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Embracing New Affordability Checks and Supporting Safer Gaming
By Adam Hancox, director of gaming for TransUnion in the UK
The gambling industry is facing major changes, with the UK government review of the 2005 Gambling Act white paper set to be published in the coming weeks and a new customer interaction guidance for remote gambling licensees coming into force in September 2022.
Although these upcoming changes will require adjustments from gaming operators, they can also bring new opportunities. The revised regulation – with precise details still to be revealed – is expected to further support safer gaming initiatives that were introduced by the UK Gambling Commission in 2019. This will also help operators to balance their social responsibilities with the products they provide and protecting vulnerable gamblers.
The time has come for increased protection
Problem gambling is not new, but given wider economic uncertainty and the cost of living crisis, it’s an area that needs increased attention. Recent figures suggest that 1.3% of the population – the equivalent of over 870,000 consumers – could be termed ‘problem gamblers’.[i]
With inflation at its highest rates since March 1991,[ii] over half of UK consumers have reduced their expenditure and intend to decrease it further as the year progresses,[iii] according to TransUnion’s latest Consumer Pulse study.
When these figures are viewed against the backdrop of a clear link between individuals facing financial strain and gambling issues, there is cause for concern. In fact, researchers from the University of Liverpool and the National Centre for Social Research found that people in deprived areas are more likely to use online casinos and place risky long-odds bets.[iv]
The NHS has pledged[v] to open two new clinics exclusively serving gambling addicts this year, on top of longer-term plans to bring the nationwide total to fifteen gambling clinics by 2024.
To support this, the Gambling Commission has shared new customer interaction guidance for remote gambling licensees which outlines how operators must “identify, act and evaluate” when a player may be displaying tell-tale signs of problem gambling.
The new framework is designed to help gambling operators spot signs of harm and subsequently take prompt action. But it is also designed to be reactive so that organisations can support players where harm is already being experienced, in order to reduce or stop gambling. Even at this later stage, intervention is most effective if the harm is identified promptly and responded to quickly.
The gaming sector is waiting to see what the long-awaited review of the 2005 Gaming Act spells for the industry. With publication imminent, it is expected that operators will be obliged to remove features from online games that heighten an at-risk player’s likelihood of engaging in unsustainable activity. Other restrictions could include caps on stakes of between £2 and £5 for online casinos, as well as a ban on free bets and VIP packages for players who incur heavy losses.[vi]
One particularly controversial point appears to be to what extent affordability checks will be ramped up, and whether the white paper will spell out the requirement for checks that oblige players to share personal financial information such as bank statements and payslips.
Increased protection without CX disruption
Any concerns that these changes could dilute customer experience (CX) are misplaced. Gaming operators need to adhere to more stringent regulations but in a way that doesn’t compromise their platform’s player experience – this is key. Using innovative, data-enabled solutions can maintain the smooth experience today’s players expect, whilst also promoting safer gaming through identifying and protecting the vulnerable.
For example, the Gambling Commission’s new customer interaction guidance requires licensees to analyse several factors to determine a player’s affordability credentials, which include spending patterns, time spent gambling and other key indicators. They are then obliged to “take appropriate action in a timely manner” if the risk of harm is identified.
Modern, AI-led solutions can enable gambling companies to assess and evaluate all relevant factors on an always-on basis. For example, TransUnion’s Affordability Solution for Gaming, uses cutting-edge modelling and analytics to help operators protect their business and players while supporting compliance strategies and regulatory requirements. Anti-fraud and identity verification capabilities can significantly amplify player protection, having stopped 300,000 underage gambling applications last year.
By using socio-demographic, behavioural and transactional data – such as playing time, a series of bad debt indicators, deposit and loss amounts, income sustainability indicators, operators that use the solution can assess players’ affordability and vulnerability throughout their journeys, with minimal impact to the gaming experience.
Additionally, there are already solutions in place that can alleviate any concerns around new affordability checks. For example, Open Banking that has had a strong impact on the financial services sector. At its simplest, Open Banking means that consumers can more easily utilise the power of their bank statement information.
For gaming, this could mean affordability and anti-money laundering (AML) assessments no longer require a request for documents that causes friction in the player experience. Instead, players can use a purpose-built screen flow which quickly, but securely, takes them through the consent and authorisation required for Open Banking. What’s more, the solution can be fully embedded into existing interfaces with simple integration meaning players are taken on an unintrusive, friction-right journey to better data sharing.
Gaming operators will need to meet new regulation, whether that be the framework that came into effect for remote licensees in September, or the soon-to-be revealed legislation in the forthcoming white paper.
Rather than interpreting these changes as challenging hurdles, gaming operators have the opportunity to embrace advanced automated solutions that will help meet new regulation with ease – allowing them to demonstrate to their players just how committed they are to protecting their financial wellbeing, as well as their gaming experiences.
[i] Gambling Commission: Andrew Rhodes speaks at Westminster Media Forum 2022, June 2022
[ii] Office for National Statistics: Consumer price inflation, UK, June 2022
[iii] TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse Q2 2022 UK Study, based on a survey of 1,004 UK adults from 20 May–1 June, 2022
[iv] National Centre for Social Research and University of Liverpool: 2022 Patterns of Play Report
[v] NHS England: NHS launches new gambling addiction clinics to meet record demand, February 2022
[vi] Gambling Insider: Gambling Review Whitepaper ‘Due in the Coming Weeks’

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Soft2Bet brand and Leadership nominated by Global Regulatory Awards 2025
The Global Regulatory Awards 2025 have recognised Soft2Bet and its leadership in four categories, reflecting the group’s B2B excellence, rigorous compliance culture, and clear commitment to responsible gaming and player protection.
For nine years, Soft2Bet has focused on competitive markets and built compliance into the product from day one. In-house controls and training, backed by real-time monitoring, give regulators and partners clear, auditable outcomes. MEGA extends this approach into gameplay, using innovative mechanics that merge engagement with responsibility, ensuring marketing impact and safer gaming go hand in hand.
Over the past 12 months, the industry has seen the strength of Soft2Bet’s compliance team, expertise and leadership across the EU and North America. Soft2Bet’s in-house approach brings together market-specific AML and RG controls, proprietary training and QA, and real-time monitoring, with MEGA embedding these safeguards directly into the player experience.
Also, David Yatom Hay, General Counsel, was recognised for Regulatory Lawyer or In-House Counsel of the Year, reflecting his major contribution to company processes and partnerships, his strong commitment to player protection and compliance, and his wider work for the industry through articles, keynotes, and the panel and roundtable discussions that help set safer standards.
“These shortlists reflect years of rigorous work by our Legal and Compliance teams in close partnership with our product, platform, innovation, expansion and partnerships teams. We run a compliance-first operation because it protects players and gives regulators and partners certainty. – stated David Yatom Hay, General Counsel of Soft2Bet – By building our own systems and training, and by operating a self-sufficient department that handles most matters in-house with minimal reliance on external counsel, we give the business speed, clarity and accountability.”
Operating in 11 jurisdictions and holding 19 licences, Soft2Bet treats compliance as a strategic discipline embedded in every team. Rather than outsourcing, the company builds its own tools, training and monitoring systems tailored to each market and customer profile. This self-developed ecosystem enables swift updates to AML and RG controls, targeted risk management and clear audit trails.
MEGA, Soft2Bet’s Motivational Engineering Gaming Application, is central to this model. MEGA supports real-time oversight of session length, spend patterns and betting limits, while localised missions and challenges encourage healthy play. By integrating responsible gambling into the product experience, MEGA makes protection intuitive and helps partners lift retention and lifetime value without compromising safety.
The post Soft2Bet brand and Leadership nominated by Global Regulatory Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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From Track to Tech: SOFTSWISS Celebrates Barrichello’s First NASCAR Brasil Triumph
SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, celebrates Rubens Barrichello’s victory in the first NASCAR Brasil Series title in his debut season. As the company’s Non‑Executive Director in Latin America, Barrichello exemplifies the champion’s mindset that underpins SOFTSWISS’ disciplined approach to product delivery in Brazil and worldwide.
The NASCAR Brasil Series crowns its champion over a full season under NASCAR-aligned regulations. The title was sealed at the Match Point finale at Velo Città in São Paulo, where the opening race set the decisive points. Barrichello’s calm, data-driven call at the critical moment mirrors SOFTSWISS’ practice: trust the plan, read the telemetry, execute cleanly.
Rubens Barrichello, Non‑Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, comments: “Everyone knows how much I love this competition and how fierce I am. My heart is in my mouth and I’m very happy.”
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, adds: “This title is a powerful example of what passion, confidence and disciplined preparation deliver. The champion’s mindset that Rubens demonstrates – clarity of plan, trust in the team and precision under pressure – inspires everyone at SOFTSWISS. We will keep applying the same approach in Brazil first and across all markets, bringing measured execution and data-driven decision-making to every release and every client partnership.”
In May, SOFTSWISS marked the first anniversary of its collaboration with Barrichello. This success arrives as an energising milestone for teams and partners, reinforcing a working culture built on preparation, clarity of roles, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement. Earlier this month, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator was named ‘Best Game Aggregator Platform’ at CGS Recife, adding local recognition to the company’s Brazil roadmap.
SOFTSWISS is fully certified in Brazil across its core products – Casino Platform, Game Aggregator, Sportsbook, and Jackpot Aggregator – enabling licensed operators to access a comprehensive, locally compliant stack with trusted support. The same track-to-tech discipline continues to drive responsible and sustainable growth.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides certified software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post From Track to Tech: SOFTSWISS Celebrates Barrichello’s First NASCAR Brasil Triumph appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Swintt increase German market profile with new NOVOLINE deal
Having already established a substantial fan following in Germany thanks to its engaging range of classically-themed slots, sought-after software provider, Swintt, has announced it will be making further in-roads into the country via a new partnership with NOVOLINE.DE.
One of Germany’s most beloved online casino platforms, NOVOLINE.DE is home to a vast collection of over 650 slot games and this impressive library now stands to be significantly boosted by the addition of Swintt’s titles – most notably those included within the popular SwinttPremium range.
A core pillar of Swintt’s multi-faceted content line-up, SwinttPremium titles combine the classic graphics, sounds and fruit-based iconography of land-based slots with quick and easy bonus features. They have proven particularly successful in the regulated German market.
As a result of the new deal, NOVOLINE.DE customers will now be able to enjoy a number of popular entries in the series including Seven Seven Pots and Pearls, Xtra Win X and Aqua Lord – all of which have established themselves among the provider’s best-performing titles in the German market.
Of course, with upwards of 120 titles in the SwinttPremium collection alone, the addition of this exciting selection of 63 games will enable NOVOLINE to offer an even wider selection of casino content to customers, while also helping Swintt cement its position as a top provider in the German market.
David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “Having already established ourselves as a leading software provider in the regulated German market, we’re delighted to be teaming up with NOVOLINE.DE to bring our SwinttPremium games to an even wider range of players.
“As a hugely established online slots platform with a strong player base in the country, the partnership will enable Swintt to enhance its standing among German audiences while also bolstering NOVOLINE’s line-up with proven titles like the fan favourite Seven Seven Pots and Pearls.”
Florian Hermann, Managing Director at NOVOLINE.DE, said: “While NOVOLINE.DE already offers an incredible collection of over 650 slot titles to players, we’re always looking for opportunities to extend our line-up by joining forces with the software providers who can offer something new.
“We’re confident that our customers will love the SwinttPremium titles added to our offering .”
The post Swintt increase German market profile with new NOVOLINE deal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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