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Comparing US Gambling Regulations with Other English Speaking Markets

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The iGaming market in the US is poised for huge growth in the near to medium-term, with this projected to grow from $74.17 billion in 2021 to a whopping $158.20 billion by the end of 2028.

This represents a CAGR of 11.4% during the forecast period, while the expected GGY for online gambling stateside is likely to double over the course of the reporting period.

This is despite a relatively complex set of regulatory stipulations in the US, as America’s laws are different in each state. But how exactly do the regulations stateside compare with other English speaking markets in the world? Let’s find out!

 

The Lack of a Central Point of Control

If we look at prominent English-speaking markets such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand, we see that each one is governed by an omni-potent and central point of control.

More specifically, the UK Gambling Commission, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the New Zealand Gambling Commission comprehensively regulate iGaming in their relevant jurisdictions, while single bodies of legislation also exist to help license and oversee operators.

Conversely, iGaming laws pertaining to online casino gameplay and sports betting are determined at state level in North America, meaning that local authorities have the autonomy to legalise and regulate specific verticals while monetising them for tax purposes.

Interestingly, the last main federal law pertaining to gambling in the US (namely the PAPSA legislation of 1992) was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018. This had previously prohibited sports betting at a national level, and more than 20 US states have since legalised this practice fully.

 

The Prominence of Gambling Affiliates

Given that most US states have only moved to legalise sports betting since the decision to reverse the PAPSA legislation a little over three years ago, this burgeoning market is still in its infancy stateside.

This also means that the market for iGaming affiliates remains relatively underdeveloped for now, especially when you consider the size of the North American market and the fact that the average punter loses just under $400 per annum through wagering.

Gambling affiliates operate by promoting selected gambling services and platforms, earning a fixed rate of commission when their customers click on a relevant link and open an account.

The market for gambling affiliates remains huge in countries such as the UK and New Zealand, from large-scale programs that apply huge commissions to independent entities such as Online Casino New Zealand (which also works as a reliable comparison site and serves as an affiliate for some of the leading online casinos in New Zealand).

However, operators in the US may be about to begin closing this gap, especially as brands continue to engage in high-profile mergers and acquisitions with UK firms.

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. recently acquired the iconic William Hill PLC brand for approximately $4 billion, for example, offering them access to the UK firm’s proprietary technology, intellectual property and cutting-edge affiliate strategies.

 

The Approach to Responsible Gambling

When the UK Gambling Commission announced its core strategic objectives through 2021, at the heart of this was its commitment to safeguarding vulnerable players on these shores.

Make no mistake; responsible gambling remains a huge priority for mature markets such as the UK and Australia, whereas it’s a concept that’s still in its infancy on the other side of the Atlantic.

Once again, this is a key reason why US brands are looking to strategically partner with UK operators, with the latter having invested huge amounts of cash in developing cutting-edge responsible gambling technology.

This includes William Hill, who previously procured the independent Mr. Green brand that had developed its own proprietary responsible gambling tool. This enabled players to monitor their activity in detail and measure this against insights from the operator, in addition to affording them direct controls over deposit limits and the time spent wagering online.

We definitely expect the US to make further strides in this respect in the years ahead, particularly as the not-for-profit Entain Foundation recently launched its new responsible gambling app called “Gamble Responsibly America”.

This app is the first of its kind in the US, and may well emerge as a trail-blazer for similar entities to follow!

 

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Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

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Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.

Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.

Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.

Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.

Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.

Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.

“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”

Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.

“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”

The post Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

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BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.

This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].

Registration and program details will be released later this fall.

The post Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

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Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).

The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.

Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestoneit’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”

On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”

Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.

 

The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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