Massachusetts has kicked online casino legalisation into the long grass. The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies voted to send House Bill H.4431 into study, effectively killing it for this legislative session. No legal online slots or blackjack for Bay State residents until at least 2027, then.

What the Bill Would Have Done

Representative David Muradian’s proposal would have created a regulated framework for online gambling under Massachusetts Gaming Commission oversight. The state’s three licensed casinos could have launched multiple digital platforms, with operators paying a 15% revenue tax. Projections suggested that could bring in up to $200 million annually for state coffers.

The bill included sensible consumer protections: 21+ age verification, geolocation requirements, deposit limits, and monitoring systems for problem gambling patterns.

Pretty standard stuff for regulated markets these days.

Why It Stalled

Opposition came from predictable quarters. Brick and mortar casino interests worried about cannibalisation. Others raised concerns about gambling addiction risks, though residents are already using offshore sites without any of the protections this bill would have provided.

State Treasurer Deb Goldberg added a new wrinkle, arguing that online casinos would outcompete the state’s upcoming digital lottery platform. That’s an interesting economic turf war. Essentially the state protecting its own gambling monopoly against commercial operators.

The Long Game

Muradian hasn’t given up. He’s made clear the debate has laid groundwork and plans to reintroduce the measure in the 2027 to 2028 session. That’s a smart play, given neighbouring states have already moved into digital gaming. The competitive pressure will only increase as Massachusetts residents continue betting with offshore operators who pay no local taxes and offer no local consumer protections.

The irony here is obvious. The market exists. Players are already engaged. The only question is whether Massachusetts wants to regulate it, tax it, and protect consumers, or continue pretending that blocking legalisation somehow stops people from gambling online.

Looks like they’ve chosen to wait and see for at least another few years.

Wisconsin’s Senate has approved Assembly Bill 601 by a 21-12 bipartisan vote, moving the state one step closer to legalizing online sports betting. The legislation now sits on Governor Tony Evers’ desk. That said, significant obstacles remain before bettors see any action.

Tribal Monopoly Model Mirrors Florida Approach

The bill structures online sports betting around Wisconsin’s 11 tribal casinos, using Florida’s hub-and-spoke framework as a template. All wagers must be processed through servers located on tribal land. This effectively grants tribes exclusive control over the market.

Commercial operators can partner with tribes for technology and branding, but federal law requires at least 60% of revenue flow back to tribal entities. That revenue split has become the proposal’s most contentious element, frankly.

Revenue Share Creates Commercial Operator Concerns

The Sports Betting Alliance has called the 60% threshold unworkable. SBA representative Damon Stewart testified that no commercial operator can sustain a business model where more than half the revenue goes to a third party simply for market access.

That economic reality could limit which operators are willing to enter Wisconsin. Potentially reducing competition and consumer choice.

The state would become the 40th to legalize online sports betting, but with one of the least operator-friendly structures in the country.

Governor’s Position Remains Uncertain

Evers has previously stated he would sign legislation backed by Wisconsin’s tribes. However, he recently acknowledged that not all 11 tribes support the measure, complicating his decision.

Even if signed, implementation requires negotiating new gaming compacts with each tribe and securing approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. That process could take months or longer, assuming all parties reach agreement. And that’s a big assumption.

Public Opposition Adds Political Risk

Recent polling shows over 60% of Wisconsin residents oppose legalizing online sports betting. That level of public resistance gives political cover to anyone wanting to slow or derail the bill.

Senator Andre Jacque, who voted against the measure, highlighted concerns about gambling revenue coming disproportionately from those least able to afford losses. Supporters emphasize tax revenue potential. Opponents frame the discussion around social costs.

The bill’s rapid progress through the legislature may yet stall at the governor’s desk or during the compact negotiation phase. Wisconsin bettors shouldn’t expect mobile wagering anytime soon, regardless of yesterday’s vote.

Turkish authorities have frozen approximately $1 billion in cryptocurrency assets tied to alleged illegal gambling operations. One of the country’s largest enforcement actions against underground betting networks, frankly.

Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor confirmed the seizure on January 30, which targeted two key suspects operating what investigators describe as a sophisticated gambling and money laundering operation using digital currencies to move funds.

Law enforcement seized roughly $500 million in assets belonging to Veysel Sahin, one of the primary suspects now in custody. A second individual was arrested simultaneously. Authorities froze an additional $500 million linked to the same organization.

Tether Assists in Multi-Jurisdictional Operation

The bust wasn’t purely a government effort. Turkish authorities worked closely with Tether Holdings SA, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, to execute the asset freeze across multiple jurisdictions.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino explained the company’s role: “Law enforcement came to us, they provided some information, we looked at the information, and we acted in respect of the laws of the country. And that’s what we do when we work with the DOJ, when we work with the FBI, you name it.”

Tether Holdings specializes in helping authorities freeze digital assets in cases involving drug trafficking, sanctions evasion, and money laundering. The collaboration shows how cryptocurrency companies are cooperating more with law enforcement, despite crypto’s reputation for anonymity.

Turkey’s Broader Crackdown on Illegal Betting

This seizure forms part of a wider Turkish campaign against unauthorized gambling operations. The government views illegal betting and cryptocurrency use as threats to the national currency and tax base. Especially when combined to move serious money around.

Turkey recently arrested at least 20 suspects in a separate operation targeting sports corruption and match-fixing designed to manipulate betting markets. The dual focus on gambling operations and their financial infrastructure signals a coordinated approach across multiple agencies.

The $1 billion figure represents a real hit to underground gambling networks that have relied on cryptocurrency’s cross-border capabilities to process player funds and obscure financial trails. For Turkish authorities, it’s validation of their multi-agency strategy.

What makes this case particularly notable is the speed of execution. Asset freezes in the crypto space can be complicated by jurisdictional issues and technical barriers. The involvement of Tether, which issues the most widely used stablecoin in gambling transactions, proved decisive. They locked down the funds before they could be moved again.

Argentina has become the first Latin American country to impose a complete ban on prediction market platform Polymarket after a Buenos Aires court ruled the service operates outside legal boundaries. Internet providers have been ordered to restrict access, while tech companies must remove or limit the platform’s mobile applications for local users.

Lottery and Casino Operators Initiate Legal Action

The Buenos Aires City Lottery brought the case forward alongside casino industry representatives, arguing Polymarket circumvented national gambling regulations. The platform allows users to stake cryptocurrency on yes-or-no outcomes covering everything from political events to global conflicts. What it actually functions as, authorities say, is an unlicensed betting service.

Investigators found the platform accepted deposits through cryptocurrencies and credit cards while lacking proper identity verification systems. Accounts could be created in minutes, raising concerns about access by minors and vulnerable individuals.

That’s a fundamental regulatory failure by any standard.

Inflation Data Incident Raises Red Flags

The case gained momentum after unusual market activity around Argentina’s February inflation data. Market behaviour on Polymarket shifted before the official figure was released – aligning with the final number ahead of time. Officials interpreted this as potential evidence that sensitive data may have been accessed rather than accurately predicted.

Regulators emphasised their focus remained on compliance issues and user protection. The court determined these factors exposed users to financial and legal risks while failing to meet standards required for licensed gambling services. The absence of monitoring mechanisms proved decisive. No procedures to verify identities or prevent fund misuse.

Enforcement and Global Context

Argentina’s communications regulator is coordinating the ban’s implementation, ensuring internet service providers enforce the restrictions. The measure’s effectiveness will depend on cooperation from telecom companies and global app store operators.

Argentina now joins over 30 jurisdictions that have limited or blocked Polymarket access. That includes several European nations and Australia. The move reflects broader questions about how decentralised prediction markets fit within existing legal frameworks, particularly where they intersect with gambling regulation.

Look, the platform’s crypto-based model and rapid account creation process present obvious regulatory challenges. Without proper licensing and oversight, these services operate in a grey area that leaves consumers exposed. Argentina’s decision sends a clear message about enforcing existing gambling laws. Doesn’t matter how innovative or decentralised a platform claims to be.

Sportsbooks are holding their ground against prediction markets, and frankly, it’s not particularly close. New research from Truist Securities shows DraftKings pulling ahead when punters have the choice between traditional betting and event-trading platforms like Kalshi.

Twenty percent of survey respondents named DraftKings as their top pick overall. Kalshi trails just behind. The gap widens significantly when you look at actual deposit data in states where both options operate legally, though. Kalshi captures only a fraction of user funds where DraftKings already holds a sportsbook license.

User Experience Drives the Divide

Participants pointed to several factors influencing their preferences. The overall user experience topped the list, followed by platform performance, interface design, and bonus structures.

These are areas where established sportsbooks have had years to refine their approach.

Prediction markets do find their niche, though. When the focus narrows specifically to event contracts rather than sports wagering, Kalshi comes out on top, even beating prediction market offerings from traditional sportsbook operators.

Geography Tells the Real Story

The strongest engagement with prediction markets comes from states without legal sports betting. California and Texas showed particularly high usage rates, which makes perfect sense. If you can’t legally bet on the Lakers or Cowboys through a sportsbook, you’ll find another outlet.

New York proved an interesting outlier. Despite having a mature, competitive sportsbook market, the state recorded notably high prediction market participation. Whether that’s down to the heavy tax burden on New York sportsbooks driving punters elsewhere or simply a more engaged betting population overall remains unclear.

A Stopgap, Not a Revolution

The survey data suggests prediction markets work primarily as a substitute in restricted markets rather than a genuine long-term competitor. Many respondents indicated they’d switch to traditional sportsbooks if their state legalized sports betting.

That’s not surprising.

Prediction markets offer a workaround, but they’re not a like-for-like replacement for the sports betting experience most punters want.

Who’s Actually Using Prediction Markets?

The demographic profile challenges some assumptions. Rather than being dominated by younger users, prediction market participants skew older than expected. Most fall between their late twenties and late forties, with particularly strong representation in the 30 to 39 age bracket.

Education and income levels run high. A significant portion hold university degrees, and many reported household incomes exceeding £75,000 annually. This suggests prediction markets appeal to a more affluent, educated demographic than might be assumed.

The findings paint a clear picture. Prediction markets are gaining traction in underserved regions and among specific demographics, but when given the choice, most punters still prefer the established sportsbook experience.

DraftKings and its competitors aren’t losing sleep over event-trading platforms just yet.

A Nevada judge has refused to throw out a lawsuit against MGM Resorts brought by Dwight Manley, a real estate investor and former sports agent who represented Dennis Rodman. The case centres on allegations that Manley was served a spiked drink at the MGM Grand in December 2021, then allowed to raise his credit line to $3.5 million while allegedly drugged.

Judge Miranda Du ruled there’s enough evidence to suggest genuine factual disputes, meaning the case will proceed to trial. MGM had pushed for summary judgment, arguing no evidence showed the company or its staff acted improperly.

The judge disagreed.

What Happened at MGM Grand

Manley, a regular high roller with VIP status at MGM properties, was staying at the MGM Mansion, an exclusive area reserved for premium players. On 10 December 2021, around 1:45 pm, he ordered an Old Fashioned cocktail. According to his complaint, the drink tasted bitter but he finished it anyway. By the time he ordered a second, he was feeling confused and disoriented.

The situation deteriorated quickly. Manley broke a glass ashtray and cut his hand, but casino staff only offered band-aids rather than proper medical attention. Despite his condition, he was approved for a credit line increase of up to $3.5 million.

He then lost $2 million playing blackjack before returning to his villa and passing out.

The next day, suspecting he’d been drugged, Manley consulted a doctor who suggested ketamine poisoning was possible. His attorney, Paul Hejmanowski, claims this wasn’t an isolated incident, alleging similar drugging incidents happened to 11 other people at MGM properties.

The Core Issue

This case raises serious questions about casino duty of care. If Manley was visibly impaired, whether from drugging or any other cause, allowing him to increase his credit line and continue gambling looks problematic at best.

Casinos have protocols for identifying intoxicated players. Those same protections should apply regardless of the cause of impairment.

Judge Du’s decision to let the case proceed suggests there’s enough evidence to establish that Manley may have been drugged and that casino staff raised his credit limit while he was in that state. That’s the central question for trial.

Manley previously offered a $1 million reward for information identifying whoever allegedly spiked his drink. Whether the drink was actually tampered with, and if so by whom, remains to be proven. But look, the lawsuit isn’t just about the drink. It’s about what happened afterwards and whether MGM failed in its duty to protect a vulnerable customer.

The case now moves to trial, where both sides will need to present their evidence. For the industry, it’s a reminder that player protection isn’t just about responsible gambling tools. It’s about basic duty of care when something goes wrong.

Star Entertainment is scrambling to secure a financial lifeline as California-based WhiteHawk Capital weighs up a loan package worth over $400 million to the embattled Australian casino operator. Managing Director Alex Zuckerman visited all three Star properties last week, hosted by newly appointed chairman Soo Kim, in what appears to be a last-ditch effort to keep the company afloat.

The clock is ticking.

Star needs a deal wrapped up by the end of this month to avoid breaching existing loan covenants, a scenario that would trigger serious consequences with current lenders. The pressure is mounting on all fronts.

Why Star Desperately Needs This Cash

Star’s financial position has deteriorated rapidly. The operator recently paid around AUD 20 million just to secure temporary waivers from lenders for the December reporting period. That’s serious money spent simply to avoid default, not to fix underlying problems.

Beyond immediate liquidity issues, Star is trying to juggle multiple strategic priorities. The company needs to finalize the sale of its 50% stake in The Star Brisbane to Hong Kong partners Chow Tai Fook and Far East Enterprises. More critically, it must convince regulators it deserves to keep its license for The Star Sydney, the flagship property that’s currently operating under intense scrutiny.

Chairman Soo Kim has been blunt about what he inherited, publicly stating he’s appalled by the level of mismanagement that created this mess. The tour of properties for WhiteHawk executives was clearly designed to showcase the assets’ potential value, hoping to demonstrate there’s a viable business underneath the problems.

AUSTRAC Legal Action Looms Large

The financial squeeze isn’t Star’s only headache. The company faces a Federal Court decision on civil action brought by AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial crimes watchdog, over alleged anti-money laundering breaches.

The potential fines could run into hundreds of millions of dollars.

AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas acknowledged the allegations are extremely serious, describing the scale of alleged criminal activity as enormous. That said, he also noted Star has undergone major changes since the breaches occurred, leaving open questions about current risk levels.

The legal proceedings have moved slowly, but the uncertainty hangs over any refinancing discussions. WhiteHawk Capital would be taking on considerable regulatory and reputational risk alongside the financial exposure.

What Happens Next

If WhiteHawk comes through with financing on reasonable terms, Star gets breathing room to address its regulatory issues and complete asset sales. The injection would allow management to focus on operational improvements rather than constantly firefighting covenant breaches.

If the deal falls through, Star’s options narrow considerably. The existing lender group would likely tighten terms further, potentially forcing asset sales at unfavorable prices or even restructuring that could wipe out equity holders.

For an operator that once stood as a major player in Australian gaming, the current situation represents a dramatic fall. Frankly, the WhiteHawk decision will determine whether Star gets a chance at recovery or faces a more drastic reckoning.

Virginia won’t be joining the iGaming club anytime soon. House Bill 161, which would have legalised online casino gaming in the state, failed to secure passage before the 2026 legislative session wrapped up.

The bill had genuine momentum. Bipartisan backing, a final version hammered out, real progress made. But time ran out before either chamber could bring it to a vote.

Simple as that.

What Went Wrong

The usual concerns surfaced. Some legislators worried about cannibalisation of land-based casino revenue. Others raised questions about harm. Nothing new, but enough to slow the process when the clock was ticking.

What makes this frustrating for supporters is that HB 161 went further than any other iGaming proposal in 2026. It wasn’t just another symbolic attempt. This was the real deal, closer to the finish line than anything else we’ve seen this year.

The National Association Against iGaming celebrated the outcome, predictably. They argued that online casinos would threaten existing brick-and-mortar operations, put jobs at risk, and drain community funding. They also pointed to polling data suggesting 62% of Virginia voters would be less likely to support politicians who back iGaming.

Skill Games Get the Green Light

In a twist, Virginia did move forward with Senate Bill 611, now sitting on Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk. The measure would allow skill game terminals back into small businesses across the Commonwealth.

Critics have flagged one glaring omission: unlike traditional slot machines, the bill doesn’t establish minimum payout requirements for these skill games.

That’s a regulatory gap that could cause headaches down the line.

The Bigger Picture

While sports betting has spread across the US at pace, online casino gaming remains available in just a handful of states. Virginia looked like it might join that group. Now it’s back to square one.

The failure of HB 161 means no new iGaming markets are likely to launch in 2026. For an industry that’s seen steady expansion elsewhere, that’s a setback.

Whether Virginia tries again next session remains to be seen.

Alina Famenok is stepping away from traditional leadership to focus on something the industry desperately needs: strategic education. After five and a half years building Already Media from 13 people to 370 employees, the former CEO has a clear view of where iGaming is heading. And it’s not pretty for companies still relying on traffic volume and loud marketing.

“The industry is entering a phase of much greater complexity,” Famenok told Gambling News. “Regulation, technology, competition and a more informed user base are all accelerating at the same time. Success will not belong to those with the most traffic or the loudest marketing. Those advantages are increasingly fragile.”

Scale Means Nothing Without Sustainability

Under Famenok’s leadership, Already Media climbed to 17th in the EGR Power Affiliates rankings. But she’s more interested in how that growth happened than the numbers themselves.

The company built systems that could be replicated, teams that operated independently, and leaders who didn’t need constant oversight.

“What matters most to me is not the scale itself, but how that scale was achieved,” she explained. “We grew sustainably. The most rewarding outcome is that the company does not depend on any single individual to function or progress.”

That approach reflects a broader shift in how modern iGaming businesses need to operate. The old model of closed doors and doing things “a certain way” is breaking down. Frankly, transparency builds more trust than secrecy ever did.

Functional Expertise Isn’t Enough Anymore

Famenok’s next chapter focuses on strategic development and education, tackling what she sees as a critical skills gap. iGaming professionals who only understand their own function will struggle as the industry becomes more interconnected.

“The industry is no longer a collection of isolated roles such as marketing, product, compliance or operations,” she said. “It is an interconnected environment shaped simultaneously by tech, regulation and much more. The advantage will belong to those who understand how the whole system works.”

Specialists still matter. But strategic thinking needs to exist at every level, not just leadership. That means understanding how individual work connects to user value, regulatory requirements, and long-term business sustainability.

Product thinking becomes essential even outside product roles.

Upskilling Is Now Baseline Requirement

“Upskilling is no longer optional, but rather a baseline requirement for sustainable growth and relevance,” Famenok argued. She’s particularly interested in practical education and the mindset needed to operate in a fast-moving, regulated digital environment.

The mindset shift matters as much as the knowledge itself. Adaptability, curiosity, and comfort with ambiguity will separate companies that thrive from those that stagnate. Look, the next phase of iGaming belongs to organisations that build thinking cultures, not just traffic acquisition machines.

Famenok promises more details on her strategic education initiative shortly. For an industry facing increasing complexity from every direction, proper professional development might be the competitive advantage too many operators are still ignoring.

Bally’s Corporation has released preliminary financials for Q4 2025 showing significant revenue growth, capping off what CEO Robeson Reeves called a “highly successful and transformational year” for the gaming operator.

The company posted Q4 revenue of $746.2 million, up 28.6% year-on-year.

That’s proper growth, and it came from multiple segments firing at once.

Where the Money Came From

The casinos and resorts segment brought in $366.2 million in Q4, a 12.9% increase driven largely by the Queen Casino & Entertainment acquisition completed earlier in the year. Smart move there, buying revenue rather than waiting for organic growth.

The newly formed Bally’s Intralot B2C segment, created from merging Intralot with Bally’s International Interactive, generated $236.5 million, up 13.9% year-on-year. Strong performances in Spain and the UK drove those numbers.

North America Interactive was the standout performer, hitting $62.3 million, a 55.4% jump. That’s the sort of growth that gets boardrooms excited.

Full Year Results Show Scale

For the full year, Bally’s posted total revenue of $2.45 billion. The casino and resort segment led with $1.36 billion. Bally’s Intralot B2C and B2B segments contributed $902 million and $6.9 million respectively, while North America Interactive added $170.3 million.

The company opened its new landside entertainment complex in Baton Rouge during Q4, adding another property to the portfolio.

New York License Worth Billions

The big news was securing one of the downstate New York casino licenses, allowing Bally’s to develop a $4 billion resort at Ferry Point Park in The Bronx.

Plans call for 3,500 slot machines, 210 table games, and 500 hotel rooms. That’s not a casino, that’s a destination.

Combined with ongoing work on Bally’s Chicago and the redevelopment of the former Tropicana site in Las Vegas (now Bally’s Las Vegas, sharing space with MLB’s Las Vegas Athletics), the company has major projects underway in three of America’s most important gaming markets.

International Play

October saw Bally’s combine its International Interactive Business with Intralot to create Bally’s Intralot, with Bally’s holding a 58% stake. Reeves positioned it as a future global leader in iGaming and lottery.

The company also acquired a controlling stake in Australia’s The Star Entertainment, a troubled operator that could benefit from Bally’s operational expertise.

Worth knowing: Bally’s will file an extension for its annual 10-K report, and these preliminary results may differ from the final numbers. Not unusual, but something to watch.

Reeves wrapped it up by saying the strategic moves have created a “scaled, growing, global omni-channel provider” and promised aggressive pursuit of growth opportunities. With New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Australia all in play, that’s not empty talk.