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OKTO: As cashless becomes king, land-based gaming requires an industry-specific solution
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As a provider of digital payments for the entire high street, fintech firm OKTO stands out as having a unique cashless solution that caters to the nuanced needs of the UK’s highly regulated land-based gaming sector. As demand for such solutions accelerates due to the global pandemic, Dimitar Shopov, OKTO Wallet Commercial Owner, explains how crucial it is that operators pick a partner that understands the specifics of their industry, whilst also evolving its technology to keep up to date with global fintech trends.
On a global basis, how busy has OKTO been since the start of the pandemic? Has there been a notable increase in interest and urgency for the installation of cashless systems?
It is a question we are increasingly asking ourselves as a society: “Do we still need cash?” The decline in the use of cash and the concurrent rise in digital and card payments has been charted for years, but the pandemic definitely marks the real beginning of the end of cash in many mature markets like the UK who is a fast adopter, ushering the interest and urgency toward cashless systems.
A combination of contributing factors play a role here; tech advances, measures from authorities, and actions from big retailers across the world that have already adopted the use of digital payments as a safer method to maintain social distance and contain the spread of the COVID-19. Cashless systems have increasingly become the new norm, simply due to the fact that society demands it.
Now, all our partners are asking us how we can help them transition to cashless operations and the driver is always the same; the ability to respond to their users’ demands, leverage user services and experience and reduce cost and risk of cash. And that is what we deliver with our OKTO.WALLET solution.
Is the UK a market you are monitoring in respect to its uptake of cashless payments?
The use of cash has been falling around the world and the pandemic along with the fear of infection from bank notes are accelerating the trend away from cash towards digital payments. The UK ranks higher than all other countries in the EU when it comes to cashless payments for a few years now.
Naturally, not everybody is ready for a digital switchover, but it’s apparent that more and more people turn to digital payment options. Cash’s share of in-store transactions in the UK plummeted from 45 percent in January to 23 percent in July, per a report from Square that analyzed data from hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the UK while the digital will likely retain greater popularity. Therefore, as a fast adopter, the UK was a natural fit for us to invest in this market, creating a powerful solution, designed to address the needs of the Pub & AGC sector with the main mission to be the enhanced user experience.
And here comes the question: Will we ever have a digital alternative that offers the same mix of convenience and freedom as cash? For me the answer is yes. Contactless forms of payment have created a new level of convenience for people around the world, and this has provided a real boost for certain industries, from gaming and betting to hospitality sectors. OKTO.WALLET solution is not only the safe and fast transactional tool that both users and merchants demand but it also offers users the freedom to move and use their funds as they wish instantly.
How do you think Covid-19 has accelerated this increasing disdain for products and services that require cash payment? Does another round of government restrictions in the UK spell further worry for cash-only businesses?
A few years ago, while I was walking through London, I noted some signs dotted around a pub that announced the complete move from cash to customers: “Apologies, but it is the digital age.” Don’t forget that there are benefits in digital payments that make life easier not only for the pubs but for all retail businesses. Think about it, at the end of the night whatever the retail business is, the people there need to count up endless piles of coins, managers need to transfer bags of cash to be lodged at the bank, also there are the additional charges to processing cash transactions versus digital ones and so on. All these can be eliminated with the digital cashless payments.
The trend was there and Covid-19 came and sped up that trend. All the cashless benefits along with the fact that banknotes and coins have been identified as a medium for transmitting the pandemic is clearing the way for another stellar rise in digital payments.
I cannot see the crystal ball and make the prediction for further pandemic-related worries for cash-only businesses, but when you hear announcements from World Health Organization back in March, recommending people to turn to cashless transactions to fight the spread of Covid-19, and rapidly a number of governments and retailers across the world took action, you can realize the evident concern. This shift should not be underestimated, as cashless transactions become the norm and rapidly impact niche industries like hospitality and gaming.
A cash-free future is getting closer, and the new lockdown is further accelerating that shift, but this change won’t be a 100 percent switch over night, there will be a prolonged period cash and digital payment options living side by side. After all, consumer payment choice is one of the most essential ways to maximise a merchants revenue potential, and operators should ensure that they will offer their customers the same level of choice in payment options as other sectors of the leisure industry, offering cashless facilities and we are here to assist operations in this transition.
Despite being a fintech provider to many markets across the world, OKTO clearly sees gaming as a particularly important one. How does this focus on gaming, whilst also offering all the benefits of neo-banks such as Monzo and Revolut, put OKTO in a better position to serve the market than competing cashless solutions in this space?
There are plenty of cashless solutions available and it can be confusing at times, what and why different digital solutions are better suited to certain sectors, and this is especially true in gaming.
But, it’s crucial for any operation to back the right horse. It’s imperative to choose a reliable solutions partner and few providers are focusing on the nuanced needs of gaming operators, especially for land-based, which make us unique in what we do. At OKTO, we want to assist our partners to make informed decisions for both their businesses and customers. Now with the industry to face more challenges than ever gaming operators need a payment service to ease the burden rather than add to it. Industry-specific, mobile-first and open-loop are the keys here.
A payment provider with a mobile payment platform, tailored for the gaming industry that aims to reduce payment friction, enhance the user experience, allowing real-time e-money fund transfer in a simple, secure and fast way is the answer to their quest. When this comes with a universality, then this is a sure bet, as consumers can use, move and collect their funds anywhere, not just for gaming.
Having a dedicated team on gaming, are you confident OKTO is well-equipped to cater to the needs of such a heavily regulated industry, where the expectations for compliance, data protection, and social responsibility are higher than any normal consumer market?
It’s vital to choose the right partner as I previously said; one that utilises field-proven technologies and has the extensive know-how of key integrations across all physical touchpoints of a gaming venue ranging from gaming machines to Self-Service Betting Terminals and Cash Redemption Terminals as well as a strong understanding and proven ability to integrate the wallet with digital touchpoints. We have exactly this 360 approach through our OKTO.WALLET solution, that the operators need to get ahead.
Heavily regulated industries are not unknown to us. We have an extensive understanding of the current climate; and we have developed solutions that ease compliance issues. Utilising the highest level of data encryption, we ensure all users data are fully encrypted while also all fund transfers are audited using market-proven algorithms to detect fraudulent activity including not only Money Laundering but also game manipulation and cash peripheral attacks.
Social responsibility is also at the top of our minds. With tools available through the OKTO app, we cover the social responsibility quota, incorporating a strict age verification process, time-out periods, betting limits, and profit and loss calculator tools that further enhance consumer protection as well as a dedicated section embedded in the app with national problem gambling helplines.
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: OKTO: As cashless becomes king, land-based gaming requires an industry-specific solution
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Slitherine Publishing Director Marco Alessandro Minoli Honoured at the 2025 Italian Video Game Awards by IIDEA for His Contribution to the Italian Games Industry
Marco Alessandro Minoli, Publishing Director of the British video game publisher Slitherine, was awarded this evening the prestigious Outstanding Individual Contribution prize at the 2025 Italian Video Game Awards hosted by IIDEA, the trade association of the Italian video game industry.
The award recognises Minoli’s ongoing commitment to promoting, supporting, and mentoring Italian developers, making a tangible contribution to the growth and professionalization of the sector in Italy.
“Especially over the past four years, since I began collaborating with IIDEA, the focus has been on sharing,” said Minoli during the ceremony. “Once our team reached a certain level of experience, I felt it was essential to share that knowledge with those just starting out and in need of support. There’s no magic formula for selling more copies: the more we share within the video game community, the more we increase the chances of success and of showing the world what Italian companies, developers, and talent can create.”
Beyond his work with IIDEA, Minoli has provided free coaching to Italian developers over the past two years and has been invited to give lectures and talks at leading academic institutions, including Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, IED – Istituto Europeo del Design, NABA – Nuova Accademia delle Belle Arti, and IULM. In these forums, he has shared the story of the publisher and, in particular, the unique role of Slitherine’s Italian office, a rare case in the national landscape: a young team of 16 people based in Milan who manage every aspect of the publisher’s global marketing operations.
Words are followed by action: in the past year, Slitherine has started collaborating with two Italian studios, Futurats and Volcanite Games, joining the over 50 developers the company works with worldwide. Notably, on the same evening, Vulcanite Games was awarded Best Italian Debut Game.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Slitherine has an annual turnover of approximately €150 million and specializes in the production of strategy video games. Its best sellers include Starship Troopers: Terran Command, inspired by Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 film, and Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance, set after the latest movie in the iconic franchise.
Slitherine’s journey is far from over: on Thursday, June 19, the British publisher will release the highly anticipated strategy game Broken Arrow, currently ranked 25th (out of more than 15,000 upcoming titles this year) on the Steam wishlist charts—the world’s leading digital video game store.
For more information: Slitherine Press Office – [email protected]
The post Slitherine Publishing Director Marco Alessandro Minoli Honoured at the 2025 Italian Video Game Awards by IIDEA for His Contribution to the Italian Games Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
S8UL becomes one of India’s first to compete across 12 top esports titles, redefining the global presence of Indian esports
The team is set to compete in Riot Games’ upcoming Legends Ascend tournament where the winning team will qualify for the LOL Championship Pacific (LCP) Wildcard Playoffs
S8UL Esports, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content, has officially announced its entry into League of Legends (LOL) with the acquisition of one of South Asia’s leading rosters. This move marks yet another milestone in S8UL’s ongoing expansion into some of the world’s biggest esports titles, reinforcing its commitment to building a formidable international presence across multiple competitive ecosystems.
The team features captain Akshaj Shenoy (Kat Bot), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), Ahmed Shahid (Nero), and Mihir Ranjan (Angelslotus) from India, along with Mehrab Uddin Ahmed (RTO) from Bangladesh and Tharuka Fernando (KratoZ) from Sri Lanka. The core roster has already established itself as a dominant force in South Asia.
In a milestone achievement, Akshaj, Aakash, and Mihir represented India in LOL at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, where esports debuted as an official medal event. After topping the regional qualifiers, they advanced to the quarterfinals and secured a commendable fifth-place finish, competing against the best teams in Asia.
Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL, said, “League of Legends is one of the most iconic esports titles in the world, and we believe this is the right moment for S8UL to step onto that stage. Our vision has always been to lead from the front, both in performance and in growing the ecosystem, and this move is a significant step in that direction. This roster has already shown what it’s capable of, consistently dominating the regional circuit. Now that they are under the S8UL banner, we are excited to support them in their journey to greater heights and help pave the way for South Asia to make its mark in global League of Legends esports”
In 2024, under the banner of Temple of Kings, the roster won major titles including the Skyesports WD Black Cup 1 & 2, Pro League, and the SMG South Asia Cup 1, 2, and 3, in addition to TEC’s July and August Opens. In 2025, they continued their winning streak with four tournament victories under Asterisk. The team now joins S8UL with a proven record of success, synergy, and regional pride.
“Joining S8UL is a defining moment for us. We’ve been grinding together for years, and to now be part of India’s biggest esports organisation gives us the platform to take things to the next level. With the support S8UL brings, we’re ready to prove our mettle at the highest level,” commented Akshaj ‘Kat Bot’ Shenoy, captain of S8UL’s League of Legends team.
The team is set to compete in Legends Ascend 2025, India’s first publisher driven amateur LOL tournament. With a total prize pool of INR 10 lakhs, the tournament will culminate on August 3, and its champion will earn a coveted spot in the LOL Championship Pacific (LCP) Wildcard Playoffs which is the gateway to LCP’s promotion and relegation tournament. S8UL’s entry marks a bold move by the Indian organisation to dominate the regional circuit and reach the global stage.
With this, S8UL strengthens its competitive roster portfolio, now fielding top-tier lineups across 12 premier esports titles. These include Apex Legends, Battlegrounds Mobile India, Call of Duty: Warzone, Chess, EAFC 25, Fatal Fury, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Pokémon UNITE, StarCraft II, Tekken 8, VALORANT, and now League of Legends.
As the first and only Indian organization set to compete at the upcoming Esports World Cup in Riyadh, S8UL continues to build on its legacy of pioneering global representation for Indian esports.
The post S8UL enters League of Legends with the acquisition of a power-packed roster appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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HIPTHER Movement Launched: Fitness Community & Summer Run-Off Challenge Powered by GameOn
After two exciting years of iGaming & TECH Run-Off Challenges uniting the industry in fitness, wellness, and camaraderie, HIPTHER is proud to announce the official launch of HIPTHER Movement – where Community meets endurance.
HIPTHER, leading media hub and events organiser for Gaming and Technology across Europe and beyond, has incorporated fitness and wellness networking initiatives across its events since 2023.
The “Morning Networking Run” and “Morning Yoga” sessions have been a part of their summits since 2023, with the participants warmly embracing these opportunities to nurture relationships, body, and soul, ahead of a busy conference day.
iGaming & TECH Run-Off Challenges: Community Relationships & Healthy Competition
In 2024, HIPTHER launched the iGaming and TECH Run Club on Strava, and kicked-off the iGaming & TECH Run-Offs, with the Summer and Winter editions spanning 2024 and 2025.
Many brilliant minds and athletic spirits from gaming and tech joined the Club, and spurred with this momentum of excitement, HIPTHER raised the game – offering exciting prizes at the end of each Challenge to the Top 3 runners in the Female and Male Categories, with the support of GameOn as a Sponsor.
Now, with the launch of HIPTHER Movement, this fitness-forward initiative evolves into a dynamic wellness community powered by year-round running and cycling challenges – bringing together professionals who hustle hard, on and off the road.
Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply enjoy the grind, the HIPTHER Movement is your new home for HIPTHER-powered challenges hosted under the iGaming and TECH Run Club and Cycling Club on Strava.
With over 100 passionate members and counting, participants can track their progress, climb the leaderboard, and revisit the results from past events. From virtual sprints to multi-week challenges of endurance, HIPTHER fuels industry momentum – one stride and one pedal stroke at a time.
Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder of HIPTHER, stated about this initiative: “The HIPTHER Movement is about more than logging miles or chasing medals. It’s about showing up for yourself, your peers, and your community. In an industry that never slows down, we believe wellness should move with us. From early morning runs to multi-week endurance challenges, we’re creating a culture where progress, connection, and resilience go hand-in-hand. GameOn has helped us take it to the next level, and we’re just getting started.”
Summer 2025: Run-Off and Spin-Off Challenges Now Live!
The Summer Run-Off Challenge and Summer Spin-Off Challenge, proudly sponsored by GameOn, kicked off on June 9 and will run until September 7, 2025.
🏃♂️ The Summer Run-Off Challenge, hosted by the iGaming and TECH Run Club, invites runners to lace up and power through the summer heat for serious rewards:
– Top 3 finishers will receive exclusive performance gear
– Surprise gifts for the top male and female participants
– 4th and 5th place earn limited edition HIPTHER x GameOn merch
🚴♀️ The Summer Spin-Off Challenge, run via the iGaming and TECH Cycling Club, puts pedal power in the spotlight with equally exciting rewards:
– Top 3 cyclists win exclusive performance gear
– Special gifts for the top male and female riders
– 4th and 5th place receive HIPTHER x GameOn cycling kits
Powered by GameOn: Because Every Effort Counts
HIPTHER is proud to have GameOn as a sponsor of the HIPTHER Movement. Their support helps level up each challenge with better prizes, bigger energy, and even more motivation for the growing community.
With GameOn’s backing – and HIPTHER’s commitment to wellness and engagement – every mile, every ride, and every personal effort truly counts.
Join the Movement
📲 Not in the Strava clubs yet?
Join the iGaming and TECH Run Club and Cycling Club today to get in on the action, track your progress, and connect with fellow professionals.
Because movement is more than motion.
It’s momentum. It’s clarity. It’s how we grow stronger – together.
Let’s move with purpose. Let’s move together!
The post HIPTHER Movement Launched: Fitness Community & Summer Run-Off Challenge Powered by GameOn appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Slitherine Publishing Director Marco Alessandro Minoli Honoured at the 2025 Italian Video Game Awards by IIDEA for His Contribution to the Italian Games Industry
S8UL enters League of Legends with the acquisition of a power-packed roster
HIPTHER Movement Launched: Fitness Community & Summer Run-Off Challenge Powered by GameOn
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