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Some notable headlines this week, both from regulators and operators. Big tech firms were involved in a lawsuit, Entain made a surprising move, and a few disappointments in the financial results. Here is a closer look.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Egypt moved closer to criminalizing online betting applications under its Cybercrime Law.
- VNLOK sued Meta over illegal gambling ads targeting Dutch consumers.
- Entain agreed to sell a 20% stake in its CEE business for approximately €425 million.
- The Dutch gambling tax increase generated far less revenue than the government forecast.
- UK online gambling GGY rose 7%, while Meta explored a new points-based prediction market app.
😄 Missed last week’s developments? Read the previous recap for the key regulatory, market, and operator updates.
😎 For a deeper look at the conversations shaping the industry, explore this week’s Opinion Corner.
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Egypt Moves to Criminalize Online Betting, iGB
Egypt’s parliament is preparing amendments to the Cybercrime Law that would explicitly criminalize online betting applications. Egypt already had existing laws that were largely written for physical venues and do not directly address digital platforms. This gap has allowed many players to access offshore sportsbooks through VPNs and foreign payment methods.
The proposed amendments could introduce severe penalties, including possible life sentences for offenses involving organized criminal networks or large-scale fraud. Egyptian authorities have also been working to block around 80% of online betting applications, with platforms such as 1xBet and MelBet targeted.
Dutch Gambling Trade Group Sues Meta Over Illegal Gambling Ads, Gambling Insider
Dutch gambling trade association VNLOK has filed legal action against Meta and submitted a complaint to the European Commission over illegal gambling advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. The organization claims Meta has failed to meet its obligations under the EU Digital Services Act despite repeated warnings about unlicensed operators advertising on its platforms.
VNLOK said an average of 70,000 gambling ads targeted Dutch consumers on Meta platforms during the final quarter of 2025. More than 95% allegedly promoted unlicensed operators, while fewer than 5% were removed.
Kalshi Blocks Access in India After Gaming Ban Takes Effect, iGamingToday
Kalshi has added India to its list of restricted jurisdictions following the implementation of the country’s new online gaming rules. The framework, which took effect on May 1, prohibits online money games, including prediction markets, leaving Indian users unable to access Kalshi’s event contracts.
The restriction follows increased pressure from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, which had warned that prediction markets operating in the country violated the new rules.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Entain Sells 20% Stake in CEE Business for €425 Million, NEXT
Entain has agreed to sell a 20% stake in its Central and Eastern European business to joint venture partner EMMA Capital for approximately €425 million. The deal includes €395 million payable at completion and another payment in early 2027 based on the business’s 2026 financial performance.
This puts Entain’s CEE value at €2.1 billion and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Entain’s ownership will fall from 67.5% to 47.5%, while EMMA Capital’s stake will increase from 22.5% to 42.5% and it will gain majority control.
Dutch Gambling Tax Increase Falls Far Short of Revenue Forecast, iGB
The Netherlands’ higher gambling tax has generated substantially less revenue than the government expected, according to a joint report from the Ministry of Finance and gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit. The rate rose from 30.5% to 34.2% in January 2025 before increasing again to 37.8% at the start of 2026.
The government expected to collect an additional €108 million in 2025 and €216 million in 2026. Instead, the increase produced only around €2 million in extra revenue in 2025, with an estimated €57 million expected in 2026 compared with 2024 levels.
UK Online Gambling Revenue Rises 7% in Final Market Insights Report, NEXT
Online gross gambling yield in Great Britain increased by 7% year-on-year to £1.55 billion during the three months ending March 2026, according to the UK Gambling Commission’s final Market Insights report. The number of bets and spins also rose by 7% to 26.8 billion, although average monthly active accounts declined by 1% to 13.4 million.
Slots remained the main source of growth, with GGY increasing by 12% to £773 million and spins rising by 7% to 25.1 billion. Average monthly active slot accounts grew by 6% to 4.8 million. Real-event betting GGY increased by just 1% to £600 million, despite an 8% decline in bets and a 5% fall in active accounts.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Meta Develops Prediction Market App Called Arena, Gambling Insider
Meta is reportedly developing a standalone prediction market app known internally as Arena. The platform would allow users to forecast real-world events using points rather than real money. This helps Meta avoid some of the regulatory challenges facing operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
Meta could promote Arena across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which collectively reach more than 3.5 billion daily active users. The company previously launched a points-based forecasting app called Forecast in 2020 but closed it two years later. It has not been confirmed whether Arena could eventually introduce real-money markets.
Super Technologies Agrees to Acquire Crafting Technologies, SBC News
Super Technologies has agreed to acquire Romanian software development company Crafting Technologies as part of plans to expand its technology operations in the country. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction remains subject to customary approvals.
Crafting’s engineering team and internal talent academy will be integrated into Super, which employs more than 900 software engineers and developers across its global technology network.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Spain Approves New Online Betting Deposit Limits, SBC News
Spain has approved a centralized deposit-limit system for customers using licensed online betting and gambling platforms. Default limits will be set at €700 per day, €1,750 per week and €3,300 over four weeks across all operators used by the same player.
Customers will be able to modify or remove the limits, but only through a specific process involving additional safeguards. Operators will also face updated requirements for informing users about safer gambling tools.
DigiPlus Launches New Responsible Gaming Framework, iGamingToday
DigiPlus Interactive has launched its “Entertainment for Good” framework. Responsible gaming, product innovation, community support, and corporate governance into a single company-wide strategy. The framework will apply across its BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone platforms.
Its player-protection measures include stronger in-app responsible gaming tools, 24/7 customer support, access to EmbracePLUS helplines, and continued education initiatives. DigiPlus is also maintaining its surety bond program as an added financial safeguard.
- This week marks three years since the Murphy Report on online gambling reforms was handed to the Parliament, Kate Chaney MP on LinkedIn
- Predictive intelligence company Axom has rebranded from Ibex.ai, NEXT on X
- South Africa is stepping up its efforts to tackle illegal online gambling, iGamingToday on LinkedIn
- The Curacao Gaming Authority has issued new crypto policy guidelines, iGB on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Is Curaçao finally getting Serious about Crypto Gambling Regulation? Bitcoin Forum
- Why are crypto withdrawal minimums so high? Reddit
- Institutional favouritism at the world cup, Bitcoin Forum
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