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Regulators and markets took center stage in the global iGaming industry this week. Governments advanced stricter rules aimed at consumer protection, while gaming revenue reports from Nevada and Macau highlighted steady growth despite external challenges.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Sweden will enforce a full credit gambling ban by April 2026.
- Greece bans social media for under-16s and gambling for minors.
- Macau casino revenue increased 6% in September despite typhoon disruptions.
- DraftKings signed a multi-year advertising deal with NBCUniversal.
- Better Collective partnered with X to launch Playbook, an AI-powered betting tool.
😄 Didn’t get to read last week’s headlines? Catch up with the Sep 20–Sep 26 iGaming Recap!
😎 Find out what the iGaming community is saying with our Opinion Corner! We take trending social media posts and provide expert commentary.
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Sweden to Enforce Full Credit Gambling Ban by April 2026, iGB
Sweden has approved a tougher version of its credit-based gambling ban, set to become fully enforceable on 1 April 2026. The new rules will prohibit not just direct credit use but also third-party credit services and overdrafts being used for gambling.
Licensed operators must block these credit transactions and cannot promote credit services. Failure to comply may result in penalties including licence suspension or revocation. The law aims to curb gambling debt, which has reportedly reached SEK 138 billion.
Greece is introducing sweeping digital restrictions: children under 16 will be barred from using social media platforms, and those under 18 will be blocked from accessing gambling, tobacco, alcohol, and adult content online.
The enforcement tool behind this is the Kids Wallet application, which works at the device level to filter content rather than relying on operator checks. The move positions Greece as one of the first EU nations to merge social media and gambling regulation into a unified age-verification framework.
New Zealand Targets Influencers Promoting Illegal Offshore Gambling, Yogonet
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has issued warnings to social media influencers promoting offshore, unlicensed gambling services, activities that are illegal under NZ law. Four influencers have already received takedown notices and face fines up to NZ$10,000 per breach.
The DIA is monitoring additional accounts and preparing to enforce compliance as part of a broader push to clamp down on unauthorized gambling advertising ahead of New Zealand’s planned rollout of licensed online casino regulation in 2026.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
Nevada Gaming Revenue Up 5.5% in August, Gambling Insider
Nevada’s casinos generated $1.23 billion in August, up 5.5% year-over-year. The uptick was driven by strong baccarat performance (up 52.6% to $116.5 million) and a 68.1% surge in sports betting revenue, largely fueled by mobile wagers (which made up 73% of sports betting volume).
DraftKings Signs Multi-Year Advertising Deal With NBCUniversal, Marketing Dive
DraftKings has signed a multi-year advertising and sponsorship deal with NBCUniversal, giving it exclusive integration and digital sponsorship rights across NBCU’s sports portfolio. The agreement covers premier leagues and global events like the NFL, NBA, Super Bowl LX, and the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup on Telemundo.
Macau Gaming Revenue Rises 6% in September, Bloomberg
Macau’s casinos posted a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of MOP 18.29 billion in September 2025, a 6% year-on-year rise. The result was dampened by a 17.5% drop from August, however, due to closures forced by Super Typhoon Ragasa, which led to 33 hours of enforced shutdown.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Better Collective Partners With X to Launch AI-Powered Playbook Tool, NEXT
Better Collective has teamed up with X (formerly Twitter) to launch Playbook, an AI-powered betting tool that generates pre-loaded bet slips directly within X. The solution uses image recognition and smart deeplinks to convert betting content into instant wagers, aiming to anchor retention by letting fans place bets where they already engage on social media.
Affina Partners Launches New iGaming Platform Millioner, Gambling Insider
Affina Partners has introduced Millioner, a new iGaming platform built around a theme of luxury and prestige. The platform combines casino, sportsbook, jackpot, and niche game offerings, claims integration with 100+ providers, and promises elite rewards, experiential features, and promotional exclusivity to differentiate itself in a crowded marketplace.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
Gordon Moody and Birches Health Announce Global Collaboration on Treatment, Birches Health
The UK-based charity Gordon Moody and U.S. treatment provider Birches Health have formed a strategic partnership to create a seamless referral pathway for people affected by gambling harm. The collaboration allows individuals in both networks to access specialist care in the other country, and includes sharing of clinical expertise and best practices across both organizations.
Svenska Spel Proposes 18 New Measures to Strengthen Gambling Regulation, NEXT
Svenska Spel released a comprehensive proposal outlining 18 reforms aimed at reshaping Sweden’s gambling market. Key measures include: introducing a risk-based classification for games, stricter rules for high-risk products like online casinos, enhanced enforcement powers for regulators, and broader bans on unlicensed operators across payment services and advertising.
- Unregulated online gambling in the Philippines is on the rise, Armand Michael Bengco on LinkedIn
- It’s time for online gambling companies to pay their fair share, Alex Ballinger MP on X
- Timor-Leste has cancelled all existing online gambling and betting licences, iGaming Republic on LinkedIn
- Think twice before you click, Michigan Gaming Control Board on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Predicting and setting odds are not the same thing, Bitcoin Forum
- All big streamers are playing with no risk, Reddit
- Gambling has an impact on aging process, Bitcoin Forum
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