With another busy week for the gambling industry in the rearview mirror, Casino Guru News offers a quick overview of the most important stories.
This week, the leading betting and gaming operator, BetMGM, forged a new agreement with the baseball legend, Derek Jeter. The collaboration saw the former become a Brand Ambassador for BetMGM, joining a growing roster of sports figures who have already made such a step, like Wayne Gretzky, Barry Sanders and Tim Howard, among others.
As Brand Ambassador, Jeter will participate in marketing campaigns and activations, including those that promote responsible gambling. The new alliance will also bring an exclusive slot game themed after the famous baseball player.
Expanding its global footprint, Greentube launched its games with bet365 in Ontario, Canada. The agreement represents a major milestone for the former as it propels its North American footprint and enables it to reach players in a market that holds significant potential. Per the deal, bet365 players will be able to enjoy hit games from Greentube, including fan-favorites such as Thunder Cash, Diamond Cash and Piggy Prizes, among others.
This week, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, the leading iGaming and betting brand, deepened its partnership with WWE. The extended agreement between the duo will bring online casino games themed after WWE. Several such titles are already planned and the list includes Raw Multiplier Melee, WWE Bonus Rumble Gold Blitz, and WWE Blackjack, among others. Undoubtedly, this exciting activation will enable Fanatics to reach WWE fans while growing its exclusive portfolio of online casino games.
Business and finance
The provider of leading technology, solutions and content, Brightstar Lottery, inked a new eight-year deal with the Missouri Lottery. Under the collaboration announced earlier this week, Brightstar agreed to modernize the Lottery's digital and retail offering. This will be accomplished via the former's OMNIA lottery solution.
Scott Gunn, Brightstar Lottery's Chief Operating Officer North America Lottery, said about the deal with the Missouri Lottery: "Brightstar is honored to support the Missouri Lottery as it embraces the evolving lottery landscape and implements innovative solutions that will increase flexibility to manage its operations and engage players in new ways."
Elsewhere, Scientific Games and the DC Lottery expanded their agreement. As a result, Scientific Games agreed to deliver new games for the DC Lottery, bringing a range of fan-favorite titles from its own portfolio and games from SG Studios and licensed brands. While the deal helps expand further the reach of Scientific Games, it is also expected to boost the growth of the DC Lottery.
Scientific Games announced the launch of its new AI-powered lottery product recommendation engine, GameChoice. The innovative, groundbreaking product, bolstering the company's retail capabilities, offers relevant recommendations, helping boost customer engagement and retention.
Backed by AI technology and SG Analytics, GameChoice helps lottery customers discover new and relevant games. Not only does the product boost customer engagement but it has already proven its effectiveness in increasing sales.
Regulation and laws
In Australia, the Australian Communications and Media Authority continued its crackdown on unlicensed gambling. The Authority issued blocking orders against five operators. According to ACMA, those operators offer their services without a license, which is in violation of the established laws in the country.
Elsewhere, Intralot received a recommendation for approval for a new lottery system contract in Maryland. The company was among several which have responded to a request for proposal by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission. While Intralot's bid emerged as superior and was recommended for approval, prior to the awarding of the new 10-year contract, a green light from the Board of Public Works is required.
In Illinois, the leading betting and gaming operator, BetMGM, confirmed the introduction of a new $2.50 minimum bet. The minimum wager affects all types of betting activities across the state and is effective from July 16, 2025. BetMGM's decision comes as a response to a tax of $0.50 on every bet applicable after the 20th million wager in Illinois.
Across the ocean, in the Netherlands, the Dutch Gaming Authority intensified its crackdown on illegal gambling and promotions. The country has taken a proactive approach with the goal of limiting the impact and reach of illegal gambling vertical by going after unlicensed operators and marketing agencies that may have helped promote their services.
Again, in the Netherlands, the gambling regulator hailed the success of the gambling ads ban which was enforced at the start of this month. While the KSA acknowledged the success of the ban of gambling ads in sports and public spaces, similar to other European markets, illegal gambling remains a threat.
Talks about a potential gambling tax hike have been reignited in the UK, local media outlets reported. According to The Observer's Whitehall Editor, Catherine Neilan, increasing gambling taxes may be up for discussion in the context of a budget deficit. For a long time, the gambling sector has opposed such measures, warning that a gambling tax hike may impact the industry negatively.
Responsible gambling
The European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA) welcomed Yaspa as its latest member from the fintech sector. The latter helped expand the Association's capabilities in terms of monitoring and helping uphold the standards of the sector. Upon announcing Yaspa's membership, EGBA Secretary-General Maarten Haijer said: "We're pleased to welcome Yaspa as an associate member and look forward to collaborating with their team."
In its latest report, the national self-exclusion program in the UK, GAMSTOP, announced it set new record. Data released by the self-exclusion program reveals that self-exclusion within the consumer group between the ages of 16 and 24 increased by 44% year-over-year in the first six months of 2025.
The significant increase in self-exclusion registrations reaffirms the young people's desire to better manage their gambling. Fiona Palmer, GAMSTOP's CEO, spoke about the importance of self-exclusion for young people as a way to get a break from gambling. Overall, GAMSTOP registrations in the UK have surpassed 600,000.
The voice of the industry
This week, Casino Guru News released an analysis that focused on a high-profile UFC Fight at the White House. As confirmed by the UFC's CEO, Dana White, the UFC is coming to the White House for America's 250th birthday with a fight on July 4, 2026.
This week, Casino Guru News had the opportunity to talk to Pierre Lindh, the co-founder and Managing Director of the media powerhouse NEXT.io and one of the most influential figures in iGaming. Lindh spoke about the importance of creating and maintaining meaningful connections and partnerships, exciting future projects and other hot topics from the iGaming industry.
Earlier this week, Casino Guru News also sat down with True Legal Limited's Director and a leading expert on gambling law in New Zealand, Jarrod True. In the context of the future legalization of online gambling in the country, the expert spoke about the new measures, predicting that they are likely to deter a large portion of the unlicensed operators.
