Author: Andrew Fletcher

Avanti Studios, Sentient Studios, and Evolution are at the centre of a growing debate about whether artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform the live casino industry. The live casino sector has long been dominated by giants such as Evolution, Pragmatic Play, and Playtech, who built their competitive positions on expensive physical studio infrastructure and high operational costs. A new wave of start-ups now believes that AI-powered virtual dealers can replicate the live experience at a fraction of the cost, presenting both a threat and an opportunity across the market. Avanti Studios, founded by ex-LeoVegas chief Gustaf Hagman and former Authentic Gaming…

Betfair is set to face a landmark High Court trial this week over allegations it failed in its duty of care to a client before his death. The case centres on Luke Ashton, who died by suicide in April 2021 after gambling extensively with the Flutter Entertainment-owned operator. Ashton’s widow, Annie, along with other family members, filed the lawsuit against Betfair following his death. The trial is expected to begin on 4 June and will take approximately three weeks to complete, according to City AM. The case raises fundamental questions about the obligations online gambling platforms owe to customers who…

Former Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes has officially joined Hawkbridge as a principal consultant, marking his first major move since leaving the regulator. Rhodes departed the UKGC at the end of April 2026, with his exit having been confirmed publicly in early February of the same year. The Welsh civil servant had led the Gambling Commission since June 2021, bringing nearly five years of regulatory leadership to his new advisory position. In his new role, Rhodes will advise clients on international regulatory strategy, government and regulatory engagement, and governance and operational standards. On what lies ahead, Rhodes commented: “The next…

The European Gaming and Betting Association has welcomed a new pan-European standard designed to identify players showing signs of risky gambling behaviour. The standard, known as EN 18144, was published on 31 May 2026 through national standardisation bodies of the European Committee for Standardisation. It represents the first common voluntary baseline for detecting and responding to problem gambling behaviour across European operators. EN 18144 sets out nine behavioural markers that operators can use to identify risky gambling patterns before they worsen or cause serious harm. Those markers include changes in stake volume, deposit frequency, session duration, and the use of…

Evoke’s chief risk and intelligent automation officer, Harinder Gill, has spoken openly about how the operator is deploying artificial intelligence across the entire player journey. The interview forms part of the State of AI Adoption in iGaming 2026 report, set to be published by The Playa and NEXT.io on 3 June. At Evoke, artificial intelligence is helping the company better understand what its players are communicating, fundamentally revolutionising how customer research is conducted. “Historically, feedback from customers was collected mostly from our UK users, which was often difficult to get any actionable insights from. To address this, we combined the…

Infingame, a B2B iGaming aggregation provider, has announced a new partnership with game development studio Evoplay to expand its content offering for operators worldwide. The collaboration sees Evoplay’s portfolio of titles fully integrated into Infingame’s aggregation platform, giving operators access to a broader range of high-performing games. Evoplay is described as an award-winning studio known for innovative and immersive gaming experiences that have gained recognition across multiple regulated and emerging markets. Infingame clients now have seamless access to Evoplay’s diverse portfolio, which includes slots, instant games, and cutting-edge formats designed to drive player engagement. The integration is delivered through a…

Northern Shell, the investment company owned by media tycoon Richard Desmond, has been ordered to pay more than £40m after losing a legal battle with the Gambling Commission. The dispute centred on the awarding of the fourth National Lottery licence, which Allwyn secured in March 2022 after seeing off competition from The New Lottery Company, Italy’s Sisal, and incumbent Camelot. The New Lottery Company and Northern Shell jointly filed a legal challenge, claiming the regulator wrongly awarded the licence to Allwyn and that The New Lottery Company should have won instead. The claimants also alleged that the Gambling Commission and…

TESTA has conducted live sportsbook testing across Brazil’s PIX payment ecosystem to identify operational weaknesses before World Cup 2026 demand arrives. An estimated 85% of Brazilians planned to bet during the last World Cup, and Brazil’s betting market now processes roughly R$30 billion in monthly wagering activity. PIX has become the dominant payment behaviour in the market, with registrations, deposits, withdrawals, and live betting activity capable of compressing into very short windows. When small points of friction emerge during those windows, the consequences for operators and players alike become significantly more severe. TESTA used real users, real devices, and real-money…

The UK’s Betting and Gaming Council has appointed Daniel Lindsay as its new Director of Strategic Delivery, marking a notable addition to its leadership team. The appointment follows Kane Purdy’s installation as Chair of the organisation back in April, continuing a period of leadership development at the BGC. Lindsay steps into the role on a temporary basis, covering for Stephanie Wong, who is preparing to begin her maternity leave in the near future. His arrival brings fresh experience to the BGC, as Lindsay joins directly from Metropolitan Gaming, where he previously held a senior position. The Betting and Gaming Council…

Flutter Entertainment shareholders have voted against a special resolution that would have granted the board significantly expanded control over the company’s stock structure. The proposal sought to create what are commonly referred to as blank check preferred stocks, a mechanism that gives boards considerable discretion over issuing new shares. The resolution failed to secure the full backing required from shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting, marking a notable setback for the board. Special resolutions of this kind typically require a higher threshold of shareholder approval than ordinary resolutions, making the vote a meaningful signal from investors. Flutter Entertainment is…