BetProof Daily Intelligence
Saturday, February 28, 2026
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⚖️ UK Regulator Takes "Tentative First Step" Toward Licensed Crypto Gambling
The UK Gambling Commission confirmed it's actively exploring how cryptoassets could be introduced as a regulated payment option for licensed operators. Executive Director Tim Miller said the Industry Forum will examine implementation pathways, aligning with the FCA's cryptoasset regime launching October 2027.
This isn't just regulatory catch-up — it's a potential blueprint. The UK could become the first major European jurisdiction to explicitly allow licensed crypto gambling, forcing other regulators to respond.
[Read more](https://igamingbusiness.com/crypto-gambling/gambling-commission-to-consider-allowing-cryptoasset-payments/)
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⚖️ Indiana Sends Sweepstakes Casino Ban to Governor
Indiana passed House Bill 1052, banning dual-currency sweepstakes casinos effective July 1. The vote wasn't close: 46-4 in Senate, 68-21 in House. Indiana becomes the seventh state to prohibit the promotional sweepstakes model.
The gray area is closing fast. What started as regulatory arbitrage for offshore operators is becoming a liability as state after state draws clear lines.
[Read more](https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/114700/indiana-hb-1052-sweepstakes-casino-ban-governor)
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📊 PENN Entertainment's Post-ESPN Pivot Shows Early Promise
PENN beat Q4 expectations with revenue of $1.81B and the interactive segment hit EBITDA positive in December. CEO Jay Snowden: "By reclaiming the $150 million annual fee and reinvesting a fraction into theScore's native ecosystem, we are choosing profitability over high-priced brand visibility."
Sometimes the biggest lesson is knowing when to quit. PENN's $1.5B ESPN experiment failed to crack the DraftKings/FanDuel duopoly, but cutting losses early might save the company.
[Read more](https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/114517/penn-earnings-beats-suggest-early-positive-espn-exit-impact)
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🌍 Ontario iGaming Market Hits Record $9.52B Handle
Canada's largest regulated market hit CAD $9.520 billion handle in January 2026, with 48 licensed operators across 82 active websites. Casino games dominate with 86% market share, while sports betting holds 12%.
Ontario proves regulated iGaming can achieve massive scale. The province went from $1.079B in April 2022 to $9.52B now — nearly 9x growth in less than four years.
[Read more](https://www.casino.org/news/canadian-gaming-ontario-market-financials-january/)
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🚀 Bragg Gaming's U.S. Expansion Drives Record Revenue
Toronto-based Bragg Gaming reported record FY2025 results with proprietary content revenue surging 70% in Q4. The B2B supplier is pivoting toward higher-margin offerings while using AI to drive cost efficiencies across operations.
Smart pivot. In a world where game aggregation is becoming commodity, proprietary content and AI differentiation are the real value drivers.
[Read more](https://www.casino.org/news/canadian-gaming-bragg-gaming-4q-2025-financials/)
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⚖️ Churchill Downs Cites Federal Law to Block Prediction Markets
Kentucky Derby operator dismissed prediction markets as a competitive threat, citing the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 as granting IP rights that prevent unauthorized wagering. CEO Bill Carstanjen: "We haven't agreed to provide our content to prediction markets."
Legacy sectors know how to protect their turf. While prediction markets disrupt sports betting, horse racing operates under different legal protections — a potential playbook for other gambling verticals.
[Read more](https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/114781/churchill-downs-inc-prediction-markets-igaming-2025-earnings-call)
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