(AsiaGameHub) -   The individuals who orchestrated a Russian gambling ring involving two illicit land-based casinos have avoided incarceration, as a court has issued them suspended sentences. The ruling was delivered by the Central District Court of Prokopyevsk, located in the Kuznetsk Basin of southwestern Siberia. A judicial panel convicted the six men of “organizing illegal gambling for the purpose of generating income on an especially large scale.” According to prosecutors, the syndicate managed these gambling operations from January 2022 through March 2024. Authorities reported that the organizers leased two commercial properties within the Kuznetsk Basin. These locations were equipped with 15 computer terminals, 14 laptops configured with gambling software, and 12 slot machines. The court was informed that the group hired security personnel, administrators, and other staff, funding their wages through daily casino earnings. Over the course of their two-year operation, the group amassed profits exceeding 8 million rubles (approximately $104,000). A university building in the Russian city of Prokopyevsk. (Image: Sergei) Russian Gambling Network: Court Issues Suspended Jail Terms Following police raids on the casinos in March 2024, several arrests were made and cash was seized from the premises. However, the Prokopyevsk court opted against prison time, instead handing the men suspended sentences ranging from 1.5 to 3 years. As reported by the Russian media outlet Sidepo, all six defendants are subject to probation. Additionally, the court imposed fines amounting to more than 6.3 million rubles (roughly $82,000). The judges further mandated that all gaming equipment and related hardware be forfeited to the state. Debate persists in Russia regarding the Ministry of Finance’s proposal to legalize, oversee, and tax online casinos. Earlier this month, a prominent clinical psychologist warned that remote Russian regions face the highest risk from these potential changes. She cautioned that if the Kremlin approves the initiative, a “strong illegal online casino sector could thrive, and addiction rates may rise” in rural communities. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Following Rory McIlroy claiming his second consecutive Masters title, the PGA Tour’s season continues with the RBC Heritage Classic at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, SC. Scottie Scheffler is once again the betting favorite, and we will break down additional value-focused picks after sharing the tournament odds from DraftKings. RBC Heritage Classic Betting Odds at DraftKings Take a look at the odds for top players competing to win the RBC Heritage Classic at DraftKings: Scottie Scheffler +380 Xander Schauffele +1500 Matt Fitzpatrick +1650 Russell Henley +1750 Cameron Young +1800 Tommy Fleetwood +1800 Ludvig Aberg +2200 Collin Morikawa +2300 Patrick Cantlay +2450 Si Woo Kim +2800 Sam Burns +3100 Robert MacIntyre +3100 Jordan Spieth +3100 Jake Knapp +3500 Viktor Hovland +3600 Maverick McNealy +3700 Justin Thomas +4200 Jason Day +4800 Jacob Bridgeman +4800 Sepp Straka +5000 Ben Griffin +5000 J.J. Spaun +5200 Chris Gotterup +5200 Shane Lowry +5200 Min Woo Lee +5300 Harris English +5300 Alex Noren +5900 Akshay Bhatia +6000 Rickie Fowler +6300 Sam Stevens +7800 Ryan Gerard +7800 Kurt Kitayama +7800 Harry Hall +8000 Best Wager on the Favorite to Win the RBC Heritage Classic Xander Schauffele +1500 Xander Schauffele never quite found his stride at Augusta National, but still managed a T-9 finish. The X-Man has been in solid recent form, notching top-10 finishes in four of his last five starts, including a solo third-place showing at The Players Championship. Schauffele ranks 12th on tour in SG: Total. His best result across six career starts at Harbour Town came in 2023, when he finished fourth. This course rewards precise approach play, and Schauffele ranks among the elite in this area of the game. He also sits 35th on tour in SG: Putting, which works well for Harbour Town’s small greens. Best Sleeper Pick to Win the RBC Heritage Classic Sepp Straka +5000 Sepp Straka finished 13th at Harbour Town last year, leading the field in SG: Approach. He has carried that solid play into this season, ranking 20th on tour in that metric. Straka has notched two top-five finishes at this course over the last four years. While he has yet to secure a win so far this season, the Austrian golfer finished T-2 at Pebble Beach and T-8 at The Players Championship. Two of his four career wins came last season, and we are confident in his chances at this week’s signature event given his strong course history. Best Longshot Pick to Win the RBC Heritage Classic Brian Harman +10000 These odds for Brian Harman are somewhat surprising, as he finished tied for third at 14-under here last year. That followed T-12 and T-7 finishes in the two preceding seasons. Beyond the outright win market, consider placing wagers on Harman to earn a top-5 (+1200) or top-10 (+530) finish. Be sure to select bets that include tied outcomes. DraftKings also offers odds for Harman to finish in the top 20 (+245), top 30 (+132), and top 40 (-150). This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   A new piece of legislation in Washington DC seeks to regulate the online casino sector. This bill would make iGaming legal and ban sweepstakes casinos, which currently operate via a legal loophole. “iGaming—online casino-type games like blackjack, poker, roulette, and slot-style games played on mobile phones or computers—is already available to District residents through unregulated and offshore platforms,” stated Wendell Felder, the bill’s sponsor, upon introducing the legislation. The bill is intended to manage the market, safeguard players, generate tax income, and crack down on illegal operators. Felder serves as Chair of the Subcommittee on Local Business Development. The legislation has been referred to the Committee on Human Services, with a public hearing set for next month. Bill Seeks to Provide Consumer Protections “Without a legal structure in place, these platforms function without adequate consumer safeguards, age verification, or regulatory supervision—posing risks to residents and limiting the District’s ability to respond,” Felder further noted. Should the bill pass, Washington DC would become the ninth U.S. jurisdiction to formally allow residents to play online casino games. Maine became the eighth state earlier this year when Gov. Janet Mills signed related legislation in January, though the tribal-exclusive framework is being challenged by the state’s commercial casinos. Felder’s bill would not only legalize online casinos but also prohibit unlicensed platforms, including sweepstakes casinos. The bill’s text defines sweepstakes gaming as “a game, promotional contest, or scheme, whether offered online or in person, in which an individual provides money, consideration, or something of value (directly or indirectly) for the chance to participate in a casino-style game, a simulated casino-style game, a sports wagering-like game, or a lottery-like game and win a prize or its equivalent, including via a dual-currency gaming product.” In Maine, legislators passed a separate bill banning these platforms shortly after approving the iGaming law. Maine is the second state (after Indiana) to prohibit sweepstakes casinos this year, following several states that enacted anti-operator legislation last year. Provisions for Legal iGaming Under the legislation, each sports betting operator in Washington DC would be entitled to launch two branded online casino platforms. Platforms would pay $2 million for a five-year license. Operators would then pay an additional $500,000 for each five-year renewal. DC initially launched sports betting via the Office of Lottery and Gaming’s (OLG) proprietary platform, GambetDC. FanDuel took over as the primary operator in 2024, before other commercial firms launched their services the same year. Currently, alongside FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, and Caesars Sportsbook are operational. All these companies are likely eager to launch online casino platforms, which are a key revenue driver. Legal iGaming to Generate Significant Tax Revenue The bill sets a 25% tax rate on gross gaming revenue. Based on comparable markets, Felder claims this will generate “substantial new tax revenue.” “Initial annual tax revenue could reach tens of millions of dollars, with growth expected as the market matures,” said Felder. “These funds could support critical priorities, including behavioral health services, responsible gaming programs, and broader community investments.” From the collected tax revenue, the first $500,000 would go toward problem gambling treatment. The remaining funds would cover the OLG’s operational costs, with the rest allocated to the district’s General Fund. Notably, the bill does not distribute a percentage of revenue to the OLG—only stating that its costs will be covered. Arizona has recently come under scrutiny as the state’s Department of Gaming receives a percentage of tribal gaming revenue. This may create a conflict of interest, which could be a key factor in the regulator’s aggressive legal pursuit of prediction markets. It is in the regulator’s interest to protect existing operators rather than enforce regulations. Felder stressed that in DC, the legal market would be properly controlled, reducing risks for users already using unlicensed platforms. “Inaction carries real consequences,” wrote Felder. “Without a legal framework, revenue continues to flow to unregulated operators, consumers remain exposed to risk, and the District falls behind neighboring jurisdictions that are moving forward. By advancing this legislation, we can bring an existing market into a regulated environment that prioritizes safety, accountability, and public benefit.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The ongoing legal conflict between state authorities and prediction markets shows no sign of ending. Montana has become the most recent state to be sued by Kalshi, following a ruling by a judge in Arizona that prevented the state from pursuing criminal charges against the company. “Kalshi is a federally designated derivatives exchange, subject to the CFTC’s exclusive jurisdiction,” the company’s latest lawsuit states for the umpteenth time. Montana was among the first states to issue Kalshi a cease-and-desist letter in March of last year. Following discussions with company representatives, Montana’s Gambling Control Division (GCD) agreed to refrain from further action while its legal case proceeded in Nevada. Nevada managed to temporarily restrict Kalshi’s markets last month. Perhaps emboldened by this success, the GCD sent Kalshi another cease-and-desist letter last week. Second C&D Letter Prompts Lawsuit In reaction to the second cease-and-desist letter, Kalshi filed a lawsuit promptly against the gambling regulator. “The April 2026 C&D letter misrepresented the clear terms of the parties’ prior agreement, asserting that the GCD had ‘conducted an investigation into [Kalshi’s] activities in’ Montana and concluded that they ‘constitute illegal gambling within the meaning of Montana law’,” states Kalshi’s lawsuit. This was also the company's response when Connecticut and Tennessee became the latest states to send such demands in December and January, respectively. “Kalshi faces an imminent threat that the Defendants will attempt to enforce Montana’s preempted state laws against it,” claims the filing. Altogether, 10 states have issued cease-and-desist orders. These orders have failed to halt the platform’s operations but have instead sparked legal disputes. The lawsuit filed against Montana means there are now active court cases between Kalshi and state gambling regulators in all those jurisdictions. Kalshi Strengthened With CFTC in Its Corner In its lawsuit, Kalshi pointed out that a judge in Arizona supported the company's position that its markets are lawful under federal law and preempt state gambling regulations. Arizona took the unprecedented step of filing criminal charges against Kalshi, but Judge Michael Liburdi ordered the state to halt any enforcement actions for the time being. Liburdi initially declined to grant Kalshi a temporary restraining order on April 8. However, he was convinced by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) arguments that it holds exclusive jurisdiction over Kalshi’s operations. He granted the TRO on April 10. “The Court finds that the CFTC has made a clear showing that it is likely to succeed on the merits of its claim that Arizona’s gambling laws are preempted by the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA),” the ruling stated. The CFTC filed lawsuits in Arizona, Connecticut, and Illinois, alleging that the states are overstepping their boundaries in pursuing Kalshi and other operators. Legal Expert: Key Argument Could Defeat Kalshi The contrasting rulings from Liburdi within a few days highlight the complexity of determining whether sports prediction markets should fall under state or federal jurisdiction. Daniel Wallach, a leading authority on the legal status of prediction markets, argues that Arizona can utilize Rule 40.11(a)(1) in the CEA, which explicitly prohibits contracts related to gaming. “A crucial argument Arizona should raise is that the CFTC’s failure to enforce Rule 40.11(a)(1) is contrary to the public interest—a key factor on a motion for preliminary injunction—and therefore requires the denial of the CFTC’s motion,” Wallach stated on LinkedIn. The CFTC did not mention this rule in its motion for a TRO, which Wallach says state regulators should seize upon. “Risky business for the CFTC to claim the right to enforce federal law vs. states in federal court when it won’t even enforce its own regulations expressly banning ‘gaming’ contracts and then waited nearly one year after Arizona’s cease-and-desist letter to Kalshi before filing suit,” he added. However, as one commenter on Wallach’s post noted, “Unfortunately, it’s not about the law right now. It’s all about politics.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Allwyn UK states that upcoming changes to the National Lottery will increase the number of UK millionaires from around 140 per year to approximately 345 annually, effectively more than doubling the figure. This announcement sets the stage for a summer of updates to the National Lottery, with Allwyn confirming both the launch of a redesigned Lotto format and the introduction of a UK-exclusive version of Powerball. Starting June 7, Lotto will adopt a new two-stage draw structure, giving players two chances to win with a single £2 ticket. The change will significantly boost overall winning odds for players — from one-in-9.3 to one-in-4.9 — while retaining the existing prize entry processes. Players can win in one or both rounds, with jackpots starting at £2m and rolling over up to five times before a must-be-won draw. Allwyn believes the enhanced structure will strengthen Lotto’s long-standing reputation as the UK’s “millionaire maker”, with two paths to £1m prizes remaining intact: matching six numbers for the jackpot, or five numbers plus the Bonus Ball for a fixed £1m payout. Complementing the Lotto revamp is the planned rollout of a UK-adapted Powerball game later this summer, marking the first time the global jackpot game will be available outside the US. Priced at £4 per line, UK players will join a shared jackpot pool that starts at around £12m and remains uncapped, with top prizes paid out over 30 years. The introduction of Powerball is expected to generate an additional £1bn for UK Good Causes over its first five years, as Allwyn aims to expand the National Lottery’s appeal through larger jackpots and a broader game portfolio. Supporting the rollout, Allwyn highlighted that the changes follow the successful 2024 transition of the National Lottery to a new operating system developed in partnership with Scientific Games. The upgraded platform has enabled enhanced retail and digital capabilities, forming the backbone for launching new game formats. As part of its retail transformation, Allwyn also began the large-scale deployment of over 30,000 new Wave lottery terminals in August 2025, replacing legacy Altura machines across the UK. Andria Vidler, CEO of Allwyn UK, said: “We are delivering on our promise to bring more games, more entertainment and more innovation to the National Lottery. With extensive upgrades to our digital and retail channels now complete, we have a fantastic summer lined up as we bring these exciting new games to our players. “Lotto has always been the best game to play if you want to become a millionaire. “Our new Lotto gives players two chances of winning £1m-plus for the same £2 they spend today, creating hundreds more millionaires every year. And with its transformative jackpots, we’re certain that our UK-specific version of Powerball will capture the public’s imagination.” The operator added that the dual launch reflects its wider strategy to modernise the Lottery’s offering, increase player engagement and ultimately grow returns to Good Causes, with a long-term ambition to double weekly contributions to £60m by 2034. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   SBC Summit Malta 2026 is rolling out AI-centric workshops aimed at providing gaming industry stakeholders with a concrete, practical grasp of how artificial intelligence is influencing operations throughout the sector. As AI transitions from theoretical potential to real-world use, the gaming industry is growing more focused not on if to adopt AI, but on how to deploy it effectively, ethically, and at scale. The AI workshops at SBC Summit Malta 2026 are crafted to respond to this shift, moving from abstract talks to hands-on practice. Spanning the event’s two-day conference schedule, the workshops are built around active engagement—attendees dive into real-world scenarios instead of just listening to high-level discussions. Every session aims to help participants experiment with ideas, polish their strategies, and gain insight into how AI is already being used in critical parts of gaming operations. Though AI’s roots go back to the 1950s, its prevalence has skyrocketed over the last ten years, touching both popular culture and every sphere of business. This trend peaked with the launch of ChatGPT, which gained 100 million users in only two months—making it the fastest-growing consumer software app in history. Speaking about the choice to expand AI-related content in the conference agenda, SBC’s Senior Conference Producer Natalie Lees said: “The conversation around AI has moved on. The industry is no longer debating whether to adopt it. That question has largely been answered. However, while adoption has accelerated, much of AI’s use across the sector remains relatively basic.” “At SBC Summit Malta 2026, we want to move beyond surface-level applications and help the industry understand how AI can be used more strategically, efficiently, and at scale, through formats that encourage active participation rather than passive listening.” “From AI tools to AI embedded in business workflows: How AI is transforming workflows, decision-making, data, and technology” delves into the most effective methods for adopting and rolling out AI across businesses. Guided by an AI specialist, the workshop features live demonstrations that teach attendees how to use AI to streamline workflows, boost customer engagement, and enable data-driven decision-making at scale. The workshop ‘AI in HR: Empowering Teams, Not Replacing Them’ will examine how HR leaders are successfully integrating AI into their organizations. Experts Rosi Bremec (Independent, Former COO, Game Lounge), JP Xuereb (HR Director, HIT Gaming), Reija Airas (EVP, People, Culture and Communications, Veikkaus), and Christopher Grech Bonett (Founder, R77 Elitetalent) will explore how companies can use AI to enhance team performance while building the trust, communication, and reskilling frameworks needed to help employees adapt to the AI era. With 88% of digital marketers now using AI in their daily tasks, the technology has become an indispensable part of modern marketing. To help stakeholders navigate this evolving landscape, the conference will offer three targeted AI-Marketing workshops. The Future of Casino Search is Vertical AI Manipulation: How Machines Are Rewriting the SERPs Scaling High Volume Content Operations with AI Automation Workshops will also focus on preparing for future regulations and how AI can help professionals stay competitive. “How Affiliate Managers Can Use AI to Stay Ahead of the Competition”will explore ways AI can boost speed and efficiency in outreach, performance analysis, and partner optimization, while “AI in Gaming: Shaping the Industry’s First AI Charter” will examine how stakeholders can contribute to building clear, responsible standards aligned with upcoming EU regulations. SBC Summit Malta 2026 will be held from 28–30 April at the InterContinental Malta, gathering 6,000 industry professionals. The conference agenda will place a strong emphasis on workshops: day one will focus on laying theoretical foundations, while day two is entirely dedicated to hands-on sessions, supported by two workshop rooms running across both days. Get Your Tickets to SBC Summit Malta Reserve your spot at SBC Summit Malta with our VIP Event Pass. Priced at €600, you’ll gain access to everything the event has to offer, including three days of networking, conference sessions, and the exhibition.Interested in an Expo+ Pass? It’s available for €150. If you are an operator or affiliate, you can apply for a free pass! Operators can request a complimentary pass here. Affiliates can apply for their complimentary passes here. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Dr. James Noyce, a prominent UK gambling reform advocate, has urged the government to halt affordability checks. He asserts that the Gambling Commission lacks transparency regarding the implementation of these measures. Additionally, he supported assertions from horse racing officials that the checks are harming an industry that is a vital component of British culture. Yesterday, Noyce posted an open letter addressed to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on X. Previously, Noyce was a key proponent of introducing affordability checks, arguing they were essential to safeguard vulnerable individuals from gambling beyond their financial limits. Now, however, he expresses concern that the current execution is ineffective and is negatively impacting the British horse racing sector. “I am particularly alarmed by reports that these checks will prove unnecessarily burdensome to horseracing bettors, to the detriment of that sport,” wrote Noyce. Today I sent an open letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, @lisanandy — calling on the Government to pause the implementation of financial risk assessments for bettors until a proper evaluation of the Gambling Commission’s pilot scheme has been published… pic.twitter.com/75IkUA1rOT— James Noyes (@jranoyes) April 13, 2026 Last week, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) initiated a “Save our Bets” campaign to oppose the affordability checks. Noyce concluded his letter by urging the Government to “pay heed to the BHA’s warnings, and to pause these checks until there has been adequate evaluation and scrutiny.” What are the Controversial Checks? The UK Gambling Commission has been conducting trials for enhanced financial checks on bettors. From August 2024 to February 2025, alerts were triggered when a customer’s net deposits—deposits minus withdrawals—surpassed £500 within a rolling 30-day window. Last February, this threshold was lowered to £150. A key criticism is that the Commission has not released a report on the trial's findings. Noyes remarked, “I am deeply concerned over the lack of transparency regarding these checks.” Last year, the UKGC introduced an expanded Consumer Voice framework, designed to create superior, evidence-based gambling policies based on genuine consumer feedback. Nonetheless, Noyes claims the Commission is advancing with affordability checks despite broad opposition. He pointed out that “a Gambling Commission survey of over 12,000 people found 77 per cent of respondents were opposed to financial risk checks.” Checks Collect Personal Financial Data “A financial vulnerability check must include at a minimum a customer-specific public record information check for significant indicators of potential financial vulnerability,” according to Gambling Commission guidelines. The trial intended to assess whether these checks could be “frictionless,” meaning they could be applied without requiring users to submit financial data to continue betting. Noyes backed the checks in 2020, but notes that circumstances have evolved, with users now increasingly cautious about sharing sensitive personal information. “Since 2020, we have seen a global pandemic which has affected gambling consumer behaviour, we have seen a range of financial shocks and fiscal challenges, we have seen increasing concerns over the use and misuse of data in a changing digital landscape,” he stated in the letter. The BHA observed that varying credit scores for the same individual would require operators to request documentation, such as payslips and bank statements, from some users. What’s the Alternative? Gambling firms have come under fire for permitting or even incentivizing users to deposit large sums into betting accounts. In the UK, bet365 was recently linked to the death of a 19-year-old, where the user's gambling addiction was ruled a decisive factor in his suicide. Should affordability checks be paused, as Noyes recommends, platforms might be less likely to intervene in similar cases in the future. Without verification of a user's financial status, it is unclear how a company can determine if a user is gambling money they cannot afford. While losing thousands or even millions of dollars may be acceptable for some, for others, losing even a trivial amount can have devastating consequences for an individual's life. In the bet365 case, the 19-year-old’s account was technically in profit, but a coroner found that he had “exhausted all viable funds and credit” available to him. Could stricter affordability checks have prevented this tragedy? The public backlash against the checks highlights the difficult balance regulators must maintain between consumer protection and individual liberty. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.