Feb 27, 2025 2 min read Table Of Contents The 2025 Irish Open, the 45th edition of Europe’s longest-running live poker festival, is only six weeks away, with the first event on the action-packed schedule shuffling up and dealing on April 10. The €1,150 buy-in, €2.5 million guaranteed Irish Open Main Event starts three days
As soon as the doors of Riocentro opened on Wednesday, February 26, one thing was clear: SBC Summit Rio has grown in size and relevance compared to the 2024 edition. With an estimated attendance of 15,000 people and close to 400 exhibiting companies, the first day of the event brought together executives from Brazil, different Latin
Feb 27, 2025 2 min read Online poker players of a certain age will remember the excitement and exhilaration of watching the world’s best cash game players battle it out for pots most mere mortals could only dream of winning. Rail Heaven on the now-defunct Full Tilt Poker was a haven for the so-called “nosebleed”
Vadim Komissarov, the former CEO of Trident Acquisitions Corp. (TDAC), is facing serious federal charges, including securities fraud, obstruction of justice, and perjury. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated a scheme to deceive investors by reporting false revenue figures to secure a merger with Lottery.com. The indictment, unsealed in the Southern District of New York, details an
In a significant legal confrontation, the Lytton Rancheria of California, along with the Dry Creek and Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The lawsuit, submitted to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, centers on the expedited approval of a casino project slated for
In a bold move to expand its footprint in the Australian casino and hospitality sector, Iris Capital, led by Sam Arnaout, has proposed a significant acquisition of the Reef Casino Trust. This initiative is part of a larger strategy by Iris Capital to consolidate its presence in key markets, evidenced by the group’s recent $130 million-plus offer for the trust.
In a bold fiscal move, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has proposed significant tax increases on online sports betting and internet gambling, sparking widespread concern among casinos and betting firms. The proposed hikes, which would see taxes on both sectors rise to 25% from their current rates of 13% and 15%, respectively, are part of the Governor’s broader budget plan aimed
Relax Gaming, the acclaimed iGaming aggregator and unique content supplier, has significantly expanded its footprint in Latin America by launching its services in Brazil and Peru on January 1st. This move is part of the company’s broader strategy to penetrate key emerging markets, following successful launches in Mexico in 2021 and Colombia in 2022. The entry into these markets is seen
The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) is seeking industry feedback on its newly published responsible gaming policy, with a consultation period open until March 5. The policy outlines key requirements for B2C operators, including player protection measures, age verification protocols, self-assessment tools, and self-exclusion options. While formal monitoring of the policy will begin in four months,
SiGMA has unveiled the final shortlists for the SiGMA Africa Awards 2025, to take place on March 10th at the GrandWest Complex, Market Hall in Cape Town, as part of the SiGMA Africa summit. The shortlists are the result of an extensive voting process, open to both the public and a panel of judges. The annual event
A majority of Rhode Island voters support a smoking ban at the state’s two casinos, according to a new poll released by the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, adding momentum to an ongoing legislative push despite resistance from casino operators. The survey, conducted by Fleming and Associates, polled 400 registered voters between Feb. 1 and Feb.
Sen. Billy Hickman has introduced Senate Bill 208 to expand the Georgia Lottery’s authority and allow it to oversee sports betting. The bill accompanies Senate Resolution 131, which seeks a constitutional amendment to legalize sports wagering. Efforts to legalize sports betting in Georgia have previously stalled due to disagreements on the approach. A constitutional amendment
Governor Phil Murphy’s proposal to increase taxes on online gambling and sports betting is facing mounting opposition from casino operators, online betting companies, and lawmakers from both parties. The proposal, part of the governor’s budget plan, seeks to raise the tax rates on both forms of gambling to 25%, up from the current 13% on
Josh Noy Global Live Events Assistant Manager Feb 27, 2025 3 min read Table Of Contents The LA Poker Classic has a long and storied history in the poker world, and few players would know that history better than Michael Nia. The Southern California native has been playing this event for more than 15 years,
PointsBet has received two competing takeover offers, with its board unanimously backing an AU$353 million all-cash bid from Japanese digital entertainment company Mixi. Meanwhile, Australian-based bookmaker BlueBet has proposed an alternative deal, valued between AU$340 million and AU$360 million, that includes both cash and a scrip component. The Mixi offer, presented through its Australian subsidiary,
The Italian Senate is set to review the 2018 Dignity Decree, which has banned gambling sponsorships in sports since 2019. This proposed revision could mark a major shift for Italian football, particularly Serie A, Serie B, and Serie C clubs, by reintroducing betting partnerships that were once a major source of revenue. Senate Review and
The Philippines has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list” after addressing deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CTF), and counter-proliferation financing (CPF). The global AML watchdog announced the decision following a plenary meeting in Paris on Friday, stating that the Philippines had successfully completed its action plan within agreed timeframes.
The Financial Administration of the Czech Republic (Finanční Správa) has uncovered CZK 540 million ($22.71 million) in tax evasion by gambling-related businesses, following a tax audit of Czech gambling licenses for the period 2021–2022. The investigation, which leveraged new gaming data analysis, identified suspicious financial flows and irregular player behavior in casinos, resulting in
The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) has voiced strong opposition to Governor Phil Murphy’s proposal to raise the state’s tax rate on online gaming, warning that the measure could have serious consequences for Atlantic City’s casino industry, workforce, and tourism sector. Under the governor’s fiscal year 2026 budget plan, the tax rate on
iGaming content and solutions provider Inspired has announced the launch of Big Big Horsey Fortune, an equine-themed slot game, for players online and in retail settings ahead of the horse-racing season. The latest release is an evolution of Big Horsey Fortune and joins Inspired’s growing omnichannel portfolio, “blending the excitement of Inspired’s much-loved Big Big