gshc2020.com

The documents laying out the proposal have been officially released, and based on the current wording the Commission have used to define what they class as an online game, it seems single player games that rely on online platforms like Steam for updates, distribution, or even a one-time authentication could be caught in the crossfire. That is, unless the definition is tightened up before the law is set in stone, if it indeed it makes it that far.

When the proposal originally leaked, prior to its official unveiling by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, reports suggested there was no detail as to how the body had defined the concept of "online games" - and by extension, which sorts of games would fall under the proposed regulations. Now it looks as if that definition is rather broad, as it stands.

For instance, in a press conference held by the Stop Killing Games campaign about the proposed act, European Pirate Party senior policy adviser Paul Diegel - who serves as an assistant to sitting European Parliament member Markéta Gregorová - noted that the current draft of the legislation would even see single player games affected "because they're connected to Steam for updates". Since the proposal docs are publicly available via the European Commission's site, I've dug out the current version of the section on what is or isn't an online game as far as the proposed act is concerned. It reads as follows:

Video games have become an important part of the digital environment in which minors participate and interact with others, in a playful, goal-oriented or entertaining manner. Certain video gaming platforms allow the dissemination and exchange of user-generated content to an indeterminate number of recipients of the service and the facilitation of contact between these recipients. Such online games fall within the definition of online platforms referred to in Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 and should be covered by the scope of this Regulation.

At the same time, some online games that do not allow the dissemination of information to an indeterminate number of recipients should also fall within the scope of this Regulation. This is the case of any game that can be played on a computer, a mobile device, or a games console, irrespective of whether the game underlying software is subsequently executed locally, remotely, such as by means of durable medium, and irrespective of whether the service is provided free of charge, against payment, or against hybrid remuneration involving in-service (or in-application) purchases.

Online games that are accessible or purchasable exclusively through physical media, without any online component enabling their access, distribution, or purchase, are not considered online games for the purposes of this Regulation. For the avoidance of doubt, where an online game also has certain features corresponding to a video sharing platform, it shall be considered an online game for the purpose of this Regulation.

If I'm reading that right, the sole exception in the current proposal applies to games that can only be bought or accessed physically, not via an online storefront like Steam. Even if the online element's only being used to distribute the game and subsequently ship updates to it, it seems like it would fall under the purview of the regulation as it's written at this stage, meaning it'd be subject to age verification.

It's worth noting that the EU Kids Act is still just a proposal at the moment. Tightening up or refining definitions such as this one, so that the law only affects exactly the sorts of games it intends to, is something I'd peg as almost certain to happen as the pending legislation is revised and scrutinised as part of the EU's lawmaking process. That means that if the Act does eventually end up being set into law, it could have a definition that only singles out specific types of online game that mirror social media, in the sense of connecting children to endless other players they can chat with or see the user-created content of.

For now, I'm gonna go and spend what remains of my Friday afternoon writing about a topic less heavy on legal jargon. %!s()

I'd been to Phoenix many times, but I had never ventured 15 miles east to Arizona's millionaire enclave until April 2024.

I flew from my home in NYC to the familiar Southwestern city to spend 48 hours in two nearby suburbs — Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Scottsdale is America's fastest-growing wealth hub, with a 125% increase in millionaire residents between 2014 and 2024, according to the 2025 USA Wealth Report by Henley & Partners.

Nestled between Scottsdale and Phoenix, Paradise Valley is the richest municipality in Arizona by per capita income, according to the US Census Bureau. The desert mountain town of grand estates and billionaire residents is known as the "Beverley Hills of Arizona."

Real-estate agent Shawn Shackelton, who has been selling luxury homes in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale for over two decades, told Business Insider in 2024 that incoming residents are typically entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, medical professionals such as doctors and PAs, and young retirees.

I spent one night in each Phoenix suburb. After seven years of calling NYC home, I couldn't imagine ditching the big-city life, but Scottsdale and Paradise Valley surprised me in many ways. Some of those surprises made me think I could get used to the luxury desert lifestyle.

Coming from NYC, I was surprised by how quickly I could get from Phoenix to Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

I grew up in a New York City suburb, and every trip to the airport took at least an hour.

So, I was thrilled when my cab ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Downtown Scottsdale took only 20 minutes.

And when I was headed to the airport on my way home from my hotel in Paradise Valley, it only took 15 minutes. It was easy to see the appeal of living near an international airport.

I took both cabs around noon, so traffic was minimal. However, according to Google Maps, commuting between Phoenix and Scottsdale or Paradise Valley can take 30 minutes or longer during rush hour.

Ultimately, I found that the three areas were close enough together to navigate easily throughout my trip. While staying in Paradise Valley, I grabbed dinner in Scottsdale, which was less than 30 minutes away by car. Back in New York, getting to nearby cities can take over an hour, depending on which borough you live in.

I wasn't expecting the area to have so much to offer for all types of travelers.

Arizona has a lot to offer in the luxury travel scene.

Scottsdale alone hosted more than 10 million tourists in 2025, and together they spent $2 billion on their trips, according to a research report conducted for the City of Scottsdale.

During my trip, I stayed in two of the state's top hotels — first, at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, "Arizona's Leading Resort," according to the 2025 World Travel Awards. I spent my second night at the boutique Hermosa Inn, which ranked as the second-best hotel in Arizona in Travel + Leisure's 2026 World's Best Awards.

I was expecting to feel like a VIP in both accommodations, and I did. However, the experiences were so different that I realized the area suits a wide range of travelers — and not just in hotels.

Scottsdale has mountain hikes for adventurers. I spotted luxury spas for those looking to recharge, high-end department stores and boutiques for shoppers, public sculptures for art enthusiasts, and an old town area for history buffs.

In Scottsdale, The Phoenician felt like a mega-resort.

The Phoenician was massive. The 600 acres were filled with five pools, eight restaurants, several shops, a spa, and a sprawling golf course.

Inside, the hotel had a modern, Southwestern style with warm hues, geometric details, and 645 rooms.

The hotel reminded me of a mega-cruise ship. There was so much to do that you could spend your entire trip to Scottsdale on the property without getting bored. But not without getting lost — if you're directionally challenged like me. I spent 30 minutes looking for my room after exploring the property.

In Paradise Valley, the Hermosa Inn provided a more intimate experience.

With six acres of gardens, adobe structures, 43 stand-alone casitas, and one pool, the Hermosa Inn was smaller than The Phoenician and had a more cultural feel.

The inn, originally built by a cowboy and artist in 1936, is rooted in history. From the lobby to the casitas, the property transported me back in time with traditional Southwestern architecture and interior decor, including rustic furniture, wooden beams, and historical works of art.

Unlike The Phoenician, which would be perfect for families, the Hermosa Inn seems made for travelers seeking a unique, secluded experience rich in culture.

I thought I'd enjoy a couple of days in the sun, but dry heat is a different beast.

In New York, April can be pretty hit-or-miss weather-wise. Sometimes we'll have a sunny, 65-degree-Fahrenheit day, and other times it'll be 40 degrees Fahrenheit and rainy.

However, Scottsdale is known for its year-round warm weather, so I was excited about having a couple of sunny days in the desert.

But I didn't expect it to be so warm — upward of 90 degrees Fahrenheit when I visited in April. And unlike in NYC, the heat was dry, so I felt I got dehydrated easily. It seemed like I had to drink twice as much water as I do at home.

If I ever move to Arizona, the weather will take some getting used to.

In Scottsdale, I was impressed with the architecture.

Like New York, Scottsdale has a mix of modern and historic buildings. However, historic architecture in the Southwest looks different.

I spotted warm-toned adobe buildings in Scottsdale with geometric features, as well as modern glass skyscrapers. Some buildings seemed to combine modern and traditional elements.

I was also surprised to find walkable neighborhoods in the Phoenix suburb.

One of the best things about living in NYC is not needing a car. While Scottsdale as a whole is a car-dependent city, I was surprised to find that some neighborhoods are walkable, like the downtown area, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and businesses.

Unlike NYC, the area's luxury housing seemed separate from less expensive homes.

I'm used to seeing neighborhoods with a mix of expensive and affordable housing in New York. But that didn't appear to be the case in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

I spotted modest homes in the Phoenix suburbs, but they were nowhere near the mega-mansions. Generally, it seemed like the cheaper housing and luxury estates were separated by elevation — the streets higher up in the mountains were lined with exclusively high-end homes.

In North Scottsdale, I was amazed by mansions in the hills that reminded me of castles.

About 40 minutes north of Downtown Scottsdale, DC Ranch is home to some of the most expensive residential real estate in the city.

I got a private tour of the 4,400-acre community, which is made up of four villages. Most have shops, restaurants, golf clubs, and other businesses within walking distance of many of the homes. There's even a school in the community that students walk and bike to.

Ultimately, DC Ranch felt like a little town that could sustain itself without having to go to Downtown Scottsdale.

In the most expensive village, Silverleaf, mansions line long, winding roads up the mountains. It looked nothing like the luxury housing in NYC, mostly sky-high, sprawling apartments.

My jaw dropped as we drove by these homes, most of which had multiple buildings and dramatic entryways. There was a variety of architecture up there. As I passed through the desert landscape, I was reminded of medieval castles and Greek villas.

The biggest surprise during my trip to Arizona's wealth enclave was thinking I could see myself living there.

I don't see myself leaving NYC for a long time. Still, when I do, I may consider this luxury desert oasis thanks to its surprisingly walkable neighborhoods, stunning architecture, and proximity to the bigger city of Phoenix.

If I can take the heat — and the price — there's a chance I'll call this area home someday.

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Joey Hadden

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Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining Business Insider in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, including overnight rides lasting up to 53 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, Nightjet, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. When she's not taking trains, notes, or pictures, Joey spends her time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval.

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President Donald Trump stated earlier this week that the US-Israeli war against Iran is "hopefully" near its end, which probably means there's no end in sight. International motorsport is quickly running out of time to salvage its lucrative events in the Gulf states this year. The FIA World Rally Championship announced on Thursday that its season finale will not be Rally Saudi Arabia in November. The championship will now conclude with Rally Italia Sardegna in early October, the original schedule's penultimate round.

Beyond the ongoing conflict, the rally was first jeopardized earlier this month when Toyota and Hyundai's factory teams sent a joint letter to the FIA confirming they would be unable to travel to Saudi Arabia. According to DirtFish, both automakers currently have company-wide restrictions on business travel to the Middle East. Even without the top-tier international tour, Rally Saudi Arabia will still be held as solely a round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said:

"We have worked closely with our partners in Saudi Arabia, our Member Club the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, WRC Promoter and our championship stakeholders in recent months to explore every possible route that would allow Rally Saudi Arabia to take place as planned. However, ongoing regional developments mean that the WRC element of Rally Saudi Arabia will not proceed this year. These are never easy decisions, particularly after the significant work undertaken by everyone involved in preparing for the event."

What does this mean for Formula 1's season finale?

Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

As it stands, Formula 1 is still slated to host this season's final two rounds in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; Reuters reports that championship organizers could delay their decision on whether to cancel the pair of rounds until October. F1 can't hold off for too long because the November 29 and December 6 race dates are quickly approaching. However, F1 is expected to follow the WRC's lead and move its finale to Italy. Imola would host the replacement race.

The WRC wasn't the only FIA top-flight series to ditch its plans for closing the year in the Gulf. The FIA World Endurance Championship moved its final two rounds out of Bahrain and Qatar. Instead, the sports car series will run a pair of replacement races in Europe: Barcelona, Spain on October 24 and Monza, Italy on November 7. These racing series might rely on the millions of dollars they rake in from the Gulf states, but it turns out people aren't necessarily willing to travel into an active conflict area. %!s()

The market researcher said regulated sportsbooks still command nearly four out of every five dollars wagered, with an estimated $31.7 billion in handle — up about 8% from the last season.

But the sector is seeing its first credible challenge. While trading volume is not directly comparable with sportsbook handle, EKG estimates predictions markets will see the equivalent of $8.4 billion in NFL wagering activity, or a 21% share of the combined market.

The increase is being fueled by the growth of the total addressable market, according to EKG. Predictions markets can offer sports contracts in states like California, Texas and Georgia where sports betting is still illegal, or in Florida, where the Seminole Tribe's Hard Rock business has the monopoly.

The early numbers show how quickly predictions markets are scaling. Football contract volume across selected exchanges reached 2.94 billion contracts between Sept. 1 and Sept. 14 — nearly four times the comparable period last year, the firm said.

During kickoff week, Polymarket recorded 755,000 U.S. app downloads, moving ahead of Kalshi at 602,000. The app-download comparison excludes Robinhood and Coinbase because their downloads reflect much more than prediction markets.

"Prediction markets are growing the overall market — at least for now," said Chris Grove, partner emeritus at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. "We'll start to see more direct competition between sportsbooks and prediction markets by the time we get to the Super Bowl."

There is not yet much evidence that prediction markets are taking substantial business from sportsbooks, EKG said. DraftKings and FanDuel, which have both launched their own prediction platforms, say there's been, at most, a low single-digit drag on handle growth. Rush Street Interactive has reported no discernible impact. BetMGM, which is co-owned by MGM and Entain, has reported a more meaningful effect.

For consumers, sportsbooks also offer important advantages: deeper betting menus, more polished apps and established loyalty programs.

EKG expects parlays to account for more than 40% of regulated NFL handle — and potentially about 75% of sportsbook NFL revenue because of their higher margins.

Prediction platforms are copying that playbook. Piper Sandler said combination contracts, essentially prediction-market parlays, now represent the majority of Kalshi's volume. On the latest reported day, total volume across the eight exchanges Piper tracks reached about $2.48 billion, led by Kalshi at $1.93 billion and Polymarket at $403.6 million.

An ad from sports betting site Novig featuring Actress Sydney Sweeney is displayed in Times Square on September 16, 2026 in New York City.

Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images

And the field is getting more crowded beyond Kalshi and Polymarket. Upstart competitors Novig and Underdog are working to coax football fans and their dollars onto their own platforms. Piper Sandler's latest tally put Novig volume at $43 million, up 77% month over month, and Underdog at $26.5 million, up 80%.

Novig is trying to turn that growth into national brand recognition with its new "Just Sports" campaign starring actress and influencer Sydney Sweeney, who says she's taken an equity stake in the prediction platform. The provocative ads have drawn both enormous attention and criticism, ripping a page from the same celebrity-driven marketing playbook long used by sportsbooks.

For now, sportsbooks remain king of the hill, but the prediction markets have put them on defense.

CNBC and Kalshi have a commercial relationship which includes a minority investment and customer acquisition. %!s()