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(AsiaGameHub) -   The 2026 Masters tournament gets underway on Thursday at Augusta National, and you can heighten your viewing experience by wagering on five entertaining prop bets. Sportsbooks feature a selection of bets that are usually not available for typical PGA Tour tournaments. We are utilizing odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, but be sure to check the market to guarantee the best value for your wagers. Masters Prop Odds at DraftKings Will There Be a Hole-in-One? (Yes -162, No +125) Since 1934, there have been 34 holes-in-one recorded in Masters history. Augusta National is home to four par-3 holes, with No. 16 being the most fruitful, having witnessed 24 aces. Stewart Cink is the last player to record a hole-in-one at The Masters. He aced No. 16 in the second round on Friday in 2022. Ace! Stewart Cink makes a hole-in-one on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Wss03ghX21— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022 In 2021, holes-in-one were carded by both Tommy Fleetwood (16th hole) and Corey Connors (6th hole). After a three-year span without an ace, will 2026 be the year we see one? Pick: No (+125) Will There Be an Albatross? (Yes, +1600) For those new to golf, an albatross is when a player scores three-under-par on a single hole. It is rarer than a hole-in-one, with only four albatrosses ever occurring at The Masters. Gene Sarazen notched the first albatross in 1935, hitting a “double eagle” on No. 15. The full list appears below: Gene Sarazen (1935, No. 15) Bruce Delvin (1967, No. 8), Jeff Maggert (1994, No. 13) Louis Oosthuizen (2012, No. 2) DraftKings does not list a “No” option, so… Pick: No bet Will There Be a Playoff With 2+ Players? (Yes, +400) Lastly, here is a bet to get excited about. Augusta National has seen 18 playoffs, including last year's, where the eventual champion Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose after one playoff hole. Rose also fell to Sergio Garcia in a sudden-death playoff in 2017. There might be some recency bias involved, but we are favoring a playoff for the second year in a row. Pick: Yes (+400) Top European Finisher Ludvig Aberg of Sweden was one of the three golfers we selected to win the 2026 Masters, so he fits perfectly here. Aberg has only competed at Augusta National twice, yet he seems to have already “mastered” the venue. He took second place in his 2024 debut and notched a T-7 finish last year, a result that could have been improved. Aberg was tied with McIlroy and Rose late on Sunday, but closed with a bogey and a triple-bogey on the final two holes. He is ready for redemption. Pick: Ludvig Aberg (+820) First Round Leader Bryson DeChambeau is edging closer to his first Masters victory. He has started quickly over the past two years, leading the 2024 Masters at -7 after the first round. Last year, he began strongly again at -3, just four shots off the pace set by the leader (Rose) on Thursday. With results of T-5 and T-6 in the last two years, DeChambeau needs a strong finish to secure that initial win. However, his recent trend of fast starts makes this a compelling wager at attractive odds. Pick: Bryson DeChambeau (+1700) This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Washington has petitioned a federal judge to remand its civil enforcement lawsuit against Kalshi back to state court, escalating the state’s ongoing legal conflict with the prediction market platform. This filing arrived on the same day the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals secured a major victory for Kalshi in its dispute with New Jersey. On April 6, the state submitted a remand motion, arguing that its lawsuit relies exclusively on Washington state law and that Kalshi’s claim of federal preemption does not provide a valid basis for moving the case to federal court.  The state has criticized what it views as a legal tactic Kalshi uses to stall proceedings, stating in the motion: Kalshi is aware its effort to remove the case will likely fail. Still, the company moved forward with the removal because delaying the case is financially beneficial. Washington’s most recent legal submission adds another layer to the increasingly chaotic legal battle over event contracts.  A divided Third Circuit panel ruled 2-to-1 in Kalshi’s favor during its case against New Jersey, determining that the company’s sports-focused event contracts fall within the purview of the Commodity Exchange Act and the exclusive regulatory authority of the CFTC. This ruling bolsters Kalshi’s position that disagreements over event contracts should be heard in federal court, even as Washington works to have its own lawsuit against the prediction market platform returned to state court, framing the conflict as a straightforward gambling enforcement matter.  Washington further contends that Kalshi has employed comparable legal strategies in other cases where the company attempted to move gambling law-related disputes to federal court. Kalshi’s CEO said their long-term vision is to “financialize everything and create a tradeable asset out of any difference in opinion.” That is not the principle grounded in our constitution nor the future we want for ourselves and our children. We’re suing Kalshi for illegal… pic.twitter.com/VnqgjknWUn— Attorney General Nick Brown (@AGOWA) April 1, 2026 In its filing, the state points out that federal courts in Nevada and Massachusetts have already dismissed similar removal arguments, and courts in Kentucky and Ohio have also remanded private-party lawsuits. Washington Argues Removal Attempt Is a Delay Tactic Washington maintains that Kalshi’s push to move the case to federal court is part of a standard legal playbook the event contract exchange has utilized across multiple similar disputes nationwide.  In the motion, the state explains that Kalshi has implemented a “two-part strategy” consisting of “preemptively filing declaratory judgment lawsuits in federal courts” and “removing state court cases using increasingly convoluted and weakened removal arguments that have already been widely rejected.” The state maintains that its lawsuit should stay in state court, as it is rooted solely in Washington state law and does not assert any federal legal claims.  The state further argues that Kalshi is inappropriately relying on federal preemption as a basis for federal jurisdiction, despite the fact that preemption is typically considered a defense, not a valid reason to remove a case to federal court. As the state put it in the motion:  The State’s lawsuit, filed in state court, alleges violations of Washington state law. It does not assert any federal legal claims, reference federal statutes, or raise any federal legal questions. The motion frames Kalshi’s preemption arguments as a “basic federal preemption defense, not a claim of complete preemption,” which Washington asserts does not satisfy the legal requirements for removing a case to federal court.  The filing is even more direct when responding to Kalshi’s claim that federal definitions should govern terms such as “bets” and “wagers,” stating: This is absurd. If the lack of a statutory definition in a state law was enough to create a federal legal issue that grants federal subject-matter jurisdiction, no cases would ever be heard in state court again. The state is requesting attorney’s fees and court costs, arguing that there was “no objectively reasonable justification” for removing the case, given the numerous remand rulings cited in its legal filing. Third Circuit Ruling Adds Pressure to Already-Complex Legal Battle The timing of Washington’s motion is notable, as it was submitted on the exact same day Kalshi achieved its appellate win in New Jersey.In that case, the Third Circuit ruled that Kalshi’s event contracts qualify as “swaps” under federal law, supporting the company’s position that states cannot regulate these contracts as standard gambling products.  In response to the ruling, Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Michael Selig posted on X that the decision “reaffirms Congress’ intention for the @CFTC to hold exclusive regulatory authority over trades conducted on DCMs.” The Third Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision today reaffirms Congress' intent for the @CFTC to have exclusive regulatory jurisdiction over trades on DCMs. I applaud the Court’s decision to uphold federal law and reject the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement’s attempt to…— Mike Selig (@ChairmanSelig) April 6, 2026 Although the Third Circuit’s ruling does not directly resolve Washington’s remand request, it may still shape how courts approach the jurisdictional conflict. It also deepens the split over whether prediction markets should be regulated under state gambling laws or federal commodities oversight rules. For now, Washington is working to ensure the next stage of the legal fight takes place in state court. The outcome of this effort could influence the possible remedies in the lawsuit, as well as how aggressively other states target Kalshi using their own state gambling laws.  This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Indonesian authorities have seized assets valued at more than $3 million following a raid targeting an alleged online gambling operation. The South Jakarta District Attorney’s Office verified it had secured IDR 55 billion ($3.25 million) in "evidence" after the police operation, according to a report by the Indonesian media outlet Tempo. Prosecutors stated the raid was conducted by the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency, referred to as Bareskrim Polri. A public prosecutor, Murari Azis, announced the office is prepared to bring gambling-related charges against five suspects. $3 Million Raid: Investigations Expand All gambling activities are prohibited in Indonesia. Recently, police, prosecutors, and government bodies have initiated a significant nationwide clampdown on online gambling. Officials state urgent action is required as addiction rates keep climbing. The enforcement campaign is escalating across the country, with Bareskrim Polri units making arrests and confiscating assets. Investigators are widening their probes, which they say has led to the discovery of connected money laundering operations. In Tangerang, Java, police report confiscating cash, properties, high-end motorcycles, gold, and a "collection of luxury handbags" from an individual suspected of being a money laundering ringleader. Bareskrim Polri officials in Java said the probe started with a raid conducted on December 4, 2025. That operation led police to effectively close the online gambling platforms CIVICTOTO and JALUTOTO, as reported by the Indonesian media outlet Sin Po. Police stated these two sites yielded monthly net profits of up to $17,700 for their operators. As inquiries progressed, police claimed to have uncovered evidence that the alleged ringleader operated a network of at least 17 accomplices who assisted in laundering money from the platforms. “The suspect ran this illicit enterprise as if it were a professional company,” a senior Bareskrim Polri officer informed reporters. Online gambling addiction is escalating rapidly in Indonesia, leading government officials to label betting platforms a “social disaster.” Addiction Cases Increase Health authorities report a sharp rise in hospital admissions for severe gambling addiction. Officials at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in central Jakarta say they are treating a swiftly increasing number of inpatients and outpatients addicted to gambling. Government officials have previously estimated that as many as 9 million people in Indonesia suffer from online gambling addictions. Muhaimin Iskandar, the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, visited the hospital earlier. During his visit, he remarked, “Online gambling is a social disaster. It’s a disease that erodes social well-being.” Indonesian District Prosecutor’s Office vehicles. (Image: DARMAS BS 9 [CC BY-SA 4.0]) Police Warn of Rising Crime Police have cautioned that this surge in addiction is triggering an increase in crime. According to the Indonesian media outlet VOI, North Jakarta police arrested a 24-year-old employee of a drinking water depot suspected of stealing money from his employer to fund online gambling. The employee is accused of stealing a motorcycle, a mobile phone, and a drawer containing cash from the premises. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison. Police reported the man was found hiding at his grandmother's residence and has confessed fully. In recent weeks, North Sumatra police announced they had dismantled a cross-border gambling syndicate believed to have connections to Cambodia. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   With the UK’s new gambling charity funding system now officially operational, will this prove a clear positive for the sector, or will further persuasion be needed to justify the decision? For those unaware of how gambling harm funding works in the UK, gambling operators previously made voluntary contributions to GambleAware, which would allocate the funds to charities across the entire UK. However, with GambleAware shutting down, this old model is now a thing of the past, following recommendations laid out in the 2005 Gambling Act Review White Paper that mandated a statutory Prevention, Treatment and Research levy to raise £100 million annually. Half of these funds are earmarked for treatment and administered by the NHS, 20% goes toward research managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), leaving 30% for prevention efforts—money intended for gambling charities. This prevention funding stream, previously overseen by GambleAware, is now handled by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), and most critically — not every charity has been selected to receive funding. Following recent final funding confirmations for charities, LinkedIn was swamped with posts from specialist gambling harm groups expressing their disappointment over the selection process, with some confirming they will take drastic action to cope with their lack of financial support. Nadine Ashworth, Chief Executive of gambling charm charity thrivin’ together, warned that many people employed in the NHS, armed forces, police, or financial services face job loss risks if they access support through the NHS, making that route off-limits. GamLEARN, another charity focused on lived experiences, chose to remain positive when announcing it had not been selected in this funding round, though the outcome would still have stung regardless. EPIC Restart Foundation shared: “We won’t pretend otherwise, it’s a blow, and we’re still taking it in.” Gamban, a free-to-use comprehensive gambling blocking tool, now requires a subscription to stay operational after failing to secure the funding tender. The situation is not any easier for charities that did secure funding, either, as they now face heightened attention and pressure to justify their services without being required to provide such explanations. BetBlocker, for example, was contacted by The Guardian with a list of questions probing the quality of the charity’s services, which founder Duncan Garvie addressed in full on LinkedIn once more. Naturally, tensions are running high right now, with sharp criticism coming from all corners of the gambling sector. There is also a significant amount of confusion, as highlighted in an op-ed by Derek Webb, a Labour party donor and gambling reform advocate. Webb simultaneously criticised charities that previously received gambling donations while lamenting that some have been caught up in ‘unspecified allegations related to due diligence or ineligibility’. This widespread polarization is set to continue, at least until the dust settles, but the most important question to answer is whether the small number of selected charities can handle the full responsibility of supporting all of the UK’s problem gamblers. Want to hear more stories like this? Check out the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home of all things multimedia at SBC, where our team deep-dives into the biggest stories from across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   FIFA appointed ADI Predictstreet as its official prediction market partner for the World Cup last week; however, the agreement is facing intense scrutiny because the company is mostly unlicensed and has not yet released a functional product. “This historic agreement highlights FIFA's ongoing dedication to innovation and engaging fans,” stated soccer’s governing body in a press release issued last week. The firm has not yet released a website or application, however. Attempts to access predictstreet.io resulted in an “Unprocessable Entity” notification. Although it recently secured a license to operate in Gibraltar, it does not possess official legal status in any other jurisdiction. While numerous European betting firms establish themselves in Gibraltar for tax advantages, they are required to possess local operating licenses. ADI Predictstreet, conversely, holds no additional licenses, restricting its services to Gibraltar’s population of 36,000. “This collaboration represents a pivotal milestone for ADI Predictstreet and the way audiences interact with major events, as we establish the groundwork for a new sector merging collective intelligence, technology, and real-world results,” stated Ajay Hans Raj Bhatia, Principal Council Member of ADI Predictstreet. This arrangement comes after Polymarket reached a deal with Spain's La Liga to serve as the soccer league’s official prediction market partner. Allegations of Insider Trading Against Bhatia “ADI Predictstreet's operations concerning the FIFA World Cup will adhere to FIFA's regulatory and integrity standards, featuring a robust integrity monitoring system that includes real-time surveillance of suspicious trading and structured reporting mechanisms,” FIFA commented. “These measures are designed to guarantee transparency, fairness, and participant safety.” Bhatia, who leads the company and appeared alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the announcement photo, faces accusations of insider trading. Image from Instagram showing FIFA President Infantino signing the agreement with Adistreet’s Ajay Hans Raj Bhatia. India’s Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) alleged that Bhatia executed trades totaling over $900,000 involving the Indian firm Adani. According to Josimar, Bhatia reportedly had advance notice of a $2 billion investment in Adani, which allowed him to generate a profit of approximately $60,000. To resolve the issue, Bhatia consented to pay SEBI roughly $170,000 and accepted a six-month prohibition on trading in India. Various other prediction market platforms have encountered multiple accusations regarding the facilitation of insider trading. In the US, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has pledged to suppress this activity. However, since ADI Predictstreet is licensed exclusively in Gibraltar, it is not subject to the regulator’s regulations. World Cup Anticipated to Generate Record Betting Volumes Following its agreement with FIFA, ADI Predictstreet is anticipated to roll out markets prior to the World Cup. It remains unclear where it will target users given its current licensing status. A post on X unveiling the platform stated that it was developed to reach more than 5 billion fans. Introducing @PredictstreetThe Official Prediction Market Partner of the @FIFAWorldCup 2026More than 5 billion fans will watch the World Cup.ADI Predictstreet was built to reach every single one of them.The first consumer-facing ecosystem project on ADI Chain is going… pic.twitter.com/oYJpD2eElv— ADI Chain (@ADIChain_) April 2, 2026 This tournament may rank among the largest betting events in history. Caesars Sportsbook’s head of soccer, Mark Bickerdike, expressed his belief that it will surpass the $35 billion wagered during the 2022 World Cup. “Anticipation for next summer's World Cup is immense. An extended tournament held in a time zone favorable to U.S. customers is likely to make this the highest-handling soccer competition the industry has ever witnessed,” remarked Bickerdike. Both prediction markets and sportsbooks will compete to attract bettors. Meanwhile, FIFA aims to monetize the tournament's popularity by implementing dynamic ticket pricing and establishing an online marketplace for ticket and NFT transactions. The organization, headquartered in Switzerland, has encountered a criminal complaint alleging that certain aspects of its ticketing system constitute illegal gambling. There has been no response to the allegations that ADI Predictstreet is an unfit partner due to its uncertain legal status. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   In a Monday announcement shared on X, Polymarket stated it is rolling out what it describes as the largest infrastructure update since the decentralized prediction market first launched in 2020.  The updates include a reconstructed trading engine, revised smart contracts, and a new collateral token named Polymarket USD.  We’ve listened to your feedback, and we’re thrilled to announce Polymarket is receiving a full exchange upgrade.Over the coming few weeks, we’re launching a rebuilt trading engine, upgraded smart contracts, and a new collateral token (Polymarket USD) as we phase out USDC.e. — Polymarket (@Polymarket) April 6, 2026 Over the next two to three weeks, the event contract exchange will revamp its core infrastructure to boost execution speed, reduce gas costs, and build a more streamlined technical foundation for future development. The most noticeable change for the platform’s regular users will be the transition from USDC.e to Polymarket USD, which the company confirms is backed 1:1 by USDC.  Put simply, Polymarket will replace the token users submit as collateral with its own USDC wrapper, while also upgrading the behind-the-scenes trade matching system. Most front-end adjustments will be processed automatically, the company noted. However, open orders will be canceled for a short window during the maintenance period, which will be announced at least one week in advance.  What the Upgrade Actually Entails From a technical standpoint, Polymarket is launching CTF Exchange V2 and an updated iteration of its central limit order book, or CLOB. For those unfamiliar with the crypto space, these changes essentially translate to faster trade matching, lower transaction fees, and updated infrastructure for bots, apps, and other tools that connect to the exchange. The company also noted the new tech stack will support EIP-1271 signatures, a change that is expected to simplify interactions between smart contract wallets and the platform. The upgrades extend beyond the retail trading experience. In an X post explaining the update, Polymarket Developers stated API traders, bot operators, and other integrators will need to update their software development kits and re-sign orders using the new system structure. TypeScript, Python, and Go clients are expected to be available ahead of launch day, while migration documentation and a full API changelog will be released at a later date. Upgrade Follows a Series of Infrastructure-Related Deals Polymarket’s April 6 announcement comes on the heels of several moves the company made in early 2026 to strengthen the technical infrastructure supporting its exchange. The firm has spent the past few months building out its core technology via a series of acquisitions and major funding rounds. February 19: Polymarket purchased Dome, a Y Combinator-backed startup focused on unified API infrastructure, to simplify market data access for third-party tools. March 18: The company acquired Brahma, a DeFi infrastructure specialist, to enhance wallet creation, cross-chain operations, and token redemption processes. March 27: Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent entity of the New York Stock Exchange, finalized a $600 million direct cash investment in Polymarket. This followed ICE’s $1 billion investment in the platform in late 2025. As Polymarket integrates these specialized technologies and secures substantial institutional backing, it is increasingly positioning itself as far more than a standard betting platform. The new infrastructure provides Polymarket with the core trading “plumbing” it needs to reduce its dependence on third-party providers, enabling it to build a more stable, scalable environment as it continues its CFTC-regulated re-entry into the U.S. market. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.