THE AMERICAS
Sportsbook operator CG Technology’s failure to address known software bugs could jeopardize its Nevada gaming license; sports betting whale Billy Walters was charged with insider trading; the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma launched its free-play online poker site; Pennsylvania suggested requiring daily fantasy sports operators to partner with brick-and-mortar casinos and FanDuel’s auditors expressed “significant doubt” over the company’s future; court documents showed Florida’s Seminole Tribe’s casino operations made $2.2b in 2015; Delaware set a new online gambling revenue record; the Stronach Group announced the world’s priciest horserace; Caesars Entertainment offered creditors a couple billion more; California regulators revoked the gaming license of a former regulatory boss; Narsus Advisors’ Chris Grove said US online gambling needed a “broader base of support” and Howard Lederer offered a too-little-too-late apology to Full Tilt Poker customers.
EUROPE
Amaya Gaming’s new casino and sports verticals continued to erode poker revenue while PokerStars partnered with eSports stars Team Liquid; UK competition watchdogs gave conditional approval to the Ladbrokes-Coral merger; Poland’s deputy prime minister proposed legalizing online poker; Betsafe launched Apple TV’s first gambling app; Playtech cut 3/4 of the staff at its Xwise digital marketing division; Intralot revenue fell despite lottery growth; Nektan picked Leigh Nissim as its new CEO; UK advertising watchdogs spanked Boylesports for a crucifixion-themed promo; Russia backed away from plans to ban Bitcoin; the privatization of Holland Casino could be worth $1b; VegasMaster’s Julie Anderson pondered the future of virtual reality online casinos; Fast Track’s Simon Lidzen pushed customer service as the key to sustainable growth; NetEnt CEO Per Eriksson revealed the secrets behind his company’s runaway success; Jonas Wahlander said the acquisition of ComeOn Malta would boost Cherry AB’s sports betting presence; Rafi Farber said the recent share sell-off by 888 Holdings’ co-founders was much ado about nothing and Rebecca Liggero recapped the inaugural eSports Betting Summit.
ASIA and AUSTRALIA
The Philippines’ new president appointed a new PAGCOR boss while the Philippine senate wrapped its inquiry into those heisted Bangladeshi millions; Genting Singapore’s bad debt provisions took a bite out of Q1 earnings; Macau Legend saw its Q1 earnings fall but still had enough cash to buy Savan Vegas from the Laotian government; Cambodia got a new online lottery; Macau mulled ‘sting’ operations to enforce its proxy betting ban; Imperial Pacific’s lack of hotel rooms on Saipan proved a hit with VIPs; Malaysia blocked over 12k phone lines linked to illegal gambling; India got a new online poker site; The Star Entertainment Group revealed its $850m renovation plan for its Jupiters Gold Coast casino; Webe Gaming’s John English told online betting operators to get busy innovating or risk losing customers; Tony Tong said job one for the new Macau Gaming Industry Association was changing Macau’s image and Stephanie Racquel dragged her camera crew around for Days One, Two and Three of the G2E Asia 2016 confab.
