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.