U.S. comeback for Polymarket: Concerns over increased gambling issues alleviated
In the dynamic world of gambling, 2025 has seen significant shifts in regulation, business, and responsible gambling initiatives.
Regulatory and Compliance Updates
Casino operators are now required to implement stringent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, including continuous monitoring and enhanced due diligence on high-risk customers. This move aligns with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and EU AML Directives, recognising gambling as an inherently high-risk activity that requires rigorous risk-based approaches.
The California gambling regulatory landscape remains in a state of flux, with the Attorney General's recent rulings against some daily fantasy sports formats and ongoing legislative efforts targeting illegal gambling and sweepstakes. These changes aim to tighten control and clarify lawful gambling frameworks.
Across the U.S., responsible gaming regulations are becoming more formalised. About two-thirds of commercial gaming jurisdictions now require operators to file comprehensive responsible gaming plans, and advertising restrictions for sports wagering have increased, with over 80% of jurisdictions adopting detailed advertising rules to protect vulnerable groups including minors.
New Casino Projects and Business Developments
Although specific new casino construction projects were not detailed in the latest search results, states such as California are key markets where tribal and commercial gaming interests are actively negotiating new developments amidst evolving legal frameworks.
Industry acquisitions and business shifts were not explicitly described in the search data, suggesting that the most notable current focus remains on regulatory alignment, compliance modernization, and responsible gambling initiatives.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has updated its Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering to restrict exposure of underage audiences and to impose self-regulatory advertising limits beyond what is legally required. This demonstrates continued industry commitment to responsible marketing.
Operators are increasingly embracing AI and machine learning technologies to enhance AML and responsible gambling compliance, enabling ongoing risk assessment and customer monitoring.
Notable Business Developments
- Polymarket has confirmed the acquisition of QCX, LLC for $112m, an opportunity for the company to return to the United States. The acquisition was confirmed by Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan on July 21, and the US government has dropped probes into Polymarket, leaving the platform in the clear.
- BetParx has partnered with IC360 to enhance its monitoring capabilities, gaining access to tools like Integrity Monitoring Dashboard, ProhiBet, and Playbook AI. These tools are designed to flag suspicious betting activity and notify operators, who can then send alerts to relevant authorities.
- Evolution Gaming has opened its first dedicated live casino studio in Brazil, hosting Portuguese-speaking live dealers and bringing localized Evolution games. The studio plans to localise several blackjack games, including Blackjack Clássico, Blackjack Illimitado, and Brazilian Blackjack, as well as the game shows Crazy Time and XXXTreme Lightning Roulette, in Brazil.
- CVC Capital Partners announced its intention to acquire a 100% stake in Gaming Laboratories International. The acquisition will be done through Avalon Buyer LLC.
Stay tuned for more updates from the gambling industry as we continue to monitor developments and bring you the latest news.
[1] FATF, Recommendation 16 - Customer Due Diligence, https://www.fatf-gafi.org/topics/anti-money-laundering/documents/fatf-recommendations/fatf-recommendations.html [2] California Attorney General's Office, Daily Fantasy Sports, https://oag.ca.gov/businesses/gambling/daily-fantasy-sports [3] American Gaming Association, AGA Updates Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering, https://www.americangaming.org/press-releases/aga-updates-responsible-marketing-code-for-sports-wagering [4] California Legislative Information, AB 1879 (2021), https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1879
- As technology advances, casino operators are adopting AI and machine learning in their Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and responsible gambling compliance, ensuring ongoing risk assessment and customer monitoring.
- The gambling landscape, especially in California, continues to experience regulatory changes aimed at tightening control, such as the recent rulings against some daily fantasy sports formats and efforts targeting illegal gambling.
- Despite the ongoing regulatory changes and compliance modernization, new casino construction projects seem to take a backseat, with states like California actively negotiating new developments amidst evolving legal frameworks.
- In response to the increased focus on responsible gambling, the American Gaming Association (AGA) has updated its Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering, implementing stricter self-regulatory advertising limits to protect vulnerable audiences.
