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From U.S. casino app wars to high-stakes tax battles in India, the online gambling industry didn’t let up this week. With regulators on the move, Q1 earnings rolling in, and new products hitting the market, operators are navigating both expansion and pressure.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- India’s Supreme Court is weighing whether games like rummy should be taxed as gambling, a ruling that could reshape the entire sector.
- Fanatics officially launched its online casino with a massive $2 million FanCash sweepstakes aimed at shaking up the U.S. market.
- Flutter posted 8% revenue growth and raised its full-year outlook as U.S. momentum continues.
- Bank of Ireland introduced gambling blocks for debit cards as responsible gaming features become more mainstream.
😄 Missed last week’s headlines? Catch our last week’s recap.
😎 Curious what the iGaming community is discussing on social media platforms? Stay tuned with Opinion Corner.
Regulatory & Legal Updates
India Supreme Court Debates Taxation on Online Gaming, Yogonet
India’s Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether real-money online games traditionally seen as skill-based, such as rummy, should be taxed as gambling when money is wagered on outcomes. The case arises from the government’s move to impose a uniform 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing, making no distinction between games of skill and games of chance.
Online gaming companies have challenged this taxation approach, arguing that games requiring a substantial degree of skill should not be equated with gambling. They contend that the retrospective application of the 28% GST is unsustainable and runs counter to over 60 years of jurisprudence that differentiates between games of skill and chance.
Ohio Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Legalize Online Casino and Poker Gaming, Gambling News
Ohio State Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), chair of the House Finance Committee, has introduced House Bill 96, aiming to legalize online casino and poker gaming in the state. The proposed legislation seeks to expand Ohio’s gambling laws beyond the current sports betting framework to include online casino gaming and virtual poker.
This initiative follows a 2024 report by the Study Commission on the Future of Gaming in Ohio, which recommended legalizing online gaming. The report highlighted that other states have seen significant increases in tax revenues generated with greater participation in online gaming and lotteries.
Alberta Passes iGaming and Sports Betting Bill, NEXT.io
Alberta’s legislature has passed Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, marking a significant step toward expanding the province’s legal betting industry. The legislation establishes the Alberta iGaming Corporation, a new government agency responsible for regulating online gambling. It positions Alberta to become the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to allow commercial online operators into its market.
Currently, PlayAlberta is the only legal online sports betting and gambling platform in the province, controlling less than 50% of the market. The new legislation aims to create a more competitive market by allowing multiple private-sector operators to obtain licenses. While the bill has passed the legislature, it still requires Royal Assent from Alberta’s lieutenant governor to become law.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Super Group Reports Strong Q1 2025 Results, Business Wire
Super Group (SGHC), the parent company of Betway and Spin, announced a strong performance in Q1 2025, with revenue reaching $516.8 million, a 25% increase year-over-year. This growth was primarily driven by strong performances in Africa, Europe, and North America, particularly Canada. The company’s profit for the quarter was $59.4 million, up from $44.6 million in Q1 2024.
The company also reported a 14% increase in Monthly Active Customers, totaling 5.3 million for the quarter. Despite paying out $95.7 million in dividends during the quarter, Super Group maintained a strong balance sheet with $351 million in unrestricted cash as of March 31, 2025. The company reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, projecting revenue exceeding $2.014 billion and Adjusted EBITDA over $421 million.
Flutter Entertainment Posts 8% Revenue Growth in Q1 2025, Flutter Entertainment
Flutter Entertainment reported an 8% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 2025, totaling $3.67 billion. Net income surged to $335 million from a loss of $177 million in the same quarter last year, marking a significant turnaround. The company’s U.S. operations were a key driver, with revenue up 18% year-over-year.
The company raised its full-year 2025 guidance, now expecting revenue of $17.08 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $3.18 billion, representing 22% and 35% year-over-year growth, respectively. This optimistic outlook is bolstered by recent acquisitions, including Italy’s Snai and the anticipated completion of the NSX deal.
DraftKings Reports Q1 2025 Earnings; Adjusts Forecast, MarketWatch
DraftKings reported Q1 2025 revenue of $1.41 billion, a 20% increase from the previous year, driven by strong customer engagement and efficient acquisition strategies. The company narrowed its loss to $0.07 per share, slightly better than analysts’ expectations.
However, the company adjusted its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to a range of $6.2 billion to $6.4 billion, down from the previous estimate of $6.3 billion to $6.6 billion. This revision was attributed to the lack of major upsets during March Madness, which led to more bettors winning and impacted the company’s hold. Despite this, DraftKings remains optimistic about its growth trajectory, citing strong customer metrics and ongoing platform improvements.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
KingMidas Games Launches Titles on Sportsbet.io via Hub88, Gambling Insider
KingMidas Games has expanded its global footprint by integrating its diverse portfolio of iGaming titles onto Sportsbet.io’s platform through a partnership with aggregator Hub88. This collaboration brings KingMidas’ engaging Next-Gen, Classic, and Slots games to Sportsbet.io’s international user base, enhancing the platform’s gaming offerings. The integration was facilitated seamlessly by Hub88, known for its efficient aggregation solutions.
Alex Haig, Director of Sportsbet.io at Yolo Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We were immediately drawn to KingMidas Games, with their innovative mechanics, strong design, and user-first approach.” This move aligns with Sportsbet.io’s strategy to offer a diverse and high-quality gaming experience to its users.
Fanatics Casino Launches with $2 Million FanCash Drop, Fanatics
Fanatics Betting and Gaming has launched its standalone online casino app, Fanatics Casino, in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. To celebrate the launch, the company is hosting a $2 million FanCash Drop sweepstakes, where customers can win a share of $250,000 in FanCash each week through June. Players earn entries by wagering $10 on casino games, with one winner each week receiving a top prize of $25,000 in FanCash.
The app features a wide array of games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, progressive jackpots, and video poker. Fanatics Casino offers exclusive content from its in-house development team, Fanatics Game Studios, and partnerships with top-tier providers like Light & Wonder, IGT PlayDigital, Evolution, and White Hat Studios.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Bank of Ireland Introduces Voluntary Gambling Blocking Feature, Gambling Insider
Bank of Ireland has launched a new feature allowing customers to voluntarily block gambling transactions on their debit cards. This initiative enables customers to prevent payments to online casinos, slot machines, and lottery websites upon request. The move aims to support individuals seeking to control their gambling habits and enhance financial well-being.
The decision follows a notable 19% increase in gambling among 18 to 25-year-olds in Q1 2025, with 90% of gambling transactions occurring online. The blocking feature is available for both personal and business debit cards and is expected to extend to credit cards in the coming months. Customers can activate the block by contacting the bank directly.
Player Protection Symposium Integrated into SBC Summit Americas 2025, SBC Events
The SBC Summit Americas 2025, scheduled for May 13–15 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will feature the Player Protection Symposium as a core component of its agenda. This integration underscores the industry’s commitment to responsible gambling and player safety. The symposium will provide a platform for operators, regulators, and technology providers to discuss strategies for enhancing player protection.
The symposium will cover topics such as affordability checks, early harm detection through technology, and safeguarding against underage gambling. By incorporating the symposium into the main conference, SBC aims to facilitate broader participation and foster collaborative efforts to promote safer gambling practices across North and Latin America.
- What’s happening in Bangladesh? Roman K. on LinkedIn
- Mississippi Today heard from dozens of people about the state’s shadow sports betting economy, Michael Goldberg on X
- Gambling litigation in the Netherlands is on the rise, Giulio Coraggio on LinkedIn
- Catching up on DraftKings’ Q1 results and this slide caught my eye, Geoff Zochodne on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Comparing gambling to trading, Bitcoin Forum
- Rolling Richie’s won’t pay, Reddit
- Feel like I’m being cheated playing Blackjack Originals, Bitcoin Forum
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