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UKGC Report Reopens Loot Box Debate: Will Video Game Developers Have to Follow UK Online Casino Standards?

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The continued crossovers between video games and the casino industry have had some unintended consequences according to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Outlined in a recent report on children and gambling trends, the UKGC found that loot boxes could be harmful to minors. Although the latest study showed a decrease in gambling participation among 11-to-16-year-olds, the data suggests that the risks to children have increased. As per the findings, 31% of those surveyed have opened a loot box, while 3% say they’ve placed an in-game bet.

Are In-Game Add-Ons a Gamble?

For the government, the issue of loot boxes has been a talking point since 2017. Identifying an emerging trend among video game developers, Connor Rhys Deeley submitted an online petition to have loot boxes discussed in parliament. In writing his petition, Deeley argued that the in-game add-ons often contain prizes that are worth less than the purchase price. Citing a 2017 law passed in China, Deeley said that the boxes are, in essence, a form of gambling and should, therefore, be regulated by the UKGC.

Addressing the situation, then Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Tracey Crouch pointed to the UKGC previous statement on loot boxes.

“Where items obtained in a computer game can be traded or exchanged outside the game platform, they acquire a monetary value, and where facilities for gambling with such items are offered to consumers located in Britain a Gambling Commission licence is required,” concluded the government and the UKGC.

UKGC Guidelines Don’t Apply

By stating loot box prizes don’t have any real world value, the conclusion was that they fall outside of the UKGC’s regulatory remit. As it stands, any operator wanting to offer betting services in the UK must abide by a strictest of  guidelines. For example, 2005 regulations state that gaming companies don’t have to meet a statutory minimum payout percentage. However, they must clearly display the amount a player can, in theory, expect to win (known as the return to player/RTP). In essence, this rule is designed to give players the power to decide how much risk they want to expose themselves to.

In fact, this drive to give consumers more information has been a cornerstone of the UKGC’s policies over the last few years. Today UK casino and betting operators must provide clear and concise insights into every aspect of their product. From their payout structures and software suppliers to the terms and conditions attached to bonuses, everything has to be transparent and fair. Without meeting the expected standards, an operator risks receiving a fine or having their licence revoked. However, when it comes to video game companies, the same standards aren’t in place. For those entering the casino world, a UKGC licence is mark of quality, but no such label applies in the gaming sector.

Regulators Must Set the Standard

This disparity is something that campaigners have been pushing to address over the last 12 months. With loot boxes sharing similarities with casino games such as scratchcards or monetised versions of Deal or No Deal, many argue that UKGC standards should apply. In their defence, video game developers have said that loot boxes aren’t an integral part of a player’s experience.

“A player’s ability to succeed in the game is not dependent on purchasing crates. Players can also earn crates through playing the game and not spending any money at all,” a spokesperson for EA told Eurogamer.net.

However, the figures would seem to suggest otherwise. In addition to the UKGC’s report showing that 31% of child gamers have used loot boxes, estimates project that loot box revenue will hit £32 billion by 2022. Reviewing the current trend, analysts at Juniper Research found that more people are now taking part in so-called skin betting than ever before.

“These items have value depending on rarity and popularity within game communities. On PCs, skins are traded for real money via Steam’s Marketplace; the platform has 125 million registered users globally,” Lauren Foye of Juniper Research said in April 2018.

Licensed Loot Boxes May Happen in 2019

In light of the latest findings, the government is likely to face more tough questions regarding the regulation of loot boxes. In Belgium, ministers have already agreed that the boxes are a form of gambling. British politicians may soon take the same position. Indeed, with the protection of minors something the UKGC has been working hard on in recent times, the recent report will give those in power cause for concern. If that proves to be the case, we may see video game companies become subject to the same controls as UK online casino operators.


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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Boomerang’s insights: The evolution of sports betting traffic

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Sports betting is becoming a key driver of affiliate growth — it’s a global trend, and Boomerang Partners reveals the latest insights behind this evolution.

Sports betting has evolved significantly in recent years. Now, it is a serious separate direction in affiliate traffic, bringing top profits. Boomerang Partners, a rapidly growing global brand and organizer of the tournament for affiliate teams – the Golden Boomerang Awards, has analyzed the evolution of this business direction and shared its insights.

It’s a thing of the past: simple Sportsbook sites, limited payment methods, and basic betting options

Evolution touches every aspect of human activity, and sports betting is no exception. Previously, bookmakers offered their users simple website functionality so they could focus their attention only on betting opportunities. The range of markets was much more modest than it is now.

Payment options for deposits and withdrawals were also quite limited compared to today, often causing inconvenience for users. Users had to choose from a few options for transferring funds, and it was not always convenient for them.

Current trends: focus on dynamics, privacy, and modern technology

Today, the betting industry is booming thanks to live betting, where users place wagers in real time. The rapid development of the mobile app segment makes it possible to place bets wherever one likes. Users also appreciate dynamically changing odds and the ability to watch match streams on betting platforms to adjust their predictions. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to calculate odds, making them more accurate and adaptive.

Modern technologies have expanded the range of payment methods available, with the integration of cryptocurrencies opening new possibilities for fast, secure, and anonymous transactions. Another notable trend is the introduction of social functions into the work of Sportsbooks. For example, holding tournaments with prize pools adds an element of interaction and competition between players.

Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 as an opportunity to succeed through sports traffic

Sports betting is now an important area that can significantly impact traffic growth. Boomerang Partners is currently running its second annual global Golden Boomerang Awards 2025. Its participants compete for monthly prizes and awards in 11 categories, including a Grand Prix. This year, for the first time, organizers have introduced two separate leaderboards: one for sports and one for casino traffic. Registration is open until May 5, and all interested affiliate teams have time to join and compete for awards.

Also, as part of the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025, Boomerang Partners is holding a special raffle with prizes to coincide with the Champions League semifinals. The tournament will run until May 11. If you register now, you can get into the prize draw, which will take place on May 3. The top 30 teams at the end of the tournament will go to Milan to the iconic San Siro stadium.

Join the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan and collaborates with women’s football star and influencer Alisha Lehmann. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards 2024, the first annual global affiliate tournament. Boomerang Partners’ betting segment surged 5x, and gambling — 2x in 2024. Its affiliate program demonstrated a 120% increase in partners, and the number of sports betting offers surged more than 6 times. Six new products were launched by Boomerang in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.

Boomerang’s portfolio contains 15+ gambling brands, including sportsbooks. They cover over 35 GEOs and offer a wide range of betting options with favorable odds. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

The post Boomerang’s insights: The evolution of sports betting traffic appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Olympian Legends: Galaxsys’ New Slot Game Inspired by Ancient Myths

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Galaxsys, the award-winning games developer, is proud to announce the launch of Olympian Legends, a new slot game that brings the power and majesty of ancient mythology to life.

More than just a tribute to ancient mythology, Olympian Legends combines breathtaking visuals, innovative features, and dynamic gameplay, promising players an unforgettable journey through the myths of Olympus. As players progress and reveal mythic features, they face the power of ancient gods. With cascading symbols and exciting bonuses, the game delivers a dynamic adventure that’s truly worth exploring.

This marks the third slot title that Galaxsys has announced over the last two months, following the launches of Funny Faces: Hoglet-Moglet and El Dorado.

What Makes Olympian Legends Special
Olympian Legends stands out by blending rich narrative elements with innovative slot mechanics. The progress bar on the right side of the grid consists of five elements. Each time a winning combination is formed, the progress bar fills from bottom to top, triggering a mythical feature when an element is completed. Additionally, the Buy Bonus option allows players to take fate into their own hands, enabling them to access the bonus game at any time they choose.

Dynamic animations and sound design ensure every encounter with Zeus, Poseidon, and more characters feels like stepping into an epic saga rather than playing a traditional slot.

Vigen Safaryan, CPO at Galaxsys, commented: “Olympian Legends combines strong gameplay mechanics with a detailed and dynamic theme. Our goal was to deliver a slot that feels rewarding to play while offering players a more refined experience through mythology. We paid special attention to balancing the game’s features to ensure that the experience feels dynamic, without overwhelming the player. From the visuals and animations to the way the bonuses unfold, every element was designed to create a journey that feels both entertaining and authentic.”

Olympian Legends is now live and available for Galaxsys’ global network of partners.

The post Olympian Legends: Galaxsys’ New Slot Game Inspired by Ancient Myths appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Inaugural iGaming Event for Technology Leaders: Technology in Gaming Conference 2025

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The iGaming industry is getting a dedicated space for its most forward-thinking technical leaders with the launch of the Technology in Gaming Conference 2025 (TiG 2025) — an exclusive new event created specifically for CTOs, CIOs, and senior technology stakeholders in the iGaming world.

Taking place on 1st July 2025 as part of London iGaming Week in partnership with iGB Live!, this specialist conference will bring together some of the most innovative minds in technology to explore the future of cybersecurity, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, compliance, and scalability. TiG 2025 is designed to give technical leaders a forum tailored to the real challenges and opportunities shaping iGaming today and in the years to come.

“I am delighted to see other organisers bringing their own events that meet the need of specialist verticals within the industry as part of London iGaming week. The team at iGB L!VE are pleased to be able to support this event, and encourage iGaming senior IT professionals to join what we know will be an event that offers excellent content and networking opportunities for them” said Naomi Barton, Portfolio Director at Clarion – Organiser of iGB Live!

Topics on the agenda include:

  • Scalable architecture & infrastructure
  • AI & machine learning in iGaming
  • Compliance & security in regulated markets
  • Future-ready platform innovation
  • Engineering teams, DevOps, and automation

“As an industry driven by technology I think it’s important to create a space that speaks specifically to the leaders developing and driving the change that has such a big impact on the growth and development of such an exciting sector” commented Shona ODonnell, Event Director. 

Pretty Technical, a leading provider of iGaming software and platform solutions, is proud to be named the headline sponsor of this inaugural event. The company’s commitment to innovation and modern architecture makes it a natural fit for an event designed to shape the next chapter of gaming tech.

“As a business that thrives on building technology designed for the next decade, not the last, we’re thrilled to support TiG 2025 and connect with the talented tech leaders shaping the future of iGaming,” said Emma Blaylock, CEO Pretty Technical.

The event is also sponsored by Claranet, experts in modernising and managing critical applications and infrastructure 24×7, and Marshall Wolfe, a dedicated hiring consultancy specialising in digital and technology sectors.

Registration is now open with tickets currently discounted by £200 until 31st May.

The post Inaugural iGaming Event for Technology Leaders: Technology in Gaming Conference 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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