iGaming Daily

In today's episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, SBC's Managing Editor, Jessica Welman and Senior Journalist, Tom Nightingale, unpack the seismic opinion from California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office that has turned the entire Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) industry on its head.

This isn't just a regulatory update; it's a deep dive into the skill vs chance debate that defines the core of fantasy sports betting and its complex legal standing in California.

Both Jessica and Tom unwind the origins of this long-bubbling issue, from Senator Scott Wilk's 2023 request for a legal opinion to the Attorney General's office. The duo delve into the details of the AG's opinion, authoured by Deputy Attorney General, Karim J. Kentfield, which states that no version of DFS complies with state law, broadly interpreting "result of a sporting event" and viewing pick'em fantasy as parlays.

Learn about the immediate and varied reactions to the non-binding advisory opinion, including Governor Gavin Newsom's swift disagreement which offers a "glimmer of hope" for operators. The episode highlights how major players like FanDuel and DraftKings are navigating this uncertainty, with DraftKings notably respectfully disagreeing and affirming its intent to continue offering peer-to-peer fantasy contests, including salary cap, Pick Six, and best ball formats, which it believes are legal games of skill.

To find out more about the topic discussed in today's episode, click on the following link:

- https://sbcamericas.com/2025/07/03/dfs-opinion-california-breakdown/

Host: Jessica Welman
Guest: Tom Nightingale
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

Join Ivana Flynn and special guest Vadim Aidlin, CEO of Mamuta Media, as they unpack the rapidly shifting landscape of SEO and PPC in the current iGaming world.

The two start where AI is rewriting the rules almost daily. While SEO is far from dead, it's evolving at lightning speed - with user experience at the core. Meanwhile, PPC is entering an “AI-only” era, where human involvement is nearly obsolete. 

But what happens when traditional PPC becomes impossible - especially in highly regulated or black/grey markets? 

The episode also navigates the unpredictable marketing landscape of iGaming. Whether you're a digital marketer, casino operator, or SEO specialist, Ivana and Vadim discuss insights into what’s next - and how to prepare for it.

Host: Ivana Flynn
Guest: Vadim Aidlin
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

This week on iGaming Daily, hosts Ted Orme-Claye and Ted Menmuir explore a game-changing merger and acquisition that’s making waves across the gaming industry. 

Greek multinational tech firm Intralot has acquired Bally’s Interactive International, the iCasino division of Bally’s Corporation. The hosts break down the strategic significance of this move, which marks a major shift for Introlot as it expands from its traditional B2B lottery systems into the competitive B2C iGaming and iCasino space. 

The episode takes a deep dive into Introlot’s ambitious plans for growth, particularly in the US market. With this acquisition, Introlot is positioning itself to deliver cutting-edge iGaming and iCasino solutions to US state lotteries, enhancing their digital competitiveness amid increasing pressure from new operators. 

The conversation also covers how Gamesys content aligns more naturally with Introlot’s digital-first approach compared to Bally’s legacy focus on brick-and-mortar operations. This strategic alignment could signal a turning point in how legacy casino companies and tech-driven firms approach digital gaming innovation.

Finally, Ted and Ted discuss Bally’s motivations for the divestiture, citing mounting debt and recent financial losses as driving forces behind the move. They also look ahead to the future of gaming industry M&A, predicting sustained momentum into 2025 fueled by market saturation, regulatory shifts, and the ongoing digital transformation of the sector. 

Host: Ted Orme-Claye
Guest: Ted Menmuir
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

On Wednesday's episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, host Fernando Noodt sits down with the SBC Noticias Brasil team to dissect the Lula administration’s controversial plan to sharply increase taxes on the newly regulated iGaming sector. 

Despite being legalised only months ago, Brazil’s digital betting market now faces significant pressure under the government’s “BBB” campaign —targeting Billionaires, Banks, and Betting Companies—as part of a broader push for “tax justice.” Critics warn that this strategy could “break the toy,” jeopardising a booming industry that generated over 3 billion reais in revenue in just the first five months of 2025.

The episode also explores mounting opposition in Congress, warnings from industry leaders, and the growing fear that overly aggressive taxation—potentially exceeding 60%—could drive operators underground. The conversation broadens to include viable alternatives for government revenue, such as the long-debated legalisation of land-based casinos, bingo halls, and horse racing venues, which could inject up to 20 billion reais annually into the economy.

With key updates on the development of SINAPO (Brazil’s National Betting System) and new data from the regulated market, this episode offers essential context for understanding the political and economic forces shaping Brazil’s iGaming future.

Host: Fernando Noodt
Guests: Ricardo Assis & Ana Maria Menezes
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

In this episode of iGaming Daily, SBC's Editor-at-Large, Ted Menmuir and iGaming Expert's Business Journalist, Christian Lee, recap key insights from the recent Gaming in Spain conference in Madrid. A highlight was the DGOJ’s much-anticipated regulatory update, covering proposed changes to deposit limits, advertising rules, and a new mandatory risky behaviour algorithm for identifying problem gamblers.

The DGOJ is pushing for a cross-platform approach to deposit limits and revisiting previously repealed advertising restrictions, though progress is slow — partly due to a shift in oversight from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Frustration among operators is mounting, with delays and limited communication creating uncertainty.

Despite regulatory hurdles, Spain’s online gambling market—currently just 24% of total gambling—is seen as a major growth area, especially for diversified sports betting. The conference also emphasised the need to balance consumer protection with player experience to avoid pushing users to unregulated markets.

Host: Ted Menmuir
Guest: Christian Lee
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

In this episode of iGaming Daily, host Jessica Welman rides solo today as she dives into the evolving landscape of California's gaming legislation. With a spotlight on a newly proposed sweepstakes bill and the long-awaited Attorney General's opinion on fantasy sports, this episode unpacks what these developments could mean for the future of legal gaming in the Golden State. From potential regulation changes to industry disruption, Jessica provides expert analysis on the critical issues shaping California’s gaming market.

Listeners will gain insight into how this legislation could affect key stakeholders, including operators, policymakers, and everyday consumers. The discussion explores the fine line between games of skill and games of chance, a crucial factor in the legal status of fantasy sports in California. With mounting pressure from both sides of the debate, this episode presents a comprehensive look at how legal clarity could reshape the competitive landscape.

Host: Jessica Welman
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

In this episode of iGaming Daily, host Joe Streeter is joined by Chris Elliott, Commercial and Regulatory Lawyer at Wiggins, to dive into the dynamic intersection of the UK gambling market and the rapidly evolving crypto sector.

As digital currencies continue to gain traction, the pair examines how recent financial decisions—such as Barclaycard’s move to block credit card purchases of cryptocurrencies—are shaping the future of crypto use within regulated gambling environments.

The episode provides a deep analysis of regulatory implications, including how existing frameworks might adapt to accommodate crypto betting while managing inherent risks. Streeter and Elliott discuss the growing influence of public figures and social media influencers in promoting crypto-related gambling, as well as the potential for frameworks like the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation to provide much-needed clarity and consumer protection.

Listeners will gain insights into the challenges facing the industry, including the volatility of digital assets, compliance concerns, and the tension between innovation and regulation.

Host: Joe Streeter
Guest: Chris Elliott
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

IMGL is a not for profit association comprising over 300 members globally. Its members are recognised as the leading experts in their jurisdictions and are involved in most material gambling sector developments and issues worldwide.

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

On today's episode of iGaming Daily, sponsored by Optimove, James Ross is back in the host's chair to discuss a couple of controversial topics, one from the UK and one from Colombia.

Firstly in the UK, where an undercover BBC reporter reportedly accessed adult gaming centres (AGCs) in South England while on a self-exclusion list, raising concerns about player safety. The guys discuss the response from John Bollum, BACTA President who called for "unity within the sector" to quickly address any mistakes and emphasised the industry's commitment to "the highest standards in the UK".

James and Vik also cover common criticisms levelled at AGCs, such as their location in poverty-stricken areas and late operating hours, and explore the significant pushback from 39 local governments, who co-signed a letter to the DCMS Secretary calling for increased controls, particularly regarding planning applications.

In the second part of the pod, the guys delve into the sensational controversy surrounding the state-run Medellin lottery, where a £3 million jackpot winner was revealed to be Louisa Jamo, the wife of the lottery's deputy boss. They clue you in on the fallout, including the investigation into the scandal by Coljuegos, and even Colombian President Gustavo Petro sharing the story on social media, highlighting the critical nature and integrity concerns surrounding the situation.

Host: James Ross
Guests: Viktor Kayed
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

It's all about Latin America and Brazil in today's episode of iGaming Daily, as the Noticias and Noticias Brasil team, dive headfirst into Brazil’s evolving enforcement landscape. While new regulations signal progress, serious challenges remain — from tackling illegal platforms to the staggering fact that nearly 50% of the market is still dominated by unlicensed operators.

But there’s also a bright spot: Google is now allowing sports betting and online gaming apps in Brazil’s Play Store — a major step forward. Backed by both government and industry advocates, this change requires proof of licensing and is designed to steer users toward legitimate platforms, improve safety, and strengthen Brazil’s legal iGaming ecosystem.

We’ll also zoom out to the broader Latam region. In the Dominican Republic, lawmakers are pushing for a new bill aimed at improving transparency and tax collection in gaming. Meanwhile in Chile, a lack of clear iGaming regulation has opened the door to over 3,800 unregulated platforms, leaving state-run Polla Chilena struggling to compete.

From enforcement gaps to major policy shifts, this episode unpacks the complex regulatory landscape shaping the future of iGaming in Latin America.

Host: Fernando Noodt
Guests: Ricardo Assis, Lucia Gando, Elisa Marcante & Damian Martinez
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

On this episode of iGaming Daily, the iGaming Expert team, Editor Joe Streeter and Business Journalist, Christian Lee, takes a closer look at three key markets making headlines in the global gambling industry.

First up is Kenya, where a recent tax reduction on gambling activity is expected to drive greater player engagement and deliver new growth opportunities for operators in the region.

Attention then shifts to Thailand, as political uncertainty continues to cast doubt over plans to legalise land-based casinos and integrated resorts. The hosts discuss what these delays could mean for potential market entry and the broader Southeast Asian gambling landscape.

Rounding off the episode, the conversation moves to Azerbaijan, where ambitious proposals to develop casinos on artificial islands are starting to take shape. Could this bold strategy position the country as a new gaming destination? All this and more on today’s edition of iGaming Daily.

To read more on the topics discussed in today's episode, click on the following links:

https://igamingexpert.com/news/regulation/kenya-slashes-betting-excise-duty/
https://igamingexpert.com/regions/asia/casino-waiting-game-in-thailand-continues/
https://igamingexpert.com/regions/europe/azerbaijan-reintroduce-casinos/

Host: James Ross
Guests: Joe Streeter & Christian Lee
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. 

Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.