Author: Charles Shephardson

Midnite has had a major advertising campaign banned by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority following concerns over its core messaging. The ASA ruled against two television ads, two video-on-demand ads, and one radio spot that aired during April and May of this year. The campaign generated 125 complaints from the public, making it one of the more heavily scrutinised gambling advertising cases of the year. Each advert followed a consistent structure where everyday technology failed, frustration mounted, and Midnite’s betting or casino app appeared as the dependable solution. The television ads visually reinforced that irritation by depicting pulsing veins on…

Bacta, the trade body representing amusement arcades and Adult Gaming Centres, has warned it would seriously consider judicial review proceedings if the UK moves toward revoking existing AGC licences. The warning came in response to calls from prominent reform campaigner James Noyes, who urged the government to include licence revocation powers in its consultation on changes to the so-called “aim to permit” rules. Prime Minister Andy Burnham sparked controversy this week by targeting the gambling industry, controversially grouping betting shops alongside “dodgy businesses” in language that has drawn widespread criticism across the sector. Burnham announced the government intends to remove…

OG Esports has secured its place at The International 2026, returning to Dota 2’s biggest stage after a four-year absence from the tournament. The organisation, a two-time International champion, earned qualification through the Southeast Asia Qualifiers earlier this 2026 season. OG famously became the first organisation to win The International back-to-back, claiming the Aegis of Champions in both 2018 and 2019. Rather than chasing short-term results after their absence, OG chose to undertake a complete rebuild of their competitive Dota 2 programme. In a move that surprised much of the esports world, OG relocated to Southeast Asia and fielded its…

SOFTSWISS, a global technology partner for the iGaming industry, will attend SiGMA North America 2026, which takes place in Mexico City from 1 to 3 September. The event marks SiGMA’s debut in Mexico, reflecting the country’s growing importance within the regional iGaming landscape and international operator interest. Mexico’s online gambling market is projected to reach EUR 1.73 billion by 2030, making it one of the most attractive regulated markets in the Americas. SOFTSWISS already supports licensed gaming brands operating in Mexico through a fully compliant iGaming ecosystem backed by round-the-clock technical and client support. The company’s attendance reflects its strategic…

Catena Media’s second-quarter results triggered a sharp 24% drop in share price, prompting CEO Manuel Stan to explain why management is accelerating away from traditional affiliation. The company reported revenue of €9.5m for Q2 2026, representing a fall of just 1% year-on-year, but the profitability picture was considerably more troubling for investors. Adjusted EBITDA declined by 11% to €1.2m, a result that Stan attributed to deep structural issues rather than short-term operational setbacks. The CEO diagnosed the root cause as “structural challenges that traditional affiliation is facing relating to the shifting dynamics of organic search.” Stan was candid with investors…

EvenBet Gaming, a leading developer of online poker and casino software, has rolled out two new dynamic cash game features aimed at boosting operator revenue and player engagement. The two additions, Straddle from any position and No Look All-In, are designed to help operators win the battle for player attention and accelerate table velocity. Both features target increased player lifetime value and overall rake, giving operators powerful new mechanics to differentiate their poker offerings in a competitive market. Straddle from any position removes traditional positional restrictions, allowing the first eligible player at the table to place an initial straddle at…

SOFTSWISS, a global iGaming technology provider, is hosting a LinkedIn Live Panel on scaling across regulated markets on 27 August 2026 at 14:00 CET. The session is titled Scaling Across Regulated Markets: What It Takes to Grow Into Multiple Jurisdictions, and registration is free via the LinkedIn Live page. As regulated markets continue to open and mature, operators face increasingly complex decisions around licensing, localisation, and technical readiness across multiple jurisdictions. Successful expansion requires coordinating legal, operational, product, and commercial teams around a market entry strategy that carefully balances competing priorities at every stage. The panel will address four core…

Grandstand, formerly known as Gambling.com Group, has unveiled a dedicated Visa debit card aimed squarely at high-spending gamblers across sports betting, casino gaming, and prediction markets. The product, named the Rollcard, is being issued in partnership with Cross River Bank and is designed to separate gambling funds from users’ everyday personal finances. Sports bettors, casino players, and prediction market traders are all identified as target users for the new fintech solution, which Grandstand hopes will fill a recognised gap in the market. Grandstand CEO and co-founder Kevin McCrystle said: “Serious players deserve a dedicated financial product built for how they…

Spribe has secured another legal victory in its sprawling international dispute with Aviator LLC over rights to the Aviator crash game name. The Court of First Instance of Curaçao invalidated two Aviator-branded trademark registrations held by Aviator LLC, handing the Georgian game developer a significant win. Aviator LLC, a Tbilisi-based company, did not appear in the proceedings despite being summoned, resulting in a default judgment against it. The Curaçao court ruled on 25 May 2026 that Aviator LLC’s local trademark filings should be struck from the register, with a correction issued four days later to fix clerical errors in the…

Rank Group-owned Grosvenor Casinos has confirmed it has begun a formal consultation process regarding the long-term future of its Reading Central casino venue. The consultation follows reports from local publication The Reading Chronicle that staff at the site were informed last month that Rank was considering shutting the facility down entirely. A letter sent to employees cited “significant and sustained financial challenges” that were identified during a recent review of the casino’s ongoing performance. The letter also revealed that revenue at the Reading Central venue was £630,000 below budget, a figure that underlines the scale of the financial difficulties facing…