Prediction markets are exchanges where participants trade contracts whose payout depends on the outcome of a future event, such as an election or sporting result. The traded price reflects the crowd's collective estimate of that outcome's probability. They sit at a contested intersection of financial trading and wagering, and their legal treatment varies by jurisdiction.
Esports betting is wagering on the outcomes of competitive video gaming, such as professional tournaments and league matches. Bettors can back match winners, map or round results, and a range of in-game events. It borrows formats from traditional sports betting while reflecting the distinct structures of individual game titles, and its regulation varies by jurisdiction.
A sweepstakes casino offers casino-style games using a dual-currency model rather than direct cash wagering. Players use a virtual currency for entertainment and a separate promotional currency that can, under certain conditions, be redeemed for prizes. Operators rely on sweepstakes and promotional law rather than gambling licences, and this model's legal standing varies by jurisdiction.
A social casino is a platform offering casino-style games, such as slots and table games, played with virtual credits that carry no real-world cash value. Players cannot redeem winnings for money. Revenue typically comes from optional purchases of additional virtual currency. Because no prizes of value are won, its regulatory classification differs from real-money gambling and varies by jurisdiction.
Cryptocurrency gambling refers to online betting and casino play where deposits, wagers or withdrawals are handled in digital currencies such as Bitcoin, rather than only traditional money. It can involve conventional operators accepting crypto or platforms built on blockchain technology. Its legality, tax treatment and consumer protections vary sharply by jurisdiction and are contested in many markets.
Mobile gambling is the use of smartphones and tablets to place bets or play casino games, through dedicated apps or mobile-optimised websites. It has become a dominant channel for many operators, shaping how games, payments and promotions are designed. Features such as location checks and app-store rules distinguish it from desktop play, and regulation varies by jurisdiction.
Omnichannel gaming is an operator strategy that integrates a player's experience across multiple channels, such as retail betting shops, desktop, mobile and sometimes land-based casinos, into a single connected account. The aim is a consistent experience and unified data, so activity in one channel is recognised across the others. Its implementation depends on regulation, which varies by jurisdiction.
Market share is the portion of a defined market that a particular company or product holds, usually expressed as a percentage of total activity. In gambling it is commonly measured using gaming revenue, turnover or active players within a given jurisdiction or segment. It indicates competitive position, though how it is measured can change the result.
Mergers and acquisitions, often shortened to M&A, are transactions in which companies combine or one company buys another. In the gambling industry they are used to enter new markets, acquire technology or brands, achieve scale, or consolidate. Although often grouped together, a merger and an acquisition describe different structures, and such deals are frequently subject to regulatory approval.
Gaming revenue tax is a tax that governments levy on gambling operators, commonly calculated as a percentage of a defined revenue measure such as gross gaming revenue. It is distinct from licence fees and from general corporate tax. Rates, the base used and payment rules differ widely between jurisdictions, and this area is frequently reviewed and changed.