Chips.gg Weekly iGaming Roundup (June 16 - June 22)
Welcome back to your favorite week-in-review, where the world of iGaming spins faster than a high-volatility slot during bonus mode. We’re talking drama in Romania, bold moves in the Philippines, high-stakes warnings in South Africa, free-to-play goldmines on your screen and a few others!
If you're someone who plays smart, watches trends, and loves to be in the know, this week's recap is a jackpot of juicy insights.
Romania's Digital Crackdown: Tech Titans in the Hot Seat
This week, Romania’s gambling regulator, ONJN, pulled no punches. With the force of a blackjack dealer slapping down an ace, they fired off formal notices to Google and Meta, demanding the removal of unlicensed gambling ads flooding Romanian digital space. That’s right, illegal operators were sliding past the rules, sneaking into sponsored slots on Instagram and Google search results. ONJN isn’t just asking for a cleanup. They want transparency, revenue figures, and accountability.
This comes right as ONJN itself is under audit fire. The Court of Accounts just exposed failures between 2019 and 2023 that cost Romania upwards of €900 million in potential revenue.
If you’re a platform like us, which plays it clean and smart, watching these dominoes fall is like seeing an opponent go all-in on a bluff you read five cards ago.
Legitimacy in iGaming isn’t just policy, it’s power. If you’re not licensed and locked in, your house of cards can collapse in seconds.
PAGCOR Goes Digital: Player Protection in the Philippines
PAGCOR has officially leveled up. They’ve launched a real-time verification site that lets Filipino players confirm if an online gaming platform is legit before ever making a deposit. It’s free, it’s fast, and it’s exactly what the global iGaming industry needs more of.
PAGCOR’s chair, Alejandro H. Tengco, put it plainly, illegal platforms hurt players and erode public trust. His callout? Empower the players with knowledge and stop scams in their tracks. This “PAGCOR Guarantee” label now acts like a seal of approval. You see it, you know you're in safe waters.
South Africa Sounds the Alarm on No-KYC Casinos
Now let’s talk about one of the most important but uncomfortable trends in 2025, no-KYC casinos. In South Africa, concern is rising fast. Why? Because these offshore, crypto-fueled platforms are skipping identification checks and flooding the market with tempting offers: instant payouts, giant bonuses, and zero questions asked.
To some, that sounds thrilling. But Izmu, a leading responsible gambling organization, says it's a breeding ground for fraud, exploitation, and criminal activity. The truth is while regulated casinos follow anti-money laundering laws and protect users, no-KYC sites operate like digital wild west saloons. Flashy. Risky. And deeply unaccountable.
Finland’s Pre-Liberalization Drama: ATG vs. Veikkaus
In Finland, the gloves are coming off ahead of market liberalization. Swedish horse betting operator ATG filed a formal complaint accusing Finnish monopoly Veikkaus of restricting fair competition. Think denied race data, canceled partnerships, and an all-out turf war over who gets to run the track.
ATG says Veikkaus is trying to control the race before the starting gun even fires, and the Finnish Competition Authority is now on the case. The move sets the tone for what could be a chaotic rollout once private operators are allowed into the market.
Sweepstakes Shut Down: New York Says No More
This week, New York went full-throttle. In a historic 141–0 vote, the State Assembly banned online sweepstakes casinos, marking one of the most aggressive legislative moves in U.S. gambling history. Senate Bill 5935 doesn’t just slap wrists, it delivers up to $100,000 in fines per incident.
These dual-currency sites were flying under the radar, using virtual cash to mimic real-money casino games. But the state had enough. With Attorney General Letitia James already issuing cease-and-desist orders to 26 platforms, the ban now awaits Governor Hochul’s signature.
Alberta Steps Up: Canada’s Next iGaming Hotspot?
Shift your gaze westward to Alberta, where the government is eyeing early 2026 for its official iGaming launch. Minister Dale Nally told the Canadian Gaming Summit that the province is locking in final tax and ad rules this fall. The goal? Let private giants like DraftKings and FanDuel step onto the field which is just in time for Super Bowl betting season.
The move follows the newly passed iGaming Alberta Act, which gives private operators a shot at legitimacy in a market currently dominated by grey zones and offshore sites.
One thing’s clear, the iGaming landscape is changing fast.
Regulatory drama. Legal evolution. Platform innovation. And through it all, players are looking for transparency, integrity, and excitement.
So wherever you’re tuning in from, know this: You’ve got a seat at the Chips.gg table.
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