iGaming This Week: 2025 Week 14 - Wednesday

Hey Superstars, it's Wednesday!

And the global gaming industry is witnessing significant developments, from Thai government's controversial proposal to legalize casinos as part of a new entertainment complex, to major deals and partnerships in the Australian and international markets.

BlueBet Holdings Ltd has completed its acquisition of TopSport, while BVGroup has formed a strategic partnership with Rhino Entertainment Group to launch a new sportsbook and casino brand, Puntit, marking a shift towards a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model.

Meanwhile, innovation is also driving growth, as seen in Hard Rock Bet's launch of Games Global's Free Spins feature in New Jersey, a first for the US market, which is set to elevate player experiences and solidify key partnerships in the industry.

With these exciting developments in mind, let's dive in and explore these stories and more in detail below 👇

Click the link to read the full story.

Asia

The Thai government's survey on its proposed entertainment complex, which includes the legalization of casinos, has sparked skepticism due to discrepancies in the results. Experts, including former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn and gaming expert Daniel Cheng, have questioned the survey's validity, citing inconsistencies and pointing to a separate poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) that reveals widespread public concerns about the proposal. As the government hurries to pass the bill, opponents are raising concerns about the lack of thorough public consultation and rigorous impact assessments, warning that the potential drawbacks of the scheme may outweigh its benefits.

Meanwhile, Zitro Games has strengthened its position in the Philippines, where its products have gained significant popularity in major casinos, paving the way for further growth in the Asian market. With a targeted approach, the company is developing games tailored to the Asian market and introducing new products that meet local regulatory requirements, with a focus on expanding into Southeast Asia, particularly in Laos and Thailand. As part of its 2025 strategy, Zitro is expanding its Manila team and investing in innovative solutions that combine online and offline gaming experiences, aiming to capitalize on the region's vast potential and become a leading player in the Asian gaming industry.

Galaxsys has also enhanced its iGaming portfolio with the launch of two new slot games, Olympian Legends and Funny Faces: Hoglet-Moglet. These games feature innovative elements, including cascading symbols and interactive animations, designed to provide an immersive and engaging experience for players. The introduction of these new titles marks a significant expansion of Galaxsys' slot game offerings, building on the success of its debut slot game, El Dorado, and reaffirming the company's commitment to delivering high-quality, entertaining games.

In other news, Paradise Entertainment Limited has reported a substantial profit of $49.1 million in 2024, representing a 527.1% increase from the previous year. The company's revenue rose to $139.36 million, a 71% increase from 2023, driven by strong sales of electronic gaming equipment and systems in Macau, as well as casino management services. Looking ahead, the group plans to expand its operations beyond Macau, targeting new markets in Asia, including the Philippines, and North America, building on its successful performance and record-breaking sales.

Oceana

BlueBet Holdings Ltd has completed its acquisition of TopSport in Australia, successfully transferring over 63 million rows of customer data to its betr platform. The deal consisted of a cash payment of AU$1.52 million and the issuance of approximately 9 million shares, with potential additional payments and options contingent upon performance milestones. With the integration of TopSport now complete, BlueBet is well-positioned to pursue further growth opportunities in the Australian online sports betting market. This may include a potential takeover of PointsBet, which BlueBet believes would offer a more attractive deal for shareholders.

In a separate development, BetMakers Technology Group has entered into a multi-year partnership with Spotlight Sports Group to introduce the Smart View product to the global igaming market. Under this agreement, BetMakers will distribute Smart View to sportsbook operators worldwide through its CoreAPI, enhancing the user experience of digital racing products. The partnership aims to drive innovation and growth in the racing vertical, increasing engagement and revenue for operators in key markets such as the US, UK, and Australia.

In regulatory news, Colossalbet has been ordered to pay a fine of AU$60,000 for breaching advertising standards with its social media posts on Facebook and Instagram. This conviction marks the first time a New South Wales wagering operator has been prosecuted for violating decency and dignity guidelines under the Betting and Racing Act 1998. The ruling serves as a warning to the industry, with regulators emphasizing that they will take swift action against betting providers that fail to comply with strict advertising regulations.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs has issued warnings to social media influencers promoting offshore online casinos, with potential fines of up to NZ$10,000 for non-compliance. The crackdown aims to enforce the country's Gambling Act, which prohibits advertising for offshore gambling operators, and comes as the government prepares to regulate the online casino industry for the first time. However, the Problem Gambling Foundation has criticized the response as inadequate, particularly given the disproportionate impact of problem gambling on Māori communities, who are being targeted by some offshore casinos using Māori influencers.

Europe

BVGroup has formed a strategic partnership with Rhino Entertainment Group to launch Puntit, a new international sportsbook and casino brand, as it enters the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) market. This partnership will leverage BVGroup's advanced technology to power Rhino's maiden venture into the sportsbook sector, with Puntit set to launch in 2025. In parallel, this move marks a significant shift in BVGroup's business strategy, as the company transitions from traditional white-label partnerships to a SaaS-based model, catering to the growing demand for flexible and modular platform solutions in the iGaming industry.

Similarly, Codere Online and Greentube have partnered to expand the Spanish gaming platform, introducing a range of popular games to users. Running in parallel, this collaboration has resulted in Greentube's renowned titles being live on Codere Online's Spanish site, boosting the company's European market presence. This strategic alliance enhances Codere Online's iGaming portfolio, offering Spanish players an improved gaming experience with access to Greentube's premium content, while also expanding the company's reach in parallel with its growing customer base.

In a related development, Entain has entered into a multi-year partnership with Better Change to enhance its staff's knowledge of safer gambling practices, running parallel to its existing responsible gaming initiatives. As part of this partnership, Better Change will provide training workshops to Entain's global teams, empowering them to promote responsible gaming habits in parallel with the company's ongoing efforts to foster a culture of positive play. By equipping its staff with the necessary skills and confidence, Entain aims to support its customers in making informed decisions about their gaming activities, while also promoting responsible gaming practices in parallel with its business operations.

Meanwhile, Michael Brady, Chairman of Bede Gaming and The Conexus Group, has launched FC100,000, a social enterprise that enables up to 100,000 fans to collectively support and shape an English football club for a monthly subscription of £5, operating in parallel with traditional football ownership models. This innovative approach empowers fans to contribute to key decisions via a dedicated app, focusing on long-term sustainability and community engagement, while also providing a platform for fans to engage with the club in parallel with its existing operations. With a target of 100,000 subscribers, FC100,000 aims to transform the football ownership landscape in the UK, combining fan participation with expert guidance under Brady's leadership, and running in parallel with the company's overall business strategy.

Americas

In a groundbreaking move, Hard Rock Bet has become the first US operator to launch Games Global's Free Spins feature in New Jersey. This innovation not only bolsters the partnership between Hard Rock Digital and Games Global but also fuels the latter's growth across North America. By introducing Free Spins, Hard Rock Bet elevates its player experience, while Games Global solidifies its position as a key player in the US iGaming industry.

Meanwhile, Kalshi, a predictions market platform, is facing intense scrutiny from US state regulators. Authorities in Nevada, New Jersey, and Ohio have issued cease-and-desist orders, citing unauthorized sports wagers and inadequate consumer protections. In response, Kalshi has filed a federal lawsuit against the gaming regulators in Nevada and New Jersey, arguing that they fundamentally misunderstand prediction markets. According to Kalshi's CEO, Tarek Mansour, the company's services are legitimate and regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the regulators' actions threaten the foundation of US financial markets.

Simultaneously, the Nevada Gaming Commission has imposed a $10.5 million fine on Resorts World Las Vegas for historical breaches of anti-money laundering regulations. This penalty, the second-largest in Nevada's gaming history, comes with stricter licensing conditions, including enhanced reporting requirements and additional AML audits. The commission's decision serves as a warning to the industry to adhere to AML rules, with Commissioner Brian Krolicki characterizing it as a "profound teachable moment" and a "clarion call" for perfect compliance.

Lastly, TheLotter has expanded its services to Arizona, bringing its total operating states to five, including Oregon, Minnesota, Texas, and New York. With this move, Arizona residents can now securely purchase official tickets for popular lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions through TheLotter's online platform. As demand for digital lottery solutions continues to grow, TheLotter's entry into the Arizona market marks a significant milestone in its efforts to increase its US presence and provide convenient online lottery services to a wider customer base.

And that's a wrap for this edition of iGaming This Week; see you next time.

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