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A record number of new online casinos launched in 2025. Some targeted new markets. Others revived dormant licenses. Many vanished before year-end.

Melco Resorts & Entertainment has received a 20-year exclusive casino license from the Sri Lankan government to develop and operate City of Dreams Sri Lanka, marking the island nation's entry into regulated integrated resort gaming. The approval, announced on December 4, 2025, by the Ministry of Tourism, involves a $500 million investment and positions Melco as the pioneer in South Asia's emerging market, blending luxury hospitality with compliant iGaming to attract high-net-worth visitors from India and the Middle East. This development signals Sri Lanka's pivot toward tourism diversification post-economic recovery, injecting revenue into a sector projected to contribute $1.2 billion annually by 2030.

Wazdan, a leading slots provider, has forged a strategic partnership with Holland Casino, the Dutch state-owned operator, to deliver its portfolio of mobile-optimized games to the regulated online market. Announced on November 4, 2025, the agreement enables Holland Casino to enhance its iGaming offerings with over 200 titles, including gamified features like volatility levels and unique bonus mechanics. This collaboration strengthens the Netherlands' emerging online casino ecosystem by introducing innovative content, aligning with the Kansspelautoriteit's (KSA) mandate for diverse, compliant entertainment in a competitive landscape dominated by established players.