iGaming Daily

Malta has been at the heart of the global iGaming industry for more than two decades but with new jurisdictions emerging and competition increasing, how does the island stay ahead?

On today’s episode of iGaming Daily, supported by Optimove, Charlie Horner is joined by Ivan Filletti, CEO of GamingMalta, to discuss the island’s strategy for maintaining its position as one of the world’s leading gaming destinations.

Ivan explains the thinking behind the Make It in Malta campaign, which brings together GamingMalta, the Malta Gaming Authority, Bank of Valletta, Malta Enterprise and Identità to offer companies a more unified route into the Maltese ecosystem.

The pair also discuss the value of the MGA licence, Malta’s relationship between policymakers and the industry, how government policy has adapted to support international talent, and why GamingMalta believes collaboration remains one of the island’s biggest advantages.

Looking ahead, Ivan also outlines GamingMalta’s Vision 2050 ambitions and how esports, video game development, AI and immersive technologies could play an increasingly important role in the country’s gaming ecosystem.

GamingMalta will be at SBC Summit Lisbon, where delegates can meet the team and wider Maltese delegation in Hall 2, Booth 251.

Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.

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. 

#iGaming #Malta #GamingMalta #SBCSummit #GamblingIndustry

Finland’s gambling market is set for a major transformation as the country moves from a long-standing monopoly to a competitive licensing model in July 2027.

On this episode of iGaming Daily, host Fernando Noodt is joined by Jonas Reuter, EVP, Veikkaus International Business and Chairman Fennica Gaming Ltd, to discuss Finland’s upcoming market opening, Fennica Gaming’s international expansion and how its experience operating in regulated markets could give it a competitive advantage.

Things discussed:

• Finland’s transition from a gambling monopoly to a competitive licensing model
• The expected July 2027 market opening
• Fennica Gaming’s international expansion
• Fennica Gaming’s regulated-market DNA
• How regulation could become a competitive advantage
• The company’s approach to game development
• Nordic and Finnish values behind the Fennica Gaming brand
• The importance of partnerships in Finland’s new market
• Fennica Gaming’s lottery digitalisation expertise
• The future of regulation and international gambling markets

Watch the full discussion to hear how Fennica Gaming plans to approach Finland’s new competitive gambling market.

Supported by Optimove.

As iGaming regulation continues to tighten across global markets, operators are facing growing pressure to remain compliant while maintaining a commercially viable business.

On this episode of iGaming Daily, host Charlie Horner is joined by Mike de Graaff, Chief Compliance Officer at BetComply, to discuss the growing complexity of regulation and the challenges facing operators in regulated markets.

Mike explains why regulatory changes are becoming a full-time job for operators, the impact of compliance requirements on the player experience, and how increased regulation can push customers towards unlicensed operators.

The discussion also explores the opportunities and challenges presented by newly regulated markets, including Alberta, Finland and New Zealand, with Mike questioning whether some regulatory frameworks could make it difficult for licensed operators to compete.

The pair also discuss the importance of trust between regulators and operators, the risks of failing to report incidents, and why transparency should be central to entering new regulated markets.

Topics covered:
• The growing complexity of iGaming regulation
• Compliance vs commercial viability
• Regulation and the threat of the black market
• Prediction markets and changing player behaviour
• Alberta's newly regulated market
• Why Mike calls Finland "dead on arrival"
• New Zealand's licensing model
• Building trust between operators and regulators
• Advice for operators entering new markets

Listen to the full episode of iGaming Daily for the latest discussion on regulation, compliance and market opportunities across the global gambling industry.

Supported by Optimove.

This episode explores the controversy surrounding Premier League clubs' partnerships with unlicenced gambling operators, the effectiveness of geographical restrictions, and the potential impact of upcoming UK legislation on sports sponsorships.

Key Topics

• The scrutiny over Premier League partnerships with unlicensed gambling operators
• The effectiveness of geographical restrictions and geofencing
• Entain's advocacy for regulated gambling sponsorships
• The impact of UK legislation on sports sponsorships
• The international reach of the Premier League and its implications
• The use of VPNs to bypass geographical restrictions
• The responsibilities of football clubs in vetting sponsors
• The potential effects of a ban on unlicensed gambling sponsorships in the UK
• The ongoing debate about consumer protection and responsible gambling
• The future landscape of betting sponsorships in British sports

Host: Fernando Noodt
Guests: Christian Lee & Patrick Killeen
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.

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, we explore Bet365's strategic shifts, including layoffs in Europe and expansion in North America, and what this reveals about the global betting industry's direction amid regulatory pressures and market opportunities.

Key Topics

• Bet365's layoffs in Europe and expansion in North America
• Impact of European regulation and tax increases on betting companies
• Bet365's market share growth in the US and Canada
• Strategic shift from European to North American markets
• Industry implications of job cuts and market expansion
• Regulatory pressures and their effects on European betting firms
• Bet365's partnerships and product launches in North America
• Long-term industry trends and company strategies

Host: Fernando Noodt
Guests: Tom Nightingale & Patrick Killeen
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.

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 episode explores Brazil's evolving gambling legislation under President Lula da Silva, focusing on potential bans, restrictions, and the impact on the legal and illegal markets. Experts discuss the political motives, industry implications, and future outlook amid upcoming elections.

Key Topics

• President Lula da Silva's stance on gambling
• Legislative proposals and regulatory changes
• Impact on legal and illegal gambling markets
• Advertising restrictions and sponsorship bans
• Political motives behind gambling legislation
• Implications for sports and online casinos
• Industry response and adaptation strategies
• Potential consequences for Brazilian sports funding
• Role of illegal operators and enforcement challenges
• Future outlook for Brazil's gambling industry

Host: Fernando Noodt
Guests: Ana Maria Menezes & Leonardo Biazzi
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.

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, Charlie Horner and iGaming Expert Editor Joe Streeter discuss the potential for EU-wide harmonisation of online gambling regulation, including taxes, AML, and responsible gaming standards. They explore the political landscape, key proposals, and the implications for operators across Europe.

 Key Topics

• EU-wide gambling tax proposals and their feasibility
• The role of key figures like Victor Negrescu in pushing for harmonisation
• Challenges in defining gambling across European nations
• The impact of regulation on licenced and unlicenced operators
• Potential benefits of harmonised standards for player protection
• Steps required for EU legislation to be enacted
• Risks of increased regulation leading to more unlicensed activity

Learn how to integrate responsible gaming into your marketing strategy with a masterclass led by Arjan Korstjens on Thursday 1 October. Get yourself a conference pass by visiting https://sbcevents.com/sbc-summit/masterclasses/

Host: Charlie Horner
Guest: Joe Streeter
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.

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, we explore the significant legal developments surrounding prediction market sports contracts in the US, focusing on a case that could reshape the online gambling sector. Join us as we analyse the implications of the case reaching the Supreme Court and what it means for the future of sports betting and prediction markets.

Key Topics

• Legal status of prediction market sports contracts
• Court case involving New Jersey and prediction markets
• Split decisions between the third and ninth circuits
• Implications of the case for US sports betting regulation
• Potential impact of Supreme Court ruling on prediction markets
• Federal vs state authority in gambling regulation
• Prediction markets' role in the US gambling industry
• Timeline and process for Supreme Court review

Want to find out more about Prediction Markets? The Global Prediction Market Forum is being held in Lisbon on 1 October. Visit

sbcevents.com/global-prediction-markets-forum for more details.

Host: Charlie Horner
Guest: Tom Nightingale
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.

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 episode explores the recent developments in Dutch online gambling regulation, including the proposed advertising ban, market challenges, and future outlook. Featuring insights from industry experts Ted Menmuir and Christian Lee, it provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape.

Key Topics

• Dutch gambling market history and recent changes
• Proposed comprehensive ban on gambling advertising
• Market challenges including black market encroachment
• Regulatory overreach and duty of care issues
• Industry response and future outlook for Dutch gambling

Host: Charlie Horner
Guests: Ted Menmuir & Christian Lee
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.

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 episode explores the recent merger between Lottomatica and CIRSA, analysing its implications for the global gambling industry, market strategies, and the role of private equity giant Blackstone. Join us as we dissect the deal's potential to reshape industry rankings and market dynamics.

Key Topics

• Details of the Lottomatica and CIRSA merger
• Market implications for Italy, Spain, and Latin America
• Role of Blackstone in the deal and its strategic importance
• Potential industry rankings and valuation impacts
• Regulatory hurdles and international expansion strategies

Host: Fernando Noodt
Guests: Ted Menmuir & Ted Orme-Claye
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn how Optimove’s Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove’s Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.

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.