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With the online gambling credit card ban hovering in the UK, what are the options?
Reading Time: 4 minutes
In March 2018, the UK Gambling Commission stated that it would consider banning the use of credit cards at online gambling websites. The announcement of a potential credit card ban came following the gambling authority’s report into how to make online gambling safer, deeming the removal or restriction of credit card payment options being a viable course of action to help restrict the possibility of people accruing gambling debts or gambling more than they can afford. The UK Gambling Commission found that between ten and 20 per cent of all deposits made to gambling websites are done so via the use of a credit card, which means that as much as one-fifth of online betting and gaming in the UK is being done with borrowed money. The problem is exasperated when it is considered that most credit card companies treat transactions to gambling websites as treat cash advances, which do not come with an interest-free period, entail a higher interest rate, and often incur a handling fee.
The culture secretary, Jeremy Wright, intends on holding meetings between major retail banks and online gambling operators to discuss the concern that as much as 20 per cent of deposits to gambling sites are made with credit cards using money that the players don’t own. The UK Gambling Commission seeks clarification on the statistic. They will be launching a call for evidence in February and are welcoming suggestions from the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board, which may result in increased credit card regulation or a complete credit card ban.
Up to one-fifth of online gamblers in the UK use credit cards to place deposits at online gambling websites. It appears to be very likely that the UK Gambling Commission will regulate a credit card ban, which will lead to a large number of players needing to adopt a new payment method. Online gambling websites that offer their services in the UK often accept many different payment methods, so those who are expected to soon be without their preferred method of making a deposit or withdrawal should be able to find another option which is safe and suits their needs.
Gamblers’ other options in the instance of a credit card ban
The vast majority of online gambling websites allow for the use of credit cards as a means of making deposits, and some allow for the method to be used when making a withdrawal, but not all sites will accept the entire range of other payment methods or payment services. The acceptance of specific e-wallets, instant banking methods, cryptocurrencies, payment gateways, and pre-paid cards is at the website’s discretion, so those looking for a new service with which to make payments will need to check which services can be used at each website as well as if the website allows for both deposits and withdrawals through the same service.
One of the more traditional methods is that of the bank transfer. Some players perceive the method as unsafe due to the assumption that the transfer would reveal bank details, but bank transfers do not disclose this information and also allow players to deposit very large amounts. The downside to the payment method is that it takes much longer than other methods, with players often waiting several days before the funds appear in their gambling account. Wire Transfer allows users to make deposits and withdrawals at some online gambling websites, and iDeal caters for bank transfer deposits.
The most modern method which is also deemed to be the safest due to its use of blockchain technology is that of making a cryptocurrency payment. Cryptocurrencies have become popular over the last couple of years, leading to many online gambling websites allowing for the use of different forms of crypto. Due to the decentralised nature of cryptocurrencies that utilise the public ledger system of a blockchain, users trust that their crypto and details are safe with each transaction. Crypto is tamperproof, safe, fast, cheap, and it removes the middleman between the player and the operator. The most commonly used of the cryptocurrencies is the blockchain originator, Bitcoin, but others such as Ethereum and Litecoin can also be used as payment methods. Cryptocurrencies could become the next choice for current credit card users following the news that Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, is now accepting credit cards for crypto payments, creating a way for players to use their credit cards via cryptocurrencies at online gambling websites that accept the payment method.
At online gambling websites and across online shopping websites, e-wallet services have become commonplace, and many people who are looking to make payments online seek vendors who offer e-wallet payment services, particularly if said customers are worried about the safety of their bank details. E-wallets allow for payments from the e-wallet account or directly from a bank account online without the need to input bank or card details. PayPal is the most popular e-wallet service in the UK, with the vast majority of online gambling sites that allow for the payment method accepting it for both deposits and withdrawals. Other services such as ecoPayz, Skrill, and Neteller are also popular, but it’s more common for online gambling sites to not allow withdrawals to these e-wallet services.
People seeking alternative payment methods, should the credit card ban come into force, can also turn to pre-paid cards like PaySafeCard, electronic fund transfers through the use of debit cards or e-checks, and payment services providers like Instadebit.
The UK Gambling Commission is expected to publish its new strategy concerning the use of credit cards on gambling websites in April; the authority looks set to ban the popular payment method, so current users will need to find a new way of making deposits and withdrawals at online betting and gaming sites.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: With the online gambling credit card ban hovering in the UK, what are the options?
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Wazdan’s Mighty Wild™: Jaguar nominated for Online Slot of the Year at Global Gaming Awards EMEA
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Wazdan, the leading gain-focused developer, has been nominated in the Online Slot of the Year category at the Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2026 for its standout release, Mighty Wild: Jaguar.
The prestigious nomination recognises Wazdan’s ongoing commitment to innovation and player engagement, with the jungle-inspired title balancing modern mechanics and smooth, dynamic gameplay to deliver a captivating gameplay experience.
The title brings together several of Wazdan’s most distinctive features, including Wild Rampage, the signature mechanic of the Mighty Wild series, which fills bonus rounds with symbols and multipliers for fast-paced action.
It also incorporates Hold the Jackpot, one of Wazdan’s flagship features, where players trigger bonus rounds to pursue grand jackpot win by filling the entire grid, alongside Cash Infinity, which boosts engagement and retention by keeping symbols on the reels between spins. Lastly, Sticky to Infinity also makes up the title’s impressive mechanic line-up, which locks bonus symbols in place during respins to heighten the sense of progression and maximise win potential.
The game’s success underlines the growing strength of the Mighty Wild series, one of Wazdan’s most popular lines. Following the outstanding performance of Mighty Wild: Jaguar, the company is preparing to expand the collection with the upcoming Mighty Wild: Gorilla, further cementing its reputation for creating high-performing, feature-rich titles.
Delivering exceptional results since launch, Mighty Wild: Jaguar has become one of Wazdan’s strongest releases of the year, resonating with both players and operators across regulated markets.
At the same time, Wazdan’s nomination takes on even greater significance in light of the upcoming Global Gaming Awards EMEA ceremony, which will take place in Barcelona in January 2026 as part of the opening day of ICE 2026.
With the release now shortlisted among the industry’s best in class, Wazdan continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading developers shaping the future of online slot entertainment.
Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “Being nominated for Online Slot of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards is a fantastic recognition of the creativity and engineering that drive every Wazdan release.
“Mighty Wild: Jaguar reflects our ongoing mission to design games that not only entertain but deliver measurable results for our partners. We’re incredibly proud of how the Mighty Wild series has evolved and look forward to building on its success with new titles that continue to push the boundaries of player engagement.”
The post Wazdan’s Mighty Wild™: Jaguar nominated for Online Slot of the Year at Global Gaming Awards EMEA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Wazdan wraps up successful showcase at SiGMA Central Europe
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Wazdan, the leading gain-focused developer, has concluded a successful trip to Rome for SiGMA Central Europe, where the company’s team connected with key partners, unveiled its latest titles and reinforced its growing presence across the region.
Located at booth 4040, Wazdan’s cohort enjoyed intensive meetings with partners and operators, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback on its latest releases and engagement-boosting features. The event provided an excellent platform to strengthen regional relationships and accelerate the company’s local growth strategy.
Attendees had the opportunity to exclusively explore some of the developer’s highly anticipated and top-performing titles, including Mighty Wild: Gorilla, Cash Grotto, 16 Coins x5000 and Mighty Crown: Legacy of Mars. Each game captivated operators with its distinctive mechanics and player-driven experiences, underlining Wazdan’s commitment to innovation and entertainment.
Adding to the excitement, Wazdan also presented its festive €6,000,000 Network Promotion, with its Halloween chapter having successfully concluded on the 2nd November and its Christmas stage set to run from 28th November to 31st December, once again offering its partners fresh ways of engaging their player bases.
Wazdan’s appearance at SiGMA Central Europe marks another milestone in its global event calendar, as the company continues to showcase its cutting-edge content and strengthen partnerships across key markets.
Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales at Wazdan, said: “SiGMA Central Europe was an incredible opportunity to connect with both new and existing partners.
“The positive response to our portfolio and features reaffirms our focus on creating value-driven, immersive gaming experiences. We’re delighted with the momentum we’ve built in this region and look forward to achieving even greater success together.”
The post Wazdan wraps up successful showcase at SiGMA Central Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The ELA Games Fiesta: Piñatas Festival Outperforms Studio Benchmarks With Instant Success
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Vibrant visuals and engaging mechanics are key growth drivers for the studio’s new release
Piñatas Festival, a recent ELA Games release, has outperformed studio averages across all key performance metrics. The game’s strong results reinforce ELA Games’ sustainable growth trajectory and its ability to produce titles that captivate players and drive record performance for operators.
Inside Piñatas Festival Breakout Success
In the first month following its release, Piñatas Festival recorded the following results:
- Actives: +13%
- Turnover: +280%
- GGR Total: +465%
- Round Count: +276%
These results highlight the game’s instant mass appeal, player retention, and strong value for partners. The game’s visually rich design sets the player in a vibrant world of music, colour, and energy, combined with its engaging mechanics, such as Hold & Win, Collector Symbol, and generous bonuses, which keep players returning and operators growing.
Consistent Growth Through Creativity
Piñatas Festival builds on ELA Games’ signature development approach of data-backed creativity and visually rich design. The game’s success mirrors the studio’s track record of building positive momentum on each release. Buffalo Force, another recent title, also experienced significant results, including +62% GGR total growth, and much more. Both games have been strong additions to the studio’s portfolio, with Piñatas Festival’s continuation of its predecessor’s success delivering increased value to operators.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented, “Piñatas Festival is another strong addition to our portfolio, with its success proving that our titles can deliver consistent business value. The game’s strong GGR growth is a direct result of how our signature visually rich design, engaging mechanics, and creative approach support our partners’ growth. Maintaining this high-quality output will ensure our trajectory positions ELA Games as a top content developer with a diverse portfolio for all types of players to enjoy.”
ELA Games remains committed to a steady content release schedule, consisting of diverse titles that blend innovation and engaging mechanics that keep players engaged. Piñatas Festival is a key milestone for the studio’s portfolio as it aims to achieve its goals.
The post The ELA Games Fiesta: Piñatas Festival Outperforms Studio Benchmarks With Instant Success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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