WATCH: Casino News Roundup - August 22, 2025

Our news reporter, Alan Evans, brings you the latest news from the casino industry on August 22, 2025.

Can't watch right now? Here's the full transcript:

"Welcome to the Casinos.com weekly news roundup for Friday 22nd of August. This week we look at  cruise ship dramas, FanDuel’s bold move, and a record fine for one operator. 

"From multimillion-dollar casino revenues to new cruise ships making waves, here’s your roundup of the week’s biggest gambling stories.  

"One Carnival passenger turned casino play into a free future cruise. For years, cruise passenger Greg Brockman treated Royal Caribbean’s Casino Royale programme as a background feature of his trips. He played for fun, rarely spending more than $100 a night in the onboard casino.  

"That changed when he realised he was within reach of the programme’s Prime tier, the first level where benefits extend beyond the casino floor. With some planning across several voyages, Brockman earned enough points to qualify. 

"The PartyPoker Tour stop in Glasgow wrapped up on 18 August at Alea Casino with a record turnout, a series of packed events, and a landmark victory. Across the week, 1,928 total entries created a combined prize pool of £303,193, cementing the festival as one of the most successful on the UK poker circuit this year. Zhen Zhen claimed victory, becoming the first female champion on the PartyPoker Tour. 

"FanDuel has entered a partnership with CME Group to launch real-money prediction markets in the United States. The move, a first of its kind, could reshape how betting and financial speculation intersect, blurring the lines between Wall Street and sportsbooks. 

"Casinos in Massachusetts reported $99.5 million in gross gaming revenue in July, showing steady growth for the state’s industry. The figure comes as lawmakers continue to debate the legal status of sweepstakes-style gaming. 

"As sports betting expands, Little League International issued a plea for gamblers not to wager on the Little League World Series. Officials stressed that children’s sporting events should remain free from betting influence, highlighting growing concerns over gambling’s reach. 

"The UK Gambling Commission fined ProgressPlay £1 million for shortcomings in anti-money laundering controls and player protection. Regulators found the online operator failed to properly monitor customer activity, underscoring heightened scrutiny across the sector. 

"Carnival Cruise Line announced Carnival Festivale, debuting in 2027 with a music-inspired design and the largest waterpark in the fleet. The Excel-class ship will sail Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral after an inaugural transatlantic voyage. For music and waterpark lovers it sounds like a dream but for those seeking peace and tranquillity it may be a nightmare. Speaking of which.

"And finally, the ghosts are already boarding ships no doubt heading your way on their annual cruise for destination Halloween.  

"Once a glittering attraction, the Blue Horizon casino cruise ship has become a cautionary tale. Once celebrated for offering duty-free gaming at sea, it eventually collapsed under mismanagement and debt, leaving behind a ghostly legacy. Some say the slots can be heard spinning away with the faint sound of pennies and dimes dropping every now and then. Others say they have seen lights flashing on board with the distant sound of music, including ghost riders in the sky. Until next time.   

"From regulatory crackdowns and record revenues to cruise ships reinventing the onboard casino, the gambling world is evolving fast on land and at sea. These stories reflect the industry’s mix of opportunity, innovation, and growing oversight."