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Ukraine’s National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum, and Postal Services (NCEC) has restricted access to Polymarket.
The prediction market has come under fire nationwide as domestic service providers have now blocked access to the site on the NCEC’s instruction. As a result, the prediction market has been included in the block of unlicensed gambling sites, and some internet service providers have restricted access under NCEC’s instruction.
Ukrainian NCEC asks service providers to block Polymarket
PlayCity provided a list of unlicensed gambling websites under Ukrainian law, which the NCEC acted on in its resolution, and Polymarket was included in that list reported by media.
Consequently, Ukraine’s internet service providers (ISPs) have been ordered to restrict access to Polymarket’s domain along with many other unlicensed gambling sites.
This action involved hundreds of sites and gaming operators that had not met the regulator’s strict requirements to offer their services.
The ISPs have been instructed to “Notify providers of electronic communications services of their obligation to restrict access to the websites identified … that are used for the organization, conduct, or provision of access to gambling without the relevant licence.”
The NCEC issued a public statement about adopting Resolution No. 695 to implement a prior PlayCity decision calling for blocking unlicensed gambling sites.
Ukraine regulators believe Polymarket is acting without a license
Ukrainian regulators argue that Polymarket is treated as unlicensed gambling under law, despite it operating as a crypto-based prediction market.
Head of the NCEC, Liliya Malyon, signed the publication, stating this action was to “Ensure the organization of measures to conduct unscheduled inspections in the event of a substantiated appeal regarding non-fulfilment of the obligation to restrict access … to websites through which gambling games are organized, conducted or access to them is provided without the appropriate licence.”
Polymarket comes back to the US
Polymarket, alongside a host of other prediction markets have been under the microscope of gambling lawmakers across the globe.
This hasn’t dampened CEO Shane Copland’s strategy to “come home,” as he put it in a post that heralded a public beta of the prediction provider’s features.

Against all odds.
Polymarket’s U.S app is now being rolled out to those on the waitlist.
We’re launching with sports — followed by markets on everything. pic.twitter.com/WOoVMszrqc
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) December 3, 2025

The app was then offered to iOS users who had signed up for the beta, with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approved market ready to do battle with the likes of Kalshi.
Featured image: Adobe Firefly
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A new report looking at sports betting trends, from Kambi, shows that a massive 48% represent bets traded by AI on the company’s network in 2025.
This marks a stark rise from the 4% in 2022, followed by 18% in 2023, and then 28% in 2024. The company says this comes after they have “leveraged AI for many years to deliver odds with unprecedented precision and speed of delivery through fully automated trading.”

𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢’𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞!
The sports betting industry is evolving faster than ever, and Kambi’s 2025 Report uncovers the key trends that shaped the market over the past year — and what they mean for 2026 and beyond.… pic.twitter.com/Eh2xyhhPBe
— Kambi (@KambiSports) January 13, 2026

According to the company, AI is improving their quality of pricing and enabling them to offer a more expansive offering. It was in 2022 when the sportsbook launched its AI trading, in time for the World Cup.
“AI has driven offering expansion across the whole of soccer, not just the top leagues. For example, since 2022, the number of bet offers have increased substantially on both the Dutch Eredivisie and English Championship.”
Basketball and American football tops Kambi’s most popular sports in 2025
Moving on from the AI, the sportsbook operator has provided an insight into its top markets by region. In the United States and Canada, basketball was the most popular, followed by American football, baseball, soccer, and then tennis.
As for the most popular events, the Super Bowl LIX topped the list in this area, with the AFC Championship Game being next, then NFC Championship Game, Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens, and then The Masters.
In Europe, the differences began to appear as the top sports were soccer, horse racing, ice hockey, tennis, and basketball. The operator has also shared the most popular events for first time bettors in this continent, with the Grand National topping the charts. The wide appeal of this event is further shown by the fact 40% of bettors made it their only racing bet of the year.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa was next on the list, with the others including Brest vs Real Madrid, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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Michael Dugher is stepping down as Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) after six years with the industry body, according to a statement from the BGC.
The BGC said Dugher, who was its founding chief executive before taking on the role of chair in April 2024, is leaving with immediate effect to become Head of the UK Public Affairs Practice at advisory firm Brunswick Group. The statement added that he will also continue working as a freelance business adviser and will remain a board member and director of Nottingham Forest Football Club.
In its press release, the BGC said Dugher had led the organization since its creation, when it brought together several previously separate trade bodies representing land-based casinos, high-street bookmakers and online betting, gaming and bingo operators.

Some personal news:
I am stepping down as Chair of BGC and moving on to be Head of the UK Public Affairs Practice at Brunswick Group, the leading global advisory firm. I will continue as a freelance business adviser + remain as a Board Member and Director at Nottingham Forest FC https://t.co/HFkHK7BKHK
— Michael Dugher (@MichaelDugher) January 14, 2026

The body also said Dugher oversaw the industry’s engagement with the Government’s review of the Gambling Act and the publication of the Gambling White Paper in 2023, which it described as introducing the biggest set of legislative and regulatory changes to the sector in a generation.
The statement noted that Dugher, a former Labour MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, worked closely with the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders during his time at the BGC. It added that under his leadership the BGC introduced 20 safer-gambling codes, which it said included 100 new standards.
Michael Dugher says BGC ‘did a difficult job’ amid UK gambling review
Commenting on his departure, Dugher said: “I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved at the BGC. Working with outstanding colleagues and members, we brought the industry together, embraced higher standards in safer gambling and championed an industry that employs tens of thousands of talented, hardworking, decent men and women in communities across almost every part of the UK. We also raised millions of pounds for so many good causes, particularly for racing and armed forces charities that have always been close to my heart.”
He added: “In an era when there is sadly so much ignorance and snobbery about betting – not helped, in my view, by the decline in the number of working-class people in Parliament – the BGC did a difficult job in navigating the industry through the previous Government’s gambling review. This resulted in a White Paper that, though not without its challenges, avoided many of the most draconian and disproportionate measures advocated by anti-gambling prohibitionists.”
Dugher continued: “By embracing change and positively engaging with Government and Parliamentarians, we made the case for an evidence-led approach to regulation and legislation that raised standards, protected jobs and growth as much as possible, and delivered historic deregulation and investment for Britain’s world-leading casino sector – all while keeping customers safe in the regulated industry. This approach is increasingly at risk today given the very worrying growth in harmful gambling in the unregulated online black market.”

BGC Chair @MichaelDugher is stepping down after six years of exceptional service to the Betting and Gaming Council and the regulated betting and gaming industry.
Michael was the BGC’s founding Chief Executive for more than four years before becoming Chair in April 2024. He led…
— Betting and Gaming Council (@BetGameCouncil) January 14, 2026

BGC CEO and Flutter pays tribute to Dugher
Grainne Hurst, the BGC’s chief executive, said Dugher’s impact on the organization had been significant. “From the outset, he brought clarity of purpose, a trusted standing with policymakers and regulators, and a steadfast commitment to championing a responsible, well-regulated betting and gaming industry,” she said.
She added: “Under his leadership, the BGC was firmly established as a credible standards body, uniting a diverse membership around stronger consumer protections and a shared determination to do the right thing, often going beyond regulatory requirements.
“He guided the industry through the most significant regulatory reform in a generation, helping to deliver the Gambling White Paper and shape its implementation in a way that balances consumer protection with the realities of a major UK leisure industry enjoyed safely by millions each month. His leadership was also pivotal in securing long-overdue casino modernisation and proportionate regulation.
“On a personal note, it has been a genuine privilege to work alongside Michael. He leaves a proud and lasting legacy at the BGC, having strengthened standards, unified the industry and ensured it is well prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Ian Proctor, chairman of Flutter UK & Ireland, also paid tribute, saying: “Michael worked tirelessly to help establish the BGC as a strong and authoritative body for the regulated industry. During a period of significant policy change, his experience and judgement were invaluable in supporting constructive engagement with Government and the regulator, including through the Gambling Act Review and the delivery of the White Paper.
“I would like to thank Michael for all his hard work and, on behalf of the wider industry, wish him every success in the future.”
Featured image: Betting and Gaming Council press release
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The bipartisan Coalition for Prediction Markets (CPM) has announced that former US Representative and Ambassador Sean Patrick Maloney will serve as its CEO and President, with former US Representative and Chairman Patrick McHenry joining as a senior advisor.
The group aims to preserve fair and transparent access to prediction markets, with these having been controversial new introductions into the world of gambling.

Today, we are excited to announce our new bipartisan leadership: Ambassador @SeanPMaloney will serve as CEO and President, with former House Financial Services Chair @PatrickMcHenry joining as Senior Advisor.
We are ready to work across the aisle to protect consumers and support…
— Coalition for Prediction Markets (@PredictAction) January 13, 2026

“Together, Maloney and McHenry bring deep bipartisan experience shaping U.S. financial policy, strengthening consumer protections, and advancing responsible innovation, leadership that CPM will leverage as prediction markets become more mainstream,” the news release states.
Two former Members of Congress join prediction markets coalition
Previously, Maloney was the Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and as the US Ambassador to the OECD.
He has also represented New York’s 18th Congressional District, with this experience spanning a decade, during which he chaired the Commodity Markets and Digital Assets Subcommittee of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and served on the House Intelligence Committee.
The coalition press release says he has joined at a time when prediction markets are facing growing “efforts by state-level authorities to assert jurisdiction over markets long governed by federal law.” Within his new role, he will oversee the coalition’s policy and advocacy to reinforce a consistent federal framework.
“Prediction markets are proving to be one of the most effective tools we have for aggregating information and forecasting real-world outcomes,” said Maloney. “But that promise depends on clear rules, thoughtful oversight, and regulatory certainty. CPM exists to make sure policymakers get this right, and I’m excited to help lead that effort.”
In Chairman McHenry’s role as a senior advisor, he will be expected to provide strategic guidance on items like market structure, financial regulation, and engagement with federal policymakers, while supporting the coalition’s mission.
“Prediction markets have long operated within a federal regulatory framework designed to promote transparency and protect consumers,” said Chairman McHenry.
“As these markets continue to grow, it’s critical that both consumers and platforms have clear and consistent guidance. Over the past decade, I’ve been proud to lead the country’s approach to regulating innovative financial tools, and I look forward to supporting CPM as it paves the way ahead.”
Featured Image: Via The Coalition for Prediction Markets
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