A study has besmirched the gambling industry by claiming that online gambling sites are prime conduits for illegal cryptocurrency, but failed to mention how the same industry helped in building the cryptocurrency revolution.

The report, titled Bitcoin Laundering: An Analysis of Illicit Flows into Digital Currency Services, was issued by the Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance (CSIF). The study examined the movement of Bitcoin derived from “clearly identified illicit activity.” It was found that cryptocurrency exchanges accounted for 45.4% of laundered Bitcoins, while online gambling sites ranked second with 25.8%.

Despite showing that illicit transactions on online gambling sites have waned, the CSIF asked that a more stringent anti-money laundering policy be implemented against the sites. By alluding that online gambling caters to criminals, the study failed to recognize that gambling sites were early adopters of blockchain technology. This means that it handled large volume of Bitcoin transactions in the years covered in the research which may have been overrepresented as illegal transactions in the study. 

In this interview with CalvinAyre.com's Becky Liggero, eGaming Chief Tony Ure shares how the Isle of Man has been able to license new technologies, such as blockchain lottery, eSports and skin betting, under his leadership. 

Investors have signed a petition asking South Korean President Moon Jae-In and his government to leave the cryptocurrency market alone after a reported proposal to shut down domestic cryptocurrency exchanges sent the price of digital coins spiraling.

Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen said Delta Corp.’s revenue will grow by 34% this year due to improving infrastructure and a greater acceptance of gaming in India. Govertsen based the positive outlook for Goa’s casino sector on the Indian state’s plan to shift from riverboat to land-based gaming.

Amid threats of closure aired by some politicians, the company has launched a series of advertisements defending poker machines. The advertisements show 11 real-life staff who are worried about the government’s proposal to ban pokies in the state.

Two UK newspapers reported that the government is set to recommend a reduction in the maximum fixed odd betting terminal stake from the current £100 to just £2. However, the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport said the consultations on the issue are still ongoing.

Intertops, formed as a bookmaker in 1983, is the world’s first online sportsbook. It accepted its first online sports wager in January 1996 from Finnish bettor Jukka Hunkavarra. Intertops was also the first sportsbook to introduce mobile betting in 2003.

The company will put out all the stops at the 2018 ICE Totally Gaming Trade Expo as it showcase its award-winning products, including “Legend of the Nile” and Sugar Pop 2: Double Dipped, the sequel to the fan-favorite game.

Thank you to the Gaming Affiliates Guide for recognizing Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF) as one of the winners of the Charity Recognition Award! One of the priority projects of CAF for 2017 was to raise funds for the residents of Barbuda following the onslaught of Hurricane Irma. The award is given to organizations that are “true leaders in philanthropy within the iGaming industry.”