# iGaming News Today: Regulation, Major Deals and Industry Changes Shape September 2026 The global iGaming industry is heading into September with plenty happening at once. Regulation is tightening in several European markets, major operators are restructuring their businesses, and one of the sector’s biggest merger agreements could create a new gambling heavyweight. As of September 5, 2026, attention is particularly focused on Entain’s move out of the FTSE 100, the proposed Lottomatica-CIRSA combination, changes to Finland’s gambling market, uncertainty surrounding Bally’s leadership and fresh regulatory debates across Hungary and Brazil. Here is a closer look at some of the stories currently shaping the international iGaming industry. ## Entain Set to Leave the FTSE 100 One of the biggest corporate stories this week involves Entain, the company behind major gambling brands including Ladbrokes and Coral. FTSE Russell has confirmed that Entain will move from the FTSE 100 into the FTSE 250, with the change becoming effective on September 21. The company entered the FTSE 100 in 2020 but has experienced a difficult period for its share price in recent years. Despite the downgrade, analysts have not completely lost confidence in Entain's longer-term digital strategy. The company has spent considerable effort modernising its technology, reducing costs and concentrating more heavily on regulated markets. Entain reported net gaming revenue growth during the first half of 2026, although increasing taxes and regulatory expenses remain significant challenges, particularly in the UK market. For the wider iGaming industry, Entain's situation highlights an important reality: revenue growth alone is no longer enough. Operators must balance growth with taxation, compliance expenses and increasingly demanding regulatory requirements. ## Lottomatica and CIRSA Agree Major Merger Another development attracting attention across European gaming is the planned merger between Italy's Lottomatica and Spain-based CIRSA. The companies signed a binding all-share merger agreement on September 2. Under the proposed structure, CIRSA would be absorbed into Lottomatica, creating a significantly larger gambling group with operations across multiple markets. Lottomatica shareholders are expected to control approximately 67.5% of the combined company, while CIRSA shareholders would hold around 32.5%. Blackstone would retain a significant interest in the enlarged business. The combined organisation is expected to generate roughly €2 billion in pro forma adjusted EBITDA based on the 12 months to June 30, 2026. Completion is currently expected during the second quarter of 2027, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. The deal reflects a wider consolidation trend in iGaming. Large operators increasingly see scale as an advantage when dealing with technology expenses, licensing requirements, marketing costs and competition across regulated markets. ## Finland Prepares for a Competitive Gambling Market Finland is also moving closer to one of the biggest changes in its gambling system in years. State-owned operator Veikkaus is restructuring parts of its organisation before Finland's new competitive gambling market opens on July 1, 2027. The latest internal changes include the removal of 15 existing positions and the creation of 17 new roles. Areas affected include finance, business operations and the company's Data & AI department. Veikkaus previously announced plans to establish separate subsidiaries for its exclusive operations and activities that will compete under Finland's future licensing system. The move toward licensing could make Finland a particularly interesting market for international sportsbook and online casino companies. Operators will, however, need to wait for final licensing conditions and regulatory requirements before the full competitive landscape becomes clear [naga303](https://newsgiga.com/blog/todays-tech-news-strange-ai-incidents-new-ifa-gadgets-and-the-chip-boom-gets-bigger/). ## Bally's Faces Another Leadership Change Across the Atlantic, Bally's Corporation is dealing with another major corporate development. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mira Mircheva is stepping down for personal reasons. Bally's President George Papanier has taken over CFO responsibilities on an interim basis while the company searches for a permanent replacement. Mircheva will remain with Bally's until the end of September to assist with the transition. Her departure comes during a challenging period for Bally's. The company has several major development projects and substantial debt obligations, making its financial strategy particularly important to investors. SBC News reported that Bally's long-term debt had reached approximately $4.47 billion and noted continuing concerns surrounding the company's financial position and development commitments. Leadership stability will therefore be closely watched over the coming months. ## Hungary Reviews the Future of Its Gambling Regulator Regulation remains another major theme in today's iGaming news. Hungary's government is reviewing the future of the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities, commonly known as SZTFH. A government resolution has instructed the country's justice minister to examine how the regulator could potentially be abolished and how its responsibilities might be transferred to other government-controlled organisations. A report is due by September 30. Importantly, the regulator has not currently been abolished. SZTFH has defended its record and highlighted its work against illegal online gambling operators. Any major restructuring could affect licensing and compliance oversight in the Hungarian gambling market, making this an important story for companies operating or considering expansion in the country. ## Brazil Debates Tougher Betting Advertising Rules Brazil's rapidly developing regulated betting market is facing political pressure as lawmakers consider much tougher restrictions on gambling advertising. A Senate committee has backed proposals that could significantly limit betting advertisements, sports sponsorships, bonuses and other promotional activity. The proposals could prohibit gambling companies from sponsoring sports clubs, competitions and broadcasts while also restricting promotions such as free bets, cashback, bonuses and loyalty incentives. The legislation still needs to progress through Brazil's political process before becoming law. For more information and related online entertainment resources, you can also visit [NAGA303](https://endurancebeast.com). Brazil only recently established its regulated online betting framework, making the debate particularly important. Licensed operators argue that excessive restrictions could make it harder to distinguish regulated brands from illegal gambling sites, while supporters of tougher rules point to concerns about gambling-related harm and advertising exposure. ## Regulation Is Becoming the Biggest iGaming Story Looking across today's iGaming landscape, regulation may be just as important as new games, technology or customer acquisition. Companies are dealing with higher taxes, stricter advertising requirements, responsible-gambling obligations and increasingly complicated licensing systems. At the same time, operators are looking toward mergers, technology upgrades and new regulated markets to maintain growth. The Lottomatica-CIRSA merger shows how major companies are seeking greater scale, while Finland's upcoming licensing system demonstrates that new opportunities are still emerging. For operators, suppliers and affiliates, the message from September 2026 is fairly clear: the iGaming market continues to grow and change, but future success will depend increasingly on compliance, financial discipline and the ability to adapt quickly to new regulations. With several regulatory decisions and corporate developments still unresolved, the rest of September could bring even more significant changes across the global gambling industry.