United States shall welcome the reemergence of Polymarket, following successful avoidance of a surge in problem gambling.
In the rapidly evolving world of gambling, mid-2025 has seen significant developments that are reshaping the industry landscape.
Evolution Gaming has ventured into Brazil, opening its first dedicated live casino studio. The new studio will host Portuguese-speaking live dealers and bring localized Evolution games such as Blackjack Clássico, Blackjack Illimitado, Brazilian Blackjack, XXXTreme Lightning Roulette, and Crazy Time. This move is part of Evolution's strategy to localize its games for various markets.
Meanwhile, Apple iSports is set to expand its B2B and B2C offerings internationally with the acquisition of Australian gaming operator LBC Enterprises, expected to close in Q3 2025.
In a major move, Apollo Global Management has consolidated significant gaming technology and lottery assets under its control with a $6.3 billion acquisition of International Game Technology (IGT) and Everi Holdings. The deal was unanimously approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Flutter Entertainment has strengthened its sports betting portfolio in North America by acquiring full ownership of FanDuel from Boyd Gaming in a $1.8 billion deal.
DoubleDown Interactive has expanded its footprint in the European online casino market with the acquisition of Germany’s Whow Games.
Mixi Inc. has marked a key expansion in Canadian sports betting and gaming sectors following regulatory approval to acquire PointsBet.
Intralot is in a €2.7 billion deal to acquire Bally’s international interactive business, combining lottery and iGaming verticals to enhance global market reach.
Regulatory changes have also been prominent. Ontario’s green light for Mixi’s PointsBet acquisition and Nevada’s unanimous nod to Apollo’s big acquisition reflect ongoing regulatory support for industry consolidation while maintaining oversight to ensure fair play and compliance.
In other news, Polymarket has acquired QCX, LLC for $112m, following the US government dropping probes into the platform.
The gambling industry also faces challenges, with a US News survey finding that 30% of participants carry debt due to gambling activities, and one in four people have skipped on a bill to fund their gambling habit. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) conducted a survey in the United States, finding that the number of problem gamblers remained at 8% in 2022, with 23% of gamblers participating in sports betting.
On a positive note, the success of the Fair Gambling Codex and Complaint Resolution Center was discussed in a video interview with Matej Novota, Head of Casino Research.
In addition to acquisitions, there are also new ventures and market trends. Companies are emphasizing integration of physical and digital gaming platforms and targeting international growth, especially in Europe, North America, and Australia.
Resorts World New York City has presented a vision to build the largest integrated resort in New York state, featuring 6,000 slot machines, 800 gaming tables, and 2,000 hotel rooms.
Evolution Gaming has also partnered with IC360, gaining access to tools such as IntegrityMonitoringDashboard, ProhiBet, and Playbook AI for monitoring suspicious betting activity.
Polymarket’s CEO Shayne Coplan confirmed the acquisition of QCX, LLC, while CVC Capital Partners announced plans to acquire a 100% stake in Gaming Laboratories International.
Koin has announced a new Head of AI and Data Strategy position filled by Hemash Bhatti. Our website News had an interview with beBettor Chief Insights Officer, Sonny Cott, discussing the importance of assessing the wealth profile of affiliate traffic for iGaming operators. Our website News also published an interview with Ralitsa Georgieva, Octoplay's Director of Business Development, discussing the studio’s strategy and product development.
In the midst of these developments, the gambling industry continues to evolve, presenting both opportunities and challenges for players and operators alike.
- Evolution Gaming's strategic move to localize its games, as shown by the opening of a studio in Brazil, indicates a trend of businesses targeting international growth, especially in Europe, North America, and Australia.
- The financial sector, Apollo Global Management, has consolidated significant gaming technology and lottery assets through a $6.3 billion acquisition of International Game Technology (IGT) and Everi Holdings, demonstrating the intersection of finance and business in the gambling industry.
- In the arena of sports betting, Flutter Entertainment has strengthened its portfolio by acquiring full ownership of FanDuel, underscoring the expanding role of sports betting in the gambling landscape.
- Technology is also playing a crucial role in the industry, with companies like Evolution Gaming partnering with IC360 to access tools for monitoring suspicious betting activity, and new ventures focusing on integrating physical and digital gaming platforms.
- The gambling industry faces various challenges, such as problem gambling, with 30% of participants carrying debt due to gambling activities and 23% of gamblers participating in sports betting. However, initiatives like the Fair Gambling Codex and Complaint Resolution Center aim to address these issues and promote responsible gambling.
