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(AsiaGameHub) -   As Las Vegas grapples with a sluggish economy, a $7 billion wave of major construction projects is slated for completion in the next three years, aiming to rejuvenate the Strip. The A’s baseball stadium leads Sin City's revival, accompanied by a new Hard Rock and the transformation of the old Tropicana site. Wall Street gaming analysts are confident the city's rebound will follow in time after these developments are finalized. Truist Securities Managing Director Barry Jonas and CBRE Director of Equity Research John DeCree recently addressed the Economic Club of Las Vegas on the condition of the local gaming sector. “In our view, the current demand challenges and drop in visitation are temporary,” DeCree stated. “We believe people will return. If not this year or next, they will definitely come back in 2028 when new attractions open and there is more to experience. We're facing a struggle now, but that will shift. The significant private and public investment flowing into Las Vegas is a positive signal of future demand.” The NBA is also considering potential expansion into Las Vegas, which would provide another major lift for the city. “When you speak with people who haven't visited Las Vegas, they express a desire to see the Sphere,” DeCree noted. “They're waiting for their favorite band to perform. So the next major draw, be it the NBA or the A's, will undoubtedly pull people to the city. Ultimately, they will come because you can find everything here.” Economic Challenges Persist in Sin City According to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA), visitor volume in 2025 reached 38,545,700, a 7.5% decrease from the year before. Excluding the pandemic period, this represents the steepest decline since the LVCVA began recording visitation in 1970. By comparison, the peak annual visitation of 42,523,700 was recorded in 2019. Even with fewer visitors, gaming revenue on the Las Vegas Strip hit a new annual record of $8.8 billion. Those who did travel to Las Vegas also spent more during their stays. 81% of visitors gambled The average gaming budget increased to $848 last year Overall hotel occupancy fell 3.3% year-over-year, while convention attendance dipped slightly by 0.1%. A recent LVCVA visitor profile survey uncovered a concerning pattern. Fewer than 10% of all visitors last year reported it was their first trip, down from 15% the prior year and 24% in 2022. “Amid inflation, recession worries, and tariffs, it's simpler to postpone a Vegas trip and stay home a bit longer,” Jonas commented. “As we head into summer, the true test will be whether we can resume growth. This year's event calendar is very robust, with records projected across various areas. My models aren't forecasting growth for the major Vegas operators, indicating the leisure segment is still under pressure, primarily at the lower end.” The survey also indicated that 44% of visitors had a household income of $150,000 or higher. The city continues to find it most challenging to attract visitors from the lower and middle classes. “Vegas excels at reinventing itself,” DeCree said. “Several companies are developing strategies to better attract that customer segment. The high-end market generates so much revenue and cash flow that we sometimes overlook or neglect the other segment, which represents 7% to 8% of visitation. We need to find a way to win that customer back.” February Marks Bright Spot for Monthly Numbers Las Vegas welcomed 3.03 million visitors in February, a 2% increase from the same month last year. This was the first year-over-year rise since 2024. Furthermore, the Nevada Gaming Control Board's February report showed the Las Vegas Strip's gross gaming revenue held steady year-over-year at $696.2 million. Baccarat was a standout game on the Strip, with operators winning $119.9 million. This figure represents a 37% jump from the same period a year earlier. Looking ahead, April is predicted to be a slower month, but a packed concert schedule in May should offer a lift. The Sphere has emerged as a success story during Las Vegas's slump, hosting residencies by top-tier acts like U2 and the Eagles. The venue has also gained from films such as The Wizard of Oz and Postcard from Earth, which collectively brought in $550 million. Jonas anticipates the “potential for business growth in the second quarter, supported by easier year-over-year comparisons during the summer.” “We believe there is substantial programming in the works to tackle the softness at the lower end,” he added. Moreover, the LVCVA and casino operators are promoting a “value-oriented message” to counter the perception of price gouging that damaged the city's tourism in 2025. “We'll observe how this develops into summer 2026, though there's always a danger that boosting occupancy by cutting rates could attract a lower-quality customer who doesn't contribute much overall,” Jonas said. Final Analysis Although operators maintain a guarded optimism, most Strip properties are likely to experience mixed results in the near term. “At the high end – Wynn, Bellagio, Caesars Palace – you don't hear about difficulties,” Jonas observed. “The struggle is at the low end. Year-over-year comparisons will become less severe, and company initiatives will help. But factors like the war in Iran and higher gas prices remain. A return to growth is visible, but it's not without its risks.” DeCree, for his part, ended on a more positive tone. “The U.S. consumer is remarkably resilient and enjoys spending, particularly on experiences,” DeCree concluded. “We've observed consumer spending hold steady since the onset of the war in Iran. That could shift if the situation continues, but for now, consumers are carrying on as usual, especially regarding entertainment and hospitality.” That is the bet Las Vegas is making as it moves forward into an unpredictable future. 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) -   Police report that a Russian man took his friend’s mobile phone while the friend was sleeping, used it to steal funds and gamble online, then destroyed the device. In an official Telegram channel post, the Omsk Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated the victim was a 58-year-old who worked at a car repair shop in Luzino, a village located in the Omsk Oblast. The victim informed police that he frequently met two other men at the garage to have drinks together. The three had planned a drinking gathering on an unspecified February date. When the victim’s friends showed up, they found him asleep, he later told authorities. One of the two friends— a 50-year-old man— is said to have stolen the garage employee’s phone. Russian Man Embarks on a Gambling Spree Authorities stated they arrested the suspect not long after the incident. Following questioning, the suspect is said to have confessed to taking the phone. Officers noted the suspect had watched and memorized his friend’s pattern lock code. After leaving the garage, the suspect is alleged to have used this code to unlock the phone. He then is said to have accessed the victim’s sports betting digital wallet, emptied it, and transferred all the money to his personal bank account. Authorities reported the man used the stolen funds to make multiple losing bets on an online casino site. Once he’d lost all the stolen money, the suspect is said to have smashed the phone and discarded it in a public trash can. Police confirmed the suspect confessed to stealing 100,000 rubles— approximately $1,200— from the wallet. “We have filed theft charges against the suspect and placed him in custody,” an Omsk police representative stated. Detectives confirmed the suspect has prior convictions for carjacking, robbery, and theft. Luzino, in Russia’s Omsk Oblast. (Image: OBKom TV/YouTube/Screenshot) Ministry’s Legalization Proposal Online casinos are prohibited in Russia, yet the Ministry of Finance acknowledges it has little ability to curb their proliferation. The ministry has put forward a plan to lift the ban and impose a 30% annual tax on licensed operators. The plan has been highly contentious, but gambling supporters note the proposal has made rapid progress. Industry insiders indicate lawmakers might vote on the ministry’s proposal as soon as next month. Earlier this month, authorities announced the arrest of a social media self-help influencer on gambling-related charges. Perm city police stated the man ran an illegal casino in a basement of a downtown commercial area. During a March 26 court hearing, the suspect “fully confessed” to his guilt and requested bail from the judge. The court denied the request after prosecutors informed the judge the suspect was a flight risk and exhibited signs of gambling addiction. 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) -   Citrini Research released a report in February outlining a possible doomsday scenario where job losses driven by AI spark a stock market collapse and a recession in 2028. Now known as the Citrini Scenario, this concept is generating millions of dollars in trades on prediction market platforms. So, what exactly is this scenario, and how probable is it that it will play out? “What you’re about to read is a scenario, not a forecast. This isn’t pessimistic hype or AI doomsayer fiction. The only purpose of this report is to model a scenario that has received relatively little attention,” noted the document titled “The Global Intelligence Crisis.” Prediction market participants are now treating it as a forecast. Kalshi’s platform alone has recorded nearly $15 million in trading activity. Currently, it’s registering daily trading volumes exceeding $1 million and was the top non-sports, non-crypto market on March 30. Due to this surge in trading, the scenario’s probability has risen from 12% when the market launched last month to 34% as of today. The Scenario The scenario depicts a swift AI-induced economic crisis that renders human labor—particularly white-collar work—largely irrelevant. This in turn leads to a private credit and mortgage meltdown. Elevated unemployment also impacts key companies dependent on consumer spending, including Uber, American Express, Mastercard, and DoorDash. Companies try to address the crisis by ramping up AI investments, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. “As weaknesses started to emerge in the consumer economy, economic experts coined the term “Ghost GDP:’ output that appears in national economic records but never flows through the actual economy,” the report—written as a 2028 post-mortem—explained. Protesters take over corporate offices in Silicon Valley to campaign against overreliance on AI. As the report points out, the “Occupy Silicon Valley” movement is “a symbol of broader public discontent.” Kalshi specified that for its “Citrini scenario” market to settle as “yes,” three of the following outcomes need to happen: Monthly BLS unemployment rate surpasses 10% S&P 500 drops by over 30% from its closing value at the time the market was launched Zillow Home Value Index falls by more than 10% year-over-year in any of NYC, LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, or Phoenix Labor share of gross domestic income (GDI) first-release figure for any quarter drops below 50% Year-over-year CPI-U drops below 0% in any monthly report What’s Driving the Surge in Trading Volume? The market has gained increased attention since the onset of the Iran war. Polymarket’s markets related to the conflict have also experienced high trading volumes, with some activity coming from insiders. Surging oil prices in an already vulnerable economy might lead many to think events are aligning with the path outlined by Citrini Research. Last month’s job losses were worse than expected, pushing unemployment up to 4.4%. The S&P 500 has declined roughly 8% since the report was released in February. “The S&P is close to all-time peaks. The negative feedback cycles haven’t started yet. We are confident that some of these scenarios won’t come to pass,” the authors stated at the conclusion of their thought experiment. Nevertheless, events are beginning to align with the doomsday forecasts. There’s also a growing belief that AI is advancing quickly. Kalshi’s market for OpenAI achieving Artificial General Intelligence by 2028 now assigns it a 34% probability. If this happens, it could further fuel the “human intelligence displacement spiral” that Citrini predicted. Some others, though, might just be observing the trend and jumping on the bandwagon. A Kalshi user remarked, “Just find the right moment to sell and take profits.” 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) -   Well-known UK bookmaker William Hill is planning to shut down approximately 200 locations following a comprehensive corporate review. The evoke-owned operator has faced considerable pressure recently, specifically due to the increase in remote gaming duty to 40%, which was introduced in the Autumn Budget and is scheduled to take effect tomorrow (Wednesday, 1 April).  In January, evoke indicated that it would be closing several William Hill outlets, a figure now estimated to be around 200. The company is also delaying the release of its FY25 financial results until 29 April as it carries out its strategic assessment.  This assessment was first announced in December 2025, shortly after Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves presented the Autumn Budget. It was noted that the review might result in the sale of the business or certain assets. A representative for evoke informed SBC News: “Following an extensive evaluation and in light of growing cost burdens on the regulated industry—including the substantial tax hikes announced by the government in last year’s Autumn Budget—we will be closing a number of unsustainable shops starting in May.” The retail betting sector in the UK has been struggling for several years. In the final quarter of 2025, between October and December, the gross gambling yield (GGY) from high-street bookmakers fell by 7% year-on-year to £549 million. William Hill is not the only operator confirming closures. Entain’s Ladbrokes has shuttered several sites over the last couple of years, and Paddy Power announced widespread closures across the UK and Ireland last year. However, not every firm is scaling back, as BoyleSports has opened multiple new locations since 2022. “We are providing full assistance to our retail staff who are impacted by these shutdowns,” the evoke spokesperson added. “These are never easy choices to make, but in the face of mounting financial pressures, we must take steps to ensure we can continue to invest in our primary retail estate, focusing on the right shops in the right locations.” Speculation grows over evoke’s future The outlook for UK retail betting has become a political issue, particularly concerning adult gaming centres (AGCs), though calls to scrap the ‘aim to permit’ licensing rule could also affect traditional betting shops. A group of Labour MPs, led by Dawn Butler, along with members of the Green Party, SNP, and some Conservatives—including veteran gambling reform proponent Iain Duncan-Smith—have been highly critical of the industry. In contrast, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has cautioned that most bookmakers could be "gone within a year" due to the tax changes confirmed in the Autumn Budget, while major high-street brand Betfred has warned that its entire estate of 1,287 shops could be at risk. The broader situation is challenging for William Hill’s parent company, evoke. The announcement of the delayed FY25 accounts comes as the company's share price falls and rumors of a potential breakup circulate.  Reports suggest that Bally’s and Betfred are potential buyers for the struggling FTSE All Share member, which has seen its stock price drop by more than 28% to 34.05p over the last year. Its market capitalization is currently just above £150 million.  Another concerning development for the group is today’s investment from Ironshield Capital Management. The firm, which identifies as a special situations investment manager focusing on stressed and distressed credit in Europe, has acquired a 6.07% stake in evoke. 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) -   The prediction market platform Polymarket has launched a new betting market on the potential return of the 12 tonnes of KitKats stolen during transport between Italy and Poland. Current market odds imply a 24% probability that Nestle, an affiliate, or a government or law enforcement body will retrieve any of the stolen chocolate bars by April 5. According to the market rules, “The confirmed recovery of any quantity of the stolen KitKats, even a single bar, will be enough for this market to resolve as ‘Yes’.” One user commented on the market, “Listen i got an idea. Steal 12 tonnes of Kit Kats and hedge against getting your kitkats taken away when you get caught by betting on yourself getting caught. So when you do get caught, you can buy new kitkats with your winnings. Win-win.” It is also conceivable that the thieves themselves could return some bars and place a wager. Although Polymarket has measures to counter insider trading, such markets present a variety of potentially concerning situations. KitKat Confirms Massive Theft KitKat verified in a Sunday post on X that 12 tonnes, approximately 400,000 bars, had disappeared. Regarding recent press coverage pic.twitter.com/Huh4EnFV2J— KITKAT (@KITKAT) March 29, 2026 The X post has garnered over 120 million views, and the story has drawn widespread media coverage. Nestle has leveraged the theft for marketing purposes. In a press release, the company stated the bars were part of its new Formula 1 line. The confectioner recently extended its partnership with the sport, becoming the official chocolate bar of F1. A KitKat spokesperson remarked, “We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KITKAT – but it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate.” “While we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste, cargo theft is a growing problem for businesses everywhere. As more sophisticated schemes are regularly used, we decided to publicize our experience to help raise awareness of this increasingly common criminal trend.” Appeal for Insider Information Nestle further advised, “We ask consumers not to try to locate, handle, or recover any stolen products and to avoid any direct action. Any pertinent information should be reported to local law enforcement.” Individuals with knowledge of the theft could also stand to gain significantly on Polymarket. More than $33,000 has been wagered on the market as of March 31. Despite facing criticism, Polymarket keeps testing the limits of acceptable betting markets. Trading on events like the Iran war has recently spiked, including activity from military insiders. Markets on pre-recorded programs, such as Survivor, have also sparked debate about which markets should be banned. Legislators are advocating for tighter regulations, but Polymarket mainly functions via its international platform, which falls outside US oversight. The company highlighted the KitKat market in a user email, citing the current odds as an indicator that recovery prospects appear slim. 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) -   GR8 Tech has revealed that football icon José Mourinho, widely known as "The Special One," has signed on as the latest brand ambassador for the iGaming technology provider. Mourinho joins the company’s "Champions Club," a proprietary initiative that utilizes high-profile sports figures, such as Oleksandr Usyk, to promote the firm’s comprehensive suite of iGaming solutions. This portfolio features the Hyper Turnkey platform, the ULT8 sportsbook, the Crypto Turnkey platform, the Infinite Casino Aggregation tool, and the ACCELER8 affiliate platform. GR8 Tech asserts that when these tools are combined, they deliver a standard of performance comparable to a champion. “Championship is not a fleeting moment. It is a method—one that is evident in training, in data, and in decisions made during calm periods that prove their worth under pressure,” the company noted. GR8 Tech maintains that Mourinho is an ideal embodiment of this philosophy, citing his illustrious coaching career, which has been defined by “discipline, tactical excellence, and relentless preparation.” Oleksandr Feshchenko, CEO of GR8 Tech, commented: “José Mourinho embodies the mindset we champion: success is crafted long before the final outcome. In the iGaming sector, much like in football, victory is the result of structure, preparation, and the capacity to perform under pressure.” With Mourinho leading its promotional efforts, the company expects to more effectively communicate its commitment to a results-oriented B2B strategy—a focus that has earned the firm multiple industry accolades, including the Platform Provider of the Year award at the 2025 SBC Awards. This partnership marks the beginning of a broader campaign for GR8 Tech, with several Champions Club activations planned for the coming months to showcase the standards that top-tier iGaming operators should aim to reach. Mourinho remarked: “I have collaborated with numerous organizations throughout my career. The factor that distinguishes consistent winners is never just talent—it is culture. It is the conviction that preparation is mandatory. I identified that quality in GR8 Tech right away.” 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) -   Congress kicked off the week by maintaining its focus on insider trading in prediction markets, shifting its gaze to the regulator overseeing event contract exchanges and the government office tasked with ensuring federal employees adhere to ethics rules and conflict-of-interest guidelines. On Monday, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with 41 other legislators, revealed they had dispatched a letter to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Michael Selig and division heads at the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE), calling for action against what they termed “illegal insider trading in prediction markets by federal employees.” Enough is enough. We need to rein in prediction markets. pic.twitter.com/8GwXpPqGTe— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) March 30, 2026 Dated March 29, the letter requested that the CFTC and OGE release government-wide guidance cautioning federal employees against using nonpublic information to trade in prediction markets. To illustrate their point, the letter cited multiple instances of alleged insider trading, such as the January U.S. military intervention in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro—an event where traders earned hundreds of thousands of dollars via well-timed wagers. They also referenced a market focused on the duration of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s press conference remarks; traders gained profits when she ended her speech abruptly, just 30 seconds shy of the 65-minute mark. Today's White House Press Briefing had a 98% chance of running over 65 minutes – until Karoline Leavitt abruptly ended it with seconds to spare.Traders on the NO side made 50x in seconds. pic.twitter.com/Fe0MVMq9Oj— PredictionMarketTrader (@PredMTrader) January 7, 2026 The most recent cases they highlighted included the joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran (where alleged insiders made over a million dollars) and speculation about when Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would be dismissed. The legislators have requested a staff-level briefing and responses to the issues outlined in the letter by no later than April 13. Lawmakers Demand Accountability & Clear Guidance In the letter, the lawmakers contend that the Commodity Exchange Act—amended by the 2012 Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act—already prohibits federal employees from using nonpublic information to trade in prediction markets. The STOCK Act makes it illegal for government workers to use nonpublic information obtained during their official duties for personal profit in futures, options, or swaps—categories the CFTC identifies as including event contracts. Given these existing rules, the legislators assert that the CFTC and OGE should distribute formal guidance to remind government employees that their STOCK Act obligations extend to trading in prediction markets. The letter links this issue directly to the CFTC’s rulemaking process for event contracts, which began on March 12. It notes that the commission is actively soliciting public input on how insider trading concerns should influence the future regulation of prediction markets. The legislators brought up this issue because the CFTC’s advance notice specifically queries how federal employees’ use of nonpublic information should guide the commission’s approach to prediction markets. January Letter Raised Similar Insider Trading Questions This isn’t the first occasion legislators have voiced their concerns about insider trading to the CFTC. In January, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and a smaller group of senators sent a letter to Selig inquiring how the CFTC monitors suspicious event contract trading and whether it has ever investigated insider trading in those markets. Cortez Masto, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) signed both letters—indicating these senators are not satisfied with the responses they’ve gotten from the CFTC so far. Even if the senators manage to get the CFTC and OGE to take action, it’s uncertain how effective enforcement will be in reality. In their latest letter, the legislators cite the STOCK Act as evidence that insider trading is already illegal, but critics have long doubted the statute’s practical impact. The STOCK Act has been in effect for over a decade, yet there’s no public record of officials paying statutory fines for disclosure mistakes or any successful criminal prosecutions under the law. This raises the question of whether the ongoing discussion on Capitol Hill about insider trading is merely performative and a response to public anger, or if legislators truly view insider trading in prediction markets as a real danger. 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) -   UK doctors have been directed to inquire about patients' gambling activities just as they routinely do for smoking and alcohol use. A new report suggests this approach could help prevent suicides among gamblers. Dr Julian Morris, a London Senior Coroner, produced the report following the death of Lee Adams. Adams took his own life after a prolonged gambling episode in 2020. Morris had earlier determined that Adams' gambling disorder was a contributing cause of death, combined with a prescription drug overdose. To avoid future tragedies, Morris stated, “General practitioners should be prompted to question people about their gambling patterns similarly to how they inquire about smoking and alcohol use.” Achievement for Adams Family On the day he died, Adams made 600 consecutive bets on an online slots site soon after getting his monthly pay, his family reported. His relatives welcomed Morris's finding that gambling was a decisive element in his death. His cousin, Natalie Ashbolt, said, “We must acknowledge that getting gambling disorder recorded as a causal factor was an achievement – our family has always known it was.” She described the difficulty of having the inquest examine gambling as a cause of death. “Without private funding, support, and a coroner willing to even consider investigating gambling… reaching the outcome we did won't be possible for all the families who deserve it,” Ashbolt added. Doctors Need More Training Recently, another UK inquest found that Arthur Soames died from “mental health distress worsened by gambling”. The law firm Leigh Day represented both the Soames and Adams families. Solicitor Dan Webster observed that even when Soames sought help from his GP for mental health issues, “no gambling screening questions were posed at any point.” Morris advocates for change, and Soames' family also feels greater GP awareness might have averted his death. They highlighted that although the 19-year-old confessed to his doctor about spending excessive time and money gambling, no steps were taken to revise his risk assessment or care plan. “Arthur’s family is convinced it is crucial for healthcare workers to get suitable training and direction so that indicators of gambling harm can be spotted and addressed,” Webster stated. Does Screening Make a Difference? Research examining whether to screen for gambling-related harm risk concluded that it is practical for doctors to perform such screenings. Nevertheless, its efficacy and cost-effectiveness require further assessment. Additional studies indicate that screening and short interventions concerning the risks of smoking, drinking, and gambling can have modest impacts on reducing dangerous behaviors. For some gamblers, reaching out for assistance can be the most significant hurdle. This week, a person recovering from gambling addiction shared that he kept his issue secret for fear of judgment. “Shame held me back. I know the advice is not to fear seeking help, but I believe it's preferable to keep it private,” said the anonymous individual. “I don't want the 'gambling addict' label. It seems like a personal failure, a sign of weakness.” Research consistently shows individuals tend to underreport their own smoking, drinking, and gambling. An Australian study revealed that a mere 4% of gamblers correctly reported their net wins or losses. Alongside encouraging doctors to ask about gambling, the coroner also advised GPs to caution patients about prescription drug risks, which contributed to Adams' death. 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) -   Unlicensed bookmakers across the UK received a notable boost last week after a judge ruled that Alan Spence must pay more than $1 million in outstanding debt to David Solomon, even though the 78-year-old Solomon runs his bookmaking operation without a valid license. Spence had argued that the debts were not legally enforceable because Solomon lacked a gambling license. However, the presiding judge for the case, Stuart Isaacs KC, ultimately ruled in Solomon’s favour. While Isaacs confirmed that Solomon had been operating as an unlicensed bookmaker, he ruled that this status did not impact the legal enforceability of the debts owed to him, which add up to £841,520.25 ($1.11 million). Following the ruling, Spence was forced to step down from his post as vice president of the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA). In an official statement, the ROA noted: “While we will not be making any further comments on this case, we wish to publicly record our sincere gratitude to Alan for his commitment and years of service to the ROA.” Spence still retains his role as Vice President of Chelsea Football Club. The club did not provide any response when contacted for comment on the court ruling. Murky World of Unlicensed Gambling Even though clear evidence that Solomon was running an illegal gambling business has emerged, he has not faced any consequences for his activities to date. Isaacs criticised the opaque, unregulated gambling space in his verdict. He stated that the case “offers a rare look into the unlicensed betting world”, a space that “involved regular deception between the two parties as well as deception of third parties, which neither side appeared to view as legally or even morally problematic at the time.” Spence first ran up £582,144 (roughly $760,000) in gambling debts through bets placed with Solomon. He then lied about his financial situation, claiming he could not afford to repay the debts and had already reached agreements with creditors for a debt reduction plan. He even went so far as to invent fake meetings with those creditors. “I shouldn’t have done that, as we had already agreed to a settlement. It was a foolish choice to make. I had no reason to do it, it was completely irrational,” Spence admitted during the court proceedings. Solomon agreed to write down the total debt to £175,000 ($231,000). The two men also reached a separate agreement for Spence to place wagers on Solomon’s behalf on the online gambling platform Spreadex. Imaginary Bookie ‘George’ Damages Defence Instead of placing the bets as he had been instructed, Spence tried to keep the funds Solomon had given him for the wagers. He lied about having placed the bets, then claimed he had started placing them with a different unlicensed bookmaker who went only by the name “George.” Solomon’s legal team argued that George was another fabrication invented by Spence. Spence’s defence team removed all mentions of George’s involvement from their final closing submissions to the court. This false account appears to have significantly harmed Spence’s case, as Isaacs commented: “The details about George provided by the defendant are not credible, and in my judgment, were designed to add legitimacy to a story that is entirely made up…Put simply, George did not exist, and I find that the defendant’s testimony about George was untruthful.” He added that Spence’s “dishonest conduct” means he is “far from innocent for the position he now finds himself in.” Will Solomon Face Charges? In his ruling, Isaacs noted that the appropriate response to Solomon running an unlicensed gambling business is not to cancel Spence’s debts, but to pursue criminal prosecution against Solomon. He observed that Spence is a multi-millionaire, not a vulnerable person who requires legal protection. In a separate case last December, unlicensed bookmaker Haydon Simcock faced criminal prosecution. Simcock had threatened customers and refused to pay out winning wagers. The court ordered him to repay all his outstanding debts and handed him a suspended prison sentence. In Solomon’s specific case, he has not been accused of intimidating Spence or taking any steps to deceive him into losing money. “The defendant’s own testimony confirmed that the claimant never applied excessive pressure on him to restart or increase the value of his gambling. He engaged with the claimant fully aware of the circumstances, first suspecting and then knowing for certain that the claimant was not a licensed bookmaker,” Isaacs stated in his ruling. This finding appears to have cleared Solomon of wrongdoing in this context. He also claims that before he met Spence, he only placed small-stakes bets on behalf of friends and acquaintances. His main line of business is office furniture sales. UK Sends Mixed Messages on Illegal Gambling Solomon does not appear to have run a large-scale gambling operation, which may allow him to avoid criminal prosecution. However, this outcome sends conflicting signals about whether running an unlicensed gambling business is acceptable in the UK. The UK government has stated it is increasing its efforts to stamp out the illegal gambling black market. Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross is leading the government’s Illegal Gambling Taskforce. As part of its wider efforts to address the issue, the government has launched a public consultation on sponsorship of Premier League football clubs by unlicensed gambling operators. Currently, several gambling firms that are blocked from operating in the UK have sponsorship deals with Premier League teams, including Stake, which sponsors Everton FC. “This consultation, alongside the ongoing work of our Illegal Gambling Taskforce, shows just how seriously this government is taking this issue. We will not hesitate to take action whenever we see people being put at risk,” Twycross said. As Isaacs noted, Spence was not a person at risk of harm in this case, but the ruling also clears Solomon of wrongdoing and could encourage other people to continue operating as illegal bookmakers. “If authorities can’t take any action over a case that operates as openly as this one, it highlights just how difficult a challenge they are facing,” professional gambler Neil Channing said in comments to the Racing Post. 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) -   As regulation continues to shape how gaming companies expand and operate, SBC Summit Americas will launch a dedicated North American Regulation and Compliance track to help industry stakeholders navigate the latest regional developments.   Held on Thursday, June 11, this specialized program will gather leading operators, regulators, and compliance experts to examine the regulatory pressures and compliance challenges currently facing the North American gaming industry. Upcoming sessions will cover the growth of unregulated gaming formats, the balance between technological innovation and regulatory responsibility, and how operators are adjusting to newly implemented state regulations.  “For too long, the industry has approached regulation and compliance from the wrong perspective,” said Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC. “It should not be viewed as an afterthought or a restrictive barrier, but rather the top priority for any meaningful growth, whether that growth comes from market expansion or product integration. These sessions will show stakeholders how they can actually leverage regulation and compliance to their advantage.” The panel ‘Regulators Rising: How Oversight Is Shaping North American Gaming’ will examine how operators make critical decisions in an increasingly regulated industry environment. Speakers Will Griffiths (CEO, Level Media), Lee Terfloth (Chief Interactive Officer, Gaming, Delaware North), and Dawn H Himel (Director, Louisiana Department of Justice) will share insights on how businesses are adapting to changing state regulations and iGaming frameworks, and what the rise of formats like prediction markets means for product strategy and risk management. The discussion will also explore how compliance teams balance commercial goals with regulatory demands, and what it takes to stay competitive as regulatory scrutiny intensifies. The session ‘Innovation vs Regulation:Finding CommonGround in Prediction Markets and Emerging Formats’ will help operators strike a balance between regulatory responsibility and player engagement. Experts Martin Lycka (Vice President Institutional Affairs, Oddin.gg), Matt Kane (Head of Legal, Betr), Joe Brennan (Co-Founder, Prime Sports), and Evan Davis (Managing Director, Head of Gaming Investment Banking, Jefferies LLC) will analyze the legal and ethical uncertainty surrounding emerging gaming formats, and outline how operators can develop engaging products while meeting evolving regulatory expectations. Focused on enforcement trends across the United States, the panel ‘Crackdown on Unregulated Gaming: Where States Draw the Line’ will center on how regulators and state authorities are responding to the growing presence of offshore betting sites and sweepstakes casinos. Legal specialists Jon Ford (Former Senator, Indiana State), Carl Herold (Director of Law Enforcement, Florida Gaming Control Commission), and George Rover (Managing Partner, Princeton Global Strategies)   will discuss how states are defining illegal gaming, coordinating enforcement strategies, and what these developments mean for licensed operators working to maintain compliance. Beyond this dedicated track, compliance and regulation remain a core theme across the full conference agenda, shaping discussions around payments, emerging technologies, and new verticals such as prediction markets. From evolving crypto regulatory frameworks and payment innovation to the legal boundaries of event-based wagering, regulatory considerations are influencing how operators invest, build, and scale their operations. By bringing all these conversations together under one roof, SBC Summit Americas offers stakeholders a comprehensive overview of how regulation is redefining the North American gaming landscape and what it takes to stay ahead in an increasingly complex market. SBC Summit Americas will gather 10,000 industry stakeholders at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale from June 9-11. Get Your Ticket to SBC Summit Americas: VIP Pass – Our VIP Passes are available for just $700. Pass holders get access to the full conference agenda, show floor, complimentary food at our Food Festival and all our evening networking events! Expo+ Pass: Includes access to the expo floor and all conference sessions (does not include access to evening networking events). Get Your Expo+ Pass at $95. Operator & Affiliate Passes: Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary passes for SBC Summit Americas, subject to approval. Apply for Your Complimentary Operator Pass | Apply for Your Complimentary Affiliate Pass. 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) -   New York is looking to draft rules that would mandate biometric verification for sports betting accounts, place limits on how gambling operators utilize artificial intelligence, and require sportsbooks to step in when customer behavior indicates potential gambling harm. Gov. Kathy Hochul first proposed stricter gambling safeguards during her January 13 State of the State address, then unveiled specific draft proposals on Monday as the New York State Gaming Commission published them for public feedback. The aim of these proposed rules is to keep minors off betting apps and bolster responsible gaming protections for adult users. In the press release announcing the proposed safeguards, Hochul stated: “Mobile sports wagering is ubiquitous, luring everyone — including our young people — to place bets without fully weighing the consequences. We need robust regulatory safeguards to stop those under 21 from gambling, prevent artificial intelligence from targeting vulnerable gamblers, and mandate that sports wagering operators take concrete action if any of their customers exhibit signs of gambling harm.” She also noted that “only legal, fully regulated gaming offers these types of protections.” The Gaming Commission will accept input on the draft language until May 15, gathering feedback from all stakeholders impacted by the proposed rules, including operators, problem gambling specialists, schools, parent advocacy groups, and religious organizations. New York Considers Biometric Checks to Prevent Underage Betting One of the most ambitious and potentially divisive proposals would mandate that sports bettors provide their biometric data when creating an account with a sportsbook, then complete a second verification check before placing a bet. Existing sportsbook account holders will be granted a two-month period to submit their biometric data, and those who fail to comply will have their accounts shut down. New York regulators are also looking to implement device registration controls to block underage users from downloading betting apps. The state will also require licensed operators to use geolocation tools to prevent users from accessing apps on devices not linked to their account, or from locations that are too distant for the user to reasonably be present at both spots around the same time. Under the proposed rules, any adult who allows a minor to gamble could face a statewide ban on all legal gambling activities, including the lottery, attending casino concerts, dining at casino restaurants, and horse racing. Draft Rules Mandate Intervention for At-Risk Gamblers The proposed rules will also require operators to do their part to advance responsible gaming practices. One key requirement is halting the use of AI-powered tools to deliver personalized promotions or recommend wager sizes to customers. Mobile sports wagering app operators will be mandated to appoint a dedicated responsible gaming lead and conduct monitoring for signs of potentially risky player behavior. The proposed rules align with the concept of embedding responsible gaming tools directly into the user experience. In an interview with CasinoBeats, Wondr Nation CEO Anika Howard noted that the industry should build responsible gaming practices into product development, including “engaging players from their first interaction.”“Are there onboarding processes that can be used to educate new players? Could we embed step-by-step play guides, odds explanations, budget tracking tools, and account setup resources so these are not just optional add-ons to the user journey?” The New York proposal lays out exactly these requirements for in-state operators. Under the draft rules, several behaviors will trigger operator intervention: deposits exceeding $10,000 within a 24-hour window, total account activity surpassing $1 million over 90 days, or a 50% jump in daily logged-in time when compared to prior weeks. The draft rules outline a three-phase intervention process for operators once they flag an at-risk customer using the established trigger list. These steps start with sending responsible gaming resources to the customer, progress to requiring the player to watch an educational video before placing another bet, and include suspending the account until the user has a direct conversation with the dedicated responsible gaming lead. In the most severe cases, operators will be required to permanently close the customer’s account. The push to enact these protections comes as New York’s three downstate casino licensees — Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World New York City — are forecast to generate annual gaming revenues of up to $5.6 billion once they are fully up and running. 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) -   Sportsbook provider Kambi has made headway in the French market through a new collaboration with local operator Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU). In particular, Kambi will cater to French racing enthusiasts by utilizing PMU’s well-established user base and standing as one of the longest-running horse racing betting operators to power PMU’s fixed-odds online sportsbook. Although Kambi has been working with FDJ United since November 2025 to provide its Odds Feed+ product while FDJ United shifts to its own in-house end-to-end system, the company had not previously operated in France—meaning this partnership with PMU marks its debut in the market. “PMU is a powerhouse brand in European sports betting and the ideal partner for Kambi’s entry into France,” said Werner Becher, Kambi Group Chief Executive Officer. “Our Turnkey Sportsbook is purpose-built to help operators win in competitive and regulated markets, and we’re proud to bring our full breadth of technology and trading to the iconic PMU brand as we look to set a new benchmark for sports betting in France.” PMU aims to bolster its standing in France by rolling out Kambi’s Turnkey Sportsbook solution, which adds integrated AI-driven pricing, trading, and risk management features. These are complemented by Kambi’s exclusive high-tech platform and user experience (UX) equipped with cutting-edge innovations. Designed specifically for PMU’s users, Kambi will develop a custom front-end interface that effectively showcases the operator’s brand identity, helping PMU stand out from local competitors and maximize its customer retention potential. Olivier Pribile, PMU Chief Marketing, Product and e-Commerce Officer, added: “The partnership with Kambi is an important strategic step in PMU’s evolution as one of the leading sports betting operators in France. “Kambi’s turnkey sports betting solution will enable us to offer a betting experience that meets the highest market standards to our online customers. This is the first step in a major transformation of our multi-game offering that will take place soon and will allow PMU® to reposition itself as a leader in online gaming.” This collaboration is the most recent announcement from Kambi, indicating that the company is seeking to resume growth following a period of stagnation in 2025, as reflected in its latest financial reports. Having experienced an 8.2% year-over-year revenue decrease—falling from €176.4 million (£151.1 million) to €162 million—and a drop in full-year profit from €18.8 million to €8.1 million, these partnerships are set to be crucial for Kambi’s recovery efforts in 2026. 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.