Quick Navigation
Regulation, taxation, and platform policy shifts created new challenges and opportunities for operators this week. Several jurisdictions focused on their oversight while major tech and media companies worked on how betting and prediction markets reach consumers. These headlines signal where the industry is heading.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Kalshi challenges Connecticut over its cease-and-desist order.
- Estonia cuts its online gambling tax from 6% to 4%.
- Google bans U.S. horse-racing affiliate ads effective immediately.
- Prediction-market competition intensifies with new launches and media deals.
- Regulators expand consumer-protection efforts in the Netherlands and Australia.
😄 Need to catch up with last week’s headlines? Visit the Nov 22–28 iGaming Recap!
😎 Read what the iGaming community has to say with our Opinion Corner! We take trending posts from social media platforms and provide our expert commentary.
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Kalshi Sues Connecticut in Big Week of Prediction Markets News, iGB
Connecticut sent cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com, accusing them of running illegal sports betting and warning they pose a “serious risk” to consumers outside a regulated environment.
Kalshi immediately filed a federal lawsuit in Connecticut, echoing similar actions it has taken in Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Ohio, arguing it is federally regulated by the CFTC and can offer event markets nationwide.
Estonia Approves Gambling Tax Cut in Bid to Become iGaming Hub, NEXT
Estonia’s parliament (Riigikogu) voted 51–31 to cut the country’s gambling tax from 6% to 4%, reversing earlier plans to raise the rate to 7%. Lawmakers backing the bill say the goal is to modernise rules so that Estonia can compete with hubs like Malta, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man.
The Ministry of Finance has criticised the move, warning gambling tax revenues could fall by up to €13 million by 2029 and raising concerns about supervising mostly foreign-based operators.
Google Bans Horse Racing Affiliate Ads in the U.S. Effective Immediately, Yogonet
Google has updated its U.S. Gambling and Games advertising policy to ban all horse racing gambling-promoting content from affiliates and aggregators as of 1 December 2025, revoking existing certifications and closing new applications.
The change forces comparison sites, tipster platforms and other third-party promoters to shut down their Google Ads campaigns, while licensed operators authorised under state pari-mutuel laws can still advertise if they meet licensing and responsible gambling disclosure rules.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Prediction-Giant Kalshi Strikes New Media Partnership With CNBC, Days After Its CNN Deal, Business Insider
Kalshi signed a multi-year deal with CNBC to integrate its real-time prediction data into TV segments, website and app starting in 2026, including a dedicated ticker on shows like “Squawk Box” and “Fast Money.”
This follows the CNN integration announced a few days earlier and comes on the heels of Kalshi’s $1 billion funding round at an $11 billion valuation, positioning the platform as a mainstream reference for public expectations on elections, markets and global events.
Q3 2025: Weaker Sports-Betting Margins Hit Allwyn International Profits, NEXT
Allwyn posted a 5% year-on-year increase in net revenue to €1.02 billion and a 5% rise in gross gaming revenue to €2.12 billion in Q3 2025, but adjusted EBITDA fell 8% to €374 million, lowering the margin to 36.6%.
The drop in profitability was blamed on “customer-friendly” sports results in September and a decline in contributions from its equity-accounted partner Betano, along with higher corporate costs. Lottery and digital segments remained strong, but the weak sports outcomes underlined risks tied to betting volatility.
Fanatics Markets Rolls Out as Sportsbook Operators Chase New Growth, iGB
Fanatics has officially launched Fanatics Markets, a product designed to offer prediction-style wagering tied to sports outcomes, player performances and other measurable events. The rollout positions Fanatics to compete directly in the fast-growing “prediction markets” segment.
The product is being deployed state-by-state as regulatory approvals come through, allowing Fanatics to expand beyond its core sportsbook and target users interested in data-driven, lower-barrier wagering formats.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
HilltopAds Launches Dedicated iGaming Suite With Managed-Service Option, European Gaming
HilltopAds unveiled a new iGaming-focused suite featuring ready-made white- and blacklists derived from high-performing traffic and a full managed-service offering.
Advertisers can now outsource campaign setup and optimization to dedicated specialists, streamlining media buying in a complex vertical and reducing the time and risk associated with manual campaign testing.
Gaming Corps Expands UK Footprint Through New Buzz Bingo Partnership, Gambling Insider
Gaming Corps signed a deal with Buzz Bingo to supply a selection of its slot and arcade-style games (including titles like “3 Pigs of Olympus,” “Anubis vs Horus: Twin Titans,” and others) to Buzz’s digital platform and in-club systems across the UK.
The partnership strengthens Gaming Corps’ presence in the British market by tapping into Buzz Bingo’s large and diverse player base and omnichannel footprint.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
ACMA Cancels Phone Numbers Used in Scams, ACMA
ACMA cancelled 31 phone numbers identified as part of a scam operation that impersonated legitimate businesses. The authority concluded the similarity to real contact numbers was intentional deception and referred the matter to federal police. It also warned telcos and number holders that further misuse of smartnumbers could lead to enforcement action.
KSA Funds €2M Early Detection of Gambling Harm Plan, SBC News
The Dutch regulator KSA is backing a new national initiative with ~€2 million in funding to detect gambling-related harm earlier, via a coordinated network of health, addiction-treatment and social-support organisations. The “Early Detection of Gambling Harm” scheme will start pilot projects in five municipalities in 2026 and expand to at least 15 by 2027.
- The global gambling power map is shifting, Seema Khan on LinkedIn
- Earlier this year the BS Budget Bill reduced the tax deduction for gambling losses to 90%, Dina Titus on X
- History being made in UAE with Play971 getting the first ever online gambling license, Japneet Singh Sethi on LinkedIn
- Legal sports betting is driving a record surge in gambling addiction, Semper Invictus on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Despite awareness campaigns about casino, why are people not aware of gambling? Bitcoin Forum
- Boomzino spam/scam/malware, Reddit
- Are sportsbook users turning into casino users over time? Bitcoin Forum
Keep up with news and trends in the iGaming industry. Gambling ‘N Go provides a recap each week. Join our spam-free newsletter to stay ahead. We are a GPWA-approved portal that supports responsible gambling. Check out our guides for beginners and experts to find trusted and reliable games, avoid scams, and responsible gambling practices.
