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Regulators, operators, and industry leaders drove the news this week as new laws reshaped betting markets, enforcement actions tightened control, and financial reports showed where growth is accelerating. At the same time, technology partnerships and responsible gambling measures continue to push the sector in new directions.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Hong Kong lawmakers approve a bill legalizing basketball betting.
- California Senate passes AB-831 to ban sweepstakes casinos.
- New York casino revenue up 4.7% in August as betting handle tops $2 billion.
- Asia-Pacific regulators hold first forum on digital gaming disruption.
- GambleAware says demand for treatment and support has nearly doubled since 2020.
😄 Need to catch up on last week’s headlines? Visit the Aug 30–Sep 5 iGaming Recap!
😎 Interested in what the iGaming community had to say? Check out our Opinion Corner to read up on the trending posts along with our expert commentary.
Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Hong Kong Approves Bill to Legalize Basketball Betting, Yogonet
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 with overwhelming support (77 votes for, 2 against, 2 abstentions), legalising betting on basketball. The law mirrors the framework for football betting and taxes basketball betting at 50% of net profits.
Only the Hong Kong Jockey Club will be licensed to operate basketball betting. To accompany the legislation, the government will step up enforcement, education, and support targeting illegal gambling, especially among youth.
California Senate Passes Bill to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos, Casino Reports
California’s Senate has advanced Assembly Bill 831, which aims to ban sweepstakes casinos that rely on dual-currency models that mimic gambling. The bill was approved unanimously in a key committee and would impose fines (up to about US$25,000) and potentially penalty provisions on operators, not users, if they knowingly run or facilitate these platforms.
Tribal gaming authorities and regulated operators support the bill, arguing these sweepstakes platforms undermine legal gaming frameworks. Critics argue the language may be too broad and risk collateral impacts.
Sweden Bans Bitx Operations and Ryker From Targeting Local Market, Gambling Insider
Sweden’s Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) has banned two Curaçao-based operators, Bitx Operations and Ryker, from offering gambling services to Swedish players, finding they were targeting Swedish users without the required licence.
The websites were using Swedish language, Swedish payment options, and Swedish-language affiliates, making them clearly aimed at Swedish customers. This move is part of a broader effort by the regulator to increase “channelisation” to authorised operators and reduce the reach of unlicensed gambling.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
New York Sports Betting Handle Reaches $2B, Gaming America
In August 2025, New York saw its sports betting handle hit $2.04 billion, marking a 41.9% year-over-year increase. Casino revenue also rose, with operators posting $178.2 million in net gaming revenue (mobile sports betting) for the month.
Portugal Online Gambling Revenue Hits €287 Million in Q2 2025, Gambling Insider
Portugal’s regulated online gambling market generated €284.7 million in Q1 2025 gross revenue, up ~9% year-on-year but down by 12% compared to Q4 2024. The drop ends a run of 10 consecutive quarters of quarterly growth and suggests the market may be entering a maturity or plateau phase.
Cirsa Reports Record Q2 Revenue Driven by Online Growth, iGB
Cirsa, the Spanish-based gambling operator, reported strong performance in Q2 2025, particularly in its online betting business, which saw revenues increase by around 64% year over year. Despite net profit dropping (in part due to foreign exchange losses in Latin America), Cirsa reaffirmed its full-year guidance, expecting core profit growth of 6-7%.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Asia-Pacific Regulators Address Digital Gaming Disruption at Inaugural Forum, European Gaming
In Manila on 11 September, regulators, operators, and stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered at the inaugural AsPac Regulators’ Forum organised by PAGCOR and Inside Asian Gaming.
They discussed how rapid digitalisation, remote gaming, and emerging platforms are putting pressure on traditional oversight models, especially around cross-border transactions, financial integrity, consumer protection, and advertising standards.
BetMGM Partners With Fremantle to Launch New Price Is Right Game, Gambling Insider
BetMGM and Fremantle are introducing a brand-new pricing game, The Lion’s Share, on The Price Is Right show’s 54th season, debuting September 22. Contestants will have the chance to win up to $500,000 in cash, cars, trips, and other prizes.
The game is structured around guessing everyday item prices to earn balls, then stepping into a wind tunnel to collect each ball corresponding to a prize or possibly a “Lose It All” risk. As part of their multi-year Fremantle partnership, BetMGM is also developing an online casino version of The Lion’s Share, expected in 2026.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
GambleAware Reports Demand for Treatment Nearly Doubled Since 2020, NEXT
GambleAware’s Annual Treatment and Support Survey 2024 reveals that the number of UK adults who gamble and are seeking treatment, support, or advice for gambling-related harm has nearly doubled since 2020. In 2024, about 30% of adults at risk expressed a need for help, up from approximately 17% in 2020.
Survey Finds Most Americans View Sports Event Contracts as Gambling, Yogonet
A survey of over 2,000 registered U.S. voters conducted by YouGov for the American Gaming Association found 85% believe sports event contracts, offered via prediction markets, are more like gambling than financial instruments. 80% think these contracts should be regulated like online sports betting. A strong majority also says companies offering them should be licensed like sportsbooks.
- Palau is small in size, but when it comes to iGaming, it’s an intriguing case study, iGamingToday.com on LinkedIn
- Sun International just posted record breaking online gambling revenue, Koshiek Karan on X
- A recent political shift has created uncertainty in the nation’s gambling industry, Neil Hodgson-Coyle on LinkedIn
- Yes… online gambling has ruined Vegas, Jim Messina on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Is stablecoin gambling killing the crypto edge? Bitcoin Forum
- When cashing out feels harder than winning, Reddit
- Engineers, DPWH Bulacan officials blew 300m each in casinos? Bitcoin Forum
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