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Affordability checks will undermine the safer gambling success story, argues Gambling Business Group CEO, Peter Hannibal

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Peter Hannibal, chief executive of the cross-sector Gambling Business Group, has warned that the introduction of affordability checks as proposed by the UK Gambling Commission, will jeopardise the current low incidence of problem gambling and in the process undo much of the positive work that’s been achieved by the industry in partnership with its regulator and the wider stakeholder community, including the safer gambling agencies and charities.
Commenting on the Gambling Commission’s proposal that players should be required to provide evidence of affordability based on the highly controversial creation of a monthly discretionary spend ceiling – a figure which the cross-party think-tank the Social Market Foundation has recommended is set at £23 a week (£100 pcm) – Peter Hannibal said: “I would like to stress from the outset that although the Gambling Commission’s affordability proposal has been framed in relation to online players, it would be naïve in the extreme to assume that the principles and philosophy will not be extended to all gambling entertainment activities across all verticals including Adult Gaming Centres, Licensed Betting Offices and Bingo Clubs in some shape or form.
“While this proposal is wrong on virtually every level imaginable, the biggest concern for all those who genuinely care about safer gambling and continuing the UK industry’s internationally acclaimed success story in consistently maintaining problem gambling levels to below 1 percent for the last three decades, is the impact affordability checks will have on driving players away from regulated and responsible sites to unregulated offshore sites.
He added: “Currently the demand to play on unregulated sites is limited but the unintended and I assume unforeseen consequences of affordability checks will be to create such a market and then to sustain it.
“Make no mistake, this is prohibition by another name and wherever you look in the world prohibition has never worked and will never work, more than often creating exactly the set of problems that it sets out to address.”
Hannibal believes there’s a danger a proposal of this significance does not receive the necessary degree of scrutiny particularly in relation to its’ impact on safer gambling. He explained: “In December I contacted DCMS regarding what I feel was a balanced and logical set of Terms of Reference for the Review of Gambling, but pointing out that it was illogical for the Gambling Commission to be continuing their own unilateral consultation into what it refers somewhat euphemistically as ‘customer interaction requirements and guidance’.
“I argued that it would be more logical to include any proposals for controls on consumption – that could have a profound impact on the public – as part of the Government Review. It would also be in the public’s interest for proposals for such intrusions into personal affairs to be subject to the same Aim and Objectives as those DCMS have set out for the Review of the Act which appear free of preconceptions and well considered.
“The affordability proposal raises a huge range of quite fundamental ethical, legal and practical issues – not least a precedent for state intervention in consumer spending alongside a quite startling presumption that gambling entertainment, enjoyed responsibly by 99 percent of consumers, represents a public health issue way beyond that of tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption or obesity. As such it merits much deeper, evidence-based scrutiny.”
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: Affordability checks will undermine the safer gambling success story, argues Gambling Business Group CEO, Peter Hannibal
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EveryMatrix Selects Cevro AI to Provide Operators with Fully Integrated empathic AI Support Agents
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A partnership that transforms player support with cutting-edge AI agents purpose-built for iGaming, delivering faster resolutions, personalised experiences, and seamless integration into the EveryMatrix platform at scale.
EveryMatrix today announced a strategic partnership with Cevro AI, the leader in AI agents for iGaming customer support. This collaboration sets a new benchmark for player experience, as operators gain access to advanced generative AI agent systems built and fine-tuned for the iGaming industry capable of resolving complex player support issues with human-level empathy, precision, and speed.
Cevro AI’s agent platform is built on a series of domain-tuned large language models specifically trained on real iGaming workflows, player behaviours, compliance rules, and operator processes. According to the company, this domain focus allows the AI to “be best in class” and “perform like a seasoned support agent that understands players from day one,”
Kevin Furlong, Group CPO, EveryMatrix, said: “We are constantly investing in technology that helps operators grow and scale with confidence. Generative AI is now at a point where it can make a real difference. With Cevro AI, our operators gain intelligent, empathic agents that support players around the clock and drive real business value through deep integration across the EveryMatrix ecosystem.”
With native-level fluency in 100+ languages, Cevro AI autonomously connects to the EveryMatrix Player Account Management (PAM) platform and back-office to take action and instantly process requests, handling withdrawals, deposit issues, bonus requests, and account-related tickets with personalisation and a natural, conversational tone. The Cevro agents are trained with trust-layer controls, ensuring full alignment with responsible gaming (RG), GDPR and operator compliance requirements.
Chaim Heber, CEO of Cevro AI, added: “For us, partnering with EveryMatrix is a significant moment for Cevro AI. It’s proof that empathic AI is ready for the biggest operators in the industry. Our mission is to help brands deliver support that feels human at any scale, and this partnership accelerates that vision in a meaningful way.”
Nige Roberts, Founding Sales Lead at Cevro AI, commented: “Empathic AI is the future of iGaming support. EveryMatrix recognised that instantly. This partnership accelerates that future worldwide.”
The post EveryMatrix Selects Cevro AI to Provide Operators with Fully Integrated empathic AI Support Agents appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Bet It Drives Season 3 Premiere: Eman Pulis on Legacy, Risk, and Why Rome Changes Everything
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Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was SiGMA World.
But when Eman Pulis rolls through the Eternal City in Season 3 of Bet It Drives, he’s not just another iGaming founder with a war story. He’s the gladiator who fought COVID, broken rules, outplayed industry skeptics—and came out building schools in Ethiopia while running eight conferences across three continents.
“Now I’m free,” Eman says, quoting Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator soundtrack—his victory song for after SiGMA Central Europe wrapped and the chaos settled. Free from the rules that almost sank him. Free to build tribes, not just teams. Free to prove that legacy beats profit, every single time.
Season 3 of Bet It Drives, powered by GR8 Tech and hosted by Yevhen Krazhan, CSO, launches where champions are made: on the road, in motion, with no script and nowhere to hide. Rome sets the stage. Eman brings the empire.
In the episode, Eman reveals:
- The COVID gamble that saved SiGMA: How 14,000 people walked through doors that were supposed to stay shut—and why he’d do it again
- Why Rome, why now: The strategy behind planting the flag in Europe’s second-biggest gaming market (and why Malta stays in the picture)
- From beach in Phuket to existential crisis: The moment everything felt too perfect—two weeks before COVID hit
- 350 people, 8 offices, one tribe: How a multicultural team became SiGMA’s secret weapon across Manila, São Paulo, Cyprus, and beyond
- Business is done between people, not brands: The mantra that turned boozy Malta meetups into a global events empire
- Politics or impact? Why helping millions through the foundation beats governing 400,000 people in Malta
- The “zoom out” rule: Crisis survival advice from someone who almost became redundant overnight
“We covered a lot of ground—literally and figuratively,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech and host of Bet It Drives. “And Rome was the perfect place to kick off Season 3. The city represents where the industry is right now—ancient foundations, modern chaos, and endless opportunity.”
Season 3 keeps the momentum rolling with upcoming episodes featuring Valentina Diaco and Karolina Pelc—two more amazing leaders with stories worth hearing.
Watch or listen to Season 3, Episode 1 with Eman Pulis on:
The arena is open. The conversations have started. Season 3 of Bet It Drives is here—and it’s just the beginning.
The post Bet It Drives Season 3 Premiere: Eman Pulis on Legacy, Risk, and Why Rome Changes Everything appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Logifuture partners with Sportradar as “Zoom Soccer” becomes part of OneFeed offer
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Rising star iGaming supplier Logifuture has partnered with Sportradar to integrate its flagship virtual product, Zoom Soccer, into Sportradar’s innovative OneFeed ecosystem — enhancing its portfolio with a fully immersive, always-on football experience.
Zoom Soccer seamlessly integrates into sportsbooks, delivering a continuous RNG-based feed of ultra-realistic football events 24/7. Sections are always filled with engaging football content, providing operators with a reliable solution during periods when Tier-1 or Tier-2 real football events are scarce or not taking place.
Recreating the world’s most popular leagues — including Zoom EPL, Zoom La Liga, Zoom Serie A & more — the product delivers 30,000+ additional monthly events for players to enjoy. Each match is modelled on real-world team strengths and league dynamics, ensuring authentic, data-driven outcomes that mirror genuine football excitement.
Fully GLI-certified, Zoom Soccer has proven to boost sportsbook turnover by up to 30%, helping operators reduce the volatility of sportsbook revenues and maintain consistent engagement throughout the year.
By joining Sportradar’s OneFeed — a hub that aggregates multiple feed providers into a single plug-and-play solution — Zoom Soccer becomes instantly accessible to Sportradar’s global network of operators, bypassing complex integration processes and accelerating time to market.
Niccolò Cassettari, Chief Business Development Officer at Logifuture, said: “Zoom Soccer is a great addition for Sportradar’s clients, allowing them to deliver engaging football content 24/7. Users are no longer limited by the scarcity of Tier-1 events — we’ve recreated the most popular leagues, ensuring the same betting experience as real matches. All this, powered by RNG logic, helps fight the volatility of sportsbook revenues and ensures steady returns for our partners.
“This integration perfectly aligns with Logifuture’s vision of creating innovative, scalable solutions that keep sportsbooks active around the clock. We’re thrilled to bring Zoom Soccer to Sportradar’s OneFeed and confident it will become a key driver of engagement and growth across multiple markets.”
The post Logifuture partners with Sportradar as “Zoom Soccer” becomes part of OneFeed offer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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