Author: Charles Shephardson

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has formally withdrawn its membership from the National Council on Problem Gambling, citing strong opposition to Kalshi’s recent induction. Kalshi, a prediction markets platform, joined the problem gambling organisation as a platinum-level member in May, committing a two-year $2 million investment. MGCB executive director Henry Williams expressed his disapproval in a formal letter dated 1 July, directed at the national council’s leadership. Williams argued that Kalshi’s membership directly undermines state enforcement actions already underway against the prediction markets platform across the country. “I am deeply concerned that Kalshi’s attempts to distinguish sporting event contracts from…

Berlin’s Christian Hochgrebe has assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Administrative Board of Germany’s gambling regulator, the GGL, effective 1 July. Hochgrebe succeeds Sandro Kirchner, who served as chairman during the previous term under Germany’s annual rotation system for the role. The rotating chairmanship reflects Germany’s constitutional model, which places gambling regulation in the hands of the Länder, or federal states, rather than central government. This cooperative structure ensures the GGL’s strategic direction is shaped collectively, with each state taking a turn at the helm of the regulator’s Administrative Board. Hochgrebe steps into the role at a pivotal moment, as…

Midnite has strengthened its presence in the EFL Championship by renewing its partnership with Sheffield United and signing a new deal with Middlesbrough. The London-headquartered betting firm now holds front-of-shirt partnerships with three Championship clubs, following its deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers just one month ago. Front-of-shirt sponsorships involving betting operators will be banned in the Premier League from the 2026/27 season onwards, leaving the Championship as valuable commercial territory. The second tier of English football has become increasingly attractive to gambling brands looking to maintain high-visibility shirt placements that are no longer viable in the top flight. Andrew Mook, Midnite’s…

A new entrant to the prediction markets space has arrived with a concept that fundamentally separates forecasting from financial risk. SafeBets, founded by Alex Konanykhin, allows users to make predictions without placing any wager, turning the standard model of prediction platforms on its head. The platform scores every forecast against real-world outcomes, building verified track records for users and rewarding those who demonstrate the most consistent accuracy over time. Konanykhin argues that the core appeal of prediction markets has always been misunderstood by operators and regulators alike, who assume financial risk is what drives engagement. “People assume risk is what…

Conor McGregor has been confirmed as a global brand ambassador for online sportsbook 1xBet ahead of his highly anticipated UFC return on 11 July. The partnership was announced in the build-up to McGregor’s headline fight against Max Holloway at UFC 329, marking the Irishman’s long-awaited comeback to the Octagon. 1xBet wasted no time in expressing their enthusiasm for the deal, issuing a statement that confirmed the scale of the announcement for the brand. “We’re proud to welcome UFC legend Conor McGregor as 1xBet Global Brand Ambassador,” the company said in an official statement released alongside the news. “As one of…

Fernando Morientes, one of European football’s most celebrated strikers and a three-time UEFA Champions League winner, will attend SBC Summit Tbilisi 2026 as an invited speaker. The conference, widely regarded as Eastern Europe and Central Asia’s leading iGaming and sports event, will take place across 15 and 16 July in the Georgian capital. Morientes built his reputation during the golden era of world football, establishing himself as a symbol of professionalism, tactical intelligence, and on-pitch leadership at the highest level. His career was defined by historic victories in European competition, and today he ranks among the most sought-after speakers at…

Luckia president and founder José González Fuentes has built one of Spain’s most distinctive gambling operators by choosing quiet consistency over aggressive expansion. The Galicia-based company consistently ranks among Spain’s leading online gaming brands by market share while simultaneously growing across Latin America, Africa and other parts of Europe. “We live in a time where the focus is on those who make the most noise,” González Fuentes told NEXT.io. “We have always tried to guide ourselves by another logic, quietly building with humility and discretion.” That approach may appear unfashionable in an industry defined by rapid market entries, aggressive mergers…

Everton has signed a multi-year renewal with casino operator Stake, restructuring the arrangement to comply with the Premier League’s upcoming front-of-shirt gambling sponsorship ban. Under the revised agreement, Stake will serve as the club’s official sleeve partner, with its branding appearing on players’ shirt sleeves throughout the 2026-27 campaign. The partnership extends beyond the pitch, with Stake securing a presence across Everton’s official matchday and digital channels throughout the season. Branding will also feature inside the club’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, reflecting the broader commercial scope of the newly restructured deal. Stake’s visibility will stretch further to Goodison Park, the club’s…

SOFTSWISS has unveiled a new brand positioning and refreshed visual identity, reflecting the structural changes reshaping iGaming markets in 2026. The rebrand signals a significant evolution from software provider to a broader technology and growth partner, combining compliance-ready products, regulated market expertise, and expert-led services. Insights drawn from five years of SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends research show operators increasingly expect more than just software from their technology suppliers. According to that research, three major industry shifts stand out: rising market fragmentation driven by local regulation, growing operational complexity, and a move toward long-term partnerships built on trust. SOFTSWISS now holds licences…

The Visualize Group, a private equity firm, has agreed to acquire eCOGRA, a leading testing, inspection and certification provider serving the global gaming industry. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by Visualize, and the company has not confirmed a specific timeline for when the acquisition is expected to close. eCOGRA will continue to operate under its existing leadership team following the completion of the transaction, with CEO Will Shuckburgh remaining in his current role. Visualize has also confirmed plans to extend its broad-based employee ownership programme to eCOGRA staff, allowing them to participate in the value-creation plan for…