Disney’s OpenAI stake is ‘a way in’ to AI and Sora will help reach younger audience, Iger tells CNBC

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Google Challenges ChatGPT With $2.50 AI Plan in India

This move represents Google’s most calculated strike yet against OpenAI’s market dominance.
The post Google Challenges ChatGPT With $2.50 AI Plan in India appeared first on TechRepublic.

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Asset-Based Lending: How It Works & Where To Get It

Asset-based lending (ABL) helps businesses borrow against receivables, inventory, real estate, and equipment. Learn how ABL works, who it’s right for, pros and cons, and where to find the best lenders.
The post Asset-Based Lending: How It Works & Where To Get It appeared first on TechRepublic.

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Disney signs deal with OpenAI to allow Sora to generate AI videos featuring its characters

Disney says that alongside the agreement, it will “become a major customer of OpenAI,” as it will use its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+.

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On Me raises $6M to shake up the gift card industry

On Me raises $6 million for its digital gift card platform that lets users purchase cards categorized by interests rather than being restricted to specific retailers.

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Underdog confirmed to be shutting down sports betting in North Carolina

Underdog is shutting down its sports wagering operations in the state of North Carolina next week, as confirmed by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission.
The regulator shared the news on Wednesday (December 10) stating that it wants to make Underdog sports wagering account holders aware of the change to the local betting market.
The company, which has also contacted its account holders about operations ceasing in North Carolina through email, will stop accepting sports wagers on Tuesday, December 16.
It expects to settle all outstanding sports wagers by Thursday, December 18 too, and a sports wagering account holder can withdraw funds from their account throughout and after the closure. The company is converting all unused sports wagering funds to withdrawable funds in the accounts.

Hopefully Underdog’s exit as a sportsbook in North Carolina means we get Bally or BetRivers in its place. pic.twitter.com/wjda9H0lsJ
— Mr. First Goal (@MrFirstGoal) December 10, 2025

The operator is one of eight sports betting operators in the state, meaning their exit could pave the way for another brand to enter.
Underdog informs North Carolina residents about ‘upcoming change’
In an email which has been shared by a user on X, the sports betting operator Underdog explained how sports betting will no longer be available via the platform in North Carolina from December 17.
They, however, go on to say that the company isn’t going anywhere and state that people can still make fantasy picks, play drafts, and enjoy everything else in the app using the same credentials as before.
All wagers placed before the cut-off date will be honored, with the company stating that no action is needed as the account will automatically reflect these updates. An FAQ page has been created on the company website too, in the hopes of answering any customer questions.
For any future wagers that haven’t been settled by that date, these will be paid out as a win, the operator confirms in the email to customers. The North Carolina State Lottery Commission says it’ll continue to work with Underdog on any unresolved player issues, even after they close its online sportsbooks.
Featured Image: Via Underdog press release
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Indian Tribes reach tentative agreement with Washington Gambling Commission on new electronic gaming proposals

The Washington Gambling Commission has reached a tentative agreement with two Indian Tribes which allows them to offer electronic table gaming.
The regulator shared that it has reached an agreement with the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe on Wednesday (December 10) along with the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe on the same day.

The Washington State Gambling Commission has reached tentative agreements with the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe & Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe on proposed gaming compact amendments.
Upper Skagit – https://t.co/LlW5U7wyhC
Port Gamble – https://t.co/LlW5U7wyhC
— WA Gambling Comm (@WAGambling) December 10, 2025

The proposed amendment, within the tentative agreements, includes provisions that already exist in other tribal compact, including a framework for electronic table games. For the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe announcement, the proposals also update smoking provisions at the Tribe’s gaming facility.
Speaking on the tentative compact amendment with the Upper Skagit Tribe, the vice chairperson at the gambling commission, Sarah Lawson, said: “Our work with tribal partners is grounded in respect for sovereignty and a commitment toward open dialogue in compact negotiations. This compact amendment reflects that approach by balancing the interests of the tribe in their gaming operations with those of the people of Washington State to ensure that gambling is kept legal and honest.”
The Upper Skagit Tribal chair, Jennifer Washington, said of the tentative compact amendment: “The Tribe looks forward to the ability to expand its gaming opportunities which will assist both Tribal and non-Tribal community interests.”
Washington Gambling Commission builds on tribal-state partnerships
The announcement with the Port Gamble S’Kallam Tribe also includes provisions to operate higher wager limits and extend credit to customers at the Tribe’s gaming facility through the proposed amendments.
The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Chair Amber Caldera said of the tentative compact amendment: “The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe would like to thank the Washington State Gaming Commission for a respectful and collaborative compact amendment process.
“We appreciate the State’s partnership as we work towards further strengthening our economic foundation. This amendment enables us to create new job opportunities, expand services, better provide for our community, and contribute to a more vibrant regional economy that benefits not only our people, but our neighbors throughout the Kitsap Peninsula.”
Featured Image: Canva
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Industry giants form coalition to defend and standardize US prediction markets

Kalshi and Crypto.com have announced they’re forming the Coalition for Prediction Markets, a new national alliance that brings together industry players like Coinbase, Robinhood, and Underdog in the US. The goal, they say, is to protect what they call “safe, transparent, and federally supervised access to prediction markets.”

And over 70% of Americans agree on a key point: these markets shouldn’t be treated like gambling.https://t.co/pgwjQQJJCn
— Coalition for Prediction Markets (@PredictAction) December 11, 2025

Supporters argue these platforms offer a valuable read on public expectations. They point to claims that prediction markets beat traditional polling by around 30%, and note that trading volume has already hit nearly $28 billion through October of this year. The organizers also highlighted survey results suggesting that almost half of Americans under 45 have used some kind of online financial or prediction market.

There’s no question that prediction markets are reshaping how we understand the future – empowering millions of Americans with transparent, real-time collective intelligence.We at @Kalshi saw the need for a unified industry voice, and with the partnership of @cryptocom, we’re…
— Sara Slane (@Sara_Slane) December 11, 2025

The coalition is launching at a tense moment. Kalshi, Crypto.com, and other platforms are dealing with lawsuits and regulatory pushback in several states. In Connecticut, for example, the Department of Consumer Protection issued cease-and-desist orders to Kalshi, Robinhood Derivatives, and Crypto.com, accusing them of offering unlicensed sports betting.
Kalshi has fired back with a lawsuit, arguing that its contracts fall under federal commodities law and should be regulated solely by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). A federal judge has temporarily blocked Connecticut from enforcing its order while the case moves forward.
Massachusetts has also tried to prevent Kalshi from running sports-related prediction markets, saying they amount to unlicensed gambling. Federal judges in Nevada and Maryland have at times sided with similar state arguments, and Kalshi is fighting additional battles in New York and elsewhere. The companies insist their products aren’t gambling at all, but federally regulated financial instruments.
Prediction markets coalition targets US as momentum surges
Matt David, an executive board member of the coalition and president of North America and chief corporate affairs officer at Crypto.com, said, “The U.S. is the biggest frontier for prediction markets, and the momentum we are seeing makes a unified industry voice not just important, but necessary.”
He added, “Prediction markets are a new layer of civic infrastructure – public-good technology that gives people clearer insight and helps institutions make better decisions. They democratize financial participation by rewarding what people know, not who they know. As consumer interest accelerates and regulation evolves, this coalition will champion responsible, transparent growth to ensure the benefits of prediction markets reach the broader public.”
The organizers say they’re launching the coalition because some state casino regulators are now trying to stretch their authority into an area that’s historically been handled at the federal level.
That, they argue, could lead to clashing rules and make these markets harder for consumers to access. In their announcement, they stressed that the CFTC is the right regulator for this space, since its oversight can provide consistent rules and protections, much like those used in the securities markets.
Sara Slane, an executive board member of the coalition and head of corporate development at Kalshi, said, “From day one, we wanted to be regulated. We spent years working with the CFTC because prediction markets must operate with strong federal safeguards that prevent insider trading, protect consumers, and ensure these markets remain transparent and corruption free.”
She continued, “Americans deserve clarity, not 50 conflicting interpretations. As the first federally regulated prediction market, Kalshi saw firsthand how quickly this space was growing and how urgently a unified industry voice was needed to advocate for access and consistency nationwide.”
According to the release, the coalition’s initial efforts will center on shoring up the federal rules that govern prediction markets, creating nationwide standards to guard against insider trading, and pushing back against what it sees as state overreach into areas like sports, elections, and economic or financial indicators. The timing comes as more companies, including FanDuel and Fanatics, are moving into the prediction-market arena. Polymarket has even rolled out a beta version in the US after previously being barred from operating in the country.
Featured image: Coalition for Prediction Markets
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Tennessee Sports Wagering Council hits two ‘illegal sportsbooks’ with fines

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (SWC) has slapped two ‘illegal sportsbooks’ with a $50,000 fine each.
The latest fines to the two sportsbooks, called BetDSI and BetNow, take the fines issued to so-called illegal entities by the SWC up to $800,000 in total.
The council says they “have now served 24 illegal entities operating in Tennessee with cease-and-desist letters and assessed $800,000 in fines…” A total of seven illegal operators have left the state, including Bovada, Sportzino, BetWhale, and Kickr.
It was in November 2024 when the council declared that Bovada would no longer be open for business in the state. The Curacao-based sportsbook is unlicensed in Tennessee, and were required to notify account holders that it is permanently closing Tennessee accounts and returning available balances.

Cracking down on illegal sportsbooks in Tennessee https://t.co/YBt73ZSsys via @YouTube #sports #sportsbetting #Tennessee #LBinTN
— Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (@tnswac) May 30, 2025

Then, just a few months ago, in September, Sportzino shut down its sports-related sweepstakes operations in the Volunteer State. This was followed by three sports gaming entities, BetWhale, Kickr and ReBet, ceasing operations after action was taken by the SWC in October.
Tennessee’s Sports Wagering Council: Eradicating illegal sportsbook is a primary focus
The council says their mission is to protect the public interest of its residents through a safe and regulated sports wagering environment. They also say eradicating illegal sportsbooks and their supporting businesses from the state is a primary focus.
“December is typically a time when there is an uptick in patrons taking advantage of the responsible gaming tools legal sportsbooks are required to provide, ” executive director Mary Beth Thomas said.
“Illegal sportsbook operators have no regard for responsible gaming efforts let alone the law, and anyone sports betting with an illegal sportsbook should know that they are sharing their personal and financial information when they wager with known criminals.”
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council has a list of licenses and vendors which are approved to do business in the area.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
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Matchbook: prediction market is launching in UK as ‘road test’ before US

A prediction market will soon be entering the UK as sports betting exchange Matchbook says its technology debut in January will be a ‘road test’ ahead of potential United States entry.
The company, which is majority-owned by professional gambler Zeljko Ranogajec, is also seeking to obtain US regulatory approval which is expected to be gained as early as March. If this comes to fruition, it means the prediction market leaders Polymarket and Kalshi will have further competition. This comes after sportsbook operators FanDuel and Fanatics have recently entered the industry too.

Prediction markets are coming to the UK as early as January with @TeamMatchbook preparing to launch their own.
The article (paywalled) features quotes from @irishro on how this is a road test ahead of a US launch expected in for Marchhttps://t.co/ENLEJjPRJD pic.twitter.com/o7K1OE2acy
— Smart Betting Club (@SBCinfo) December 10, 2025

Over in the UK, Matchbook will launch the product under its current license with the UK Gambling Commission. The focus will be on sport and it’ll also introduce a prediction market as a white-label provider for easyBet.
In an interview with Bloomberg, the interim chief executive officer Ronan McDonagh said: “It’s not new in the sense that it works on the same engine as an exchange.
“It should be more understandable, so I think we’re hopeful that it captures a new audience or it intrigues people to have a look.”
Matchbook will launch prediction market-style exchange in January in UK
The company already offers a betting exchange, but this introduction will see the display of contracts change from the usual fractional odds to a percentage probability for ‘yes’ or ‘no’ outcomes.
Matchbook has been operating as a sports exchange for around 20 years and while the UK has plenty of betting platforms, it doesn’t have Polymarket and Kalshi as these aren’t able to be used across the pond.
Speaking on a potential US entry, McDonagh expanded on the brand which has less brand recognition in the States: “We’re not sentimental about going in as Matchbook.
“We’ve been in the exchange business so long and we’ve got a really strong tech platform. We’ve got strong market making partners, liquidity and a great product. We’ll be able to complete on day one in the US.”
ReadWrite has reached out to Matchbook for comment.
Featured Image: Via Matchbook Facebook photo
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