Author: Charles Shephardson

68% of Brits believe UK bookmakers use anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gambling checks as pretexts to void winning bets or delay payouts, according to a new survey conducted by GamblingNews.uk. The survey consisted of 316 British punters, and 215 of them agreed that some bookmakers attempt to use regulatory red-tape and mandated responsible gambling checks to avoid paying out winning bets. 76 of the surveyed punters, or 24%, said they believe unregulated bookmakers, including prediction markets platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, and non-GAMSTOP casinos, are more trustworthy and reliable when it comes to paying out winning bets than regulated…

MGM Resorts International has confirmed it is continuing to review a potential $18bn all-cash takeover proposal submitted by People Incorporated, formerly known as IAC. People Incorporated submitted its takeover proposal in early June, offering $48.30 for each MGM share it does not already own, with the company currently holding 26.1% of outstanding MGM common stock. Speaking during a post-Q2 earnings call, president and CEO Bill Hornbuckle confirmed that MGM had formed a special committee of independent directors to review the offer. Hornbuckle stressed that the committee members have no affiliation or association with People Incorporated, reinforcing the independence of the…

Rush Street Interactive has raised its full-year revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the second consecutive quarter following another record-breaking financial performance. The company reported Q2 2026 revenue of $393.3m, representing a 46% year-on-year increase and a new all-time quarterly high for the operator. Adjusted EBITDA climbed 61% to a record $64.6m during the quarter, while net income reached an all-time high of $29.3m for the three months to 30 June. CEO Richard Schwartz credited the company’s casino-first approach as a key driver, with online casino accounting for 72% of total revenue during the quarter. Schwartz highlighted the 2026 FIFA…

FDJ United has announced a full market review of its online betting and gaming operations, signalling potential divestments and regional exits across multiple jurisdictions. The announcement came as part of the company’s H1 2026 results report, which revealed significant financial pressure driven by rising gambling taxes across Europe. Stéphane Pallez, president and CEO of FDJ United, commented: “The group’s performance in the first half of the year continued to be impacted by increased taxes.” Gross gaming revenue fell 1.3% year-on-year, while net revenue suffered a steeper decline of 4.5%, reflecting the compounding effect of higher tax rates across key markets.…

Gambling.com Group Limited has officially changed its corporate name to Grandstand Limited, marking a significant shift in the company’s identity and strategic direction. The company’s ordinary shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the new ticker symbol “GRSD” from the market open on July 23, 2026. A new corporate website has also gone live at grandstand.com, reflecting the updated branding across the business. Since its IPO in July 2021, the company has materially diversified its operations well beyond its origins in performance marketing. The rebrand to Grandstand is designed to better reflect where the business sits today, at…

ITV has partnered with odds comparison specialist Funteron to launch a free sports betting companion app aimed at UK viewers and bettors. The new ITV OddsFinder app was unveiled ahead of the Glorious Goodwood 2026 horse racing festival, giving users the ability to compare odds across major UK bookmakers in real time. The app runs on Funteron’s odds comparison infrastructure, which aggregates live pricing from a network of leading operators across the country. Featured bookmakers on the platform include Paddy Power, SkyBet, bet365, and Betfair, covering a broad range of mainstream betting markets for UK customers. Alongside horse racing, the…

ThrillTech has secured a Category A1 Manufacturer’s Licence from the Hellenic Gaming Commission, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the company. The licence allows ThrillTech to offer its flagship product, ThrillPots, to regulated iGaming operators across the Greek market. ThrillTech describes itself as a global leader in side-bet jackpot technology, a niche but increasingly influential segment of the iGaming industry. Giles Potter, chief marketing officer at ThrillTech, commented: “As we continue to expand internationally, we’re especially proud of this approval, as it makes ThrillTech the first specialist iGaming jackpot provider to be licensed in Greece.” Potter added: “We can’t wait…

Betfred has confirmed plans to shut 132 of its UK betting shops, marking the latest major retreat from the high street by a leading bookmaker. The closures represent 10% of Betfred’s entire UK retail network, which currently comprises more than 1,200 shops and employs around 7,500 people. A consultation period with affected staff has already begun, with Sky News reporting that approximately 600 workers will lose their jobs as a result of the decision. Betfred CEO Joanne Whittaker described the decision as one taken with “deep regret”, acknowledging the human cost of the closures on dedicated staff and local communities.…

The EFL Championship is rapidly becoming one of the most attractive destinations for betting brands seeking prominent sports sponsorship opportunities in the UK. Smarkets-owned brand SBK has confirmed a new partnership with Millwall FC, placing the SBK logo on the back-of-shirt and shorts for the 2026/27 season. The deal signals a clear trend of betting operators turning to the Championship as Premier League front-of-shirt sponsorships are now off limits for gambling brands. Millwall FC, based in Southeast London, is the latest in a growing list of Championship clubs to secure a sponsorship agreement with a betting operator this season. The…

Paddy Power has taken direct aim at FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, with a sharp new social media stunt targeting the organisation’s troubled investor scheme. The Flutter Entertainment-owned operator, widely regarded as one of the sharpest marketing minds in the betting industry, has delivered yet another well-timed and entertaining post. The stunt features a member of the Paddy Power team placing a sign outside FIFA’s headquarters in Switzerland, causing immediate ripples across social media platforms. The sign reads: “FOR SALE – To anyone – anyone – with money, power and a willingness to endure Gianni’s small talk,” leaving little…