Author: Charles Shephardson

Estonia’s hopes of becoming Europe’s next major iGaming licensing hub have taken another blow following a match-fixing scandal in the country’s second-tier football league. An Esiliiga fixture between FC Tallinn and Maardu Linnameeskond was abandoned on Thursday due to suspected betting fraud, raising serious integrity concerns. FC Tallinn, currently sitting in the relegation zone, had scored three goals in seven minutes to lead 4-2, including a penalty, before the referee called a halt to proceedings. Maardu Linnameeskond now face allegations of disciplinary breaches, including integrity violations, sports betting, match manipulation, and unreported misconduct, according to Estonian publication ERR. The incident…

Sunderland AFC has agreed a multi-year partnership with Shuffle, a crypto-focused online casino and sports betting platform that holds no UK Gambling Commission licence. The deal positions Shuffle as the club’s official sleeve partner, replacing LiveScore Bet, who occupied that spot on the Black Cats’ shirts throughout the 2025/26 Premier League season. Shuffle’s branding will make its competitive on-pitch debut this weekend when Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light in what promises to be a high-profile occasion for the club. Premier League rules introduced for the 2026/27 campaign prohibit gambling brands from appearing on the front of shirts, but betting…

The SBC Summit’s Web3 & Crypto Academy is part of the event’s premium Education+ programme, bringing together Web3 specialists, crypto experts and industry leaders under one roof. The Academy is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at Sala Tejo, MEO Arena, giving attendees a structured environment to develop practical skills. The full-day event is designed to help professionals build a clear roadmap for Web3 and crypto adoption within their own organisations. Delegates will take part in expert-led workshops, case studies, live demonstrations, fireside chats, panels and presentations across a wide range of topics throughout the day. Sessions…

Playtech Plc has returned to bottom-line profitability in H1 2026, recording €113m in profits on the back of exceptional commercial execution across North and Latin America. The LSE-listed gambling technology group has reaffirmed its confidence in meeting all full-year 2026 financial and corporate objectives following a strong first-half performance. Group revenues reached €425m for the period, representing a 10% increase against 2025 comparatives of €387m across all core metrics. Revenue from the US and Canada delivered the standout result, surging 161% to €57m as Playtech’s American partnerships continued to bear fruit. Latin American revenue also performed strongly, growing 14% to…

Grupo Codere has delivered its seventh consecutive quarter of improved profitability, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup providing a significant boost to trading performance across the group. Group gaming revenue climbed 5.8% year-on-year to €352.5m in the second quarter, with adjusted EBITDA rising 14.1% from approximately €50.5m to €57.6m over the same period. The Spanish gaming operator credited the strong performance to its businesses in Argentina and Spain, describing both as “strong” contributors to the overall result. Codere Online, the group’s Nasdaq-listed digital division, recorded its strongest quarter in the company’s history during Q2, a milestone that underlines the growing…

Stake has been added to the blocked list register of Lagos and banned from all 24 states within the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria, effective immediately. The move comes despite what appeared to be a positive run of regulatory progress for Stake heading into 2026, with the operator securing licences in Denmark, Argentina, and Mexico. Those licensing wins had given the impression that Stake was rebuilding its reputation with regulators after a difficult period involving its US arm and its relationship with rapper Drake. The declaration from Nigerian authorities, however, makes clear that the company is still operating…

Newcastle United has agreed a new multi-year partnership with LeoVegas Group, naming BetMGM as its official betting partner across the UK and Europe. The deal builds on a relationship that first began in 2023, marking three seasons of collaboration between the Premier League club and the MGM-backed operator. BetMGM branding will feature prominently at St James’ Park through LED advertising boards and media walls positioned throughout the iconic stadium. Fans can expect a range of activations tied to the partnership, with the operator committing to deliver experiences designed to engage supporters throughout the season. Among the headline activations returning is…

Italy’s National Olympic Committee has joined forces with Sisal to launch a dedicated lottery draw designed to raise funds directly for Team Italia. The initiative, called “Win for Team Italia,” represents the country’s first lottery draw of its kind, channelling proceeds to the Olympic team and its wider network of sports associations. The launch was announced jointly by CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio and Sisal CEO Roberto Di Fonzo, marking a significant milestone for Italian sport funding. The Vinci Italia draw was activated on 28 September across Sisal’s network of 35,000 retail points and its online platform, giving players nationwide access…

Playtech has welcomed the full publication of the Spectrum Report, arguing the document corroborates several findings from the original Black Cube investigation into rival supplier Evolution. The LSE-listed firm contends that the report, commissioned by Evolution itself, supports concerns raised by Black Cube around the availability of Evolution games in grey and black markets. Playtech also noted the report highlights the regulatory implications of Evolution’s practices and indicates the company does not proactively ensure customer compliance with contract terms. Critically, Spectrum was unable to confirm or refute a number of Black Cube’s findings because Evolution failed to provide information requested…

Regulatory consultancy BetComply has helped boutique games studio Playbook Fusion obtain its Swedish permit as the developer prepares to expand into further regulated markets. The UK-based compliance firm guided Playbook Fusion through the Swedish approval process, with the studio receiving the green light in less than two weeks. Playbook Fusion is the developer behind a real-money football management betting game, a product BetComply describes as requiring a deeper level of regulatory expertise. The complexity of the product and the specific requirements involved in securing market approvals made specialist compliance support particularly important for this jurisdiction. The Swedish permit follows an…