GoldenRace, the global leader in virtual sports and Colombia’s only ACDV‑certified provider, has signed a partnership with Olympia Apuestas Virtuales, expanding its footprint while elevating the professionalism of virtual gaming across the country’s retail sector.
Colombia has always been a priority for GoldenRace, and the company’s legal and technical preparation has allowed them to successfully navigate Coljuegos regulations, ensuring that partners operate with complete transparency and legal certainty.
The integration of GoldenRace’s entire portfolio into Olympia’s terminals is an example of how cutting-edge technology adapts to local regulations. Since November 2025, Olympia has successfully deployed numerous terminals, demonstrating that there is a real and growing demand for fast, secure and easy-to-use products.
GoldenRace virtual betting caters to customers seeking immediate adrenaline rushes. With events every five minutes and accessible betting on sports such as football, horse racing, dog racing, motorcycling, etc., the company offers an entertaining experience that does not require complex registration and guarantees instant results.
“Our track record in Colombia has allowed us to understand what operators are looking for and what players are passionate about. This partnership with Olympia allows us to continue growing in the retail sector, bringing our certified games to physical points of sale where trust and immediacy are essential”, said Martin Wachter, CEO and founder of GoldenRace.
For Olympia, this collaboration is a fundamental part of its strategy for diversification and sustainable growth. The positive impact in these first months of operation is already visible, attracting new customers and strengthening the profitability of the business.
David Cadavid, Betting Coordinator, BetPlay and Olympia Casinos, added, “Virtual betting not only represents a new form of fast and accessible entertainment, but also a contribution to the national economy. We firmly believe that GoldenRace’s product is a real opportunity for growth, innovation and development for the Colombian market.”
ThrillTech, a global leader in side-bet jackpot technology for iGaming operators and game studios, has announced a strategic partnership with EstrelaBet to launch ThrillPots in the regulated Brazilian market.
EstrelaBet has built a strong presence in Brazil by backing innovation and working with international technology partners as the market develops, making them an ideal launch partner for ThrillTech’s entry into the market
This partnership is ThrillTech’s first operator deal in Brazil and follows the company’s expansion into the market under a regulated framework. Through the agreement, ThrillPots will be introduced to EstrelaBet’s platform as ThrillTech continues to build a presence in Latin America’s regulated markets.
The EstrelaBet partnership builds on a year of robust momentum for ThrillTech, following recent operator launches, including its agreement with NordPlay. In 2025, the company expanded its regulatory footprint to 10 jurisdictions, secured ISO 27001 certification, and strengthened its senior leadership team as it prepared for further geographic growth. ThrillTech’s ThrillPots and ThrillDrops products are now deployed across 10 regulated markets globally.
Commenting on the partnership, Ben Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said, “This partnership brings ThrillTech into Brazil, which is a market that’s developed fast and is setting the pace for regulated growth in the region. EstrelaBet knows the market inside out, and together, we’re bringing ThrillPots live and opening up new jackpot experiences for Brazilian players.”
Pedro Schmidt, Chief Commercial Officer for EstrelaBet, added: “This partnership introduces a new jackpot technology to the Brazilian regulated market. We are pleased to be among the first operators to make this solution available locally, expanding the range of experiences offered to our players while maintaining our commitment to responsible gaming.”
Africa’s iGaming sector is accelerating rapidly, driven by expanding mobile internet access that is reshaping how players engage with digital entertainment. Unlike Western Europe, where gambling is largely leisure‑driven, African players approach the market with distinctly different financial motivations.
In the competition for a large number of potential players, betting companies must rethink their core approaches.
An analytical study, the International Player Safety Index, conducted by one of the industry leaders, 1xBet, set out to identify fundamental differences between the behavior of African players and that of users in other markets. Testing the thesis that gambling in Africa is viewed as an economic opportunity rather than a source of new emotions led to some very interesting results.
Betting as route to income: cultural context
The primary distinction of the African market lies in its underlying motivation. Most European players seek new and engaging experiences, and gambling is a leisure or At the same time, according to the International Player Safety Index, 60% of respondents rated the effectiveness of industry regulation at 7 out of 10. Among their main concerns, users highlighted not only regulation clarity, but also the efficiency of protective measures and the security of personal information.
In Africa, 68% of respondents rated player protection effectiveness between 5 and 8 points. However, the most pressing issues were the cultural perception of gambling as a means of enrichment, the dominance of retail gambling and cash transactions, and the licensing status of companies in the market.
This is not a misperception, compared to Europe, but rather the result of a fundamentally different socioeconomic context. In regions with high unemployment, the expectation of a big win becomes part of a life strategy. Gambling operators must take this reality into account, adapting control tools to the specific psychology of local markets.
How financial motivation changes player behaviour
Viewing betting as a means of enrichment significantly alters behavioral patterns. Players who are determined to win at any cost may ignore limits, often seeing deposit caps themselves as an obstacle to resolving financial problems.
Moreover, limits can encourage risky strategies. If a player plans to hit the jackpot and is unwilling to wait, this situation pushes them toward aggressive play with high odds, accelerating potential loss. Regulators also note that betting companies frequently face a time lag between users’ losses and the system’s response. As a result, players may not receive timely signals to take a break.
The situation is gradually changing. According to the research, operators in Africa are more likely than their Western European counterparts to apply KYC checks (75% versus 74%), advertising rules, and bonus limits. About 30% of African operators offer real-time guidance following large wins, reflecting a distinctive cultural approach to gambling.
However, there is still considerable room for growth. For instance, the use of artificial intelligence to monitor player behaviour and prevent harm has not been adopted by the African operators surveyed in the study. While AI is often described as a future driver of responsible gambling, progress in this area remains limited.
Why standard RG tools are less effective
Traditional self-control tools in betting, such as self-exclusion and reality checks, function as formal barriers for a significant share of African players. Operators that offer these options note that dealing with users who demand continued access to play, or who fail to understand the nature of their obligations, remains a major challenge. Without an emotional acceptance of the idea of “playing for fun,” such measures do little to deter players driven by strong financial motivation.
Insufficient market regulation in several countries also contributes to this issue, as operators themselves point out. Indeed, even in Europe, according to the Player Protection Index Report, 43% of operators are dissatisfied with existing regulatory guidelines.
In Africa, however, the situation is even more complex. Nigeria and Kenya are actively developing regulatory frameworks, while Benin and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are only beginning to modernize their regulations. In these markets, as well as in Cameroon and Zambia, operators themselves consider the current framework insufficient to ensure effective player protection.
From copying to adaptation
The African experience documented in 1xBet’s Global Player Protection Index Reports highlights the limits of a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s impossible to build an effective protection system by simply copying British or Portuguese standards.
All this leads to the conclusion that a strategy for promoting responsible gambling in Africa must be based on cultural adaptation. Operators cannot blindly replicate approaches imported from other markets, as this leads to the betting ecosystem fragmentation and creates problems for players.
A one-size-fits-all approach has its limits, as confirmed by the experience 1xBet has gained from the reports. Operators must consider not only raw statistics but also psychological factors. The use of artificial intelligence, educational initiatives explaining the principles of responsible gambling, and personalized communication — these and other measures can help improve the situation.
Today, true leadership of an operator is defined not only by holding a license, but also by the ability to recognize that protecting a player in Lagos or Nairobi requires a different language and tools than in Lisbon or London.
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. Chairman Eusebio Tanco has purchased 1.4 percent of the company’s total issued and outstanding shares in what the company calls a reflection of his ‘strong conviction in DigiPlus’ disciplined growth strategy’.
In a Monday notice, the company highlighted that Tanco has purchased nearly 63.12 million more shares as the group ‘accelerates the scale of its platforms’[…] built specifically for the Philippine market’.
DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco
Speaking of the purchase, the executive noted in a release that “DigiPlus is entering an exciting phase of growth […] I firmly believe in our ability to capture the significant opportunities ahead and deliver enduring value to our shareholders. The fundamentals of the digital entertainment industry remain strong, and DigiPlus is well-positioned to lead”.
DigiPlus announced in December that it was regaining momentum in its online gaming business amongst recent increases in oversight of the sector and even calls for the total ban of legal online gaming in the Philippines.
In November of last year, the company indicated a 59 percent drop in net income for 3Q25, to PHP1.71 billion ($29.1 million) amongst a 23 percent contraction in revenue to PHP19.05 billion ($325 million) and a EBITDA fall of 55 percent to PHP2 billion ($34.1 million).
The company at the time attributed the declines to ‘temporary disruptions in player activity and transaction volumes’. The drop followed the mandate by the Philippines central bank BSP in August of last year that e-wallet providers delink in-app access to licensed gaming sites.
But DigiPlus isn’t only focusing on the online segment, with its indirect takeover of International Entertainment Corporation (IEC) bringing the New Coast Hotel Manila integrated resort into its portfolio of offerings. The shift cements DigiPlus’ O2O (online-to-offline) integration, particularly as New Coast Manila holds a reopening after renovation works in July of this year.
New Zealand’s Racing Integrity Board (RIB) is stepping up its efforts as the country moves closer to enacting its new Online Casino Gambling Act in early 2026 and issuing licenses by the end of the year.
In a recent case study authored by the Chief Executive of the RIB, New Zealand, Dr. Eliot Forbes notes that there is a ‘close relationship between online gaming and racebook offerings’.
Forbes highlights that ‘the New Zealand Government’s intention to grant online gaming licenses reinforces the need for officials, regulators and policy-makers to be well informed about the crossover between these products and the integrity risks that can arise from both’.
Currently, TAB NZ holds the exclusive right to offer betting to New Zealand residents. Under legislation enacted in June of 2025, Kiwis cannot place bets on race and sports with anyone apart from TAB NZ, which extends to race and sports betting events that take place outside of the country.
Challenges already abound
The RIB Chief Executive notes that, even before the new online casino licenses come into effect, the board is facing increasing challenges in ensuring a fair and legal market.
‘The current landscape requires us to extend our integrity focus beyond domestic borders to an environment that is international, multi-jurisdictional and increasingly crypto-denominated.
Currently, NZ-based wagering ‘accounts for only around one-third of the combined Australasian betting on New Zealand races’, indicates the case study, published in the quarterly bulletin of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Crime.
While the appointment of Entain by TAB NZ ‘has modernized the product offerings and upgraded the technology systems’, ‘the scale of Australia-based wagering on New Zealand racing […] means it remains essential to maintain visibility of activity with Australian operators’.
But Australian betting is not only confined to the regulated market, with Responsible Wagering Australia finding that ‘illegal or ‘grey market’ offshore operators now account for about 36 percent of Australia’s total online gambling market’ – doubling since 2019. And ‘it would be optimistic to assume that New Zealand is insulated from similar forces’.
Crypto concerns
Forbes highlights how cryptocurrency – commonly used in the online casino space – is already posing a problem for regulators, as ‘more than 50 leading crypto-enabled brands, licensed in pseudo-regulatory environments, now accept bets on New Zealand racing’.
The official notes that ‘they do not pay product fees, do not share integrity data, offer limited or no consumer protections and are unlikely to adhere to anti-money-laundering obligations’.
In an analysis by RIB, the group found that ‘operators rely on ‘grey market’ licensing regimes such as Curaçao, Anjouan and Costa Rica, where licensing confers the appearance of legitimacy while imposing minimal integrity or reporting obligations’.
And their offerings are attractive, with ‘fixed-odds and derivative products on New Zealand races that do not exist domestically’, sign-up inducements and bonuses ‘with rollover requirements no longer legal in regulated domestic markets’.
‘Alongside the large crypto-enabled sportsbooks, New Zealand races are also offered on illegal betting exchanges, crypto casinos and sport prediction markets, alongside political events and esports’.
Forbes calls this ‘a fundamentally parasitic model’ as it extracts ‘value from NZ and other jurisdictions’ racing product while contributing nothing to the integrity systems or financial framework that sustain the sport’.
Among the top 100 crypto sportsbook operators analyzed by the RIB, the majority had licenses in Curaçao and Anjouan, with four of the top five being listed in the jurisdictions.
Work to be done
The RIB is now doubling down to map offshore coverage of New Zealand racing, ‘monitoring key markets and mapping the crypto-deposit activity of major operators’.
It is also fighting for greater transparency with operators that are lawful in their home jurisdictions, noting ‘operators who profit from NZ racing should contribute to the sport by protecting the product they use’.
In regards to policy development, the group aims to ‘provide informed support to broader domestic policy work including consideration of tools such as payment interdiction and the targeted disruption of illegal marketing’.
The focus is also on increased cooperation between policy bodies, financial intelligence units, enforcement agencies, racing and sporting codes and licensed wagering operators’.
This accompanies more information sharing with international parties, including the IFHA – both for intelligence exchange and to ‘raise specific concerns about suspicious activity or operators’.
In summation of the environment it faces, the RIB Chief Executive highlights that ‘the task ahead requires more sophisticated automated online monitoring, sharper intelligence, deeper cooperation and fresh strategies’, assuring that the RIB ‘will continue working with policy-makers, sporting bodies, regulators and government agencies to ensure our collective capability keeps pace with the environment’.
Sportradar has revealed that FIFA has renewed and expanded its integrity services partnership with Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ: SRAD) for an additional five years, strengthening a long‑term collaboration focused on protecting the integrity of football worldwide.
The renewed agreement, which runs through 2031, provides comprehensive AI-driven bet-monitoring services and now includes expanded intelligence and investigation support and dedicated risk assessment services for both FIFA and its 211 member associations. These additions further strengthen FIFA’s ability to identify, assess and respond to integrity risks across a broad and evolving global betting and competition landscape.
Sportradar will provide integrity services across men’s and women’s FIFA international competitions; men’s and women’s confederation-run international and international club competitions; senior men’s and women’s domestic matches from the top two tiers; and the main national cup competitions across all member associations.
Commenting on the agreement renewal, Andreas Krannich, Sportradar’s EVP Integrity Services, said: “The expansion of our integrity agreement with FIFA further strengthens the ability to identify, assess and respond to risks in an increasingly complex global picture. It underlines both organizations’ commitment to fair and clean sport at all levels globally.
“Our integrity services are designed to address risk in a joined-up way, combining bet monitoring through our AI-powered Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS AI) — built in-house using more than 20 years of historical data — with rapid reporting from betting operators, alongside comprehensive education and prevention programmes delivered to sports organizations worldwide.”
Since 2017, Sportradar has monitored more than 600,000 matches globally on behalf of FIFA through the company’s proprietary Universal Fraud Detection Service (UFDS AI).
Digitain, a leading provider of sportsbook and iGaming solutions, has announced a strategic collaboration with AdmiralBet Serbia, marking a significant multi-vector partnership within the regulated Serbian market, bringing together several core verticals and multiple brands under a single strategic framework.
As part of the partnership, AdmiralBet Serbia will integrate a comprehensive suite of solutions, including Digitain’s sportsbook, live casino content from Imagine Live, fast and crash games from Galaxsys, and the aggregation platform from Relum.
All brands and products will be integrated within a unified operational structure, creating a scalable and diversified ecosystem designed to support sustained growth, operational efficiency, and long-term product expansion across regulated markets.
The collaboration underscores both companies’ shared vision of delivering robust technology-driven solutions tailored to the needs of regulated markets, while reinforcing AdmiralBet Serbia’s commitment to strengthening its market position through advanced and flexible solutions.
Ani Mkrtchyan, Chief Sales Officer at Digitain, commented: “Our partnership with AdmiralBet Serbia highlights the value of well-structured, multi-vector agreements in driving long-term success. Bringing multiple core capabilities together within a single framework allows our partner to scale effectively while retaining the flexibility needed in a highly regulated and competitive market. We believe this agreement establishes a strong foundation for sustainable growth.”
Ani MkrtchyanStefan Lijeskić
Stefan Lijeskić, Director of Online Gaming at AdmiralBet Serbia, added: “Partnering with Digitain is a significant step in the evolution of our portfolio. The multi-vector nature of this agreement enables us to advance multiple areas of our operations at once, while maintaining stability and scalability for the future. Digitain’s expertise and technological capabilities make them a reliable partner as we continue to expand in the Serbian market.”
This strategic collaboration further highlights Digitain’s growing footprint across regulated European markets and highlights its ability to deliver scalable, multi-layered solutions tailored to partner needs.
OKTO PAYMENTS is accelerating its expansion across Latin America with the appointment of César Rodríguez Otaola as General Manager for Northern Latin America.
In this role, he will oversee operations in Peru and Mexico while driving the company’s broader growth roadmap across Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Rodríguez brings over 15 years of experience in the payments and financial services industry, with a strong track record in business strategy, market expansion, and regional banking partnerships. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles at PayRetailers, Paysafe, SafetyPay, and American Express, actively contributing to the development and growth of the fintech ecosystem across Latin America.
“Latin America is a strategic growth region for the company, and strengthening our leadership presence locally is a key priority,” said Edward Chandler, Group CEO of OKTO PAYMENTS. “César’s deep market expertise, regional perspective, and strong industry relationships make him the ideal leader to accelerate our expansion in Northern Latin America and reinforce our commitment to delivering seamless, next-generation payment solutions.”
Rodríguez expressed his enthusiasm about joining the company at a pivotal moment for the industry: “Latin America stands at a decisive moment in the evolution of digital payments. I am excited to join OKTO PAYMENTS at such a dynamic stage of its growth journey and to contribute to a company that is redefining how payments integrate into digital experiences. My commitment is to help digital commerce companies and platforms transform complexity into simplicity — delivering fast, secure, and intuitive payment experiences that match the pace of today’s consumer while enabling sustainable business growth across the region.”
Latin America’s digital payments ecosystem is expanding rapidly, driven by accelerated mobile adoption, real-time payment infrastructure, and increased demand from digital commerce and entertainment platforms. According to OKTO PAYMENTS’ latest regional report, 87.9% of users abandon a transaction if it takes longer than one minute, while more than 93% of consumers engage in impulse-driven digital activity. With major global events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to generate significant transaction spikes across ticketing, streaming, gaming, and online betting platforms, the need for secure, frictionless, and scalable payment infrastructure has become increasingly critical across the region.
To meet these evolving demands, the next-gen payment service provider delivers end-to-end payment infrastructure built for high-growth and high-complexity industries, including iGaming and digital entertainment. Its infrastructure integrates instant pay-ins and payouts, real-time transaction monitoring, advanced risk management, and regulatory compliance capabilities, alongside treasury management, liquidity optimization, and efficient settlement solutions.
This holistic approach enables operators to manage transaction peaks with confidence, ensure continuous liquidity, maintain full traceability of fund flows, and scale securely across multiple markets. By combining speed, control, and financial efficiency, the company empowers merchants to deliver seamless user experiences while strengthening operational resilience during high-intensity moments of consumer engagement.
ASX-listed slot machine manufacturer Ainsworth Game Technology (AGT) confirmed on March 2nd that Austrian prosecutors have filed a demand for prosecution in a long-running investigation involving its former CEO Harald Neumann and majority shareholder Novomatic AG.
In a filing to the Australian Securities Exchange, AGT said it had been informed by Novomatic that the ‘last investigation has been concluded’ and that Austria’s Public Prosecutor’s Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) has ‘filed a demand for prosecution in an Austrian court.’
The company noted that, with the matter now subject to court proceedings, ‘it is premature at this stage to make any further comment’, but added it would ‘keep the market informed of any material developments in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations’. AGT also said it is notifying ‘applicable regulators’ of the development.
The case forms part of Austria’s so-called “Casinos Affair,” linked to the 2019 “Ibiza Scandal” that led to the collapse of the Austrian government. Prosecutors allege a corrupt arrangement between senior Novomatic executives and former Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache relating to the appointment of a politically-affiliated candidate to the board of Casinos Austria in exchange for favorable legislative or licensing treatment.
While investigations into several political figures were discontinued in 2025 due to insufficient evidence of criminal intent, prosecutors have continued to pursue proceedings against Strache and senior Novomatic leadership.
Novomatic, which holds a 67.39 percent stake in AGT, has denied the allegations and indicated it was surprised by the decision to proceed, noting that earlier signals had suggested the final allegation might be discontinued.
In a statement to AGB, Novomatic spokesperson Alexandra Lindlbauer said the group has “consistently rejected all allegations as untrue from the very beginning.” She added that of the originally numerous accusations, all except the last remaining allegation had already been proven unfounded during the investigation and resulted in legally binding discontinuations. “We are therefore convinced that this last remaining allegation will also prove to be groundless, and we welcome clarification by an independent court,” she said.
Neumann stepped down as AGT CEO in October 2025. AGT has not indicated that the Austrian proceedings are expected to impact its operations or financial position at this stage.
Macau recorded approximately 3.65 million visitor arrivals in January 2026, broadly unchanged year-on-year, according to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).
The stable headline figure masked a decline in overnight travel. Overnight visitors fell 6.6 percent to around 1.39 million, while same-day visitors rose 4.6 percent to roughly 2.25 million.
The average length of stay remained at 1.0 day. However, the average stay for overnight visitors edged up slightly to 2.3 days.
Visitors from mainland China declined 1.6 percent year-on-year to approximately 2.71 million. Those traveling under the Individual Visit Scheme dropped 9.6 percent to about 1.45 million.
The DSEC attributed the decline mainly to a higher comparison base, as last year’s Chinese New Year holiday in the mainland fell in late January.
Visitors from Hong Kong slipped 1.3 percent to around 570,000, while arrivals from Taiwan rose 20.7 percent to roughly 93,000.
Macau January 2026 visitor arrivals
International arrivals totaled about 278,000, up 15.5 percent year-on-year. Among Southeast Asian markets, arrivals from Malaysia increased 52.3 percent to around 18,000, while Thailand visitation surged 80.5 percent to approximately 18,000. Tourist numbers from Singapore grew 28.6 percent to roughly 10,000.
The Philippines figures declined 6.3 percent to about 45,000, and Indonesia fell 21.8 percent to around 17,000. India rose 54.1 percent to approximately 10,000. South Korea increased 14.5 percent to roughly 75,000, while Japan edged down 1.6 percent to around 12,000. Visitors from the United States rose 4.7 percent to nearly 13,000.
Hotel occupancy reaches 91.6% in January
Hotel performance remained firm. The average occupancy rate stood at 91.6 percent in January, up 0.7 percentage point year-on-year. Five-star hotels recorded 95.9 percent occupancy, an increase of 2.4 percentage points. Four-star and three-star hotels posted occupancy rates of 85.2 percent and 85.7 percent respectively, both lower than a year earlier.
The number of hotel guests fell 1.7 percent year-on-year to about 1.24 million. Mainland Chinese guests dropped 5.3 percent to roughly 917,000, while those from Hong Kong rose 2.1 percent to around 125,000. International hotel guests increased 26.6 percent to approximately 127,000.
Inbound package tour visitors totaled about 139,000, down 13.4 percent year-on-year. Mainland Chinese tour visitors fell 25.2 percent to roughly 104,000, while international tour visitors rose 45.8 percent to around 25,000.
