Connecticut made headlines on Thursday with significant regulatory actions against nine prediction-market platforms, alongside a series of earnings reports and partnerships from various gambling companies.
The state's Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) issued cease-and-desist orders to platforms including Polymarket, Coinbase, and Crypto.com, prohibiting them from advertising or offering sports event contracts to Connecticut residents without a state license. Nearly 30 subpoenas were also sent to gaming service providers and local media outlets.
Officials argued that these prediction markets breach state gaming laws, particularly concerning participation by individuals under 21 and self-excluded customers. The DCP has also mandated that these platforms allow Connecticut users to withdraw their existing funds.
In addition to targeting the platforms, the DCP has issued subpoenas to nine licensed gaming service providers, including major names like PayPal and Sportradar. Media organizations such as ESPN and NBC Connecticut were also included in the subpoenas, which do not imply that these entities are under investigation.
This crackdown intensifies Connecticut's ongoing legal battle with Kalshi, a prediction market platform, as the state continues to pursue litigation against it and other entities like Coinbase.
On a different note, Playtech reported a robust 10% increase in revenue for the first half of 2026, totaling €425.1 million ($493.2 million). The company's growth was fueled by a 21% rise in regulated B2B revenue and a remarkable 77% increase in adjusted EBITDA, reaching €162.5 million.
Playtech's North American operations saw significant growth, with revenues from the U.S. and Canada soaring by 176% year-over-year to €56.9 million. The company noted its U.S. segment is now profitable, with successful launches alongside partners such as Fanatics and FanDuel.
Moreover, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has raised concerns regarding money laundering risks associated with online gambling. The FATF highlighted specific red flags, including unusual account activity and multiple accounts linked to a single device, indicating potential illicit financial activities.