Latest News

YouGov, TrueLayer research reveals the 5 trends shaping the future of iGaming payments

Published

3 years ago

December 1, 2020

Zoltan Tundik

Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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:

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.

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.

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.
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.
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.

Up Next

Playson strengthens Italian presence with Blox Limited

Don't Miss

Evoplay Entertainment widens ever-growing UK and MGA reach with Playzido

Click to comment

Latest News

BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25

Published

4 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25

BLAST to start hosting regular Dota 2 tournaments in 2024/25
First studio event to take place in November 2024
BLAST.tv will become new home of Dota 2 esports, platform will allow fans to tailor their viewing experience, get closer to the action and impact the entertainment unfolding before their eyes

Esports entertainment company BLAST has revealed plans to enter Dota 2 with a full schedule of events to be rolled out in 2024/25. BLAST will become the new home of Dota 2 esports through arranging a tournament series focused on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments.

The tournament organiser will host a first Dota 2 studio event in November, ahead of four events taking place in 2025. The full extent of the new Dota 2 tournament series will be revealed in the summer, where further information on format, prize pool and locations will be shared.

Andrew Haworth, VP of Ecosystems, Valve & Riot Games, said: “We are delighted to be entering Dota 2 and have plans for BLAST to bring a new level of production and excitement that Dota fans haven’t seen before. It’s a game we love as fans and players, we’ve been following closely as an interested tournament organiser for the last few years. As we’ve grown as a business and expand into further titles, Dota has always been on our wish list.

With the recent changes to the Dota ecosystem we feel it’s the perfect opportunity for BLAST to come in, provide the community with the next level of tournaments and become the new home of Dota 2.

“BLAST prides itself on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments while bringing together the very best teams and biggest superstars to fight it out for glory on the server. We look forward to bringing this approach to the world of Dota 2 and providing fans with the best esports entertainment on offer.”

This strategic move marks a significant expansion of BLAST’s tournament portfolio, further diversifying its offerings beyond its successful ventures in Fortnite (FNCS), Rocket League (RLCS), Counter-Strike, and Rainbow Six Siege.

BLAST.tv, a custom made esports live viewing platform, will add Dota 2 to its offering meaning fans will be able to enjoy a tailor made competitive esports viewing experience and platform. Fans will never miss a key moment of the action with the BLAST.tv interactive timeline feature, which catalogues standout highlights to be replayed instantly on the playback timeline.

The platform has a custom built video player with 4K capabilities and a moderated live chat feature that will enable fans to connect with a like-minded community, where fans will be able to impact the events unfolding before their eyes through interactive polls.

Outside of the live experience, BLAST.tv will be a one-stop-shop for Dota 2 esports fans. Providing them with the latest player stats, team standings, mini-games, news and exclusive content and experiences.

Latest News

Emma Shilling Receives Visionary Compliance Leader Award in the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards

Published

4 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SolutionsHub’s Head of Compliance, Emma Shilling, has been recognised at the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards, winning the prestigious Visionary Compliance Leader Award. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence within the compliance landscape.

The 2024 Women in Leadership Awards celebrate excellence in leadership by meticulously evaluating outstanding individuals and organisations. Through a rigorous selection process based on comprehensive standards, these awards recognise impactful contributions.

This award is a testament to Emma’s remarkable achievements and her leadership excellence, specifically in eGaming compliance. As a compliance leader, she has consistently demonstrated visionary thinking, dedication to sustainability, and a passion for responsible gambling practices within the online gambling industry.

SolutionsHub Director Nick Wright, said “We are very proud of Emma. Her strategic vision, dedication to pragmatic and ethical compliance, and pursuit of excellence underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and innovation.

“This award reinforces Emma’s reputation as a compliance leader and enhances her credibility within our industry and beyond.”

In response to receiving this award Emma said “I would like to thank those that nominated me and the judges for this honor. To be recognised with this award is immensely satisfying for me personally and a testiment to our teams collective commitment to innovation while furthering responsible gambling practices and maintaining the highest standards of compliance.”

SolutionsHub, a leading compliance consultancy, specialises in tailoring comprehensive solutions for Isle of Man-licensed eGaming businesses. With a seasoned team of industry veterans and former regulators at the helm, SolutionsHub ensures that businesses maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and regulatory compliance in the often challenging online gambling sector.

Emma Shilling is Head of Compliance at SolutionsHub, where she leads the compliance team in delivering bespoke compliance solutions for Isle of Man licensed eGaming businesses.

Note: The Women in Leadership Awards are organized by EMG Publishing Group and recognise exceptional female leaders across various sectors.

eSports

ESL FACEIT Group Partners with s1mple for Launch of Play Like s1mple Project

Published

4 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Legendary Counter-Strike Star’s Educational Program Will Offer 60+ Tutorials and Exclusive FACEIT Features To Help Players Up Their Game.

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and renowned Counter-Strike player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev today announced a partnership with Play Like s1mple Project – an educational video series designed to change how players approach mastering Counter-Strike 2.

The program will include more than 60 interactive sessions, with a focus on in-game skill development and strategy as well as out-of-game topics such as career advancement. The program aims to empower gamers of all levels to unlock their full potential in Counter-Strike 2.

“We’re thrilled to launch the Play Like s1mple Project and provide gamers with a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business,” said s1mple. “Whether you’re a casual player looking to improve your skills, better understand the game, and achieve a champion mindset or a great pro aiming to take your game to the next level, this program has something for everyone. I wish someone could have shared these skills with me when I just started my journey in CS.”

Play Like s1mple Project will bring the comprehensive educational program to the global gaming audience in partnership with FACEIT, the leading community platform for online PvP play. FACEIT has been the home of competitive Counter-Strike for more than a decade and will now offer a suite of educational programming that supports the in-game learning experience it offers for casual players and aspiring pros alike. Through this collaboration, Play Like s1mple Project participants will gain exclusive access to FACEIT’s premium features and exclusive on-platform content.

“s1mple’s success, longevity in Counter-Strike and legacy with FACEIT, makes him uniquely qualified to help our global community learn and master their game at the highest level of competition. ” said Fabio Floris, President, Digital Platforms, ESL FACEIT Group. “Viewers will not only pick up the intricacies of top-tier CS, but also insights on what it takes to break into the industry in other ways, including as caster, talent manager, and more.”

Key features of the Play Like s1mple Project include:

Unmatched Talent: s1mple, possibly the greatest player in Counter-Strike history, will share his expertise and practical knowledge.
Legendary Experience: Comparable to legends like Jordan or Messi, s1mple will share secrets and best practices developed over more than a decade of play.
Career Development Resources: Gain insights into the esports industry and learn how to turn your passion for gaming into a successful career with guidance from industry experts.

FACEIT Community Support:

Join a community of gamers and CS enthusiasts.
Get tips and strategies directly from s1mple
Connect with like-minded individuals worldwide.

Exclusive Content and Competitions:

Access premium content.
Participate in tournaments for the community.
Have personal communication with s1mple and other top players, providing unparalleled insights into the world of professional gaming.

Registration for the Play Like s1mple Project will open May13 with limited spots available. Visit playlikes1mple.com for more information, and follow All Stars Promo on Twitter or Instagram. For more information on the FACEIT platform, check out eslfaceitgroup.com and follow EFG on LinkedIn.