Melanie Porter's latest articles
Melanie Porter
EditorAfter finishing her master's in publishing and writing, Melanie began her career as an online editor for a large gaming blog and has now transitioned over towards the iGaming industry. She helps to ensure that our news pieces are written to the highest standard possible under the guidance of senior management.
Industry
July 15, 2025
UK Considers Gambling Tax Hike to Fill Budget Gap
The UK Treasury is once again thinking about raising gambling taxes as a means of filling a large gap in public finances, according to The Observer. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who must come up with as many as £30 billion ($40.3 billion) in extra revenue, has already made it clear that increases to income tax, VAT, […]
Poker
July 15, 2025
Leo Margets, Ready for Historic WSOP Final Table
The 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event has reached its final nine players from a record-breaking field of 9,735 participants. The last stage of the tournament will play out on July 15. The last players standing will go on a crazy hunt for one of poker’s ultimate prizes of $10 million plus the iconic […]
Casino
July 15, 2025
Player Denied Bonus After M Resort Card Counting Dispute
A blackjack player who claimed he was singled out and denied winnings at M Resort in Henderson lost his appeal with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Rahne Pistor believed he should have received $1,050 from a suited-blackjack promotion held in August 2024, but the Board ruled in favor of the casino, saying they acted properly. […]
Industry
July 14, 2025
NY Casino Revenue Dips in June as Online Betting Shines
According to figures from the body that regulates all legal gaming activity in the Empire State, the New York State Gaming Commission, casinos were responsible for generating $55.1 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in June. The figure marks a slight 2.2% drop from the same month last year, turning June 2025 into the third-weakest […]
Sports
July 14, 2025
Blanche Lincoln Warns States Risk CFTC Authority on Markets
Former U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, the former Senate Agriculture Committee chair who helped craft the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act regulating swaps, is now warning that the regulatory framework she helped design is “under threat”, this time, from states trying to block prediction markets. “We Should Not Open Up Our Regulatory Structure […]
Industry
July 11, 2025
Senate GOP Blocks Bill to Restore Full Gambling Deductions
Senate Republicans on Thursday stopped a Democratic attempt to roll back a tax change that professional gamblers warn could cripple their industry. Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto sought quick approval of a bill to fully restore gambling loss deductions, but Indiana Republican Todd Young opposed it, effectively putting the proposal on hold. “I strongly support […]
Industry
July 11, 2025
EGBA Highlights Safer Gambling Gains, Cautions Against Black Market
The European Gaming and Betting Association’s (EGBA) Sustainability Report 2025 provides a detailed assessment of the way members are stepping up efforts in terms of responsible gambling, environmental performance, and economic contributions. The same report is flagging growing risks from unregulated markets. EGBA Paid €3.8B ($4.44B) in Taxes Last year, EGBA members paid €3.8 billion […]
Sports
July 10, 2025
NJ Bans Sportsbook Deals With Public Colleges
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed a law that prohibits sportsbooks from partnering with the state’s public colleges and universities. The measure, first introduced in April 2024 by four sponsors, was more than a year in the making. After passing the Senate in June, the bill made its way to Murphy’s desk and became […]
Casino
July 10, 2025
Cirsa Shares Hold Steady in Lukewarm Spanish IPO Debut
Shares of Blackstone-backed gambling firm Cirsa (CIRSA.MC) made a quiet debut on the Spanish stock market on Wednesday, closing unchanged at their initial public offering (IPO) price of €15 ($17.56). The casino stock initiated trading on stock exchanges in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Bilbao. Cirsa’s market debut marks Spain’s second IPO this year following the […]
Casino
July 9, 2025
NZ Government Holds Problem Gambling Levy Despite GC Concerns
At the start of last month, New Zealand officials revealed their ambitious plan to cut gambling harm and invest over NZD $81 million ($48.93 million) in prevention, workforce development, and support services. The strategy was regarded as the country’s most targeted effort to fight off gambling addiction as of yet. However, a recent report from […]
