NEXT.io iGaming Digest – 20 June 2025
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The World's iGaming Community
⚖️📊 Norway admits a major tech failure in tip collection, FDJ United rewrites marketing playbooks with Optimove, and DraftKings takes political action after tax hikes
Plus, regulators from Brazil to Romania tighten enforcement.
Don’t miss today’s top stories.
1. Norway Regulator Loses Hundreds of Tips Due to System Error
The Norwegian Lottery and Foundations Authority has revealed a 14-month system malfunction that prevented hundreds of anonymous tips from reaching its oversight team. The error affected a tip-off form used for reporting illegal gambling and foundation misconduct.
Director Atle Hamar expressed concern over the loss and urged the public to resubmit any reports. Although 120 tips were recovered, most were deleted due to privacy rules. The issue has since been resolved, with reforms planned to prevent future lapses.
2. FDJ United Slashes Campaign Time from Six Weeks to One Day
FDJ UNITED has overhauled its marketing approach using Optimove ’s Positionless Marketing. What once required seven teams and weeks of effort now takes a single marketer just hours.
Rachel Parker , Global Head of Customer Marketing, and Georgi Pepelyankov , Head of Marketing Transformation, credit the shift to standardisation, automation, and real-time optimisation.
The new structure increases campaign agility, accountability, and personalisation across FDJ United’s global operations.
Looking to make business in emerging European and LatAm markets?
3. DraftKings Launches PAC Amid Illinois Tax Hike
DraftKings Inc. says it has established a corporate Political Action Committee to support candidates aligned with its interests.
The move comes in response to regulatory pressures, including Illinois’ recent tax increases, which DraftKings claims risk pushing players into unregulated markets.
The PAC will engage on issues ranging from tax policy to expansion of legal betting, operating in compliance with campaign finance laws. DraftKings emphasised the importance of constructive engagement at state and federal levels.
4. New Jersey Advances Ban on College Player Prop Bets
A New Jersey Senate committee has approved legislation that would ban player-specific prop bets on college sports.
Introduced by Sen. Kristin Corrado, the bill aims to curb harassment of student-athletes by removing betting markets tied to individual performances.
New Jersey joins a growing list of states, including Ohio, Maryland, and Louisiana, seeking to limit exposure of amateur athletes to betting-related abuse. The NCAA has also backed similar restrictions nationwide.
5. Romania Regulator Demands Meta and Google Remove Illegal Ads
Romania’s National Office for Gambling (ONJN) has ordered Meta and Google to take down ads promoting unlicensed gambling operators. The ads, which appeared across Google Search and Meta platforms, violated Romanian laws.
ONJN also demanded access to advertiser account data and revenue information, citing potential criminal liability for platforms enabling illegal promotion. The move comes amid scrutiny of ONJN’s own oversight practices following a critical audit.
6. Brazil Seizes R$30 Million in Operation Red Card
Brazilian police have launched Operation Cartão Vermelho (Red Card) to dismantle an illegal gambling ring in Santa Catarina. The operation led to the seizure of over R$30 million in assets, including luxury cars, properties, and blocked bank accounts.
The group operated online bingo, jogo do bicho, and games like 'Tigrinho', using shell companies to launder funds. Investigators said the ring resumed operations under a new name after previous sanctions, exposing common tactics used to evade regulation.
Which of these stories will impact the industry the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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