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Towards a sustainable global future
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In his role as Chief Executive of the Remote Gambling Association, Clive Hawkswood has spent almost a decade and a half guiding the industry’s efforts to develop best practices, educate regulators and unify the voice of the remote sector. As he approaches the end of his tenure with a flurry of new research and advocacy work, he believes there’s still a healthy dose of ingenuity left in the industry, as well as a sustainable future.
For the UK’s gaming operators, 2005 remains a hugely significant landmark. It’s the year that saw the passing of the Gambling Act, a piece of legislation that set out a blueprint for the classification of a range of different gaming machines, from lower-stakes arcade machines to slots in casinos and betting-shop FOBTs.
In almost a decade and a half, it’s fair to say a lot has changed – and not just in terms of the DCMS’ dramatic new plans to reclassify B2s. In the thirteen years since the then-government signed its Gambling Act into law, the number of people betting online has soared to the point where remote wagers have begun to dwarf their land-based counterparts. Several countries in Europe have opened up their markets to online gambling, while other jurisdictions are drafting ideas for new regimes.
Clive Hawkswood, the CEO of the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), has been in his post for the entirety of this thirteen-year stretch. Having taken up the role in 2004, he has helped to steer the organisation through a tumultuous and exciting time for Europe’s online gaming businesses.
Having announced his intention to step down next year, he is moving into the final months of his tenure, but, for the RGA, there’s no let-up in activity. From exploring the use of algorithms as a customer protection tool to working with lawmakers in the most promising new markets, the association is retaining a razor-sharp focus on building a strong, sustainable future for the industry.
“If we don’t protect consumers, keep crime out, all those sorts of things, then the industry’s not sustainable,” said Hawkswood. “And we’re trying to show regulators and governments, actually, this is in our interest to get this right. I think people actually want to know firms are protecting their customers. The commercial value of that also is, if you have a lifelong customer, that’s a sustainable business. The boom and bust of problem gamblers – you lose them, they just move onto another company – is not good business.
“Of the wealth of new ideas and technologies coming into focus in the industry, artificial intelligence and big data have recently come to the forefront of the remote sector’s social responsibility efforts. Over the past few years, the RGA has hosted a series of quarterly workshops featuring businesses, researchers and regulators, looking at how a greater understanding of player behaviour can be weaponised in the fight against problem gambling.
“Clearly, we don’t see customers face-to-face, but what we do have is all that data about them,” said Hawkswood. “By using that data, we can certainly, in most cases, find changes in behaviour that would indicate problematic play and then use that to interact with the customers and try and get them back down to whatever their normal level is. Longer term, that is going to be huge for the industry. I think our long-term success fully depends on us getting that right.”
The quarterly workshops are just one string in the RGA’s increasingly broad bow of social responsibility efforts. After being rolled out last year, GamStop – an independent self-exclusion service set up by the association – has spread at a rapid pace to cover almost the entirety of the UK’s gaming firms, with just a few smaller operators still to sign up. As part of the Gambling Commission’s National Responsible Gambling Strategy, research is also being conducted into measuring affordability for customers, as well as finding new methods of analysing the psychology of games design.
“Obviously, you want every game to be a great game that people enjoy playing, but, within that, is there anybody looking at it with that different approach, that different pair of eyes? What we want to do is to give people in that position the tools to know what they might look for,” explained Hawkswood.
While the UK continues to be the largest online gambling market in the world – growing in double-digits each year – investigations into new markets across Europe and the Americas have been continuing with increasing urgency. At the end of last year, the European Commission made the controversial decision to drop gambling-related infringement proceedings against member states, quashing hopes for a coordinated EU-based regulatory push in markets with problematic or protectionist rules. Nevertheless, Hawkswood and the RGA have continued their work of educating regulators on a country-by-country basis, concentrating on markets that show most potential.
“You have to build up those sort of relationships over a period of time and develop local partnerships and it just can’t be done overnight,” he said. “But on the plus side, each year, more and more jurisdictions in the EU and elsewhere are adopting online regulation and tax. They’re not going to be right to start with, but this is the art of opening the door a bit, getting in there, building that sort of credibility and then showing regulators, once they’ve regulated you, that the right thing can be done while also being profitable.”
It’s clear that, slowly but surely, the tide is shifting in Europe, with regulators finding increasing reassurance in the fact that other jurisdictions have successfully found ways to protect consumers and combat crime. The greater the body of evidence that is built up, Hawkswood says, the more regulators are willing to lend a sympathetic ear to the industry.
“What has become easier now is that we can say to people, “Look, there’s the UK, there’s Denmark, there’s Spain, there’s Italy. Go and speak to those regulators. We’re not saying we particularly promote one or the other, but each of them have found a way to address the concerns you’ve got.” I think that reduces some of the fears for regulators who aren’t used to regulating online gambling,” he added.
At next year’s ICE London, burgeoning markets around the world will come into focus with a series of expert panels looking at the most promising jurisdictions. According to Hawkswood, the adaptability of many of the firms already operating in markets across Europe is sure to be a key strength for those seeking new horizons.
“There are many good potential markets out there which are still at the very early stages of being developed in a proper regulated and taxed environment. That’s something our companies are used to,” he said. “They do have that advantage going on in the fact that their business models are built on allowing for compliance and tax and regulation, whereas a lot of companies outside those sort of markets just aren’t.”
Meanwhile, as the slow work continues on the regulatory front, the industry’s brightest and best continue doing what they excel at: developing new ideas, new products and new concepts. Over the past decade-and-a-half, dial-up connections and early-stage broadband connections have blossomed into an era of mobile apps, live betting and augmented reality. Nevertheless, there’s still enough room for clever ideas to transform the landscape.
“The great thing about ICE London is it’s the event where you will encounter that one person or that one group who comes up with something that makes you go, ‘Wow. I wish I’d thought of that.’ In the past, it would have been something like betting exchanges. Or it might have been the first person to say, ‘I’ll tell you what. I think online poker’s a good idea’,” said Hawkswood.
“It’s really difficult, because even with the size of the industry, the amount of money that’s spent on R&D and the number of really talented, clever people there are in it, it’s incredibly hard coming up with that one thing. But anybody who is a genuine innovator, who comes up with something like new in any form – I think that’s where the genius is. You have to be a genius to come up with that special thing.”
ICE London 2018 attracted a record 33,536 visitors, an 11 percent increase on 2017 and a landmark which constituted the event’s seventh consecutive year of growth. Density increased year-on-year, with the average number of visitors per stand up 17 percent and the number of visitors per square metre up 12 percent. The ICE London brand also demonstrated its unique ability to engage with gaming professionals based throughout the world, with the exhibition experiencing a surge of visitors from key growth regions, notably North America (+33 percent), Africa (+23 percent) and South East Asia (+18 percent).
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
Latest News
Racing1 offers up Coldplay Concert Tickets in free-to-play Wagering Competition at its ICE Barcelona stand
Racing1, the new name for the Strategic Alliance between 1/ST CONTENT, ARC, RMG and Tabcorp, is launching a daily a free-to-enter Wagering Competition at its ICE Barcelona stand next week to bookend each day at the must-attend summit with a fun and engaging event whose prize fund includes x6 Coldplay tickets for their upcoming concert in London.
To celebrate the rollout of its much-anticipated Racing1 Markets iFrame, the definitive plug-and-play racing solution for any worldwide operator, all ICE delegates who visit Stand 5E38 are invited to enter this F2P Wagering Competition to secure an opportunity to trade their way into the daily Winner’s Circle.
After simply registering their email address with Racing1 via the new iFrame landing page, all participants will be challenged to make the most profit from a theoretical €100 bank over a half-hour slot of rapid-cycling horse and greyhound races. Each day, prizes are headlined by an exclusive set of tickets to see an upcoming Coldplay concert at Wembley in the summer of 2025 (as guests of Racing1), alongside a range of €100 / €50 Amazon vouchers for the runners-up.
By asking industry professionals to pit their betting wits against one another every day at Stand 5E38 on each afternoon’s races, this competition affords delegates a convenient venue at which to enjoy a drink with their friends and colleagues while the action unfolds, and their respective bank balances rise and fall. A live leaderboard will also be available on the stand to foster deeper engagement in this daily battle for bragging rights.
Play Racing1’s Wagering Competition:
- Register on the day by using Racing1 Markets’ iFrame entry mechanism
- Wagering Competition runs for approx 30 mins daily across 7 horse and greyhound races
- Entries can be made at any time during each day prior to that 30-min racing window
- €100 balance asks player to spin up their balance
- Winner will be the entrant with the most profit after the last race
- Live-leaderboard balances updated in real-time after every race to encourage some healthy competition!
Jack Whitaker, spokesperson for Racing1 and Commercial Manager at ARC, said: “We’re making a big splash at ICE this year, as our flagship Racing1 alliance makes its conference debut alongside its new breakthrough iFrame. Needless to say, we’re keen for as many people as possible to stop by Stand 5E38, say hi and check it out. And this Wagering Competition seems like an ideal way to complement that by creating an engaging game and a relaxed destination at which to unwind and enjoy a bit of racing at the end of each day. After all, it’s usually a hectic step-count day walking the huge halls of the Fira Barcelona Gran Via centre!
“Moreover, it’s just a fun exercise that captures the excitement and enjoyment of what our 24/7 product offers, showcasing live racing as a valuable betting proposition for both existing customers and those who may not have integrated racing before. Get in touch, or simply pop by towards the end of the day to be in with a chance of winning our star prize of a pair of Coldplay tickets every afternoon or, if you’re one of the runners-up, some Amazon vouchers!”
The post Racing1 offers up Coldplay Concert Tickets in free-to-play Wagering Competition at its ICE Barcelona stand appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
With the start of the year behind, the company reflects on the key milestones.
Business Development
In 2024, the company experienced significant expansion, reflecting the increasing demand for progressive esports betting solutions. The total volume of bets processed grew by 74.2%, aided by the efficiency and dynamic scalability of the company’s trading team, alongside new collaborations from partners and clients. Otto Bonning, Head of Sales, said: “Our new partnerships with companies such as Altenar, NuBet, Airhead Ventures, and TurboStars have significantly strengthened the portfolio. These collaborations demonstrate our expanding influence and commitment to delivering exceptional solutions in the esports betting industry”. Clients also experienced an improvement in GGR, demonstrating the impact of the solutions on profitability.
The company’s user engagement rates also reflected the sizable uplift seen in 2024, with active users rising by 97.3% and average bet size increasing by 7%. Meanwhile, DATA.BET continued to broaden its presence in key markets, including Canada, Brazil, Finland, and Poland, further strengthening its global reach.
Esports Trading and Content Coverage
DATA.BET focused on strategic growth, enhancing its esports content to offer prosperous and dynamic opportunities for clients and their users.
Making focused improvements in popular markets resulted in growth. “We’ve expanded our offerings by adding 38 new markets, creating more opportunities for bettors and driving engagement,” said Thomas Donson, Head of Trading. “Our event coverage has also grown by 11%, adding over 10,000 events to ensure a more diverse and comprehensive experience. Ensuring 24/7 trading process, DATA.BET offers the highest quality market availability.”
The trust earned through high-quality product features, including the new Scoreboard and Pitch Tracker widgets, as well as the Bet Builder based on official data, all launched in 2024, has been instrumental in enhancing the customers betting experience. Scoreboards deliver detailed statistics, interactive visualizations, and comprehensive insights, helping users make informed decisions while boosting engagement through features like live betting, analysis, and availability for LoL, CS2, Valorant, and Dota 2.
Pitch Tracker, supporting our top tier titles, offers a 2D map as a visual representation with advanced tools for data analysis and in-game tracking, delivering detailed insights that enhance user engagement and decision-making. Additionally, the Bet Builder enables personalized betting by allowing users to combine multiple selections into a single wager, meeting the demand for tailored and dynamic betting experiences.
DATA.BET also broadened the scope of disciplines, adding 6 new games, such as Deadlock, Street Fighter 6, GeoGuessr, Teamfight Tactics, Hearthstone, Apex Legends, complementing client content with distinctive choices that amplified diversity and engagement.
Customer Support & Risk Management
The company provides a seamless customer experience and robust Risk Management, continuing to deliver swift and practical assistance.
With an average response time of up to 5 minutes, the dedicated team remains extremely efficient, addressing client concerns promptly while maintaining the highest quality standards. Between Q2 and Q4, handled around 1,500 client requests and completed more than 150 technical tasks effectively and precisely, ensuring high-quality 24/7 support and maintaining consistent service standards.
This is due to our proprietary trading platform that enables the generation and customization of content – specifically, markets – to align precisely with each partner’s distinctive requirements while accommodating their existing settlement rules. This approach ensures a seamless transition to the solution, eliminating the need for adjustments or reconfiguration after working with a previous data provider.
DATA.BET’s Risk Management team efficiently handled over 1,700 client requests. Over time, the number of requests from long-term clients noticeably decreased. The team’s familiarity with clients’ audiences and operations reduces risks through proactive measures. By identifying patterns early, the team prevents issues, ensures smooth operations, reduces reactive interventions, and builds client trust while improving system efficiency.
In 2024, DATA.BET strengthened its presence in the esports betting industry by showcasing its solutions and engaging with audiences at premier exhibitions, immersing attendees into the vibrant world of esports. Moving into 2025, DATA.BET remains focused on leveraging this momentum to drive further success and prospects for everyone involved in esports betting.
The post DATA.BET Reflects on 2024 Milestones, Growth, and Achievements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
From January 20 to 22, 2025, Barcelona lights up as the center of iGaming innovation, with Atlaslive leading the charge. Visit us at Stand 4C36 during ICE Barcelona 2025 to immerse yourself in a world where fresh ideas, cutting-edge technology, and strong partnerships come together to craft the future of the industry.
This year, we’re excited to share our latest achievements and updates. Atlaslive will be represented by our forward-thinking C-level executives and an energetic sales team, eager to demonstrate how our responsive and adaptive technology helps businesses excel and lead in the iGaming sector. Our solutions are designed to foster growth, spur innovation, and command market leadership, all customized to adapt to the industry’s evolving demands.
At ICE Barcelona, we’re set to reveal thrilling product enhancements, extend our global reach, and announce groundbreaking partnerships that will mark the beginning of a new chapter in iGaming. Expect exclusive news and bold moves as we aim to redefine industry standards.
This is a unique opportunity to witness leadership in action and explore the future of iGaming. Book a meeting today and connect in Barcelona with the Atlaslive team.
Atlaslive continues strengthening its position as a leader in iGaming innovation, with expanded analytical capabilities that now include a comprehensive database of essential market metrics. These insights have been instrumental in fine-tuning the platform and services to deliver greater efficiency and unmatched market adaptability.
The company is happy to announce its nomination for the prestigious Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2025 in the “Breakthrough Company of the Year” category. This nomination is a testament to the relentless progress and commitment propelling our B2B iGaming platform, gaining recognition and esteem from our industry peers.
We’ve also reached another significant milestone by securing ISO and IGL Certifications, emphasizing the platform’s dependability and the confidence it instills within the iGaming community. These achievements signify a new era in redefining excellence standards in the industry.
Lidiia Vakulenko shares, “ICE Barcelona takes the spotlight as the top industry gathering — a must for anyone passionate about the industry. The achievements showcased this year are a testament to the strong partnerships, valued clients, and meaningful connections that have been built over time. It’s also the enduring devotion to innovation and the teams’ dedication that make the exceptional software from Atlaslive a reality.
The event is an exciting opportunity to reconnect with industry leaders and build new relationships while presenting a bold vision and unveiling groundbreaking plans for the next year. See you at ICE!”
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the innovations driving the development of iGaming — visit Atlaslive at Stand 4C36, book a meeting in advance via https://atlaslive.tech/events, and lead with Leave Tech.
The post Major Atlaslive Achievements and Innovations to Share at ICE Barcelona 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Racing1 offers up Coldplay Concert Tickets in free-to-play Wagering Competition at its ICE Barcelona stand
DATA.BET Reflects on 2024 Milestones, Growth, and Achievements
Major Atlaslive Achievements and Innovations to Share at ICE Barcelona 2025
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