Casino City’s Friday Five: WSOP, prediction markets and Arkansas sports betting edition

Prediction markets continue to takeover gambling headlines, whether it is a new operator throwing its hat into the ring, or another cease-and-desist order. In addition this week, the 2026 World Series of Poker schedule has been released with a few surprises, an Oklahoma casino resort announced its grand opening date, a six-figure fine for a Aussie operator, and Arkansas making waves in the sports betting space.

Let’s begin with a that big fine Down Under:

5. Tabcorp pays $158,400 penalty for taking illegal in-play sports bets
Tabcorp Holdings Limited paid a $158,400 penalty for taking online in-play sports bets, which is illegal in Australia. An Australian Communications and Media Authority investigation found Tabcorp accepted 426 in-play bets across 32 tennis matches between February 2024 and June 2025.

The online in-play sports bets that were accepted in breach of the IGA were voided by Tabcorp and the bets were refunded. ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said this is the third time since 2021 that Tabcorp has breached the in-play betting rules.

4. Harrah’s Oklahoma grand opening set for 9 April
Harrah's Oklahoma, developed in partnership with the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, announced it will open its doors on 9 April.

Harrah's Iowa Tribe Resort & Casino will offer guests a Las Vegas-style gaming, dining and entertainment experience in the Sooner state. The destination will feature a dynamic casino floor with 12 table games, 1,000 slot machines, a high-limit gaming area, multiple restaurants and bars and plans for a future on-site hotel and expanded entertainment space.

Our secret’s officially out ??

?? Harrah’s Oklahoma opens April 9 in Chandler. An historic moment on historic Route 66.

This isn’t just a grand opening… it’s an entirely new way to play.
And with your Caesars Rewards card? Play here. Go everywhere. ? pic.twitter.com/3T3M7Artbe

— Harrahs Oklahoma (@HarrahsOklahoma) February 17, 2026

3. Novig to build a trader-first sports prediction market
The U.S.-based trading platform announced the close of a $75 million Series B round led by Pantera Capital, bringing Novig's total capital raised to more than $105 million.

Novig operates a commission-free, peer-to-peer exchange where traders compete against one another on a level playing field. Novig officially submitted its application to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to become a licensed Designated Contract Market, which is needed to become a federally regulated exchange available in all 50 states.

We are building the sports prediction market that Vegas fears.

The sports betting system is broken, and today we’re another step closer to fixing it.

We just closed a $75M Series B led by @PanteraCapital.

As we grow, we remain committed to our mission of building the most… pic.twitter.com/MLR4LGPZOF

— Novig (@Novig) February 18, 2026

2. DraftKings and FanDuel aim for Arkansas entry
Earlier this week, both DraftKings and FanDuel, top sportsbook operators in the U.S., began taking necessary steps in order to acquire licenses in Arkansas.

The applications are through partnerships with the state’s three casinos: Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs, Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff, and Southland Casino in West Memphis. If approved, it would allow the casinos to brand their sports betting apps with the either of the providers.

Currently, each casino runs its own sportsbook platform with Oaklawn Sports, BetSaracen, and Betly Sportsbook.

No date has been set for a review of the applications but there is a meeting under consideration at the end of February.

1. WSOP unveils new twists for 2026 schedule

On Monday, the WSOP announced the daily event schedule for the 2026 World Series of Poker, the 57th edition of the most prestigious poker series. Returning to the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip, there will be 100 gold bracelets awarded.

It begins on 26 May with a revamped lineup designed to maintain the momentum of 2025’s record-breaking season, which saw Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi capture the Main Event title and a $10 million top prize.

To bring WSOP action to a wider international audience for free, a daily stream will be broadcasted live on the official WSOP YouTube channel from 26 May through to the start of the Main Event.

As always, the centerpiece of the summer is the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em World Championship, better known as the Main Event, which begins on 2 July. Play will proceed until the final table is reached on 13 July, with specifics on the Main Event final table play dates and broadcast coverage to be announced at a later date.

One of the new events this year is Event #1, the Mini Mystery Millions No-Limit Hold’em (three-day event): A $550 buy-in featuring a $1 million bounty prize guarantee.

?? THE WAIT IS OVER - the full 2026 World Series of Poker schedule is out now!

The 57th edition of poker’s richest and most prestigious festival runs May 26 - July 15 at @HorseshoeVegas & @ParisVegas , featuring 100 bracelet events and the $10,000 Main Event beginning July 2.… pic.twitter.com/I6p0zWQRtK

— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) February 16, 2026