SharpRank’s weekly updates on Compliance, Audit, Legislation, Ethics, & Regulation within the Sports Betting Industry.
Topics 7/23/25:
- CVC Capital to Acquire Gaming Labs Giant GLI
- Polymarket Acquires QCEX in $112M Move to Enter U.S. Legally
- DraftKings, FanDuel, Circa Compete for Missouri’s Untethered Licenses
- ACC to Release Player Availability Reports for Conference Games
- UK Bans Play’n Go Slot Ads for Targeting Minors
- Mississippi Casino at Center of NBA Rozier Betting Probe
- Greene Turtle Sportsbook in Baltimore Upgrades with New ISI Tech
- Kalshi’s ‘Odds’ Merch and Ads Spark Gambling Debate
CVC Capital to Acquire Gaming Labs Giant GLI
Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners plans to acquire Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), one of the global leaders in testing and compliance for gaming, according to antitrust filings in Austria and Malta. The acquisition, made through Avalon Buyer Ltd., includes GLI and affiliates such as Worldwide Laboratories and Kobetron. This marks a return to gaming for CVC, which previously invested in Sky Bet and William Hill. GLI, with 32 offices globally, plays a major role in certifying products for regulators and has expanded into iGaming, sports betting, cybersecurity, and consulting. The deal follows BMM Testlabs’ recent acquisition and reflects a growing private equity interest in the expanding global gaming compliance sector.
Polymarket Acquires QCEX in $112M Move to Enter U.S. Legally
Polymarket announced a $112 million acquisition of U.S.-regulated QCEX and QC Clearing, gaining CFTC approval to legally offer event-based betting in the U.S. After years of regulatory scrutiny and a ban on U.S. users, the company now eyes competition with Kalshi. Although cleared by federal investigators, Polymarket may still need to adjust offerings to comply with U.S. rules.
DraftKings, FanDuel, Circa Compete for Missouri’s Untethered Licenses
DraftKings, FanDuel, and Circa have applied for two untethered online licenses in Missouri ahead of the Dec. 1 market launch. These licenses allow operators to avoid costly partnerships. The Missouri Gaming Commission will decide winners by Aug. 15. Meanwhile, BetMGM, bet365, and Underdog are preparing retail and mobile entries. A recent public hearing on the licensing process saw no attendance despite its importance.
ACC to Release Player Availability Reports for Conference Games
The ACC will now require public availability reports 48 hours before all conference games, similar to NFL standards, as a measure to prevent insider leaks to gamblers. Updates will also be required 2 hours before kickoff. The policy includes football, basketball, and baseball, and fines will be issued for non-compliance. The ACC joins the SEC in standardizing pre-game disclosures amid growing gambling-related pressures.
UK Bans Play’n Go Slot Ads for Targeting Minors
The UK ASA upheld complaints against Play’n Go after slot game ads with cartoon bunnies, robots, and anime princesses appeared near kids’ inboxes. While the company claimed the ads were for adults, ASA ruled the programmatic targeting wasn’t strong enough to block underage audiences. The company has been ordered to stop running these ads in their current form.
Mississippi Casino at Center of NBA Rozier Betting Probe
Federal prosecutors are investigating 30 under-prop bets placed on NBA guard Terry Rozier at Harrah’s Gulf Coast casino, all of which hit after he exited a 2023 game early. The bettor profited over $13K, sparking concerns of inside info or manipulation. While the NBA cleared Rozier, the DOJ probe continues, part of a broader sports betting crackdown involving other players and teams.
Greene Turtle Sportsbook in Baltimore Upgrades with New ISI Tech
Canton Gaming teamed up with ISI to launch upgraded sports betting kiosks at The Greene Turtle in Baltimore. The system offers real-time odds and expanded betting options. Canton previously worked with betPARX but pivoted to ISI for innovation and reduced costs. Meanwhile, Greene Turtle’s Towson sportsbook closed in May, with no new operator announced. Maryland expects increased tax revenue from its new 20% rate on betting.
Kalshi’s ‘Odds’ Merch and Ads Spark Gambling Debate
Kalshi, a federally regulated prediction market, is under scrutiny for marketing language that resembles sports betting — like using “bet” in ads and selling “What Are The Odds” hats. While Kalshi insists it’s a financial platform regulated by the CFTC, critics say its user experience and market-making resemble traditional sportsbooks. The debate may shape future oversight as courts and agencies weigh in on prediction markets’ legal status.
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