Brazil launches regulated market, Novibet bought by Allwyn

The year has started on a strong foothold with multiple events worth celebrating over the past several days. To begin with, Brazil is now a fully regulated gambling market, which allows both online casino and sportsbook platform to offer their products locally, providing they have secured a license.

The Prizes and Betting Secretariat of the Ministry of Finance has published the full list of companies that have a license to operate in the country, available here. A total of 66 licenses, 14 definitive and 52 provisional have been granted.

Stake reported that it was amid the approved companies, and also appointed a local Country Manager that will now spearhead the company’s push into Brazil.

However, Brazil has put the industry on notice, arguing that should stakeholders fail to enact gambling laws responsibly and protect consumers, the government of President Luiz InácioLula da Silva may rescind the existing gambling laws and shut the industry down.

Business & finance

Closing the year on Tuesday, December 31, Allwyn Entertainment announced that it had bought a 51% stake in Novibet, a B2C operator of sports betting and online casino products.

The deal is one of the most significant merger and acquisitions of the year and came at the very end of 2024, giving Allwyn a strong start of 2025.

The University of Sydney has found itself in a bit of controversy after the university’s student representative council has found out that the institution had invested in various gambling companies it had collaborated on research.

The issue arises from the bad optics of the relationship which puts into question the veracity of any research produced or, in the very least, raises ethical concerns. At the same time, JPMorgan has said that it is divesting its 5% stake in Australian casino operator Star Entertainment.

Star Entertainment is under increased local pressure in Australia and the company is facing both legal challenges as well as a decline in tourism. Biotech company 180 Life Sciences Corp is looking to raise $2.9m.

The company is planning to sell1,200,000of its common stock shares for $2.41 per share and is planning on as many stocks as unregistered warrants. Bally’s Chicago Inc has confirmed that it will offer 25% of its equity to private investors, and specifically prioritize minority and women investors.

This is part of fulfilling the investment prerequisites under City of Chicago’s Qualified Investor Criteria. The only casino to physically occupy the city of Chicago’s permanent location in Tribune Publishing is expected to open doors at the end of 2026. In the meantime, the temporary property is already up and running.

Legal

A self-styled "advantage player" has filed a lawsuit against the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, alleging that the property detained him unlawfully.

One Jordan Kerr, who is openly advertising himself as advantage player, or card counter in games such as blackjack, has been detained over his refusal to identify himself to the casino.

He is suing the property for $3m. Previously, Kerr settled with Harrah’s New Orleans Casino out of court and for an undisclosed amount.

The voice of the industry

In this week’s voice of the industry section, Casino Guru News interviewed Svend Aage Kirk who spoke about the upcoming Casino Guru Awards.In his interview for the publication, Svend talked about the importance of ensuring that players are assisted long before they become susceptible to problem gambling or begin to experience harm because of gambling.

Casino Guru News also took a look at how security at land-based casinos have improved over the years, with no small part played by automated solutions such as improved artificial intelligence capabilities and robotics.

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