Lex Veldhuis announced that his poker streams would return on 3 January, broadcasting from the Netherlands on Twitch, YouTube and Kick. The report infers that his relationship with PokerStars, which began in January 2009, has ended; Veldhuis did not explicitly confirm the split in the quoted announcement.
The reported end of the sponsorship may change which licensed poker operators Veldhuis can play for in the Netherlands.
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Reportedly, Sri Lanka is tightening its enforcement against illegal online gambling websites. Online gambling is legal in the country, but operators must register with the authorities and pay a licence fee to the government.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Telecommunications Regulatory Commission announced that internet providers had blocked 24 websites accused of offering gambling without a local licence. The authorities urged the public not to use or invest money through unauthorised platforms under the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act 2025.
Online sports and virtual betting generated €139.4 million in spending in June, according to reported market figures. Lottomatica held 30.98% of spending, followed by Sisal at 22.20% and bet365 at 10.23%; the five largest operators together accounted for more than 81%.
The Dutch Supreme Court ruled that gambling contracts with unlicensed operators are not automatically invalid, addressing claims over gambling losses incurred before the market opened in October 2021. Players may still seek to unwind contracts in specific circumstances or claim damages where unlawful conduct is established; recovery will depend on individual cases.
Italy’s online cash poker market recorded €4.57m in spending in June 2026, up 1.6% year on year, according to reported operator data. PokerStars held a 36.39% share, ahead of Lottomatica at 20.94% and Sisal at 18.06%; Sisal’s spending rose 76.2%, while bet365’s fell 8.5%.