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Our UKGC consultation response: Failing to protect the vulnerable should not be the White Paper’s legacy
The dust has settled and the process is complete. The consultation on the proposed changes outlined in the UK Gambling White Paper is closed so now we just have to wait and see. Whilst we do so, we thought that in the spirit of transparency, we would share our own thoughts, more or less as they were communicated in our consultation response to the UK Gambling Commision.
Offering a real-time customer risk profiling tool, ClearStake’s focus was obviously on affordability checks. But then, much of the industry’s attention has been on this topic over the last few months. This is, to our mind, the single most important challenge facing the sector. Addressing it in the right way, a way that protects both punters and operators, will be the key to a sustainable, profitable future.
And with that goal uppermost in our mind, here is what we said:
1. Affordability checks must use real financial data
Certainly at the levels of spend proposed as meriting more thorough checks (£1,000 in a day or £2,000 over the space of three months), we don’t believe there is any real substitute for real financial data, by which we mean bank data. There is simply no other way of establishing whether a player can afford to lose this amount of money or not. Everything else – including data from credit reference agencies – is guesswork. We believe that the single greatest mistake that could be made during this process is not solving the problem of financial harm caused by gambling. That won’t be an issue if the government requires decisions to be made by operators in possession of a proper financial picture of their customers.
2. We can solve two problems at once
The consultation focused on affordability checks, but it would be almost perverse to ignore the wider reality at play here. Operators also have to perform anti money-laundering and source-of-funds (SOF) checks on their customers, and they do so by looking at bank statements. Given this is the case, it makes a lot of sense to us to effectively combine both these requirements within a single check.
3. At higher spend levels, it makes sense to keep customers connected
There has been a lot of talk about how frequently checks should take place, or to put that another way, whether it should be necessary to go back to a customer within six months or a year if they have already passed a check. To us, this rather misses the opportunity presented by Open Banking in particular. After the first check, assuming the player allows it, any checks in future can be entirely frictionless. The connection can remain in place and used when necessary (and only when necessary!) in order to make the ongoing compliance relationship as smooth as possible. We don’t expect ongoing connection to be mandated, but it should certainly be held up as best practice for all concerned.
4. Some of the proposed data points make little sense
When a solution that takes guesswork out of the equation is available, does it really make sense to suggest that postcodes and job titles are meaningful ways to determine an individual’s financial situation? We don’t think so. We believe that continuing to ‘lean in’ to data like this gives a misleading impression that it is good enough. It isn’t. Even as part of a broader decision-making process, it is very difficult to see where some of these data points fit in. You could say the same, of course, about missed loan repayments from three years ago.
5. The solution exists – why cobble together a new one?
Hovering behind the entire consultation process appears to be a not-quite-defined ‘solution’ to the affordability challenge. This is apparent in the various hints towards the use of CATO data (let’s just say it, even if the Commission aren’t willing to) and a hodge-podge of random data points in order to make affordability decisions, as part of a system that would have to be piloted in order to ensure a) it works and b) it doesn’t create data security issues.
Leaving aside the absurdity of asking us to judge the merits of an approach that hasn’t actually been defined, we would simply point out that in Open Banking, a solution to this challenge already exists. One that is already used by over 7 million people in the UK, by most UK operators to handle payments, and already used to handle affordability and SOF checks by forward-thinking operators. Why on earth are we re-inventing the wheel?
So there you have it. That’s what we told the consultation, albeit in language a little less colourful. I hope they listen.
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Blask integrates comprehensive licensing data
Blask, the AI-driven market analytics ecosystem, has added extensive regulated market data to its algorithm, which now analyses hundreds of reports from gambling commissions, tax authorities, industry experts and operators around the world.
The new input means Blask can deliver an accurate, multilingual, real-time picture of the regulatory situation in more than 40 iGaming markets, with many more to be added over the coming months.
By integrating verified data from regulatory bodies and gambling commissions, Blask can now provide:
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A market-by-market breakdown of local and offshore licence holders
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Tax rate insights to assess market profitability
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Advanced dashboards for strategic decision making
Max Tesla, CEO of Blask, said: “Regulated markets are evolving rapidly these days, and staying ahead requires accurate, real-time data. By integrating verified regulatory data directly into the Blask platform, we’re giving operators and other stakeholders the ability to make smarter decisions with absolute confidence. This is a huge leap forward in strategic market analysis.”
The new data has been seamlessly integrated into the Blask dashboard. Users can view details of the regulatory authority governing a market. For brands operating under local licences, Blask now features comprehensive licence information, including type and dates of issuance and expiration.
The Blask team has worked tirelessly to automate the analysis of hundreds of reports in multiple languages and from numerous different trusted sources. This includes brands that offer open data.
The post Blask integrates comprehensive licensing data appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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EGT Digital partners with NOTO – 360 Fraud and Compliance to elevate fraud and compliance management
EGT Digital is excited to announce its collaboration with NOTO – 360 Fraud and Compliance, a leading FRAML (Fraud and AML) solution provider. Thanks to the integration of the enterprise grade FRAML platform NOTO, now the iGaming company’s customers have access to powerful tools, allowing them to effectively manage financial crime risks while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Through this platform the gaming operators are able to combat fraud, prevent promotional abuse, and simplify compliance processes. Its intuitive interface and pre-integrated capabilities make it the ideal solution for reducing complexity in fraud risk management within the iGaming sector.
“We are very happy with our partnership with EGT Digital, a leader in the iGaming and entertainment space,” said Ivan Stefanov, CEO of NOTO – 360 Fraud and Compliance. “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to providing unparalleled protection against fraud and ensuring seamless compliance with regulatory requirements. By combining EGT Digital’s innovative iGaming platform with our advanced fraud detection and AML solution—featuring real-time analytics, machine learning-driven insights, and multi-layered security—our customers can enjoy a secure, streamlined experience. Together, we’re empowering businesses to combat fraud, reduce costs, and deliver trust at scale.”
Rumen Apostolov, Fraud Manager at EGT Digital, also expressed his positive expectations regarding the cooperation: “I’m proud to have spearheaded this partnership with NOTO. In an industry where fraud prevention and compliance are critical, integrating their cutting-edge FRAML solution into our platform ensures that our clients can confidently navigate these challenges. Partnering with NOTO is a significant step forward in our mission to provide robust all-in-one solution for gaming operators.”
The post EGT Digital partners with NOTO – 360 Fraud and Compliance to elevate fraud and compliance management appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Evoplay adds Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup to iconic series
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has released Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup, the latest addition to its acclaimed instant game series. Inspired by the success of the previous two titles, this new release combines the best elements of both games to deliver an even more immersive experience.
The fan-favourite series adds its third title, a football-themed game where players take on the role of penalty takers, delivering a realistic stadium experience with dynamic visuals and a captivating atmosphere.
Each round features five penalty shots, where players can strategically aim at their chosen target or opt for a random selection. Scoring all five shots triggers the Super Win, awarding the title of Game Champion and maximum rewards.
Outcomes are determined by a random number generator, with successful shots offering multipliers that can boost winnings up to 32x the bet.
Designed with flexibility in mind, Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup is optimised for both mobile and desktop platforms.
With its engaging features, striking visuals, and football-inspired soundtrack, Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup stands out as a valuable addition to any operator’s portfolio, catering to both sports fans and instant game enthusiasts.
Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup brings the excitement of football’s most iconic moments to the iGaming world.
“By merging the energy of a penalty shootout with instant game mechanics, we’ve created a title that offers widespread appeal. We’re confident it will engage players and deliver strong results for our operator partners.”
The post Evoplay adds Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup to iconic series appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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