27 December 2025
Accusations of threats, lobbying pressure and multimillion-dollar stakes have turned Pennsylvania’s debate over skill-game regulation into one of the Capitol’s most contentious fights this session. Efforts to find a bipartisan compromise in the oversight and taxation of the issue fell apart in the most recent round of legislation in the Senate this week, in a blow to Governor Josh Shapiro’s agenda.
A long-awaited merger between Evolution and Galaxy Gaming continues to slow-roll shareholders after the companies agreed to extend the deadline to close the deal.
Kalshi will operate under Nevada gaming rules, a state judge has decreed, in what is seen as a big blow to the prediction market platform. The ruling reversed a previous injunction that allowed Kalshi’s exchange to offer contracts on major sporting events while its lawyers fought a cease and desist order by the state.
SkillOnNet’s new Endorphina partnership expands its global content portfolio, bringing fresh slot titles to over 30 brands and boosting reach across regulated markets.
Illegal online gambling now dominates Europe’s digital betting landscape, with unlicensed operators capturing 71 percent of the market and diverting an estimated €20 billion in annual tax revenue. Regulators warn the surge poses economic and consumer-protection risks, calling for coordinated EU-wide action to combat criminal gambling activity.
Several major gambling regions have posted results far above their projected ranges in recent months. Italy continued rising despite softer sports betting. Brazil accelerated before regulation settled. Argentina stayed stable through economic pressure. Key US states hit new iCasino highs. Data from operators and regulators shows users playing in ways the early models did not anticipate.
Studios are still getting games out, but the work behind each launch has become far more tangled. Plans slip for reasons that didn’t matter a few years ago, and operator discussions often reshape schedules in ways that teams can’t anticipate. Compliance also reaches into more corners of production than before. The market itself is healthy, just uneven in how it rewards the effort
Spain is leading Europe’s illegal gambling crackdown, blocking operators, issuing multimillion-euro fines and coordinating cross-border action with regulators.
Visa, Mastercard, and leading PSPs are quietly tightening their stance on gambling, driven by higher risk scores, tougher AML expectations, and shrinking tolerance from correspondent banks. While cards retreat, digital wallets are expanding rapidly. This piece explores the underlying factors shaping the shift and what operators should do to stay ahead.
Germany is accelerating changes to its Interstate Treaty on Gambling, citing weak enforcement, stalled licensing and rapid offshore growth. State officials want earlier reform to address consumer risks and market imbalance, signaling a rare political consensus that the current framework no longer reflects how players gamble or how operators compete.
