Genius Sports has posted 31% revenue growth for FY25, climbing from $510 million to $669.6 million, and is targeting $1 billion by end of 2026. The sports tech firm is banking heavily on its $1.1 billion Legend acquisition and a growing relationship with prediction markets to get there.

Legend Deal Positions Genius at Data Crossroads

The Legend acquisition, completed earlier this year, is the centrepiece of Genius’s expansion strategy. Chief executive Mark Locke said the deal strengthens the company’s position at the intersection of official sports data, fan identity, and real-time betting intent. That’s the sweet spot where data meets customer action. It’s where the real money is made in modern sports betting.

Investors weren’t initially convinced. Genius shares took a battering when the deal was announced, with many viewing the price tag as steep. Locke is standing firm, though. He’s arguing that Legend’s media capabilities will unlock new revenue streams across content and advertising.

Prediction Markets Seen as Major Growth Driver

Genius is also doubling down on prediction markets, particularly platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. These controversial platforms have recently hit a combined $20 billion valuation despite ongoing regulatory battles and lawsuits in the US.

Locke believes league partners see the value. Sports organisations looking to expand viewership, especially in North America, can tap into Genius’s existing audience and data infrastructure. The advertising opportunity is significant, according to Locke. More Americans are engaging with sports wagering, and prediction markets sit at the forefront of that trend.

The company is actively extending its attention to Kalshi, viewing the platform as a gateway to broader fan engagement and additional advertising inventory.

Losses Widen Despite EBITDA Growth

EBITDA climbed 58.9% to $136.2 million for the year, up from $85.7 million in FY24. Net losses widened significantly, though, reaching $111.6 million compared to $63 million the previous year. That’s a 77% increase.

Genius attributes much of this to one-off costs: litigation expenses, NFL licensing agreement costs, and stock-based compensation tied to NFL-issued warrants. These are the sorts of expenses that should ease over time, assuming the company can execute on its growth plans.

Q4 results offered some encouragement. Net loss narrowed by 26.9% from $28.2 million to $20.6 million year-on-year, while EBITDA jumped 49.3% from $32.4 million to $48.6 million. The trajectory is moving in the right direction, even if the annual picture looks messy.

High Stakes, High Conviction

Genius is placing a big bet that prediction markets will become a major channel for sports engagement and advertising revenue. The regulatory landscape remains uncertain. The Legend acquisition carries real execution risk. But Locke clearly believes the pieces are in place for Genius to become a billion-dollar business by late 2026.

Whether investors will come around to that view depends on how quickly the company can turn its data assets and media reach into actual profit. The potential is there. Now it’s about delivery.

Kaizen Gaming has acquired AI sports trading specialist GameplAI for an undisclosed sum, bringing advanced analytics and automation capabilities directly into its Betano platform. The deal positions Kaizen to sharpen its competitive edge in player markets and live sports trading.

GameplAI’s technology will be woven into Betano’s infrastructure, strengthening the operator’s proprietary sports book offering across its global markets. For punters, this means tighter odds, faster market updates, and more sophisticated in-play options, particularly around player props and performance-based betting.

B2B Operations Continue

GameplAI isn’t disappearing as a standalone entity. The company will maintain operational independence and continue serving its existing B2B client roster. Sensible move. Preserves revenue streams whilst Kaizen absorbs the tech into its own systems. Existing partners get continuity, Kaizen gets the IP. Everyone wins.

Tekkorp Capital advised on the financial side, with Wiggin LLP handling legal. The fact that advisors of this calibre were involved suggests the price tag wasn’t trivial, even if the actual figure remains under wraps.

Tech Investment Continues

Christos Tzalavras, Kaizen’s chief product officer, framed the acquisition as part of a broader investment strategy in technology and talent. He highlighted GameplAI’s expertise in AI-driven trading and analytics, noting the cultural fit around innovation and execution.

“We believe this partnership will meaningfully accelerate our ambition to amplify the world-class sportsbook experience we deliver to customers around the world,” Tzalavras said.

Translation: Kaizen wants sharper pricing, faster automation, and better market coverage. GameplAI delivers exactly that.

What It Means for Players

This isn’t just corporate manoeuvring. When operators invest in proper trading tech, the benefits filter down. Expect deeper markets, particularly around player performance metrics. Faster settlement on live bets. More competitive margins on niche markets that previously weren’t worth the manual effort.

Graham Savage and Nikos Volakis, GameplAI’s co-founders, expressed enthusiasm about scaling their technology under Kaizen’s umbrella. Savage emphasised the opportunity to elevate the platform further. Volakis pointed to Kaizen’s long-term vision as a key attraction.

For Betano customers, this acquisition should translate into tangible improvements over the coming months. The sports book experience is about to get considerably more sophisticated, and that’s good news for anyone who values quality over gimmicks.

Someone in the UK is sitting on a winning ticket worth £181,073,415.70. They either don’t know it yet or they’re taking their sweet time coming forward. Allwyn, the operator behind EuroMillions, confirmed the jackpot win from Friday’s draw, making it the third-largest lottery prize in UK history.

The winning numbers were 12, 14, 27, 44, and 50, with Lucky Stars 4 and 12. That combination has just made someone richer than most people can properly imagine.

Winner Yet to Come Forward

No one has stepped up to claim the prize yet. Not unusual for wins of this size, to be fair. People need time to process what’s happened, get legal advice sorted, and decide how they want to handle the attention. Andy Carter from the National Lottery reminded players to check their tickets carefully.

“Brilliant news, someone in the UK has scooped a life-changing £181m,” Carter said. “That makes this the biggest win of 2026 so far and the third biggest UK National Lottery winner of all time.”

The draw also produced several other big wins, including one prize worth £355,164.90. Not the jackpot, certainly, but still a proper result for whoever matched those numbers.

Third-Largest UK Win

At just over £181 million, this win ranks behind only two other UK lottery prizes. It’s the kind of money that changes not just your life but potentially generations of your family. Whether the winner goes public or stays anonymous is entirely up to them. Either way, their financial worries are permanently solved.

For now, the ticket is out there somewhere. Could be in a coat pocket, a handbag, or stuck to a fridge with a magnet. If you played Friday’s EuroMillions, it’s worth double-checking those numbers.

You might be considerably wealthier than you realise.

The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock, Texas, was raided by state authorities on Tuesday morning, leaving players unable to cash out and forcing the cancellation of an upcoming World Poker Tour event.

The Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) and state police conducted the operation at the poker room, which is co-owned by well-known poker personalities Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen. None of the owners have commented publicly yet.

Players Turned Away Without Cash

According to reports from people at the scene, law enforcement prevented players from cashing out their chips. Instead, they were told to take the chips home. Which could suggest authorities expect the club to reopen at some point.

Several players took to Reddit to share their experiences. Some requested to see a warrant but were refused. Everyone leaving the premises had to show identification, adding to the tension of an already uncomfortable situation.

Tournament players weren’t allowed to take chips home, which makes sense given they have no cash value. Staff reportedly promised these players would be “refunded with an entry later.” The Lodge is clearly trying to protect regular customers from losing out.

TABC Involvement Raises Questions

The presence of TABC has led to speculation that the raid may be focused on the club’s alcohol licence or how it handles alcohol service, rather than the poker operation itself.

Texas poker rooms exist in a legal grey area. While not explicitly licensed like casinos, many have operated for years with community and law enforcement tolerance. Thing is, the involvement of the alcohol commission could point to regulatory issues unrelated to gaming.

WPT Event Cancelled

The World Poker Tour was scheduled to host Lodge Wildcard: Wacky Weekend of Poker at the venue on Friday, March 13. That event has now been cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances outside the WPT’s control that impact event operations.”

The WPT said updated dates and details would be announced once finalised, acknowledging the disappointment of players who had made plans to attend.

The situation remains unclear. No official statement from either The Lodge ownership or Texas authorities. Players and the wider poker community are waiting for answers about what triggered the raid and whether the popular venue will reopen.

The Dutch gambling regulator has handed down its largest ever penalty, fining unlicensed operator Novatech €24.84 million for offering gambling services to Dutch punters without proper authorisation. The sanction follows an investigation that uncovered serious failings around player protection and anti-money laundering controls.

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) announced enforcement action against two operators this week. Fortaprime received a €1.75 million penalty for running eight websites including amonbet.com, supraplay.com and luckymax7.com without a Dutch licence. But it’s Novatech that’s taken the real battering, with the regulator calculating the fine based on turnover from Qbet.com and 55Bet.com.

Regulator Calls Out Legal Limits on Penalties

KSA chair Michel Groothuizen didn’t hold back in his assessment. The regulator chose turnover-based fines rather than standard penalties precisely because of the scale of the operations.

Dutch law caps such fines at 10% of global turnover, but Groothuizen reckons Novatech got off lightly.

“Novatech earned hundreds of millions from its illegal offering, primarily from Dutch players,” he said. “A fine of 24 million sounds impressive, but without the 10% maximum, the fine would have exceeded 100 million euros, an amount that would be more appropriate for this offence.”

That’s a striking admission. The regulator essentially saying its hands are tied by legislation, even when dealing with operators pulling in that kind of revenue. For context, €24.84 million works out to roughly €28.9 million at current exchange rates, comfortably beating any previous KSA enforcement action.

Multiple Red Flags Uncovered

The investigation revealed problems beyond just operating without a licence. KSA officials created test accounts on the websites in question, made deposits and placed bets without encountering proper age verification systems.

That’s a fundamental consumer protection failure.

Both operators accepted cryptocurrency and other anonymous payment methods, raising obvious money laundering concerns. For a regulated market like the Netherlands, which brought in licensing requirements specifically to tackle these issues, that’s about as blatant as it gets.

The timing is notable too. The KSA recently fined prediction markets platform Polymarket for similar reasons, making clear that event contracts fall under gambling regulation in Dutch law. The regulator is clearly ramping up enforcement against offshore operators, particularly those offering services that blur traditional gambling categories.

For punters, the message is straightforward enough. Stick to licensed operators if you want proper consumer protections. For operators eyeing the Dutch market, these fines show the KSA means business, even if Groothuizen wishes he could hit harder.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has put out another cybersecurity notice to operators across the state, making it clear that downplaying cyber risks is no longer an option. The message is simple: attacks are getting more sophisticated, and they’re not slowing down.

Recent breaches at major properties prove the point. Wynn Resorts reportedly had 800,000 records lifted by a group calling themselves ShinyHunters, who demanded $1.5 million to keep quiet. Caesars allegedly paid out $15 million to extortionists, though they never confirmed the figure. Some reports suggest the initial demand was double that.

These aren’t small-time operations getting hit.

These are billion-dollar companies with dedicated security teams. Yet they still got breached.

Social Engineering Is the Weak Spot

The NGCB’s latest notice focuses heavily on social engineering and phishing tactics. Hackers have moved beyond purely technical exploits. Now they’re using AI-assisted fraud to impersonate company insiders, particularly those with IT access.

The regulator highlighted common warning signs: urgent requests to reset passwords, wire transfers, changes to payment instructions. Anything that creates pressure to act immediately without following normal procedures.

According to Nevada’s Technology Office, attackers rely on urgency, impersonation, and human trust to bypass standard controls. Look, they want employees to break protocol, keep secrets, or skip approval steps. Simple as that.

Staff Training Matters

The NGCB is pushing operators to keep employees sharp. If something feels off, staff need to escalate it to managers or cybersecurity teams immediately.

A moment’s distraction can be all it takes for criminals to exploit a vulnerability.

Nevada casinos represent high-value targets. They handle massive amounts of customer data and financial transactions daily. That makes them attractive to organised criminal groups who know exactly what they’re after. These aren’t opportunists poking around, they’re professionals with a shopping list.

The regulator’s message is straightforward: cyber threats are persistent, they’re evolving, and they need constant attention. Operators who treat this as a box-ticking exercise are leaving themselves exposed. Full stop.

Andrew Vouris, CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand, has put Australian banks in the firing line over their handling of transactions to illegal offshore gambling sites. Speaking at the Regulating the Game conference in Sydney this week, Vouris argued that financial institutions need to do far more to monitor and flag suspicious payments flowing to unlicensed operators.

The comments come as offshore sites continue to target Australian punters in growing numbers. Many operate from jurisdictions like Curaçao and Anjouan. Vouris pointed out a glaring inconsistency: licensed operators face strict real-time monitoring requirements, but banks processing the same customers’ transactions face no such obligations.

“The banks must know that some of these transactions that are occurring in cash from their customers are going to illegal offshore gaming and wagering operators and they need to be held to the same standard that the regulated wagering operators are here in Australia,” Vouris said.

Whack-a-Mole With Website Blocks

Vouris credited the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for its efforts in blocking offshore sites but acknowledged the limitations of the current approach. He used Royal Reels Casino as an example of the problem: “They’re up to ‘Royal Reels number 189.com’. So, we’ve shut down 188 of them but it’s a continuous merry-go-round.”

The Entain chief called for prosecution of directors behind these operations rather than simply playing domain name whack-a-mole. These operators show “zero regard to problem gambling and harm minimization” while deliberately targeting Australian customers in an illegal operating environment, he noted.

New Zealand Taking Different Path

Vouris struck a more optimistic tone when discussing New Zealand’s approach. Entain runs the Ladbrokes and Neds sportsbooks in Australia plus the NZ TAB. It recently confirmed it will bid for up to three of the 15 online casino licences under New Zealand’s new Online Casino Gambling Bill.

He described the Kiwi framework as an “opportunity to bring activity back into the light.” That’s a marked contrast to Australia, where legalisation remains off the table. For the Australian market, Vouris said the focus must remain on disrupting offshore operators through better cooperation. Regulators, licensed operators, banks, and technology platforms all need to work together.

Look, it’s a fair point. Licensed operators operate under strict rules. Banks process the payments that bypass those rules. Yet only one side faces consequences for transactions tied to problem gambling. That inconsistency won’t fix itself.

Boyd Gaming has confirmed that Cadence Crossing Casino will open to the public at noon on Wednesday, March 25. The new Henderson property represents the company’s first ground-up casino development in the Las Vegas area in over a decade.

Located at 920 N. Boulder Highway, directly adjacent to the existing Jokers Wild casino, the venue targets the rapidly expanding Cadence master-planned community in east Henderson. That development ranked third nationally for new home sales in 2025, which explains Boyd’s decision to build here.

Slots-Only Format at Launch

Cadence Crossing will open with more than 450 slot machines, two restaurants, a central bar, and a lounge area. No table games at launch. This is a deliberate choice, not an oversight. Boyd is positioning this as a neighbourhood casino for local residents, not a destination resort.

The slots-only approach makes sense for the location. Residents popping in after work or on weekends want quick, casual gaming. Table games require more staffing, more floor space, and frankly, more commitment from players. For a property this size serving a residential area, the model fits.

Jokers Wild’s Final Chapter

Once Cadence Crossing is fully operational, Boyd will demolish the adjacent Jokers Wild casino. The company kept the older property open during construction, but its days are numbered. Jokers Wild originally opened as the Cattle Baron before Boyd acquired it, renovated the site, and relaunched it under the Jokers Wild name in 1993.

Clearing that site opens possibilities for expansion. Boyd executives have hinted at additional amenities down the line, potentially including a hotel. Whether that happens depends on how well the initial casino performs and how the Cadence community continues to grow.

Boyd’s First New Vegas Casino in Years

This marks Boyd Gaming’s first new casino project in Southern Nevada in quite some time. The company’s last major Las Vegas development was the Stardust on the Strip, though Boyd sold that prime real estate to Malaysia’s Genting Group in 2013. Genting eventually developed the site into Resorts World Las Vegas, which opened in 2021.

Cadence Crossing represents a different strategy entirely. Rather than chasing the high-roller Strip scene, Boyd is betting on locals. With Henderson’s population continuing to surge, particularly in master-planned communities, that bet looks fairly sound.

The March 25 opening will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tours for invited guests before the public enters at noon. For Henderson residents, it means a brand new gaming option literally in their backyard.

Swiss Casinos Zurich has been recognised at the World Game Protection Conference for dismantling a sophisticated international baccarat scam that cost operators around £140,000. The scheme, known as “Chinese Eleven” and involving 11 conspirators, represents the largest casino fraud ever prosecuted in Switzerland.

The operation originated in Macau but was finally brought down in Zurich, where casino security teams spotted patterns that didn’t add up. What made this case remarkable wasn’t just the bust itself, but the successful prosecution that followed. Getting convictions when dealing with organised collusion is notoriously difficult.

How the Cut-Card Scam Worked

The mechanics were surprisingly straightforward once you know what to look for.

Players would film cards as they were fanned out during the shuffle, capturing the corners with concealed phone cameras. They’d then step away from the table to review the footage and identify face-down cards before play continued. Simple, but effective if no one’s paying attention.

The more sophisticated version involved cameras hidden in sleeves. A player would volunteer to cut the deck, recording the card sequence, then walk away to analyse the video. That information would be relayed to confederates still at the table, giving them a serious edge on upcoming hands.

What gave them away was the pattern. The same player repeatedly leaving the table at similar intervals, always coming back with renewed confidence about their bets. Once Swiss Casinos spotted this behaviour, they knew something wasn’t right. To be fair, it’s the kind of tell that only reveals itself when you’re actively looking for it.

Global Impact and Industry Response

WGPC founder Willy Allison praised the Zurich team’s approach to the investigation. The casino didn’t just catch the scammers, they built a watertight case and secured prosecutions against all 11 individuals involved. They even worked with a documentary producer to create a detailed record of the entire operation.

That documentary, set for English release next month, will provide other operators with a blueprint for identifying and stopping similar schemes. Given the scam’s international scope, with roots in Macau and branches across Europe, sharing this intelligence could prevent major losses elsewhere.

Why This Matters

Card advantage play isn’t new territory. Phil Ivey famously battled casinos on both sides of the Atlantic over edge sorting, eventually settling with the Borgata in 2020. But this case is different.

Edge sorting exploits manufacturing imperfections. This scam involved active deception and technology to gain information players should never have access to. There’s a line between clever play and outright fraud, and this lot crossed it.

The successful prosecution sends a clear message to would-be scammers: operators are getting better at detection, and authorities will pursue cases through the courts. Swiss Casinos Zurich didn’t just protect their own bottom line. They’ve given the entire industry tools to fight back against organised fraud.

The World Game Protection Conference exists precisely for this reason, bringing together security professionals to share intelligence on everything from card counting to chip theft. When operators work together and share successful strategies, everyone benefits. Except the fraudsters, obviously.

The Netherlands has a problem. After pushing gambling taxes from 30.5% to 37.8% in just over a year, the government is now collecting less money than before. Industry figures show tax revenue dropped by €43.5 million in 2025, and the regulated market is haemorrhaging players to unlicensed sites.

The Netherlands Online Gambling Association (VNLOK) and state-backed Nederlandse Loterij have sent a joint letter to parliamentary finance committee members, spelling out what many predicted would happen. Total gambling tax revenue fell from around €322 million in 2024 to approximately €288 million in 2025, according to VNLOK’s monitoring of its members.

When Tax Goes Up, Players Go Elsewhere

The Dutch government implemented two tax increases in quick succession. The gross gaming revenue levy jumped to 34.2% in January 2025, then climbed again to 37.8% in January 2026. The stated aim was boosting public coffers.

The actual result? A shift toward black market operators.

During the first half of 2025, illegal online gambling sites took in €617 million. Licensed operators pulled in €600 million. That’s a real problem. Unlicensed platforms pay no Dutch tax and offer zero consumer protection. Players chasing better odds or higher bonuses have simply moved offshore, taking their money with them.

Even the Kansspelautoriteit, the Dutch gambling regulator, has acknowledged the tax increases haven’t delivered expected returns. Licensed operators responded to the higher burden by tightening margins, which suppressed overall sector revenue. Predictably.

Sports Funding Takes a Hit

The damage extends beyond government revenue. Dutch gambling taxes help fund sports organizations and charitable causes. Industry groups estimate that each percentage point increase costs sports bodies around €2.5 million. The cumulative impact is already projected between €12.5 million and €15 million.

That’s money that would have gone to grassroots programmes, facilities, and community initiatives. Instead, it’s flowing to operators based in jurisdictions with lighter regulation and no social contribution requirements. None whatsoever.

Call for Policy Review

The industry letter calls for a formal government evaluation of the tax changes, with findings presented to parliament by Q2 2026. Stakeholders want future policy to account for how tax levels influence illegal gambling, consumer protection standards, and public funding streams.

Parliament is scheduled to discuss gambling taxation in mid-March. Whether lawmakers will reverse course remains uncertain, but the current trajectory is unsustainable. Higher taxes have achieved the opposite of their intended effect, shrinking the regulated market while strengthening unlicensed competitors.

The Netherlands built a regulated online gambling framework to bring operators into the light, protect consumers, and generate public revenue. Pricing licensed operators out of competitiveness defeats all three objectives. If the goal is maximizing tax income, frankly, the evidence suggests a different approach is needed.