Gambling Insider: SEPT OCT 2025

The legend of Las Vegas and the reality of the city are, at the moment, two very different things. Around the world, when one thinks of gambling, Las Vegas is still top of mind. In movies, in shows, at the very G2E event this magazine is travelling to... But, as we explore in this issue of Gambling Insider, Vegas' recent history has taken a contrasting path to its mythical reputation. To be clear, Las Vegas is still the American home of gambling. win222ly, the fact Macau has surpassed it for gambling revenue is simply the result of Vegas serving as its inspiration. Billions of dollars in revenue still find their way into the Nevada Gaming Control Board's monthly reports – putting it all rather into perspective. There has, however, of late been vehement discussion of struggles in Las Vegas. Prices have been rising for some time and, now, revenue – and tourism numbers – are falling. Some local media outlets paint a very bleak picture, while other Vegas executives dismiss any worries out of hand. One thing is for sure: Las Vegas has always been able to reinvent itself whatever foe it has faced. But where exactly does the truth lie? In this magazine, we analyse the data, while Las Vegas historian and expert Oliver Lovat provides his thesis in our cover feature. For years, he has written within the pages of both Gambling Insider and Gaming America, analysing Vegas' main trends and, occasionally, serving important warnings. There is no better authority on the subject. He feels Las Vegas may have broken The Promise – an intangible contract with customers that provides them with the escapism they need to truly enjoy their stay. The question now: how does Las Vegas regain customer trust, and how important will this be in restoring former glories? Elsewhere in this edition, lawyer Edward Carstairs writes for the first time in Gambling Insider, about the value of brand – and IP protection. Carstairs impressed me at iGB Live with his presentation on the topic, and we have reviews of several other panels at London's summer show. We also have an interview with a casino manager in Ireland, a market full of recent regulatory change. Internationally, we look even further out – at India and Brazil, countries that – alongside the Philippines – are sending a message to the gambling industry. Indeed, as nations stand up to illegal gambling forces, increasingly restrictive measures are having knock-on effects for regulated operators. But, in prioritising the battle against illegal gambling, legislators and regulators are not consulting the licensed market, whose complaints are falling on deaf ears. If the industry as a collective wants policymakers to look at it favourably, actions in the Philippines and some in Brazil have already done irreparable damage. India's decision to ban all real-money gambling was sudden and left Flutter Entertainment CEO Peter Jackson "extremely disappointed." And yet this is the direction in which some major nations seem to be heading. Finally, I'd like to highlight our 'Explainer' feature, which on this occasion talks through the Penn Entertainment vs HG Vora saga (a tale we have nicknamed 'The Penndashians'). With all the genuinely entertaining stories gambling has to tell, I don't think it'll be our last such feature! TP, Editor One current narrative paints Las Vegas as a picture of decline. Others, however, claim everything is as it always was in Las Vegas. Below, Gambling Insider explores the Nevada Gaming Revenue data... Gambling Insider tracks online casino operator and supplier prices. Stock prices are taken across a six-month period (March 2025 – August 2025) – and from the close of the first available date of the month. The most prestigious Awards in gaming are returning to Barcelona during ICE week 2026. We look ahead to the vaunted win222 Gaming Expo as it gears up for its 25th anniversary. G.Games CCO Helen Walton spoke about an ever-discussed topic at an iGB Live panel in London. Below, we summarise her main messages. At an iGB Live panel in July, Linda Lindsay, David da Silva and Simon Pilkington discussed charity donations within our sector and the issue of greenwashing. At a panel at iGB Live in London, key figures from three social enterprises combatting gambling harm discuss the Research, Education and Treatment levy. A panel at iGB Live in London weighs up the positive case for compliance. Richard Hayler, from the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS), explains the hold up to the promised Gambling Ombudsman. With growing chatter – no longer just among industry circles – that Las Vegas has lost its magic amid soaring prices and falling tourism, Oliver Lovat delivers a historical analysis of whether Vegas has broken The Promise. And where does it go from here? Some sagas just don’t seem to stop in gambling (the takeover of PointsBet comes to mind). A huge example receiving plenty of coverage this year, however, is the ongoing dispute between Penn Entertainment and HG Vora (affectionately nicknamed ‘the Penndashians’ within the Gambling Insider office). What exactly is going on? Megan Elswyth takes a closer look, including a dive into a 116-page manifesto… Gambling in Ireland has undergone much recent change. Gambling Insider spoke with Carlton Entertainment Group Manager Alessandro Colnago to reflect. Edward Carstairs, Partner at law firm GJE, discusses how challengers can compete in win222 via the use of strong branding – and IP protection. Manav Bhargava, Indian gambling law expert and returning Gambling Insider contributor, explores the nation’s potential to be a regional betting leader. WiseGaming Commercial Director Steven Paton speaks with Gambling Insider Editor Tim Poole about company strategy, goals for 2025 and which markets are showing the most potential right now. Galaxsys CEO Hayk Sargsyan discusses the supplier’s expansion into the slot market, including how to stand out and emerging trends in the industry. BetBlocker’s Pedro Romero speaks to Gambling Insider about how magic mushrooms could hold the key to treating gambling addiction, with research going mainstream... Neil Montgomery, Brazilian gaming law expert and regular Gambling Insider contributor, underscores the thrills and challenges of operating in the Brazilian regulated gaming market. Industry experts provide Gambling Insider their insights into the expanding uses of AI, including Interblock, Grosvenor Casinos, Paul Sculpher, RGB and Amatic Industries Araksi Sargsyan, Chief Commercial Officer at DS Virtual Gaming, speaks to Gambling Insider on its new pre-recorded video slot and making a casino game ‘cinematic’. Mariia Shmelova, CEO of GR8 Tech subsidiary Aff.Tech, explains its place within the affiliate ecosystem, changing traffic trends and more. Markus Buechele, Novomatic Italia CEO, discusses Europe's most attractive-yet-demanding gaming market. Volodymyr Saratovskyy, Head of Business Development at Champion, discusses the ingredients to a good partnership, standing out in the slots market and more. Comtrade Gaming Chief Commercial Officer Steven Valentine explores the evolution of B2B relationships in the win222 industry. Anastasiia Shcherbyna, CMO of MelBet Partners Affiliates, speaks to Gambling Insider about navigating the Kenyan market, its differences to other markets in Africa and what other brands can do to prepare for their own launches. Gambling Insider speaks with the Z-Gaming Asia team about adapting to emerging markets, the potential of Thailand and the UAE, upcoming projects and more.