💘 Useless Facts Day: stories about casinos and bookmakers

January 4 is the official excuse to learn things that affect nothing — but are a pleasure to read. We’ve collected the most curious facts from the world of casinos and betting, from strange to slightly absurd.

📌 A few examples to get you hooked:
— There are no clocks on casino floors in Las Vegas — so you lose track of time.
— The biggest slot jackpot ($40 million) was once never claimed — the ticket simply “expired.”
— In football, odds can shift because a coach sneezed at a press conference.
— The very first bookmaker was opened by… a former funeral agent.
— Tennis, not football, is the highest-turnover sport for betting worldwide.

There’s also a darker side: robberies, bizarre bets, and stories where winning brought more trouble than joy. In short, a full set of New Year’s absurdity.

👉 The full list of 20 useless but very curious facts is here. Perfect weekend reading.

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🔥 iGaming: how 2026 is getting started

Happy first working week of 2026! The year has only just begun, but the market is already sending signals. Technologies are accelerating, regulators are keeping pace, and familiar jurisdictions are back in the spotlight.

📌 New technologies
— In Russia, the Unified TSUPIS, after implementing AI, reduced false player blocks by 74%, while detection of drop accounts increased by 37%. A practical case of how AI actually reduces friction instead of creating it.
— Telegram is testing the Emoji Stake feature — betting with the messenger’s Stars currency in the Dice emoji game. The code already hints at an affiliate mechanic (Star Affiliate Commission). There’s no official announcement yet, but the direction is clear.
— China is preparing rules that would ban AI chatbots from generating gambling-related content. This is part of broader regulation of “emotional” AI services. If adopted, it would set a global-level precedent.

📌 Curaçao — news that never gets old
— The CGA regulator has postponed issuing permanent licenses to a number of operators due to the volume of inspections. Temporary licenses remain valid.

📌 Brazil. Again and again
— The president signed a decree making banks, payment providers, and advertising companies tax-liable for working with illegal bookmakers. Pressure is being shifted across the entire chain.
— A phased increase in GGR tax has also been approved:
12% → 15% by 2027 → 18% by 2028. Regulation is becoming systemic and long-term.

📌 About the money (and yes, things look fine)
— The global gambling market reached $315.6 billion in 2025.
According to forecasts, it could grow to $541 billion by 2030. The trend remains upward — despite bans and pressure.

👉 Did we miss any news? Share it in the comments.

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⚡️ Trackier: when attribution becomes a growth tool

Affiliate marketing in 2026 is a strategic system for managing business performance. Modern platforms like Trackier function as a central analytics hub, where big data and artificial intelligence make it possible to predict partner value, automate workflows, and minimize fraud risks.

📌 We spoke with the Trackier team about how the platform tackles these challenges. Inside the article:
— mCaffeine case: +11.8% profit growth and reduced CPA
— Anti-fraud as risk management, not blind blocking
— Reports that actually change strategy, not just look good
— Flexible attribution built around the business, not “one-size-fits-all”

This principle of “flexibility based on transparency,” as we see it, will define the next era of performance marketing — and it’s exactly what Trackier continues to build its platform around.

👉 If you work with affiliate or performance marketing and want to understand why brands and networks choose Trackier, this one is worth reading. Special conditions are available for 3SNET partners upon registration.

🔗 Full version here

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🇪🇸 Spain — a mature market that’s still growing

Spain confidently remains among the top iGaming GEOs — the online market is hitting new all-time highs in GGR. It’s a rare case where a Tier-1 market stays workable and predictable for affiliates. We’ve prepared a complete guide to the Spanish iGaming market, breaking down legal nuances, explaining which channels work best for attracting Spanish audiences, and collecting ready-to-use strategies for a fast launch.

📌 In the overview, we cover:
— why Spain is a stable and promising GEO;
— how regulation and licensing are structured;
— which brands can be promoted legally;
— target audience specifics and habits;
— who plays and what they bet on;
— which models and channels deliver results.

🔗 Read the full Spain iGaming overview here

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🔥 The most unusual events to bet on

Football and tennis feel boring already? Take a look at these unusual events. In the world of sports, there are dozens of tournaments where showmanship, absurdity, and pure madness take center stage. And that’s exactly why they’re so fascinating to watch.

🔹 Air Guitar World Championships (Finland)
A championship of playing an imaginary guitar. No instruments — only charisma, movement, and crowd reaction. It’s not about numbers here, but pure performance.
🔹 Cheese Rolling (England)
A race chasing a wheel of cheese down a steep hill. Winners are those who manage to tumble to the finish line. Absolute chaos and zero predictability.
🔹 Laziness Championship (Montenegro)
A championship of… lying down. The winner is the one who stays down the longest. The most paradoxical tournament, which sometimes creates more tension than top-league finals.

And that’s just a small part. The list also includes frying-pan bobsleigh, oil wrestling, snail racing, and several other events that are hard to believe until you see them.

👉 Find the classic sports and current matches — as always, in our Sports Events Calendar.

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⚡️ Barcelona is already on the horizon. Just 10 days to go

ICE and iGaming Club in Barcelona are happening very soon. If you’re flying in too — catch 3SNET there.
We’ll be on site, open to meetings and solid networking ❤️‍🔥

And if you have time to explore the city, here’s a list of places to visit and catch the right vibe.

📌 Culture & the city
— Sagrada Família — the Basilica of the Holy Family in Barcelona, Catalonia. An outstanding work by architect Antoni Gaudí and the symbol of the city.
— El Born — a district full of bars, restaurants, and small galleries. Perfect for informal 1-on-1 meetings or a relaxed dinner.
— Gothic Quarter — the old city center. Great for a walk, food, and a change of scenery. Works perfectly to “reset your head” even without a plan or route.

📌 Food & bars
— El Nacional — a large space with multiple cuisines to suit any taste.
— Dr Stravinsky — a bar for calm conversations. Ideal for late evenings when you want less noise and a proper talk.
— Hotel 1898 Rooftop — a rooftop restaurant and bar with a beautiful city view.

📌 Shows & emotions
— Tablao Cordobes — a classic flamenco show: live dance, guitar, vocals, and an intense atmosphere in a small venue. A full evening format lasting 1–1.5 hours.
— Club nights in the Eixample district — plenty of interesting small venues where people enjoy cocktails, music, and conversation.

Networking and communication at conferences are key, and to stay connected everywhere without losing contacts, check out our article on eSIM and SIM services.

Drop a comment if you’re flying somewhere soon. And for those who haven’t decided yet, check out our activity calendar — browse and choose.

See you in Barcelona 🔥

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🔥 The biggest iGaming updates of the week: first results of the year, new bans, and headline numbers

Hello everyone! We’re jumping into the first full working week — let it be productive and free of regulator surprises (although, who are we kidding). There aren’t many news items, but each one is already setting the tone for 2026. Let’s go.

📌 First results of 2025

— According to Similarweb, traffic to legal Russian bookmakers’ websites in 2025 reached 1.11 billion visits.
— In Indonesia, online gambling deposits hit $2.3 billion, despite strict bans.
— The PlayCity regulator blocked more than 2,500 illegal websites and issued fines totaling ₴67 million.
— In Russia, illegal iGaming turnover in 2025 is estimated at ₽2 trillion — the figure speaks for itself.

📌 New laws, initiatives, and taxes

— Belarus increased the tax on player winnings from 4% to 5% and updated regulation: minimum operator reserves, a monitoring center, and the possibility of settlements in cryptocurrency.
— Georgia officially banned participation in iGaming and land-based casinos for more than 40% of the population.
— Zimbabwe sharply raised taxes: from 3% to 20% of GGR and from 10% to 25% on winnings.
— In Argentina’s Santa Fe province, the formation of a regulated market has begun and licenses are being issued.
— In Brazil, up to 51% of the betting market is still controlled by illegal operators.
— New Zealand is launching a regulated online gambling market: 15 licenses and a 16% GGR tax.

📌 Venezuela: all calm

— Despite the U.S. operation in Caracas, Venezuela’s iGaming market has remained stable.
— According to Blask, fluctuations are within normal volatility, and by the end of 2025 the market grew +134.9% YoY, remaining one of the fastest-growing in the world.

📌 Advertising and promotion

— LinkedIn is launching AI-powered job search in five languages — the tool takes into account skills, goals, and regional specifics.
— Google will allow gambling advertising in Belarus starting January 22.
— Meta* continues to run ads for illegal gambling in prohibited jurisdictions despite fines.
— Google updated its rules for prediction platforms and is opening access to advertising products for U.S. operators.

📌 Scandal of the week

— An investigation by Australia’s ABC revealed that licenses on the island of Anjouan were issued through a fictitious regulator. According to authorities, such permits are illegal — another blow to the “offshore showcase.”

* Recognized as an extremist organization and banned in the Russian Federation

👉 And now let’s discuss the main question: how does it feel for you personally to come out of the holiday haze and back into working days?

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