Compliance Updates
$4.3 Billion Wagered Illegally During March Madness, Fueled by Social Media Influence
Latest analysis by online marketplace intelligence specialists, YieldSec, commissioned by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG), has revealed a stark contrast between legal and illegal online gambling activities during the 2024 NCAA Men’s & Women’s March Madness Basketball Tournaments in the US. YieldSec’s monitoring unveiled an overwhelming majority of betting-related social media posts and video content, reaching up to 73% and 78% respectively, directing audiences toward illegal betting and gambling operators.
YieldSec’s findings shed light on the strength of the illegal gambling grip on the American marketplace, with 378 illegal sports betting operators and 651 illicit affiliates aggressively targeting US March Madness audiences and claiming 64% of the total market share, generating $4.3 billion in illegal and untaxed wagering. The remaining $2.4 billion wagered legally amounts to just 36% of the total market share.
These statistics underscore the challenges in controlling the proliferation of unlicensed gambling operators that have historically capitalized on the fragmented legal landscape of online betting in the US.
Key findings for March Madness 2024:
- Illegal gambling on March Madness comprised 64% of US online marketplace wagering ($4.3 billion Handle).
- Total value of March Madness betting (legal and illegal) amounts to a handle of $6.7bn.
- 378 illegal sports betting operators actively targeted the US.
- 651 affiliates promoted illegal sports betting operators that actively targeted the US.
- Illegals dominated social media content with up to 73% of all social posts in favor of illegal operators.
- 78% of all video content that linked to March Madness betting was linked to illegal operators.
Derek Webb, Founder of CFG, said: “This Yield Sec special report illustrates the dire need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle illegal gambling in the US. The lack of a united government approach and lax oversight by states have only compounded the problem, enabling entities with dubious backgrounds to operate freely. It’s high time for U.S. leadership to spearhead a unified solution to this pervasive issue.”
Ismail Vali, Founder and CEO of YieldSec, said: “The overwhelming presence of illegal gambling during one of the biggest sports betting events of the year is a clear signal that enforcement and monitoring need to be prioritized. Our findings are a call to action for stakeholders across the board to intensify efforts in combating the spread of unlicensed gambling operations that exploit the online marketplace. With the dominance of illegals across our social media channels, it’s clear that the threats to American commerce, community and consumers are a lot closer to home than ever imagined.”
The Campaign for Fairer Gambling is now advocating for a cohesive governmental response to illegal gambling, urging the Department of Justice, Treasury, Federal Trade Commission, and the Trade Representative’s Office to consider the findings of the YieldSec report as a basis for developing effective countermeasures.
Compliance Updates
INCENTIVE GAMES RECEIVES FULL PAY-TO-PLAY GAMING CERTIFICATION IN BRAZIL
Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider specialising in player acquisition and retention, today announced it has received full certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to offer its Pay-to-Play games in the Brazilian market.
This certification encompasses Incentive Games’ entire suite of games, random number generator (RNG), and remote gaming service (RGS), paving the way for the company to expand its reach into the thriving Brazilian gaming market.
Stewart Gove, COO of Incentive Games, commented, “This GLI certification is a huge milestone for us, and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Incentive Games team. It demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest quality and most secure gaming experiences to players worldwide. We are delighted to now offer our P2P games to licensed operators in the dynamic Brazilian market.”
Compliance Updates
FBMDS obtains certification to operate in Brazil
FBMDS proudly announces its certification to operate in the Brazilian iGaming market, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy. This achievement reinforces FBMDS’s leadership in the video bingo category and its commitment to deliver spotless quality, innovation and compliance to Brazilian operators and players.
With this certification, FBMDS becomes one of the few iGaming providers authorized to deliver certified, high-quality games tailored to the Brazilian market in which the brand is deeply enrooted because of its cultural background. This development not only strengthens the brand’s position in a rapidly growing sector but also offers Brazilian players and operators access to a portfolio of games that combine cutting-edge technology, cultural match, and world-class security standards.
“This certification represents a pivotal moment in our journey,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “It demonstrates our commitment to the Brazilian market, ensuring a safe, exciting, and fully compliant gaming experience for players, while empowering operators with premium certified content that drives engagement and growth.”
For FBMDS, this milestone aligns with its 2025 narrative: a roadmap focused on market expansion, innovation, and leadership in key iGaming segments. Brazil’s rapidly expanding market provides a prime opportunity to bring FBMDS’s renowned expertise in video bingo to a whole different level.
For operators, FBMDS’ certified games provide assurance of compliance with Brazilian regulations, while its innovative products and collections are designed to captivate players and drive business growth.
On what Brazilian players is concerned, online casino gaming enthusiasts can look forward to a personalized gaming experience that reflects their culture, preferences, and expectations, underpinned by the highest standards of excellence and safety.
Following this certification, FBMDS will launch a series of targeted marketing campaigns, event participations such as the SBC Summit Rio, in Rio de Janeiro, this February, and direct engagements with new clients. In the first quarter, FBMDS plans to strengthen its partnerships with operators and expand its footprint in Brazil through strategic initiatives and localized offerings.
FBMDS has long been a pioneer in the video bingo category, delivering innovative, culturally relevant titles that resonate with global audiences. Certification in Brazil is simply the recognition of its expertise and dedication to raising the bar in iGaming. By aligning its operations with local regulatory requirements, FBMDS ensures that its games offer a seamless, enjoyable experience while meeting the market’s unique demands.
Compliance Updates
Bragg Gaming is Live in Brazil’s Regulated iGaming Market
Bragg’s proprietary and exclusive content and aggregation businesses are well-positioned to fuel double digit top- and bottom-line growth in 2025, targeting Brazil’s USD 1.4 billion iCasino market, which is expected to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2029.
Bragg Gaming Group a provider of iGaming content and platform technology solutions to the iGaming industry is proud to confirm that it is live as a supplier to licensed operators in the Brazilian market, following the introduction of regulated online casino operations in the territory on January 1, 2025.
The newly regulated Brazilian online casino market is projected to be worth USD 1.4 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2029 according to H2 Gambling Capital.
As a specialist regulated iGaming market supplier, Bragg believes it is well positioned to capitalize on the launch and projected growth of the Brazilian market and that revenue from the Brazilian market could represent up to 10% of the Company’s total revenue in 2025.
Bragg is currently live with approximately one-third of licensed iCasino operators in Brazil, with prominent partners including Superbet, KTO, Betano, Novibet, Sportingbet and Betboo. The Company expects integrations to reach over half of licensed operators in Brazil by the end of Q2 2025.
Bragg’s current content offerings include key proprietary content titles such as Egyptian Magic by Atomic Slot Lab and Crazy Diamonds by Indigo Magic. Accelerating proprietary content growth is a strategic priority for the Company, as fully-owned IP typically delivers higher gross profit margins, driving bottom-line growth and supporting a balanced, margin-accretive product mix.
Complementing its proprietary content offering, the Company has also introduced exclusive online casino games in the jurisdiction from its carefully selected “Powered by Bragg” partners including Bluberi, Sega Sammy Creation and King Show Games. Additionally, the Company intends to develop strategic relationships with local studio partners which will enhance Bragg’s ability to deliver content tailored to Brazilian players.
Bragg’s content strategy in Brazil, key to its top-line growth plans, also includes online casino content aggregation through its Bragg HUB delivery platform. Bragg HUB provides a comprehensive iGaming content service, offering over 10,000 online casino game titles including from leading content providers in Brazil. This offering is enhanced by the Fuze™ player engagement platform, featuring tools for acquisition, cross-selling, conversion, and retention, including bonuses, free rounds, jackpots, and an AI-powered game recommendation engine.
The Company serves Brazilian operators from its Bragg São Paulo office, led by LatAm Regional Director Sara Mosallaee and Senior Account Manager Amanda Alexandrini, providing fully localized support.
Matevz Mazij, Chief Executive Officer at Bragg Gaming Group commented: “We’re delighted to expand into the newly regulated market in Brazil, and to be there for our customers on the first day of launch with our in-demand content portfolio and player engagement platform.
“At Bragg we have extensive experience of delivering highly localized iGaming content and technology solutions in regulated markets, and we now expect the Brazilian market to become a key territory for us and a significant driver of our growth in the wider LatAm region.
“This latest regulated market launch sets us on a strong trajectory for 2025, helping us deliver our strategic objectives of increased revenue through proprietary, exclusive and aggregated online casino content, while at the same time adding geographical diversity to our revenue streams, promoting stable, long-term growth for the Company.”
Neill Whyte, Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg Gaming Group added: “We’ve been working hard to make sure we have the right content, the right people and the right structures in place to support our Brazilian operator partners from day 1 of market launch, and I’m proud to say we are now live in this exciting market which offers so much potential.
“We’re already partnered or are in talks with approximately half of the Brazilian iGaming operator market, and that leaves plenty of room for growth. We will be busy in the coming months showcasing our games and technology solutions with both existing customers and potential new partners as we continue to grow our presence in Brazil and across the LatAm region.”
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