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Exclusive Interview with Matthew Stafford, CEO at BlockChain Innovations Corp

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It is my great pleasure to bring to you my latest interview. This week we once again focus on the role of blockchain in the gambling industry as it still is a trending topic. And what better way to get a glimpse into the vertical, then asking the experts of the industry. Matthew Stafford has been appointed as CEO of BlockChain Innovations Corp. this April and he has since than given speech at many industry events. It is high time we got the chance to pick his brain in our unique style. See below our interview with Matthew.

Let’s start with a few words about yourself. Our readers love to hear top-class professionals describing themselves.

Matthew: Thank you for a very kind introduction. I’ve spent 10 years in regulated gaming and public markets as an attorney, most recently with Scientific Games and NYX Gaming Group where I helped take that company public in Toronto in 2014 through its acquisition of Openbet Technologies Limited; the world’s largest sportsbook platform provider in 2016. I’ve had the opportunity to work with hundreds of gaming clients both brick-and-mortar and in the digital space, as well as payment providers, data and compliance vendors and the multitude of gaming software platforms around the world.

You took over as CEO of Blockchain Innovations Corp (BCI) about four months back. What are your early reflections on the job?

Matthew: It’s a very exciting and busy time. We are bringing a disruptive technology to two markets – both the commercial gaming industry for operators and the public market in Toronto for investors.

There is a lot of interest in both sectors around the technology and what it can do. In the capital markets, it’s about building blockchain companies as a value-added segment that gives depth to cryptocurrencies beyond price speculation and mining. For the gaming industry, it’s about building a modern gaming and payment platform that is compatible with conventional technologies so that our operator clients can offer blockchain wagering now and be poised for the future.

You studied law and started your career as a legal intern. How does your legal background help in your functioning as the CEO of BCI, especially as cryptocurrencies and other blockchain financial solutions are still viewed with suspicion by the regulators in several countries. 

Matthew: I was fortunate enough to work in gaming – at leading slot manufacturer Aruze Gaming America, Inc. – before graduating law school. As the Assistant General Counsel there, I obtained over 150 gaming licenses for the company worldwide and won approval for hundreds of devices. I also oversaw regulatory compliance at NYX and that foundation provided me with the ability to navigate complex regulatory issues, just like the treatment of crypto and blockchain with regulators. A working partnership and understanding of the regulatory schemes behind those agencies is crucial in terms of finding a viable solution for the industry in any circumstance.

What is important to note regarding uncertainties around crypto and blockchain is that, although perhaps skeptical, regulators are addressing the issue. There is positive movement towards adoption; the regulation/licensing frameworks that are being considered are being conducted by many jurisdictions and the outcome is to find that balance of providing the industry with competitive technology while meeting the regulatory objectives within a particular jurisdiction.

Can you tell us more about BCI’s soon to launch cryptocurrency wallet, Pebwallet, and its PebbleShare tipbot?

Matthew: Pebwallet.com is our fully-functional cryptocurrency wallet for users to manage and exchange multiple cryptocurrencies for smart-contract coins. They can also buy, sell, and exchange wagers via our PebbleShare tipbot. The wallet communicates to any existing operator’s PAM via an API and, in addition to standard transaction accounting and reporting, operators may permit wagering between players using pay-as you-go cryptocurrency where no money is on deposit as well as players with fiat currency on deposit, in their existing operator account.

Once activated, users with popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum may then exchange those coins for PebbleCoin and begin placing smart-contract wagers. PebbleCoin, the gaming-by-design crypto-currency BCI’s technology utilizes, is one of the first cryptocurrencies to use smart contracts and trade them as freely as coins.

BCI claims that its blockchain social betting solution has something unique and innovative that the competitors, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, do not have: basically, BCI’s solution does not have a lag in provable transaction confirmation. Could you explain about its practical real-time implications?

Matthew: BCI has provably instant confirmation of transactions, or bets integrated within its technology and our cryptocurrency PebbleCoin. The confirmation time for Bitcoin is 1 hour and Ethereum is 180 seconds. The implication of that 180 seconds to 1 hour is that live wagering environments are not possible with Bitcoin or Ethereum since there is an ability for one side to “roll-back” the transaction on the blockchain. If this were the case, users could cancel bets when the line prices move against their position – that’s not feasible in a betting market.

These are good times to be a betting solution provider in the USA, as the US supreme court has repealed PSPA, which would inevitably lead to the legalization of sports betting in many US states. How do you see the prospects for BCI?

Matthew: We see a lot of opportunity for operators to be “born on the blockchain”, that is to have a blockchain wagering offering for their players as their sole platform or a complementary offering to their player base. With the 6-3 United States Supreme Court decision striking down a 1992 law prohibiting such sports betting outside of Nevada, and the American Gaming Association estimating there is over $250 billion wagered annually in the US, it is a promising time for the sector.

Those figures mean that the demand for suppliers in the US will exceed the capabilities of conventional platform providers. We anticipate operators that want to be live when authorized by their state will look to blockchain as a modern technology that is able to offer a full solution for their sports wagering operations. Along those lines, because of the near-zero cost to operate our system, Tribes and state sports lotteries stand to gain the most from a blockchain solution since those savings go directly back to the taxpayer or tribal entities managing gaming operations for the tribe.

About BlockChain Innovations Corp.

Blockchain Innovations is headquartered in Las Vegas. The company designs and develops market ready blockchain technology for public and private real-money wagering and peer-to-peer gaming companies across the globe.

The company’s blockchain technology consists of a fully functional crypto-currency wallet, a tipbot – PebbleGo for easily sending and receiving smart contracts, and its smart contracts platform – the ideal wagering eco-system for instant confirmation, where contracts are tradeable, divisible, transferable and new wagering not available in traditional retail or online markets.

The company’s technology is built around PebbleCoin, a gambling-by-design cryptocurrency that has been mined since 2015. Pebblecoin’s unique features make it the only crypto-currency that can facilitate real-time wagering.

For more details visit www.blockchaininnovations.info


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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‘PAGCOR GUARANTEE’ SITE, PANANGGA KONTRA BOGUS ONLINE GAMES

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“This new website will help our players easily identify and verify whether the online gaming sites are duly licensed before playing or making any payments,” ani PAGCOR Chairman at CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.

“By providing the public with a quick and accessible way to check a site’s legitimacy, we are empowering them to make informed decisions and avoid falling victim to fraudsters and scammers,”

“Illegal online gaming sites not only endanger players but also erode public trust and deprive the government of vital revenues,” giit ni G. Tengco. “The PAGCOR Guarantee is a key component of our regulatory framework to protect both the industry and the Filipino people.”

 

The post ‘PAGCOR GUARANTEE’ SITE, PANANGGA KONTRA BOGUS ONLINE GAMES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Inspired Entertainment and BetMGM Launch Hybrid DealerÂź Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet

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First US Deployment of Hybrid Dealer Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (“Inspired” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading provider of B2B gaming content, systems, and solutions, is pleased to announce that BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, is the first in the United States to introduce the innovative Hybrid Dealer Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet game, under a three-month exclusive agreement.

Inspired’s Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet is an integral part of the Hybrid Dealer portfolio, blending original game design with patented technology to create an innovative roulette experience. This game introduces a unique twist—4-Ball Extra Bets—offering players brand new wagering options with potential payouts reaching up to 500/1.

The 4-Ball Extra Bet adds four additional balls on a new inner wheel, allowing players to place side bets on a color match between the inner and outer wheels. Bets can be placed via the standard roulette table, a neighbor bets table, or through a dedicated special bets interface that includes features such as hot and cold numbers.

Hybrid Dealer is a patented, game-changing online product category that offers players a rich casino and game show content experience without the challenges typically associated with live-dealer products. This technology combines the excitement of a live casino environment with the efficiency and consistency of CGI and pre-recorded hosts, delivering a reliable and engaging gaming experience.

The Hybrid Dealer platform is a patented innovation that has already gained recognition for its ability to replicate the thrill of a live casino while providing operational advantages. Hybrid Dealer Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet is the third game launched within this innovative portfolio, featuring stunning Virtual CGI visuals and pre-recorded hosts.

Throughout gameplay, Hybrid Dealer technology ensures ultra-realistic action and smooth visual transitions, creating an environment that closely resembles a live casino experience. The game also incorporates social engagement features, including big win leaderboards and a quick chat function, fostering a lively, community-oriented atmosphere.

Available across online and mobile platforms around the world, Hybrid Dealer Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet is poised to set a new standard in digital roulette gaming—combining innovation, realism, and social interaction.

Brooks Pierce, President and CEO of Inspired Entertainment, said: “We are excited to partner again with BetMGM to bring the first US deployment of our groundbreaking Hybrid Dealer Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet. This game exemplifies our commitment to delivering innovative, engaging gaming experiences that captivate players and support our partners’ growth in the digital space.”

Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming, BetMGM, said, “Partnering with Inspired to introduce Hybrid Dealer Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet marks an important milestone for us in delivering innovative gaming experiences to our players. This game’s immersive visuals and unique betting features will undoubtedly enhance our online casino offering and set a new standard for digital roulette.”

 

The post Inspired Entertainment and BetMGM Launch Hybrid DealerÂź Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Connor Williams: ‘iGB L!VE is critical in encouraging more collaboration, challenging tired thinking, and charting a path forward for the industry.’

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Connor Williams has been a director at Velo Capital Partners for more than 6 years, managing over 35 portfolio companies including the likes of Oddin, WinZO, and Novig.

His core thematic focuses include next gen casino content, B2C regulatory arbitrage, and the ‘gamblification” of mass market sectors such as video gaming and finance. He explains why Pitch iGB is critical to the industry, the impact of over-regulation on innovation and the importance of keeping a ‘fresh mind’.

You are part of the judging panel for Pitch iGB – how important do you think it is for the industry to come together and support new entrepreneurial businesses?

CW: The Pitch iGB competition is one of the key routes to democratising startup investing in the sector which is critical in unearthing new and disruptive businesses. This is even more critical to developed regions like the UK where innovation opportunities can be overlooked in the service of “safe and consistent”.

What are you looking for in terms of entries – what constitutes a winning submission?

CW: As a VC investor we target outsized returns on our investment for the early stage risk that we take. This means a winning submission needs to be swinging for the fences in terms of both scalability and disruption. Product is currently quite stale, user experience is far from being optimised, and over-regulation is stymying the incumbents and that’s where the opportunity lies.

In your experience how difficult is it for iGaming businesses to secure funding from the mainstream banking sector?

CW: The banking sector is risk constrained from a number of different angles and this is important to understand in the context of available funding for iGaming. That being said, the fintech sector at large is very keen to engage more with our sector, especially around payments. External funding in iGaming in general is more difficult to obtain, this holds true for listed businesses as well as startups, partially due to structural restrictions within the finance sector and partly due to a history of several bad actors on the operator side that the industry has yet to overcome. I think this challenge represents a specific opportunity for in-sector speciality lending not dissimilar to user acquisition financing businesses in the consumer and video gaming sectors.

How does the event contribute to the health of the industry: what do businesses gain from participating in iGB L!VE?

CW: Our sector is one that has historically been a bit disconnected, particularly at the large operator and supplier level. These events are critical in encouraging more collaboration, challenging tired thinking, and charting a path forward for the industry that (in my view) eventually needs to lead to the mass market the way the likes of online consumer and fintech businesses have. In order to achieve this the industry needs to be able to demonstrate that tech is now at a place where players can be almost completely insulated from player harm; and operators need to finally embrace this as the days of high staking whales (in regulated markets like the UK) are clearly coming to an end.

How would you describe the iGB L!VE experience – what does it deliver?

CW: iGB is like a cheat-sheet for all the latest happenings in the gaming sector, it’s an amazing opportunity to catch up with colleagues and meet new players in the market. In addition, one gets the latest insights of the industry’s thought leaders that you won’t get without travelling outside of the country.

In your view what are the main trends and technologies impacting the industry and that will be evident on the iGB L!VE show floor?

CW: The industry is currently reeling from a combination of over-regulation and over-taxation. This has lead to two predominant trends in regulated markets: a decisive shift to the black market and the rise of crypto solutions (the two not being wholly mutually exclusive). B2B tech is largely solved at this stage and is seeing a retreat due to the failure of B2B incumbents to innovate sufficiently, while services and content are still exciting places to cast an eye in the vertical. Specifically on the content side, we are seeing many operators attempt to shift this in-house (with limited success to date) which is seeing content providers shifting more towards innovation in content that is starting to cross into casual mobile gaming mechanics. AI remains a sector that iGaming is significantly behind other industries on and I am hoping we hear more about shifts towards agentic thinking, scalable solutions to sub-par AI art/animation/content to-date, and more ambitious pushes towards long term value drivers (such as bespoke gambling LLMs and innovation around classical model training loops).

How important is it that iGB L!VE is taking place in London a city regarded as being the home of iGaming?

CW: iGB is critical for visitors as the major industry event in the UK. As a market that is highly regulated and developed, iGB is critical to help one keep a fresh mind on industry trends and meet new entrants that are changing the rules of the game.

 

The post Connor Williams: ‘iGB L!VE is critical in encouraging more collaboration, challenging tired thinking, and charting a path forward for the industry.’ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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