Welcome to this week’s edition of ONSEC iGaming News Weekly Digest, brought to you by the ONSEC team.
Curated for digital casino operators, sportsbook executives, affiliate managers, and cybersecurity professionals, this edition delivers sharp insights into the trends, technologies, and risks shaping the global iGaming landscape. We dive into Intralot’s €2.7B acquisition of Bally’s International Interactive, SOFTSWISS’s global regulatory snapshot, and South Africa’s booming €3.63B mobile-first market. Plus, we cover sweeping policy moves from New Jersey to Curaçao, and spotlight a wave of cyber threats—from North Korea–linked phishing campaigns to enterprise-level attacks on casino helpdesks.
Trends and Analytics
- Intralot to Acquire Bally’s International Interactive Arm
Greek gaming tech provider Intralot is set to acquire Bally’s International Interactive unit in a €2.7 billion cash-and-stock deal, forming one of the most powerful global iGaming and lottery tech providers. The move consolidates infrastructure and expands both companies’ international reach. Source: iGaming Afrika - SOFTSWISS Reports Mid-Year Regulatory Shifts
SOFTSWISS published its mid-year iGaming trends report, tracking regulatory changes across 24 jurisdictions. A key highlight is Lithuania’s near-total gambling ad ban effective July 1, restricting online promotions to tight windows and formats—signaling tightening rules across Europe. Source: SOFTSWISS - South Africa iGaming Market Set for €3.63B in GGR by Year-End
South Africa’s online gambling revenue is forecast to hit €3.63 billion in 2025, with mobile betting making up 81% of the total. The market shows strong demand for mobile-first design, localized content, and regulatory alignment for regional growth. Source: iGaming Afrika - Blask Unveils ‘Games’ – A Real-Time Dashboard for iGaming Visibility & Demand
Blask launched a real-time dashboard that tracks game visibility, search interest, and market share across five countries. Dubbed the “Bloomberg terminal for iGaming,” it provides casino operators, affiliates, and providers with up-to-date market insight every 24 hours. Source: AGBrief
Law and Regulation
- New Jersey Bans Sweepstakes Casinos & Raises iGaming Taxes. New Jersey enacted a sweeping ban on sweepstakes-style casino platforms and increased tax rates—online casino and poker from 15% to 19.75%, and sports betting from 13% to 16%, effective late June. The move tightens oversight and boosts state revenue from its already large iGaming market. Source: Esports Insider
- Denmark Blocks Record 178 Illegal Gambling Sites. Denmark’s regulator Spillemyndigheden secured court approval to block 178 illegal gambling websites, marking the most extensive action since 2012. Access will be disabled via ISPs, aiming to protect consumers and reinforce regulated-market dominance. Source: iGaming Business
- Curaçao Extends Licenses Ahead of Regulatory Reform. The Curaçao Gaming Authority has granted a six-month extension to provisional B2C and B2B gambling licenses, delaying the implementation of a tougher regulatory framework originally planned to start June 24. Operators now have until December 2025 to comply with stricter AML and dispute resolution requirements. Source: Yogonet
- Germany Cracks Down on Illegal iGaming Market. Germany’s GGL regulator blocked around 450 illegal gambling sites in 2024, with approximately 36% of online gambling now channeled through licensed platforms. It increased regulatory actions and tightened advertising controls alongside Google, though industry debate continues over the remaining size of the black market. Source: iGaming Business
- New Zealand Legalizes Online Casinos. New Zealand’s government has introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill, allowing up to 15 licensed online casino platforms. The legislation includes powerful consumer protections—such as self-exclusion tools, loss/time limits, and hefty $3 million fines for operators offering unlicensed services. With the bill now in the select committee phase, this marks a major shift toward regulating and safe-operating what was previously an entirely offshore market. Source: Casino.org
Hacks and Data Breaches
- Lazarus-linked BlueNoroff Phishing Campaign Hits iGaming. North Korea–tied BlueNoroff has begun impersonating Zoom support in video calls, tricking helpdesk staff at gambling operators into installing malware. The attack installs infostealer spyware, compromising browser data, crypto wallets, and internal credentials. Impact: Highlights the rising prevalence of human reconnaissance in sophisticated attacks targeting iGaming platforms. Source: Security Boulevard
- FBI Flags Scattered Spider as Broad Threat to Casinos. The FBI has raised the alarm on Scattered Spider (UNC3944), the group behind major 2023 attacks on Caesars and MGM, now targeting corporate helpdesks via social engineering, bypassing MFA safeguards. While current focus is on airlines, casinos remain a prime target. Impact: Shows that enterprise-level threats still pose major risks to iGaming firms via credential phishing and helpdesk manipulation. Source: Business Insider
- London Daily Highlights ‘Next‑Gen’ iGaming Security Measures. London Daily News published a deep dive into iGaming cybersecurity, recommending the adoption of AI-driven anomaly detection, zero‑trust architectures, and advanced bot protection to combat rising DDoS, fraud, and credential stuffing threats. Impact: Signals industry-wide recognition for the need to modernize defenses, not just patch systems. Source: London Daily News
Final Words
As the global iGaming landscape accelerates—with billion-euro acquisitions, sweeping regulatory reforms, and next-gen cyberattacks—staying competitive means staying informed. From mobile-first market surges in South Africa to phishing campaigns engineered by state-backed groups, this week’s developments reveal both the scale of opportunity and the depth of risk. If you found this digest valuable, share it with your team and peers. Collective awareness is key to building a safer, smarter, and more resilient iGaming ecosystem.
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