Author: Andrew Fletcher

Andrew Fletcher is a veteran iGaming journalist, and he keeps a close watch on regulatory developments and emerging business deals.

Playtech has confirmed it is targeting the beginning of 2027 to finally launch in Brazil, after political sensitivities around gambling caused significant delays to its plans. The company had been making progress on a Brazilian deal but was asked to hold off until after the country’s election period had concluded before moving ahead with any formal agreement. CEO Mor Weizer revealed the timeline during Playtech’s earnings call, which followed the release of the company’s first-half financial results earlier this year. Weizer was candid about the reasons behind the delay, pointing to gambling becoming a charged political topic during Brazil’s election…

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Anthony Lee, a former director of campaigning for the Conservative Party, has pleaded guilty to two counts of cheating at gambling using inside information. The charges relate to bets placed on the date of the 2024 UK General Election, in breach of the Gambling Act 2005. Lee admitted two offences under section 42(1)(a) and section 42(1)(b) of the Gambling Act 2005 at Southwark Crown Court on 10 September. His wife, Laura Lee, also appeared in court on the same day and pleaded guilty to one offence under section 42(1)(a) of the same legislation. Anthony Lee had leaked confidential information to…

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Playtech has delivered a solid set of first-half results, with revenue climbing 10% on the back of sustained momentum across the Americas region. The company’s performance was underpinned by sharp B2B growth in North America, a market that continues to develop rapidly for established iGaming technology providers. Latin America also contributed meaningfully to the overall revenue increase, reflecting Playtech’s ongoing push to expand its footprint across that fast-growing region. The combination of North American B2B gains and Latin American progress signals a clear strategic direction for Playtech as it deepens its international presence. Despite the healthy revenue growth, the company…

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PopOK Gaming has officially announced the release of its latest iGaming title, King Lemur 500, a high-volatility slot designed to deliver high-energy gameplay and massive win potential. The game transports players into a jungle setting, combining classic slot mechanics with a range of dynamic multiplier features built to keep sessions engaging throughout. King Lemur 500 is built on a 3×3 reel grid with five paylines and carries a Return to Player rate of 96.01%, sitting it firmly within competitive territory for online slot releases. The standout mechanic is the Super Wild, which lands exclusively on Reel 2 and awards random…

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1win has expanded its cryptocurrency payment options by introducing USDC deposits and withdrawals through the Solana network across all regions it currently serves. The integration gives users another avenue for moving stablecoins on and off the platform while taking advantage of Solana’s high-speed, low-cost blockchain infrastructure. USDC deposits via Solana start at just 5 USDC, placing the new option among the lowest minimum deposit thresholds currently available on the platform. SOL deposits are also available from approximately 0.0099353 SOL, which was equivalent to around $1 at the time the minimum threshold was established. Alongside the payment update, 1win has confirmed…

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Spribe has been granted a provisional EU-wide injunction by the Maltese courts targeting three companies connected to Aviator Studio over alleged trademark infringement. The First Hall of the Civil Court of Malta issued the ex parte order on 1 September, marking a significant legal development for the iGaming industry. The court determined on a prima facie basis that Aviator Studio’s use of its branding created a likelihood of confusion with Spribe’s registered EU trademarks. Three entities are named in the order: Aviator Studio Limited, Aviator Studio Holding Limited, and Aviator Studio USA Limited, all of which must immediately cease using…

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Playtech has publicly welcomed the release of a long-awaited report commissioned by Evolution to examine allegations originally made by investigative firm Black Cube. The report was produced by Spectrum Gaming Group and had been created several years ago, only becoming public now as part of ongoing litigation between Evolution and Black Cube. While Spectrum’s report rejected several of Black Cube’s key allegations, it did not clear Evolution entirely, raising notable concerns about compliance practices and market access. Spectrum Gaming Group confirmed it did not believe Evolution had engaged in illegal practices, and specifically refuted claims that Evolution accepted cash payments…

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PDC world number 10 Stephen Bunting is facing questions over his commercial partnerships after publicly revealing a serious personal struggle with gambling addiction. Bunting spoke candidly to The Guardian about how betting activities led him into £90,000 worth of debt, prompting scrutiny of his existing sponsorship arrangements. Following his return to the PDC Premier League in 2025, Bunting signed a partnership with prize draw company Stealth Competitions in February of that year. The agreement covered the Premier League season and subsequent activities, with Stealth Competitions appearing on the front of Bunting’s shirt as recently as the 2026 World Darts Championship…

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Bet365 has become the final member of the UK’s five largest gambling firms to announce significant job cuts following recent tax increases. The Stoke-on-Trent headquartered company, led by the Coates family, confirmed it will reduce its total workforce by approximately 340 positions, representing around 3% of all staff. Roughly 300 of those redundancies will fall on employees based in Stoke-on-Trent, where bet365 is the biggest private employer, with the remaining 40 roles affected in Gibraltar and Malta. A bet365 spokesperson said: “As an international business, we continually review and assess our operations to ensure the business’ long-term future. We’re currently…

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France’s Autorité Nationale des Jeux, known as the ANJ, is examining a sponsorship arrangement between Ligue 1 club OGC Nice and American fintech firm Robinhood. The scrutiny, first reported by L’Équipe, stems from Robinhood’s position as the principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor of the French football club. The ANJ has been taking a firm stance against prediction markets in recent months, and this review appears to be a continuation of that regulatory crackdown. Robinhood, which is listed on the Nasdaq, began accepting what it calls “events contracts” on its own CFTC-licensed exchange, Rothera, earlier this year. The firm had already…

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