Author: Andrew Fletcher

CoinBox Studio has signed a new partnership agreement with Yggdrasil, joining both the YGG Masters program and the Game in a Box™ technology framework. The independent game development provider is known for creating easy-to-play, visually engaging casino games across slots, scratch cards, and lottery content. Through the agreement, CoinBox Studio will be able to accelerate development, streamline market entry, and bring its creative vision to more players and operators globally. The partnership also grants CoinBox Studio access to Yggdrasil’s extensive network of tier-one operators and brands, supporting its long-term growth ambitions. That access is expected to help the studio reach…

Flows SVP of Client Success and Growth Malou Neguembor says orchestration is no longer just a technical conversation — it is an operational one. Speaking in an interview with NEXT.io, Neguembor outlined the core challenge most operators face: not a shortage of technology, but an inability to make existing systems work together. For most clients arriving at Flows, the frustration centres on disconnected data sources, manual handoffs between teams, and processes that were built around limitations that no longer exist. Neguembor noted that operators frequently arrive asking to automate an existing process, only for the Client Success team to discover…

Entain has publicly criticised Easygo’s Stake operation over its base in Curaçao, escalating an ongoing war of words between the two gambling companies. The small Caribbean island nation has attracted unusual mainstream attention recently following its surprising performances at the 2026 World Cup, but the gambling industry has long been familiar with its significance. Curaçao has become a major hub for online gambling operators and suppliers, largely due to its attractive tax environment and relatively flexible regulatory framework. The jurisdiction offers a 0% tax on gross gaming revenue, with operators instead paying a 2% corporate income tax on net profits,…

Entain plc has agreed to sell a 20% stake in Entain CEE to joint venture partner EMMA Capital for approximately €425 million. The deal implies an enterprise value for Entain CEE of €2.1 billion, equivalent to £1.9 billion, representing approximately a 10x EBITDA multiple. The transaction is expected to complete in Q4 2026, with net proceeds of around £366 million earmarked to reduce the group’s outstanding debt. The consideration comprises €395 million payable at completion, with an additional payment in early 2027 based on fiscal 2026 financial performance. Upon completion, Entain’s shareholding in Entain CEE will decrease from 67.5% to…

Predictive intelligence company Ibex.ai has officially rebranded as Axom following a $2.4m funding commitment from existing investor Capricorn Group. The company specialises in predictive intelligence technology designed to help gambling operators identify player behaviours and forecast future outcomes through AI-powered decision-making. Axom’s platform is also built to optimise customer engagement, giving operators sharper tools for managing commercial performance across their player bases. The newly secured funding will support the next stage of the company’s growth strategy, with a particular focus on advancing towards a more autonomous product offering. Investment will also be directed at expanding technical capabilities across both Axom…

BetWarrior has come under fierce criticism after airing an advertisement featuring an AI-generated video of the late football icon Diego Maradona. The advert has reportedly been televised multiple times on Argentine broadcasts during hydration breaks in 2026 World Cup matches, drawing widespread condemnation. Some of Maradona’s eight children are said to have authorised the advertisement, with lawyer Fernando Burlando confirming it was approved by “the family”. However, not all family members agreed with the decision, with Jana, Diego Jr., and Diego Fernando among those who did not give their blessing to the campaign. In the advert, the AI-generated version of…

Meta is reportedly developing a predictions app called “Arena”, according to anonymous sources cited by the New York Times, marking a significant potential expansion for the social media giant. The app would be downloaded and used separately from Facebook and Instagram, distancing it from Meta’s existing social media platforms while still operating under the company’s broader umbrella. Unlike established predictions platforms Kalshi and Polymarket, Arena users would operate on a video-game style points system rather than placing real-money bets on events. However, sources familiar with the matter told the New York Times that Meta has not ruled out eventually introducing…

The Spanish government has approved a new joint deposit framework designed to prevent players from circumventing limits by holding accounts with multiple operators. The measure was adopted by royal decree at the Council of Ministers on 23 June 2026, marking another significant step in Spain’s ongoing regulatory overhaul of gambling. Under the new framework, players face a daily deposit ceiling of €700, a weekly limit of €1,750, and a four-week cap of €3,300 across all licensed operators combined. These figures represent a modest increase on the previous per-operator limits of €600 daily, €1,500 weekly, and €3,000 monthly, but crucially apply…

SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026 will bring together more than 2,500 industry professionals across two days of conference sessions, networking, and business opportunities. The event is held in partnership with SMH Global and takes place at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace on 15 and 16 July. The summit is focused on the future of gaming across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and broader emerging markets in the region. Day one of the conference agenda explores the key drivers of regional growth, from market entry strategies to the practical application of AI across operations. The opening session, Regional Growth Lab, examines what…

Georgia is advancing a package of legislative amendments that would establish a dedicated licensing regime for operators serving customers outside the country. The proposal has been submitted under an accelerated parliamentary review process, signalling strong political intent to push the changes through quickly. Central to the plan is a firm legal distinction between foreign and domestic gambling participation, separating the two markets at the licensing level. Operators obtaining the new international licences would be permitted to offer online casino games, slot products, and sports betting services exclusively to foreign citizens and stateless persons. Georgian citizens would be explicitly excluded from…