This week in iGaming news, several significant stories have emerged that capture the industry's dynamic nature.
In Russia, an entrepreneur borrowed over $633,000, part of which was spent on online betting. In a shocking turn of events, he allegedly killed his creditors to avoid repaying the debt.
In lighter news, rapper Drake shared a screenshot of a $1 bet on Morocco's national team advancing in their match against Canada, humorously referencing the 'Drake Curse' meme.
Meanwhile, the leaders and underperformers in cryptocurrency casinos based on deposit volumes were revealed for the period from June 29 to July 6, 2026.
The operator 1win has launched an ambassador recruitment program, aiming to enhance its brand presence.
A viral video surfaced showing Canadian rapper Drake hitting a max win on the Starlight Princess slot game.
In regulatory news, Soft2Bet has completely disabled its operations in Greece, France, and Germany, while also adding Belgium to its list of restricted GEOs.
The European Casino Association (ECA) reported that the illegal online gambling market in the EU has grown to €91.6 billion, resulting in a loss of €22.9 billion in tax revenues for 2025.
In a collaborative investigation by Investigate Europe and The Irish Times, it was revealed that Soft2Bet received €600 million from offshore casinos blacklisted by European regulators.
On the gaming front, the clicker game Scritchy Scratchy has climbed to the 66th spot in global sales rankings nearly four months post-release.
Provider 100HP Gaming launched a new arcade game called Swipe Girls, utilizing swipe mechanics popular in dating apps.
In Uzbekistan, a car wash employee stole a client's vehicle to dismantle it for parts, using the proceeds to fund his account at 1xBet.
In sports partnerships, 1xBet has signed MMA star Conor McGregor as its new ambassador, collaborating with the esports organization Aurora Gaming.
FanDuel attempted to retain a VIP client struggling with gambling addiction by sending a personal video from MLB star Bryce Harper.
Soft2Bet brands have also disabled operations in Austria, with Italy potentially being the next target for restrictions.
Lastly, an interview with Victoria Sokolенко, Senior Affiliate Manager at N1 Partners, took place during MAC Yerevan 2026.