All change in Africa as Zimbabwe makes gambling shift Summary Zimbabwe has announced a major revamp of its gambling tax regime as part of the national budget, sharply increasing levies on the online gambling industry. The finance minister confirmed a rise in the operator tax from 3% to 20% and a hike in tax on […]
New York imposes prohibition on sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks Summary New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed S.B. 5935 into law, immediately banning online sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks that use “dual currency” models for casino-style play and sports prediction. The statute outlaws operation and promotion of these products, extends restrictions to ancillary services (such as […]
Polymarket Hits Apple’s No. 1 Sports App As US Return Nears Summary Polymarket climbed to No. 1 among free sports apps on Apple’s App Store as anticipation builds around its partial return to the US market. The surge followed a 60 Minutes profile of founder Shayne Coplan and comes after a recent reported $2 billion […]
BGC Scrutinizes UK’s Autumn Budget, Says It Would Hurt Gaming & Racing Summary The British Gaming and Betting Council (BGC), led by CEO Grainne Hurst, has publicly criticised the UK Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, warning it will damage the regulated gaming sector and horseracing. Key measures include proposals to almost double the iGaming tax from 21% […]
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Sweepstakes Ban into Law Summary New York has enacted Senate Bill 5935, a law that bans sweepstakes casinos that operate using dual-currency systems. The measure prohibits operators and their B2B partners — including vendors, payment processors and advertisers — from offering or facilitating these sweepstakes-style games within the state. […]
U.S. online poker faces regulatory turning point in 2025 Summary Online poker in the United States has reached a pivotal moment in 2025. After years of fragmented state-by-state rules since the 2006 UIGEA, multi-state shared liquidity (MSIGA) made a decisive breakthrough in April 2025 when Pennsylvania joined other jurisdictions, significantly enlarging player pools and strengthening […]
Kroger Shuts Down Automated Grocery Sites in Major Strategy Shift Summary Kroger is scaling back its high-profile automation programme with Ocado, cancelling planned automated fulfilment projects, closing several U.S. sites and agreeing to a one-off $350m payment to Ocado. The company will pivot away from centralised robotic warehouses towards store-based fulfilment and expanded use of […]
Port of Long Beach appoints Hacebaga as its next CEO, effective January 1 Summary Dr Noel Hacebaga, currently Chief Operating Officer of the Port of Long Beach (POLB), has been appointed CEO effective 1 January 2026. Hacebaga brings 15 years of senior-management experience at POLB and has overseen daily operations across commercial services, engineering, finance, […]
The Board Diamond: The Blueprint for Future-Ready Governance Summary Boards today confront rapid digital acceleration, AI, geopolitical friction and shifting social expectations — conditions that demand governance move from periodic oversight to an active partnership in shaping the future. Based on interviews with over 100 chairs, directors, CEOs and investors, Marianna Zangrillo presents the “Board […]
Philippine police go after offshore gaming operators hiding behind names of BPOs/IT solutions companies | AGB Summary The Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., says police are stepping up efforts to identify and shut down remaining Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and internet gaming licencees (IGLs) operating under […]
