(AsiaGameHub) - Lawmakers in Bangladesh have pledged to roll out a nationwide crackdown on gambling and online betting, stressing that coordinated targeted measures are imminent for the sector. Actions will kick off after the country’s parliament adjourns on 30 April, as confirmed by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who promised a “zero tolerance” policy on gambling alongside drug use, in response to concerns raised by Zainul Abdin Farroque, the parliament member representing the Noakhali-2 constituency. “To save the youth from destruction, the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy,” stated Ahmed, who confirmed that law enforcement agencies will carry out joint operations to dismantle networks tied to drugs and gambling. Most forms of gambling remain prohibited in Bangladesh under the 1867 Public Gaming Act, which leaves online gambling operating in an unregulated grey area with no domestic oversight. Ahmed’s push to curb online gambling comes even though Bangladesh passed the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 last year, which stipulates penalties of two years in prison and fines of up to $80,000 for people found operating or promoting online gambling services. In May 2025, Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department announced that it had identified more than 1,000 financial service agents suspected of being linked to illegal gambling transactions, and their details were submitted to the Bangladesh Bank. However, the latest concerns from politicians indicate that the law has not delivered the expected effect of effectively targeting the black market, so enforcement actions are now set to be intensified. This move also comes as the broader Bangladesh economy has seen slowing growth, further prompting the country’s home ministry to accelerate its actions in a bid to stop the flow of underground funds within the country. Latest economic reports show that growth has dropped to between 3.7 and 4.0%, significantly lower than the historical average of 6–7%. Lessons from its larger neighbours The end of April also marks the start of stricter enforcement actions for Bangladesh’s neighbour, India. Last week, Indian lawmakers confirmed that they will begin enforcing a ban on online real money gaming from 1 May, as laid out in the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules (PROGA 2025). The Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) has been assigned to oversee compliance with the regulatory framework, which was passed by India’s parliament in August 2025. The OGAI will categorize games under the new legislation and holds the authority to investigate illegal gambling activities. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - BGaming has entered into a content collaboration with Entain, expanding the studio’s presence across multiple regulated iGaming markets in Europe and Latin America. Good to Know BGaming’s games will launch on Entain’s brands in Brazil, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal. Entain operates over 25 brands, such as bwin, Party Casino, Sportingbet, and Sports Interaction. The agreement includes BGaming’s titles from its #Casual, #Entertainment, and #Classic game lines. BGaming’s Games Join Entain’s Brand Portfolio Entain has integrated BGaming into its casino content roster across five markets, with additional regions planned for the future. This partnership allows players to access BGaming’s slots and casino games via various Entain brands, like bwin, Party Casino, Sportingbet, and Sports Interaction. For BGaming, this deal exposes its portfolio to a significantly larger regulated audience. The studio has driven much of its recent growth through diverse game categories, with #Casual, #Entertainment, and #Classic titles tailored to different player preferences. Entain also adds another supplier to its online casino offerings at a time when operators are constantly updating content to retain player engagement. The group exclusively operates in regulated markets and is among the top players in global iGaming, boasting over 25 well-known brands in its network. Olga Levshina, CCO at BGaming, said: “This partnership is a key milestone for BGaming as we aim to solidify our presence in several major global markets. Entain is one of the largest and most reputable players in the industry, and making our products widely accessible on its platforms will help ensure our games receive the recognition they merit.” The Brazil rollout also boosts the partnership’s SEO value, given that the regulated Brazilian betting and online casino market has become a top priority for iGaming suppliers and operators. Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal extend the partnership’s reach in licensed European gaming markets. Obdulio Bacarese, Global Gaming Director at Entain, said: “We’ve established ourselves as one of the leading iGaming operators by consistently providing our players with the highest quality games and content. BGaming is an exciting, innovative studio that will help us enhance our offerings in several key markets, and we’re eager to see how our players respond to their games.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Meta delivered a robust first quarter performance, yet investors zeroed in on two high-cost items in the earnings report: another loss from Reality Labs and a significantly expanded AI investment plan. Good to Know Reality Labs incurred an additional $4 billion loss during the quarter. Since 2021, the AR, VR, and metaverse division has accumulated $83.5 billion in losses over 21 quarterly filings. Meta currently projects 2026 expenditures to range from $125 billion to $145 billion, exceeding both its prior forecasts and analysts’ expectations. Meta’s Profit Remains Strong, But Spending Continues to Climb Meta still possesses the financial resources to support major initiatives. During Q1, the firm posted net income of $26.8 billion—an increase of 61% compared to the same period last year. Revenue grew 33% year-over-year to reach $56.3 billion. Despite this, the market response was negative. Meta’s stock dropped over 5% in after-hours trading following the company’s announcement of an elevated spending forecast, primarily driven by AI infrastructure costs. Reality Labs continued to consume cash as well. The unit—responsible for AR glasses, VR headsets, and VR software—lost $4 billion in the quarter. This figure has become almost routine for Meta. Over the 21 quarterly reports issued since 2021, Reality Labs has racked up $83.5 billion in losses, averaging roughly $4 billion per quarter.Simultaneously, Meta has scaled back its earlier metaverse initiatives and redirected greater focus to AI. The company aims to compete more directly with OpenAI and Anthropic, and this competitive race becomes more costly each quarter. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated during the investor call: “We are increasing our infrastructure capex forecast for this year,” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told investors during a public call on Wednesday. “Most of that is due to higher component costs, particularly memory pricing […] We are very focused on increasing the efficiency of our investments.” Meta also invested heavily last year in recruiting AI talent. The firm hired over 50 AI researchers and engineers from competing companies, then launched the revamped AI model Muse Spark in early April. Zuckerberg noted that Meta AI usage saw “large increases” after that release.However, investors sought greater clarity on 2027 expenses. Meta CFO Susan Li declined to provide a specific figure. “We aren’t providing a specific outlook for 2027 capex, and we are, frankly, undergoing a very dynamic planning process ourselves as we’re working through what our capacity needs will be over the coming years,” Meta CFO Susan Li responded. “Our experience so far has been that we have continued to underestimate our compute needs.” That statement helps explain the market’s reaction quite clearly. Meta has the means to support substantial AI spending, but investors are now dealing with a company that has massive profits, consistent Reality Labs losses, and no defined limit on compute expenses. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Alphabet commenced 2026 with a quarter that surpassed forecasts, posting $109.9 billion in revenue, with contributions from Google Cloud, Search, YouTube, Google One, and its paid AI offerings. The parent company of Google announced that its total paid subscriptions hit 350 million, marking an increase of 25 million since the close of 2025. Good to Know Alphabet's first-quarter revenue increased 22% compared to the previous year, reaching $109.9B. Google's services now boast 350 million paid subscriptions, with YouTube and Google One leading the growth. YouTube's advertising revenue grew 11% year-over-year to $9.88B, though it fell short of the $9.99B target set by Wall Street. Google One And YouTube Carry More Of The Subscription Story While Alphabet clearly exceeded earnings expectations, the growth in subscriptions is equally noteworthy. Google's addition of 25 million paid subscriptions in the quarter was primarily driven by YouTube and Google One, the latter being a cloud storage service that now includes access to advanced Gemini AI tools. The performance of Gemini is less transparent. Alphabet did not disclose updated figures for total Gemini subscribers or monthly active users. However, CEO Sundar Pichai reported a 40% quarter-over-quarter increase in paid monthly active users for Gemini Enterprise. He also noted the most recent quarter was the strongest for consumer AI plans to date, largely because of adoption of the Gemini app. YouTube delivered a mixed performance for Alphabet. While ad revenue climbed 11% year-over-year to $9.88 billion, it missed the analyst forecast of $9.99 billion. This shortfall aligns with a broader shift on the platform, where a growing number of users are opting for ad-free viewing via YouTube Premium. Pichai had previously advised analysts to evaluate YouTube's performance using both advertising and subscription metrics, rather than ads alone.Google Cloud provided significant momentum for the quarter. The division's revenue hit $20 billion, a 63% year-over-year surge, fueled by enterprise demand for AI services. According to Reuters, Alphabet's stock price climbed more than 6% following the results, bolstered by the cloud growth and the overall earnings beat. Search maintained its robust performance. Alphabet reported a 19% increase in Search revenue, attributing the growth to AI features that are boosting user engagement and query volume. This strength provides Google with greater financial flexibility to invest in Gemini, cloud infrastructure, and paid AI services, while still relying on the foundational advertising business. Expenditures remain a key area to watch. Reuters indicated that Alphabet's capital expenditures exceeded $35 billion in the first quarter, with potential spending for the year reaching $190 billion as the company expands its AI infrastructure. So, while Alphabet did outperform expectations, investors must now monitor two concurrent narratives: the rapid monetization of AI and the substantial costs associated with building AI capacity. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Meta has launched a 2026 pilot program allowing chosen creators to receive their earnings in USDC, with payments processed via Solana and Polygon. The trial begins with eligible creators in Colombia and the Philippines—two markets where many online workers are paid in U.S. dollars and often face losses from bank fees or currency conversion. Good to Know Meta is not introducing a new cryptocurrency. The pilot uses USDC, a dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Circle. Stripe powers the payment infrastructure after Meta solicited proposals from third-party providers in February 2026. Creators are responsible for managing their own wallets, private keys, tax records, and any conversion of USDC to local cash. Meta Opts for USDC Over Developing Another In-House Cryptocurrency Meta previously attempted to build its own crypto project. Libra launched in 2019, later rebranded to Diem, and was discontinued in 2022 following strong pushback from U.S. and European lawmakers. Now, Meta has taken a more straightforward approach. Instead of issuing its own token, the company is using USDC. This choice gives Meta a familiar stablecoin payment rail and avoids the political controversy that led to Diem’s end. Qualified creators will receive a notification in the Facebook app. From there, they can add a USDC wallet address in Meta’s payout settings—only Solana and Polygon are supported for the pilot.Supported wallets include MetaMask, Phantom, Binance, Bybit, Kraken, Exodus, Brave Wallet, Bitso, GCash with GCrypto, and Coins.ph. Stripe is the backbone of the payment process. The company became the main partner after acquiring stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge, providing Meta with a ready-made setup for crypto-based creator payouts. The pilot aligns with a broader trend in payments. PayPal launched PYUSD in 2023, and Stripe reinstated crypto payouts that same year. In the U.S., progress tied to the GENIUS Act framework has also helped large companies feel more comfortable testing stablecoin payments. Still, Meta keeps the setup limited. The company does not convert USDC to local currency. A creator wanting cash must send USDC to an exchange, sell it for fiat, and then withdraw funds to a bank account.Meta also warns users about wallet mistakes. Crypto transfers cannot be reversed—funds sent to the wrong address or network may be lost permanently. Taxes remain part of the normal payout process. Creators still receive regular Meta forms, including Form 1099 or 1042 when relevant. Since USDC counts as a digital asset payment, Stripe may also issue additional crypto tax documents. Creators need records from both sources. Meta can switch a creator back to another payout method if technical issues affect the crypto option. The company does not custody wallets, so users bear full responsibility for wallet security and private keys. With over 3 billion users across its apps, Meta has the reach to turn this small stablecoin test into a large payment channel if it expands USDC payouts later in 2026. For now, eligible creators should check Facebook payout settings, confirm wallet support, and review every address before connecting anything. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - On April 29, 2026, U.S. officials publicized a major cryptocurrency fraud case, revealing that investigators had connected overseas fraud centers to counterfeit investment platforms targeting Americans. Good to Know Law enforcement apprehended at least 276 individuals and dismantled at least nine alleged scam centers. According to prosecutors, the criminal networks utilized fake cryptocurrency investment websites, online relationship-building, and rapid money laundering. The indictments include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with each charge punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Fake Crypto Platforms Sat At The Center Of The Case Dubai recorded the highest number of arrests. Local authorities there detained 275 individuals, which includes three defendants named in San Diego cases. An additional defendant was arrested by the Thailand Royal Thai Police. The San Diego indictments identify Thet Min Nyi, Wiliang Awang, Andreas Chandra, Lisa Mariam, and two fugitives. The alleged operations were also linked by prosecutors to Ko Thet Company, Sanduo Group, and Giant Company. The Department of Justice characterized the case as an uncommon multinational collaboration. It stated:“Unprecedented cooperation between the FBI, Dubai Police Department, and Chinese Ministry of Public Security has resulted in the arrest of at least 276 individuals and the dismantlement of at least nine scam centers used for cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes.” “These centers targeted Americans who have suffered millions of dollars in losses from such schemes,” the DOJ added. Prosecutors explained that the scam centers employed "pig-butchering," a deceptive tactic where fraudsters cultivate false friendships or romantic relationships before convincing victims to make phony investments. Victims subsequently opened accounts, transferred cryptocurrency, borrowed money, took out loans, and invested additional funds after viewing fabricated balances on the platforms. The DOJ clarified that the platforms were merely facades. It elaborated:“Fake platforms put the victims’ funds in the hands of the scammers, who then laundered the victims’ funds to other cryptocurrency accounts, including their own.” The FBI's San Diego office initiated the inquiry in 2025 after tracking companies and individuals associated with fraudulent compounds. Investigators relied on reports from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, interviews with victims, financial documentation, and data provided by Meta Platforms, Inc., which owns Facebook and Instagram. The accused allegedly held roles as managers, recruiters, or general staff within the operations. Prosecutors state the groups inflicted millions of dollars in losses and transferred funds between cryptocurrency accounts before victims could reclaim their money. A conviction on each count of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Potential fines can be as high as $250,000, $500,000, or double the amount gained or lost, based on the specific charge. Prosecutors have also initiated criminal forfeiture proceedings against Thet Min Nyi and a fugitive co-defendant. The investigation involved the FBI, Dubai Police, China's Ministry of Public Security, Thailand's Royal Thai Police, and other collaborators. This case follows efforts by the FBI's San Diego field office under Operation Level Up, which by April 2026 had alerted nearly 9,000 potential victims and prevented an estimated $562 million in losses. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock is gearing up to resume operations after Texas dismissed charges tied to allegations of illegal gambling and money laundering. Good to Know Co-owner Doug Polk stated that a Williamson County grand jury declined to prosecute the case. The Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission conducted a raid on The Lodge in March. The returned funds will allow players to cash in their chips and collect pending tournament payouts. The Lodge Prepares To Reopen Poker looks poised to make a return at one of Texas’s largest card rooms. Doug Polk, co-owner of The Lodge Card Club and a high-stakes poker player, shared on Tuesday that the state dropped the case after a Williamson County grand jury chose not to pursue prosecution. Polk posted on X that he hopes The Lodge can reopen “within a few weeks.” BREAKING: All charges against myself, my partners, and the Lodge have been officially rejected. The seized money and equipment will be returned and we will reopen as quickly as possible, hopefully within a few weeks. The Grand Jury in Williamson county heard the allegations… pic.twitter.com/giEFXKzq6N — Doug Polk (Code Doug) (@DougPolkVids) April 28, 2026 This development wraps up nearly two months of uncertainty for the Round Rock club. In March, the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission raided the property, seized funds and assets, and forced the venue to close its doors. The TABC accused The Lodge and its owners of crimes linked to illegal gambling and money laundering. However, the agency only conducted an investigation and could not formally charge the club on its own. Texas had until April 9 to file charges or release the seized funds. That deadline passed while the funds remained frozen. Later, the state removed potential money laundering allegations from the investigation. With the funds now returned, The Lodge can begin settling customer balances. Players can redeem their chips for cash, and the club can process the tournament payouts that went unpaid after the raid. The timing of the closure made the situation particularly chaotic. The Lodge had wrapped up a tournament series one day before the raid, including a main event that awarded more than $200,000 to the winner. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - During its first-quarter earnings call, Sportradar responded to allegations from short sellers regarding its revenue from unlicensed operators, following two critical reports that caused a significant drop in its share price last week. Good to Know Sportradar stated that its revenue from the grey market falls within a range of 5% to 13%. The company's stock declined by 22.6% after reports were published by Callisto Research and Muddy Waters. First-quarter revenue increased by 11% to €347 million, despite the company reporting a loss of €6 million. Koerl Pushes Back On Short Seller Claims CEO Carsten Koerl provided analysts with a more precise figure after Callisto Research and Muddy Waters raised questions about the portion of Sportradar's income derived from unlicensed operators. “We do not work with black market operators,” Koerl stated on the post-Q1 earnings call. “For the grey market, we have a solid compliance structure in place, and we only work with licensed operators. “Overall, it’s [between] 5% to 12%, 13%. That’s the range which we have, and we are drilling this down from our operational business.”Callisto Research had alleged that a former senior employee at Sportradar estimated revenue from unlicensed operators was 30% to 40%. The report also suggested the number of unlicensed platforms could exceed 270. Separately, Muddy Waters claimed that a Sportradar sales employee stated the company “serves everyone” during the ICE Barcelona 2026 event, where investigators said they inquired about operations in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and China. Sportradar's share price dropped 22.6% by the market close on Wednesday following the reports. Koerl refuted the allegations on LinkedIn the following day, labeling them “false, misleading and defamatory.” He reiterated this stance during the earnings call. “To be clear, Sportradar and I reject the unfounded and misinformed allegations contained in the reports,” Koerl said. “For 25 years, Sportradar has maintained regulatory licenses in jurisdictions around the world.“Unfortunately, these actors strive on misinformation and repackaging historical allegations to drive down company stock prices at the expense of long-term focused investors.” Koerl said that since the reports were released, the company had been contacted by leagues, clients, partners, commissioners, and regulators. “I get a lot of support from all sites, our partners, our clients, the industry, some commissioners. And from a regulator perspective, we are in contact with some regulators on a very frequent basis. “Some of them contacted our teams, they explained to them the situation and that’s an ongoing process. Overall, the response was overwhelming for me that I got so much support and feedback on the allegations.” ICE Claims And Q1 Numbers Add More Detail Koerl also responded to a Muddy Waters claim concerning Yabo Group, which the report identified as China's largest illegal operator. He explained that investigators singled out a junior sales employee at the ICE event, where Sportradar conducted approximately 4,000 meetings. He emphasized that any sales conversation is merely the start of a comprehensive review process.“When a sales guy is selling something, there is a kickoff of a very intensive KYC process,” Koerl said. “That has the identification, the verification, the licence verification against the regulator, the verification of a corporate filing and the register, which is in there. Then finally, running this through sanction lists from all the available markets where we are acting. And then it goes to a final review of our legal counsel before a contract is signed. “So this is far off from signing a contract, and this was a purposeful sting campaign on a relatively young sales employee at ICE. “[There’s] no excuse on this, [it] should not happen, but this was far off from signing a contract or teasing somebody into doing business in illegal markets.” Separate from the controversy, Sportradar announced an 11% increase in Q1 revenue to €347 million. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 12% to €66 million, while the company registered a €6 million loss. Sportradar also appointed Sameer Deen as Chief Operating Officer, effective from May 18. Deen joins from Entain, where he held the positions of group COO and president since December 2023. Koerl stated that Deen will be “instrumental” in commercial activities and enhancing operational efficiency. Koerl said: “We will continue to drive innovation across our business, uphold the highest levels of integrity and transparency while delivering increasing value to our clients, our partners and our shareholders. “The underlying fundamentals of the business remain strong, and we are confident in our growth strategy and the opportunities ahead.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - The UK Gambling Commission has moved to ease concerns surrounding financial risk checks, stating that the proposed procedure will not require bettors to submit bank statements or other additional financial paperwork. Good to Know The UKGC confirms financial risk checks will not evaluate how much each customer is able to spend on gambling. Trial data indicates 97% of checks can be completed with no interruptions for users. Just 0.1% of active accounts required extra support during the pilot. Miller Seeks to Establish a Clear Distinction Tim Miller, Executive Director at the UKGC, used the Ethical Gambling Forum held in London to draw a line between financial risk assessments and the long-running debate over affordability checks. He stated: “The checks we have been trialing will not even attempt to evaluate how much each individual customer can afford to spend on gambling”. Miller also noted the Commission wants to introduce guidance that prevents operators from requesting bank statements or similar documents after a risk check is completed. He described such requests as serving no “legitimate regulatory purpose”. This point directly addresses one of the most prominent complaints from the gambling sector. Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst had previously stated: “Forcing punters to submit bank statements is not ‘frictionless’ – it is intrusive, and will push customers towards the illegal market, where no consumer safeguards exist at all.” A YouGov survey commissioned by the BGC found 65% of UK bettors would refuse to share personal financial documents to continue placing bets. The pilot launched in August 2024, applying to users with £500 in net monthly deposits, before the threshold was lowered to £150 in February 2025. Tier one operators took part in the scheme, with credit reference agencies brought in to help flag signs of financial risk. Data from the pilot forms the core of the UKGC’s defence of the policy. Fewer than 3% of active customers would trigger intervention processes. Roughly 97% would complete checks without any disruption, a figure higher than the 80% estimate laid out in the 2023 white paper. Only 0.1% of active accounts, equal to roughly one in 1,000, could not finish the assessment without additional support. Miller said the group that underwent checks also showed higher levels of financial vulnerability, with customers two to five times more likely than the average person to have defaulted on debt or joined a debt management plan in the previous 12 months. Illegal Platforms Remain a Core Part of the Discussion The Commission board has not yet approved a full rollout of the checks. Any final plan will require sign-off from the board and ongoing government support. If given the go-ahead, the UKGC will collaborate with the DCMS, operators, and credit reference agencies to develop practical implementation guidance. Miller also connected the risk check debate to the issue of illegal gambling. Between 2025 and 2026, the UKGC issued 741 cease-and-desist notices, reported nearly 398,000 illegal URLs to search engines, referred 1,068 websites for delisting, and disrupted 1,134 websites via takedowns or geo-blocking. The Treasury has allocated £26 million over three years to support broader work targeting the illegal gambling market. Miller said: “One of the areas my own subgroup is working on right now is releasing a national risk assessment of the illegal market, to help make sure all relevant parties are focused on the main risks that may emerge,” The Commission also expects to receive responses on gaming machine compliance in summer 2026. Operators are required to remove all non-compliant machines from service starting 29 July 2026. Miller said: “This is the moment where we also need to look at what actions we can take to help keep the consumer experience positive and competitive, particularly when compared to what is offered by the illegal market.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Caesars Entertainment kicked off 2026 with increased revenue, a reduced net loss, and record-breaking first-quarter results from Caesars Digital—even as casino margins remained under pressure. Good to Know Caesars posted Q1 revenue of $2.9 billion, up from $2.8 billion in the prior year. Caesars Digital’s revenue rose to $374 million, with adjusted EBITDA climbing to $69 million. The company closed the quarter with $867 million in cash and approximately $11.9 billion in debt. Digital Segment Plays a Larger Role in Q1 Results Caesars Digital provided the company with its most distinct growth trajectory in the first quarter. Revenue in the segment grew from $335 million to $374 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased from $43 million to $69 million. CEO Tom Reeg said: “In the first quarter of 2026, we delivered growth in total net revenue and adjusted EBITDA versus last year.“Caesars Digital revenue of $374 million (up from $335 million a year ago) and adjusted EBITDA of $69 million (up from $43 million a year ago) achieved record first-quarter results.” Across its entire business, Caesars recorded $2.9 billion in revenue, an increase from $2.8 billion the previous year. Net loss narrowed to $98 million from $115 million. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA reached $887 million, just slightly above the $884 million reported last year. Las Vegas maintained stable top-line performance. Revenue stayed at $1 billion, while adjusted EBITDA slipped 1.6% to $426 million. Hotel occupancy hit 95.3%, and executives pointed to improved demand following a weaker second half of 2025. President and Chief Operating Officer Anthony Carano called Las Vegas trends “a dramatic improvement versus the second half of 2025.”Reeg also noted that convention and group demand continues to play a significant role, with CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 among the major events supporting the market. He said: “We feel better each quarter about how Vegas is performing,” Regional Casinos Remain Stable Amid Shift to Cash Focus Regional revenue rose 3% to $1.43 billion, though adjusted EBITDA dipped to $435 million. Reeg explained the segment looked stronger when excluding the benefit of last year’s Super Bowl LX in New Orleans from the comparison: “The regional segment delivered improved adjusted EBITDA on a year-over-year basis after excluding the benefits of Super Bowl LX in New Orleans last year.” Chief Financial Officer Bret Yunker described the quarter as stable and tied future results to enhanced cash generation. Caesars has spent roughly $3 billion on renovations in recent years and now expects a “cash flow harvesting cycle.”Yunker said: “Our first-quarter consolidated results demonstrate the stability of our Las Vegas and regional segments and the continued growth in Caesars Digital, “We expect to deliver strong free cash flow in 2026 as a result of continued operating momentum, lower cash interest expense, and lower capex.” Caesars also completed the $54 million acquisition of Caesars Windsor operations in March and entered a 20-year agreement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Executives declined to address reported takeover interest from Tilman Fertitta, stating the company will not comment on “market rumors or speculation.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Kambi Group announced increased revenue and enhanced profitability for the first quarter of 2026, subsequently securing a significant sports betting agreement in Canada that covers a large portion of the nation. Good to Know Kambi revenue increased by 4.9% year-over-year to €43.5 million in Q1 2026. Adjusted EBITDA surged 63.5% to €5.7 million, achieving a 13% margin. ALC and BCLC have chosen Kambi to provide sports betting support across seven Canadian provinces. Profit Growth Comes First For Kambi Kambi began 2026 with a more efficient cost structure and improved margins. First-quarter revenue hit €43.5 million, a 4.9% increase compared to the prior-year period, while adjusted EBITDA grew 63.5% to €5.7 million. The operating profit margin also saw significant improvement, rising from 2% to 9.7%. Concurrently, operating expenses decreased by 2.1% year-over-year, providing the sports betting supplier with a more robust foundation for future business agreements. The company also highlighted several commercial successes in the quarter. These encompassed a partnership with Pari Mutuel Urbain in France, expanded adoption of Odds Feed+ via the ComeOn Group, broader content distribution for Hard Rock Bet, and new platform launches with Coolbet and LeoVegas.Kambi CEO Werner Becher stated: “The first quarter demonstrated an improved financial performance, with revenue growth supported by our commercial progress and ongoing cost management, leading to greater profitability. “Today's signing with the Canadian lotteries, along with our agreements with PMU and OLG, reinforces our standing with government-owned entities and emphasizes the advantages of our regulated market strategy, solidifying Kambi as the industry's trusted sports betting partner.” Canada Deal Covers Seven ProvincesKambi subsequently achieved one of its most substantial regulated market victories in Canada. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation and British Columbia Lottery Corporation have selected the company to deliver a unified sportsbook solution for seven of Canada's ten provinces. The arrangement includes online and retail betting in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba via BCLC. It also extends to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador through ALC. ALC recently conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a single supplier for the joint Canadian sportsbook initiative. Scott Eagles, ALC's director of sports betting, described the partnership as an "important step in how provincial lotteries work together" to offer sports betting to customers. Becher commented: “Our selection to operate this multi-province sportsbook is a powerful validation of Kambi's reliable technology, regulatory knowledge, and demonstrated capacity for large-scale delivery. “ALC and BCLC have a defined vision for a unified, consistent sportsbook, and we are honored to support its next stage with our high-performance, compliant, and established Turnkey Sportsbook.”Kambi is already active in Ontario and anticipates adding Alberta in July. Upon the launch of the new lottery agreement, the Europe-based supplier stated it will be powering sports betting in nine Canadian provinces. Becher also connected this achievement to the company's strategic focus on regulated betting markets. He remarked: “Operating solely in the legitimate sector, with its associated tax burdens and challenges, is not always simple, but it does offer business sustainability in certain respects. “Therefore, Kambi's strategy of being one of the very few B2B sports betting operators focused on regulated markets, while many others concentrate on black/grey markets, is our long-term plan. “We would stand no chance of winning such contracts if we maintained a significant presence in grey markets. This underscores the critical importance of our prior preparations for our future direction.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Resorts World New York City has launched a live table games area in Queens, marking New York City’s first full-scale casino of this kind following years of state gambling expansion initiatives. Good to Know Resorts World NYC has introduced over 240 live table games at its South Ozone Park location. The Queens-based casino now features blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette. Bally’s and Hard Rock aren’t projected to open their downstate casinos until 2030. Queens Now Has First Access to Live Casino Tables Resorts World acted quickly because it already operated slot machines and electronic gaming at the Aqueduct Racetrack site for more than a decade. The new floor opened on Tuesday, just months after Genting obtained one of three downstate casino licenses. Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, said: “We got the license Dec. 15, and here we are, April 28, welcoming our guests to the new casino floor,”The South Ozone Park property now holds an early edge in New York City’s live table games market. Resorts World is located near John F. Kennedy International Airport and added dealer-run games that many city players previously traveled to neighboring states to find. Genting secured its license while several major casino groups—including Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts—missed out. The company reports paying a 63% tax on slot revenue and 30% on table game revenue. Its bid also included a clause allowing its tax rate to drop to competitor levels once the other licensed casinos open. Bally’s plans a Bronx casino on a golf course purchased from The Trump Organization. Hard Rock is collaborating with Steve Cohen on a project near Citi Field. Both developments are expected to launch in 2030. More Significant Expansion Is Still to Come The live table games floor kicks off a broader $5 billion expansion for Resorts World NYC. The plan includes an additional hotel wing, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, an indoor day club with pools, a spa, and what the company hopes will be New York City’s first sportsbook.The ongoing expansion has created over 1,200 jobs, including hundreds of dealer positions. Resorts World expects to hire another 500 people by summer. Some dealers came from out-of-state casinos, while local workers are being trained through a dealer program. State officials project the three downstate casinos could generate $7 billion in gaming tax revenue over 10 years. CBRE has also forecasted annual gaming revenue of up to $5.6 billion at full maturity under a best-case scenario. The opening event attracted elected officials, community leaders, entertainers, and players. Nas, the Queens-raised rapper and project partner, performed and rolled the first dice after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said: “We have hit the jackpot, Queens!” Queens Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato stated that the project would bring an “economic shot in the arm” to South Ozone Park. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Hard Rock Bet has secured a long-term licensing agreement with MLB Players, Inc., granting the sportsbook access to the official name, image, and likeness rights of Major League Baseball players. Key Takeaways Hard Rock Bet now possesses official access to MLB player NIL rights. Player headshots have been integrated into the Hard Rock Bet app. The agreement also encompasses marketing efforts for both mobile and retail sportsbook offerings. MLB Player Imagery Now Available on Hard Rock Bet App Hard Rock Bet users can now view MLB player headshots within the app, featured on player profiles and in prop betting markets. The objective is to enhance the readability of baseball betting and foster a closer connection with the players fans follow. MLB Players, Inc. and OneTeam Partners announced the rollout on Wednesday. This partnership also designates Hard Rock Bet as an official licensed sportsbook of MLB Players, Inc. Mike Primeaux, Executive Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Hard Rock Digital, stated:“We are pleased to collaborate with MLB Players, Inc. and OneTeam to introduce official MLB player content to Hard Rock Bet. “The impact and authenticity of player NIL will be instrumental in improving our product experience and deepening fan engagement throughout the season.” Beyond in-app visuals, the agreement empowers Hard Rock Bet to utilize MLB player intellectual property across its marketing campaigns and other initiatives for both its mobile application and retail sportsbook locations. Evan Kaplan, President of MLB Players, Inc., commented:“Fans have a strong connection with athletes. “As sports betting continues to evolve, the user experience is shifting from a display of odds to something more familiar, more intuitive, and more aligned with the game itself. This collaboration with Hard Rock Digital ensures that this connection is genuine, licensed, and reflects the value MLB players contribute to the sport. “By centering the product around the athlete, as Hard Rock Digital is doing, a more immersive experience is created, feeling closer to the game. This is the direction the industry is heading.” This launch coincides with a significant period for Hard Rock Bet's MLB betting activity. The company recently reported that a bettor in Florida transformed a $30.11 six-leg home run parlay into nearly $2 million. The winning selections for the parlay were Riley Greene, Coby Mayo, Jesus Sanchez, Bryce Harper, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Nick Kurtz. The parlay held odds of +6,576,031, indicating a probability of one in 65,761.31. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - The NCAA has declared former Fordham basketball players Elijah Gray and Will Richardson ineligible following an investigation that connected them to a broader college basketball wagering scandal. Good to Know During the NCAA investigation, Elijah Gray acknowledged violating ethical conduct rules but denied any involvement in manipulating a game. Will Richardson declined to cooperate and provided misleading information, the NCAA stated. Federal investigators have associated the wider college basketball betting scandal with approximately 40 players and 17 institutions. Fordham Betting Case Reaches NCAA Sanctions The NCAA has issued ineligibility sanctions against Elijah Gray and Will Richardson, two former Fordham men's basketball players connected to a college basketball betting scheme that is the subject of a federal inquiry. Both athletes were enrolled at Fordham when the alleged interactions with known gamblers occurred. NCAA investigators questioned them in 2025 after a different investigation revealed that bettors had approached college players regarding game-fixing. Per the NCAA, two bettors reached out to Gray on Instagram, framing the scheme as a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunity. Gray and Richardson subsequently discussed the Fordham versus Duquesne game on Feb. 23, 2024, with the bettors and a former NBA player. The offered payment was between $10,000 and $15,000.Fordham emerged victorious in that contest. Gray informed NCAA investigators that he initially agreed to the plan but later chose not to deliberately lose the game. He also stated he never received any funds. Nonetheless, he conceded that providing information to the bettors breached NCAA ethical conduct standards. The NCAA categorized the infraction as a Level I violation. Richardson provided a conflicting story. He denied participating in discussions with the bettors and claimed he did not speak with Gray about the NCAA interview. The NCAA asserted that evidence contradicted his statements. Investigators determined that Richardson shared information with bettors and compromised the investigation's integrity. Gray later transferred to Temple, appearing in 25 games for the 2024-25 season. He then moved to Wisconsin, where he was dismissed last October for “reasons related to events preceding his enrollment.” Gray has also entered a guilty plea to federal game-fixing charges and is awaiting sentencing. He is among nearly 30 individuals implicated in the federal college basketball betting case. This group includes former NBA player Anthony Blakeney, as well as Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen, who are also named in the NBA betting case involving Jontay Porter and Terry Rozier.Richardson transferred to Albany but did not play for the team. The program dismissed him in December 2025. Neither Gray nor Richardson is currently listed on a college team's roster. Any NCAA institution wishing to reinstate eligibility for either player would be required to submit an appeal. Kennesaw State Case Also Named The NCAA also revealed a separate case concerning former Kennesaw State player Simeon Cottle. Investigators stated that Cottle declined to participate in an investigation related to a March 1, 2024, game against Queens. Federal prosecutors indicted Cottle on charges of wire fraud and bribery. Subsequently, the NCAA alerted Kennesaw State to potential sports betting violations, leading the school to dismiss him from the team. Since Cottle has no remaining college eligibility, the NCAA cannot levy a playing ban. His attorney informed NCAA enforcement staff on March 16 that Cottle would not take part in the investigation. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - The Michigan online gambling market experienced a robust March, with the online casino sector shouldering the majority of the activity. Sports betting saw an uptick from February's figures, buoyed by the March Madness tournament, as the iGaming segment established a new state revenue record. Good to Know Michigan sports betting handle reached $485.1 million in March. Online casino gross receipts hit a record $322.1 million. Sports betting AGR climbed 123.9% year over year to $32.7 million. Online Casino Drives Michigan Gambling Revenue In March, Michigan's iGaming sector significantly outperformed sports betting. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, online casino gross receipts hit $322.1 million, exceeding the prior record of $315.8 million set in December 2025. iGaming's adjusted gross receipts increased by 17.9% compared to February and were up 25.6% from March 2025. Combined, sports betting and iGaming operators in Michigan generated $341.8 million in Adjusted Gross Receipts (AGR). A similar trend was reflected in tax payments. Operators contributed $66.4 million to the state of Michigan, with online casinos responsible for $64.1 million of that total. The city of Detroit also received $16.1 million in gaming tax revenue.Despite being overshadowed by iGaming, sportsbooks had a stronger month relative to February. The handle for Michigan online sports betting climbed to $485.1 million, an increase of over $100 million from the post-NFL season total in February. The March Madness basketball tournament was instrumental in attracting bettors, even though March's handle was the second-lowest since August 2025. Gross receipts for sports betting amounted to $50 million, with AGR reaching $32.7 million. This represented a substantial 123.9% increase from March 2025. The hold rate, however, saw minimal movement, edging up to 6.7% from 6.6% in February, after a stronger 7.5% hold in January. State tax revenue from online sports betting was $2.3 million. An additional $684,500 was collected from city wagering taxes and municipal service fees. FanDuel Holds Lead As Fanatics Posts Fast Growth FanDuel maintained its position as the leading Michigan sportsbook, reporting a handle of $162.2 million and an AGR of $13.7 million. While its market lead remained substantial, its performance compared to the previous year declined, with handle down 9.4% and AGR falling 21.7%.DraftKings was next with $135.8 million in wagers, a 6.1% year-over-year increase. Its AGR, however, decreased by 7.2% to $9 million. BetMGM held the third spot with a handle of $58.5 million and an AGR of $3.2 million, both figures lower than those from March 2025. Fanatics demonstrated the most vigorous growth among the major online operators. Its handle grew 36.7% to $52.5 million, while its AGR surged 70.7% to $2.5 million. Caesars also posted improvements, with a handle of $25 million and an AGR of $1.5 million. TheScore Bet recorded a handle of $19 million and an AGR of $1.3 million, both down from the previous year. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.