Kalshi, Polymarket, and the casino/gaming sectors are engaged in a lobbying arms race in Washington, spending millions to influence lawmakers amid increasing scrutiny of prediction markets from Congress and regulators over their classification as financial products or sports betting.
The 2026 gaming industry sees major releases like Grand Theft Auto VI and new spins on old franchises, but also faces significant struggles including thousands of Xbox layoffs and Ubisoft studio closures, alongside some indie successes.
Microsoft is undertaking a major restructuring of its Xbox gaming division, eliminating 3,200 jobs. The company cites declining player numbers, lower profit margins compared to competitors, and increased hardware costs driven by AI demand as reasons for the significant layoffs.
The Philippines has approved new Inter-Agency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on April 22 to improve coordination among law enforcement agencies in combating organised crime. The SOPs address gaps exposed during earlier raids, including difficulties in coordinating evidence, freezing assets, identifying trafficking victims and building cases against operators who left few physical traces. Analysts and former officials warn the bigger test will be whether the new playbook can keep pace with criminal networks already moving from large Pogo compounds into more elusive operations.
