Latest News

Exclusive Swiss Market Q&A w/ Neosurf Global CEO Andrea McGeachin

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2025

Reading Time: 4 minutes

As Neosurf breaks into the fiercely competitive Swiss market, Global CEO Andrea McGeachin shares why the company believes it can make a real impact – and what it’s taken to get off to a strong start.

You mentioned in a previous interview that Neosurf initially had reservations about entering the Swiss market as the existing competition was thought to be too strong. What was it that caused the company to change its mind and where do you think Neosurf’s products can provide a competitive edge compared to other companies?

I’d say our outlook began to change when we had gambling operators, game merchants and other clients tell us that the market was falling short at a service level. For some it was a question of fees and for others it was to do with the general approach to account management, but after listening to their concerns we had a completely different picture of the Swiss landscape and knew that Neosurf would be able to help. This is usually the approach we take in countries that we’ve not thought about launching in – we really make an effort to talk to clients and other strategic partners about what we should be working towards and where Neosurf can make a difference. Switzerland was definitely one of those countries and you’ll see the same in South America soon!

As is often the case for Neosurf, you talked extensively with Swiss regulators before ultimately making the decision to go ahead and launch. What was the content of those discussions and were there any specific issues raised that made you think “ok, this is an area where Neosurf can help operators meet their compliance requirements”?

Absolutely. Digital wallets in Switzerland often create limitations on spend to help operators meet their AML requirements, which in turn leads to situations where customers have to switch their payment method later in the year because they’ve already hit the upper cap. This can be quite an onerous process for payment companies to support, so we worked with our excellent lawyer, local MD and local MLO to create something that was less arduous for the player but also met the standards and due diligence required on the regulator’s side. When I first heard about the rule, I thought “this sounds so old-fashioned and slow and it will cost way more than we’d like to spend,” but I loved the way my team and colleagues all came together to come up with a smart solution that ensures players don’t leave an operator simply because they’ve reached their spending limit.

Presumably launching in a market like Switzerland where regulation is well-established and strong competitors already exist is quite different from entering an emerging market like LatAm. Did you have to make any specific adjustments to your entry strategy or localised tweaks to your product offering to account for this fact?

Yes we did and yes we have! We’ve got a number of local experts – both internally and among our partners – who’ve really supported us in adapting for the Swiss market. While we recognise that operators can’t simply switch off our competitors, we’re happy that they’re giving us the opportunity to prove our worth and we’ll continue to collaborate very closely with them to ensure that we keep improving and give players the best possible solution. Switzerland is a very tough country to enter and return in quickly, but whereas other competitors have tried and left, we’re here for long term and are more than willing to be patient. When we encountered friction in the Netherlands, we didn’t just pack up and walk away – we went to the regulator and ensured they understood and accepted our product – and that’s exactly what we’ll do in Switzerland if needed.

What are some of the biggest challenges that are specific to the Swiss market in terms of payments and how will Neosurf’s products address these? Does the fact that you offer more than just transaction completion and instead take an active role in supporting compliance, AML and responsible gaming make your offering unique?

The use of our Compliance Handshake and explaining that process to MLRO teams and operators’ compliance teams always creates amazing discussions that make them realise we’re a payments company that does things differently. For me, it’s always a fun challenge trying to get a compliance person to want to talk to a payments company, because they’re not used to having someone come and chat with them about what they need and how they can be better supported. Of course, it’s always easy to say these things, but when you actually deliver on them like Neosurf does, it starts to build trust in your responsible gambling practices and your use of AML controls and data sharing for compliance issues. All of that helps us stick in the minds of operators – we’re able to sit down with them and say, “we can, and we will” and that’s when things start to change.

By all accounts, the Swiss launch has been very successful for you so far. Given the high level of competition you mentioned, are you surprised at just how well you’ve started in the region and what do you attribute this early success to? Do you have any key numbers from your first months in the market that you’re particularly proud of?

While we’re not ready to publish the numbers at such an early stage, it has definitely been a success. As I said earlier, starting out in Switzerland is always a slow process, but we’ve seen steady growth and the fact we’re known as an honest company in the industry that’s willing to sit and talk to people has really helped us make an impact. Interestingly, some of the partners and operators we work with that don’t normally target the Swiss market have started to realise that Swiss players also want to access international business with the Swiss franc and that in itself has been a major catalyst for further growth. Naturally, there are rules and limits that we have to follow, but we’re starting to open doors for Swiss citizens to be able to play a game or place a bet and I think that’s helped merchants and operators see that they too can serve the Swiss market.

The post Exclusive Swiss Market Q&A w/ Neosurf Global CEO Andrea McGeachin appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

City of Sound strikes a golden chord

Published

37 minutes ago

June 5, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Play’n GO amplifies its music slot portfolio with City of Sound, a high-energy title that channels the grit and glamour of the Britpop era into a game packed with Gold Records, surprise wins, and headline-worthy features.

City of Sound drops players into the raw, reverb-drenched pulse of 1990s Britpop, telling the story of two brothers with stadium dreams and second-hand gear. From bedrooms plastered in gig posters to arenas soaked in spotlight, this slot captures a scene – and a spirit – where every spin feels like a set closer. With its 5-reel, 25-payline structure and dynamic visuals, it continues Play’n GO’s legacy of music-themed games, joining the likes of NSYNC Pop and KISS Reels of Rock.

Golden vinyl is your currency of fame. Six or more Gold Records trigger the Gold Re-Spins, where each new record resets the count and multiplies the possibilities. The Gold Record Case can land mid-feature to cash in the entire stage’s value instantly – a true headliner moment. Beyond the spotlight, Gold Records build silently in the Gold Record Stack, which can spill into surprise wins when least expected.

Then there’s the Mega Free Spins – five guaranteed spins with a larger-than-life 3×3 Mega Symbol landing in random positions. It’s a feature that doesn’t just echo through the game – it changes the tempo. And when a Mega Gold Record hits? It splits into nine symbols and launches a bonus performance: the Gold Re-Spins within the Free Spins.

Like Lordi Reel Monsters and The Paying Piano Club, City of Sound blends musical flair with bold, engaging mechanics. Fans of Legion Gold Victory! will recognise echoes in the Gold Re-Spins – now tuned to a different genre and turned up to eleven.

Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, Magnus Wallentin, said:“City of Sound captures the swagger and struggle of Britpop in a slot that’s all about big moments and bigger rewards. It’s not just nostalgic – it’s chart-worthy.”

Whether you lived through the Britpop era or just spin the vinyl, City of Sound delivers a reel experience worth turning up for.

The post City of Sound strikes a golden chord appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Rolls Out Powerful API 2.0

Published

37 minutes ago

June 5, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SOFTSWISS, a leading global tech company providing software for the iGaming industry, has introduced API 2.0 to its Sportsbook, unlocking faster, simpler and more flexible integrations. The update reduces integration time for clients and enables seamless onboarding of new features, all while supporting broad compatibility across diverse technologies and platforms.

The updated transactional process in API 2.0 removes the need for multiple technical connection points (endpoints), replacing them with just two essential ones. This makes it significantly easier and faster for platforms to connect to the Sportsbook – instead of managing complex bet details, they simply handle balance updates, while the Sportsbook manages the full betting flow. As a result, integration becomes quicker, more reliable, and more cost-efficient.

Another key benefit is that API 2.0 picks up new Sportsbook features automatically, without requiring any changes in the client’s code. That means new tools and functionality can be rolled out instantly, without additional effort from the client’s development team. The API also follows one unified structure that works for any platform, so there is no need to build separate versions for different partners. This simplifies technical maintenance and helps clients scale faster.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, comments: “We’ve built API 2.0 to be as open and adaptable as possible. It’s now easier than ever to integrate our Sportsbook into any casino platform – no matter how it’s structured. By simplifying the contract and making metadata handling optional, we empower our clients to focus on wallet processing while we take care of everything else. That’s the strength of this solution – it’s plug-and-play but powerful.”

API 2.0 offers greater flexibility by allowing platforms to customise the integration based on their specific needs – for example, by showing or hiding certain data fields. This means the Sportsbook can easily adapt to different frontends and wallet systems, even those that do not have built-in support for sports betting. The updated setup also ensures smoother and more stable integrations, with automatic checks to catch issues early. Looking ahead, partners will be able to test everything themselves through a simple interface and get instant feedback, making the onboarding process even faster.

The API launch follows recent accolades for the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook. The platform was recognised as the Innovation of the Year at the Sports Betting East Africa Summit and was named Best Sports Betting Provider in the Nordics at the Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards 2025, affirming its leadership in product excellence and market adaptability.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Rolls Out Powerful API 2.0 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Published

12 hours ago

June 4, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Colin Webster (right) seen here receiving an award from His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed al Maktoun (left) in 2019, has again set a precedent in the esports community by highlighting the importance of all roles that contribute to the ecosystem.

Colin Webster, President of Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), has announced a significant policy change: shout-casters will now be included as official support staff within the national esports squad and will be eligible to receive Protea Colours.

This development acknowledges the vital role shout-casters play in enhancing the visibility and professionalism of esports events. However, it must be noted that such shout-casters must be fully-paid-up members of a club affiliated to MSSA.

Shout-casters Recognized as National Support Staff

By integrating shout-casters into the national team framework, MSSA ensures that these professionals are formally recognized for their contributions. This inclusion not only validates their efforts but also aligns with MSSA’s commitment to fostering a comprehensive and inclusive esports environment.

Eligibility for Protea Colours

With this policy update, shout-casters who meet the necessary criteria and are selected as part of the national squad’s support staff will be awarded Protea Colours. This honour places them alongside players and coaches in representing South Africa on the international esports stage, reflecting their integral role in the team’s success.

Impact on South African Esports

This move by MSSA sets a precedent in the esports community, highlighting the importance of all roles that contribute to the ecosystem. By recognizing shout-casters, MSSA not only boosts morale among these professionals but also encourages higher standards and dedication, ultimately enhancing the quality and reach of South African esports.

For more information and updates, you can visit MSSA’s official Facebook page or their Instagram profile.

The post appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.