OpenBet completes management buyout, Star Entertainment's biggest shareholder favors Bally's lifeline offer

From major changes to emerging trends, this was a busy week for the gambling sector and Casino Guru News is bringing you some of the highlights of the past days in a concise roundup.

Tilman Fertitta, the famous billionaire and casino mogul, confirmed his intent to increase his stake in Wynn Resorts stock. This week, he grew his stake in the company from 9.9% to 11.8%.

The aforementioned figure represents an extra 1.6m shares purchased by Fertitta. Confirmation regarding the strategic business move came from a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the online gambling vertical, Octoplay announced a new content partnership with JOI Gaming, growing its European footprint. With details regarding the new collaboration emerging earlier this week, Octoplay agreed to supply the fast-growing operator with its quality games.

The latest alliance represents an important development for both companies as they will each use it to their advantage. On the one hand, Octoplay is further expanding its footprint on the Old Continent, while on the other, JOI Gaming will bolster its offering with engaging games.

Elsewhere, in Australia, Star Entertainment Group's biggest shareholder, Bruce Mathieson, confirmed he favors Bally's AU$250m offer. The announcement came after Bally's offered a lifeline to the Australian gambling giant, which is facing regulatory scrutiny and financial challenges.

Per the former's offer, in exchange for AU$250m, Bally's would acquire a 50.1% controlling stake in Star Entertainment Group. Ultimately, this offer is expected to help the latter overcome existing financial and regulatory difficulties.

Business and finance

Back in Europe, the leading gaming and technology solutions provider, BetConstruct, reaffirmed its Swedish market commitment by joining BOS, the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling.

The move was welcomed by Gustaf Hoffstedt, the Secretary General of BOS, who said: "We are all delighted to welcome BetConstruct to the BOS family. BOS brings together the major international gambling companies in the Swedish gambling market."

Again, this week, OpenBet confirmed the completion of the management buyout from Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. to OB Global Holdings. The major transaction, recognized as a management buyout, is approved by OpenBet executives, including Jordan Levin and it is also backed by Ariel Emanuel. The move comes at a time when OpenBet continues to grow its global footprint in strategic markets such as Brazil, among others.

A newly released report focused on the European online gambling market. The white paper was released by the European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA) and compiled in collaboration with H2 Gambling Capital, focusing on the online gambling sector across the Old Continent.

Notably, the data report outlined that online gambling across Europe is responsible for approximately 40% of the total gross gaming revenue. Focusing on the bigger picture, the Old Continent's gross gaming revenue in 2024 soared by 5% year-over-year to €123.4bn.

Halfway through the week, Sports Illustrated announced its plans to tap into prediction markets. The company unveiled details regarding SI Predict, its new prediction platform that is under development in collaboration with Galactic, as reported by Bloomberg.

Regulation and laws

In a move that seeks to transition Finland from its existing monopoly gambling model, the country has initiated a long-discussed an ambitious plan that would focus on the re-regulation of its gambling market. A milestone in that process marked a recently submitted bill in the country's parliament that proposes the dismantling of the government-owned monopoly, Veikkaus, and the opening of the market to independent commercial operators.

Across the ocean, in the United States, Michigan's gambling regulator announced it would go after 10 more offshore gambling websites. As a result, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) sent cease-and-desist letters to the operators of those websites, which were recognized as unregulated and, thus, "illegal." After the regulator's letters were sent on March 24, 2025, the illegal gambling operators were given 14 days to comply with the cease-and-desist orders.

In nearby Maryland, lawmakers agreed on a compromise for gambling taxes. Instead of the initially proposed 30% tax rate on online sports betting, in the end, the legislators agreed on a 20% tax rate. The new tax rate, if greenlighted, would still mark an increase when compared to the existing rate, which is 15%.

In Europe, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced a set of new rules affecting gambling promotions. The regulatory changes decrease the maximum rollover requirement for promotional funds to 10x while prohibiting gambling firms from offering mixed product bonuses.

Responsible gambling

The global company that enables people to better control their gambling, BetBlocker, welcomed two new trustees to its Board. The announcement saw Darrell Helyar and John Wright, two experts with solid experience within the gambling sector and responsible gambling in particular, become part of BetBlocker's Board of Trustees.

In addition, BetBlocker announced a donation to the University of Nevada Las Vegas' (UNLV) International Gaming Institute. The generous contribution seeks to help the Institute's research initiatives.

Elsewhere in the United States, there's a high possibility of the Florida Gaming Control Commission to consider engaging with a new supplier for its gambling hotline, a local media report revealed. Reportedly, the leading nonprofit organization that focuses on combatting addictive behaviors through high-impact solutions, Kindbridge Research Institute, may be taking Florida's toll-free gambling helpline.

Earlier this week, while still in March, which is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) confirmed that Lotto.com became its newest member. The membership reaffirmed the leading company's dedication to raising awareness of gambling harm.

At the same time, Lotto.com has become the largest organization to join the NCPG. The announcement comes after several years ago, the company secured Internet Compliance Assessment Program (iCAP) accreditation for its services by the NCPG.

The voice of the industry

Earlier this week, Casino Guru News released its latest analysis on one popular topic from the gambling sector. The interesting report focuses on how much does Dana White gamble and whether or not he is good at playing popular casino games such as blackjack and baccarat.

This week, Casino Guru News had a talk with Anastasia Borovaya, the Head of Affilka by SOFTSWISS, who spoke about challenges and emerging trends in affiliate marketing. Notably, Borovaya highlighted the importance of influencers when it comes to attracting a new generation of players.

Casino Guru News also had the chance to talk to Greentube's Director of Games Production and Operations, Bernd Baumert. The exclusive Q&A report focuses on how to make a game more appealing to the player, among other important mechanics that help attract customers nowadays.

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