Tony Bloom Facing Claims of £600 Million Betting Network Run Through “Front” Accounts
Allegations brought before the High Court against Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton & Hove Albion, concern the operation of a concealed betting network worth approximately £600 million. The accusations, made by a former associate, focus on the use of “front” accounts — including accounts belonging to George Cottrell, a former associate of Nigel Farage — to circumvent limits imposed by bookmakers on successful bettors.
Novomatic Extends Ainsworth Takeover Deadline
Novomatic has extended the expiration date of its takeover offer for Ainsworth Game Technology to give the remaining shareholders more time to decide. Although it already holds a majority stake, Novomatic is seeking full control of the company, and the financial terms of the proposal remain unchanged from the original offer.
Curaçao Gaming Authority Investigated by Public Prosecution Service
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a formal investigation into the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), a development seen as one of the most serious governance crises the regulator has faced. The probe, confirmed by the supervisory board Cft and conducted by an international investigative team (RMT), stems from ongoing integrity concerns within the government sector, amplified by previous corruption scandals and internal disputes.
Ukraine Launches Licensing Competition
Ukraine has officially initiated a full reset of its lottery sector, aiming to end a decade of operating in a grey zone marked by limited tax transparency and oversight. The new licensing competition introduced by PlayCity establishes a formal regulatory framework. Participants must meet stringent requirements, including proving substantial capital and market experience, while a core condition of the process is the exclusion of any ties to the aggressor state.
Unibet Fined €4 Million for Failing Player Protection Standards
The operator Unibet has been fined an unprecedented €4 million by the Dutch regulator for a serious breach of player-protection standards. The penalty was imposed after it was determined that the company failed to intervene in a timely manner when players showed signs of excessive gambling, relying on insufficient automated warnings instead of thorough human assessment.
Fanatics and Polymarket Launch US Prediction Platforms
December 3, established a new baseline for the prediction market industry in the United States. Two major entities, Fanatics and Polymarket, executed simultaneous entries into the sector. Fanatics introduced a brand-new platform to leverage its existing sports database, while Polymarket returned to American soil after a regulatory hiatus.
Hard Rock Bet Enters Michigan’s Gaming Market
Hard Rock Bet officially launched its platform in Michigan. The expansion introduces both an online sportsbook and an internet casino to the state. Michigan becomes the tenth state to host Hard Rock sports betting services and only the second to feature its online casino product.
Missouri Betting Market Opens with Massive Digital Footprint
Missouri officially opened its digital doors to legal sports betting at 12:01 a.m. on December 1, 2025. The launch ended years of legislative deadlock and immediately triggered a flood of activity. Early data from GeoComply suggests the state is quickly becoming a heavyweight in the national wagering environment, with millions of interactions recorded in the first day alone.
Connecticut Orders Prediction Markets to Halt; Kalshi Files Federal Suit
Regulators in Connecticut have ordered three major prediction market platforms to stop operations immediately. The state accuses these companies of running illegal sports betting operations without a license. Kalshi, one of the targeted firms, responded less than 24 hours later by suing the state in federal court.
PENN Entertainment Launches theScore Bet
PENN Entertainment officially transitioned its U.S. sports betting operations to theScore Bet. This follows the immediate termination of the company’s partnership with ESPN on December 1. PENN has abandoned the expensive external licensing model used for ESPN BET to focus on its own proprietary technology and branding.
