iGamingB2B – iGaming and Gambling News

🎰🇺🇸 Land based casinos 70% revenue hybrid iGaming future Land‑based casinos hold 70% global revenue, Nevada hits USD 15.8b record despite 7.5% fewer visitors via higher spend, evolving into hybrid experience hubs that complement online igaming with irreplaceable immersion and loyalty. 💠 LAND-BASED ▶️ Land-based casinos continue to hold a significant position in the global gambling industry, maintaining roughly 70% of total casino revenue despite the rapid growth of online platforms. In 2025, Nevada reached USD 15.8 billion in gaming revenue, marking a fifth consecutive year of growth. Although visitor numbers declined by 7.5%, higher spend per customer sustained overall revenue. Physical casinos are evolving beyond traditional gaming floors into full entertainment destinations. Recent expansions prioritize dining, live shows, and lifestyle amenities, while regional casinos increasingly add event spaces and multipurpose halls to diversify revenue and emphasize experiences over wagering. This transformation reflects a broader trend where digital and physical channels complement each other rather than compete. Operators are building integrated ecosystems that create a seamless flow between online engagement and in‑person visits. Customers now interact with casinos in hybrid ways, using online platforms to enhance their onsite experience. Unified loyalty programs connecting digital and physical touchpoints are becoming essential for long-term relationships. Technology enables cashless payments, personalized rewards, and real-time responsiveness, allowing casinos to deliver smarter, more engaging venues. For marketers and executives in the iGaming sector, the continued relevance of physical casino assets is a strategic advantage. Brick‑and‑mortar locations provide brand value rooted in atmosphere and social interaction that digital channels cannot fully replicate. Positioning these venues as experiential hubs strengthens loyalty and deepens customer connections. Close integration with online platforms ensures a cohesive customer journey across all channels. In a mature industry, the most effective strategy is coexistence rather than rivalry between digital and physical formats, recognizing that each offers distinct strengths that, when combined, create a richer overall experience. 💠 Full: https://igamingb2b.net/land-based-casinos-revenue/ #LandBasedCasinos #iGaming #HybridGaming #CasinoRevenue #PlayerExperience #NevadaGaming #Retention 🖥 iGaming and Gambling News 💬 iGaming B2B Community Hub

⚖️🇺🇸 Kalshi and Polymarket under fire how US moves against sports prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket have rushed to ban insider style trading and restrict athletes, candidates and others with non public information just as a bipartisan US bill moves to outlaw sports based prediction contracts, putting core parts of their business at risk and giving igaming and betting brands a clear warning about how lawmakers are likely to treat any hybrid between event trading and sports wagering. 💠 PREDICTION MARKETS ▶️ Prediction markets were initially regarded as a sophisticated alternative to traditional sports betting, allowing participants to trade contracts linked to various events rather than placing straightforward wagers. However, this sector is now facing significant regulatory challenges in the United States. On the same day, two senators from opposing parties introduced legislation aimed at prohibiting sports‑related contracts on prediction platforms. In response, companies like Kalshi and Polymarket quickly implemented measures to restrict insider trading. Kalshi introduced rules preventing political candidates from trading on their own races and barred athletes and team personnel from trading on events they can influence. Polymarket adopted an even stricter stance, forbidding users from trading when they possess confidential information or have the ability to affect outcomes. These policy changes did not emerge in isolation. Polymarket previously drew criticism after traders appeared to profit from contracts tied to military developments in Iran and Venezuela, placing large bets before public announcements by then‑President Donald Trump. For legislators, this incident serves as a concrete example of how prediction platforms might enable the monetization of non‑public information related to war, policy, or markets. The proposed bill from Senators Adam Schiff and John Curtis specifically targets the sports segment, which represents a major revenue driver. If sports‑related contracts are banned, a substantial portion of Kalshi’s model and much of Polymarket’s recent growth would be directly affected, even if markets tied to weather or politics remain. At the same time, several states have already enacted outright bans, dismissing these platforms as sports betting disguised with technological features. Kalshi has attempted to challenge these restrictions in states like Nevada and Utah but with limited success. Federally, however, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under Chairman Michael Selig supports Kalshi and Polymarket, arguing that federal derivatives law should supersede conflicting state rules. This creates an unusual dynamic: state regulators and members of Congress seek to restrict prediction markets, while federal authorities advocate for recognizing them as legitimate derivatives exchanges for event contracts. For igaming marketing and senior leadership teams, the implications are clear. Any product that blends sports, speculation, and real money is likely to be perceived primarily as gambling, regardless of interface or contract structure. If prediction platforms are forced to remove sports markets and adopt stricter insider‑trading controls, similar regulatory logic could eventually apply to hybrid products within your portfolio. It is advisable to strengthen internal policies for insiders and connected individuals, and maintain transparent communication with regulators and partners about whether your offerings should be classified as betting products, trading venues, or hybrid formats. These distinctions will soon face closer scrutiny. Being prepared for such inquiries helps mitigate regulatory risk and ensures alignment with evolving legal interpretations. 💠 Full: https://igamingb2b.net/lalshi-and-polymarket-under-fire/ #PredictionMarkets #Kalshi #Polymarket #SportsBetting #USRegulation #InsiderTrading #iGaming 🖥 iGaming and Gambling News 💬 iGaming B2B Community Hub

⚖️🇦🇺 Betting ads in Australia how a mature market is rethinking gambling promotion Australia’s intense betting ad cycle has turned into a political and public battle over how much gambling promotion is acceptable, forcing operators, sports and media to balance a mature, legal industry with growing pressure to cut exposure, especially around live sport and families, and giving igaming brands a clear warning to rethink how they advertise before similar debates arrive in other regulated markets. 💠 LEGAL & COMPLIANCE ▶️ Betting and sport in Australia have long been closely linked, with wagering forming a background element in horse racing, rugby league, and Aussie Rules. Recently, the increased presence of betting ads across TV, radio, and digital platforms has shifted this from a background matter to a public and political concern. Frequent gambling promotions during live sports have prompted questions from parents, regulators, and broadcasters about appropriate limits. This discussion occurs within an existing regulatory framework, including the Interactive Gambling Act, which restricts certain online casino products, and tools like BetStop, which allow individuals to self-exclude from licensed operators. The focus is not on banning betting but on managing its visibility, particularly during family viewing times and for younger audiences. Parliamentary proposals suggest a gradual tightening of advertising restrictions, beginning with sports broadcasts and extending over several years. For igaming marketers and leadership, these changes alter risk assessments related to heavy TV campaigns and sponsorships. While sports organizations argue that abrupt bans could damage their business models, reform advocates stress the need to align with societal expectations. Consequently, brands must adapt by reducing ad frequency, ensuring responsible creative content, and emphasizing data-driven, first-party channels and content marketing rather than relying heavily on live game advertising. Australia’s experience may serve as an indicator for other mature betting markets where online wagering and advertising are also prominent. Preparing for stricter regulations through channel diversification, promoting responsible gambling messaging, and strengthening direct player relationships can position brands to navigate future regulatory developments both domestically and internationally. 💠 Full: https://igamingb2b.net/betting-ads-in-australia/ #Australia #BettingAds #iGaming #GamblingRegulation #SportsSponsorship #ResponsibleGambling #AdvertisingPolicy 🖥 iGaming and Gambling News 💬 iGaming B2B Community Hub

🖼️🎰 Google gambling ADS in 2026 updated rules, certifications and real limits for iGaming Running gambling ads on Google in 2026 means dealing with stricter definitions of gambling, a closed sweepstakes loophole, site and country specific certifications, more banned formats and tougher YouTube rules, so igaming operators now have to treat Google as a tightly regulated pillar in a broader channel mix, invest in compliance and plan months ahead instead of relying on quick launches and workarounds. 💠 LEAD & LEARN ▶️ In 2026, advertising gambling products on Google involves far more than producing compelling creative content and optimizing bidding strategies. The process begins with understanding an evolving framework of policies and licensing requirements. Throughout 2025, Google revised its gambling-related policies eighteen times, expanding definitions to include crypto casinos and skin betting, while removing exemptions such as the sweepstakes model. Any offering involving real money, valuable virtual currencies, or dual-currency prize systems falls under Google’s broad gambling classification, creating a strict and fast-changing compliance environment. The approval process has become slower and more fragmented. Certification must now be obtained per website and per country, meaning operators with multiple domains across markets may face numerous separate certifications. Several ad formats are restricted: Gmail and Shopping ads are prohibited, TV Masthead placements face tighter rules, and YouTube has stricter policies on links, mentions, and digital goods like skins and NFTs. A single mistake in licensing documentation or social casino compliance can result in a permanent ban. For iGaming marketers and leadership teams, this requires a reassessment of Google’s role in the marketing mix. Google remains valuable for intent-based acquisition in about 55 countries, but no longer supports a “launch first, fix later” approach. Campaign planning must begin with: Where is advertising legally allowed? Are certifications and age verification in place? Teams must understand offline restrictions, feasible ad formats, and how regional rules — such as U.S. age verification laws, affect channels and app compliance. Practically, Google should be viewed as one regulated pillar within a broader strategy. Marketers need strong internal compliance processes, a rigorous creative review, and an updated log of policy changes, with certifications planned well ahead of major campaigns. At the same time, it is wise to diversify media exposure through specialized gambling networks, social platforms, and affiliate programs — especially in regions where Google is restricted or narrowly defined. This measured approach allows companies to retain Google as a valuable acquisition channel without exposing their marketing strategy to unnecessary risk. A balanced setup prevents overreliance on a single platform and supports more resilient, compliant acquisition and retention in a tightly regulated environment. 💠 Full: https://igamingb2b.net/google-gambling-ads-in-2026-updated-rules/ #GoogleAds #GamblingAds #iGaming #Compliance #YouTube #AgeVerification #AdPolicies 🖥 iGaming and Gambling News 💬 iGaming B2B Community Hub

📈🎰 Entain FY2025 results online growth, 1.16bn EBITDA and BetMGM profit Entain’s FY2025 shows underlying EBITDA of around GBP 1.16bn above guidance, mid single digit online NGR growth with mid twenties margins, weaker retail but strong CEE performance and a USD 2.8bn net revenue year for BetMGM that turned EBITDA positive and started sending cash back to its parents, giving igaming marketers and partners a clear picture of what sustainable scaled growth now looks like across Europe and the US. 💠 FINANCE ▶️ Entain’s financial results for 2025 paint a clear picture of what a well‑established online gambling company looks like after years of development. The company’s underlying EBITDA reached approximately £1.16 billion, slightly exceeding expectations and increasing by about 8% when adjusted for currency fluctuations. Online NGR outside the US saw steady growth in the mid‑single digits, with profit margins in the mid‑20% range. Meanwhile, BetMGM, Entain’s joint venture with MGM in the US, generated around $2.8 billion in net revenue and achieved positive EBITDA for the year. This marks a transition from a period of heavy investment to a phase where it can distribute funds back to its parent companies. While growth wasn’t uniform across the board, it was generally positive. Central and Eastern Europe experienced the strongest increase, with NGR rising by about 7% on a constant currency basis, driven by impressive results in countries like Croatia and Georgia. Some other international markets remained relatively stable in reported numbers but still showed slight gains when adjusted for currency fluctuations. The retail side of the business experienced a decline, with NGR down by about 6%, although trading did improve in the fourth quarter. This trend underscores the increasing importance of online and hybrid experiences in the gambling industry, while physical locations primarily serve to build brand awareness and acquire new customers. The success of BetMGM has implications far beyond the US market. After significant investment in acquisition, product development, and licensing over several years, the joint venture generated around $220 million in EBITDA in 2025, a swing of over $400 million compared to the previous year. It also began distributing between $200 million and $270 million in excess cash to Entain and MGM. The majority of this revenue still comes from online casino games, but online sports betting is growing at an even faster rate and holds a substantial share of GGR in states where it’s legal. This all indicates that BetMGM is transforming into a profitable and data‑rich asset in the US, which strengthens its position in channel and content strategies. For those in B2B marketing and leadership roles in the online gambling sector, there are a few key takeaways. First, mid‑single‑digit online NGR growth coupled with increasing margins appears to be the new standard for large companies in regulated markets. Second, profit margins in the 25–26% range suggest that controlled promotions, engagement and refined risk management can be maintained alongside growth. Third, having exposure to the US market through a successful joint venture like BetMGM gives Entain strategic flexibility in terms of capital allocation and partnership decisions. If your plans assume that major operators will always prioritize short‑term revenue over profitability, Entain’s 2025 results provide a reason to reassess. 💠 Full: https://igamingb2b.net/entain-fy2025-results/ #Entain #BetMGM #EBITDA #OnlineNGR #SportsBetting #iGaming #USMarket 🖥 iGaming and Gambling News 💬 iGaming B2B Community Hub