Latest News

Exclusive Q&A with Mike Fox, CFO at Crystal WG

Published

3 years ago

September 5, 2022

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Q. Let us start with a quick intro of yourself for starters. Could you briefly describe your career?

A. I have 20 years’ experience in the gambling industry. For more than 10 years, I worked as the Group CFO of Euronext listed company Thunderbirds Resorts in Panama. I was lucky enough to work on some fantastic land-based casino projects in several emerging markets. At the time, the group operated 30 casinos and 10 hotels with 5,000 employees in the Philippines, Panama, Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

I played an integral role in helping expand our remit, opening two large properties in the Philippines – one included a hotel, golf course and casino and the other a hotel and casino. In Lima, Peru the group purchased six hotels and opened a flagship casino in the heart of Miraflores along with acquiring several slot parlors around the country. In Costa Rica, the group opened a flagship casino adjacent to the International Airport and subsequently several more casinos. In Panama, the group operated six casinos. At the time these properties were built, they were the best casino products to enter the markets.

In 2015, I joined Crystal Wealth Group to offer my financial consulting and investment experience for casinos, iGaming and the crypto/NFT space before helping launch new online casino BetCoco this year.

Q. You are a veteran casino professional. How challenging is a shift to the online casino segment?

A. One key difference is the ability to reach a global audience using the power of the internet. This is where a lot of time is spent with every territory we target in making sure we match the specific compliance requirements and own the correct operating licences to be able to offer our product to specific regions.

However, whether it’s land-based or online, the premise of operating a casino brand remains the same. If you can provide a service that surpasses customers’ expectations and offers them an experience that they cannot get anywhere else, they will return.

This is something we have focused on heavily in our design of BetCoco.

Q. Tell us about BetCoco. What are the immediate objectives of the company? Could you also tell us quickly about your job brief.

A. BetCoco is a fun brand that offers the best-in-class player experience with the leading games and services that the industry has to offer. Innovation is at the foundation of everything we do through creating the best features to continuously improve our user experience.

We initially launched in cryptocurrency, yet now offer fiat. One of our immediate objectives is to onboard new customers from the territories where we are operational. We are going to be working with the industry’s top affiliates and media partners to bring quality traffic to our site in every location we are situated.

My role is to facilitate this by focusing our investments on markets that are not necessarily saturated with competitors where our players get excited about a new brand with attractive bonus and loyalty programs.

Q. Could you now talk about your digital marketing strategies and the benefits that customers are going to get from BetCoco?

A. We’re quickly deploying exciting paid media marketing and affiliate campaigns to let the markets know about us such as in Brazil we are partnering with the top affiliates in the market to promote our recurring bonus offers.

We also have a very clear approach to making customer satisfaction one of our key goals. For instance, our aggressive customer bonus plan with 100% bonus up to 0.5BTC is designed to attract keen crypto players – and now we are on the verge of releasing industry-best bonus rewards for fiat customers.

Q. According to your recent press release, BetCoco wants to bring back “more thrill” for customers, which is something that “iGaming operators have lost in their brand promotions in recent years”. Could you elaborate a bit on this point?

A. We think some of the bigger operators with a large market share lose touch sometimes of what will attract players that are new to online gaming. Especially, in emerging markets like Latin America, Asia and Africa, we plan to be the trusted brand that excites new players to begin their online journey into iGaming.

Q. What are the features BetCoco offers as of now and in which markets they are available?

A. We have created a best-in-class suite of tech with our iGaming software platform integrated with the best gaming providers, My Affiliates for affiliate management and Customer.io for CRM. Our intention is to give our players a first-class betting experience and a seamless user journey. This includes making them feel special and appreciated with our special offers and VIP treatment.

We understand that some of our users enjoy the feeling of betting next to friends / other users. So, we are offering exclusive live tournaments and daily challenges and leaderboards with new games announced weekly. Our platform allows players to collect loyalty points and redeem for special rewards and prizes.

Q. Could you outline the new initiatives of BetCoco that are in the pipeline and likely to roll out in the next two years?

A. Our group is the process of launching new sites under a Malta license that will allow us to enter higher value markets. We are also acquiring best in class technology to continue to build additional brands under Malta licensing using our own CMS platform to allow complete control over the customization of our sites for each market.

Thanks to the metaverse and advanced VR Technology, players can now visit physical casinos from the comfort of their homes. We plan to have all kind of VR Games – Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, Game Shows, and even a Sports betting room, where the player can wager on a sports match and stay to watch the game next to other users, just like in Vegas! For this, player just needs to have a VR headset.

We have built relationships with the world’s best metaverse and VR tech companies and will integrate this technology into our brands over time.

We also plan to offer the ability to mint NFT slot machines with a shared revenue model and NFT player passes with in-app purchases.

Q. You plan to enter new markets, especially in Africa and Asia. What are your plans to tackle the fluid state of regulation in many of the African and Asian countries, with respect to cryptocurrency. For example, in India, a potentially large market, the legal stature of cryptocurrencies is in a disputed state. What will be your strategy?

A. While our view of the markets is worldwide, including Asia and Africa, we also see solid opportunities to secure country level licensing in places like Peru and Colombia. In addition, in the short term, we plan a major push in Brazil during the World Cup period. Since we have a presence in Latin America, for example, it allows us to understand better the local players and create brands that appeal to the particulars of each market.

Q. Finally, what is your take on the future of igaming segment, especially in relation to advances in technology such as machine learning and block chain?

A. Artificial intelligence and machine learning is becoming and will be a very important part of the iGaming industry in years to come.

From better understanding user experience through advanced data sets to more complex security measures via anti-money laundering detection software to faster transaction speeds via blockchain-powered cryptocurrencies, the advancements in technology can benefit the industry in so many ways – and it’s still growing.

These developments allow us to operate in a sector that is safer, more enjoyable and just generally more informed. For instance, with machine learning, we can hone the information we have on our customers to create better experiences. With blockchain, we can offer users the most streamlined and frictionless approach to playing.

As technology is always evolving, part of our mission is to evolve with it, so our players can enjoy the best and most advanced gaming. To bolster customer experience, we are already looking at planning to design and incorporate our own VR Games on-site. These games will be available in 1st person view, as well as in 3rd person view. Our VR Casino Games will offer players the most immersive experience on the market.

Latest News

TrueLayer to Acquire Zimpler, Creating a European Pay by Bank Powerhouse

Published

5 hours ago

October 21, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

TrueLayer, Europe’s leading Pay by Bank network, today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Zimpler, the fastest growing Pay by Bank network in the Nordics. The acquisition will bring together two of Europe’s most innovative Pay by Bank providers, further strengthening TrueLayer as a formidable force in the European payments industry.

This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Pay by Bank across Europe. By expanding TrueLayer’s pan-European network and deep expertise in payment technology with Zimpler’s strong position in the Nordic market, TrueLayer will be uniquely positioned to further accelerate the shift from legacy card payments to smarter, faster, and more secure payments via Pay by Bank.

The acquisition is another clear step forward for TrueLayer in its mission to build a powerful alternative to legacy payments in Europe, fostering greater competition, innovation and value for businesses and their consumers.

With some of the highest adoption rates of account-to-account (A2A) payments anywhere in the world, the Nordic region has been a proving ground for Pay by Bank. By acquiring Zimpler, TrueLayer will have more than 20 million users and will add coverage across key markets such as Sweden, Finland, and will add additional A2A capabilities through the Swish payment rail integration. This significantly strengthens TrueLayer’s pan-European network, accelerating the shift to smarter, safer, and more cost-effective payments.

Founded in 2012 by Johan Friis and Kristofer Ekman Sinclair, Zimpler has grown rapidly to become a Pay by Bank leader in the Nordics. TrueLayer is proud to welcome Zimpler’s founders and shareholders on this journey – joining the likes of Stripe, Northzone, and Tiger Global in backing its mission to transform the way the world pays.

“I am excited to welcome the Zimpler team to TrueLayer,” said Francesco Simoneschi, Co-founder and CEO of TrueLayer. “We’ve long admired their progress, and we’re excited to add such an incredible group of builders and payment experts to the TrueLayer team We’re not just expanding our footprint in the Nordics – we’re combining talent, technology, and scale to accelerate Pay by Bank adoption across the continent, and further strengthening Pay by Bank as a force of disruption that is changing how the world pays.”

“Joining forces with TrueLayer is a fantastic opportunity to build the leading Pay by Bank provider in Europe” said Johan Strand, CEO of Zimpler. “TrueLayer has a proven track record of innovation and a powerful network. Our combined strengths will allow us to offer an even more compelling proposition to the market. Joining TrueLayer will enable us to reach new heights and drive the next wave of growth in the industry. At the same time, we remain firmly anchored in Sweden, with our local licence and expertise ensuring continuity for our customers.”

The post TrueLayer to Acquire Zimpler, Creating a European Pay by Bank Powerhouse appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

SPORTRADAR AWARDED UNITED ARAB EMIRATES LICENSE

Published

7 hours ago

October 21, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ: SRAD) has been granted a gaming-related vendor license from the United Arab Emirates’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), an independent entity of the UAE Federal Government with exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities.

The license, operational with immediate effect, affords Sportradar the opportunity to provide its products and services to licensed operators.

Sportradar looks forward to bringing its 20+ year expertise and proprietary sports technology to operators and clients in the region.

The post SPORTRADAR AWARDED UNITED ARAB EMIRATES LICENSE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Earn Daily Profit Sharing and Tokenized Rewards with Qzino Affiliate Program

Published

8 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Master Editor

Why Today’s Affiliate Ecosystem Demands an Upgrade

The global iGaming landscape, and especially the crypto-casino sector, is undergoing explosive growth. Data from Yield Sec shows that the total gross profit of crypto casinos in 2024 reached approximately $81.4 billion — a three- to fourfold increase compared to two years before.

In parallel, the affiliate marketing market is also seeing significant expansion. According to SOFTSWISS, revenue generated via crypto affiliate services doubled in the first half of 2024 versus the same period in 2023. The upward trend continues in 2025: transaction activity is growing, and the number of engaged users in the crypto iGaming space keeps rising month after month.

Yet, most traditional crypto casino affiliate programs still rely on outdated models — CPA and RevShare — that come with notable drawbacks: limited flexibility, insufficient analytical transparency, delayed reward distribution, and negative carryover issues.

All these factors highlight the need for a new kind of affiliate ecosystem — transparent, mutually beneficial, and focused on long-term value. It is in this context that the Qzino affiliate program launches, redefining the role of affiliates in the crypto-iGaming industry.

Next-Generation Crypto iGaming Experience with Qzino

Qzino is a crypto-iGaming platform set to launch in fall 2025 (Explore the Qzino launch). The platform will feature over 10,000 games — from global hits to in-house titles — along with sports and esports betting powered by AI analytics, its own token,Qzino profit sharing model, provably fair crypto casino mechanisms, and tokenized affiliate rewards.

The Qzino profit sharing model is a core innovation — distributing 50% of the revenue daily among token holders. They receive daily passive income, ensuring long-term motivation to stay connected to the platform and benefit from its growth.

Behind the project stands a team of over 100 professionals with proven experience in building platforms ranked among the top-10 global crypto casinos. The platform operates under an official Anjouan Gambling License and utilizes provably fair crypto casino technology.

Qzino Crypto Affiliate Program — Launch Roadmap with Rewards

The Qzino affiliate program is structured in multiple phases, ensuring sub-affiliate earnings, community expansion, and transparent analytics at every stage:

Stage 1: Mini App — current phase. An initial opportunity to invite users through free-to-play mechanics with real value, no deposit, and no complex registration. All referred users are permanently linked to the affiliate and automatically transferred to the full Web3 platform after launch — continuing to generate revenue.
Stage 2: Platform launch & farming season — Fall 2025. The full platform goes live with gamified farming where users earn points for every bet. Affiliates receive dual rewards — a share of the platform’s profit and points for an upcoming airdrop, later converted into tokens.
Stage 3: TGE, Airdrop & Scaling — at this stage, tokenized affiliate rewards and daily profit sharing are launched. Affiliates benefit from the growth of lifetime revenue share, additional sub-affiliate earnings, and the advantages of participating in the highest-paying affiliate program in gambling, with up to 50% revenue share.

How Qzino Offers Daily Profit Sharing and Lifetime Revenue Share for Affiliates

The Qzino affiliate program offers affiliates not just commissions, but a multi-tiered earning system across all stages:

Revenue from each user — affiliates earn up to 50% revenue of the income generated by their referrals;
Airdrop points — every user activity brings affiliates points later converted into tokens;
Qzino tokens — provide access to the Qzino profit sharing model with daily profit sharing and asset growth potential;
Sub-affiliate networks — affiliates can build their own network by inviting other partners and earning from their activity — creating long-term passive income in crypto affiliate partnerships.

Qzino crypto casino provides personal support at all collaboration stages, regular contests, challenges, exclusive drops and bonuses for active partners. The program is a crypto affiliate worldwide — open globally with no geographic restrictions.

All of this is managed in a dedicated affiliate dashboard, providing real-time commission tracking, so affiliates can monitor their earnings and activity. The affiliate dashboard ensures data transparency, accessibility, and automatic updates.

Exclusive Early Affiliate Rewards with Qzino Crypto Casino

Currently, the Qzino platform and affiliate program are in the Pre-Launch phase via MiniApp on Telegram — a unique moment for early affiliates.

The potential audience has not yet been distributed among partners, and most users are still available for acquisition. This gives affiliates the opportunity to build their own referral base using the free MiniApp mechanics. Most importantly, all referred users are automatically transferred to the full Web3 platform after launch and remain permanently linked to the affiliate.

The Next Step for the Crypto iGaming Industry

The Qzino affiliate program offers up to 50% revenue share, tokenized affiliate rewards, a long-term profit-sharing model, and scalable income through sub-affiliate earnings. Unlike traditional systems, Qzino doesn’t rely on outdated models — it establishes a new industry standard where partnership means real involvement in the project’s growth and profits, from early MiniApp participation to becoming a true co-owner of the ecosystem.

Qzino: join as a partner — emerge as a co-owner.

Visit the official website, apply now, and join the Qzino Affiliate Program — be part of the next generation of transparent, profit-sharing partnerships.

Contacts

Website: https://qzino.com

Email: [email protected]

X (Twitter): https://x.com/qzino_official