Since the start of 2025, three French casino groups have changed hands, whilst players already active in the digital gaming sector in Europe are strengthening their presence in France.
Betsson, which has owned betFIRST since 2023, may be preparing the next stage of its expansion in Belgium. Several clues now suggest a gradual transition from betFIRST to the Betsson brand, although no official launch has yet been announced.
Peppermill Casino Maastricht Airport will officially open its doors during an opening night event on Sunday 4 October from 8 pm. The event will feature the immediate opening of the gaming area, a reception with premium drinks and canapés, and a special appearance by Gerard Joling.
Pragmatic Play is counting on Kevin Hart to make a splash on 6 and 7 November 2026. The American actor and comedian will, for a one-off event, take the reins at several live casino tables during four special sessions.
For the time being, companies in the gambling sector cannot run adverts on ChatGPT. OpenAI’s advertising rules classify conversations relating to gambling as contexts in which no adverts should appear.
Two Belgian players won substantial prizes in the EuroMillions in two consecutive draws, on 28 August and 1 September 2026. Although they did not win the jackpot, they each matched all five numbers and one star.
The Dutch National Lottery has taken legal action against the operators and directors of Skyhills, an illegal gambling website in the Netherlands. Since this initial action, the platform is no longer accessible to Dutch players.
The suspension of the award of the Brussels Casino licence marks the start of a period of uncertainty for the City and the Region. Behind the legal dispute lie significant financial stakes.
Websites with no connection to gambling are being used to lure Dutch players to illegal online casinos. According to a BNR investigation reported on 3 September 2026 by CasinoNieuws.nl, at least 1,000 domains and websites are believed to be affected. The actual number, however, could exceed 8,000.
The success of offshore gambling platforms raises a fundamental question: do the rules imposed on regulated operators still effectively protect players when their competitors are not subject to these same constraints? Massimo Menegalli, of Golden Palace Casino & Sports, cites Stake as a symbol of this imbalance and calls for a review of the current approach.
PMU has taken a new step forward in its international expansion. The French operator has entered into a multi-year partnership with BetMakers Technology Group to boost the distribution of French races through fixed-odds horse racing betting.
Circus Poker France is continuing to expand its poker offering by announcing a partnership with Croc Poker. The free app, which claims to have over 8,000 players and a presence in 80 bars, is set to offer free weekly tournaments at Circus casinos across France.
The Council of State has suspended the award of the Brussels Casino concession to ECK, the company that operates the Napoleon Games brand.
The German group Merkur is preparing to enter the French casino market by acquiring Casigrangi, the parent company of the Société Française de Casinos. The deal is set to enable it to take control of seven establishments located across several French regions.
The EGBA is changing leadership. With effect from 1 September 2026, Pierre Tournier will become interim Secretary-General of the Brussels-based organisation. He succeeds Maarten Haijer, who is stepping down after thirteen years at the helm of the association and nearly two decades with the organisation.
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