25 February 2026
A mayor from the Texan town of Hitchcock is facing calls to resign after he was arrested as part of a sweeping illegal gambling investigation executed by Galveston County officials. Authorities claim that Mayor Chris Armacost participated in running eight-liner gambling machines at a property within the town.
The chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Michael Selig, is being pressed by Senate Democrats on prediction markets. Senators Adam B. Schiff, Catherine Cortez Masto, Richard Blumenthal, Cory A. Booker, Tim Kaine, and Jacky Rosen all signed the letter, which expresses concern over the direction of the market.
Philippine lawmakers revive debate over banning online gambling, citing AML risks following the Anti-POGO Act of 2025.
Brazil’s Chamber approved a bill creating a federal sports university funded partly by regulated betting and fantasy sports revenues.
EveryMatrix secured a Western Cape manufacturer’s licence, enabling direct B2B platform supply to South African operators.
Maine lawmakers advanced LD 2007 to ban dual-currency sweepstakes casinos, moving to classify online sweepstakes games as unlawful gambling.
Voters in Nebraska could have their say on the legalization of sports betting after the Secretary of State’s office approved two petitions, one of which will give residents the opportunity to vote on the issue. If supporters gather the required number of signatures, the Nebraska sports wagering amendment will appear on the November ballot in this year’s general election.
REEVO secured Malta Gaming Authority approval for its B2B business, strengthening its regulated market positioning and easing onboarding with larger operators.
ACMA has ordered ISPs to block eight more offshore gambling websites, pushing Australia’s illegal gambling blacklist beyond 1,500 domains.
The prospect of a sports betting bill passing through the legislative branches in South Carolina this year looks vanishingly small, with significant opposition still in place. However, the advent of prediction markets, which are legal under federal law in all 50 states, is reshaping the conversation around legalized betting and what it may look like.
