iGame

Vegangster on AI, LTV, and the economic future of iGaming

(AsiaGameHub) –   The iGaming sector is navigating a landscape defined by artificial intelligence, escalating expenses, and rigorous regulations. These forces are transforming the industry’s financial models and compelling operators to reconsider the fundamental approaches to building, scaling, and managing their casino offerings. Max Chertkov, the CEO of Vegangster, discussed with iGaming Expert the movement within the sector toward sustainable operations and greater discipline. He detailed how Vegangster’s modular, fully integrated platform provides operators with adaptable, data-informed control, empowering teams to identify and address critical operational issues directly through the admin interface. Chertkov commented on the market’s present condition, which […]

SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026 to Attract 2,500+ Participants, Highlighting Robust Regulation and Sports Emphasis

(AsiaGameHub) –   SBC, in partnership with SMH Global, has announced the highly anticipated SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026, set to take place on July 15–16 at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace. Building on the success of the 2025 event, which drew over 2,000 delegates from 44 countries, the 2026 summit aims to attract more than 2,500 attendees, further solidifying its standing in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The summit will feature over 70 distinguished speakers who will address critical industry topics, including regulations, operations, technology, affiliate marketing, and cross-industry collaborations. Sports will continue to be a significant focus of […]

NSW Pioneers Australia’s Gaming Controls With Facial Recognition Standard

(AsiaGameHub) –   New South Wales (NSW) has pioneered in Australia by greenlighting facial recognition technology for deployment in pubs, clubs, and other adult venues. This decision establishes new protections for gambling operations prior to the implementation of the statewide exclusion system. This measure will be incorporated into a fresh ‘code of practice’ requested by NSW Premier Chris Minns, supporting the Labor government’s commitment to bolster gambling safeguards by pivoting policy toward harm reduction. The code of practice establishes the ‘baseline requirements for the industry’ as it aims to implement the key protective measures detailed in NSW’s self-exclusion register—a mechanism […]

European Court of Justice Decision Intensifies Pressure on Malta Over Online Gambling Licensing

(AsiaGameHub) –   The European Court of Justice (CJEU) has made another ruling concerning how member state laws apply to recovering and compensating online gambling losses. A ruling by Cypriot Advocate General (AG) Nicholas Emiliou states that: “A sports betting operator providing services in a national market without the necessary license may be required to return the money wagered by players.” The AG’s opinion relates to a long-standing German dispute questioning Tipico Malta’s online gambling license regarding loss recovery for the 2013-2020 period. A German customer attempted to reclaim losses from Tipico, which was operating in Germany with a license […]

Anutin’s Election Signals the End of Thai Casino Plans

(AsiaGameHub) –   On Thursday, Thailand’s House of Representatives voted to appoint Anutin Charnvirakul as the kingdom’s 32nd prime minister, following his victory in the February general election. The leader of the Bhumjaithai Party secured 293 votes, comfortably beating People’s Party candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who received 119 votes. Anutin first took office on an interim basis last September, after former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted over ethics charges. His return dashes hopes for reviving the Integrated Entertainment Business Act, a policy his predecessor had vigorously advanced. Paetongtarn and her father, Thaksin Shinawatra — a prominent Thai power broker and […]

Fortuna Entertainment Group expands in the Baltics through acquisition of TOPsport

(AsiaGameHub) –   Fortuna Entertainment Group (FEG), headquartered in Prague, has reached an agreement to purchase a 70% share in TOPsport, a Lithuanian betting operator. This acquisition signifies FEG’s debut in Lithuania—the most populous Baltic region—and aligns with the group’s wider goals of strengthening its standing in regulated European markets. As Lithuania’s leading online sports betting and gaming company, TOPsport holds roughly 50% of the country’s betting market share. It also maintains a strong physical footprint via a national retail network of 54 locations. Established in 2002, the company recorded an EBITDA of €65 million in 2025, reflecting a robust […]

South Carolina Advances On-Site Horse Race Wagering Bill

(AsiaGameHub) –   The South Carolina Senate Finance Committee voted 12-6 to move forward with a proposed bill that would legalize mobile betting on live in-state horse races. Sponsored by Senator Michael Johnson, this bipartisan legislation aims to deliver economic support to the state’s struggling equine sector while ensuring gambling is restricted to South Carolina events. Called the Equine Advancement Act, the bill allows residents to place bets through state-approved mobile apps only when they are physically present at designated racecourses. Geolocation technology built into the apps verifies this on-site requirement. Importantly, betting would be limited to a select list […]

Kazakhstan Establishes Four New Casino Zones to Attract Foreign Tourists

(AsiaGameHub) –   Lawmakers in Kazakhstan are looking to attract foreign visitors by launching four new casino zones. Per the new regulation, these zones will be situated in well-known tourist destinations. They include the Mangistau region along the Caspian Sea coast, Paniflov District and the shores of Lake Alakol in Almaty region’s Talgar District, as well as the Marakol Area and Zaisan District. Per reporting from Qazinform News Agency, the amendment to the ‘On Gambling Business’ law has been signed off by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This move will raise the total number of such gambling zones to six, adding to […]

‘We are open for business’ – all you need to know about Gibraltar’s Gambling Bill

(AsiaGameHub) –   One of Europe’s biggest gaming hubs is set to see changes now that Gibraltar’s parliament has approved the first reading of the 2025 Gaming Bill. The new law aims to replace the 2005 Gambling Act and usher in a new chapter for the island, especially as it faces major challenges from the UK’s increase in remote gaming taxes. iGaming Expert explains all the key details about these changes. Years in the making Plans to update the jurisdiction’s laws have been ongoing for years, with consultations on a new bill starting as early as 2016. Nigel Feetham MP, […]

Kazakhstan greenlights four new casino zones restricted to tourists only

(AsiaGameHub) –   Kazakhstan has authorized the creation of four new casino zones, designed specifically for international visitors. This state-led project seeks to boost tourism expenditure from abroad and broaden the nation’s regional leisure attractions outside of its primary cities. As per local news, the zones are situated in strategic locales recognized for their natural appeal. These encompass the Caspian Sea coast’s Mangistau region, Zhetysu’s Panfilov district and Lake Alakol shore, the Talgar district in Almaty region, along with the Markakol area and Zaisan district in East Kazakhstan. These sites were chosen to foster development in less mature resort areas. […]

DCMS’s UK Research and Innovation gambling unit seeks a chief to launch operations

(AsiaGameHub) –   UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has advanced plans to create its Gambling Research Programme and is searching for a department head to develop the initiative, which will be funded by the gambling statutory levy. The role will involve overseeing the establishment of UKRI’s Research Programme on Gambling, which aims to address gambling harms through collaborative, evidence-led research. Applications for the position are open until 13 April, consistent with the government’s earlier announcement that the department would launch in early 2026. By the end of the first year, the head of the Gambling Research Programme is expected to […]

DGOJ evaluating social media’s impact on young gamblers through new consumer protection strategy

(AsiaGameHub) –   Spain’s Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has this week unveiled a broad new Safe Gambling Programme designed to implement fresh safeguards protecting young people from gambling-related harm. This includes evaluating how social media marketing affects youth. Named the Safe Gambling Programme 2026–2030, the strategy was presented during a recent gathering of the Advisory Council on Safe Gambling at the DGOJ’s headquarters in Madrid. The programme is built on three core priorities, underpinned by six broad objectives and 24 concrete actions to be finalized in consultation with the DGOJ’s advisory body, the Consejo Asesor. To […]

DGOJ: Accountability drives Spain’s new Safe Play programme

(AsiaGameHub) –   Spanish gambling is transitioning to a ‘new system of accountability’ for player protection, established on fresh directives for license holders to spot risks, address gambling threats, and prevent negative outcomes. This announcement was made by Mikel Arana, Director General of the DGOJ, during the presentation of the “Juego Seguro 2030” (Safe Play) programme for the Spanish gambling sector, which was developed in partnership with the Advisory Council of Responsible Gambling. The initiative is set to be executed from 2026 through 2030. It represents a key part of the DGOJ’s mission to ‘redefine a new regulatory philosophy’ and […]

Official Dismissed Over Estonia’s iGaming Tax Error

(AsiaGameHub) –   A long-tenured advisor has been fired by the Riigikogu Chancellery just months after Estonia embarked on a new chapter for iGaming taxation.  Estonian officials were forced into a scramble after an error in the country’s Gambling Tax Act led to millions in lost iGaming tax revenue. Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) has reported that the official—whose name the outlet has not revealed—was dismissed following a clerical mistake in the act. The legislation was approved in December of last year, leading to online casinos being tax-exempt in 2026. The mistake was identified in January and has since been […]

Realistic Expectations, Not Hype, Drive iGaming Market Share Gains

(AsiaGameHub) –   Honesty and integrity ought to be integral to any company’s operational philosophy. A key trait of a successful commercial team is the ability to be upfront with clients about realistic expectations while still closing the deal.  However, in the iGaming sector, there are worries that this isn’t always the situation.  Reports suggest that certain providers make promises of fast integration and launch timelines, only to fall far short—sometimes taking over a year to get an operator up and running.  How long does it take to get a new iGaming brand live? iGP has been vocal about this […]

Data-driven blueprint for the ‘perfect’ online casino in the 40% tax era

(AsiaGameHub) –   Comparasino Co-founder and COO Araminta Hannah explains why seamless user experience and £5 minimum deposits have become essential requirements rather than optional features, analyzing Recommendation Engine data to identify critical factors for online casino success under new tax regulations. The 40% increase in Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) is no longer hypothetical – it becomes a harsh reality taking effect next month. Operators are already responding with severe cost-cutting measures, reducing bonuses, restricting loyalty programs, and decreasing RTPs to safeguard razor-thin profit margins. However, these defensive strategies risk triggering a downward spiral that could drive players to unregulated […]

Wazdan’s Continued Success with Simplicity in Regulated Markets

(AsiaGameHub) –   Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, explores the resurgence of classic, easy-to-understand slot formats in regulated markets, and how the creation and exclusive release of Magic Fruit$: Oranges with bet365 aligns with a wider strategy focused on performance. Wazdan’s case for clarity Discussions about slot innovation typically concentrate on novelty. However, it is just as crucial to analyze what consistently proves effective and the reasons behind it. While the sector rolls out more intricate mechanics and complex bonus features, information from regulated jurisdictions indicates an alternative trend: straightforwardness yields success. This is not a dismissal of […]

Wisconsin Senate Approves Online Sports Betting Legislation Amid Tribal Revenue Concerns

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Wisconsin Senate has passed the AB601 bill, paving the way for the legalization of online sports betting after a 21-12 vote on Tuesday. This framework, which utilizes a “hub-and-spoke” model mandating that all online wagers be routed through servers on tribal sovereign land, is consistent with federal court rulings on tribal gaming rights. Online sports betting bill gains momentum after months of debate Legislators have pursued this goal for several months. The AB601 bill initially gained support late last year and was then carried over into the 2026 legislative session. It received bipartisan approval in the […]

Arizona Attorney General Files 20 Criminal Charges Against Kalshi

(AsiaGameHub) –   Arizona authorities have launched a criminal prosecution against Kalshi, alleging the firm is operating an unauthorized gambling business. The indictment features 20 criminal counts, asserting that Kalshi illegally permitted wagering on political elections, collegiate sports, and individual athlete performances in violation of state statutes. Arizona intensifies legal action with criminal counts Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes remarked: “Kalshi might characterize itself as a ‘prediction market,’ but it is effectively running an illicit gambling entity and accepting wagers on Arizona’s elections, both of which are prohibited under state law.” This case represents the first instance of a prediction […]

GamCare Warns of Growing Gambling-Related Financial Issues in the UK

(AsiaGameHub) –   UK-based charity GamCare has disclosed that almost 2,000 individuals in the UK sought financial advice for gambling-related monetary problems in 2025. Figures published on Wednesday indicated that 1,954 UK residents used GamCare’s Money Guidance Service in 2025 following gambling losses—over twice the prior year’s count of 923. At the same time, the total debt reported via the Money Guidance Service hit £7.2 million (equivalent to $9.6 million). This marked an almost threefold rise from the year before, translating to an average of £21,269 per individual. January 2026 alone saw a record 233 referrals to the Money Guidance […]

IC360’s ProhiBet to screen March Madness referees for betting detection

(AsiaGameHub) –   Fifty years following Indiana University’s historic 1976 NCAA championship win that capped an unforgettable season, Americans are projected to bet billions of dollars on this year’s March Madness tournament. The American Gaming Association estimates that when U.S. bettors finalize their brackets and place their last wagers on the 2026 NCAA tournament, roughly $3.3 billion will be staked on the event. One group strictly prohibited from betting on the tournament is the referees who officiate the games themselves. Ahead of the tournament, the NCAA is deploying advanced monitoring systems to detect if officials are breaking these rules. Last […]