Latest News
YouGov, TrueLayer research reveals the 5 trends shaping the future of iGaming payments
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iGaming providers that offer instant bank payment capabilities and couple their service with responsible gambling initiatives will drive trust, higher usage and reduce player churn.
TrueLayer, the leading technology company building financial infrastructure that’s open to any business, anywhere in the world, today revealed the results of its latest research, produced in association with YouGov, into the future of iGaming payments.
The research surveyed over 3,000 regular online gamblers across major European markets including the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany, examining attitudes and experiences within iGaming, and the impact of payment options on player onboarding, retention and safeguards.
It revealed five significant trends:
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Players want fast payments: Rapid deposits and payouts consistently topped the list of player priorities, with 8 out of 10 players rating fast payments as important – and they choose their gaming operators accordingly. Our survey shows that, in 5 out of 6 markets surveyed, players consider fast withdrawals to be in their top two priorities. Compare this with “A good sign-up offer for new customers” – the bounty that has occupied marketers for so long – never making it into a country’s top five priorities.
“What’s better than your player not having to wait to deposit their money and play, or withdraw their winnings? That’s the best experience you can give them,” commented Christian Reinheimer, Head of Payments Strategy, LeoVegas.
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Instant withdrawals improve brand trust: Instant withdrawals increase deposits, while slow or problematic withdrawals are a key source of frustration, complaints, bad reviews – and ultimately churn. Almost two thirds of respondents said they were more likely to trust a gaming service that offered withdrawals and deposits (64%). While more than half (55%) said they were likely to switch to an online gaming service that offered instant withdrawals.
“Players who have access to faster withdrawals are loyal, highly engaged customers who deposit more regularly,” commented Natalie Dunne, Head of Payments, Paddy Power Betfair.
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Players want to pay by bank transfer: In the UK, Germany and the Nordics around 7 in 10 players use bank transfer to pay into a gaming service. Pan-European gaming brands to be mindful of the fact differing cultural preferences across the continent, as card payments still dominate in France, Italy and Spain.
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Onboarding needs to be fast and simple: For all online services, the onboarding challenge is simple, the customer has not yet experienced your service, so they are easier to lose. The trend is towards seamless and frictionless signups. In total, around two thirds of our respondents (65%) said they would not tolerate a signup process which lasted more than five minutes.
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Players choose operators that support responsible gambling: Our research shows that online gaming operators who promote responsible gambling by including tools like spending caps are more popular than those without sophisticated limits. Around two thirds (65%) of players across are likely to use a site that promotes responsible gambling by setting spending caps and limits.
“The research findings clearly show that improved payment options are a key driver for players, whether they are choosing a new gaming provider, allocating deposits or deciding to move on. It delivers a clear message to operators that as players experience seamless digital services in other aspects of their lives, their expectations for iGaming are also changing,” commented George Davis, Product Lead for Payments at TrueLayer.
For operators that means implementing more robust, instant pay-in and payout capabilities, or face increased player churn. True loyalty, the sort that causes customers to genuinely recommend a brand to their friends, comes from one thing only: exceptional customer experience. That includes everything from dispute resolution through to technical reliability and confidence in payments.
Open banking can play a crucial role, delivering new payments approaches to the iGaming market. It also presents an opportunity for operators to differentiate and drive customer customer loyalty through rapid deposits and withdrawals; a trusted white-label payment experience; and tailored responsible gaming protections.
“iGaming providers that offer instant bank payment capabilities and couple their service with responsible gambling initiatives will drive trust, higher usage and higher player stickiness,” added Davis. “Open banking is also a positive move for responsible and sustainable gambling, since banks can control their limit allowance, and any interactions via open banking APIs will enforce those allowances.”
About the Research methodology
The report presents the findings from a survey, conducted by YouGov, into the habits of users of online gambling/betting services. It focused specifically on attitudes to signing up to a service, as well as the ways in which they transfer money in and out of their gaming accounts. We conducted over 3,000 interviews, during October 2020. Data was gathered across six European markets: the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the Nordics (Sweden, Finland and Norway) with a minimum of 500 interviews in each territory.
For the purposes of this survey, online gaming refers to a breadth of online gambling activities, including sports betting, casino games (from slots to poker), bingo and lotteries. All respondents use online gambling / betting sites at least once every couple of months.
Industry News
MiFinity to Showcase Innovative iFrame at SiGMA 2024
MiFinity, a leading global payment services provider, is excited to announce its participation at SiGMA 2024, held in Malta from 12 to 14 November. Visitors can find MiFinity at Stand 2012, where the team will be showcasing its award winning PayAnyBank service, and the latest version of the MiFinity iFrame and demonstrating how it helps iGaming operators acquire and retain players with a seamless, flexible payment experience.
Paul Kavanagh, CEO of MiFinity, commented: “SiGMA is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our latest developments and engage directly with the iGaming community. The MiFinity iFrame is a game-changer for operators looking to streamline their payment processes and enhance the player experience. We look forward to demonstrating its capabilities and connecting with both existing and prospective partners.”
MiFinity’s Business Development and Account Management teams will be on-site to discuss the new iFrame features in-depth and highlight how MiFinity can optimise payments for iGaming operators. They will also be showcasing MiFinity’s innovative suite of payment solutions developed specifically for the iGaming sector, including MiFinity PayAnyBank — a powerful tool that enables operators to send payouts directly to players’ bank accounts in multiple countries and currencies, enhancing the user experience with faster, more localised transactions and reduced FX fees.
The MiFinity Affiliates team will also be available to explain the benefits of MiFinity’s affiliate program, which offers some of the highest commissions in the industry and unique promotional opportunities via the MiFinity Bonus website.
Meet the MiFinity team at Stand 2012 at SiGMA 2024 to learn more about the company’s solutions and how they are transforming the iGaming payment landscape. Pre-book a meeting with the MiFinity team or drop by the stand during the event to explore how MiFinity can support your business.
Book a meeting here > outlook.office365.com/book/[email protected]/
Latest News
ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona
The news that January’s ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gaming’s most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.
Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.
Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: “Our members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.
“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientation—connecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”
Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: “We represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.”
January’s editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.
Industry Awards
Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards
Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.
Award Recognition
The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.
The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask
Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.
Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.
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