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Deciphering the Mysteries of Bitcoin and DarkWeb Gambling
Most people don’t pay much mind to crypto gambling, unless they are players themselves. However, crypto gambling is a significant part of the cryptocurrency market. For example, in 2018 Bitcoin casinos were responsible for approximately 50% of all BTC transactions. So let’s look past the surface and dive a little deeper. Here’s what you should know about Bitcoin gambling on the surface web and the deep web.
Simply put, crypto casinos are casinos where players can top up their wallets, hold accounts and pay out their winnings in some form of cryptocurrency. Casino Guru, which has the largest up-to-date database of online casinos, additionally defines two varieties of crypto casinos. The first variety could be considered a “standard” crypto casino, is basically the same as any other online casino, but allows players to make deposits, play, and/or cash out in cryptocurrencies.
It requires identity verification, a standard feature of the online gambling industry. But there are also so-called “anonymous” casinos, which require no identity confirmation at all, only an e-mail, username, password and a crypto wallet. The Casino Guru database contains 161 casinos that can be classified as crypto casinos, but only 32 anonymous casinos.
Why has crypto gambling gained so much traction? To understand the answer to that question, we need to have a quick look at some of the legislation concerned with online gambling in general. Online gambling is very strictly regulated or outright banned in many countries. For example, there are only three states in the entirety of the USA, where online casinos are allowed operation. The Unlawful Illegal Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 forbids online wagering. But it has a loophole. It only specifies wagering in fiat.
And it’s not just America, that has a hole in their legislation in terms of crypto gambling. In truth, there are only 7 countries in the entire world which have a semblance of crypto gambling regulation. Namely, these are: the UK, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Poland, Belgium and Japan, which is currently considering legislative solutions.
Coming back to the two varieties of crypto casinos mentioned earlier, anonymous casinos actually can’t get a license anywhere at the moment, even if they wanted to. The way they operate just doesn’t match the requirements of any reputable online gambling licensing authority.
For the majority of the world, bitcoin and other crypto are casinos in a legal grey area – not technically legal, but not illegal either. So, players that couldn’t scratch their gambling itch otherwise suddenly found themselves with a solution. A solution that allows them play anonymously (in some cases), from the comfort of their home and offers them an incredibly wide variety of games to choose from.
Though it is true that countries can still bar their citizens’ access to certain sites, like these crypto gambling sites specifically, this has done nothing to stop determined players. In the past, gamblers needed to download the TOR browser (abbr. The Onion Router), which granted them access past the constraints of surface web browsers and into the deep net. There, Hidden Wikis, which are sites aggregating links to various parts of the deep net linked to a crypto casino of their choosing and their game began. The benefit of this being that the combination of TOR and cryptocurrencies made them virtually untraceable by their own governments.
But there is a reason to why there are so many horror stories about the deep web. The deep web harbors numerous fraudsters and scam artists, which we’ll get into in a second. But thankfully, the advent and popularization of VPNs (abbr. Virtual Private Networks) has enabled players to enjoy safer experiences on the surface web. Crypto casinos operating on the surface web often publicize parts of the code they run on to boost trust with their customer base and avoid the negative reputation deep web crypto casinos have garnered.
As you can imagine, there’s a big “BUT” to everything we’ve told you so far. Be honest, you saw it coming from a mile away. So, what’re the issues with crypto gambling?
1) Crypto gambling can be fraught with crime. Especially so on the deep web, but you can run into scams and unfair practices even on the surface web. As the Routine Activities Theory of crime states, crime occurs whenever a suitable victim, a lack of capable guardian and a motivated criminal come together in one place. And when you have people willing to risk their hard-earned crypto on gambling, in an environment with limited or no law enforcement, you’ll find plenty of people more than willing to rid these players of their BTC.
The most popular crypto gambling scams across the web are:
- Ponzi schemes
- Deposit scams
- Fixed games
- Deposit syndicates
On top of that, money laundering is also a quite common occurrence in the crypto gambling sphere. But it’s not just the players who are at risk. Even the casino itself can become a victim to hackers, which would love nothing more than to empty out the casino’s crypto wallet.
2) Crypto gambling can be even more addicting than traditional gambling. Problem gambling, also known as gambling addiction, is an issue that the entire gambling industry at large has to face. However, though traditional casinos and betting can be addictive, online gambling even more so, crypto gambling poses the biggest risk to unsuspecting gamblers.
Crypto casinos operating on the fringe of the law can titillate potential customers with very aggressive advertising and marketing tactics, making them offers on bonuses and benefits, which no other casino can. That’s due to the fact that unlicensed casinos do not have to pay the standard fees that come with gambling operations, like tax, licensing fees, etc.
Then, once the player is drawn in, they get hit with the promise of fast payouts, quick game results and nearly limitless bet heights. Some illegal BTC casinos take full advantage of their position and completely disregard the recommended responsible gambling practices. After all, the more players you hook, the more money you make.
Then, there’s the simultaneous benefit and downside of anonymity. Since anonymous crypto casinos don’t require any form of identity confirmation, they’re easily accessible even to people who have no business being there. That goes for self-excluded players, as well as underage gamblers, who are especially vulnerable to gambling addiction.
In closing, though the siren call of crypto casinos may be tempting, be aware of the dangers that you might face by choosing to chase those sweet crypto winnings. Though there always is a risk factor in gambling, but playing in unlicensed casinos may make the risk greater than it is worth.
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: Deciphering the Mysteries of Bitcoin and DarkWeb Gambling
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Games Global secures exclusive contract with Playbook Fusion to bring Playbook Football™ to operator partners
New deal sees provider secure distinctive content for third-party games portfolio
Games Global, a leading supplier of iGaming content, has signed an exclusive 12-month deal with Playbook Fusion, a provider of innovative sports-themed betting games, to bring the highly anticipated Playbook Football™ to its third-party platform.
Combing the most popular game mechanics from the gambling and video gaming industries, the title is a unique football strategy betting game that offers players the opportunity to build their own football team, compete in matches, earn in-game rewards, and climb divisions throughout a season, all whilst placing in-game bets.
Users can customise their experience by selecting their team’s nationality, name, badge, and kit colours. Starting in Division 10, contenders will aim for promotion and to win Division 1 by managing their squad’s performance and team chemistry throughout the season.
During match play, opponents are selected from either a pool of AI teams or from a pool of other player’s teams in the game. Comparative team statistics are displayed, and betting markets are generated based on these rankings.
Bets can be placed on various different markets, including match result, under/over goals, correct score, and first/last/anytime goal scorer.
As players place bets, they will earn XP that accumulates across sessions, unlocking rewards that boost team performance including player packs and boost cards.
Playbook Football™ diversifies Games Global’s portfolio with a product that is already generating significant operator interest, with the potential to become a market-leading title. The partnership exemplifies Games Global’s commitment to offering cutting-edge, engaging content to its operator partners across the globe.
Andy Booth, Chief Product Officer at Games Global, said: “We are always on the lookout for fresh, unique opportunities that can elevate our offering.
“Partnering with Playbook Fusion to bring Playbook Football™ to our platform allows us to provide our partners with a product that combines the thrill of football with the strategy of betting. The game’s innovative approach aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering standout content that captivates and drives operator success.”
Steve Rogers, Founder and CEO at Playbook Fusion, added: “Our partnership with Games Global marks an exciting chapter in Playbook Fusion’s story. By joining forces with a leading iGaming supplier, we’re able to introduce Playbook Football™ to a broader audience, showcasing a unique game concept that merges football management with engaging betting markets within a progressive gameplay mechanic.
“We believe this strategic collaboration will pave the way for Playbook Football™ to become a market leader in the sphere of gamified sports products, and we’re thrilled to have Games Global as our exclusive partner during this crucial launch phase.”
The post Games Global secures exclusive contract with Playbook Fusion to bring Playbook Football™ to operator partners appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Playzia Partners with ITV Studios to Launch Love Island Game series
This multi-product deal will span over 3 years, committing to the development and release of 10 new games
Playzia, one of the fastest-growing iGaming content suppliers, has agreed a new partnership with ITV Studios, creator, producer and distributor of world-leading programmes, to develop and release a series of online games inspired by the global reality TV phenomenon, Love Island.
This multi-product deal will span over 3 years, committing to the development and release of 10 new games. The lineup will include an engaging mix of slot, crash, and instant play formats, with at least three titles set to launch in 2025. This ambitious collaboration is poised to blend Playzia’s expertise in gameplay innovation with the unforgettable elements of the beloved franchise. With Love Island’s massive international following, the titles are set to reach a broad audience and will be available in key markets worldwide, with the exception of the US and Canada.
The first three titles in this series are scheduled to launch ahead of Love Island UK’s 2025 Summer season.This will be followed by a grand showcase of all three titles at iGB London, just ahead of the upcoming Love Island UK Summer season.
The first game of the series, Love Island: Love in a Spin, will combine electrifying features for maximum excitement: Mega Symbols to increase the chances of hitting big wins, and Win Multipliers to exponentially boost rewards. This first title will be followed by Love Island: Instant Match, an Instant Game that delivers quick, rewarding gameplay, and Love Island: Love Bus, a Crash Game packed with adrenaline-pumping action.
“This brand relationship is an important step for Playzia as we bring one of the world’s most beloved franchises to life in a new and interactive way,” said Vlad Modorcea, CPO at Playzia. “Our team is working tirelessly to create games that capture the magic of the original stories while delivering the cutting-edge features and gameplay players have come to expect from Playzia.”
Steve Watling, SVP Gaming, Global Partnerships, ITV Studios added: We are very excited to be launching these new Love Island iGaming products. The Love Island brand has now grown to over 27 territories and supplementing this success will be a great, new gaming line up from Playzia.
The partnership was brokered by PrimeTime Play. “I’m delighted to bring ITV and Playzia together for this exciting project and am looking forward to the first game going live early in 2025 with others to follow later in the year,” said Simon Murphy, CEO of PrimeTime Play.
In 2025, Love Island will be celebrating a decade of entertaining more than 36 million people, making it the biggest reality show of the past decade. Additionally, since 2017, the popular dating show and all its affiliated shows have been streamed a massive 2 billion times.
Stay tuned for more updates as Playzia continues to push boundaries in the iGaming world, delivering unforgettable experiences for players who Love to Play.
About Playzia
Playzia has been created by an industry veteran with 20+ years of successful track record in engaging players with games. Leveraging this experience, limitless energy, focus, ambition and passion resulted in Playzia being established in 2024. The company’s mission is to become one of the most entertaining, fun and player-driven innovative online casino games content developers and distributors, creating games players just Love to Play. Playzia looks to position itself as iGaming industry leader in the online gaming market in a short period time with the combination of games with established mechanics and features, but very importantly also games which are innovative, varied, localised and most of all fun! The new journey has just begun! 🚀
For more information, please visit playzia.com. Contact us at [email protected]
About ITV Studios
ITV Studios is a creator, producer, and distributor of world-leading programmes and formats that people can’t get enough of. Connecting millions of people every day and shaping and reflecting the world they live in, ITV Studios is More Than TV. Its Brand & Licensing department is responsible for all global commercial activities, including sponsorship, brand licensing, consumer products, gaming, and live events. It represents a diverse portfolio, including scripted and non-scripted content, game shows, and kids’ titles, which offers a wide range of commercial opportunities. Brands include The Voice, Hell’s Kitchen, Love Island, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, The Chase, Coronation Street, Schitt’s Creek, The Last Unicorn, Thunderbirds, Space: 1999, The Prisoner, and more.
The post Playzia Partners with ITV Studios to Launch Love Island Game series appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ELA Games Unveils Mythical New Game, Cash of Egypt
ELA Games is proud to announce the release of Cash of Egypt, a new mythical slot game that combines high-quality aesthetics with exciting gameplay mechanics. Players can now demo the game on ELA Games’ website to explore all the game has to offer.
The 5×4 slot includes 1024 paylines, ensuring the player can enjoy frequent action both during the base game and the bonus feature. This ancient Egypt-themed slot gives players the opportunity to earn up to 5000x their stake. Combined with the exhilarating animations and captivating soundtrack, Cash of Egypt transports players to an ancient world.
Collect at least three Scatter symbols to enter the Bonus mode. Here, players receive free spins where coins rain down from the reels attached with various multipliers. Collect as many multiplier coins as possible to win big!
David Fall, ELA Games’ Business Development Manager, commented on the game’s release, saying: “Cash of Egypt is our first title for 2025, and we’re proud to invite players to try out this exciting game. The game incorporates our signature high-quality aesthetics to create an immersive experience. Combined with our engaging gameplay features, we’re sure that Cash of Egypt will become a classic title in our portfolio.”
Cash of Egypt has an engaging RTP of 95.4%, ensuring all participants can experience diverse action. For a captivating visual experience, we invite everyone to play the demo and explore the in-depth gameplay for themselves.
Cash of Egypt features:
95.4% RTP
Volatility: High
Format: 5 reels, 4 rows
Paylines: 1024 ways
Bonus Free Spins feature
The post ELA Games Unveils Mythical New Game, Cash of Egypt appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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