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A boy in Cork spends hundreds of euros in computer games
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A young boy in Cork has reportedly spent hundreds of euros for in-game purchases in FIFA 2018. In an incident that should serve as a warning to all parents whose kids are into virtual gaming, the boy used his mother’s credit card for effecting the purchases.
Fine Gael senator, Jerry Buttimer, narrated the incident while urging the government to take quick action for a new legislation around gambling and gaming:
“In Cork, a young boy spent a month of his mother’s wages on ‘FIFA 18’. The parent helped the child sign up to the game, using their credit card details.
When he was playing it, a box kept coming up, asking if he wanted to buy things and he kept hitting the button and ran up a bill of hundreds of euro in no time.
He was unaware that it was happening. It has the potential to be catastrophic in terms of running up bills and in gambling addiction.”
Mr Buttimer said: “Cork has become pronounced as a city associated with gaming. Unfortunately, there are concerns regarding the potential exposure to addictive behaviour such as gambling. This is where loot boxes have crept into the gaming scene and have become a topical issue not only for gamers but for parents and governments around the world.”
In May this year, the Belgian Gaming Commission deemed the games a form of gambling. The incident in Cork will surely act as a catalyst for many such regulations in several regions. These so-called “loot boxes” encourage players to use real money, in exchange for virtual items in games.
Cork East TD David Stanton said a bill will be published shortly in this regard and will include rules on gaming. He said Ireland has signed up to a declaration in support of clamping down on in-game gambling.
“While the declaration does not have legal effect, it reflects concern among national authorities that online gaming products should be appropriately licensed if they offer gambling possibilities. A key purpose of it is to alert parents to potential issues arising from in-game purchases. Parents have primary responsibility to protect their children in this regard. Where a game offers the possibility of placing a bet or taking risk for financial reward within the game, it must, in my view, be licensed as a gambling product.”
Source: Evening Echo
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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SOFTSWISS Wraps Up SiGMA Europe 2024 with Key Achievements
SOFTSWISS has successfully wrapped up its participation in SiGMA Europe 2024. This final major event of the year highlighted the achievements and progress of the iGaming industry over the past months. With a dynamic presence and the award-winning concept ‘Grab Success in iGaming’, SOFTSWISS made a lasting impact over the three action-packed days of the conference.
The SOFTSWISS booth became a nexus for clients, partners, and industry professionals, sparking new connections and fueling discussions on the latest trends. Among the highlights was the unveiling of the iGaming Trends Report 2025, offering a forward-looking analysis of the industry’s trajectory. Positioned as the ‘mother of all conferences’, SiGMA Europe proved the ideal stage for the report’s launch, with all 27,000 attendees able to grant complimentary access to this vital resource.
“iGaming is growing at a rapid pace, and for many, the main challenge is to keep up with this growth. SOFTSWISS takes a much broader view in this regard: it is important for us to understand where iGaming is heading and anticipate trends in order to strengthen our leadership positions,” said Vitali Matsukevich, COO at SOFTSWISS.
Before the expo officially opened, SOFTSWISS was honoured as the Best Platform Provider at the SiGMA Europe Awards 2024. This accolade is a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering robust, innovative technology solutions that empower iGaming operators worldwide.
One of the event’s most highly anticipated discussions, “How to Choose a Secure and Safe Crypto Casino,” featured Vitali Matsukevich among its expert panellists. The session drew a full house, reflecting the high interest in the future of crypto casinos amidst the evolving global economic and political landscape.
During the discussion, Matsukevich shared his deep knowledge and insights on leveraging blockchain technology to ensure smarter, safer choices for consumers in the crypto casino space. His expertise underscored SOFTSWISS’ position at the forefront of innovation in this fast-growing market segment.
SiGMA Europe 2024 provided a platform not only to showcase SOFTSWISS’ accomplishments but also to reaffirm its role as an industry leader. Already preparing for the next major event, ICE Barcelona 2025 in January, SOFTSWISS will once again present its cutting-edge tools and insights to operators worldwide.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Wraps Up SiGMA Europe 2024 with Key Achievements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Expert comment: Safer Gambling Week 2024
Safer Gambling Week commentary
As a company focused on generating high-quality, responsible gambling traffic to our operator partner sites, safer gambling is a daily consideration for QiH Group. We recognise Safer Gambling Week as a valuable opportunity to stay engaged with the broader industry conversations and to hear from the community on responsible gambling.
As affiliates are often an initial touchpoint for customers, our priority is maintaining a safe, compliant environment that benefits our partners and, ultimately, their customers.
We believe in supporting a balanced approach where gambling remains what it should be: safe, enjoyable entertainment.
– Andrew Lee, COO, QiH Group
Being a firm of licensing solicitors, one of our principal roles is helping our clients stay compliant with the Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice, and the licensing objectives, so responsible gambling is something we focus on every day for clients.
It is important that we raise awareness of safer gambling and signpost the professional help and support services that are available to those who need it – ensuring the millions of people who enjoy gambling responsibly continue to do so in a safe environment.
– Nick Arron, Lead Solicitor, Poppleston Allen
The post Expert comment: Safer Gambling Week 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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