Welcome to this week’s edition of iGaming News Weekly Digest, curated by the team at ONSEC. Designed for iGaming operators, casino platforms, and digital gaming leaders, this digest brings you key insights shaping the future of online gambling—from groundbreaking data strategies and record-breaking revenues to emerging threats and global regulatory shifts. In this issue, we explore how Big Data is driving hyper-personalized player experiences, the booming growth of U.S. commercial gaming, and why the Americas are poised to rival Europe in iGaming revenue by 2028. We also cover new legislation—from Alberta’s iGaming Act to U.S. bans on sweepstakes casinos—and spotlight rising cybersecurity concerns, including the Steam data breach, North Korean-linked gambling operations, and the fallout from the LockBit ransomware leak.
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Trends and Analytics
- Big Data Enhances iGaming Personalization. Big Data is increasingly being used to create hyper-personalized experiences in the iGaming sector. Operators are leveraging data analytics to offer tailored promotions, real-time behavior tracking, and predictive modeling, aiming to boost player engagement and retention. European Gaming
- Record-High Revenue in U.S. Commercial Gaming: The U.S. commercial gaming sector hit a record-high revenue in 2024, with the iGaming market also continuing its strong growth. This trend indicates a positive business situation and increased customer engagement. Source: CDC Gaming Reports
- iGaming Revenue in Americas to Match Europe by 2028: A report by Vixio predicts that iGaming revenue in the Americas will match that of Europe by 2028, indicating significant growth potential in the region. This trend could reshape the global iGaming landscape. Source: iGaming Business
- Soft2Bet’s iGaming Innovation Fund: Soft2Bet has launched a €50 million iGaming innovation fund to support entrepreneurs within the industry. This move comes as part of the company’s growth strategy and is expected to boost its market presence. Source: Glide Magazine
- U.S. Sportsbooks Face Profit Challenges Amid Player Winning Streaks. Major U.S. operators like DraftKings and Flutter (owner of FanDuel) have revised their 2025 earnings forecasts downward after a series of bettor-friendly outcomes during March Madness. DraftKings reduced its revenue projection by $200 million, while Flutter lowered its U.S. EBITDA forecast by $180 million. Both companies are also experiencing market share declines as competitors like BetMGM, Bet365, and Fanatics gain traction. Financial Times
- UK Online Gambling Sees 7% Growth in Q1 2025 The UK Gambling Commission reported a 7% year-over-year increase in gross gambling yield (GGY) for Q1 2025, totaling £1.45 billion. Online slots led this growth with an 11% rise, reaching £689 million. The number of online bets and spins grew by 5%, totaling 25.2 billion, while active accounts hit a record 4.5 million. CasinoBeats
Law and Regulation
- Alberta Passes iGaming Alberta Act, Paving Way for Commercial Online Gambling. Alberta’s Legislative Assembly has passed the iGaming Alberta Act, establishing a framework for regulated commercial online sports betting and casino gaming. The act creates the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee private operators, while the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission will continue to manage the government-run Play Alberta platform. Royal Assent is pending, with commercial operations expected to launch by Q2 2026. SBC Americas
- U.S. States Push Forward With Online Sweepstakes Casino Bans. Several U.S. states are advancing legislation aimed at banning online sweepstakes casinos that operate with dual-currency models. Connecticut’s SB 1235 awaits Senate action, while Louisiana’s SB 181 has already passed the Senate unanimously and is now in the House. New Jersey’s A5447 and New York’s S5935 are progressing through committee reviews, with Montana’s SB 555 currently awaiting the governor’s signature. Meanwhile, similar bills in Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, and Maryland have failed, reflecting a divided national approach to regulating sweepstakes platforms.
Legal Sports Report - Michigan Gaming Control Board Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling. The Michigan Gaming Control Board has issued cease-and-desist orders to 82 illegal online gambling sites in 2025, escalating its enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. This move underscores the state’s commitment to protecting consumers and maintaining the integrity of its regulated gaming market. Gaming Intelligence
- New Jersey Proposes Study on Gambling Advertisement Language to Promote Safer Betting. New Jersey lawmakers have introduced bills A5562 and S4366 to study the impact of gambling advertisement language on responsible betting and underage exposure. The proposed study by the Division of Gaming Enforcement would analyze effective phrases and presentation styles, potentially leading to restrictions on ads near schools and those targeting individuals under 21. Gambling Industry News
- Understanding the Regulation of Online Gambling in Ontario: The regulation of online gambling in Ontario is managed by iGaming Ontario, which oversees the commercial relationship and ongoing compliance. This is part of a broader trend of iGaming regulation in North America. Source: intelligentliving.co
Hacks and Data Breaches
- LockBit Ransomware Group Hacked — Major Leak Exposes Affiliate Data
Ironically, the infamous LockBit ransomware group was itself hacked, leading to the exposure of internal documents, chat logs, and affiliate data. This leak offers unprecedented insights into the Ransomware-as-a-Service model, revealing how these cybercriminal syndicates operate and target sectors including gambling and crypto.
Read more from DigiWatch | HIPAA Journal coverage - Bybit Crypto Exchange Hacked — Regulatory Storm Brewing
In one of the biggest crypto incidents of the year, Bybit was hacked, raising questions about cross-border enforcement and crypto-exchange security. The breach puts increased pressure on gambling platforms that rely on crypto payment rails to double down on wallet security.
Full report by Paul Hastings - Steam Breach — 89 Million Gaming Accounts Compromised
A threat actor is claiming to sell the data of 89 million Steam users. With Steam integrated into many gambling-adjacent platforms, operators should be on alert for credential stuffing attacks targeting users who reuse passwords.
Gaming Bible coverage - North Korean Hackers Linked to Illegal Gambling Operation
A South Korean national allegedly launched an illegal gambling site with technical support from North Korean hackers. This case underscores the geopolitical dimension of gambling-related cybercrime and the need for vendor due diligence.
Full story via CasinoBeats - Sweepstakes Casino Stake.us Faces Ongoing Exploit Claims
Stake.us, a major sweepstakes casino, is under scrutiny after reports of past hacks resurfaced. With growing legal pressure on sweepstakes models, any security incident could accelerate calls for regulation and enforcement.
Details from Deadspin
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Final Words
As the iGaming landscape rapidly evolves with surging revenues, policy shake-ups, and sophisticated cyber threats, staying ahead means staying informed. From Big Data-driven personalization and shifting global market power to sweeping enforcement actions and ransomware leaks, this week’s stories underscore the high stakes and fast pace of the industry.
If you found this digest valuable, share it with your colleagues and peers in the iGaming world. The more we exchange insights, the stronger our collective defense against risk—and the greater our ability to seize new opportunities in a transforming digital gambling economy.