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The National Lottery in the UK will shut down this weekend to put through its biggest tech update in decades.
National Lottery draw game sales and all prize claims will be temporarily paused in shops, on the website, and in the app between 11pm on Saturday, August 2 and late in the morning on Monday, August 4, as operator Allwyn puts through a behind-the-scenes tech update.
The update will move the Lottery’s core system to new platforms, although users shouldn’t expect to see much of a change on the front end.
In practice, after Saturday night’s Lotto and Thunderball draws, the National Lottery website, app, and retail lottery terminals will shut down from 11pm, so players won’t be able to log into their online accounts, buy draw tickets, or claim prizes until Monday. Players can still buy Scratchcards in person from any partnered shop, as well as see the National Lottery draws via YouTube.
What’s new for the National Lottery?
With the tech updates largely being behind-the-scenes changes, Lottery players likely won’t notice a difference to their experience. However, Allwyn said in a press release that the new lottery terminals rolling out in stores should speed up transactions for all players. Plus, there’s a promise of ‘great changes’ coming soon after the tech update.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the National Lottery that the UK deserves,” said Allwyn CEO Andria Vidler. “We’re making unprecedented and much-needed changes, which will move us closer to achieving our vision for The National Lottery, restoring its magic and significantly increasing its positive impact on lives across the UK.
“These major upgrades will mean short-term disruption for players and our retail partners, but they will allow us to deliver on our promise to bring new, exciting games, a better player experience, and our commitment to double returns to Good Causes from £30m to £60m every week by the end of the 10-year licence.”
The investment in the platform comes after Allwyn reported a 12% increase in revenue in 2024.
Featured image: Flickr, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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MGM Resorts has shared its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, reporting a record-breaking high for revenue.
The global entertainment and resorts brand has reported net revenues of $4.4 billion, an increase of 2% when compared to the same period a year before. That increase is largely attributed to success at MGM China, with the region achieving an all-time record in earnings before tax with a market share of 16.6%.
Net income for MGM Resorts has fallen, however, from $187 million to just $49 million, thanks to the impact of foreign currency exchanges. Nonetheless, CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle – who recently signed a new contract at the company – attributes the ‘strong growth’ to the strength of its BetMGM offering.
“MGM Resorts’ operational scale and diversity delivered solid growth in the second quarter, with consolidated results increasing year over year,” said Hornbuckle. “This performance was driven by accelerating EBITDA growth at the BetMGM venture and record results out of our Regional Operations as well as MGM China.
“Our outlook on the business remains bright, particularly in Las Vegas as 4Q25 and full year 2026 will benefit from meaningful capital investment, including the completion of the MGM Grand room remodel, combined with strong convention bookings. Looking beyond 2025, our BetMGM venture continues towards its goal of $500 million in EBITDA and our MGM Digital segment is on target to become profitable in the coming years.”
The focus on Las Vegas echoes the positive outlook of Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, despite a slow second and third quarter in 2025. While gambling activity in the historical heart of betting has plateaued recently, many operators are looking for ways to innovate and tempt people away from the ever-growing online gambling sector.
Trends in MGM Resorts’ earnings
Looking at some of the trends that one of the largest gambling and entertainment companies in the world is observing, there are some notable examples to pick out. For example, net revenue at Las Vegas resorts dropped by $100 million from the year before, with MGM citing a decline in table games as the reason.
However, revenue surged by the same amount in China, thanks to increased casino table games in the region, suggesting a geographical shift for the company. Indeed, MGM Resorts is clearly making Asia a priority market, with attempts to influence casino tax rates in Thailand.
Featured image: MGM Resorts
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Google and Meta might not be automatically protected from liability anymore just because they host third-party content in India, according to legal experts. The shift comes as country’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) looks into money laundering allegations tied to online betting apps.
Both tech giants were called into the ED’s headquarters on July 21, but they didn’t show up. They were then issued new summons for July 28. Google did turn up for the meeting, but Meta didn’t send anyone for the probe into the same issue.

Google Says : We’re committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads. Our continuous AI advancements, complemented by human expertise, ensure all ads on our surfaces comply with local laws and our strict ad policies, and… https://t.co/eo5l4RUDyd
— Aseem Manchanda (@aseemmanchanda) July 21, 2025

A Google spokesperson told ReadWrite that the company is “committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads.” The company also said, “Our continuous AI advancements, complemented by human expertise, ensure all ads on our surfaces comply with local laws and our strict ad policies, and protect users from evolving threats. Last year alone, we removed 247.4 million ads and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India.
“We are extending our full support and cooperation to investigating agencies to hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe.”
Why India is accusing Google and Meta of promoting sketchy betting apps
The ED is accusing Google and Meta of actively helping promote betting apps that are under investigation for serious financial crimes like money laundering and illegal wire transfers, often referred to as ‘hawala’. Authorities say both companies gave these apps prime ad space and allowed their associated websites to gain visibility, which helped them spread more widely.

“If it can be proven that they had the knowledge of illegal operations of such platforms, they could be liable under various legislations.” – Gaurav Bhalla, Ahlawat & Associates Partner

The investigation is focusing on a large web of betting apps, many of which are disguised as skill-based games but are actually running illegal gambling operations. The platforms are thought to have made crores of rupees in illegal funds, often funneled through complex hawala routes to dodge detection.
Tech giants may qualify for ‘safe harbour’
Legal experts have explained to ReadWrite that digital platforms could face serious criminal charges if they knowingly promote illegal betting operations. Gaurav Bhalla, a partner at Ahlawat & Associates, stated that a platform’s legal risk largely depends on whether it qualifies for “safe harbour” under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
“The primary aspect to be determined while ascertaining whether they would be liable or not would depend on whether they’re able to claim safe harbour,” Bhalla said. “If they’re able to claim the defence, a lot of their liability will be minimized. However, if it can be proven that they had the knowledge of illegal operations of such platforms, they could be liable under various legislations.”
He pointed out that there have been cases where intermediaries were held responsible for third-party content when they didn’t meet the criteria for safe harbor. That includes acting only as a passive channel, not altering content, and following the government’s due diligence guidelines.
Bhalla said platforms lose that protection when “the intermediary has conspired or abetted or aided or induced” an illegal act, or if they fail to act after being notified by authorities. “If the intermediary has knowledge that it is facilitating the operation of online betting platforms, it wouldn’t be able to claim safe harbour (and will be held liable for the content hosted on their platform).”
Without safe harbor, platforms could come under the scanner of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for enabling illegal financial activity, and could also be charged with abetment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for advertising banned services.
But the liability doesn’t stop with the platforms. Bhalla warned that “the app developers (which developed such betting platforms) and media outlets (which advertised such platforms) could be held liable under provisions relating to abetment and criminal conspiracy under Sections 56 and 62” of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.”
Celebrities in the firing line
Even public figures aren’t off the hook. “The celebrities which endorse or promote such apps on social media could be subject to prosecution under” the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements, 2022. Since online betting is banned under the Public Gambling Act, 1867, any kind of endorsement could also violate the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
To reduce these risks, Bhalla recommends that companies and influencers carry out legal checks and sign contracts that include warranties and indemnity clauses, “to cater to situations where the tech companies or the endorsers suffer any financial liability owing to the illegal operations of the online better platform.”
The investigation is part of a larger crackdown by the government agency, which picked up steam after evidence surfaced showing that foreign-linked betting operations were using Indian platforms to carry out illegal transactions.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had previously issued advisories warning digital platforms not to run ads related to betting, but reports suggest those warnings were widely ignored, leading to deeper scrutiny.

To all who want to know what happened with the ED summons today. Thank you https://t.co/VGJGK9avkU
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) July 30, 2025

As part of the ongoing probe, the ED has now summoned several actors in connection with the case. Rana Daggubati was asked to appear at the agency’s zonal office in Hyderabad on July 23, while Prakash Raj was summoned for July 30. Vijay Deverakonda is expected to appear on August 6, and Lakshmi Manchu on August 13.
Speaking after being summoned, Raj said: “The officers summoned me as a citizen of the country in connection with a money laundering case linked to betting apps. It was something I was offered back in 2016.
“On moral grounds, I chose not to pursue it. I informed them that I had not received any money, as I had declined the offer.”
The celebrities are being investigated over their alleged promotion of illegal betting apps on social media platforms.
ReadWrite has reached out to Google and Meta for comment.
Featured image: Canva / Google / Meta
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Six unlicensed online casinos have been issued cease-and-desist orders from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). The sites in question were found to be in violation of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, Lawful Sports Betting Act, and “provisions of the Michigan Penal Code.”
There’s now a 14-day time limit from the letter’s issuance to get out of Michigan, or the state will press forward with “additional legal action”. The Michigan watchdog warns potential users of offshore, unlicensed casinos that they could be at risk of no payout, rigged games, and zero protections from the state itself on a legal basis.
Those named in the press release include:

Crypto Slots
NitroBetting
NewVegas
Las Vegas USA Casino
Grand Rush Casino
Slotgard Casino

Speaking in the press release, MGCB’s Executive Director said:
“These sites were attempting to exploit Michigan players while operating outside the law.
“We take this seriously. When unauthorized operators offer games without regulation, Michigan players are left exposed — and we will not tolerate it.
“Unlike Michigan’s licensed operators, these sites offer no consumer safeguards.
“They’re not held accountable to anyone, and that puts players in a dangerous position.”
Michigan is an outlier in illegal gambling
Offshore online casinos have seen a dramatic rise in recent years in the US. As some states still don’t allow for online gambling, or where it is legal, they might be more tantalising through different offers. 74% of US gambling revenue went to these platforms.
However, Michigan’s more accepting status on gambling has shown that the work the MGCB has done has had some effect. The report showed that, compared to other states, Michigan spent less on illicit gambling platforms than others.
Michigan spent a total of $2,911,468,491 legally and $2,180,156,407 illegally. As it allows for both online, physical, and sports gambling, revenue reports have been quite hefty. Online operators in June reported $300 million in earnings, while the state’s operators reported $285.2 million in revenue.
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Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested alongside five others on a federal indictment alleging that they were operating an illegal gambling business.
According to the US District Attorney’s office for the Central District of California, the six defendants were arrested on July 30, with allegations that they operated an illegal gambling business hosting high-stakes poker games at an Encino mansion, that Arenas owned.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and suspected Israeli crime figure arrested on federal indictment alleging high-stakes illegal poker games at Encino mansion https://t.co/OGzbtTfuGa
— US Attorney L.A. (@USAO_LosAngeles) July 30, 2025

The 43-year-old former NBA player has been charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating an illegal gambling business, and one count of making false statements to federal investigators.
Arenas faced arraignment in the afternoon of July 30, alongside 49-year-old suspected organized crime figure from Israel, Yevgeni Gershman, 48-year-old Evgenni Tourevski, 52-year-old Allan Austria, 27-year-old Yarin Cohen, and 43-year-old Ievgen Krachun.
The other defendants have all been charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business. Arenas pleaded not guilty and was released pending trial after paying a $50,000 bond.
How were the illegal poker games set up?
The illegal gambling activities allegedly took place between September 2021 and July 2022, with Gilbert Arenas renting out an Encino mansion he already owned for the unlicensed high-stakes poker games.
As well as collaborating with the other five men charged, 51-year-old Arthur Kats was also involved, setting up the property to host the games, finding co-conspirators to host them, and collecting rent on Arenas’ behalf.
Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen organized the illegal ‘Pot Limit Omaha’ poker games, among other illegal games, and collected a ‘rake’, or a fee that the house charged from each pot. This was typically either a percentage or a fixed amount per hand.
Young women were already hired by Gershman to serve drinks and offer companionship to the poker players. The women were also charged a percentage of their earnings from working the games. On top of that, chefs, valets, and armed security guards were hired to staff these illegal poker games.
Gershman, an Israeli citizen, alongside a seventh individual, 35-year-old Valentina Cojocari, has been charged with three additional counts: conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making a false statement on an immigration document. This dates back to early 2022, when Gershman conspired with Cojocari to enter into a sham green card marriage.
Cojocari was also arrested and arraigned at the same time as the others at the United States District Court in Los Angeles.
During his NBA career, Arenas made the NBA All-Star team three times and played 11 seasons in the league. He’s not the only NBA name to be attached to illegal activity, with fellow player Malik Beasley charged with allegations of gambling related to NBA games.
The MLB has also suspended several players due to breaches of its betting policy, with Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz and fellow closer Emmanuel Clase placed on paid leave in a separate gambling probe.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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