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Brazil has introduced a new enforcement framework aimed at disrupting the financial infrastructure of illegal online betting operators, giving authorities the power to freeze accounts linked to unlicensed gambling activity and redirect seized funds to public security efforts.

The measure was formalised through a decree signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on 19 June, establishing a structured process for identifying, blocking and ultimately confiscating funds associated with illegal betting platforms. It marks a shift in enforcement strategy away from website blocking toward direct intervention in payment flows.

Under the new rules, funds recovered from illegal operators may be transferred to the National Public Security Fund following legal review. The government said the intention is to weaken the financial base of organised crime networks connected to unregulated gambling.

Expanded authority for financial monitoring

The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) within the Finance Ministry has been assigned a central role in identifying unauthorised operators. Once an illegal activity is confirmed, banks and payment institutions must freeze related accounts within 24 hours and prevent further transactions linked to those entities.

Financial institutions are then required to confirm compliance within 48 hours. The Central Bank will oversee the execution of these measures and receive notifications of each enforcement action.

The process is designed to ensure rapid intervention once an operator is flagged, with the aim of limiting the movement of funds through digital payment systems. Authorities may initiate action based on monitoring activities, formal complaints, or evidence of electronic fraud.

A parallel regulatory order also establishes joint liability for banks, fintechs and payment providers if they continue processing transactions for illegal operators after receiving official notification. These institutions may be held responsible for unpaid taxes linked to those activities.

The decree operates under Article 21-A of Brazil’s fixed-odds betting legislation, introduced through the Anti-Faction Law. It expands enforcement beyond digital takedown measures by targeting the financial channels that sustain illegal betting operations.

Authorities are required to provide detailed documentation identifying the operator, associated platforms, and evidence supporting the account freeze request. While accounts may be restricted without prior warning, affected parties must later be notified and given access to legal defence procedures.

The National Public Security Secretariat is responsible for initiating administrative forfeiture proceedings. Operators have 15 days to contest the measures, although final asset confiscation requires a court decision following action by the Attorney General’s Office.

The decree also clarifies that forfeiture processes cannot interfere with payments owed to bettors, ensuring that legitimate claims are not affected by enforcement actions.

Central Bank coordination and system development

To support implementation, the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry have been given 90 days to establish a secure electronic notification system for enforcement actions. Until this system is operational, communication will take place through existing federal digital channels.

Authorities say the framework is intended to improve coordination between financial regulators, law enforcement agencies and tax authorities. Information gathered during investigations may also be shared with police and prosecutors for broader criminal proceedings.

Brazilian officials estimate that tens of thousands of websites linked to illegal betting have already been targeted through enforcement requests made to the national telecom regulator. Nearly 50,000 domains and around 350 operators have reportedly been identified for blocking or investigation since 2025.

Government data suggests a significant portion of the country’s betting activity still occurs outside licensed channels, with estimates placing the share of unregulated market activity at between 41% and 51%. Authorities argue that this grey market reduces tax revenue and increases exposure to financial crime risks.

Policy shift toward payment system enforcement

The new framework reflects a broader shift in regulatory strategy, focusing on the financial infrastructure rather than attempting to eliminate illegal websites individually. Officials argue that operators frequently reappear under new domains, limiting the effectiveness of blocking measures alone.

According to Reuters, Finance Minister Dario Durigan described the approach as a form of financial containment, designed to restrict access to the banking system for unlicensed operators. He also linked the policy to broader anti-crime efforts, stating that recovered funds would support public security initiatives.

The government has positioned the decree as part of a wider effort to strengthen oversight of digital financial activity, particularly in sectors linked to gambling and online payments. It builds on earlier regulatory actions targeting illegal advertising, domain blocking and prediction market restrictions.

Officials say the effectiveness of the new framework will depend on coordination between regulators, financial institutions and enforcement agencies, particularly as illegal operators continue to adapt their methods.

Egypt’s parliament is preparing legislative changes that would directly criminalise online betting applications, as part of a broader update to the country’s Cybercrime Law that also targets cyber extortion and the spread of online misinformation.

The proposed amendments are expected to be submitted after Eid al-Adha, according to statements made by Ahmed Badawi, who chairs the House of Representatives’ Communications and Information Technology Committee. The initiative forms part of a wider push to update legislation in response to rapid digital expansion and the growing influence of online platforms.

Badawi told Al-Shorouk that current legal frameworks already punish illegal electronic applications used in cybercrime, but do not explicitly address online betting services. The planned revisions aim to close that gap by naming electronic gambling directly within the law and introducing significantly stricter penalties.

In the most serious cases, particularly those linked to organised criminal groups or large-scale fraud, penalties could extend to life imprisonment, according to parliamentary discussions referenced by senior committee figures.

Expanding scope of cybercrime enforcement

The draft changes extend beyond gambling to include broader digital offences. Lawmakers are also targeting cyber extortion and the deliberate spread of false information online. These updates are intended to reflect changes in how digital platforms are used and misused across Egypt’s gambling market.

According to Egyptian Streets, Badawi said proposed provisions would cover content designed to spread misleading narratives or create what he described as “a climate of despair” in the public space. Under the revisions, individuals who publish or share such material could face criminal penalties.

The legislative effort comes amid ongoing national debates over internet regulation, rising online fraud cases, data security concerns, and the impact of social media on younger users.

While gambling is broadly prohibited for Egyptian citizens under existing law, current legislation was designed primarily for physical venues. The Civil Code voids gambling contracts, and the Penal Code criminalises gambling activity, with limited exceptions for foreign visitors in licensed hotel casinos.

However, enforcement has struggled to keep pace with digital developments. Many users continue to access offshore betting platforms using virtual private networks and foreign payment channels. Existing legal tools do not specifically address online betting applications, which has created regulatory challenges for authorities.

Authorities have also pointed to the presence of Arabic-language betting platformsoperating from overseas jurisdictions as a growing concern, particularly where they are promoted through social media and influencer marketing.

Blocking measures and enforcement campaigns

In parallel with legislative work, Egyptian authorities have been implementing technical blocking campaigns targeting online betting services. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation have been working to restrict access to a large proportion of gambling applications operating in the country.

Some estimates cited in parliamentary discussions suggest that a majority of such platforms have already been targeted through blocking measures. Specific apps, including well-known international operators, have previously been removed from major app stores following regulatory complaints.

Lawmakers have emphasised that the objective is not to restrict general digital services, but to eliminate platforms viewed as harmful or illegal under national law. Additional enforcement actions have also targeted similar platforms in recent years as part of broader regulatory efforts.

Penalties and proposed enforcement structure

Separate legislative proposals discussed within the parliamentary committee provide an indication of potential penalty structures under consideration. These include prison terms and financial fines scaled according to involvement, ranging from intermediaries and agents to platform operators and financial facilitators.

Under these proposals, individuals assisting betting operations could face multi-year prison sentences and substantial fines, while those managing or operating platforms could receive even heavier penalties. Payment facilitators may also face shorter custodial sentences and financial sanctions.

Although the government is preparing its own amendments rather than adopting existing drafts, committee discussions suggest that similar enforcement tiers may be reflected in the final version of the law.

Authorities are also expected to address unresolved questions surrounding virtual private network usage, payment intermediaries, and potential liability for users accessing restricted services. No official legal text has yet clarified these areas.

The draft amendments are still pending formal submission to parliament. While earlier statements suggested they would be introduced following Eid al-Adha, no official timetable has been confirmed for debate or approval.

Global private markets investor CVC Capital Partners has completed a strategic investment in Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), marking the firm’s entry as the gaming technology testing and certification group’s first external investor.

The deal, carried out through CVC’s Strategic Opportunities platform, is designed to support GLI’s long-term expansion while reinforcing its existing operations in gaming testing, certification, and cybersecurity services across regulated markets worldwide.

The companies confirmed the partnership in a joint statement, noting that CVC’s investment has been completed and will provide additional resources and expertise aimed at strengthening GLI’s operational capacity and future growth.

GLI, founded in 1989 by James Maida and Paul Magno, operates as a key service provider to the global gaming industry. The company employs more than 1,500 staff and supports over 710 regulated gaming jurisdictions internationally, making it one of the most widely used testing and compliance organisations in the sector.

Leadership highlights growth ambitions

James Maida, chief executive officer of GLI, described the partnership as a significant development for the company’s future direction.

“We are truly excited and honoured to welcome CVC as a strategic investment partner,” he said.

He added: “This partnership creates new opportunities for growth and innovation, allowing GLI to invest even more in the success of the future of the global gaming industry as well as investing in related and adjacent sectors.”

Maida stated that GLI’s leadership structure and operational focus would remain unchanged following the investment, including continued emphasis on customer service, operational consistency and internal culture.

“Our leadership, values and culture focused on customer service remain unchanged,” he said. “I will continue as CEO and our leadership team remains intact. Together we will stay focused on quality, speed and the customer experience while continuing to drive innovation and outstanding service worldwide.”

CVC’s involvement comes through its Strategic Opportunities platform, a division created to invest in companies that fall outside traditional private equity mandates, often with a focus on long-term partnerships and lower-risk profiles.

As GGRAsia cites, Matt Turner, partner at CVC and GLI board member, said the investment aligns with the firm’s broader approach to identifying established businesses with strong market positions and long-term growth potential.

“Within CVC Strategic Opportunities, we seek to partner with exceptional businesses that have histories of consistent success, strong market positions and significant long-term growth potential,” he said.

Turner added that GLI’s role in regulated gaming markets made it a strong fit for CVC’s strategy, citing its long-standing relationships with regulators, operators, and suppliers.

“The company plays a critical role in the global regulated gaming ecosystem and has established itself as a trusted partner to regulators, operators and suppliers around the world,” he said.

GLI’s position in regulated gaming

GLI operates as a testing, certification and cybersecurity provider for gaming operators and regulators. Its services are used across a broad network of regulated jurisdictions globally, supporting compliance and technical standards within the industry.

The company’s scale and long-standing presence have positioned it as a central infrastructure provider in regulated gaming markets, particularly as oversight requirements continue to expand internationally.

CVC’s Strategic Opportunities platform, which manages part of the firm’s EUR15-billion (US$17.1-billion) assets under management, focuses on investments in established companies across Europe and North America, often involving partnerships with founding families or long-standing management teams.

Turner noted that GLI’s decades-long history in the sector supports its outlook for continued growth under the new partnership.

“Over nearly 40 years James and Paul have built GLI into the clear leader in its industry,” he said.

Both companies emphasised that the partnership is intended to support long-term development rather than immediate structural changes. The investment is expected to enhance GLI’s resources while maintaining its operational model and existing leadership.

The company’s role in regulated gaming continues to expand alongside global regulatory requirements, with increasing demand for testing, certification, and cybersecurity services across both established and emerging markets.

GLI and CVC indicated that the partnership will focus on supporting future growth opportunities in these areas while maintaining the company’s current service standards and client relationships.

Former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner Dan Berkovitz has renewed debate over the status of sports-based prediction market contracts, arguing that such products may fail to satisfy a key legal requirement under federal commodities law.

Speaking on The Policy Protocol podcast hosted by former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti and Jito Labs Head of Operations Rebecca Rettig, Berkovitz discussed the role of prediction markets and whether sports-related contracts belong within the CFTC’s regulatory framework.

While expressing support for prediction markets in certain areas, Berkovitz drew a distinction between contracts tied to economically significant events and those based on sports outcomes.

“I think prediction markets have tremendous potential for adding valuable information and potentially hedging tools on various… issues that have economic significance and consequence,” Berkovitz said according to Deadspin. “I hope liquidity builds and that it will become part of the risk management tools that the private sector uses.”

Debate Centers on Economic Purpose Requirement

According to Berkovitz, the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) requires regulated markets to serve a genuine economic function. During the podcast, he pointed to a past case involving ErisX, which sought permission to list National Football League-related contracts.

“When I was at the Commission, we had applicant ErisX, who wanted to trade NFL contracts because the [clearing] houses wanted to hedge their risk and they wanted to create a national market for this risk,” Berkovitz explained.

The application was later withdrawn in 2021 before the agency could issue a formal decision. Berkovitz said regulators at the time questioned whether sports contracts met the standards established by the CEA.

“We found that there wasn’t any ‘economic purpose’ under the CEA to sports betting contracts… you can say it, but that doesn’t make it true.”

In separate remarks on the podcast, Berkovitz emphasized that commodities regulation is intended to support commercial activity through risk management and price discovery. He argued that markets overseen by the CFTC must provide functions tied to economic activity rather than entertainment.

“We found that there wasn’t an economic purpose under the (Commodity Exchange Act) to sports betting contracts,” Berkovitz said. “The commodity markets are not for entertainment; they’re not to foster sports betting if there’s no economic purpose. They’re really for fundamental things that matter to the economy.”

The economic-purpose test is commonly viewed as a legal threshold within U.S. derivatives markets. Contracts generally satisfy that standard when they facilitate hedging, transfer risk related to real-world economic activity, or contribute to price discovery that market participants can use in decision-making.

Prediction Markets Remain a Regulatory Battleground

Berkovitz’s comments arrive as sports event contracts continue to generate disagreement among regulators, gaming interests, and prediction market operators.

Although he questioned sports-related products, Berkovitz noted that he served at the CFTC when Kalshi received its designated contract market license. At that time, Kalshi primarily offered contracts tied to political, financial, and cultural events. The company did not introduce sports event contracts until January 2025, nearly two years after Berkovitz’s term ended.

“There has to be an economic purpose to the markets that the CFTC regulates, and those relate to economic purposes in the context of the CEA (which) relate risk management and price discovery.”

Current CFTC leadership has taken a different position. Chairman Mike Selig has argued that prediction markets, including those involving sports outcomes, fall under the agency’s exclusive jurisdiction. President Donald Trump has also voiced support for prediction market exchanges such as Kalshi and backs the CFTC’s authority in the area.

At the same time, tribal gaming organizations and the American Gaming Association maintain that sports-related prediction contracts amount to unlawful wagering because they operate outside established state and tribal gaming frameworks.

Supporters of prediction markets counter that such contracts qualify as federally regulated swaps and therefore are not subject to state gaming oversight.

Former Officials Voice Similar Concerns

Berkovitz is not the only former CFTC leader questioning the agency’s current interpretation of federal law. Former CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler has also criticized the view that sports event contracts fit within the scope of the Commodity Exchange Act and the Dodd-Frank framework. Gensler recently submitted an amicus brief in Kalshi’s legal dispute with Ohio gaming regulators.

Gensler rejected the notion that Congress intended the CFTC to supervise sports wagering activities. “I never once ever heard a member of Congress or their staffs suggest that the law they were writing, acting upon, and voting on was for our little agency, the CFTC, to have oversight over sports betting,” Gensler said. “Betting on sports is gaming.”

The disagreement has intensified as prediction market operators and state gaming authorities continue to clash over the nature of sports event contracts. Industry supporters argue that prediction markets offer an alternative structure to traditional sports betting, while regulators in several states contend that the products effectively function as wagering markets without state licenses.

Meanwhile, the CFTC has proposed rules that would explicitly permit sports event contracts within its regulatory framework. If adopted, the proposal could significantly strengthen the position of prediction market operators and limit efforts by states to assert authority over the growing sector.

Train has churned through $2bn on Wanted Dead or a Wild by Hacksaw Gaming.

Big wins and revelations

This week, Trainwreckstv has made the VegasSlotsOnline News headlines for different reasons. Firstly, he tied his own record for the biggest online slot win of all time, with his second $50m win in one month. He bagged the win on Stake game, Valkyrie Red Strike.

he has put a total of $2bn into a single slot called Wanted Dead or a Wild

In the same week, the Texan streamer highlighted something that demonstrated the sheer quantities of cash these streamers are pumping into online slots. He revealed that he has put a total of $2bn into a single slot called Wanted Dead or a Wild by Hacksaw Gaming, dong so in almost 1.5 million spins:

Train reveals that he has put a total of $2 BILLION into a single slot game called Wanted Dead or a Wild with a total of 1,387,341 spins 😳

“Chat look.. $2B wagered.. 1.4M spins on Wanted” pic.twitter.com/TkjUGwRbmp

— Train Updates (@TrainUpdates) June 22, 2026

In just a few days, Trainwreckstv showed us the two sides to gambling streaming. The stories that tend to grab the headlines are those of the huge wins, be it Train, Roshtein, or Xposed. But those wins come at a cost. As they compete for the biggest win of all time, these streamers are spinning through eye-watering amounts of money.

So, what can modern slots players learn from these revelations?

The numbers

The $2bn wagering amount from Train is almost impossible to understand unless you break down those figures even further.

He has spun 1.38 million times and wagered $2bn in that time. At 600 spins per hour, that amount of spins would require more than 2,300 hours of gameplay. That represents years of gameplay on the Hacksaw Gaming slot, which is one of the most popular slots among streamers online.

hit a $18.7m win in 2022 thanks to a stake of $1,500

In fact, it isn’t even Train that has the biggest win on Wanted. That title goes to Rosthein, who hit a $18.7m win in 2022 thanks to a stake of $1,500. Train’s biggest win on the Hacksaw slot came one year after that, when he took home $9.9m, also betting $1,500 to do so. Xposed is next up with a $2m win in 2025 courtesy of a $400 bet.

It’s easy to see why Wanted is so popular, aside from its iconic Wild West visuals and soundtrack, the five-reel, 15-line high-volatility game is action-packed, with features such as VS duels triggering often. While respins and free spins may be a little harder to come across, the eventual rewards can be huge on the Hacksaw title.

Volatility demands volume

So, what can slots players learn from Trainwreck’s $2bn confession? Well, the most important learning is that high volatility requires high volume to turn a profit.

Wanted is an extremely volatile game with a huge top-end potential. That means it has rare payouts and long losing stretches. These kinds of games are not designed around regular wins for slots players, they’re designed to keep players hunting for that massive payout at the cost of smaller stakes.

Players endure long stretches of ordinary results because they are chasing an exceptional one

VSO News discussed in a recent article the reason for our love of these longshots. Just like we all love to see an underdog secure success in sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, huge max wins are attractive to players partly because they are so rare. Players endure long stretches of ordinary results because they are chasing an exceptional one.

We only see the highlights

The second learning to take from Train’s confession is that we don’t always see the whole picture. Highlights on Kick and social media revolve around huge wins. Here at VSO News for instance, we regularly publish our Big Win Wednesday to show you the massive paydays earned by streamers each week. What that doesn’t show, however, are the many spins it took to get there.

Train’s numbers reveal the work that he puts in behind the scenes

We can compare it to sports in a way and watching your favorite team or athlete play. You get to see the highlights of their wins, including the goals and all of the glory. What you don’t see are the hours of painstaking training and gym work to get the athletes to that point. Train’s numbers reveal the work that he puts in behind the scenes.

The reality of it all

So, while the headline-grabbing number might have initially have been the $50m slot win by Train, the real story is the $2bn wagered with 1.38 million spins. This shows the reality of modern high-volatility slots and the world of gambling streaming, which is often glamorized by highlights online.

Players will continue to chase the big one, not because it is likely, but because it is so rare. In this modern age of online slot gambling, that is the most powerful force that keeps players gambling.

Trainwreck hit another $50m win on an online slot game. [Image: Stake]

Tying his previous feat

Trainwreck has tied the world record online slot win that he himself set only a couple of weeks ago. The popular streamer hit the max win while playing on the Stake-only soccer-themed slot game, Valkyrie Red Strike.

had $500,000 riding on the spin

He started with a base bet of $1,000 that was multiplied to 500x after activating the Mystery Spin bonus round. This puts the chances of landing four scatter symbols at 28%, three scatters at 7%, five scatters at 7%, and 58% of getting nothing. This bonus round meant he had $500,000 riding on the spin.

His first four spins weren’t very successful, which led him to reload his balance. While doing so, Trainwreck spoke about how he had been up $15m at one point during that session before giving a lot of it back ahead of finally hitting the big win.

Getting back towards his starting point

He could be heard celebrating wildly on the stream, screaming “we did it”, with his camera turned off. The 35-year-old kept remarking that the win came off a super bonus and not a hidden bonus, which made the result even better. Train tried for another couple of spins on the slot game to try to back up the result, but to no avail.

his vault is at the highest point it has been since his return to streaming

The streamer held a giveaway to celebrate the win and didn’t play any more games for the rest of the stream. He said his vault is at the highest point it has been since his return to streaming after a three-month hiatus in March. He has about 50 hours of streams left on his current schedule and said he will tune down the amount he plays.

Some eye-catching wagering

Trainwreck’s $50m win a few weeks ago was on Meta Gaming’s title Coins and Cauldrons. He also had a $42m win just a few days ago on the same Valkyrie Red Strike slot game, which at the time was the third biggest online slot win of all time, just short of Roshtein’s $45.5m win on Drac’s Stacks last summer:

📢WHAT IS THAAAAAAAT📢

🧊$42,000,000 WIN

TRAIN JUST HIT FOR A FUCKING PHONE NUMBER AH WIN☢️
2nd biggest slot win eveeeeer in history 💀💀💀💀

🎁We giving away $500 x 10 people

✅️comment eth address or stake user name
✅️TELL ME WHAT IT IS!! pic.twitter.com/UO2VJhI6Bb

— Valkyrie Studio (@ValkyrieXStudio) June 19, 2026

Trainwreck’s gameplay is far out of reach for the average slot player. He broke down how much he has wagered on the popular Hacksaw Gaming title Wanted Dead Or a Wild in the lifetime of his Stake account. He said he has put almost $2.1bn into this one game, on a total of 1,387,341 spins. The return to player (RTP) for all these spins was 92.73%, less than the game’s advertised 96.38% RTP:

Train reveals that he has put a total of $2 BILLION into a single slot game called Wanted Dead or a Wild with a total of 1,387,341 spins 😳

“Chat look.. $2B wagered.. 1.4M spins on Wanted” pic.twitter.com/TkjUGwRbmp

— Train Updates (@TrainUpdates) June 22, 2026

Trainwreck has become a genuine phenomenon in the online gambling world, operating on a scale that bears almost no relation to ordinary play. The amount he gambles makes him a one-man casino economy.

Trainwreck hit another $50m win on an online slot game. [Image: Stake]

Tying his previous feat

Trainwreck has tied the world record online slot win that he himself set only a couple of weeks ago. The popular streamer hit the max win while playing on the Stake-only soccer-themed slot game, Valkyrie Red Strike.

had $500,000 riding on the spin

He started with a base bet of $1,000 that was multiplied to 500x after activating the Mystery Spin bonus round. This puts the chances of landing four scatter symbols at 28%, three scatters at 7%, five scatters at 7%, and 58% of getting nothing. This bonus round meant he had $500,000 riding on the spin.

His first four spins weren’t very successful, which led him to reload his balance. While doing so, Trainwreck spoke about how he had been up $15m at one point during that session before giving a lot of it back ahead of finally hitting the big win.

Getting back towards his starting point

He could be heard celebrating wildly on the stream, screaming “we did it”, with his camera turned off. The 35-year-old kept remarking that the win came off a super bonus and not a hidden bonus, which made the result even better. Train tried for another couple of spins on the slot game to try to back up the result, but to no avail.

his vault is at the highest point it has been since his return to streaming

The streamer held a giveaway to celebrate the win and didn’t play any more games for the rest of the stream. He said his vault is at the highest point it has been since his return to streaming after a three-month hiatus in March. He has about 50 hours of streams left on his current schedule and said he will tune down the amount he plays.

Some eye-catching wagering

Trainwreck’s $50m win a few weeks ago was on Meta Gaming’s title Coins and Cauldrons. He also had a $42m win just a few days ago on the same Valkyrie Red Strike slot game, which at the time was the third biggest online slot win of all time, just short of Roshtein’s $45.5m win on Drac’s Stacks last summer:

📢WHAT IS THAAAAAAAT📢

🧊$42,000,000 WIN

TRAIN JUST HIT FOR A FUCKING PHONE NUMBER AH WIN☢️
2nd biggest slot win eveeeeer in history 💀💀💀💀

🎁We giving away $500 x 10 people

✅️comment eth address or stake user name
✅️TELL ME WHAT IT IS!! pic.twitter.com/UO2VJhI6Bb

— Valkyrie Studio (@ValkyrieXStudio) June 19, 2026

Trainwreck’s gameplay is far out of reach for the average slot player. He broke down how much he has wagered on the popular Hacksaw Gaming title Wanted Dead Or a Wild in the lifetime of his Stake account. He said he has put almost $2.1bn into this one game, on a total of 1,387,341 spins. The return to player (RTP) for all these spins was 92.73%, less than the game’s advertised 96.38% RTP:

Train reveals that he has put a total of $2 BILLION into a single slot game called Wanted Dead or a Wild with a total of 1,387,341 spins 😳

“Chat look.. $2B wagered.. 1.4M spins on Wanted” pic.twitter.com/TkjUGwRbmp

— Train Updates (@TrainUpdates) June 22, 2026

Trainwreck has become a genuine phenomenon in the online gambling world, operating on a scale that bears almost no relation to ordinary play. The amount he gambles makes him a one-man casino economy.

Hell Butcher is not for the squeamish, but packs big appeal via wild multipliers, 20,000x max win, and a $240 max bet. [Image: Pragmatic Play]

Comfort zone departure

While Pragmatic Play rolls out an average of 85-100 slots a year that are consistently high quality and feature fresh mechanics, it doesn’t often venture way outside its comfort zone – and receive trade and player plaudits for doing so.

powerful, mechanics-twisted slot of a gambling machine

The Malta-based firm’s Hell Butcher represents a bold and timely departure from its signature mass appeal, but nevertheless delivers one powerful, mechanics-twisted slot of a gambling machine.

Pragmatic often highlights its upcoming releases on X or LinkedIn. This time, it has left Hell Butcher to do its own talking via its dark and macabre theme and a striking new wild multiplier mechanic, which gives the medium volatility slot its 20,000x max win punch. 

Sub-reels standout

iGaming studios big and small seem to have all been briefed to deliver standout mechanics in 2026, from Croco Gaming’s arcade-slot hybrid Pinball Striker, to NetEnt’s position-highlighting progression feature in In & Out.

Pragmatic Play takes its standout 2026 moment below the reels, where you’ll find a graphic bar featuring four victims of the Hell Butcher, with values of 2x, 4x, 8x, and 16x.  

What the tortured souls represent is a twist on wild multipliers, which in other online slots typically land randomly with fixed values that accumulate on the reels. When a wild lands in Hell Butcher, however, it is randomly assigned to one of the four multiplier characters on the bar beneath the 6×6 grid.

If the Butcher wild lands on the 16x character, the butcher can add this to his Dead tally at the left of the grid, and the 16x soul can be removed from the bar, the space doubling in value and replaced with a 32x multiplier soul. This mechanic of reaping and replacing soul multipliers continues all the way up to a character on the bar worth a maximum 512x. 

reap-and-replace mechanic gives gameplay a mesmerizing rhythm

This reap-and-replace mechanic gives gameplay a mesmerizing rhythm, as each cascade sequence has the potential to escalate quickly if wilds keep landing and pulling higher values from the tortured souls bar. Despite the reset at the end of cascades stopping infinite multipliers, one good avalanche can produce big values, particularly rewarding during the bonus rounds.

No Miss Madness Free Spins, for example, guarantees that Butcher wilds will take a multiplier soul from the bar, and each taken multiplier gets permanently removed, which is where Hell Butcher’s 20,000x max win comes in, as the bar of reaped souls escalate fast towards the game’s highest multiplier values.

Heaven for high rollers… who can handle it

With its full-on tilt into the horror genre genuinely unsettling for players with nervous dispositions, you can see why Pragmatic’s marketing department hasn’t advertised Hell Butcher and its themes of torture, pain, and sharp-edged blades. 

Get beyond that, and the fresh mechanics and much more besides make the slot a high-roller’s dream. 

Not only is the 20,000x max win the highest in Pragmatic Play’s slots portfolio, Hell Butcher has a 96.55% RTP and comes with a max betting range of $240 a spin. Add a wide selection of feature buys, such as the No Miss Madness package, available for a cool 750x a stake, and some players’ idea of torture becomes others’ gateway to pleasure.

Australia’s media regulator has ruled that SBS breached gambling advertising requirements after broadcasting a Crown advertisement during its coverage of the Tour de France in July 2025.

The finding followed an investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which concluded that the advertisement promoted gambling activities at a time when such advertising was not permitted under industry rules governing live sports broadcasts.

The decision also provided the regulator’s first examination of a long-standing exemption that allows certain advertisements connected to dining and entertainment facilities located at gambling venues.

Regulator Reviews Crown Advertisement

Under the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice, broadcasters may only air gambling advertisements before sporting events begin, after they conclude, or during scheduled and unscheduled breaks when live sports are broadcast between 8:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. SBS is subject to these restrictions through its own Code of Practice.

ACMA determined that the Crown advertisement in question fell outside the permitted advertising framework because it promoted gambling activities available at the venue.

The commercial featured dining, accommodation and entertainment offerings, but regulators focused on its use of the phrase “premier casino resort.” According to ACMA, that wording directed attention toward gambling services and therefore prevented the advertisement from qualifying for an exemption available under the Code.

The exception permits advertising for dining and entertainment facilities located at venues where gambling occurs. However, ACMA concluded that the Crown advertisement extended beyond those categories because of the casino-related tagline.

Authority Member Carolyn Lidgerwood explained the regulator’s interpretation of the exemption.

“The ‘dining or entertainment exception’ under the Code does not apply if any part of the advertisement draws attention to gambling in a manner calculated to directly promote such gambling activities. Such advertisements will be subject to the rules around gambling ads shown during live sport,” she said.

First Examination of Advertising Exception

The investigation marked the first occasion on which ACMA assessed the “dining or entertainment” exemption as part of a formal inquiry.

Regulators said the outcome serves as a reminder that broadcasters should carefully evaluate advertising language when promoting venues that offer both hospitality services and gambling activities.

According to ACMA, advertisers and broadcasters should exercise caution when using terms that could be interpreted as encouraging gambling, even when an advertisement primarily focuses on food, entertainment or accommodation.

The authority noted that the Crown advertisement at the center of the investigation broadly highlighted hospitality and leisure offerings. Despite that focus, ACMA found that the “premier casino resort” tagline directly promoted gambling opportunities available at the venue.

The regulator’s interpretation means that even limited references to gambling activities can affect whether an advertisement qualifies for the exemption.

SBS Disputes Finding but Accepts Decision

SBS disagreed with ACMA’s conclusion and maintained that the commercial complied with the established exemption.

According to the broadcaster, the advertisement promoted dining, accommodation and entertainment services and did not contain imagery, messaging or calls to action designed to encourage gambling participation.

The advertisement had been reviewed and approved before broadcast by ClearAds, which assessed it as compliant with the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice. The commercial also received a “G” classification, a rating unavailable to advertisements directly related to betting or gambling activities.

The broadcaster further noted that neither SBS nor ACMA received audience complaints regarding the advertisement.

In a statement, an SBS spokesperson said: “SBS acknowledges the ACMA’s decision. SBS takes seriously its obligations in relation to gambling advertising restrictions but does not agree with this finding. In SBS’s view, the advertisement complied with the long-standing Dining and Entertainment Exception, and there were no audience complaints about the advertisement received by either SBS or the ACMA. SBS remains committed to meeting all regulatory requirements and maintaining the trust of its audiences.”

Although SBS disagreed with the regulator’s interpretation, the broadcaster indicated it would not challenge the ruling.

The investigation also reviewed two additional Crown advertisements that aired during the Tour de France coverage. ACMA found those commercials complied with the Code because they concentrated on dining experiences, food preparation and entertainment offerings at Crown venues without using the “premier casino resort” wording.

As a result, only one of the three advertisements examined during the investigation was found to have breached the advertising rules.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has launched a new legal challenge against several gambling-related companies, filing lawsuits that seek to stop their operations in the state and impose financial penalties. The actions, filed Wednesday in Franklin Circuit Court, target prediction market operators Kalshi and Polymarket as well as VGW, an online gaming company that runs casino-style platforms.

The lawsuits arrive less than a week after a coalition representing prediction market operators sued Kentucky over a newly enacted tax on prediction market transactions. That dispute is also being heard in Franklin Circuit Court, setting up a direct legal clash between state officials and companies involved in the growing prediction market sector.

State Pursues Injunctions Against Operators

Coleman’s office alleges that Kalshi and Polymarket are offering unauthorized sports betting services in Kentucky. The attorney general is seeking permanent injunctions that would prevent the companies from conducting business in the state. The lawsuits also request civil penalties and restitution.

In a statement announcing the actions, Coleman said, “Kalshi and Polymarket are operating illegal sportsbooks in Kentucky and breaking our laws.”

He added, “These multi-billion dollar corporations and their legal fictions don’t pass the sniff test. As one of our state legislative leaders said it best, ‘If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck …’”

The legal filings extend beyond the named companies themselves. Kentucky is also targeting affiliated entities connected to Kalshi, Polymarket, VGW, and Coinbase. According to the attorney general’s office, each company is accused of operating unlicensed gambling or sports betting platforms within the state.

Kentucky legalized online sports wagering in 2023 after several unsuccessful attempts. The industry now falls under the oversight of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission. Coleman’s office contends that the prediction market companies are operating outside that regulatory framework.

The attorney general also alleges that the companies provide limited support resources for people struggling with gambling addiction, despite requirements under Kentucky law.

Focus on Prediction Markets and Sweepstakes Gaming

The lawsuit against Polymarket argues that prediction market contracts have moved beyond their original purpose. State officials contend that such contracts were initially developed to help commodity traders manage financial risks tied to events that could affect production and market outcomes.

According to the lawsuit, “These contracts were originally developed by commodity traders as a straightforward way of hedging their investments in raw materials, like timber and grain. By purchasing an event contract for an adverse event, like a flood or fire during the harvest season, commodity traders could offset the losses from that year’s poor yield.”

The filing continues, “Defendants, however, have repurposed the event contract to allow consumers to wager on the outcomes of a wide range of real-world and imminent (or already ongoing) events, such as when the United States and Iran will enter a permanent peace deal or whether the Federal Reserve will change interest rates.”

Coleman’s separate case against VGW focuses on the company’s sweepstakes-style gaming model. VGW operates brands including Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots. Kentucky alleges that the company’s dual-currency system violates state gambling laws as well as consumer protection statutes and the Loss Recovery Act.

“This company may use new technology and a new scheme to hide, but the reality is the same,” Coleman said. “Our Office has a duty to stop illegal gambling in Kentucky regardless of how it’s packaged.”

Industry Pushback and Tax Dispute Continue

The companies have indicated they will challenge the state’s claims. A spokesperson for VGW stated, “We respectfully reject the Kentucky Attorney General’s claims and plan to vigorously defend this lawsuit.”

Polymarket also criticized the state’s position. A representative said Coleman’s lawsuit “runs counter” to the federal framework for regulating prediction markets. “We look forward to addressing these claims through the appropriate legal process,” the representative said.

Kalshi likewise argued that federal regulators oversee prediction markets rather than individual states. Company spokesperson Jacki McGavick said, “Courts have already recognized this, and we’re confident they will here too.”

The latest lawsuits follow a separate legal battle over Kentucky’s recently approved 14.25% excise tax on prediction market transactions, which is scheduled to take effect in 2027. The Coalition for Fair Markets filed suit on June 12, arguing that the tax is unconstitutional and unfairly targets prediction market operators.

The coalition contends that the measure favors established Kentucky gaming industries, noting that wagers on horse racing face a lower tax rate of 9.75%. The group argues the legislation “targets prediction market operators alone.”