Welcome to this week’s edition of the ONSEC iGaming Weekly Digest, where we track the most critical shifts shaping the global gambling industry. Between surging online revenues in Pennsylvania and Lithuania, affiliates under pressure from regulatory headwinds, and India’s stunning decision to outlaw real-money games, the sector finds itself at the intersection of growth and governance. In Europe, the UK Gambling Commission continues to tighten compliance expectations, from a £1 million fine on ProgressPlay to the rollout of a mandatory safer gambling levy. At the same time, cyber threats remain an ever-present risk, with Bragg Gaming disclosing a recent breach and Casino Fandango finalizing a settlement tied to a 2024 data leak. The week underscores both the opportunities of digital expansion and the hardening regulatory and security environment operators must navigate.
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Trends and Analytics
- Pennsylvania iGaming Revenue Soars in July. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board posted $557.7 million in total gaming revenue for July, up 11.4% year-on-year. Notably, internet casino play hit $228.2 million, a 30.9% YoY jump, marking a new monthly high as online slots and table games continue to gain traction. This digital surge helped offset flat retail results; in fact, July’s online gaming haul accounted for roughly 41% of the state’s total gaming receipts. Source: CDC Gaming Reports
- Better Collective Sees Q2 Dip Amid Regulatory Headwinds. Sports betting affiliate giant Better Collective reported Q2 2025 revenue of €82 million, an 18% drop from a year prior. The company attributed the decline primarily to regulatory changes in Brazil (cutting into revenue-share income by ~€8 million) and tougher comps in North America after last year’s major sporting events. Despite the downturn, cost-saving measures kept margins stable and Better Collective reaffirmed its full-year outlook, forecasting €320–350 million in revenue and up to €120 million EBITDA as it anticipates a stronger H2 with a busy sports calendar. Source: iGaming Express
- Lithuania’s Gambling Market Climbs 13% in H1 2025. The Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority reported €131.5 million in gross gambling revenue for the first half of 2025, a 13.4% increase over H1 2024. Growth was driven overwhelmingly by the online sector, which saw revenue jump 18.2% to €96.1 million – including a 20% surge in online slots GGR – while land-based gambling posted a modest 2.2% rise. Lottery sales also climbed 10.6% in the period. The strong results underscore robust player demand in regulated EU markets, especially in iGaming channels. Source: iGaming Express
Law and Regulation
- India Enacts Federal Ban on Online Money Games. In a shock move for the industry, India’s Parliament approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, imposing a nationwide ban on real-money online games. The Lok Sabha passed the bill just days after its introduction, aiming to “protect the youth” by outlawing online casino, rummy, poker and fantasy platforms. Following the law’s rapid enactment, Flutter Entertainment announced it will withdraw Junglee Games from India, effectively halting its rummy and daily fantasy operations in the country. The ban has prompted an outcry from local gaming firms and trade groups, who warn it could drive players to the black market even as it shuts down India’s nascent regulated iGaming sector. Source: Reuters
- Massachusetts iCasino Bill Advances, Would Ban Sweepstakes. Massachusetts is the latest US state taking steps toward regulated iGaming. On August 18, state Rep. David Muradian introduced H.4431, a bill to legalize online casino gambling (slots, table games, poker) starting January 2026 while explicitly outlawing online sweepstakes casinos. The proposal would allow the state’s three land casinos to each partner with up to three iCasino brands (with a 15% tax on gross gaming revenue) and includes stringent responsible gambling measures such as a ban on credit-card deposits and college-campus ads. H.4431 has been referred to committee for review; if it progresses, Massachusetts could join the ranks of states embracing full iGaming, even as it cracks down on gray-area sweepstakes gaming. Source: SBC Americas
- UKGC Fines ProgressPlay £1m for Repeat AML & Safer Gambling Failures. The UK Gambling Commission fined ProgressPlay Limited £1 million after a compliance review revealed serious anti-money laundering and social responsibility breaches across its 134 websites. Failings included no proper MLTF risk assessment, weak Source of Funds checks, and poor monitoring of new accounts, leaving early signs of harm undetected. This is the operator’s second sanction (after a £175k penalty in 2022). Regulators also issued a formal warning and ordered a third-party audit, warning that repeat breaches will trigger harsher action. Source: Gambling Commission UK
- UK Sets New Levy Framework for Safer Gambling Funding. The UK Gambling Commission has issued guidance on the upcoming statutory levy that will require operators to fund problem gambling research, education and treatment. From September 1, licensed firms must pay 0.1% to 1.0% of gross revenue (depending on sector) into the central levy. This graduated levy – a flagship reform from the recent Gambling Act Review – replaces the previous voluntary contributions system and is expected to raise tens of millions of pounds annually for safer gambling initiatives. The UKGC’s rules clarify how different verticals (e.g. betting, casinos, iGaming) will be assessed and signal that the regulator is watching compliance closely. Source: CDC Gaming
Hacks and Data Breaches
- Bragg Gaming Group Hit by Cyberattack — Internal Systems Breached; No Player Data Compromised.
Bragg Gaming—a B2B provider supplying platforms, casino content, and backend solutions—confirmed it suffered a cybersecurity incident on August 16, discovered early Sunday morning. The breach was confined to its internal systems; no personal or customer data appears to have been accessed, and business operations remained unaffected. The company immediately retained third-party cybersecurity experts to contain the incident and is committed to updating stakeholders as more information becomes available. Source: TechRadar - Casino Fandango Data Breach Settlement Opens for Claims.
Following a data breach in June 2024, Casino Fandango has agreed to a $1 million settlement. Affected individuals now have until October 28, 2025 to submit claims for up to $2,000 in compensation for unreimbursed losses related to identity theft or credit issues. Additional benefits include one year of credit monitoring, identity theft insurance up to $1M, and identity recovery services. Source: The Sun
Final Words
As we close out this week’s digest, a clear picture emerges: iGaming is thriving, but under sharper scrutiny than ever. Rapid growth in regulated markets is driving record revenues, yet regulators from India to the UK are drawing hard lines on compliance, transparency, and consumer protection. Meanwhile, cybersecurity incidents remind us that resilience is as vital as revenue in safeguarding player trust. For operators, the challenge—and opportunity—lies in balancing innovation with responsibility, turning compliance and security into competitive advantages. We’ll be back next week with more insights from across the global gambling ecosystem.
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