Author: Charles Shephardson

Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke has made clear that his company is positioned to win regardless of how the prediction markets regulatory debate ultimately resolves. Speaking during the company’s Q2 2026 earnings call, Locke described prediction markets as the “most visible example” of revenue opportunities created by the firm’s acquisition of sports media business Legend. Locke acknowledged that the rapid growth of prediction markets is already validating the Legend acquisition, with synergies arriving ahead of schedule across multiple business lines. The CEO noted that customer acquisition, official data supply, and commercial partnerships are all delivering strong early returns following the…

Google has officially rolled out a major update to its Gambling and Games Policy, taking effect from 14 September 2026 across all markets worldwide. Advertisers were first alerted to the upcoming changes back in June, giving businesses several months to prepare for the stricter certification requirements. The policy builds on earlier reforms introduced in March 2026, when Google first began demanding that advertisers in selected gambling markets prove a strong compliance record before earning certification. That compliance requirement has now been broadened significantly, applying to every single category covered under the Gambling and Games Policy framework. Google stated directly in…

Google will stop affiliates and media platforms from using its ad services to publish gambling content or promotions aimed at audiences in Croatia from October 7, 2026. The tech giant issued an official notice outlining the scope of the policy change and its immediate consequences for advertisers currently operating in the Croatian market. In its notice, Google stated: “On October 7, 2026, Google Ads will update the country-specific information for Croatia in the Gambling and Gaming policy.” The notice continued: “Under the updated policy, all promotion of content related to online gambling and targeting Croatia will be prohibited effective October…

FIRST.bet, a tier-1 sportsbook technology provider, has appointed Victor Arias as Vice President of LatAm and Regional Head of Commercial. Arias brings extensive regional experience to the role, having spent years building market-leading positions for some of iGaming’s most recognised brands across Latin America. His primary mandate at FIRST.bet will be to drive the company’s commercial strategy across the Latin American region, leveraging deep local market knowledge. Arias is perhaps best known for his long tenure at Pragmatic Play, where he joined in 2020 with a specific brief to open the company’s hub in Latin America. What followed was a…

Stake has geo-fenced Ireland, blocking access for Irish consumers following reported discussions with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The move mirrors action Stake previously took in the United Kingdom, where the platform implemented strict geo-fencing measures after losing its licence in March 2025. Stake, which has repeatedly referred to itself as “the world’s largest online casino and sportsbook,” is now unavailable to users attempting to access it from Irish locations. Users in Ireland who try to visit the platform are met with a clear message: “Due to licensing restrictions, access to Stake from your current location is not…

The chair of the Netherlands’ gambling regulator has issued a strong call for cross-border collaboration in the fight against illegal gambling operators. Michel Groothuizen, Chair of the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), published a blog following the Netherlands’ annual gambling committee debate, outlining the scale of the problem facing regulators. Groothuizen painted a stark picture of just how significant the illegal gambling market has become for Dutch players and the wider European gambling landscape. “Illegal gambling is, in fact, an unprecedentedly large and complex problem. Of every euro a Dutch person gambles away, half goes to the illegal market,” he said. The KSA…

bet365 has struck a new partnership with French horse racing specialist ZEturf to bring pari-mutuel betting markets to users across France. The collaboration will see bet365 offer a full range of horse racing betting options specifically tailored to its latest French expansion campaign, building on the operator’s growing international footprint. bet365 customers in France will be able to access the new horse racing markets through both the desktop website and the mobile app, ensuring broad platform coverage from launch. ZEturf brings considerable industry experience to the deal, with the company boasting over two decades of specialised knowledge in the French…

The SBC Summit is set to introduce a brand new Crypto and Blockchain conference track, spotlighting how the gambling industry is putting digital assets to practical use. The dedicated track will take place on Thursday, 1 October 2026, at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal. Operators, payments leaders, fintech specialists, blockchain professionals and Web3 experts will all be brought together under one roof for the event. Sessions throughout the day will examine where blockchain technologies are delivering real-world value, the challenges surrounding their adoption, and what comes next for the industry. The Crypto and Blockchain track will feature…

Anthony Lee, the Conservative Party’s Director of Campaigning during the 2024 general election, has pleaded guilty to cheating offences under the Gambling Act 2005. His wife, Laura Lee, formerly Laura Saunders, also pleaded guilty to a cheating offence after placing bets using confidential information her husband passed to her. The UK Gambling Commission confirmed both pleas were entered on September 10, 2026, marking a significant development in one of the country’s most high-profile political betting investigations. Anthony Lee pleaded guilty to two offences of cheating, contrary to section 42(1)(a) and section 42(1)(b) of the Gambling Act 2005, according to the…

Playtech CEO Mor Weizer has drawn a firm line on the issue of licensed technology suppliers continuing to service unlicensed gambling operators around the world. The comments came during Playtech’s H1 earnings call, where Weizer and CFO Chris McGinnis also refused to address questions relating to the group’s ongoing litigation with Evolution AB in New Jersey courts. “We are not going to answer any questions on litigation,” Weizer stated. “I have lots to say, but I can’t, as we are under legal privilege and can’t take any questions.” With the so-called Spectrum litigation continuing to attract attention across the industry,…