A planned merger of 26 Capital and a Japanese casino operator is dead in the water. Universal Entertainment, which controls Okada Manila in the Philippines, called a halt to the deal on June 30. Now the U.S. firm is suing.

Erik Gutierrez (l.), who was arrested June 18 in connection with a heist at Las Vegas’ Circa Hotel & Casino, is now believed to be connected with similar instances at two other Nevada casinos.

In Macau and Korea, among other Asian markets, the post-Covid comeback continues. JP Morgan says Macau will post record-breaking EBITDA margins in the second quarter, and Korea is also on the upswing.

Now that the government of Brazil has taken steps to create the National Secretariat of Games and Lotteries to oversee sports betting, it has other reforms in mind. One is to require that foreign-based sports betting sites be headquartered in Brazil.

John White (l.), chief executive officer of the U.K. gaming trade association Bacta will testify before a parliamentary committee July 11. He will talk of possible effects of the reforms proposed by the Gambling White paper on the land-based gaming industry.

As promised, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (l.) doubled the tax rate on sports betting after just six months in operation. Whether the new tax rate will do anything to pump up the kiosks in bars and restaurants remains to be seen.

Light & Wonder announced that Connie James (l.), chief financial officer, treasurer and corporate secretary, will leave her position effective August 25.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (l.) has signed a bill extending the state’s online gaming authorization for five years, despite industry calls for a 10-year extension.

As it turns out, professional gamblers no longer wear ten-gallon hats with bandoliers slung across each shoulder and pistols and aces hidden in various places. Some, like pro bettor and BetBash organizer Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos (l.), prefer hoodies and sneakers.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has shut down yet another offshore gaming operation in Manila pending an investigation. The regulator cited evidence of human trafficking and other crimes at the site.

The iGB L!VE forum in Amsterdam includes the presentation of a study on the growth of women’s sports and women’s sports wagers. The highlights show an increasing number of eyeballs on women’s athletics these days.

A recent government report suggested an all-out ban for Australian iGaming ads, which has been met with pushback from industry figures, including leading gaming attorney Jamie Nettleton.

Golden Matrix Group and MeridianBet Group have amended the agreement under which Golden Matrix will purchase MeridianBet, lowering the up-front cash.

The NFL has issued 10 suspensions of various lengths in the past two years. As the league’s Chief Compliance Officer, Sabrina Perel leads efforts to drive home that the policies are not to be trifled with.

The Canadian Football League announced last week that it had signed a partnership deal with FanDuel to make it the league’s exclusive sportsbook.

North Carolina is readying to launch online sports betting and announced that it will charge operators $1 million for a license.

Wind Creek Hospitality’s $529 million Chicago Southland Casino (l.) in East Hazel Crest and Homewood, Illinois, won’t open until January 2025. The original target date was later this year or early 2024.

New Hampshire charitable-gaming bet limits for individuals on games of chance rose from $10 to $50, and the total amount each player can wager in a game of chance increased from $150 to $2,500.

Four gaming tribes in Washington state have amended their tribal state gaming compacts with the Washington State Gambling Commission. The amendments will allow them to offer electronic table games. The legislature and governor still need to agree.

A U.S. Appeals Court upheld a 2020 ruling that will allow the Wyandotte Tribe to proceed with gaming operations on a 10-acre tract in Kansas. The state tried to block the tribe’s efforts dating back to 1993.

Sportsbook and platform provider Novusbet has partnered with Flows to deploy its no-code integration and automation platform.

Cashless casino marker provider Marker Trax has partnered with Graton Casino & Resort in Rohnert Park, California.