Author: OnlineGamblingDaily

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has warned that fast-growing prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi pose investor protection and market integrity risks, highlighting a regulatory divide with the United States. In its latest twice-yearly risk report, ESMA said prediction markets raised “a range of investor protection and market integrity concerns” and required “continued monitoring.” “To retail investors, prediction platforms offer speculative gambling environments without the investment protection measures typically associated with regulated financial products when accessed through platforms that are not authorised in the EU,” ESMA said. The watchdog added that “their gamified structure, emotional dynamics and social…

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) board voted unanimously to authorize spending up to $1.45 million to market Southern Nevada to Australian travelers, coinciding with the start of nonstop air service between Las Vegas and Sydney on Qantas Airlines at the end of the year. Board members approved a contract with GTI Tourism PTY, based in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, for $475,000 in fiscal year 2027. The agreement includes the option to spend an additional $475,000 in fiscal year 2028 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2029. Sporting events anchor marketing strategy As reported by the Las Vegas…

NOVOMATIC Americas previewed its DE LA ISLA JACKPOT wide-area progressive and introduced several gaming products and system offerings for the Puerto Rican market at GAT Expo Puerto Rico 2026, held Thursday at The Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan. The DE LA ISLA JACKPOT, developed specifically for Puerto Rico, is scheduled to be introduced across the island and will connect participating casinos through a shared progressive jackpot. At the GAT Expo presentation, the product featured an Epic Jackpot of $30,000, a Grand prize of $10,000, and a Major prize of $1,500. The company also presented Magic Games ROCKET RUSH in…

Big moves are shaking up Sin City from Fremont Street to the south end of the Strip. We have huge Vegas updates, including another new resort that’s being planned (and this one could actually happen). Plus some major changes to the Grand Bazaar Shops outside of the Horseshoe, but we begin in downtown, and more specifically the Downtown Grand, a property that has been in receivership since defaulting on its loans. Now, Vegas Ventures has agreed to purchase the resort, even putting down a $2.7 million deposit. They are not a gambling company, so expect Bit Street Gaming to continue…

The rumors are swirling! Will the new Las Vegas baseball stadium actually be completed? Are the owners in financial trouble? And was Tropicana imploded for nothing? That’s what we’re about to find out This Week in Gambling! Sin City visitors have a new attraction at the southeast corner of Tropicana and the strip. It’s called the Vegas shit show… but you probably know it as the new stadium. There are rumors floating around that Bally’s is in financial trouble, that they might have to sell their interest in the project, and that the stadium might not be completed at all.…

Sphere Las Vegas turns three in September, and they’ve already established themselves as a major concert venue. The Eagles just extended their residency again, this time into early next year, and there are more big name artists lined up between now and Christmas. But no name is bigger than Metallica. Their life burns faster residency kicks off October 1st and runs through the middle of March 2027, featuring the fan favorite no repeat weekend format with shows having two completely different set lists. Their concerts will feature immersive graphics and spatial audio that keeps heavy metal crisp and powerful. But…

Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton said she is open to expanding online casinos if elected, while calling for strong regulation, protections for young people and restrictions on predatory advertising. Acton said online gambling could provide revenue to help fund proposals aimed at lowering the cost of living and supporting public services. Her comments came in an interview with Statehouse News Bureau. “Certainly, I see it as a source of revenue that can help fund the proposals that we need to help bring down the cost of living in this state and provide for the services we need to fund,”…

More than 600 people gathered at Benkhausen Castle to honour Paul Gauselmann, the founder of the Merkur Group, following his passing on August 21 at the age of 91. The gathering brought together Gauselmann’s family, friends, and business associates, alongside political and industry representatives, members of clubs and associations, and Merkur Group employees. The ceremony was also livestreamed so the group’s wider workforce could take part. Gauselmann founded the Merkur Group as a one-person business and spent 67 years leading its development into an international company employing more than 15,000 people. Speakers at the memorial reflected on his career, community…

PENN Entertainment will break ground on its future Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs in Iowa on 14 September, with the new land-based casino expected to open in 2028. The US gaming company said the $180 million to $200 million project will replace its adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino, subject to customary regulatory approvals. The groundbreaking ceremony is set at 10 a.m. CT.  The new casino will feature approximately 1,000 slot machines and 25 live table games. It will also include two dining outlets: the first Shake Shack in the Omaha metropolitan area and Red Lotus, a fast-casual restaurant serving…

 September 11, 2026 Shares of Bally’s stock plunged more than 26% following disclosures in the company second quarter financial filings that raised substantial doubt about its ability to maintain debt covenants over the coming year. The market selloff dropped equity prices down to $10.31, extending year to date declines to 38% as investors focused on corporate leverage over positive revenue growth. In documentation submitted to federal securities regulators, Bally Corp management acknowledged that current forecasts indicate the operator may fail to satisfy liquidity maintenance requirements and consolidated net leverage ratio covenants linked to its revolving credit facility. The company ended…

Atlantic City could lose more than 8,100 casino jobs and nearly $1.3 billion in annual revenue over the next decade due to rising regional competition, according to a recent economic report released by the Atlantic County Economic Alliance. The study outlines significant challenges for Atlantic City, projecting that potential job losses could account for more than one third of current casino employment in the municipality. Revenue declines might top 44% if multiple competitive threats emerge simultaneously. Under a baseline scenario that excludes proposed expansion in North Jersey, the coastal hub still faces potential reductions of 5,100 jobs and nearly $815…

Caesars Entertainment has scheduled a special shareholder meeting for September 22 to vote on the Caesars takeover proposal submitted by Fertitta Gaming Holdco. The upcoming vote marks a pivotal moment for the casino operator, as approval of the deal would result in taking the major gaming company private. The agreement approved by the board of directors outlines a structure where a subsidiary of Fertitta Gaming Holdco merges with Caesars Entertainment. Under the terms of the transaction, Fertitta offers $31 per share in cash, evaluating the company at a total valuation of $17.6 billion. This sum includes $5.7 billion in equity…

Connecticut has ordered nine prediction market platforms to stop offering sports event contracts to residents as the state broadens its enforcement against what it considers illegal, unlicensed sports betting. The Department of Consumer Protection issued cease-and-desist orders to Polymarket, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Robinhood, ProphetX, Novig, Webull, Gemini, and Underdog Predict. The companies were directed to immediately stop advertising, promoting, or making available sports event contracts in the state and to allow Connecticut customers to withdraw funds held on their platforms. Failure to comply could lead to civil penalties under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act or criminal penalties under state gaming laws,…

Half of the Premier League’s 20 clubs now have sponsorship or advertising relationships with gambling companies that are not licensed in the UK, leaving a significant source of club revenue exposed to a proposed government ban expected next year. The number of top-flight clubs with commercial links to unlicensed operators has increased from six to 10 over the summer. The rise comes as the Premier League begins its voluntary ban this season on gambling companies appearing as front-of-shirt sponsors. An eight-week government consultation on proposals to prohibit sponsorship by gambling companies without UK licenses closed this week. The issue has…

Real App has named FanDuel as its first Official and Exclusive Sportsbook and Prediction Market Partner. Real App is a social sports app built around live play-by-play, real-time statistics, and fan conversation. The partnership will bring FanDuel odds and contextual markets directly into Real’s live sports experience, giving members “another way to understand, discuss, and engage with the games they follow together on the platform.” The partnership will also position Real as a destination for FanDuel to connect with sports fans, according to a joint statement. FanDuel odds and related features will be optional, and members will be able to disable…

Michigan gaming regulators said Robinhood has agreed to stop allowing customers in the state to enter new sports-related event contract positions and to close remaining customer positions by October 9, as legal challenges involving prediction market operators continue in state and federal courts. “The Michigan Gaming Control Board welcomes Robinhood’s agreement to stop offering new sports-related event contracts to Michigan customers … and to close out remaining customer positions by October 9,” Lisa Keith, MGCB spokeswoman, told CDC Gaming on Wednesday. “This is a positive step for Michigan customers and for the integrity of our state’s regulated gaming market.” Under…