Meta approves prediction markets, raising concerns among Americans about political event contracts.

This week, the gambling industry has seen significant developments, including Entain considering selling its Central European Unit and reports that Mark Zuckerberg has directed Meta's teams to gain a foothold in the market. Meta, the tech giant behind platforms like Instagram, Messenger, Facebook, and WhatsApp, might be exploring prediction markets further, according to sources familiar with the plans and reported by various media. Zuckerberg has allegedly tasked Meta's teams with creating a prediction platform akin to popular ones like Kalshi and Polymarket, focusing on event contracts. However, this project stands out because it won't involve real money transactions. Instead, it will use a video game-like point system for tracking successful trades, as described internally. One reason for this new venture is Zuckerberg's ambition to expand Meta's reach by tapping into new social behaviors.

This week's big news centers on Entain's possible decision to sell its stake in its Central and Eastern Europe venture. Initially, speculation suggested that the company might be looking to offload its investment to help manage debt and refocus on other global markets. This move comes as a response to the rising costs of operating in the United Kingdom, where the iGaming tax increased on April 1, 2026, placing operators in a challenging position amid the resurgence of the black market. Soon after reports emerged that Entain might be selling its CEE venture, the company confirmed it would sell a 20% stake to its existing partner, EMMA Capital, for a total of €425 million. This includes €395 million payable upon completion with additional payments in 2027, contingent on the year's financial performance. Entain has cautiously expressed its commitment to selling the remainder of its stake and reassured investors that it will explore all strategic options. CEO Stella David emphasized that this sale is a decisive initial step towards a potential full exit in the near future. Meanwhile, GR8_TECH is heading to ExCeL London on July 1–2 with a Champions Club mindset, a Best Affiliate Management Platform shortlist, and a clear message for operators: stop playing for survival and start playing to win. Read more on this story here.

Brazil has introduced new measures designed to enforce compliance with its strict gambling laws among payment providers. These regulations aim to prevent transactions with unregulated sportsbooks and online casinos. The Ministry of Finance issued Ordinance No. 17.66 on Wednesday, June 17, outlining the enforcement actions and potential penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, both individuals and companies will be held responsible for promoting unregulated gambling operations in the nation. A lawsuit against Wynn Las Vegas is moving forward as a judge has determined that one allegation may warrant further examination. This case involves a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by convicted fraudster David Bunevacz, who allegedly used Wynn Las Vegas to entertain Canadian businessman Stephen Shefsky and solicit payments from him. Although Judge Anne Traum dismissed portions of the original complaint, she agreed that the case could proceed to assess whether the venue should have known that Bunevacz's spending came from stolen funds. Judge Traum clarified that this does not imply guilt on Wynn Las Vegas's part, dismissing claims of negligence and unjust enrichment. Brendan Sorsby will not participate in the NFL Supplemental Draft after the NFL Management Council found the request to organize the event too hasty amid Sorsby’s current legal issues. Sorsby, who left college football due to a sports betting scandal, dropped his lawsuit against the NCAA after Texas Tech barred him from playing, facing criticism from athletic departments. This led Sorsby to abandon his college football pursuits and aim for the NFL. Due to the circumstances, including a lawsuit against him from a former team over a breach of NIL, the NFL decided against holding a Supplemental Draft. However, Sorsby is expected to showcase his skills for NFL scouts in July. In related news, the NCAA has banned Adam Njie Jr, a former Iona player, accused of attempting to fix games during the 2024-2025 season. Njie Jr allegedly tried to sabotage his team’s first-half performance against Rice in December 2024 but did not succeed and faced threats from gamblers. He is now under investigation by the US Department of Justice. Njie Jr has admitted to sharing non-public information but denied intentionally trying to make his team lose.

A recent survey from the National Bureau of Economic Research indicates that households with sports bettors are more likely to experience food insufficiency. The survey reports that 10.5% of these households face this issue, compared to just 2.1% of working-age adults generally. The study also highlights that the drop in food sufficiency is most evident among households led by adults aged 25 to 44 and among racial and ethnic minority groups. Our findings carry significant policy implications, especially with major sports events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games approaching in the United States, the researchers emphasized.

Valentina Bagniya was recently honored as Woman Leader of the Year at the 2026 Casino House Group Awards. In an interview with Casino House Group News, she discusses what the award signifies and how she played a key role in establishing SOFTSWISS’s global marketing strategy from scratch. In time for the 2026 World Cup, Tonybet has unveiled its World Cup Card Collection campaign for Canadian players, featuring a CA$150,000 prize pool, with the Bronze Card already claimed. Learn more about this exciting offer. To stay updated on major recent events, be sure to tune into Casino House Group’s podcast, iGaming Horizon, which highlights important headlines from the past weeks and provides insightful analysis.