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This week, the headlines are focused on player protection and prediction markets. Regulators are handing out record fines and calling for efforts into responsible gambling, while operators are expanding into untested waters. It was a week that reminded the industry that the rules of the game are shifting on multiple fronts at once.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- The KSA issues a record €25 million fine against Novatech for illegal operations.
- Kalshi becomes the first prediction market operator to launch in Brazil.
- Bulgaria bans football players, staff, coaches, and more from betting.
- Congress introduces the first bipartisan federal bill targeting gambling addiction funding.
😄 Missed last week’s headlines? Catch up with our previous edition.
😎 Want to hear from the iGaming community? Check out our Opinion Corner. We highlight trending social media posts and provide our expert commentary.
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
KSA Imposes Record €25 Million Fine on Novatech for Illegal Operations, iGB
The Dutch gambling regulator KSA has issued its largest-ever penalty, nearly €25 million, against Novatech. The company operated unlicensed gambling websites, including Qbet.com and 55Bet.com, targeting Dutch players without proper geo-blocking, age verification, or anti-money laundering controls.
KSA chairman Michel Groothuizen noted the fine could have exceeded €100 million were it not for a statutory cap restricting penalties to 10% of global turnover.
New US Bill Would Address Responsible Gambling at Federal Level, NEXT
Bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress during Problem Gambling Awareness Month would designate federal funding for gambling addiction prevention and treatment for the first time. The POINTS Act proposes redirecting a portion of the existing federal excise tax on sports wagers.
The National Council on Problem Gambling, which estimates nearly 20 million American adults show indicators of problematic gambling behaviour, has backed the bill as the first formal federal public health response to gambling addiction.
Bulgarian Football Union Tightens Sports Betting Rules in Revised 2026 Statute, iGB
The Bulgarian Football Union is set to introduce a statutory amendment imposing an absolute betting ban on all players, coaches, club officials, and associated personnel. The proposal is scheduled for a vote at the BFU’s plenary meeting in Sofia on March 20.
The amendment follows joint enforcement operations in September 2025 that sanctioned dozens of players and coaches caught wagering on matches. It also centralises all betting data rights under BFU control, meaning future agreements with data providers must be negotiated directly with the federation.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Q4 2025: Gambling.com Group Posts Record Revenue Driven by Sports Data Growth, NEXT
Gambling.com Group reported record Q4 2025 revenue of $46.2 million, up 31% year-on-year. Full-year revenue climbed 30% to $165.4 million, with the sports data services segment, powered by OpticOdds and OddsJam, surging 440% to $11.8 million.
Email, social, and LLM referral channels each grew between 50% and 500% quarter-on-quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margins compressed to 33% due to higher traffic acquisition costs and regulatory headwinds in the UK and Finland.
Kalshi Launches Prediction Markets in Brazil Through XP Partnership, Yogonet
Kalshi has completed its first international expansion by going live in Brazil through a partnership with XP International. Clients of XP’s Clear Corretora brand can now trade contracts linked to financial and economic events, making Kalshi the first prediction market operator to launch in the country.
The move lands in a regulatory grey zone, as Brazil currently has no formal framework governing prediction markets. Legal experts warn that this creates opportunities for operators willing to accept legal uncertainty, while drawing consumers away from the licensed betting market.
Underdog Acquires Aristotle Exchange as It Accelerates Prediction Market Strategy, Gambling Insider
Underdog has acquired Aristotle Exchange, a CFTC-registered Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization. The deal gives the operator the regulatory infrastructure to list and clear sports event contracts natively, without relying on third-party exchanges.
The acquisition sets Underdog apart from rivals like DraftKings and FanDuel, which entered the prediction market space through partnerships rather than ownership. The deal follows Underdog’s full exit from traditional sports betting in late 2025 and its pivot toward a federally regulated prediction market platform currently available in 31 states.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
EveryMatrix to Supply Tech to Over 230 of Merkur’s Cashpoint Stores, SBC News
EveryMatrix has secured a major omnichannel turnkey deal with Cashpoint, the Merkur Group-owned operator. EveryMatrix technology will power over 1,000 sports betting terminals across more than 230 shops, alongside a fully integrated online sportsbook.
The deal marks EveryMatrix’s second major Danish turnkey agreement in two months, following its selection by Danske Spil. It signals a broader trend of tier-1 Western European operators moving away from in-house technology stacks toward scalable omnichannel platforms.
Relax Gaming Supercharges Hit Series with Launch of Treasure Tumble, European Gaming
Relax Gaming has expanded its popular Tumble series with the release of Treasure Tumble. The high-volatility slot features an 8×8 cluster-pays grid, a max win of 10,000x, and a new Supercharge mechanic offering players customisable spin options.
The launch coincides with Relax Gaming’s US brand RLX Gaming going live on Fanatics Casino across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Treasure Tumble also connects to the Dream Drop progressive jackpot network, positioning it as a core revenue title for operator partners heading into the spring season.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Slovakia Greenlights Academic Review of Gambling Governance, SBC News
Slovakia’s Gambling Regulatory Authority has formalised a cooperation agreement with the University of Trnava. The regulator will grant the university access to national gambling market data to drive research on addiction prevention and digital gambling risks.
Broader legislative reform of the Slovak Gambling Act has stalled after the President blocked proposed amendments in December, making this academic collaboration the only concrete governance advancement currently underway.
Greece Moves to Protect Youth from Rising Online Betting Harms, iGB
Greece’s Hellenic National Bioethics and Technoethics Commission has issued recommendations calling for coordinated government action against the rise in adolescent problem gambling.
The commission also recommended an industry-led self-regulatory advertising framework coordinated by the Hellenic Gaming Commission. This complements Greece’s broader enforcement push, which includes proposed multi-year prison sentences for unlicensed operators and a health authority partnership focused on early intervention and public education.
- A few new lawsuits this month are all circling the same issue, Rain Intelligence on LinkedIn
- Betsson has agreed to acquire Rhino Entertainment, iGB on X
- Brazil’s president is pushing for an online gambling ban, Phil Nagy on LinkedIn
- Dutch operators warn rising gambling tax is shrinking receipts and pushing players offshore, iGaming Times on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Gamblers are winning and casino try to stop them by replacing the dealer, Bitcoin Forum
- Slot scams, Reddit
- Effects of Gambling in Front of Our Children, What Are We Teaching Them? Bitcoin Forum
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