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Covid-19 – A message from UKGC chair, Neil McArthur to online gambling operators


Since I wrote to you last week, the response to Covid-19 has affected everyone in Great Britain.
Over the last week, I have spoken to representatives across the industry and understand the significant impact that these uncertain and unsettling events are having on your businesses, your customers and your employees. We have been drawing up an initial assessment on the impact recent events will have on the gambling industry and assessing how we should approach our own work over the coming months.
Protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed by gambling has always been a major priority and we are very mindful – as you should be – of the fact that the risks of harm arising from online gambling have increased as a result of recent events. As you know, the social distancing measures that have been imposed this week now mean that anyone other than key workers will be at home for most of the day. We are already seeing reports of an increase in online slots, poker, casino gaming and virtual sports.
In light of these developments, whilst I recognise the enormous challenges businesses are facing, I want to make the Commission’s expectations absolutely clear:
- Consumer protection must be paramount
- We expect you to act responsibly, especially around individual customer affordability checks and increased social responsibility interactions.
- We expect you to be very mindful that customers may be vulnerable and experiencing financial uncertainty, whilst others may be experiencing other effects of being isolated including, for example, feelings of anxiety, loneliness or boredom.
- We expect you to know your customers and step in if they are showing signs that they are experiencing or at risk of harm.
- Marketing must be conducted responsibly
- We expect you to on-board new customers in a socially responsible way.
- You must not exploit the current situation for marketing purposes and should be very cautious when seeking to cross-sell online gaming products to customers who signed up with you in order to bet.
- We expect you to ensure that your affiliates are conducting themselves appropriately.
- Compliance with licence conditions and codes of practice
- We expect you to act in a way that minimises the risks to the licensing objectives.
- Treat consumers fairly and communicate with them in a clear way that allows them to make a properly informed judgment about whether to gamble.
- Work with the Commission in an open and co-operative way and act in accordance with both the letter or the spirit of the regulatory framework we have set.
If we see irresponsible behaviour we will step in immediately. So, whilst I know that the current climate is unprecedented, gambling operators must play their part in making sure that people are kept safe.
If you want to share your own analysis of impacts to the industry, or share other information that may be relevant to our work on this issue, you can talk to Ben Haden, Programme Director for Industry Insight, who is collating all of the information about how Covid-19 is affecting the industry.
If you have information or concerns about the behaviour of an operator then our Confidential Intelligence Hotline is continuing to take calls or you can email the team. Finally, you can continue to contact your Account Manager in the normal way to notify of any key events or questions you have during this time. If you have other questions or queries, please let us know and we will do our best to get you an answer.
Yours sincerely,
Neil McArthur
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: Covid-19 – A message from UKGC chair, Neil McArthur to online gambling operators

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FBMDS launches Zaltik Empire – An Aztec-Inspired Adventure in the Titan Series
FBMDS proudly announces the release of Zaltik Empire, the latest addition to its Titan Series of online slot games. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Aztec civilization, this 6×5 tumble slot invites players to uncover mystical secrets hidden within lush jungles, stepped pyramids, and sacred temples.
Guided by Itzalco, the guardian of ancestral wisdom, players journey through sacred symbols — including Gold, Moon, Shield, and Temple — in search of long-lost riches. Zaltik Empire captivates with immersive animations, atmospheric sound design, and versatile mechanics optimized for Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile.
Key Features:
- Tumble slot mechanics with unlimited cascading wins
- All-symbols-pay-anywhere for flexible win patterns
- Free Spins feature with progressive multipliers
- Scatter symbol pays anywhere and retriggers spins
- Buy Bonus or Double Chance 25x for enhanced engagement
- Max win of 5000x the base bet
- RTP: 96.50%
As part of the expanding Titan Series, Zaltik Empire reinforces FBMDS’ commitment to delivering culturally rich, high-performing content. It follows the successful launches of Secrets of Scarabs and other Momentum Series titles like Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, offering operators modular game solutions for today’s dynamic player base.
This release marks another milestone in FBMDS’ strong pace of innovation and product delivery in 2025. With a sharp focus on localized content, intuitive mechanics, and trend-responsive game design, FBMDS continues to roll out high-quality titles across multiple categories.
The brand’s agile roadmap and cross-functional development strategy have enabled it to launch new games at unprecedented speed, strengthening its position as a top-tier provider in competitive iGaming markets.
The post FBMDS launches Zaltik Empire – An Aztec-Inspired Adventure in the Titan Series appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ReferOn in the Spotlight with Two Nominations at the SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards
ReferOn, the next-gen affiliate management system, has been shortlisted in two key categories at the SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards: “Affiliate Management Platform of the Year” and “Affiliate Technology of the Year.”
These nominations reflect ReferOn’s strides in reshaping how operators run their affiliate operations and making affiliate marketing a key strategy for global brands. In 2025, the platform has expanded its capabilities, delivering new features that make management more transparent, scalable, and efficient, while maintaining its user-focused approach.
To date, ReferOn has become synonymous with making affiliate marketing simple. It has undertaken the goal of challenging legacy platforms to help empower affiliate managers with powerful yet easy-to-understand solutions, such as dynamic reporting, intuitive reward logic, multi-brand consolidation, and streamlined workflows. In turn, ReferOn has positioned itself as a trusted platform for businesses aiming to scale and maximise ROI with smarter technology.
Alex Bukin, ReferOn’s General Manager, commented on the nominations, “Recognition at this level isn’t a result of a single achievement, but from years of refining our product, listening to our users, and constant effort to improve. Our team has combined technical excellence and a deep understanding of the market to provide tools that actually work and help real affiliate managers. To be nominated for these awards reflects ReferOn’s dedication to serving our customers and delivering the best possible solutions.”
The SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards ceremony will take place on 17 September at the MEO Arena in Lisbon for a night of celebrating innovation and excellence. The ReferOn team looks forward to attending and networking with peers who push the boundaries of their respective industries.
Voting for the SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards 2025 is now open. Support ReferOn by submitting your votes here: sbcevents.com/affiliate-leaders-awards/
The post ReferOn in the Spotlight with Two Nominations at the SBC Affiliate Leaders Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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BetBrain Expands into the UK Market with Launch of British-Focused Platform
BetBrain, the very first odds comparison platform, launched in 2000, announces its expansion into the British market with BetBrain UK. The platform serves as a premier odds comparison solution focusing on informational value and responsible betting.
The launch of BetBrain UK marks a pivotal step in BetBrain’s evolution. Owned and operated by GSH Online Media, the brand continues to strive for accuracy, insight, and enhanced player protection. Its recent expansion with BetBrain NZ reflects the same mission.
Following continuous redevelopment and upgrades to the initial model, BetBrain UK represents the culmination of the brand’s identity, adding various services and guidance methods.
With this British-focused platform, the company continues its quest to steer bettors towards worthwhile and responsible opportunities in the UK market.
A Bespoke Model for UK Audiences
BetBrain UK follows sound principles and creates a user-friendly environment for users looking to compare odds across British bookmakers. It does so by providing accurate, valuable, and responsible gambling-focused guidance.
All of its listed bookmakers and casino brands are from operators with active licences from the UKGC, providing access to legitimate and qualitative betting opportunities. The main solutions provided by BetBrain UK include:
- An efficient odds comparison tool aggregating the offerings from over 100 UKGC-licensed bookmakers.
- Football predictions, match results, and free betting tips.
- A database of online casino bonuses from UKGC-approved brands.
- An AI-powered service for generating accumulators.
- Written informational support, catered to the UK iGaming context and sensibilities.
- Ongoing commitment to educating and protecting users.
Viorel Stan, GSH Online Media CEO, Addresses the Launch: “The UK digital gambling sector demands legitimacy, precision, and truthfulness. With the launch of BetBrain UK, we’ve committed to upholding these principles and providing our British audience with the utmost quality. Our development process, our work ethic, and focus on user-centric values have steered us towards a continuous improvement of our model, allowing us to provide a solution worthy of the savvy and knowledgeable British users. I am thankful for our team’s effort in this endeavour.”
The post BetBrain Expands into the UK Market with Launch of British-Focused Platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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