Welcome to this week’s edition of iGaming News Weekly Digest, brought to you by the ONSEC team.
Curated for iGaming operators, sportsbook executives, compliance leads, and platform developers, this digest delivers timely insights into the trends, regulatory movements, and security threats transforming the online gambling landscape. In this issue, we spotlight Canada’s surging casino market, the rise of immersive AI-driven betting experiences, and a projected $169B boom in global sports wagering. You’ll also find key updates on regulatory crackdowns in Europe and the U.S., along with emerging cybersecurity threats—including phishing scams, ransomware, and crypto fraud—putting platforms and players at risk.
Trends and Analytics
- Canada’s online casino scene is booming in 2025, with newcomers like Duelz, Swift Casino, and bet365 Casino competing to offer the best bonuses, mobile experiences, and game libraries. This detailed guide from talkSPORT breaks down the top platforms by category—slots, live dealers, mobile, and more—helping players choose the safest, most rewarding sites to play. Source: Talk Sports
- The global sports betting market is projected to surge from $98.36 billion in 2023 to $169.37 billion by 2029, fueled by the explosive rise of e-sports, mobile betting, and regulatory expansion. As jurisdictions legalize and technology like VR, blockchain, and AI reshapes the landscape, online platforms and fixed-odds wagering are leading the charge in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive industry. Source: Research and Markets
- Betting Trends 2025 explores how emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and VR are revolutionizing the gambling industry, creating hyper-personalized, immersive, and transparent experiences. With a growing focus on responsible gaming and data-driven personalization, the industry is shifting toward a future where ethics, innovation, and user engagement go hand in hand. Source: Macau Design Award Blog
- Oklahoma is planning a major lottery revamp with the proposed launch of a digital “iLottery” platform aimed at modernizing access while supporting responsible gambling. The initiative includes wellness tools, in-app ticket checking, and real-time addiction alerts—highlighting a growing trend toward ethical, tech-enabled gambling reform. Source: The Sun US
- A top U.S. regulator warns that the booming gambling industry has become a “highway without speed limits,” calling for federal rules to curb unchecked advertising and protect consumers. As online betting spreads rapidly across 37 states, concerns mount over addiction, underage access, and the industry’s resistance to regulation—highlighting an urgent need for nationwide oversight. Source: The Guardian
Law and Regulation
- Italy’s sweeping gambling reform is set to slash the number of licensed online operators by 60%, raising entry barriers with €7 million fees and stricter compliance rules. The move signals rapid consolidation in Europe’s largest market, favoring large, omnichannel corporations while introducing tighter AML, player protection, and digital safeguards. Source: IGB
- Massachusetts Gaming Commission chair Jordan Maynard has called for federal oversight of the U.S. gambling industry, warning that the current state-by-state approach leaves critical gaps in consumer protection. He advocates for national advertising standards, a unified self-exclusion list, and greater transparency as the legal market expands across 37 states without consistent regulatory safeguards. Source: World Casino Directory
- Connecticut’s House has passed a bill banning credit card use for online gambling and prohibiting inducement-based ads, marking a bold step toward curbing problem gambling. If enacted, the legislation would set new standards for payment transparency and advertising ethics, influencing broader regulatory trends across U.S. states. Source: CT News
- FanDuel will introduce a 50-cent surcharge on every Illinois bet starting September 1, passing new state betting taxes directly onto users. The controversial move has sparked backlash, highlighting growing tensions between regulators and operators, and raising concerns about pricing fairness for recreational bettors. Source: Casino Beats
- A new YouGov survey reveals that 65% of regular UK bettors would turn to unregulated gambling sites if tax hikes make legal betting more expensive. As the government considers a unified remote gambling tax, the Betting and Gaming Council warns it could backfire—undermining player safety and pushing punters toward the black market. Source: European Gaming
Hacks and Data Breaches
- $37M Global Crypto Scam Defrauds U.S. Victims Scammers used romance and Ponzi-style tactics to trick victims into fraudulent crypto investments, laundering the money through shell companies and international banks. The FBI is now investigating this large-scale “pig butchering” scheme affecting hundreds of Americans. Impact on iGaming: Platforms accepting crypto must strengthen fraud monitoring and educate users to prevent scam-linked deposits and chargebacks. Source: SC Media
- $2.1B in Crypto Stolen Through Phishing and Human Exploits CertiK reported that over $2.1 billion in crypto was stolen in 2025 via phishing, compromised wallets, and social engineering—not through smart contract flaws. The trend highlights how hackers now target user psychology more than code. Impact on iGaming: Operators with wallet integrations must harden account security and proactively warn users about phishing and wallet compromise risks. Source: Cointelegraph
- AT&T Data Breach Resurfaces With 86M Records Exposed. An old but decrypted data dump with SSNs, addresses, and phone numbers of 86 million AT&T customers has reappeared on hacker forums. This leak significantly raises identity theft and synthetic identity fraud risks. Impact on iGaming: Fraudsters may exploit this data to bypass KYC and abuse bonuses or conduct account takeovers on gambling sites. Source: Hack Read
- United Natural Foods Hit by Ransomware, Halts Distribution. The main distributor for Whole Foods experienced a ransomware attack that shut down logistics, payments, and internal systems. The breach underscores the growing threat of supply-chain disruptions. Impact on iGaming: A similar attack on key vendors (e.g. payment processors, cloud hosts) could bring gambling platforms offline or delay financial operations. Source: Industrial Cyber
- SentinelOne Stops China-Linked APT Using Shared Vendor. A Chinese state-sponsored hacking group attempted to breach organizations through a third-party supplier. SentinelOne’s defense stopped the attack, but it highlights how even secure firms can be vulnerable through vendor chains. Impact on iGaming: Platforms relying on external software, analytics, or hosting must audit third-party security and implement zero-trust access controls. Source: Dark Reading
Final Words
As the digital gambling frontier pushes forward, so do the challenges—and opportunities—shaping its future. From crypto-driven fraud and phishing attacks to bold regulatory reforms and tech-fueled market expansion, this week’s developments underscore the importance of proactive, informed decision-making across the iGaming sector.
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