SOFTSWISS, a leading technology provider for iGaming, has further solidified its presence in the European market by securing certification for its Jackpot Aggregator in Bulgaria. 

The iGaming market in Bulgaria is experiencing significant growth, attracting new businesses despite stringent domestic regulations. The market is projected to generate 168.70 million euro in revenue by 2028, with an annual growth rate of 5.42%. The number of users is expected to reach 377.3 thousand by the same year, further highlighting the sector’s momentum.

In line with this growth, SOFTSWISS announces that its Jackpot Aggregator has received certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), ensuring it meets all technical requirements for use in the Bulgarian market. With the new certification of the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, Bulgarian-licensed operators can integrate this advanced engagement tool into their casino offerings.

In May, SOFTSWISS successfully entered the Bulgarian market through a partnership with Topwin.bg, which implemented the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator, and the Sportsbook.

“We are seeing a strong surge in interest in our jackpot mechanic, fueled by the growing demand for engagement tools in the market. That’s why we are committed to further developing the Jackpot Aggregator, enhancing its features, and expanding into new markets. Certification for the Bulgarian market is a clear testament to our ambition and drive for expansion. We are actively working on obtaining certifications in other jurisdictions,” comments Angelina Stasiuk, Head of Business Line at SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator.

SOFTSWISS has several international and national licences and certifications, including a South African licence acquired through the purchase of a majority stake in Turfsport. The company recently announced its plans to become the first certified software provider in Brazil.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in 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 23,500 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, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

Twitch Lays Out Rules & Regulations of Prohibited Gambling Content Policy 

Twitch, the popular live-streaming service for content, including music, sports, entertainment, and gaming, has officially implemented the terms and conditions of its gambling content policy. Twitch announced a new Gambling Policy Update on 20 September 2022, but it only came into effect on 18 October 2022.

According to the updated rules on the prohibition of gambling content, Twitch does not allow users to share affiliate codes, or links, to slots, dice games, or roulette sites. More specifically, Twitch live streamers are proscribed from performing the following:

• No referral codes to slot sites are permitted in chats
• Twitch users may not verbally direct chats to dice game sites
• Live streamers may not include banners with links to online roulette games

According to the rules and regulations of the Prohibited Gambling Content Policy, several sites are now banned from streaming on Twitch. These include Roobet, Rollbit, Stake, and Duelbits. In addition, they may not be included as links in chat conversations either. 

In determining the permissibility of the site, Twitch contemplates multiple factors, notably the presence of safety and security measures (age verification, waiting periods, deposit limits, et al.).

Further, Twitch assesses the presence of VPNs as it pertains to the evasion of geo-blocking technology. Other factors that come into play include licensing and regulation of online gambling sites. Jurisdictions such as the US and Europe are notable for their robust customer protection policies. As such, these operators are more likely to enjoy protections from Twitch.

Significant Drop in the Slots Meta on Twitch

Reports from Big Win Board indicate that the slots meta has seen a drop in streaming activity from all prominent stake/crypto streamers. According to the report, the slots meta fell to #48 at the time of publication. That’s a significant drop from its heydays before the crackdown on crypto casinos and gambling content.

Fake streamers typically resort to view botting to accumulate views. Unfortunately, streamers have consistently exaggerated the numbers to create higher figures. Although streamers keep using view botting, the number should now be closer in reality.

Many targeted fake streamers used similar strategies to drive traffic from DLive to Twitch. To encourage viewers to view their streams, they offered giveaways. These actions could be considered a violation of Twitch’s updated terms and conditions.

The Twitch Ban Is Not A Blanket Ban on Gambling

While the Twitch ban on gambling  reads as a blanket ban on gambling, this is certainly not the case. Twitch maintains that gambling is permitted on the live streaming service, but the rules are sacrosanct. 

Live streamers who ignore the rules, or try to obviate them, may now face punitive measures. The new Prohibited Gambling Content Policy has left many Twitch users bemused, yet gambling is permitted, provided it follows several guidelines.

Twitch has not clarified the regulations pertaining to its updated gambling policy. However, the rules provide a general framework for gauging the permissibility of crypto casinos and casinos in general. According to those in the know, unregulated operators are front and center as targets of the new Twitch ban on gambling.

These operators are considered unsafe. However, since Amazon owns Twitch and the companies are based in the United States, it is safe to say that gambling websites licensed and regulated in the United States are safe to promote.

Twitch streamers are encouraged to validate whether the operator is licensed before actively promoting content online. Those who flout the rules risk a permanent ban on Twitch. Unfortunately, many such instances have already taken place, with scores of streamers potentially facing the same fate. As a case in point, when the ban went into effect on 18 October 2022, the majority of Stake streamers vanished from the platform.

While a small number tried to remain active – by flouting the regulations – they primarily view botting channels and spam. Once they were reported, they were immediately removed – a testament to Twitch’s determination to make good on its promise.

Many such examples abound, notably TrainwrecksTV – a prominent streamer on Twitch – who shifted from his typical gambling stream to Overwatch 2. Indeed, TrainwrecksTV’s meta fell out of the top 25 for the first time in many years as the streamer talked about doing podcasts or building his streaming platform.

Wazdan set their sights on worldwide expansion as they tally up their licenses and certifications, and strategise on what’s next for their international customer base.

Following on from a significant year of international expansion, the innovative slot game producer is looking to the year ahead with big ambitions on how to please their global audience of players and operators.

As of today, Wazdan games have been licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, Curacao eGaming and Romanian National Gambling Office ONJN. Not to mention, being certified and able to offer their products in Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

With these new licenses and certifications, Wazdan have been able to further cement their place as a leading slot producer on a global scale, where brands across the world have clamoured to offer their games, and players have got to enjoy a taste of the tailorable games unique to the Wazdan brand.

This has, of course, come as a result of hard work from the team at Wazdan. The operation of the casino software developer in these countries aids in their expansion strategy into key controlled markets around the world, such as Mexico and Sweden.

2019 saw the entry of Wazdan into the Swedish market through partners Kindred, Mr Green, Hero Gaming, and others, as well as into Mexico via their partnership with Logrand.

Looking at the year ahead, Wazdan continues to hold ambitious plans. More games, more licenses and more happy customers, being the top three focusses for 2020.

Be sure to visit the team at ICE London on stand S8-202 between the 4th to 6th of February to discuss what 2020 has in store, and to discover brand new games, including Black Horse Deluxe™, Sonic Reels, and Sic Bo Dragons.

“2020 is officially in full swing, and we could not be more excited and energised to push forward into the year ahead. We closed off 2019 with our games reaching an audience wider than ever before, and we intend to spend 2020 reaching further, both in terms of international expansion and in what we can do to delight players and operators through our games. Visit us on stand S8-202 at ICE London for an enthusiastic conversation about all things gaming and innovation.” Andrzej Hyla, Head of Sales at Wazdan.