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As the summer heat rises, so does regulatory scrutiny and player pushback in the iGaming world. This week, key developments came out of the U.S., UK, Sweden, and Australia, shaping the future of taxes, player behavior, and platform accountability in the gambling industry.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- FanDuel hits Illinois players with a $0.50 fee per wager after lawmakers pass a tiered betting tax.
- 65% of UK players say they’d switch to black market sites if betting taxes increase.
- New York sets a new monthly record in sports betting revenue with $248.9M in May.
- Inspired Entertainment refinances £270M in debt, locking in longer-term credit at floating rates tied to SONIA.
- Pragmatic Play rolls out six branded live casino tables for Bet99 Ontario, deepening its Smart Studio offering.
- Swedish Gambling Authority stops Twitch influencer promotions of unlicensed gambling, reinforcing a strict ad policy.
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Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
FanDuel to Impose 50-Cent Bet Fee in Illinois After New Tax Law Enacted, New York Post
FanDuel has announced a new 50-cent transaction fee on every bet placed in Illinois, regardless of the wager’s size or outcome, in response to a surprise tax hike passed by state lawmakers. The new Illinois law imposes a 25-cent tax on the first 20 million bets and a 50-cent tax on every bet thereafter, a move that caught sportsbooks off guard and has drawn criticism from operators and customers alike.
FanDuel’s surcharge will take effect September 1, just ahead of the NFL season, and is expected to be especially unpopular among recreational bettors who tend to place smaller wagers. Flutter CEO Peter Jackson emphasized that such fees could be reversed if the tax is rolled back, but warned that the surcharge disproportionately impacts lower-stakes bettors and penalizes operators who have invested in the state’s regulated market.
U.S. Gambling Growth Unchecked Without Federal Oversight, Regulator Warns, The Guardian
Jordan Maynard, chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, has issued a warning about the rapid growth of the US gambling industry, describing it as a “highway without speed limits.” Unlike many countries with national gambling oversight, the US relies on state-by-state regulation, creating inconsistencies in advertising standards and consumer protections.
Maynard highlighted concerns about inadequate safeguards for vulnerable individuals and called for a federal conversation on issues like advertising and self-exclusion programs. He stressed that regulators’ primary responsibility is to protect the public, not just industry interests. He explained that operators have sometimes resisted public discussions on regulation, underscoring the need for stronger oversight as the industry continues to expand.
Survey: 65% of UK Bettors Would Flee to Black Market if Online Gambling Taxes Rise, The Sun UK
A recent survey in Great Britain revealed that 65% of bettors would consider turning to unlicensed, black market betting sites if the government increases the tax rate on online betting, particularly for horse racing. The UK government is currently consulting on consolidating three separate betting taxes into a single rate, sparking fears that a higher tax burden would be passed on to consumers.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has cautioned that a tax hike could drive a significant portion of the market underground, jeopardizing player safety and reducing tax revenues. BGC CEO Grainne Hurst called the survey results a “wake-up call.” The BGC’s own research estimates that British players already wager up to £2.7 billion annually with black market operators, who do not contribute to the economy or uphold player protections.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
New York Breaks Sports Betting Revenue Record With $248.9M in May, Gambling Insider
New York’s mobile sportsbooks achieved a record-breaking gross gaming revenue of $248.9 million in May 2025, surpassing the previous high set in January. While the total handle dipped slightly from January’s $2.48 billion to $2.21 billion, the market remains robust, with a 12.1% year-over-year increase in handle and a 22.4% jump in gross revenue.
FanDuel led the market with a 13.5% hold on an $803.1-million handle, earning $108.8 million in revenue, its third-best month ever. With New York’s 51% tax rate on sports betting, $126.9 million was directed to the state’s education fund in May, and over $490 million has been collected year-to-date. Despite these gains, online casino gaming remains illegal in New York, though legislative efforts to legalize iGaming continue.
Mixi’s $264M Acquisition of PointsBet Gains Key Australian Government Approval, MarketScreener
PointsBet has received approval from the Australian Commonwealth Government for its acquisition by Japanese firm Mixi, clearing a significant regulatory hurdle for the deal. The acquisition, which will see Mixi take 100% ownership of PointsBet, still awaits final approval from Ontario regulators. The deal’s value was recently increased by Mixi to US$264 million, following initial rumors and denials of takeover talks last year.
This regulatory green light comes after PointsBet faced a substantial fine in Australia for breaches of spam and self-exclusion laws, highlighting the scrutiny operators face in regulated markets. The acquisition process has been competitive, with other bidders like Betr also expressing interest. With this latest approval, the path appears clear for Mixi to finalize its acquisition, pending remaining regulatory checks.
Inspired Entertainment Restructures £270M in Debt to Extend Maturity and Liquidity, Nasdaq
Inspired Entertainment’s subsidiary has completed a notable refinancing transaction, issuing £270 million of senior secured notes due June 2030, and securing a £17.8 million revolving credit facility maturing December 2029. The floating-rate debt, tied to SONIA with margins of 5.50–6.00% for the notes and 3.25–3.75% for the credit line, replaces maturing obligations, extends debt maturities, and consolidates financial flexibility.
By deploying proceeds to redeem £235 million of existing notes and repay revolving loans, plus cover refinancing costs, Inspired optimally reshapes its capital structure, achieving longer-term debt with better liquidity. However, this comes at the cost of increased debt and exposure to interest-rate volatility on floating rates, especially amid uncertain rate trends.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Stakelogic Expands in UK With Hollywoodbets Deal via Relax Gaming, Stakelogic
Stakelogic has struck a content-licensing deal with Hollywoodbets UK via Relax Gaming’s aggregation platform, enabling the operator to integrate Stakelogic’s award-winning video and classic slots into its UK online casino portfolio. This move is part of Stakelogic’s strategic push into regulated European markets, with the UK being a pivotal frontier.
According to Neil Tanti, Head of Sales at Stakelogic, the partnership will enhance player experience and expand brand reach in the competitive UK market. Leveraging Relax Gaming’s infrastructure streamlines tech integration, meaning Hollywoodbets can roll out the full catalogue—titles like Wrath of Zeus and Gemstone Mine, with minimal friction.
Pragmatic Play Launches Custom Live Casino Tables for Bet99 in Ontario, Gambling Insider
Pragmatic Play and Bet99 have expanded their partnership in Ontario by introducing six branded live tables, including premium variations of roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and Speed games. Central to the offering is Pragmatic’s Smart Studio technology, which supports custom branding and localized live-stream content in a shared studio environment, improves efficiency, and accelerates deployment.
Operators gain bespoke control over visual identity without the overhead of independent studios. Pragmatic COO Irina Cornides praised the enhanced engagement this provides, and Bet99 CEO Jared Beber highlighted that the six branded tables mark “a significant step” in bringing personalized live entertainment to players. This strategy reinforces Pragmatic’s positioning in regulated North American iGaming markets.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
84% of Belgian Young Adults Use Licensed Gambling Platforms, Study Finds, YOGONET
A 2025 DataSynergy survey commissioned by the Gaming Commission shows 84% of young adults aged 18–30 in Belgium prefer licensed gambling websites, while 28% still access illegal platforms, and 8% rely exclusively on unlicensed operators. Awareness of legal brands is high, 94% recognized a legal operator, with 44% familiar with unauthorized ones, highlighting both compliance strength and ongoing illicit market activity.
The data also reveals a shift to online gambling: 48% gambled online since September 2024, compared to 37% in physical venues. While legal platforms dominate, the 28% figure signals continued risk and the need for regulatory vigilance, targeted education, and enforcement against offshore operators tempting youth audiences.
Swedish Regulator Halts Twitch Influencer Ads for Unlicensed Gambling Sites, SBC News
Sweden’s Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, has officially confirmed that several Twitch influencers have ceased promoting illegal gambling sites after a spring 2025 regulatory probe. Under national law, marketing non-licensed gambling to Swedish consumers is banned, and the influencers removed unauthorized links and stop codes following regulatory intervention.
Although no fines were issued, the action emphasizes Spelinspektionen’s firm stance on digital-age advertising through streamers, a platform popular with youth. The authority affirms ongoing supervision throughout 2025, maintaining scrutiny on influencers and digital actors to curb exposure to illegal gambling and safeguard underage audiences.
- In India, headlines often blur the line between online gaming and online gambling, Ankit Chettri on LinkedIn
- Illinois wants to raise taxes on sports betting, Stop Predatory Gambling on X
- The house doesn’t always win – sometimes, fraudsters do, Olena Bilykh on LinkedIn
- #Turkish authorities detained 10 social media influencers on Thursday in an operation targeting online broadcasts that allegedly promote gambling, Turkish Minute on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Gambling problem in the Philippines, Bitcoin Forum
- Bitvest.io is a scam site, Reddit
- New Gambling Regulations in Romania, with on huge surpise! Bitcoin Forum
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