Author: Andrew Fletcher

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is giving local councils sweeping new powers to block unwanted businesses as part of a major high street revival effort. Central to the plans is the abolition of the Gambling Act’s “Aim to Permit” rule, a 2005 provision that has long constrained councils trying to prevent new betting shops from opening. The rule has historically required licensing authorities to err on the side of granting permission to betting shops and gaming venues seeking a presence on the high street. Its removal marks a significant shift in gambling policy, handing communities far greater control over the makeup…

Flutter Entertainment is making PokerStars the primary poker product across its UK brands, beginning with Betfair before expanding to Sky Bet and Paddy Power later this year. The integration represents one of the most significant structural shifts in the UK online poker market in recent memory, consolidating Flutter’s domestic offering under a single poker platform. Flutter’s stated aim is to improve liquidity by connecting multiple brands through the PokerStars platform, creating a large multinational player pool across the entire PokerStars Network. By unifying these brands under one poker product, Flutter expects to deliver a more competitive and attractive environment for…

Genius Sports Chief Executive Officer Mark Locke has publicly embraced the rise of prediction markets, describing the trend as broadly beneficial for the NYSE-listed sports data company. Locke made his comments during an investor call that followed the release of Genius Sports’ second quarter 2026 financial results, which showed strong year-on-year growth across key metrics. The company reported Q2 revenue of $195.5 million, representing a 64.7% year-on-year increase that significantly exceeded expectations and reinforced confidence in the business. Genius Sports also posted a Q2 EBITDA figure of $52.6 million, up 54% compared to the same period in the prior year,…

Mexico is moving closer to tougher gambling oversight after a new draft proposal emerged targeting operators, sweepstakes, and prediction markets. Deputy Alberto Martínez Urincho drafted the proposal and presented it to the Congress of Mexico City, according to SBC Noticias. Because games of chance and sweepstakes fall under federal law, any amendments must first pass a Public Administration Commission before reaching the Legislative Plenary for approval. Urincho stated that the objective of the draft is to position problem gambling as a public health concern and therefore incorporated into Mexico’s wider public health strategy. The proposal would require operators to display…

FeedConstruct has signed a landmark deal with the World Baseball Softball Confederation, marking a significant departure from its recent focus on football and basketball partnerships. The SoftConstruct-owned sports data and streaming provider has been aggressively securing contracts across Europe, South America and Asia throughout 2026, with football and basketball federations dominating its portfolio until now. This latest agreement represents a fresh strategic direction for the company, branching out into baseball for the first time in recent memory. Under the partnership, FeedConstruct secures exclusive worldwide data and live streaming rights for premier international baseball events organised by the WBSC. The deal…

New research from Online-Casinos.com reveals that fast, transparent withdrawals have become one of the strongest factors shaping player trust in regulated online gambling markets. The findings, compiled by Heath Chesters from Online-Casinos.com, examine how shifting payment technology and evolving consumer behaviour are changing what players prioritise when choosing an operator. According to the report, withdrawal speed and payment transparency are increasingly overtaking traditional acquisition incentives like welcome bonuses as the primary measure of operator quality. “Players have become much more sophisticated,” said Chesters. “A generous bonus might attract attention, but the withdrawal process is where a casino earns or loses…

Bodog has returned to public life as an independent editorial platform, marking a significant departure from the gambling operations that made it a recognisable name. The company ceased operating its casino and sportsbook in February 2026, and its new website is now focused entirely on editorial content, research and commentary. Bodog plans to maintain its connection with the gambling sector while also expanding coverage into sports culture, technology, travel and wellness topics. Responsible gambling education and research will be integrated directly into the editorial operation rather than treated as a secondary concern. The rebrand revives a name strongly associated with…

Imagine Live has received regulatory approval to operate in South Africa, opening the door for licensed operators in the country to integrate its live casino content. The licence permits operators to offer Imagine Live’s full portfolio of live casino games directly to players based in South Africa, representing a significant market entry. South Africa has a well-established gaming sector with considerable growth potential, making it an attractive destination for regulated live casino providers seeking international expansion. Imagine Live views the approval as more than simple market access, describing it as a foundation for building trusted, long-term partnerships with locally licensed…

Penn Entertainment has swung back into profit for Q2 2026, posting a net income of $32.6m after a challenging stretch of quarterly losses. The turnaround marks a significant improvement from Q2 last year, when the operator recorded losses of $18.3m across the same period. Penn had already been moving in the right direction in Q1 2026, narrowing its losses to just $2.8m before returning fully to profitability this quarter. A 5% uptick in revenue helped push the company back into the black, with total revenue for the quarter reaching $1.86bn. Despite the return to profit, earning power remains below the…

Brazil’s Congress has returned from its winter recess period, and President Lula’s government is wasting no time pushing forward its ambitious overhaul of the country’s Bets framework. Bill PL 2,258/2026, introduced on 7 May, sits high on the legislative agenda with its central aim of banning online casinos across the country. Since Brazil’s regulated betting market launched, Lula has been vocal in his criticism, branding online gambling licences as predatory to Brazilian families and damaging to the nation’s poor. The president has consistently argued that those receiving welfare assistance should be excluded from participating in online gambling entirely. The Bets…