBC News
New figures from NHS data show that overall problem gambling rates in England remain broadly stable, but significant disparities persist by region and gender. Men continue to be far more likely to experience gambling-related harm, while certain regions report rates well above the national average.
- South Africa’s online gambling boom has hit R1.5 trillion, News.Africa on LinkedIn
- Brazil’s football betting sponsorship boom is showing signs of strain, iGB on X
- Finland has finally ended its online gambling monopoly, European Gaming and Betting Association on LinkedIn
- Alberta’s iGaming Sector May Open in Time for the New NFL Season, correct.casinos on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Obvious fixing in some small leagues? Bitcoin Forum
- I lost more money to shady platforms than to actual gambling, Reddit
- Cloudbet just launched something called “Whale Mode,” 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.
