📉 Shares in Gentoo Media dropped 26% today as the business cut its 2026 revenue and earnings guidance, after second-quarter sales fell despite higher player deposits and acquisitions.
Revenue fell 9% to €22.9m in the three months to June 30. It was €25m in the restated prior-year quarter. EBITDA before special items rose 5% to €8.9m, however, as the margin widened to 39% from 34%.
The affiliate marketing group also reported profit of €2.7m for the quarter, after recording a €0.5m loss a year earlier. Operating profit rose to €5.8m from €1.2m, with lower depreciation and amortisation charges aiding the increase.
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Revenue fell 9% to €22.9m in the three months to June 30. It was €25m in the restated prior-year quarter. EBITDA before special items rose 5% to €8.9m, however, as the margin widened to 39% from 34%.
The affiliate marketing group also reported profit of €2.7m for the quarter, after recording a €0.5m loss a year earlier. Operating profit rose to €5.8m from €1.2m, with lower depreciation and amortisation charges aiding the increase.
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👀 Tabcorp’s annual report demonstrated stable revenues alongside significant improvements in profitability, though regulatory risk remains a looming threat as the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) investigation progresses.
Tabcorp’s debt leverage has fallen to 1.2x earnings, well inside its target range, and the company’s net profit after tax rose year-on-year by just under 44% to A$71.1m. But with the AUSTRAC investigation still at an early stage, the company’s published full-year 2026 results show that it is still unclear what action may be taken.
That means those positive financial trends could yet be stymied, given the “serious concerns” identified over Tabcorp’s ability to manage money-laundering and terrorism financing risks properly.
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Tabcorp’s debt leverage has fallen to 1.2x earnings, well inside its target range, and the company’s net profit after tax rose year-on-year by just under 44% to A$71.1m. But with the AUSTRAC investigation still at an early stage, the company’s published full-year 2026 results show that it is still unclear what action may be taken.
That means those positive financial trends could yet be stymied, given the “serious concerns” identified over Tabcorp’s ability to manage money-laundering and terrorism financing risks properly.
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📢 Flows, the orchestration platform for iGaming, has announced that LCKY Group selected Flows to power innovation across its entire technology stack.
The deal sees Flows become a connective layer across LCKY Group’s six online casino brands and B2B game studio, giving teams across the Group the ability to innovate, launch and build faster across every part of the business.
James King, CEO at Flows, said: “For a huge group like LCKY, this is about giving genuinely great management and teams the tools to move as fast as their ambition. It’s not just orchestration and it’s not just gamification, it’s about accelerating what LCKY can build across the whole business. I’m excited to be working with Alex Manning again and with the wider LCKY team, as they continue to innovate and grow.”
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The deal sees Flows become a connective layer across LCKY Group’s six online casino brands and B2B game studio, giving teams across the Group the ability to innovate, launch and build faster across every part of the business.
James King, CEO at Flows, said: “For a huge group like LCKY, this is about giving genuinely great management and teams the tools to move as fast as their ambition. It’s not just orchestration and it’s not just gamification, it’s about accelerating what LCKY can build across the whole business. I’m excited to be working with Alex Manning again and with the wider LCKY team, as they continue to innovate and grow.”
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📈 Allwyn reported net revenue of €1.2bn for the second quarter of 2026, up 27% year-on-year, as the lottery and betting operator continued to benefit from momentum in continental Europe and its acquisition of PrizePicks.
Adjusted EBITDA rose 29% to €458m, giving the group a margin of 37%. Excluding PrizePicks and higher gaming taxes in Austria, underlying net revenue growth was 5%, in line with the first quarter, against a strong comparative period.
The results mark another quarter of expansion for Allwyn as it integrates PrizePicks, acquired in January, and completes its combination with Greek operator OPAP, with digital growth, sports betting and improved UK performance cited as the main drivers of underlying gains.
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Adjusted EBITDA rose 29% to €458m, giving the group a margin of 37%. Excluding PrizePicks and higher gaming taxes in Austria, underlying net revenue growth was 5%, in line with the first quarter, against a strong comparative period.
The results mark another quarter of expansion for Allwyn as it integrates PrizePicks, acquired in January, and completes its combination with Greek operator OPAP, with digital growth, sports betting and improved UK performance cited as the main drivers of underlying gains.
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🇦🇺 Australian sports betting operator Betr Entertainment posted a statutory loss of A$40.2m for FY26, after spending heavily on its brand relaunch and platform integration.
The ASX-listed bookmaker recorded A$1.59bn in customer turnover for the year to 30 June, 12.3% above FY25. Net win rose 7% to A$158.1m, while gross win increased 10.1% to A$215.7m.
The higher turnover did not produce a full-year profit. Betr reported a normalised EBITDA loss of A$7.1m, compared with a A$7.2m profit a year earlier. Betr CEO Andrew Menz explained: “FY26 was a year of deliberate investment followed by disciplined execution. In the second half we converted that investment into delivery with a A$19.3m EBITDA turnaround between H1 and H2.”
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The ASX-listed bookmaker recorded A$1.59bn in customer turnover for the year to 30 June, 12.3% above FY25. Net win rose 7% to A$158.1m, while gross win increased 10.1% to A$215.7m.
The higher turnover did not produce a full-year profit. Betr reported a normalised EBITDA loss of A$7.1m, compared with a A$7.2m profit a year earlier. Betr CEO Andrew Menz explained: “FY26 was a year of deliberate investment followed by disciplined execution. In the second half we converted that investment into delivery with a A$19.3m EBITDA turnaround between H1 and H2.”
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🤝 The NFL has signed new multi-year sports betting agreements with DraftKings and FanDuel, in addition to Fanatics Betting and Gaming, ahead of the 2026 season.
DraftKings and FanDuel have held league betting partnerships since 2021, although with a slight break that began in March. Fanatics joins them after expanding its existing NFL relationship.
The agreements replace the previous US sportsbook partnerships involving Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel. Under those agreements, the operators were explicitly named as the league’s three exclusive official sportsbook partners.
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DraftKings and FanDuel have held league betting partnerships since 2021, although with a slight break that began in March. Fanatics joins them after expanding its existing NFL relationship.
The agreements replace the previous US sportsbook partnerships involving Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel. Under those agreements, the operators were explicitly named as the league’s three exclusive official sportsbook partners.
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🐄 Exclusive: Black Cow Technology is exploring options for a major restructuring – although is hoping its core assets can be retained in a new business entity.
Liquidation is one eventuality being explored alongside several other options, which could also include administration or selling the business to a third party.
NEXT.io understands the situation arose after the supplier’s private equity backer, JJK, opted against providing additional capital to the business earlier in the year.
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Liquidation is one eventuality being explored alongside several other options, which could also include administration or selling the business to a third party.
NEXT.io understands the situation arose after the supplier’s private equity backer, JJK, opted against providing additional capital to the business earlier in the year.
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🇳🇱 The Dutch Lottery (Nederlandse Loterij) has launched legal action against Skyhills and the parties behind the gambling operator over alleged illegal activities in the Netherlands.
Setting out its case, the lottery said Skyhills is operated by Curaçao-based Skyhills N.V., which does not have a Dutch licence. Despite this, Skyhills allowed Dutch consumers to create accounts and gamble on its platform.
Commenting on the case, Nederlandse Loterij CEO Arjan Blok hit out at how Skyhills was using “devious” advertising, including on TikTok, to explicitly target Dutch players, especially young people. They can gamble there completely unprotected, with all the associated risks,” Blok said. “That is unacceptable. That is why it is good to see that, following our first step, the Skyhills site went offline immediately.”
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Setting out its case, the lottery said Skyhills is operated by Curaçao-based Skyhills N.V., which does not have a Dutch licence. Despite this, Skyhills allowed Dutch consumers to create accounts and gamble on its platform.
Commenting on the case, Nederlandse Loterij CEO Arjan Blok hit out at how Skyhills was using “devious” advertising, including on TikTok, to explicitly target Dutch players, especially young people. They can gamble there completely unprotected, with all the associated risks,” Blok said. “That is unacceptable. That is why it is good to see that, following our first step, the Skyhills site went offline immediately.”
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🇳🇿 SkyCity has completed the sale of its 99 Albert Street office building and adjoining Victoria Street properties in Auckland, closing out a deal that formed part of the casino operator’s wider drive to raise cash and cut debt.
New Zealand-listed SkyCity confirmed settlement of the sale of the properties in Auckland today, in a deal worth NZ$74.5m (€37.9m).
The properties were sold to Christchurch-based commercial property manager Mainland Capital, in a joint venture with Russell Property Group. The sale forms part of SkyCity’s asset monetisation programme, launched alongside a NZ$240m equity raise last year to strengthen its balance sheet.
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New Zealand-listed SkyCity confirmed settlement of the sale of the properties in Auckland today, in a deal worth NZ$74.5m (€37.9m).
The properties were sold to Christchurch-based commercial property manager Mainland Capital, in a joint venture with Russell Property Group. The sale forms part of SkyCity’s asset monetisation programme, launched alongside a NZ$240m equity raise last year to strengthen its balance sheet.
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👀 Star Entertainment has come under renewed scrutiny over its responsible gambling controls after leaked internal records described shrinking compliance teams, growing review backlogs and pressure to keep customers gambling.
The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) cites a number of anonymous sources in its report, with one describing the group’s problem-gambling approach as “appalling”.
These revelations could have a material impact because they cut directly across the areas regulators are assessing when deciding whether Star has become suitable to control its own casino licences again. The leaks do not automatically prevent Star from regaining its licences, but they strike at the exact remediation areas regulators are evaluating.
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The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) cites a number of anonymous sources in its report, with one describing the group’s problem-gambling approach as “appalling”.
These revelations could have a material impact because they cut directly across the areas regulators are assessing when deciding whether Star has become suitable to control its own casino licences again. The leaks do not automatically prevent Star from regaining its licences, but they strike at the exact remediation areas regulators are evaluating.
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South Africa's GGR grew 25.7% in a year, to €3.1bn — Africa's most mature betting market. Get the detail in our free Market in Focus: South Africa report.
🤝 Lottomatica has agreed to absorb Spanish operator Cirsa in a €2.8bn all-share merger.
Lottomatica has led the Italian market from the front through its digital transition, proving its ability to turn lottery and retail success into European omnichannel dominance. The Italian market leader will now attempt to replicate that transition in Spain after agreeing a binding merger agreement with Blackstone-owned Cirsa.
In terms of ownership, Lottomatica shareholders will own around 67.5% of the company, with Cirsa accounting for the remaining 32.5%. Blackstone is the majority shareholder of Cirsa and will remain the largest shareholder of the new entity with a 24% stake – the US investment group will also nominate two of 13 members of the board of directors, which otherwise consists of Lottomatica’s existing directors.
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Lottomatica has led the Italian market from the front through its digital transition, proving its ability to turn lottery and retail success into European omnichannel dominance. The Italian market leader will now attempt to replicate that transition in Spain after agreeing a binding merger agreement with Blackstone-owned Cirsa.
In terms of ownership, Lottomatica shareholders will own around 67.5% of the company, with Cirsa accounting for the remaining 32.5%. Blackstone is the majority shareholder of Cirsa and will remain the largest shareholder of the new entity with a 24% stake – the US investment group will also nominate two of 13 members of the board of directors, which otherwise consists of Lottomatica’s existing directors.
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🇭🇺 The Hungarian government has launched a review into whether to shut down the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH), the body that regulates the country’s gambling, tobacco and mining sectors, and hand its powers to bodies managed by the government instead.
A resolution published in the Hungarian Gazette on 31 August called on the justice minister to prepare a report on the feasibility of terminating the SZTFH and transferring its tasks elsewhere within government. The minister has until 30 September to report back.
The review follows revelations that the SZTFH had granted CAI Hungary Kft, a company linked to businessman István Garancsi, a 35-year casino concession running until 2061 to operate the Sopron casino, without putting the licence out to public tender.
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A resolution published in the Hungarian Gazette on 31 August called on the justice minister to prepare a report on the feasibility of terminating the SZTFH and transferring its tasks elsewhere within government. The minister has until 30 September to report back.
The review follows revelations that the SZTFH had granted CAI Hungary Kft, a company linked to businessman István Garancsi, a 35-year casino concession running until 2061 to operate the Sopron casino, without putting the licence out to public tender.
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🤝 Avanti Studios has appointed Jonas Ericson as chief financial officer as the live casino supplier startup builds out its senior leadership team.
Ericson joins after six-and-a-half years at Klarna, where he most recently served as global head of finance. He previously worked across financial transformation, accounting, new products and M&A at the Swedish payments group.
Ericson said in a press release: “No one in the live casino space is even attempting the ideas that Avanti Studios has already implemented, and I’m looking forward to using this position to grow the brand’s profitability and global impact as CFO.”
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Ericson joins after six-and-a-half years at Klarna, where he most recently served as global head of finance. He previously worked across financial transformation, accounting, new products and M&A at the Swedish payments group.
Ericson said in a press release: “No one in the live casino space is even attempting the ideas that Avanti Studios has already implemented, and I’m looking forward to using this position to grow the brand’s profitability and global impact as CFO.”
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🇫🇮 Veikkaus “returned to a growth path” in H1 2026 with a 2% year-on-year uptick in profit to €234.2m.
But these positive results arrive as Veikkaus announces a significant restructuring of the organisation to prepare for a radically altered operating environment from next year. In December 2025, a resounding parliamentary vote in favour of reform meant that Veikkaus will no longer have an exclusive run at the country’s online betting and iGaming demand from 1 July 2027. However, lottery rights will remain exclusively with the state-owned operator.
Veikkaus will participate in the newly competitive marketplace, while also paying approximately €1bn in compensation for its ongoing lottery monopoly, which will last for a 10-year licence period.
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South Africa's GGR grew 25.7% in a year, to €3.1bn — Africa's most mature betting market. Get the detail in our free Market in Focus: South Africa report.
But these positive results arrive as Veikkaus announces a significant restructuring of the organisation to prepare for a radically altered operating environment from next year. In December 2025, a resounding parliamentary vote in favour of reform meant that Veikkaus will no longer have an exclusive run at the country’s online betting and iGaming demand from 1 July 2027. However, lottery rights will remain exclusively with the state-owned operator.
Veikkaus will participate in the newly competitive marketplace, while also paying approximately €1bn in compensation for its ongoing lottery monopoly, which will last for a 10-year licence period.
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South Africa's GGR grew 25.7% in a year, to €3.1bn — Africa's most mature betting market. Get the detail in our free Market in Focus: South Africa report.
👀 Maverick Gaming is closing two more casino properties as part of its reorganisation, after its parent company RunItOnTime LLC filed for bankruptcy protection last year.
The latest properties to close are the Riverside Casino and Great American Casino, both situated in Tukwila, Washington.
As a result, the business will lay off 238 employees, including 142 from the Riverside Casino and 96 from the Great American.
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The latest properties to close are the Riverside Casino and Great American Casino, both situated in Tukwila, Washington.
As a result, the business will lay off 238 employees, including 142 from the Riverside Casino and 96 from the Great American.
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🇮🇪 Flutter Entertainment-owned Paddy Power is undergoing a review of its retail estate that could see up to 100 betting shops closed across the UK and Ireland.
As a result, 400 jobs within the company are at risk of redundancy, though Flutter has told NEXT.io that “impacted colleagues will be offered redeployment opportunities where possible”. Any measures pursued as a result of the review are being attributed to a multitude of external pressures including rising energy costs, rents, business rates and increased gambling taxes.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We are incredibly proud of our high street estate, and it remains a key part of our business in communities across the UK and Ireland. Unfortunately, we have had to take the extremely difficult decision to conduct this review.”
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As a result, 400 jobs within the company are at risk of redundancy, though Flutter has told NEXT.io that “impacted colleagues will be offered redeployment opportunities where possible”. Any measures pursued as a result of the review are being attributed to a multitude of external pressures including rising energy costs, rents, business rates and increased gambling taxes.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We are incredibly proud of our high street estate, and it remains a key part of our business in communities across the UK and Ireland. Unfortunately, we have had to take the extremely difficult decision to conduct this review.”
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👋 Bally’s Corporation CFO Mira Mircheva is standing down from her role effective immediately, with president and former CEO George Papanier stepping in on an interim basis.
According to a statement from the US-listed casino operator, Mircheva is resigning from the role due to personal reasons. Bally’s issued a going concern warning alongside its Q2 results last month, citing doubts over its ability to continue operating over the next 12 months amid liquidity pressures and a high debt burden.
Those fears may now have been compounded with the resignation of the company’s CFO. The market’s initial reaction to the announcement appears to have been positive, however, with shares trading around 3.6% higher since the resignation was announced.
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According to a statement from the US-listed casino operator, Mircheva is resigning from the role due to personal reasons. Bally’s issued a going concern warning alongside its Q2 results last month, citing doubts over its ability to continue operating over the next 12 months amid liquidity pressures and a high debt burden.
Those fears may now have been compounded with the resignation of the company’s CFO. The market’s initial reaction to the announcement appears to have been positive, however, with shares trading around 3.6% higher since the resignation was announced.
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🇸🇪 The Swedish government has launched an investigation into gambling among children and young adults that could result in new regulation and enforcement measures.
The review may trigger tighter marketing rules and mandatory play limits, as well as greater scrutiny of the finances of young people.
It follows what the government has described as a sharp increase in risky gambling behaviour among young men, with Minister for Health Elisabet Lann claiming the rate has doubled in recent years and now affects one in five.
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The review may trigger tighter marketing rules and mandatory play limits, as well as greater scrutiny of the finances of young people.
It follows what the government has described as a sharp increase in risky gambling behaviour among young men, with Minister for Health Elisabet Lann claiming the rate has doubled in recent years and now affects one in five.
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Canada’s financial intelligence agency has fined two Atlantic provincial gaming corporations a combined C$631,538.50 for anti-money-laundering (AML) failures.
FINTRAC imposed a C$399,712.50 penalty on New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation, and C$231,826 on Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation following compliance examinations. Both have been paid in full and the cases are closed.
New Brunswick’s Crown corporation failed to file three suspicious transaction reports despite grounds for suspicion, FINTRAC found. Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation was cited for three separate violations, including failing to file two suspicious transaction reports covering attempted transactions that FINTRAC considered suspicious.
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South Africa's GGR grew 25.7% in a year, to €3.1bn — Africa's most mature betting market. Get the detail in our free Market in Focus: South Africa report.
FINTRAC imposed a C$399,712.50 penalty on New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation, and C$231,826 on Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation following compliance examinations. Both have been paid in full and the cases are closed.
New Brunswick’s Crown corporation failed to file three suspicious transaction reports despite grounds for suspicion, FINTRAC found. Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation was cited for three separate violations, including failing to file two suspicious transaction reports covering attempted transactions that FINTRAC considered suspicious.
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South Africa's GGR grew 25.7% in a year, to €3.1bn — Africa's most mature betting market. Get the detail in our free Market in Focus: South Africa report.