iGaming This Week: 2025 Week 15 - Wednesday

Hey Superstars! How's your week going so far?

In this iGaming This Week - Wednesday edition, we cover a mixed bag of developments in the gaming industry.

Manila's Entertainment City casinos faced a notable 5.3% drop in gross gaming revenues, impacted by a government crackdown on offshore gaming operators, while Greenfield casinos showed remarkable growth.

Meanwhile, Star Entertainment Group has secured a $300 million acquisition deal with Bally's Corporation to stabilize amidst financial challenges, and Gamban has expanded its support services to improve accessibility for players in Finland and Norway.

Additionally, a California player has filed a lawsuit against Stake.us, alleging deceptive practices in online gambling.

Let's explore these stories and more in greater detail below. 👇

Click the highlighted link to read the full story.

Asia

Manila's Entertainment City casinos experienced a 5.3% decline in gross gaming revenues in 2024, totaling Php164.1 billion (US$2.87 billion), marking a sharper drop compared to the national average decrease of 2.7% among all licensed casinos. While Clark casinos saw a slight decrease, emerging Greenfield casinos reported a remarkable 71.9% increase in revenues, contributing to an overall industry GGR growth of 30.5% to Php372.3 billion (US$6.51 billion), primarily fueled by the thriving E-Games sector. This overall decline in gaming revenues is largely attributed to the government's crackdown on offshore gaming operators (POGOs), which had previously supported the VIP gaming market. Source: asgam

In Thailand, the government has delayed parliamentary discussions on the Entertainment Complex Bill, which includes provisions for casinos, due to pressing national issues and increasing opposition. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized that the government will first address more immediate concerns, such as the effects of US tariffs and a recent earthquake, before revisiting the bill. Despite the postponement, the government insists that the bill is not withdrawn and will be discussed in a future session, with the goal of boosting tourism and stimulating the economy. Source: thaiexaminer

Meanwhile, in Cambodia, NagaCorp reported a 17.7% increase in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the first quarter, reaching US$171 million, along with a 20.6% rise in net gaming revenue to US$148.2 million. The company achieved significant growth in its premium VIP market, with rollings soaring by 72.6%, while the overall GGR for 2024 reached US$542.9 million, reflecting a 5.5% year-on-year increase. However, despite these promising revenue figures, NagaCorp's net profit fell by 38.3% to US$109.6 million, primarily due to a substantial non-cash impairment loss associated with its Vladivostok project. Source: focusgn

Oceana

Star Entertainment Group has finalized a $300 million acquisition agreement with US gaming giant Bally's Corporation, averting the struggling casino operator's potential move into administration. Under the terms of the deal, Bally's will acquire a 56.7% stake in Star, with an initial payment of $100 million expected soon, followed by a convertible $200 million contingent upon shareholder approval and regulatory clearance. This agreement comes in the wake of significant liquidity challenges for Star, exacerbated by a failed $750 million refinancing attempt and ongoing concerns regarding its suspended gaming license. Source: skynews

Meanwhile, New Zealand is poised to establish a regulated online casino market by 2026, spearheaded by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, as part of efforts to address the harmful effects of unregulated offshore gambling sites. The forthcoming legislation will limit licensing to 15 approved operators and introduce measures aimed at enhancing consumer safety and promoting responsible gambling, incorporating strict penalties for violations. This initiative seeks to protect players while redirecting gambling revenues to the government, ultimately fostering a safer online gambling environment for New Zealanders. Source: igaming.news

In contrast, Iwi leaders, led by Rāhui Papa, are urging the government to halt its proposed gambling law reform, citing inadequate consultation with the communities that will be most affected. They express concerns that this initiative, which they term "gambling by stealth," could increase dependency and disproportionately impact Māori and Pasifika communities by exposing more young people to gambling risks, particularly through unregulated offshore companies. While the government asserts that the new regulations will safeguard players and allocate funds to support services for gambling harm, critics argue that without sufficient community involvement, the negative repercussions could outweigh any potential benefits. Source: rnz

Europe

Gamban has expanded its support services by introducing tools in Finnish and Norwegian, improving accessibility for players in both countries. CEO Jack Symons stressed the importance of eliminating language barriers to ensure individuals can easily access gambling support, and the addition of these new languages brings Gamban's total to seven. As Finland and Norway progress toward licensed gambling regimes, local operators Veikkaus and Norsk Tipping have partnered with Gamban to deliver this crucial self-exclusion service to their customers. Source: sbcnews

Additionally, the UK's Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) have formalized a memorandum of understanding to enhance regulatory cooperation across borders. This agreement, established during a visit to Dublin by UKGC Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes, aims to create a framework for collaboration and information exchange, recognizing the shared operators and practices of both nations. GRAI CEO Anne Marie Caulfield underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation to effectively fulfill their regulatory responsibilities. Source: yogonet

Meanwhile, Allwyn UK, the operator of The National Lottery, has announced that it has achieved the prestigious European Lotteries (EL) Responsible Gaming Certification and Level 4 of the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) Responsible Gaming Framework, the highest level obtainable. This recognition highlights Allwyn's commitment to responsible gambling practices and player protection, including initiatives such as the 'Challenge 25' policy for retailers and newly implemented limits on scratchcard purchases. CEO Andria Vidler emphasized the necessity of continued efforts to ensure safe gaming experiences, particularly for the over 30 million individuals who participate in National Lottery games. Source: allwyn

Americas

A California player has filed a lawsuit against Stake.us, operated by Sweepstakes Limited, claiming that the platform engages in unfair business practices by misrepresenting real-money gambling as "free gaming." The lawsuit, which has been transferred from state to federal court, alleges that Stake.us operates illegally in California, where online gambling is restricted, and uses digital currencies that serve as substitutes for real-money betting, thereby worsening gambling addiction. The plaintiff is seeking public injunctive relief to shut down Stake.us in the state, alleging that the platform manipulates gaming outcomes and imposes excessive wagering requirements intended to keep players continually betting. Source: gamblespot

In related news, an increasing number of sweepstakes casinos, such as RealPrize, MyPrize.us, Legendz, and Zula, are withdrawing from the New York market in anticipation of the potential enactment of anti-sweepstakes legislation, specifically bill S5935, which could impose substantial fines on these operators. Introduced by Sen. Joseph Addabbo, the bill empowers the state gaming commission and attorney general to regulate sweepstakes activities, leading many operators to perceive an uncertain future for their businesses in New York. While some popular sweepstakes sites like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots have not yet announced plans to exit the state, the trend suggests a significant shift in New York's gambling landscape as lawmakers consider moving towards regulated iGaming. Source: sweepskings

In other developments, the city of Baltimore has filed a lawsuit against major sportsbooks DraftKings and FanDuel, accusing them of exploiting gamblers through deceptive and unfair practices that violate the city’s Consumer Protection Ordinance. The lawsuit claims these operators use bonus bets to entice users into gambling while neglecting their responsibility to identify and assist individuals with gambling disorders. Baltimore is seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief to stop these practices, insisting that the companies should utilize their data to help identify at-risk customers, underscoring the considerable impact gambling disorders can have on individuals and families. Source: covers

That wraps up this edition of iGaming This Week. We look forward to seeing you next time!

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