Category: iGame

(AsiaGameHub) - This latest entry in the company’s extensive portfolio is crafted to appeal to every type of player. Press release.- Relax Gaming has unveiled the newest installment in its successful Dream Drop series, Purrrminator Dream Drop, merging feline excitement with high-stakes ‘must drop’ jackpot action. The release comes at a time when the Dream Drop series is enjoying record momentum, having already created 30 MEGA Jackpot millionaires, each taking home a life-changing top prize. This run of wins has reached its fastest pace this year, with four major payouts triggered in rapid succession, confirming that the offering is livelier and more rewarding for players than ever. Purrrminator Dream Drop joins a distinguished and fast-expanding Dream Drop lineup, with the ever-growing portfolio now featuring 50+ game choices from six studios. It stands alongside recent successes such as Cod of Thunder, delivering a wide variety of themes and mechanics that keep Relax at the industry forefront. The Dream Drop feature extends appeal to casual players and jackpot enthusiasts alike from the very first spin and has gained strong popularity among operators and players worldwide. The game centers on the furry feline lead character rounding up local street dogs, enabling players to create connections by matching three or more adjacent symbols. The Reverse Avalanche feature activates after a connection is made, keeping the strongest wins on the grid to further boost winning potential. Tony O’Mahony, chief product officer at Relax Gaming, said: “Purrrminator Dream Drop injects fun, high-energy play into our jackpot lineup. Adding Dream Drop gives players a chance at our life-changing jackpots!” 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) - MozzartBet has implemented Fast Track’s real-time CRM platform across its operations in the Balkans, Romania, and Africa to boost player engagement and broaden its multi-market footprint. Press release.- MozzartBet, one of the major sports betting and gaming operators in South-East Europe, has activated the Fast Track CRM platform, deploying it across its brands in the Balkans, Romania, and Africa. MozzartBet functions within multiple regulated markets, with brands present in Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Romania, Malta, Kenya, and Nigeria. This launch represents the next phase of MozzartBet’s player engagement strategy, as the operator continues to expand its multi-market presence and enhance the experience delivered across its brands. Nemanja Savkovic, COO at MozzartBet, stated: “From the outset, we have been genuinely impressed with Fast Track. Their team grasped our operations, our markets, and our objectives—and the platform has met those expectations. Our CRM team is already executing campaigns in ways that were previously impossible, across all our markets, and we are enthusiastic about what this partnership will enable us to build for our players moving forward.” The launch provides MozzartBet’s team with a unified real-time customer model across its brands, along with Fast Track AI—the platform’s natural-language and agentic-workflow features that allow operators to interact with the platform conversationally and delegate end-to-end CRM tasks to AI agents. Simon Lidzén, co-founder and CEO of Fast Track, remarked: “What MozzartBet has achieved across the Balkans and Africa is truly impressive. We are strongly aligned with their vision for the future, and we will continue to do everything possible to support them in realizing that vision.” 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) - Play’n GO has released Treats of Terror II, a new 5x5 grid slot game with an 80s retro arcade theme, serving as a sequel that introduces a sentient Gobstopper character. Press release.- Play’n GO amplifies the neon and the threat with Treats of Terror II, a 5×5 slot set in a nostalgic 1980s American arcade where the snack foods have turned dangerous. With its sticky floors, whirring machines, and the familiar glow of screen cabinets, this is the environment where teens once disappeared for hours-long high-score sessions. In Treats of Terror II, the concessions have become aware. They are conscious, they are angry, and they refuse to remain mere background decoration for endless gaming. At the heart of the mayhem is the Gobstopper – a voracious, rolling monster with a clear goal: seek out the arcade's most desired rewards and devour them completely. It's a sugary cartoon nightmare, where the prize counter glows like a distant beacon and the atmosphere feels perpetually on the edge of chaos. Treats of Terror II fully embraces that Saturday-morning cartoon aesthetic taken to a dark extreme. Bright candy colors contrast with deep shadows, prize tickets dance like lures, and the arcade's cheerful mascot vibe sours into something much more sinister. The game is whimsical, gritty, and filled with nostalgic touches that evoke the scent of soda and the sound of falling coins. This sequel follows the original Treats of Terror, which was set in a haunted movie theater, and trades flickering film projections for the buzz of arcade lighting. It maintains the developer's flair for stylized horror while moving the action into a more vibrant and intense locale. Magnus Wallentin, games ambassador at Play’n GO, stated: “Treats of Terror II is based on a straightforward concept – the nostalgia of comfort food, followed by a sudden shock. The arcade is bright, amusing, and a little gross in a charming way, and the Gobstopper ensures the environment never stays comfortable for too long.” Treats of Terror II is an ode to classic arcades, but one with a vicious bite – here, the snacks don't merely look back at you, they hunt you down. 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) - Oddsgate’s new Business Plan package provides operators, affiliates, and investors with the structured framework the igaming industry has long lacked, and it is available completely free of charge. Press release.- The global igaming industry generated over $643bn globally in 2025. Even so, the majority of new operations still fail within their first year, not because the market does not exist, but because a solid plan was never put in place. Closing this specific gap is what Oddsgate has built its reputation on. The B2B platform provider, which supports licensed operators across regulated markets worldwide, has channeled its existing hands-on operational expertise into a free, professional-grade Business Plan package: three integrated tools built to help anyone entering or scaling in the igaming space do so with structure, clarity, and solid foundations from day one. The package, which includes a Checklist, a Template, and a comprehensive Guide, follows the same core approach Oddsgate uses when working side-by-side with its partners. The Checklist acts as a rapid diagnostic tool, giving operators and investors a clear picture of how their current planning measures up against the core requirements of a compliant, scalable operation. The Template provides a structured, editable framework aligned with real industry standards, built around correct terminology, the proper decision sequence, and the actual logic that governs how igaming businesses are built and funded. The Guide goes deeper into details, walking through each section with context that only comes from direct hands-on experience: what commonly gets overlooked, what investors actually look for, and where most operators make costly, incorrect assumptions. Tiago Almeida, CEO of Oddsgate, said: “Most operators don’t fail due to a lack of technology, but rather due to a lack of strategic planning. The market has become far more competitive and demanding, with higher acquisition costs, increased regulatory pressure, and a level of operational complexity that is often underestimated.” The tools are purpose-built for new operators and betting startups preparing to enter the market, affiliates considering launching their own platforms, technology companies exploring igaming expansion, and investors evaluating opportunities in the space. What these groups share is rarely a shortage of ambition or capital, but the absence of a structured operational framework to turn both into a fully functioning business. The stakes of getting this foundation wrong are significant. With the global online gambling segment projected to exceed $121bn in 2026, the opportunity is real, but so is the accompanying pressure. Rising acquisition costs, fragmented regulatory environments, and increasing operational complexity mean that success is no longer a matter of speed to market. Instead, it depends on how well the core fundamentals were planned before launch. “Without a solid foundation, operators tend to react instead of execute,” Almeida adds. “We consistently see projects with strong technology but no clear strategy behind them, and that compromises their success within the very first months.” igaming remains one of the most complex regulatory environments in the world. Each jurisdiction, and often regions within the same country, operates under distinct rules governing licensing, taxation, advertising, and player protection. Entering the market without a clearly defined structure is not only inefficient; it is a measurable source of risk. The Business Plan package is one example of how Oddsgate addresses this challenge alongside its partners, combining deep market knowledge with practical, hands-on support at every stage of an operation’s development. 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) - Pragmatic Play has broadened its slot portfolio with the debut of The Big Dog House, which introduces colossal wilds and offers a maximum payout of 15,000x. Press release.- Pragmatic Play has introduced the beloved canine crew in The Big Dog House, extending the popular series with colossal wilds and 15,000x win potential. Familiar characters appear on a 5×3 grid, where wild symbols come with 2x or 3x multipliers and can appear as expanded 1×3 or colossal 3×3 icons. Landing three paw scatters initiates the bonus round, where nine spinning barrels can award up to 27 free spins. During this feature, all wild multipliers become sticky, except for ghost wilds, which appear on reel five and can eliminate sticky wilds from reels 2-4. Triggering the bonus game with a green or blue paw scatter unlocks specific bonus modifiers. The Biggie modifier ensures that any wilds landing on reels 2-4 are either expanded or colossal, while the Ghost Out modifier removes ghost wilds from the feature, leaving only sticky wilds in play. An extensive range of special bets and bonus buys are also available to players in specific markets. Ante bets increase the probability of triggering free spins, super bets boost the chance of wilds appearing during base game spins, and bonus buys provide immediate entry to the bonus game with any combination of modifiers. The Big Dog House further extends one of Pragmatic Play’s most successful slot franchises, which includes notable titles such as The Dog House Megaways, The Dog House – Dog or Alive, and The Dog House – Royal Hunt. Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, commented: “The Big Dog House takes our beloved doggos on a fresh adventure, with the introduction of colossal wilds – alongside special bets and bonus buys in select markets – helping players secure wins of up to 15,000x.” 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) - This development coincides with a report indicating a decrease in land-based gaming revenue across Chile. Chile.- As the tender process for new casino operating licenses commences in the municipalities of Iquique, Coquimbo, Viña del Mar, and Pucón, recently established firms appear poised to join the contest in Coquimbo and Pucón. According to Diario Financiero, a private investment fund overseen by Alza is anticipated to bid for the concession to manage the Hotel & Casino in Coquimbo, which Enjoy vacated last August. This month, the Octium fund formed the new entity Casino de Juegos de Coquimbo via two subsidiary firms. The Gaming Control Board initiated the tender in February and is evaluating proposals to award a 15-year operating license for the venue. The deadline for bid submissions is set for August 11, 2026, at 10am. Regarding Pucón, another site formerly run by Enjoy, Diario Financiero disclosed the formation of a private corporation named Casino Volcán Pucón SA. The corporation's founders include Andrés Raggio Guerrero, previously Treasury Manager at Enjoy and currently Finance Manager at Clínica Las Condes, along with Inversiones Gran Pucón SpA (with Raggio as its primary representative). Land-based gaming in Chile The latest annual report from the Asociación Chilena de Casinos y Juegos (ACCJ) indicates that gross gaming revenue from land-based operations in Chile decreased by 4.5 percent year-on-year, reaching CLP509.8bn (€514m) in 2025, with tax revenues simultaneously declining by 4.7 percent to CLP214m. In 2025, Chile had 25 operational casinos: 22 sanctioned by Law 19.995 and three municipal sites undergoing transition. Despite this consistent presence, casino attendance saw a 7.2 percent drop, totaling 926,873 visits. Concurrently, the ACCJ's report estimates the unregulated online gambling market generated $3.1bn. Online gambling lawsuit The 16th Civil Court of Santiago is presiding over a lawsuit initiated by Latamwin, which claims unfair competition against La Polla Chilena de Beneficencia. The Curaçao-licensed operator lodged the complaint in April 2024, challenging the legal and administrative actions advanced by Polla Chilena to restrict access to online betting platforms within Chile. In his testimony, Carlos Baeza, spokesperson for the Chilean Association of Online Betting Platforms (aPAL), contended that the state-owned company's actions harmed operators' reputations and aimed to eliminate market competition. “Polla Chilena does not oppose online betting; rather, it opposes competition within online betting,” Baeza declared in court. He asserted that “no law in our legal framework forbids all forms of gambling,” and noted that the Public Prosecutor’s Office opted not to proceed with several lawsuits concerning alleged illegal gambling. For the defence, former president of Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, Macarena Carvallo, maintained that she never issued remarks specifically targeting the operator, clarifying that her public statements consistently addressed online platforms broadly. The former executive also defended La Polla Chilena’s advisories regarding gambling addiction and problem gambling, asserting these were grounded in research financed by the Responsible Gambling Corporation. Moreover, she admitted that a campaign was initiated during her leadership, portraying Polla as “the sole legal Chilean betting company,” though she attributed this choice to the sales and marketing division. 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) - Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed Senate File 2289 into law, giving the state's Racing and Gaming Commission the power to crack down on unauthorized sweepstakes and other unlicensed betting operations. US.- With the enactment of Senate File 2289, Iowa has expanded the regulatory reach of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) to target unauthorized betting platforms. Approved by Governor Kim Reynolds, this legislation empowers regulators to hand out cease-and-desist notices and pursue injunctions against any business providing "games of chance, gambling, sports wagering, or illegal sweepstakes" without the necessary licensing. While states like Indiana, Maine, and Oklahoma chose to outlaw sweepstakes casinos directly through dual-currency definitions, Iowa has instead integrated the term “illegal sweepstakes” into its current gambling statutes. Legislative journey and revisions The legislation enjoyed strong bipartisan backing, clearing the Senate 44-0 and the House 93-0. Following an amendment that reduced the IRGC's reimbursement fund from US$ 70,000 to US$ 45,000, the Senate gave its final approval with a 47-0 vote. To finalize the bill, legislators pushed the session past its scheduled April 21 adjournment. IRGC Director Tina Eck had earlier pointed to sites like MyBookie and Bovada as typical examples of unauthorized operators that the commission could not prosecute under previous regulations. Parallels with Nevada's regulatory approach Iowa's new framework shares similarities with Nevada's SB 256, passed in 2025, which increased punishments for unlawful gaming and allowed the seizure of revenue generated from illegal operations. Rather than implementing outright bans, both states have opted to classify sweepstakes casinos as unlicensed gambling. Following the passage of SB 256 in Nevada, the majority of sweepstakes casinos reportedly withdrew from the state's market. Nationwide crackdown on sweepstakes Iowa's legislative action coincides with a growing nationwide push against sweepstakes gaming. While Indiana, Maine, and Oklahoma have enacted outright bans, similar bills in Tennessee and Louisiana are currently awaiting executive approval. Meanwhile, legislative efforts stalled this year in several other states, including Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Prohibitions were also established last year in California, New York, and New Jersey. 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 banking giant briefly held an increased 7 per cent state in the UK gambling giant. UK.- JP Morgan Chase has reduced its holding in the London-listed gambling operator Entain to under 3 per cent merely 10 days after increasing its position to 7 per cent. A filing confirmed that the US banking giant had dropped below the 3 per cent reporting threshold. The rise in the stake occurred after another shareholder, Ricky Sandler’s Eminence Capital announced plans to liquidate. Sandler resigned as a non‑executive director last month and sold his 5.8 per cent interest in Entain on May 7. JP Morgan soon began lowering its position with sales executed on May 12, 13, 14 and 15. Entain’s share price remained stable during this period, closing at 532.4p on May 15. Entain’s challenges It has been a difficult period for Entain’s stock price, worsened by the recent rise in Remote Gaming Duty in Britain and Ireland, which has also impacted the business, leading to plans to close a third of Ladbrokes shops in Ireland. Shares closed higher at 535p today but remain down by 30 per cent year‑to‑date. Entain is maintaining its full‑year 2026 outlook with a target of 5 to 7 per cent growth in online net gaming revenue (NGR). It expects £1.13bn in group EBITDA (excluding BetMGM fees) and at least £500m in adjusted annual cash flow by 2028. Q1 revenue increased by 3 per cent year‑on‑year, driven by an 8 per cent rise in volume. Online NGR grew by 5 per cent, with igaming revenue up 9 per cent while sports betting revenue declined by 1 per cent due to weaker margins. The quarter ending March 31 showed strong results for the UK and Ireland online business, where NGR rose 13 per cent while retail NGR slipped 1 per cent. In the CEE region, NGR fell 6 per cent, with online down 1 per cent and retail plummeting 30 per cent. BetMGM, Entain’s joint venture with MGM Resorts, reported Q1 net revenue of $696m, up 6 per cent. 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) - Oklahoma's Legislature has overturned Governor Kevin Stitt's veto of Senate Bill 1589. Online sweepstakes casinos are now prohibited in Oklahoma, following the Legislature's successful override of Governor Kevin Stitt's veto of Senate Bill 1589. This proposal had already passed both legislative chambers earlier this year. Governor Stitt had argued that the bill was “so broad that it criminalizes everyday apps people use for fun” and “unnecessarily creates a new felony and extends criminal liability to businesses and service providers.” Nevertheless, the Senate passed it with a 34-10 vote, and the House followed with a 68-19 vote, both surpassing the two-thirds majority needed to override Stitt's veto. The measure, introduced by Senator Gollihare, expands Oklahoma's definition of gambling to encompass “online casino games” played via computers, mobile phones, or tablets. Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of a “representative of value” to include dual-currency systems convertible into cash, prizes, or their cash equivalent. Under the bill, any individual involved in opening, conducting, or supporting these games—including operators, employees, geolocation providers, platform suppliers, promoters, or media affiliates—will face charges for a Class C2 felony. Penalties for this offense will include fines ranging from $500 to $2,000. 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) - New Jersey plans to carry its dispute with Kalshi to the Supreme Court. The state played a decisive role in clearing the way for nationwide sports betting legalization and could again prompt a landmark ruling on sports prediction markets. A joint status report submitted by attorneys for Kalshi and New Jersey asked the court to refrain from further rulings while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision. “Defendants have indicated that they intend to seek further review of the Third Circuit’s decision in the U.S. Supreme Court,” the filing stated. “The parties therefore respectfully request that this Court continue to stay proceedings pending any decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.” The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that Kalshi was likely to succeed, finding that federal law preempts state gambling regulations and renders its sports markets lawful. The dissenting judge concluded that “[b]ecause Kalshi is facilitating gambling, it can be subjected to state regulation.” How Will Supreme Court Rule? Legal experts have long anticipated that the Supreme Court will eventually decide whether sports prediction markets may continue. Daniel Wallach, a prominent voice in numerous legal disputes between prediction market operators and state gambling regulators, estimated a 70–80% chance that the Supreme Court will rule against prediction markets. Kayvan Sadeghi, a partner at Jenner & Block in New York, agreed. He noted that although the Trump administration and some Republicans support prediction markets, conservative judges often favor states’ rights arguments. With the Supreme Court’s majority leaning conservative, this would advantage gambling regulators. Law professor Melinda Roth told us she sees the outcome as closer to 50-50. The Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling permitting states to legalize sports betting could be influential. In that case, the Court held that the federal prohibition on sports betting was unconstitutional and that states may determine whether to allow the activity. When Will Supreme Court Hear The Case? It took years of effort for the sports betting case to reach the Supreme Court. Initially, judges rejected the state’s argument that the federal ban on sports betting was unconstitutional. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the earlier rulings in a 2-1 split decision, as it did in the Kalshi case in New Jersey, concluding that federal law preempts state regulation. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case in 2014, but Governor Chris Christie persisted and petitioned for review in 2016. The Court eventually agreed in 2017 and issued its definitive ruling in 2018. Kalshi filed its lawsuit against New Jersey authorities in April of last year after receiving a cease-and-desist letter. As the PASPA case illustrates, such complex disputes can take many years to resolve. Roth said she believes at least another year will pass before the Supreme Court hears the case, and she added that the sports betting ruling “doesn’t necessarily indicate how they will rule here.” At a hearing before the Ninth Circuit, judges appeared to favor the state of Nevada’s arguments over those of Kalshi. A ruling is expected in the coming weeks. If the outcome favors the state, it would create a circuit split, potentially accelerating the case to the Supreme Court. Polymarket Offers Wagering On Timeline Polymarket, like most platforms, has a market on when the Supreme Court will take a sports event contract case. It currently assigns an 18% chance that the Court will accept a case by year’s end. There is no market on how the Court will rule, but one could follow if it accepts the case. Whether it can continue offering markets on everything will likely depend on the outcome. 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 Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has initiated legal action against Minnesota following the state’s passage of legislation that limits prediction markets. Governor Tim Walz signed SF4511 into law, a measure that specifically prohibits prediction markets covering a wide array of events, such as sports, conflicts, elections, and weather conditions. The CFTC stated it is pursuing the lawsuit to safeguard Minnesota farmers who depend on prediction markets to manage risks associated with unfavorable weather impacting their agricultural output. “This Minnesota statute suddenly renders lawful operators and participants in prediction markets felons,” said CFTC Chairman Michael Selig in a public statement. “For decades, Minnesota farmers have depended on essential hedging tools tied to weather and crop-related events to reduce their exposure to risk. Governor Walz prioritized special interests over American farmers and innovators.” Most Aggressive State Action Against Prediction Markets to Date The CFTC characterized Minnesota lawmakers’ approval of the new statute as “the most aggressive step taken by any state to dismantle CFTC-regulated markets and weaken the federal regulatory framework established by Congress over half a century ago.” The complaint notes that while other states have primarily objected to sports-related prediction markets, it singles out Minnesota for “targeting all event contracts,” including those related to weather, which “serve clear purposes in hedging against major commercial and economic risks.” The CFTC has also filed lawsuits against Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York in reaction to those states’ efforts to restrict prediction markets. Arizona stands as the only state to have brought criminal charges against a prediction market operator. The CFTC’s legal action successfully prevented the state from prosecuting Kalshi under those charges. Prediction Markets Seen as Prone to Scandal Sen. John Marty, a co-sponsor of the Minnesota bill, stated that its enactment reflects bipartisan recognition that prediction markets have become unmanageable. “It demonstrates that individuals from both parties—whether supportive or opposed to gambling—can agree that prediction markets are highly susceptible to conflicts of interest, including insider trading by politicians and others. This is a massive issue teeming with potential for scandal and has spiraled out of control,” Marty remarked. Kalshi previously penalized Minnesota Senator Matt Klein for betting on his own victory in a primary election. Klein voiced support for the ban, noting that his experience, “like that of many other Minnesotans, underscores the necessity for clearer rules and oversight of these markets.” Weather-based markets have also drawn recent scrutiny after a Polymarket user in France was accused of using a hair dryer to tamper with a temperature sensor. Three accounts collectively earned over $280,000 by wagering that Paris would reach 19 °C on April 15, coinciding with an unexplained 5 °C spike in the recorded temperature that evening. French authorities are conducting an investigation, and Polymarket has since replaced the sensor used to determine market outcomes. CFTC Asserts Role as Vigilant Overseer The CFTC has dismissed assertions that prediction markets are失控 and maintains that it acts as a vigilant regulator, ready to intervene in cases of insider trading. Following an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal alleging that prediction markets constitute gambling and that insider trading goes unpunished due to insufficient regulation, the CFTC issued an open letter to the publication’s editor refuting those claims. “Allegations that ‘insider trading is rampant’ and that our insider trading regulations are ‘less defined’ than others are simply false,” Selig wrote in the letter. “The CFTC remains committed to serving as a vigilant regulator of prediction markets,” he added. Last week, the agency also announced partnerships with major sports leagues, including MLB, to uphold market integrity. Minnesota continues to be one of the few U.S. states without legalized sports betting. Alongside its restrictions on prediction markets, state legislators are moving forward with proposals to prohibit sweepstakes casinos. 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 Catawba Tribe of North Carolina has unveiled a portion of its new $1 billion Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, located roughly 50 kilometers from Charlotte. The tribe and its collaborators note that development is still ongoing, and the section opened to the public on May 20 is only the “introductory phase” of the project. Per the Shelby Star, work continues on an expanded casino area and a 24-story, 385-room hotel. This “introductory” casino replaces a temporary structure complex the tribe launched on a 64,750-square-meter parcel of sovereign land in July 2021. The temporary setup housed over 1,000 slot machines and more than a dozen table games. However, dining options at this facility were limited, consisting of an enclosed food truck and a cafe counter. The new complex features 1,350 slot machines, 36 electronic table games, and 22 traditional table games. It also includes a 68-seat restaurant, an 18-seat bar, sports betting kiosks, a two-level parking lot, and a player rewards desk. North Carolina Casino: Full Launch Set for Spring 2027 Construction on Two Kings began in June 2024. The tribe and project developer Delaware North say they are targeting a full opening in spring 2027. Once completed, the casino complex will span approximately 185,800 square meters. The gaming space will include 4,300 slot machines and 100 table games. Kings Mountain, North Carolina (Image: Kingscitydata) The developers plan to build 11 restaurants, including a steakhouse, a cafe, and an Italian eatery. They will also construct a shopping center and 3,500 parking spaces. The tribe states the project has created hundreds of construction jobs, and asserts that Two Kings will eventually employ around 2,200 residents and Catawba Nation citizens. Representatives claim the casino will have “a significant economic impact” on areas like Kings Mountain and Cleveland County. This opening comes just months after the Catawba Tribe launched an online casino—also named Two Kings—in partnership with Nevada-based social gaming developer Ruby Seven Studios. Are NC Sports Betting Problems Emerging? Anti-gambling advocates say problem betting is on the rise in North Carolina. In addition to approving the new casino, the state legalized sports betting in early 2024. In February this year, the head of the Addiction Professionals of North Carolina reported that the state’s problem gambling helpline saw a 79% increase in calls just six months after sports betting launched in the Tar Heel State. “[There has been] an increase in people reaching out for help, many of them first-time gamblers drawn in by sports betting,” the official stated. Ahead of its two-year legalization anniversary, North Carolina had already amassed over $12 billion in total betting handle. 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) - South Korean singer and actor Kim Min-jong has rejected assertions that he is involved in an unlawful celebrity gambling group. Kim’s representatives described the allegations as “unfounded rumors” rooted in “malicious doubts,” according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. These remarks were made one day after TV personality and singer MC Mong alleged that Kim and several other prominent public figures had formed a betting ring called Badugi. MC Mong leveled the accusation during a live stream on his TikTok account, where he also claimed that business leaders were plotting against him. MC Mong stated that members of Badugi have “provided large amounts of money to women close to me, women I don’t know whatsoever, and women in the entertainment sector” to assist in conducting a smear campaign. However, Kim’s legal team asserted that the allegations were “definitely untrue.” The South Korean celebrities Kim Min-jong (left) and MC Mong (right). (Images: TVZen [CC BY 3.0]; @mcmong_official/TikTok/Screenshot) Kim Min-jong’s Reputation ‘Damaged,’ Lawyers Assert “We plan to hold [MC Mong] legally responsible for civil and criminal damages as needed,” Kim’s lawyers stated. MC Mong claimed that Kim and others had been supplying information to PD Notebook, a TV program focused on investigative journalism. The show airs regularly on the national broadcast network MBC. “[Mr. Kim] has been deeply beloved by the public,” the lawyers added. “These claims have severely damaged his reputation.” “I want to state clearly that the accusations being talked about are not true,” Kim said in a separate statement. Kim rose to stardom in the 1990s, featuring in numerous popular TV dramas and films. His film credits include Trio, the directorial debut of Park Chan-wook, who won the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix. His more recent film roles include Mrs. Cop (2015), its 2016 follow-up, and 2019’s Rosebud. Kim started a solo pop career in 1992, and also joined forces with another leading actor, Son Ji-chang, to create the pop duo The Blue. Military Service Controversy MC Mong, on the other hand, became famous as a singer in the early 2000s. He later transitioned to variety TV, appearing as a regular guest on prime-time programs like 2 Days & 1 Night. But his rapid ascent ended suddenly in 2011 when a division of the Seoul Central District Court convicted him of having healthy teeth extracted to evade compulsory military service. The court gave him a suspended jail term and mandated that he perform community service. This incident sparked controversy in South Korea, where all men are required to serve approximately two years in the military. His TV opportunities dried up after the scandal, though his music career eventually recovered. Since then, MC Mong has faced additional unrelated charges, including failing to declare more than $70,000 in cash when departing the country. Gambling-related offenses are back in the public eye in South Korea as the June 3 local elections approach. A political opponent accused Kim Dae-jung, the current education superintendent of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju, of “lingering around a gambling establishment” during an official work trip. Kim has since acknowledged visiting an overseas casino located in the hotel where he was staying. However, the superintendent has maintained that he did not gamble during his visit. 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) - Ireland’s Finance Minister Simon Harris stated that he has requested officials to conduct a full in-depth review of suspicious trading activity on election-related markets hosted by Polymarket. Addressing the Banking and Payments Federation conference held in Dublin on Tuesday, Harris noted that prediction markets have turned into “a kind of Wild West where people are placing bets in the form of cryptocurrency in a secretive, murky and unregulated manner.” More than $1 million worth of trades have been placed on the Dublin by-election, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 22. Harris expressed concerns over the large sum of money being staked on the race. “One does have to ask themselves, why are so many people from potentially outside our jurisdiction interested in using Polymarket in relation to the Dublin Central by-election?” Harris remarked, in comments published by the Belfast Telegraph. Largest Share of Trading Volume Tied to Purported Crime Boss Out of the total $1,142,177 traded across the by-election markets, $525,389 of that volume is linked to Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, an alleged organized crime leader. Hutch rejected money laundering allegations against him this week. He told The Sun, “The Gardai (Irish police) came over to Spain and raided my house and took all my paperwork and went back to Spain and told the Spanish that I’m money laundering.” “It’s bulls**t. The Spanish are just being misled by the Gardai and I’m not involved in crime. I have been in me past, but I’m not involved in crime.” Hutch is purported to be the head of a criminal syndicate that carried out two of Ireland’s largest armed robberies in 1987 and 1995. The two heists are reported to have earned the gang £4.7 million ($6.3 million). Hutch also faced trial over the murder of David Byrne in 2016. The killing was believed to be retaliation for the murder of Hutch’s nephew, Gary Hutch, during a gang feud. Hutch was extradited from Spain to Ireland in 2021 and held in custody until he was ultimately found not guilty in April 2023. He has stated that he left his criminal past behind after he was released from prison. Gambling Practices and Possible Money Laundering Under Official Scrutiny Election betting is legal in Ireland, though Polymarket does not hold a gambling license in the country. Harris said he considers wagering on the platform to be gambling, and that holding discussions with the national gambling regulator is a priority. He also raised an alert over “the potential concern that this is a vehicle that could be used in terms of money laundering”. He did not allege that any candidates in the election are suspected of improper conduct, but noted that he could not rule out “in a broad sense, the idea of activity that may not be kosher”. He added that he has no concrete evidence of such activity taking place. Several other countries have blocked Polymarket over its election wagering services. The Netherlands blocked access to the platform and issued a fine to the company earlier this year. In total, 33 territories are listed as blocked on Polymarket’s official site, including the UK, though Ireland is not among them. Polymarket Rolls Out Prediction Markets Tied to Private Company Performance In a separate development that could open the door to further suspicious wagering activity, Polymarket announced it will launch new markets centered on the performance of private companies. “These new offerings give individuals exposure to some of the most sought-after private companies for the first time, while providing a new real-time signal for institutional investors on how private markets are unfolding,” the firm noted in a press release published on Tuesday. Nasdaq Private Market, a provider of liquidity and investment infrastructure for private markets, will act as the official resolution data provider for these new markets. Shayne Coplan, Founder and CEO of Polymarket, appeared unconcerned that insiders could use the markets to profit from confidential, non-public information. “For the first time, anyone can engage with the outcomes driving value at the world’s most consequential private companies,” he stated. Coplan has previously said he believes insider trading on the platform’s markets is a positive feature, describing it as cool. “I think what’s cool about Polymarket is that it creates this financial incentive for people to go and divulge the information to the market and the market to change, and all of a sudden it’s trading at 95 cents,” he explained during an interview held in November last year. Polymarket declined to issue a comment on the investigation into suspicious betting linked to the Irish by-election. 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) - Multiple suspected Chinese gamblers suffered severe injuries after jumping from a second-floor window during a Thai police raid on an illegal betting den. According to Thailand-based media outlet Thai PBS, law enforcement officers carried out a raid at a location in Pattaya, a widely popular holiday resort city. Investigators state that the gambling den catered to high-spending "VIP" Chinese poker players. Chonburi Immigration Police, in collaboration with Tourist Police, surrounded a house in Nong Prue Subdistrict after receiving a tip-off from a member of the public. The whistleblower reported that they suspected a group of Chinese nationals were engaging in illegal gambling inside the property. Officers followed up on the lead by dispatching an undercover agent posing as a food delivery courier, who confirmed the tip-off was accurate. ‘Chinese Gamblers Jumped Onto Hard Tiled Ground’ Police subsequently raided the house, where they stated they found a group of Chinese gamblers "fully engrossed in a poker game." Chaos broke out immediately, with all participants "scrambling in all directions and attempting to flee," according to police. At least three of the suspects leaped from the windows, all of whom sustained injuries upon landing on the hard, tiled ground below. Rescue workers are reported to have administered first aid before rushing the injured suspects to a nearby hospital. A news report from Thailand’s Ch7 News featuring police footage of the Pattaya raid. Police released video footage from the raid, which showed one apparently severely injured individual being carried to an ambulance on a stretcher, seemingly unable to move on their own. The footage also showed police ordering a large group of suspects to sit on the floor as they read out their legal rights. Police also released images of gambling chips, score cards, and a variety of other gambling paraphernalia seized at the scene. An Exclusive VIP Gambling Den During a search of the house, authorities stated they found evidence that the entire property had been converted into a "VIP gambling den." They found rooms fitted with poker tables, along with high-value gambling equipment. Investigators seized roughly 100,000 baht ($3,000) in cash. Officers confirmed they arrested 16 people at the scene, all of whom are Chinese nationals. A police official stated that three of the arrestees were women, and the rest were male. Police said they will inspect the arrestees’ travel documents to determine if they entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas. Detectives have filed initial illegal gambling-related charges against all 16 suspects. Earlier this year, Thai officials extradited a Chinese man suspected of running the illegal Wanhe Soccer portal. Chinese prosecutors say the portal was a front for a $73 million pyramid-style scam, whose victims were primarily based in Mainland China. The suspect, surnamed Huang, first fled to Cambodia before traveling to Thailand, where he was ultimately arrested. Huang is currently being held in prison in China’s Tianjin Province, pending the start of his trial. 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 Chicago location will no longer provide face-to-face sports wagering services. US.- DraftKings has chosen to halt its physical betting operations at the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. According to the firm, this move comes after an evaluation of its retail footprint in the state. While the establishment is set to stay open, physical sports wagering will be phased out. Customers have until May 31 to submit their final in-person wagers. Launched in March 2024, the betting facility is situated at the intersection of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue, on the southeast side of Wrigley Field. It features 32 self-service betting terminals, seven physical teller windows, and a massive video wall spanning over 2,000 square feet. During the first quarter ending March 31, DraftKings generated $1.65 billion in revenue, marking a 17 percent rise compared to the previous year. This growth was driven by strong user acquisition and engagement, alongside improved net revenue margins for its sportsbook. 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) - Growth in the online gambling segment offset the gap left by lost land-based casino revenue. Sweden.- Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gambling regulator, has announced that operators holding a valid Swedish licence brought in total gaming revenue of SEK 6.7bn (€615m) in the first quarter of this year. This marks a 0.8 per cent rise compared to the same quarter in 2025, pointing to an ongoing slowdown in growth momentum following full-year growth of 1.3 per cent in 2025 and 2.65 per cent in 2024. The preliminary Q1 figure is calculated as total player wagers minus total payouts over the three-month period ending March 31. Commercial online gaming and betting recorded revenue of SEK 4.44bn (€407.5m), up from SEK 4.30bn in Q1 2025. State lottery and slot machine games generated SEK 1.27bn, a drop from the SEK 1.32bn posted in the same quarter last year. Lotteries for public benefit remained largely stable at SEK 863m, while charity bingo revenue stayed flat at SEK 47m, and land-based commercial gaming revenue saw a negligible increase to reach SEK 57m. The year-on-year comparison was also impacted by the closure of the last remaining Casino Cosmopol venue in Copenhagen, which had generated SEK 27m in revenue during Q1 2025. By the end of the first quarter, nearly 138,000 people were blocked from accessing gambling services in Sweden via the self-exclusion platform Spelpaus.se. This marks a 2.6 per cent increase from the figure recorded in the previous quarter. Separately, the Swedish government has appointed Mattias Pleiner, vice-chairman of the Svea Court of Appeal, as a new member of the board of Spelinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority. The appointment will remain in effect until March 31, 2028. 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) - Figures indicate the substantial contribution of betting activities to state revenue generation in Brazil. Brazil.- Information acquired through the Access to Information Law (LAI) reveals that the Brazilian federal government amassed R$4.17bn (€713.9m) from gaming and gambling operations during the first quarter of 2026. From this sum, over R$1.15bn (€196.8m) was generated specifically by online fixed-odds betting, referred to as the Bets regime. These statistics, derived from official tax collection records detailing receipts from January to March of the current year, were furnished by the Federal Revenue Service following an LAI submission by Pay4Fun, a Brazilian digital payment platform and virtual wallet. Breaking down the total betting revenue for the quarter, R$ 994.7m constituted direct tax contributions to the federal government, with R$ 142.3m coming from revenue contributions and R$ 12.8m earmarked for the health sector. Leonardo Baptista, CEO and co-founder of Pay4Fun, commented: “The figures demonstrate that betting holds a significant position in both government revenue collection and the broader economic landscape, with over R$ 1.15bn generated in the first quarter within what is clearly an expanding market. This expansion is directly attributable to the advancement of regulation, which has introduced greater transparency and predictability to the industry.” Baptista further emphasized the imperative to intensify efforts against the illicit market and strengthen responsible gambling programs. Conversely, the overall revenue exhibited a progressive decline over the quarter. Government collections from games and bets amounted to R$ 2.07bn in January, subsequently dropping to R$ 1.08bn in February, and further to R$ 1.01bn in March. Online fixed-odds betting, however, displayed a distinct trend. January saw online bets generate approximately R$ 368m, which then increased to R$ 443m in February, before decreasing to R$ 338m in March. Beyond sports betting, other contributions included R$ 13.5m from the Federal Lottery, R$ 6.6m from LOTEX, and R$ 6.2m from the Sports Lottery. Igaming and online sports betting have been regulated in Brazil since early last year. Nevertheless, political opposition has emerged, primarily driven by worries regarding consumer debt. President Lula da Silva, who approved online gambling legislation in late 2023, has expressed a desire to prohibit online casino gambling within Brazil. Furthermore, some legislators have advocated for a full repeal of the existing regulations. Just last month, Workers’ Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores) deputy Pedro Uczai put forward Bill PL-1808/2026, which aims for a nationwide ban on all forms of online gambling. 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 company is set to back a strategic initiative focused on trader well-being and safety with a $2 million investment. US.- The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has announced a $2 million, two-year investment from the prediction market platform Kalshi for a program centered on trader health and safety. Kalshi will join the NCPG as a Platinum-level member and will be the first organization in a new Financial Services and Trading subcategory. Kalshi’s contribution is intended to help fund consumer education campaigns, raise awareness of the warning signs associated with problematic behavior, and encourage responsible trading and sound decision-making. It will also become a member of NCPG’s Leadership Circle. The NCPG stated that it maintains a neutral stance on the legality of prediction products. Heather L. Maurer, executive director of NCPG, commented: “NCPG’s goal has always been to mitigate harm by increasing education, awareness, and understanding of risky behaviors, while ensuring access to trusted, scientific, and evidence-based information and healthcare resources. Innovation and responsibility can and must evolve together. Kalshi’s engagement demonstrates a commitment to mitigating harm before it occurs and ensuring support resources are accessible when they are needed.” Tarek Mansour, co-founder and CEO of Kalshi, added: “At Kalshi, we believe in the power of prediction markets, and we are sensitive to the fact that they, like any financial trading products, come with risks. As prediction markets continue to evolve, we are deeply committed to setting a new standard for responsible trading by investing in the tools, education, and protections needed to promote healthy participation and customer safety and hope that over time all trading platforms with significant retail participation follow suit.” Earlier this year, the NCPG called upon prediction market operators in the US to promote the National Problem Gambling helpline. 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) - Governor Tim Walz has enacted legislation that criminalizes platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. U.S.- Minnesota has officially banned prediction markets, becoming the first U.S. state to make platforms facilitating the purchase and sale of contracts linked to future political, economic, or social outcomes illegal. The measure was signed by Governor Tim Walz after securing strong bipartisan support and is set to take effect on August 1, 2026. While other states have issued cease-and-desist notices or regulatory warnings, Minnesota’s new law establishes a general ban on the operation and advertising of prediction markets not authorized by the state. Markets focused on weather-related events remain permitted, following agricultural stakeholders’ insistence on the importance of such data for risk management. CFTC response The move comes amid a conflict between state-level authorities and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which views prediction markets as financial products. Anticipating the governor’s signature, the CFTC filed a federal court lawsuit seeking to block the law before it becomes active. In a statement, Chairman Michael S. Selig described Minnesota’s action as “the most aggressive move by a state to shut down CFTC-regulated markets and undermine the federal regulatory framework established by Congress more than 50 years ago.” Selig warned that the legislation would turn lawful operators and participants into “felons overnight” and criticized the state for ignoring the role prediction markets play in providing hedging tools for farmers and innovators. The CFTC has already sued other states, including Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York, over attempts to regulate or ban prediction markets. Supporters of the Minnesota bill argue that gambling regulation should remain a state prerogative. Representative Emma Greenman, who sponsored the legislation, said: “We as a state should decide what regulations to apply to gambling and how best to do so, to protect public safety and our kids.” Platforms and controversies Prediction market operators like Kalshi and Polymarket reject the characterization of their products as gambling, instead asserting they are financial instruments with historical precedent. They maintain that state gaming laws should not apply to their operations. The controversy has been fueled by cases of insider trading, where individuals with non-public information profited from wagers on geopolitical events. A recent example involves the arrest of a U.S. special operations soldier accused of making over US$400,000 betting on Venezuelan political outcomes while allegedly involved in covert missions. 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.