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Bet-swana: 10 Botswana bookies break ground
The Botswana Gambling Authority has taken a major step in formalising the country’s gambling sector by issuing 10 bookmaker licences. Six operators have already launched their services, while one has withdrawn and three others are expected to commence operations soon.
The development has already created over 400 jobs through casinos and newly licensed bookmakers, with projections suggesting that up to 2,300 positions could be generated across the gambling ecosystem in the near future.
The Botswana Gambling Authority is also conducting a national study on gambling prevalence – including online gambling and at-risk behaviours – with findings set to inform future regulatory decisions.
A whole ‘lotto’ trouble: Allwyn’s delays draw commission scrutiny
The Gambling Commission is exploring enforcement actions against Allwyn after the lottery operator failed to meet contractual obligations during its takeover from previous operator Camelot.
Allwyn had promised several technical upgrades as part of its successful bid to secure the multi-billion-pound UK Lottery contract but has subsequently failed to deliver on these commitments. The company has cited ongoing legal challenges and an underestimation of “the scale and complexity” of the changes as reasons for the delays.
Despite these challenges, Allwyn maintains it has successfully protected returns to Good Causes at £1.6bn ($2.1bn) in its first year of operation.
Taxing questions: India’s skill-vs-chance debate hits the Supreme Court
India’s Supreme Court has become the arena for ongoing legal debates regarding whether games of skill like rummy and chess become games of chance when wagers are placed, and whether such activities should be subject to the nation’s Goods and Services Tax (GST).
During proceedings on 5 May, Government representative Additional Solicitor General N. Venkataraman argued that the addition of wagers fundamentally changes the nature of skill-based games: “Then it will become gambling, in spite of being a game of skill… Betting on a game of skill is statutorily considered gambling.”
Opposing this view, Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, representing one of the gaming companies involved, questioned: “Is the Government saying that in chess, the moment I put money on it, the game metamorphosises from a game of skill into a game of chance? The character of a game cannot be so changed.”
As both sides dig in, the outcome could redefine how India handles online betting.
‘Oui’ like to gamble: French gambling market hits €14bn high
France’s gambling market generated €14bn ($15bn) in gross gaming revenue for 2024, marking a 4.7% increase from the previous year. According to regulator ANJ, this solidifies France’s position as Europe’s fourth-largest gambling market.
The growth was primarily driven by the lottery sector and online sports betting, with the latter seeing a 19% revenue increase to €1.8bn. Overall, online gambling revenue grew by 12%, totalling €2.6bn for the year.
Active player accounts in the online gaming sector reached 5.7 million, an 11% rise from 2023. Sports betting accounts for the largest share of this growth, with a notable demographic shift as 30% of bettors now fall between 18 and 24 years old.
Market leader FDJ United continues to dominate with GGR exceeding €7bn, up 6% compared to 2023, while PMU has maintained stable profits despite experiencing a slight decline in market share.
Bets, bills and blunders: Florida folds on sweepstakes ban
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) is celebrating after two bills aimed at criminalising sweepstakes promotions in Florida failed to advance in the state legislature. Senate Bill 1404 and House Bill 1467 would have created new criminal penalties for Floridians engaging with unlicensed games via their mobile devices.
The SPGA highlighted that the failure of these bills effectively nullifies attempts to outlaw sweepstakes in Florida for the remainder of 2025, continuing what they describe as “a clear national trend” following similar defeats of anti-sweepstakes legislation in Arkansas, Maryland and Mississippi.
An SPGA spokesperson called the outcome “a huge win, not just for the industry, but for every Floridian who values economic freedom and digital innovation,” adding that “a state has seen through the scare tactics and rejected legislation that would have harmed consumers, businesses and Florida’s economy.”
