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The Trillion Dollar Problem: Unregulated Online Gambling Reaches $5.9 Trillion in Global Wagering Value

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Unregulated operators dominate global markets as consumer activity shifts across a fragmented three-sector ecosystem

HENDERSON, Nev., May 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New analysis from Gaming Compliance International reveals that unregulated online gambling has reached $5.9 trillion in global wagering value in 2025, confirming what is widely referred to as the “trillion dollar problem” — in reality, a multi-trillion-dollar global economy. At this level, unregulated online gambling now ranks as the world’s third largest economy, behind only the United States and China, while also representing the largest form of cybercrime globally.

Global Marketplaces Dominated by the Unregulated
GCI’s global analysis, summarized in a new report, GCI Online Gaming 2025: Global, shows that the average online gaming marketplace is structurally unbalanced:

78% unregulated22% regulated

This reflects the global Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) market share split, demonstrating that the majority of consumer-generated revenue is flowing outside licensed, taxed, and controlled environments. This is not a marginal issue — the unregulated sector dominates the marketplace.

One Marketplace, Three Sectors
There is one marketplace containing regulated and unregulated industries competing for the same audience, attention, and spend. However, this dual sector consideration is no longer sufficient. A third category — unacknowledged gambling — has now emerged at scale.

These platforms replicate gambling mechanics but fall outside traditional classification. This is the fundamental shift defining online marketplaces from 2025 onwards, reshaping how consumers engage with betting and gaming.

Online marketplaces are now fragmenting into three distinct sectors:

Regulated — licensed and compliantUnregulated — unlicensed but actively targeting and transactingUnacknowledged — gambling-like products outside classification

This is not just a regulatory distinction — it is how audiences experience the market.

As these sectors converge, commercial revenue to regulated operators declines, tax losses increase, and consumer risks escalate.

The White Noise Marketplace
The result is what GCI defines as the “White Noise Marketplace,” where everything is visible, accessible, and indistinguishable. The audience does not differentiate between these sectors — they experience one marketplace.

This shift from a two-sector to a three-sector marketplace will define the next phase of global online gaming. Solutions are only found within the MPEO — monitor, police, enforce, optimize — framework, focused on actions that benefit each jurisdiction’s commerce, community, and consumers.

Leadership Commentary

Matt Holt, CEO of GCI, said:
“At $5.9 trillion in wagering value, unregulated online gambling is one of the largest economic systems in the world, operating largely outside regulatory oversight. Regulators are not facing a marginal challenge, but a dominant one — the majority of activity is occurring beyond the regulated perimeter. Our role is to provide full transparency across the total marketplace, enabling regulators to act with confidence.”

Ismail Vali, President of GCI, commented:
“What we are now seeing is a three-sector gaming marketplace in every jurisdiction — regulated, unregulated, and unacknowledged — and it is this third layer that is accelerating consumer confusion, unregulated growth, and regulatory complexity at scale.
The audience does not distinguish between these sectors. They experience one marketplace, where everything is accessible and everything competes equally. In a world where you can bet on anything, consumers are increasingly betting on everything — this is the gamification of everything.
If you cannot see the entire marketplace — regulated, unregulated, and unacknowledged — you cannot control it. This is the shift. This is the problem we are helping to solve at GCI.”

About Gaming Compliance International (GCI)
For more information, visit:
www.gamingcompliance.com

Media Contact: To receive a copy of the full GCI Online Gaming 2025: Global report please contact Alastair Graham, SVP Strategic Operations, Gaming Compliance International, +63 917 312 7802 | alastair.graham@gamingcompliance.com

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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