On this episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad and Mike are joined by Matt Berkey to break down all the latest headlines from the poker world. The trio dive into the growing “patch war” controversy at this year’s WSOP, Charlie Carrel being banned from entering the USA, the return of poker at The Lodge and much more.

Players can win up to $10 every day this month by playing cash games.

Follow top mixed game poker pros at the WSOP this summer using the PokerNews MyPlayers feed

It was a lengthy process, but Champions Club Dallas is finally here.

Complete five weekly MTT challenges on Paddy Power Poker to qualify for the €1,000 Sunday freeroll.

Genting Malaysia Bhd recorded a net loss of MYR25.2 million (US$6.4 million) for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026, reversing a net profit of MYR52.0 million (US$13.1 million) in the same period last year. The decline occurred despite a 10% increase in total revenue to MYR2.87 billion (US$724 million), driven by stronger contributions across Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United States, and the Bahamas. The company attributed part of the loss to pre-opening expenses associated with Resorts World New York […]

The post Genting Malaysia Sees Q1 Loss Amid New York Casino Launch appeared first on World Casino News.

Polymarket, a federally regulated U.S. prediction market platform, has filed to add parlay-style contracts, known as Combinatorial Athletic Outcome Contracts (CAOCs), to its exchange. The filing with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) signals the platform’s intent to list these multi-leg sports contracts no earlier than May 21, 2026. Each contract is structured so that all included “legs” must settle successfully for a payout. If any single leg fails, the contract resolves to zero, mirroring traditional parlay mechanics. As CoinDesk reports, CAOCs […]

The post Polymarket Moves to Introduce Parlay Contracts in U.S. appeared first on World Casino News.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has expanded its partnership with Gamban, providing an additional 100 free licenses for Michigan residents to access gambling-blocking software. The move follows overwhelming demand for the initial licenses, with more than 80 of the first 100 claimed within two weeks of the program’s launch in April 2026. Gamban is a widely recognized software solution designed to restrict access to online gambling websites and applications across all major devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. […]

The post Michigan Boosts Gamban Program with 100 Additional Licenses appeared first on World Casino News.

A San Francisco Superior Court judge has temporarily blocked California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s proposed cardroom regulations, allowing casinos across the state to continue offering blackjack-style games while a legal battle over the rules proceeds. Judge Richard Darwin issued a preliminary injunction Thursday that prevents the state’s Bureau of Gambling Control from enforcing the regulations during ongoing litigation brought by the California Gaming Association (CGA). The court determined the bureau likely exceeded its authority by adopting rules that would effectively […]

The post Judge Halts California Cardroom Restrictions appeared first on World Casino News.

Royal Caribbean has completed a large-scale renovation of Harmony of the Seas, introducing the biggest casino across its cruise fleet as the company continues to expand onboard gaming offerings. The ship, which first entered service in 2016, recently returned from a five-week drydock project in Europe under the cruise line’s “Royal Amplified” program, according to Parade. The renovation touched multiple areas of the vessel, including entertainment venues, restaurants, pool decks, bars and accommodations. The most significant change centered on Deck […]

The post Royal Caribbean Expands Casino on Harmony of the Seas Ship appeared first on World Casino News.

AUSTRAC has directed Bankstown District Sports Club Ltd to appoint an independent auditor following concerns that the club’s anti-money-laundering (AML) controls may be insufficient to prevent exploitation by organized crime. The Sydney-based club operates multiple venues, including Bankstown Sports Club, The Acres Club, Bankstown Sports Bowls, Birrong Sports, Bankstown Golf Club, Baulkham Hills Sports, and Auburn Tennis Club. The order, issued under section 162 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, requires the auditor to evaluate whether the […]

The post AUSTRAC Mandates External Audit for Bankstown Sports Club appeared first on World Casino News.

A California judge temporarily blocks the AG's blackjack ban, ruling regulators overstepped their authority.

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In 2026, the social casino market size is projected to break the $10 billion mark. While real-money gaming dominates headlines with legal battles and big mergers, players are quietly choosing the freemium model of social gaming and preferring free chips instead of real-money bonuses. Quarterly reports from industry leaders such as Playtika Holding and Aristocrat prove this trend, with more and more players choosing narrative-driven rewards and long-term engagement over traditional wagering. As more people tighten their belts, the innovative […]

The post Market Analysis: The Sustained Growth of the Social Casino Vertical in 2026 appeared first on World Casino News.

A big win for a big poker star.

The post AGA Warns Senators on Prediction Markets appeared first on This Week in Gambling.

The Lodge is back and the RGPS is heading to Austin.

PokerStars Anniversary Series Main Events offer $6M GTD on May 24, with satellites from $1.10.

Liebert topped a 179-entry field to win $22,564 from the $92,185 prize pool.

Other stories include Charlie Carrel's US ban and a Maurice Hawkins bankruptcy update.

Ireland’s largest privately owned bookmaker, BoyleSports, is reportedly circulating details of its business to potential buyers, according to multiple industry sources. The company operates approximately 390 retail outlets across Ireland and the UK and maintains a growing online gambling operation. Discussions of a potential sale have gained momentum after reports emerged that the business has been “shopped around” since at least February. The move comes at a sensitive time for the gambling sector in both of BoyleSports’ core markets. Ireland is preparing to […]

The post BoyleSports Quietly Explores Sale of Retail and Online Operations appeared first on World Casino News.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has directed internet service providers (ISPs) to block six additional illegal online gambling websites, following investigations that found the platforms were operating in violation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. The latest sites added to the blocklist are Play Jonny, ACO96, TCL99, Waboom77, Wonaco, and WooSpin. Website blocking forms a key part of the ACMA’s broader enforcement strategy to shield Australian consumers from unlicensed gambling operators. Since issuing its first blocking request in November […]

The post ACMA Expands Blocklist to Protect Australians from Illegal Gambling appeared first on World Casino News.

Philippines’ Newport World Resorts (NWR), operated by Travellers International, reported a 16.5% year-on-year decline in gross gaming revenue for the first quarter of 2026, highlighting continued softness in the VIP segment. The performance formed part of Alliance Global Group Inc.’s (AGI) 1Q26 financial disclosure, which revealed GGR at PHP6.6 billion (US$107 million), down from PHP7.9 billion (US$128 million) a year prior. Consolidated net revenue at NWR reached PHP7.0 billion (US$114 million), with gross revenue totaling PHP8.6 billion (US$140 million). Adjusted EBITDA […]

The post Newport World Resorts Q1 2026 Sees Drop in VIP Gaming Revenue appeared first on World Casino News.

The UK Gambling Commission has defended its planned Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), stating they will impact only a small fraction of British bettors amid criticism from racing stakeholders and industry groups. The assessments, sometimes referred to as affordability checks, have been contentious, with critics warning they could push customers toward unregulated operators. FRA Pilot Results and Industry Response Commission Director of Policy Ian Angus reaffirmed at the Clarion Payments Providers Summit that FRAs are distinct from traditional affordability checks. He stated, “Nor do the […]

The post UK Gambling Commission Defends Financial Risk Checks appeared first on World Casino News.

Rakeroom lets poker players earn free or discounted hotel stays through committed casino play.

Sportradar Group AG is facing a federal securities class action lawsuit after investors accused the sports data company of concealing alleged relationships with illegal gambling operators while presenting itself as a compliance-focused business to shareholders and regulators. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims Sportradar and several senior executives misled investors about the company’s operations and internal compliance procedures. Plaintiffs allege the company benefited financially from business tied to black-market and […]

The post Sportradar Faces Lawsuit After Sharp Stock Decline appeared first on World Casino News.

Hundreds of vehicles lined the roadway near Interstate 85 in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, on Wednesday morning as visitors gathered for the debut of the first completed phase of the Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort. The opening marked a major step in the Catawba Nation’s long-running casino project, which tribal leaders expect to further develop into a $1.25 billion entertainment complex by 2027. The newly opened introductory casino replaces the temporary gaming facility that began operations in July 2021 on […]

The post Catawba Casino Expansion Opens First Major Phase appeared first on World Casino News.

WPT Global is hosting freerolls and satellites for a €250k GTD live event in Bratislava

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Barney Frank relentlessly fought to legalize poker in the U.S.

Jorge Abreu played an interesting heads-up hand against Twitch streamer Felix Schneiders.

It marks the first time an American betting operator has partnered with F1.

The post British Airways household accounts: The best Avios strategy for families appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.

Poker Wars will run May 21-24 and stars Jon Pardy, Abby Merk, Haven Taylor, and more.

Poker OG Haralabos Voulgaris had the perfect start to the session

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Five players at MGM National Harbor win a combined total of over $3.3 million during May

Playtech has reported a robust start to 2026, with its operations in the Americas and selected European markets exceeding expectations during the first four months of the year. CEO Mor Weizer described the period from January 1 to April 30 as “excellent,” highlighting continued strength in the US, Mexico, and certain European markets, alongside solid performance in the company’s live casino division. The company emphasized the success of its partnership with Caliente Interactive in Mexico, noting that the upcoming FIFA World Cup presents […]

The post Playtech Achieves Strong Trading Momentum in Early 2026 appeared first on World Casino News.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed a federal lawsuit to block Minnesota from enforcing a law that criminalizes the operation or promotion of prediction markets. The legislation, signed by Governor Tim Walz, would take effect on August 1, 2026, and the CFTC is seeking a preliminary injunction to halt its implementation. Minnesota’s law, part of a broader public safety bill, would make it a felony to operate, host, facilitate, or advertise prediction markets, covering event contracts linked to sports, […]

The post CFTC Challenges Minnesota Prediction Market Ban appeared first on World Casino News.

New research from Gaming Compliance International (GCI) shows that unregulated online gambling grew to $5.9 trillion in global wagering value in 2025, up from $5.7 trillion in 2024. This figure marks the unregulated sector as the third-largest economic system in the world, trailing only the United States and China, and represents the largest form of cybercrime globally. The GCI report, Online Gaming 2025: Global, highlights a structural imbalance within online gambling markets. Approximately 78% of gross gaming revenue (GGR) comes from unregulated operators, […]

The post Global Unregulated Online Gambling Reaches $5.9 Trillion appeared first on World Casino News.

Sri Lankan authorities are grappling with a sharp rise in cybercrime as foreign scam networks relocate from Southeast Asia, raising concerns about the integrity of the country’s emerging regulated gambling industry. Since the start of 2026, police have detained over 1,000 foreigners, primarily from China, Vietnam, and India, for alleged involvement in online fraud. This figure more than doubles the 430 arrests recorded in 2024. Police spokesman Fredrick Wootler said that raids have been extensive, including a sweep in the Galle […]

The post Sri Lanka Battles Influx of Foreign Online Fraud Networks appeared first on World Casino News.

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Alberta’s move toward a regulated online gambling market has prompted concern among several First Nations leaders who say the province has not done enough to address the possible impact on Indigenous-owned casinos and the community programs they support. The province’s new iGaming framework is scheduled to launch on July 13, following passage of the iGaming Alberta Act last year. Under the new model, private online gambling operators will be permitted to legally offer sports betting and casino gaming in Alberta […]

The post Alberta iGaming Plan Raises First Nations Concerns appeared first on World Casino News.

North Carolina lawmakers are examining possible tax increases tied to sports betting and lottery activity as they work through budget negotiations that include raises for teachers and state employees. Discussions taking place behind closed doors have included raising the current tax rate paid by sports betting operators and adding new taxes connected to lottery purchases and individual wagers, according to reports from WRAL citing people familiar with the negotiations. Those individuals spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss […]

The post North Carolina Weighs New Sports Betting Taxes appeared first on World Casino News.

Veldhuis finished in second place in the $5,250 Bounty Hunters event for $64,022.

Ye "Tony Mars" Shen was previously accused of cheating in poker games.

The WPT Australia festival will take place Sept. 10-30.

Others in the game included Randy "3Coin" Sadler, Mike Matusow & Phillip Hellmuth III.

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