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Regulators kept operators on their toes this week. The online gambling industry saw headlines from Copenhagen’s record-setting site shutdown to New Zealand’s first call for online-casino licence bids. Investors still found plenty to like with prediction-market newcomer Kalshi securing a headline-grabbing $185 million round. Meanwhile, new safeguards from Denmark to Norway underscored the growing weight of player-protection politics in every major market.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Denmark blocked 178 unlicensed sites in one court-backed sweep.
- Philippine lawmakers drafted a bill to curb the use of e-wallets on gambling apps.
- MIXI fell short on its first PointsBet vote but returned with a sweetened AU$1.20 all-cash offer.
- Kalshi raised $185 million, lifting its valuation to $2 billion amid surging VC interest in regulated prediction markets.
- High 5 Games chose Xpoint for geolocation compliance across its North-American social-casino network.
- Denmark’s ROFUS self-exclusion list topped 60,000 users
- Norwegian regulators united over a spike in youth helpline calls.
😄 Need to catch up on last week’s news? Check out our June 14-20 iGaming Recap!
😎 Want to hear some stories from LinkedIn, X, or Reddit? Our Opinion Corner covers what’s trending in the online gambling community.
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Danish Regulator Blocks Record 178 Unlicensed Gambling Sites in One Sweep, Spillemyndigheden
The Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) has achieved a record by blocking 178 illegal gambling websites in a single action, following a favorable court ruling in Frederiksberg. This is the highest number of sites blocked at one time since the Authority began its crackdown on illegal gambling in 2012, bringing the total number of blocked sites to 616.
The process involves first contacting the operators to cease their illegal activities; if unsuccessful, the Authority works with internet providers and seeks court approval to block access. In response to the growing number of illegal sites, the Authority now submits block lists to the courts twice a year instead of once.
Director Anders Dorph emphasized the ongoing challenge of illegal operators targeting Danish consumers but expressed satisfaction with the Authority’s ability to act swiftly. The crackdown is part of broader efforts to protect consumers, as unlicensed sites do not offer the same safeguards as those regulated by the Danish Gambling Authority.
New Zealand Invites Operator Feedback as It Drafts First Online-Casino Licences, Gambling Insider
New Zealand’s gambling regulator has initiated a consultation process, inviting online casino operators to register their interest and provide input as the country prepares to launch its regulated online casino market in early 2026.
Up to 15 three-year licences will be available through an auction process, with the Department of Internal Affairs set to oversee the new regulatory framework. Operators seeking licences will need to meet various requirements, including contributing to a levy that funds gambling harm support services.
The corresponding online gambling bill is expected to progress through Parliament this year, setting the stage for a significant transformation of New Zealand’s gambling landscape. Trina Lowry, Director of the Online Gambling Implementation Programme, stated that engaging with potential operators is crucial for shaping a cooperative and effective regulatory environment.
Philippine Lawmakers Aim to Curb E-Wallet Links to Gambling Apps, Philstar
In the Philippines, lawmakers are drafting new measures for the upcoming 20th Congress aimed at restricting the use of e-wallets on online gambling platforms. Representative Jonathan Keith Flores highlighted growing concerns over the ease with which Filipinos can use e-wallets to fund gambling activities.
The proposed legislation seeks to address these risks by limiting how e-wallets can be linked to gambling apps, thereby reducing the accessibility of online gambling. Lawmakers argue that without such controls, vulnerable individuals may be tempted to gamble away their hard-earned money in hopes of quick gains, despite the lack of guaranteed returns.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
MIXI Falls Short on PointsBet Vote; Tables Sweetened All-Cash Offer, iGB
MIXI’s attempt to acquire PointsBet has encountered a setback after a shareholder vote recount left the Japanese company short of the approval needed to proceed with its takeover bid. The recount was prompted by rival bidder Betr Entertainment, which claimed its proxy vote against the deal was excluded due to a system error.
Initial results had suggested strong support for MIXI’s offer, but the corrected tally showed only 70.48% of votes in favor, below the required threshold. Despite the failed vote, MIXI remains committed to the acquisition and has submitted a revised all-cash offer of AU$1.20 per PointsBet share, maintaining the same enterprise value of $402 million as its previous bid.
The situation remains fluid, with PointsBet’s board and shareholders now considering the updated proposal. The episode underscores the high stakes and competitive tensions in the ongoing battle for control of the Australian betting company.
Prediction-Market Platform Kalshi Raises $185M, Hits $2B Valuation, NEXT.io
Prediction market platform Kalshi has closed a $185 million funding round, boosting its valuation to $2 billion. The round was led by crypto-focused venture capital firm Paradigm, with the investment reflecting growing enthusiasm for regulated prediction markets in the financial technology sector.
Kalshi’s total funding now stands at $415 million, and the company plans to use the new capital to expand its engineering team, launch new market structures, and forge additional partnerships. Kalshi’s growth comes amid heightened competition in the sector, as rival Polymarket reportedly seeks to raise $200 million at a $1 billion valuation.
Despite Kalshi hosting more active markets, it currently trails Polymarket in open interest, a key measure of liquidity. Investors are betting on Kalshi’s regulatory compliance and its potential to reshape how people engage with events ranging from politics to sports and economics.
Groupe Partouche Posts 35% First-Half EBITDA Surge to €55.3M, Gambling Insider
Groupe Partouche reported a robust first-half performance for the period ending April 30, 2025, with EBITDA surging 35.1% year-on-year to €55.3 million, representing 23.7% of total revenue. Turnover climbed 5.7% to €233.3 million, while net income jumped 77.2% to €12.6 million, buoyed by a 4.2% increase in gross gaming revenue and reduced personnel expenses following the resolution of social-security liabilities.
All business divisions: casinos, hotels, and other activities showed improvement, with casino operating profit rising 26.7% to €30.8 million. The group’s financial position remains solid, with a gearing ratio of 0.5x and leverage at 2.4x, despite increased net debt linked to property investments and renovations.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
High 5 Games Selects Xpoint for North American Geolocation Compliance, iGB
Xpoint, a provider of geolocation compliance technology, has partnered with High 5 Games to supply its Xpoint Lite solution across High 5’s North American social casino platforms. High 5 Games, which recently regained its Connecticut supplier license, emphasized that compliance and player protection are top priorities.
The integration, completed in record time, enables High 5 to validate player locations, detect fraud, and ensure compliance as it expands into new U.S. jurisdictions. Xpoint’s technology allows operators to tailor compliance measures by jurisdiction, helping High 5 restrict gameplay to eligible locations and avoid regulatory pitfalls.
Xpoint’s partnership with High 5 Games follows several operational upgrades, including AI-driven personalization and enhanced customer support. The collaboration reflects a broader industry trend toward robust location-verification solutions, especially as more states consider or refine regulations for social casino products.
Atlantic Lottery Inks Eight-Year Deal with IGT for New VLT System, Investing.com
Atlantic Lottery has signed an eight-year agreement with International Game Technology (IGT) to deploy the IntelligenEVO video lottery central system across all four Atlantic Canadian provinces.
The contract, executed through IGT’s Canadian subsidiary, includes options for multiple renewals and marks the first deployment of IntelligenEVO by a World Lottery Association member in a game-to-system distributed market.
The new system will enable real-time data capture, advanced analytics, and enhanced player-focused features, supporting Atlantic Lottery’s goals for growth, security, and player satisfaction.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Denmark’s ROFUS Self-Exclusion Register Tops 60,000 Users, European Gaming
Denmark’s national self-exclusion register, ROFUS, has surpassed 60,000 registrants, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to combat gambling addiction. ROFUS, established in 2012, allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed online and land-based gambling in Denmark.
The Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) attributes this growth to increased public awareness, targeted campaigns such as “Take it easy with ROFUS.” Notably, young men under 40, especially those under 20, make up the majority of self-excluders, with 58% of male registrants under 40 and 96% under 20 being male.
The Authority views the rising number of self-exclusions as a positive sign that the tool is both recognized and utilized by those at risk. The milestone comes amid continued growth in Denmark’s gambling market, with gross gaming revenue rising 11.6% year-on-year in April 2025.
France’s ANJ Pledges Tougher Action on Excessive Gambling in 2024 Report, Gambling Insider
The French National Gambling Authority (ANJ) has published its 2024 annual report, signaling a strategic pivot to more aggressively curb excessive gambling. ANJ President Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin called for a reduction in both the number of excessive gamblers and their contribution to operator revenues.
The regulator reported a doubling of voluntary self-exclusions in the past three years, now totaling 85,000, and highlighted that problem gambling still accounts for a significant share of the sector’s turnover. The ANJ imposed nine sanctions and blocked 1,335 illegal gambling sites in 2024, including a record €800,000 fine for excessive gambling violations.
The 2024–2026 strategy aims to shift the industry’s business model away from reliance on high-risk players, with a renewed focus on societal responsibility and collaboration between operators, regulators, public authorities, and families. A Senate symposium on June 27 will further discuss the plan to address gambling-related harm.
Norwegian Regulators Join Forces as Youth Helpline Calls Surge, NEXT.io
Norwegian regulatory agencies: the Lottery Authority, Consumer Authority, and Media Authority have united to address a surge in calls from young people to the national gambling helpline. The authorities are intensifying education, policy, and enforcement efforts to address the convergence of gaming and gambling.
Recent figures show that 64% of helpline users cite online slot machines as their main issue, with a growing number of young callers reporting problems linked to gambling mechanics in video games, such as loot boxes and skin betting. Nearly 90% of Norwegian children aged 9–18 play video games, and almost half do so daily, blurring the line between gaming and gambling.
Leaders from the three agencies stress the importance of collaboration and proactive intervention to protect young people from developing gambling problems in an increasingly digital entertainment landscape.
- North Korean Hackers Breach Canadian iGaming Platform, Roman K. on LinkedIn
- Nominations are officially open for the American Gambling Awards!! Craig R. Cummings on X
- Former Philippine anti-graft official Nick Conti is calling for a nationwide ban on online gambling ads, Jenny Ortiz-Bolivar on LinkedIn
- Online sports betting has likely increased the prevalence of gambling problems, Ryan Hampton on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Gambling problem in the Philippines, Bitcoin Forum
- Anyone here use RTP or volatility to pick their online slots? Reddit
- Losing time in gambling is worse than losing money, Bitcoin Forum
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