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The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is already shaping regulatory priorities around the world. While some jurisdictions focused on responsible gambling and illegal betting prevention, others grappled with the growing influence of prediction markets and their place within existing gambling frameworks.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- New Zealand finalized its online gambling framework ahead of licensing.
- New York sports betting revenue and handle declined in May.
- Germany warned that up to €400 million in World Cup betting could flow to the black market.
- Singapore stepped up efforts to combat illegal and problem gambling ahead of the World Cup.
- Google banned prediction market advertising in Ohio.
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Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Google Bans Prediction Market Ads in Ohio, Gambling Insider
Google updated its advertising policies to prohibit ads for prediction market contracts and related products in Ohio, with the restriction taking effect on June 2. The change reverses part of a policy introduced earlier this year that allowed certified prediction market operators to advertise in most US states.
The move comes as Ohio regulators continue challenging prediction market operators, including Kalshi, which faces allegations that it offered unlicensed sports betting in the state. Ohio now joins Nevada as a state where Google blocks prediction market advertising.
New Zealand Finalizes Online Gambling Rules Ahead of Licensing Launch, iGB
New Zealand published detailed regulations to implement its new online casino framework ahead of the country’s licensing process, which is set to begin in July. The regulations will come into force on July 3 and support the rollout of the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
The new regime will allow up to 15 licensed operators to offer online casino gambling in New Zealand. Regulators said the framework includes player protection measures, advertising restrictions, enforcement powers, and requirements aimed at moving consumers away from unregulated offshore operators.
India Supreme Court Upholds States’ Right to Regulate Online Gaming, iGamingToday
India’s Supreme Court ruled that state governments have the authority to regulate and prohibit online gaming activities involving betting and wagering. The decision upheld laws introduced in states such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and overturned earlier rulings that had struck down parts of those restrictions.
The ruling is considered a major victory for state regulators and could encourage additional states to introduce stricter controls on online gaming. The decision follows a series of recent court rulings that have increased regulatory and tax pressure on India’s online gaming sector.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Sportradar Expands Into Prediction Markets Through Kalshi Partnership, SBC News
Sportradar signed a global agreement with Kalshi that will make the sports data giant an official data and solutions provider for the prediction market platform. The partnership gives Kalshi access to Sportradar’s official sports data, trading technology, and infrastructure across major sports leagues.
The deal marks Sportradar’s most significant move into the prediction market sector to date, a space it has identified as a potential growth opportunity. The agreement also allows Sportradar to participate more broadly in the Kalshi ecosystem through relationships with market makers and brokers connected to the platform.
New York Sports Betting Slows in May, InGame
New York’s online sports betting market cooled in May, with both betting handle and revenue declining compared to the same period last year. Monthly handle fell to approximately $2.13 billion, while gross gaming revenue dropped to $204.2 million.
The statewide hold rate also declined year over year, contributing to lower tax collections despite New York remaining the largest regulated sports betting market in the United States. The slowdown follows several months of strong performance earlier in the year.
Germany Faces €400 Million Black Market Betting Risk During World Cup, SBC News
Germany’s licensed betting industry warned that between €300 million and €400 million in FIFA World Cup 2026 wagering could flow to unregulated operators. The warning came from the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV), which argued that strict advertising and product restrictions are pushing bettors toward illegal alternatives.
The association said Germany’s regulated market continues to struggle with channelization challenges despite years of gambling reform. Industry representatives are calling for adjustments to the country’s regulatory framework to improve the competitiveness of licensed operators ahead of one of the world’s largest betting events.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
bet365 Adds Jackpot Prize Draw to Betting Slips, NEXT
bet365 introduced a new jackpot prize draw feature that gives customers the option to enter a prize pool directly from their sports betting slips. The feature is designed to add an additional layer of engagement by linking qualifying bets to jackpot-style prizes.
The rollout marks another example of sportsbooks blending traditional betting products with lottery-style mechanics to increase player engagement. The feature will be available across selected markets and events, giving bettors an additional chance to win prizes alongside their standard wagers.
BETBY Integrates BC.GAME Rewards Engine, SBC News
BETBY became the latest company to integrate BC.GAME’s BC Engine, a rewards system built around the platform’s native $BC token. The partnership adds BETBY’s sportsbook ecosystem to the rewards network, allowing activity generated through the sportsbook to contribute to the BC Engine model.
BC Engine was launched earlier this year and uses a staking-inspired framework that converts earned $BC tokens into ongoing reward distributions. BC.GAME said the addition of BETBY expands the ecosystem supporting the rewards program and increases opportunities for users to generate value through platform activity.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Veikkaus Introduces Age-Based Loss Limits, iGB
Finnish operator Veikkaus introduced a new age-based responsible gambling framework that sets different loss thresholds depending on a player’s age. Players aged 18-19 will receive interventions after reaching €4,000 in losses and face an annual loss limit of €8,000, while those aged 20-24 will be contacted at €8,000 and capped at €24,000 annually.
The biggest change applies to players aged 25 and older. Veikkaus removed the annual loss limit for this group and replaced it with a single intervention checkpoint at €24,000 in losses.
Singapore Steps Up Gambling Enforcement Ahead of World Cup, The Straits Times
Singapore announced a series of measures to combat illegal and problem gambling ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development said enforcement efforts will be intensified during the tournament, which is expected to drive higher betting activity.
Authorities said police will continue blocking illegal gambling websites, advertisements, payment channels, and local phone numbers used to promote unlawful betting services. At the same time, the National Council on Problem Gambling launched a public awareness campaign aimed at discouraging excessive gambling during the World Cup period.
- Chile’s online gambling sector is facing renewed debate, Gambling Consulting Authority on LinkedIn
- OLG’s new under-25 deposit limit policy is drawing mixed reactions, Gambling Insider on X
- Azerbaijan strengthens its fight against illegal online gambling, SBC EURASIA on LinkedIn
- Analysts have welcomed Bally’s Intralot’s acquisition of evoke, NEXT on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Local sportsbook is not profitable anymore, Bitcoin Forum
- Alberta’s copying Ontario’s gambling ad rules, Reddit
- Is sports betting more about psychology than statistics? Bitcoin Forum
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