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The Big Game: perfect target for cybercriminals?
In 2022, the BlackByte ransomware group published a 292MB file containing sensitive information from the San Francisco 49ers. Like teams, venues and vendors, bookmakers are also in danger as they handle a large volume of personal data in the run-up to major events, during the events themselves and in the aftermath.
With the Big Game coming up soon in the US, Sumsub, an all-in-one verification platform that secures the entire customer journey with customizable KYC, KYB, transaction monitoring and AML solutions, has outlined what to expect and how to avoid threats associated with major events.
Expected traffic increases
Last year’s Big Game registered more than 101 million viewers according to the Nielsen consultancy. American fans avidly continue to bet on major sporting events as more and more states legalize gambling following the removal of a federal ban. By the end of 2022, the online betting industry registered a growth of two billion dollars, driven by sports pools.
Based on its experience with traffic spikes at major sporting events, Sumsub expects to see a traffic increase of more than 83% at sportsbooks around the last game of the American football season.
“Though major sporting events attract much-desired traffic to betting platforms, cybercriminals and scammers increase in number as well, so bookmakers need to take extra care. Manual verification is not optimal because, with the increased user traffic, onboarding time grows accordingly, so the best choice would be to find a trusted all-in-one verification provider offering an advanced automated solution for KYC, AML and anti-fraud,” said Andrew Sever, co-founder and CEO of Sumsub.
As user traffic increases and verification takes longer, it can be tempting for betting platforms to cut some expenses. This is especially true for bookmakers used to performing manual verification, which can take more than 24 hours under normal circumstances and much longer during big events. Bookmakers know that if verification takes too long, users will go to the competition. As a result, they may be willing to sacrifice verification accuracy for speed.
However, this type of compromise inevitably leads to regulatory sanctions. For example, Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes, was fined £17 million ($20.6 million)—the largest ever fine in the UK—for failing to enforce player security and anti-money laundering measures.
Surge in fraud
Fraud is increasing in the gaming sector. In Q1 2022, fraud increased 50.1% compared to Q1 2021. There was also an 85% increase in fake account registrations compared to Q4 2021. The upcoming Big Game is expected to attract even more fraudsters.
The list of fraud schemes that bookmakers experience is extensive:
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arbitrage betting
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multiple accounts
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identity theft
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account takeover
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money laundering
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affiliate fraud
Cybersecurity threats
“Big sporting events and hacking go hand in hand and the bigger the event, the more threats there are. Attackers can be individual hacker groups looking to make a quick buck or politically oriented groups wanting to steal sensitive information,” added Andrew Sever.
Cyberattacks range from hacking into match broadcasts and security cameras to stealing the personal data of athletes, organizers and spectators. More attention needs to be paid to collecting and storing user data securely, as well as increasing the overall resistance of betting platforms to hackers.
Best ways to avoid threats while enjoying high traffic?
During major sporting events, the challenge for bookmakers is to onboard users without reducing approval rates, all while remaining AML (anti-money laundering) compliant and maintaining security.
The solution is to create an automated verification flow that allows users to easily onboard and go through extra checks only where and when it really matters. Below is a list of checks bookmakers can employ at each stage of the customer journey. There are also some suggestions on how to make this flow even more agile:
Request a minimum number of checks at the time of registration. When a user registers for the first time, platforms may limit verification procedures to collecting names and checking phone numbers or email. This way, the user becomes familiar with the service and is more motivated to go through the full verification procedure when he really wants to place a bet.
Deploy simplified checks when appropriate. For low-risk users, bookmakers can introduce a simplified check using a single document, as long as it contains identity and address information. This allows users to avoid uploading additional documents to verify their address, thus increasing approval rates.
Add additional checks when users make their first deposit. This could include bank card verification and facial biometric check to ensure that the true cardholder is making a deposit.
Introduce facial recognition to prevent fraud. Doing this at the onboarding stage combats multi-accounting. Adding biometric verification when users log in or recover their account ensures that fraudsters can’t hack it. And it’s often even more important to use it at the stage of withdrawal of funds, which is where more fraud tends to occur.
“Adding these checks to the flow reduces verification time and still ensures security. For example, Kaizen Gaming moved from manual verification to Sumsub’s automated solution, reduced their average onboarding time to 1 minute 39 seconds and increased its overall performance by 350%, all while eliminating fraud,” concluded Sever.
Discussion: networking event for gambling professionals in London
In partnership with Sardine, an industry leading fraud prevention platform, Sumsub announced Gambling Pros Party, a private networking event for gambling professionals which will take place at Clays Canary Wharf, London on February 6, 2023 at 18:30 UK time. This event will be useful for experts, businesspeople and professionals working in the betting and gambling companies.
Participation is free of charge and for gambling professionals only. To save your seat, please register with your business email: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/520357091067/?discount=Sumsub
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Dutch Gaming Regulator Publishes Match-fixing Trend Analysis 2024
The Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), has published its Match-fixing Trend Analysis for 2024.
In 2024, there were 13 reports from license holders, compared to 6 reports in 2023. The reports concern striking betting patterns, risky matches and striking changes in odds. Following the investigation into these signals, the KSA has issued 4 warnings and a guideline with guidance for the market will follow shortly.
In the Trend Analysis Match Fixing 2024, the KSA provides an overview of the reports it received in the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024. It concerns 13 reports of possible match fixing, originating from 8 different license holders. Compared to the trend analysis for the year 2023, the number of reports has more than doubled. Possible explanations are efforts by the KSA to create more awareness of the reporting obligation among licensed providers or a global increase in reports of match fixing. A number of the signals were reason for investigation. Based on this, the KSA issued 4 warnings.
The KSA will make even more efforts to point out to licensed providers their legal obligation to inform the KSA without delay of indications that point to an increased risk of manipulation of an involved match. Guidance for the market in the form of a guideline will follow shortly. In addition, the KSA will continue to monitor the signals.
One of the goals of the Gambling Act is to combat gambling-related match-fixing at licensed providers of sports betting. The KSA has no legal task in detecting match-fixing, but examines whether licensed providers do enough to prevent match-fixing.
For this purpose, the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU) was established within the KSA, a reporting point for signals of possible match-fixing in gambling.
The post Dutch Gaming Regulator Publishes Match-fixing Trend Analysis 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Aldi and Allwyn Bring National Lottery to Self-checkouts at all UK Stores
Aldi is working with National Lottery operator Allwyn to offer The National Lottery at all self-checkouts across its UK stores.
National Lottery draw games have been available to buy from colleagues at Aldi stores since 2021, but will now be offered to all self-checkout users for the first time.
The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket is among the first to launch the service, with the rollout already underway across more than 1050 UK stores.
The full rollout is set to be complete by spring this year, making it even easier for shoppers to conveniently pick up their tickets while shopping.
Lucky Dip tickets for Lotto, EuroMillions, Thunderball and Set For Life games will all be available from the self-checkout touchscreens, while those with a National Lottery Fast Pay card can easily self-scan to generate their bespoke tickets.
Richard Thornton, Communications Director at Aldi, said: “We’re always looking for ways to improve the shopping experience for our customers which is why we’ve made it even easier to enter the National Lottery while picking up essentials at our self-checkouts.
“As the UK’s cheapest supermarket, our shoppers know they’ll always find amazing value at Aldi, but we hope some lucky customers manage to find the winning numbers at our self-checkouts too.”
Jenny Blogg, Operations Director at Allwyn, said: “As we continue on our retail transformation journey – adapting our offering for a changing retail landscape and new-look stores – we’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with Aldi.
“This will ultimately see The National Lottery available at every single touchpoint in Aldi’s customer journey, helping us to reach even more players. So, however Aldi customers choose to shop – whether at the main tills or via self-checkout – they’ll always have the option to pick up a National Lottery game. This project has been a massive effort by the teams at both Allwyn and Aldi, and my sincere thanks must go to everyone involved.”
As with any other age restricted purchase, an age verification check will be carried out by an Aldi colleague before shoppers can complete their transaction.
The post Aldi and Allwyn Bring National Lottery to Self-checkouts at all UK Stores appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Million Games Introduces Chicken X – A High-Stakes Arcade-Inspired Casino Game
Million Games is thrilled to announce the release of Chicken X, a high-risk, high-reward game that brings an exciting gambling twist to the classic arcade-style road-crossing genre. With a maximum payout factor of 10,000x, Chicken X challenges players to navigate the daring chicken across a busy road while strategically deciding when to cash out or push their luck for even bigger rewards.
A New Take on Risk and Reward
Chicken X is designed to blend simple yet exhilarating gameplay with the thrill of casino-style betting. Players must guide Jack the Chicken across multiple lanes of traffic, collecting cash with each successful crossing. However, one wrong move could mean disaster – if Jack gets hit by a vehicle, the game ends, and all accumulated winnings are lost.
With five difficulty levels ranging from Beginner to Insane, players can adjust the level of risk they are willing to take. Each level offers a unique combination of volatility and potential payouts, making Chicken X suitable for both casual and high-stakes players.
“We wanted to create a game that balances fast-paced decision-making with the excitement of high-stakes gambling,” said Thomas Nimstad, CEO of Million Games. “Chicken X is all about knowing when to take the win and when to take the risk. With its arcade-inspired betting mechanics and intense multiplier system, we believe this game will captivate players looking for an adrenaline-fuelled experience.”
Innovative Features and Engaging Gameplay
Chicken X incorporates:
- Cash winnings – Winnings increase as you progress across the road with a max payout of 10,000x.
- Five levels of difficulty – Each with varying levels of risk and reward.
- Strategic cash-out system – Players can choose to collect their winnings at any time or continue for higher payouts.
- Immersive visuals and sound design – Creating a high-energy casino atmosphere.
With a medium volatility rating and 96.5% RTP, Chicken X offers a balanced mix of entertainment and reward potential.
Now Available on Million Games
Chicken X is now live and available to play on Million Games, adding another exciting title to its growing portfolio of innovative casino games. Players can experience the thrill of fast-paced decision-making and strategic betting in a game that combines arcade nostalgia with high-stakes gambling.
The post Million Games Introduces Chicken X – A High-Stakes Arcade-Inspired Casino Game appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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