Latest Gambling News: Paraguayan Regulator Orders Illegal Gaming Websites To Be Blocked, and more

Catch up on some of the stories our gambling compliance analysts have covered lately, and stay up-to-date on the latest news.

Paraguayan Regulator Orders Illegal Gaming Websites To Be Blocked

Paraguay’s gaming regulator has reportedly issued a resolution in an effort to block illegal online gambling websites in the country.

In the resolution, according to local media, the general directorate of Conajzar orders the blocking and cancellation of the transmission of the domain, website, platform or internet page used for the exploitation, operation, sale, payment, advertising or marketing of online gambling.

The country modernized its gambling law earlier this year to identify 13 specific forms of gambling to be subject to licensing at either the national, local, or municipal level, including national licensing for sports betting and online casino.

The regulator’s oversight and monitoring department reportedly conducted surveys of websites offering sports betting and other online gambling activities that are not authorized, and those detected in the surveys were provided to be blocked.

The modernized gambling law allows for up to three concessions for regulated national sports betting. Conajzar has also issued a total of 28 concessions for online casinos, as of June.

Oklahoma Tribes Warn Unregulated Gaming Operators

As a regulatory and legislative crackdown on online sweepstakes casinos has forced operators to abandon most of their U.S. operations, the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) warned they will continue to protect their tribal gaming exclusivity.

Matthew Morgan, OIGA chairman, reminded sweepstakes casinos, daily fantasy sports plus operators, and federally regulated prediction markets that they remain steadfast in their opposition to their “unregulated gambling models.”

“These enterprises threaten the integrity of tribal gaming, undermine state-tribal compacts, and erode the inherent rights and victories won in the halls of Congress and the courts that recognize the sovereign authority of tribal governments to regulate gaming within their jurisdictions,” Morgan said in a statement emailed to Vixio GamblingCompliance on Wednesday (September 24).

Oklahoma’s tribal nations have built one of the most successful and respected regulated gaming markets in the country, Morgan said, generating revenue that supports tribal citizens and programs, strengthens local economies, and contributes to critical state and local services.

The Oklahoma tribal gaming market is split into two regions, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). In 2024, Oklahoma City, which also includes Texas, reported $3.6bn in revenue from 78 operators, while Tulsa, that includes Kansas, also posted $3.6bn in revenue from 73 operations.

“We are committed to protecting that framework from illegal operators and gray-market schemes,” he added. “OIGA will continue working with tribal leaders, state partners, and national allies to ensure that tribal gaming remains protected, exclusive, and a model of effective regulation.”

Cyberattack Targets Boyd Gaming

Boyd Gaming confirmed a recent cyberattack netted data from the gaming company, including information about employees and a limited number of individuals, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“The cybersecurity incident has had no impact on the company’s properties or business operations,” Boyd reported.

In a form 8-K filing with the SEC, Boyd said it experienced the cybersecurity incident in which “an unauthorized third party accessed our internal IT system.”

“The company is notifying impacted individuals and has or will notify its various regulators and other governmental agencies as required. As of the date of this filing, the company believes that the incident will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition or results of operations.”

Boyd, which is based in Las Vegas, operates ten casinos in southern Nevada, among its 29 properties nationwide. The company reported second-quarter revenues of $1bn, up from $967.5m in the second quarter of 2024, along with net revenue of $150.4m, or $1.84 per share.

Boyd confirmed it maintains a “comprehensive cybersecurity insurance policy,” which it expects will cover all costs associated with the incident. Federal law enforcement and outside cybersecurity experts are assisting with the investigation, according to the filing.

Illinois’ Controversial Wager Tax Generates $5.2m

Online sportsbooks paid more than $5.2m in wager taxes in July, the first month it was in effect, according to the latest revenue report released by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).

Beginning on July 1, a new per-wager excise tax of 25 cents on the first 20m wagers accepted annually by a sportsbook operator and then 50 cents for every bet after the first 20m went into effect.

The state estimated up to $40m in annual revenue from the excise tax. According to the IGB, the two largest sportsbooks - DraftKings and FanDuel – accounted for almost $4m in wager taxes.

DraftKings' wager tax bill was $2.078m, FanDuel paid the state $1.87m, followed by Fanatics with $307,276, bet365 at $248,997, and BetMGM at $204,354. Circa Sports, which as the highest minimum bet at $10 in response to the tax, paid the least at $6,738, the IGB reported.

Illinois’ ten licensed online sportsbooks all paid the per-wager tax in July. While half of sportsbooks have implemented a per-bet fee, the other five have instead implemented minimum bets of varying value.

Bet365, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel have all instituted a 25 cent or 50 cent per-wager fee. Circa Sports requires a $10 minimum bet, while BetMGM requires a $2.50 minimum bet, Hard Rock Bet set its price at $2, and ESPN Bet and Bet Rivers set a $1 minimum bet.

Allwyn Buys Majority Stake In PrizePicks

Fantasy sports company PrizePicks has agreed to sell a majority stake to international lottery operator Allwyn International for $2.5bn.

Allwyn plans to buy a 62.3 percent stake in PrizePicks and, if certain performance metrics are met over the next thee years, the implied enterprise value could reach $4.15bn, the companies announced on Monday (September 22).

For Allwyn, the transaction is an opportunity to enter the daily fantasy sports market, expanding its business in the U.S. beyond its existing operations with the Illinois Lottery. PrizePicks will operate as a standalone brand within Allwyn, led by its CEO Mike Ybarra.

Allwyn’s initial cash payment will be $1.6bn, and the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Allwyn will finance it with cash and debt.

“This is a significant European investment, and Allwyn’s biggest in the U.S. to date,” said Robert Chvatal, Allwyn CEO.

The acquisition of PrizePicks is the latest deal for Allwyn, a company that last year completed the acquisition of a 70 percent stake in leading e-instants supplier Instant Win Gaming and announced an intention to acquire a controlling interest in Novibet, the online sports betting and gaming operator.

“PrizePicks is an entrepreneurial company that is empowering a new generation of fans who want to engage with their favorite sports and athletes, not just spectate,” Chvatal said. “PrizePicks has created an intuitive platform that simplifies the process of making skilled predictions.”

Atlanta-based PrizePicks allows players to put money down on how athletes will perform in a game, such as whether Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will score 23.5 points in an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks, or whether Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes will have six strike outs in a game.  The company also offers tournaments where players compete against each other.

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