Global gambling industry regulation and competition

Gambling industry leaders and analysts are focusing on regulatory challenges, consumer protection, and market competition.

In Rome, experts at the ‘Forbes Italia & SiGMA Talks – Vision 2030’ event discussed how regulated gambling acts as a barrier against illegal markets. Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, warned that advertising bans might weaken consumer protections, noting that legal operators utilize strict age verification and self-exclusion tools that illegal sites lack. Industry representatives also emphasized the importance of physical retail networks for maintaining trust and promoting responsible gaming.

At the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, the focus shifted toward customer retention strategies, such as personalized incentives and enhanced amenities. During the event, industry leaders also campaigned against prediction markets, with the American Gaming Association and other organizations characterizing these platforms as “untaxed, unregulated, consumer-predatory organizations.” While industry leaders claimed these platforms are unstable, the CFTC maintains that certain platforms are federally regulated.