BetConstruct AI will showcase its full iGaming ecosystem to global operators and leaders at SBC Summit Malta 2026 (April 29–30, Stand C50), one of the industry’s premier events.
At the event, the company will present its comprehensive iGaming ecosystem, covering Sportsbook Platform, Casino Platform, Affiliate Ecosystem, Retail Solutions, AI Suite, and more.
The Sportsbook Platform offers more than 140,000 pre-match events and over 12,000 monthly esports live events, while the Casino Platform integrates 350+ providers through a unified aggregation API.
BetConstruct AI will also highlight its Affiliate ecosystem, which includes 7,000+ vetted affiliates supported by AI-based scoring, alongside its Retail Solutions, enabling operators to connect land-based and digital channels through a fully integrated omnichannel approach.
A key part of the presentation will be the company’s AI suite, including CRM AI, Umbrella AI, AI Game Recommendation System, and Betting Mate AI, which covers you with everything from churn prediction and risk management to real-time personalisation and conversational betting.
A key focus at Stand C50 will be the Best Sportsbook for the World Cup 2026, backed by two zero-cost products — Powerfull for pre-tournament engagement and Bet on League for a fully integrated in-tournament hub — requiring zero development effort from operators. BetConstruct AI invites all operators, media representatives, and industry stakeholders to visit Stand C50 for live demonstrations and strategic discussions.
A Cambodian senator has denied involvement in scam operations after being sanctioned by the United States, rejecting allegations that he was linked to fraud networks targeting Americans, according to a report by The Straits Times.
Senator Kok An said on Tuesday he had no knowledge of scam activities, following claims by the US Treasury Department that networks operating in Cambodia defrauded US citizens of millions of dollars.
“I do not know about scamming. I am a senator,” he told RFI Khmer radio, denying that most of the sanctioned firms belonged to him or that his companies were involved in fraud.
The Treasury alleged that Kok An and his affiliates operated from casinos and repurposed office parks used for fraudulent activities, laundering funds and facilitating scams targeting Americans. The agency also sanctioned 28 individuals and entities linked to the network.
In a statement issued on April 23rd, the Treasury described Kok An as a “scam center kingpin,” claiming operators under his protection had stolen millions from US victims.
Kok An, a member of Cambodia’s long-ruling party, is also associated with Crown Resorts, a business that owns casinos and other properties in the country.
Sportradar reported a net loss for the first quarter of 2026 despite double-digit revenue growth, as the sports technology firm pointed to foreign exchange impacts and operational factors, while reaffirming its full-year outlook and expanding its share repurchase program.
The Switzerland-based company posted revenue of €347 million ($406 million), up 11 percent year-on-year, driven by strong demand for betting and gaming content and continued monetization of IMG ARENA rights. Adjusted EBITDA rose 12 percent to €66 million ($77 million), with margins expanding to 19 percent.
However, the company recorded a net loss of €6 million ($7 million), partially offset by unrealized foreign exchange losses, which improved operating performance.
Sportradar maintained its 2026 guidance, forecasting adjusted EBITDA growth of 34 percent to 37 percent, reaching between €390 million and €400 million ($456 million to $468 million), supported by margin expansion and continued revenue momentum.
$250M accelerated buyback program initiated
Sportradar announced a new $250 million enhanced open market share repurchase program under its existing authorization, signaling confidence in its long-term outlook.
During the quarter, the company repurchased approximately $90 million in shares, bringing total buybacks since the program’s inception to $228 million.
CEO Carsten Koerl said the move reflects management’s view that the company is undervalued.
“This reflects the great confidence we have in our business model, the integrity of our people and operations, and our company’s very bright prospects for profitable growth,” he said during the earnings call.
Addressing short-seller report
Sportradar also used the earnings call to respond directly to a recent short-seller report, which it said was aimed at pressuring the company’s share price.
“To be clear, Sportradar and I reject the unfounded and misinformed allegations contained in the reports. As the global leader in sports technology… we place integrity, transparency and professionalism at the heart of everything we do.”
Carsten Koerl
He added that the company maintains regulatory licenses across multiple jurisdictions and operates under a “robust compliance framework,” with oversight from its board.
The short-seller report, published earlier in April, raised concerns about the company’s exposure to illegal betting markets.
During the earnings call, Koerl also addressed risks related to so-called grey markets, emphasizing that the company does not engage with black market operators.
He said Sportradar’s exposure to unregulated or grey markets remains limited, accounting for “single-digit to low double-digit” percentages of revenue, estimated at between 5 percent and 13 percent following internal compliance audits.
The company reiterated that it maintains strict know-your-customer (KYC) and compliance standards to mitigate regulatory and reputational risks.
Growth driven by content and scale
Revenue growth in the quarter was primarily supported by betting technology and solutions, which generated €288 million ($337 million), up 15 percent year-on-year. This included a 20 percent increase in betting and gaming content revenue, reflecting strong uptake of IMG content among clients.
Customer net retention reached 108 percent, highlighting continued cross-selling and upselling across Sportradar’s global client base.
Despite strong turnover growth in managed trading services, revenue in that segment was affected by “player-friendly outcomes,” which management said are expected to normalize over time.
Looking ahead, Sportradar pointed to upcoming catalysts including major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup in June, as well as expansion into prediction markets, as it continues to scale its data, content and technology offerings globally.
Myanmar authorities have arrested 52 individuals in a crackdown on telecom fraud and illegal online gambling operations in Tachilek Township, Shan State (East), as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle cross-border cybercrime networks.
A joint task force comprising security personnel carried out coordinated inspections in the border town following intelligence reports of active scam and gambling operations. The raids took place in the Weinkyauk Ward area, a location that has increasingly come under scrutiny for hosting illicit online activities. At approximately 11:50 am, authorities raided a site near the Loma Hotel, arresting three Chinese male nationals and six Myanmar female nationals allegedly involved in online fraud and gambling. Equipment seized at the location included three all-in-one computers, 13 laptops, 320 mobile phones, 108 tablets, a printer, six Wi-Fi routers and related devices.
Later in the afternoon of the same day, authorities targeted another property within the same ward. The task force arrested an additional 43 individuals, including eight Chinese male nationals, one Taiwanese female national, 27 Myanmar male nationals and seven Myanmar female nationals. Authorities seized further operational equipment at the second site, including 23 all-in-one computers, a monitor, a system unit and 52 mobile phones.
In total, 52 individuals were detained across the two operations, with authorities stating that all suspects will be processed in accordance with Myanmar law. Investigations are ongoing to identify higher-level organizers behind the operations, with officials indicating that further enforcement actions may follow.
The crackdown forms part of Myanmar’s broader campaign against online fraud and illegal gambling, activities that authorities say pose both domestic and international risks. Officials emphasized that efforts are being coordinated not only across national agencies but also with neighboring countries, reflecting the cross-border nature of many such operations in the region.
Foreign nationals found to be involved in illegal online activities will be subject to legal proceedings, with some expected to be repatriated to their home countries on humanitarian grounds and in line with international cooperation frameworks. Authorities added that key offenders may be formally handed over to relevant foreign agencies for further action.
Tachilek, located along the Myanmar–Thai border, has emerged as a focal point for enforcement activity in recent months, as governments across Southeast Asia intensify efforts to curb scam compounds and illegal online gambling hubs that have proliferated in border regions.
A UK Member of Parliament’s website was temporarily taken offline following a suspected cyberattack that redirected users to online gambling websites in Asia, highlighting ongoing risks around illicit promotion channels and cross-border digital threats.
Sir David Davis, Conservative MP for Goole and Pocklington, told Parliament that his website had been compromised in what he described as a “direct interference” with his duties. The incident began last Thursday, when malicious code was inserted into the site, redirecting users to Southeast Asian gambling websites.
The site was taken offline shortly after the breach was detected, but upon restoration it was subjected to a large-scale distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. Davis said the attack involved approximately 142 million requests and nearly 800 GB of data traffic within a 24-hour period. A DDoS attack involves overwhelming a website or server with traffic from multiple sources in order to disrupt its normal operation.
Davis told lawmakers that much of the malicious traffic appeared to be “traceable to China,” although his office also identified activity originating from other jurisdictions. The MP said his team is working with hosting providers to strengthen defenses and prevent further incidents. “Malicious links were inserted, redirecting users to Southeast Asian gambling websites. We took it down immediately. It was restored but then came under sustained DDoS attack. This is not a minor nuisance, it’s a direct interference with a Member of Parliament carrying out his duties,” Davis said in Parliament.
At the time of writing, the website displayed an error message and was still unavailable. The incident underscores a persistent issue for the gambling sector, where compromised legitimate websites are used as conduits to drive traffic toward unregulated operators. By hijacking trusted domains, bad actors can effectively bypass advertising restrictions and evade enforcement, particularly when infrastructure and traffic sources span multiple jurisdictions.
Deputy Speaker Nus Ghani said it would not be appropriate to discuss specific protective measures in detail but advised MPs to seek support from parliamentary security services. She directed members to the Parliamentary Security Department for personal account concerns and the Parliamentary Digital Service for official systems.
Moody’s Ratings has changed the outlook on Macau SAR to stable from negative, while affirming its Aa3 sovereign rating, citing improved expectations for mainland China and the city’s strong fiscal position supported by gaming and tourism revenues.
The decision follows Moody’s move to affirm China’s A1 rating and revise its outlook to stable, reflecting what it described as ‘very tight‘ economic, political, and institutional linkages between Macau and the mainland. These connections, particularly through tourism and gaming, are expected to keep Macau’s rating within one notch of China’s credit profile.
On the Tuesday note, Moody’s said Macau’s Aa3 rating continues to be underpinned by ‘significant credit strengths,‘ including high per capita income, the absence of government debt, and substantial fiscal reserves. At the end of 2025, fiscal reserves stood at approximately MOP667 billion ($83.4 billion), equivalent to five to six times annual government expenditure, providing what the agency described as ‘very strong buffers‘ against external shocks.
The agency also highlighted Macau’s large foreign exchange reserves, which reached $30.6 billion at the end of 2025, or around 15 months of import cover. These reserves have been supported by sustained current account surpluses driven largely by the territory’s tourism and gaming sectors.
Under its baseline scenario, Moody’s expects Macau to maintain ‘ample fiscal and external buffers,‘ supported by continued strength in gaming and tourism, even as growth may moderate alongside a structural slowdown in mainland China.
However, the agency noted that risks remain balanced. Potential upside could come from faster-than-expected economic diversification, while downside risks include weaker gaming performance or adverse economic developments in China.
Moody’s added that Macau’s strong governance framework and prudent fiscal management—evidenced by the accumulation of large reserves—support its resilience, despite its high reliance on the gaming sector and exposure to external shocks.
After the rollout of BC Engine and a comprehensive revamp of its bonus ecosystem, BC.GAME CEO Kar Kheng Giam shares insights into the move toward clearer, more streamlined reward structures—and explains why sustainable growth in crypto gaming hinges on closer alignment between player participation and value.
Key Takeaways
For much of the past decade, the gaming industry has focused on one central question – how do we incentivise players effectively?
In crypto, that question has often been approached with even greater intensity. Tokens, bonuses, loyalty schemes and promotional mechanics have evolved rapidly, but not always in a way that benefits the end user. In many cases, systems have become more complex over time, not less.
That complexity creates friction. And friction, ultimately, limits growth.
What we are now seeing – both within crypto gaming and more broadly across digital platforms – is a shift back towards fundamentals. Players are not necessarily looking for more incentives. They are looking for clearer, more consistent value.
Making value visible
At BC.GAME, one of the key lessons we have taken from our own growth is that complexity often emerges unintentionally. As platforms scale, layers of rewards, conditions and thresholds are added over time. Each one may serve a purpose, but collectively they can make the overall system harder to understand and harder to engage with. Simplification is about making value visible.
This thinking has informed our recent approach to rewards. Instead of requiring players to work towards specific milestones before receiving meaningful benefits, we have focused on ensuring that every interaction contributes to an outcome. Participation itself becomes the driver of value.
This is a subtle but important shift. Traditional bonus structures tend to be target-based – players complete a set of requirements, and a reward is unlocked. While effective in certain contexts, this model can feel transactional and, at times, disconnected from the broader player experience.
A more sustainable approach is to align rewards with ongoing activity.
This is where concepts such as staking-inspired models begin to play a role. By linking player participation to a mechanism that continues to generate value over time, platforms can move beyond one-off incentives and towards something more continuous.
The idea is straightforward. As players engage with the platform, they accumulate value that remains active within the ecosystem. That value, in turn, contributes to future rewards. The relationship between activity and outcome becomes more direct, more transparent and, importantly, more scalable.
We often describe this internally as a shift towards players having a greater sense of participation in the platform itself.
You will sometimes hear this framed as “owning the house”. While that phrase can sound like a slogan, there is a practical concept behind it. When rewards are structured in a way that reflects overall platform performance, players are no longer just consumers of the experience – they are participants in its growth.
Encouraging engagement
It encourages longer-term engagement, because the value of participation is not confined to a single moment. It also creates a stronger connection between the platform and its community, as both are aligned around the same outcome – sustainable growth.
Of course, none of this exists in isolation. Product development must be supported by strong operational foundations and a clear approach to market expansion.
One of the other shifts we are seeing in crypto gaming is the increasing importance of real-world market development. Growth is no longer driven purely by digital communities or token dynamics. It is also shaped by how effectively platforms establish themselves within specific regions.
Recent expansion into markets such as Nigeria reflects this broader trend. These are not short-term plays. They are part of a longer-term strategy to build a more resilient and geographically diverse user base, supported by local understanding and, where appropriate, regulatory alignment.
This matters because sustainable rewards ultimately depend on sustainable growth.
It is also worth acknowledging the role of the community in shaping these developments. In crypto, perhaps more than in any other sector, users are not passive. They provide feedback, they challenge assumptions, and they contribute ideas that influence product direction.
Many of the improvements we have made to our rewards structure have come directly from those conversations. The move towards simplification, in particular, has been driven by a clear and consistent message – make it easier to understand, and make it easier to benefit.
Early indicators suggest that this approach resonates. Strong engagement from content creators and broader crypto communities reflects a growing appetite for systems that prioritise clarity and accessibility. When users can immediately see how value is created, participation tends to follow. That said, it is important to remain grounded.
Crypto markets are inherently volatile. Token performance, while often seen as a proxy for momentum, is not a linear indicator of long-term success. What matters more is whether the underlying fundamentals are sound – product quality, user experience, and the ability to scale responsibly across markets.
Clarity over complexity
If those elements are in place, growth tends to follow over time, even if the path is not always predictable.
Looking ahead, the direction of travel is clear. The next phase of crypto gaming will be defined less by complexity and more by clarity. Less by short-term incentives and more by sustained value creation.
For operators, that requires a shift in mindset. Rewards should not be seen as a cost centre or a promotional lever, but as an integrated part of the product experience – one that evolves alongside the platform itself.
For players, it means a more straightforward proposition. Participate, and you benefit. Stay engaged, and that benefit continues.
It is a simple idea. But in a complex industry, simplicity can be a powerful differentiator.
China’s lottery sales declined in the first quarter of 2026, with total sales falling 3.1 percent year-on-year to RMB1.44 trillion ($211.1 billion), according to data released by the Ministry of Finance.
The decline was primarily attributed to reduced sports-related events, which weighed on the performance of sports betting products.
Between January and March, welfare lottery sales dropped 5.6 percent year-on-year to RMB484.03 billion ($71 billion), while sports lottery sales edged down 1.8 percent to RMB955.57 billion ($140.1 billion). Sports lottery products remained the dominant segment, accounting for the majority of total sales despite the contraction.
Breaking down by product type, number-based lottery sales reached RMB395.48 billion ($58 billion) in the first quarter, down 5.1 percent year-on-year. Sports betting lottery sales totaled RMB625.14 billion ($91.7 billion), declining 2.8 percent, while instant ticket sales fell 1.5 percent to RMB329.87 billion ($48.4 billion). Keno-type lottery sales decreased 2.7 percent to RMB89.08 billion ($13.1 billion).
Collectively, sports betting lottery products accounted for 43.4 percent of total sales, followed by number-based products at 27.5 percent and instant tickets at 22.9 percent.
In March alone, total lottery sales stood at RMB544.00 billion ($79.8 billion), representing a 6.6 percent year-on-year decrease. Welfare lottery sales fell 3.9 percent to RMB184.49 billion ($27.1 billion), while sports lottery sales declined 7.9 percent to RMB359.51 billion ($52.7 billion).
By category, sports betting lottery sales recorded the sharpest decline in March, falling 8.8 percent year-on-year to RMB237.21 billion ($34.8 billion). Number-based lottery sales dropped 6.8 percent to RMB156.79 billion ($23 billion), while instant ticket sales and Keno-type sales decreased by 1.5 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively.
The Ministry of Finance said the decline in March was largely due to a reduction in major sporting events, which led to lower demand for sports betting lottery products.
Greentube keeps the momentum going with Piggy Prizes Railroad Rumble, the newest game in its popular Piggy Prizes series.
Set across a 5×3 grid, Piggy Prizes Railroad Rumble invites players to saddle up for a wild ride across the frontier, with coin and piggy pot symbols appearing on the reels. These can be collected and enhanced when the cowboy lands on the centre reel, acting as both a wild symbol and the key to unlocking rewards. When he lands, it can trigger coin drops that feed the piggy pots, pushing them closer to bursting and awarding Free Games.
Adding more firepower is the mighty Gold Train, which barrels onto the reels to add and boost coin values while also feeding the pigs. When those pots reach their limit, players can trigger the Super Free Games, unlocking even greater win potential.
During Free Games, the cowboy remains locked in place, continuing to build the piggy pots and offering chances for retriggers. In Super Free Games, the Gold Train takes over, staying sticky on the centre reel to maximise coin boosts and elevate the action even further.
The game also features the popular Magic Spin and Magic Rewind modifiers, injecting additional excitement into every spin. Magic Spins can randomly lock in the cowboy or Gold Train on the centre reel, while Magic Rewind gives players a second shot at landing valuable symbols or jackpots. Piggy Prizes Railroad Rumble also offers the popular Bonus Buy feature, which can be activated in the base game. Once activated, the bonus round is automatically triggered.
Richard Ganster
This latest release builds on the continued success of the Piggy Prizes series, bringing a fresh theme and enhanced gameplay mechanics to one of Greentube’s most recognisable slot franchises.
Richard Ganster, Director of Games Strategy and Games Portfolio Management at Greentube, said: “Piggy Prizes has become one of our standout series because of its ability to evolve while staying true to the core mechanics players enjoy. With Piggy Prizes Railroad Rumble, we’ve introduced a more dynamic setup and layered feature set that enhances both engagement and replayability. The combination of familiar mechanics with new modifiers allows us to keep the experience fresh for existing fans while also attracting new players to the franchise.”
Premium slots and table games provider Habanero has unveiled Prosperity Horse, a high-volatility 7×5 slot featuring expanding features and progressive win mechanics.
Played across 28-58 paylines, Prosperity Horse by Habanero leans into traditional themes of luck and fortune, pairing Asian-inspired visuals with gameplay that builds steadily from the base game into the bonus round, leading towards an exciting crescendo.
Central to the game is the Prosperity Horse Wild, which locks into position on winning combinations and triggers an incrementally increasing multiplier with each additional Wild. Rather than resetting between spins, multipliers accumulate through Multiplier Gates that appear at random on the reels, unlocking massive win potential.
In addition, The Red Envelope mechanic is also in play, appearing across the reels to award instant cash prizes or convert into high-value symbols, creating additional momentum within both the base game and free spins.
Landing three or more scatter symbols triggers the Free Spins feature, where expanding symbols appear more frequently and multipliers continue to increase, giving players the opportunity to unlock higher-value wins as the game progresses.
Commenting on the release, Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, said: “Prosperity Horse builds on a clear set of mechanics that are easy to understand but offer strong potential as the game progresses. The combination of expanding symbols and multipliers gives players a consistent sense of development throughout each session while still delivering the level of volatility that many players are looking for.”
Prosperity Horse also integrates Habanero’s engagement tools, including Jackpot Race and the Buy Feature, allowing operators to tailor the experience to different player segments. The release continues Habanero’s focus on delivering high-volatility content with exciting mechanics that engage players across markets worldwide.
