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UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market Betting

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UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market Betting
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UK Gambling firms have been accused of concocting a “dodgy dossier” to exaggerate the scale of black market betting, in an attempt to influence an upcoming government review expected to result in tougher regulation.

Gambling industry figures recently seized on a report claiming that 200,000 people in the UK spend £1.4bn on black market sites every year, warning that tougher regulation could drive more people into the arms of “unscrupulous” operators.

But in a letter to a cross-party group of MPs examining gambling-related harm, the Gambling Commission’s chief executive, Neil McArthur, delivered a withering assessment of the report.

The boss of the gambling regulator said the report, written by consultancy PwC, was “not consistent with the intelligence picture” and did not distinguish between real consumers using black market sites and bots or other automated systems.

He said the report should be treated cautiously, adding that it lacked any evidence to show an increase in illicit betting.

“We know that licensed operators and their trade bodies are concerned about the impact of the illegal market, but our own evidence suggests that the impact may be being exaggerated,” he said.

McArthur said black market concerns should be kept in proportion “despite … reports from consultants paid for by the industry, and should not distract from the need to continue to drive up standards and make gambling safer in the regulated market.”

Such direct criticism from the regulator will be a blow for the industry lobby group, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which has repeatedly referred to the report to back its arguments against stricter regulations.

The government is considering a range of measures that could involve limiting stakes on online virtual slot machines, or forcing web-based casinos to carry out thorough affordability checks if customers deposit a certain amount per month.

McArthur dismissed BGC’s suggestion that such measures could fuel a surge in black market operations.

“In any event, we are not convinced by the argument that suggests that raising standards in the licensed market will prompt consumers to gamble with illegal operators,” he said.

The Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs the MPs’ group that receive the letter, said: “The online gambling industry talks up the threat of the black market in an attempt to resist regulation and protect its profits, but trying to hijack the debate by manufacturing dodgy dossiers of information to further their own ends is an incredibly transparent tactic and will not be any kind of excuse to hold down standards.”

The BGC and several of the UK’s major betting companies, which commissioned the report, refused a request to provide a copy.

But the Guardian has since obtained both a draft version, dated April 2019, and a final version, dated July 2019.

The two appear identical except that the final version removed a reference to the three firms that commissioned it, Ladbrokes owner GVC, William Hill and The Stars Group, which owned SkyBet and has since merged with Paddy Power owner Flutter.

Matt Zarb-Cousin, a former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn who runs the campaign group Clean Up Gambling, said: “The gambling industry has been quoting from this report as it attempts to drive a race to the bottom in regulation. Having finally seen the contents, it’s clear why it was reluctant to make this report available for public scrutiny.”

A BGC spokesperson said countries with tougher regulation than the UK had bigger black market problems.

“We have repeatedly called on the government to use the online harms bill to crack down on access to these sites, and we would support financial service providers being obliged to block black market transactions,” he said.

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Thunderkick Unveils Sequel to Top-Performing Game with Midas Golden Touch 2

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Latest release features wild multipliers, Gift of Midas feature and thrilling bonus game

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has announced the launch of Midas Golden Touch 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2019 original.

This latest release invites players to rediscover an enchanted realm where everything King Midas touches turns to gold. The 3×5 video slot boasts 15 paylines and showcases Thunderkick’s signature high-quality design and innovative features.

In the base game, players can trigger the Gift of Midas feature at random, adding up to nine wild symbols or up to three scatter symbols to the reels. Wild symbols carry multipliers from 2x up to 32x based on the number of wilds in a winning payline.

Landing three or more scatters triggers the lucrative bonus game where any win activates a sticky re-spin feature. During re-spins, winning symbols lock in place while the rest of the reels re-spin, continuing until no additional winning symbols appear.

The Epic Wild symbol, starting with a 2x multiplier, is also added to the reels at the start of each free spin. Collecting three scatters during the bonus game doubles the Epic Wild multiplier up to 32x and awards two extra free spins.

Midas Golden Touch 2 also introduces new BET+ options, allowing players to increase their chances of triggering the bonus game. For an additional cost, spins can be 2x or 5x more likely to activate the coveted bonus game.

This release sees Thunderkick continue to develop high-quality, dynamic slots that have contributed to its significant growth, with recent releases Xterminate and 12 Bolts of Thunder receiving impressive player engagement rates.

“We’re excited to invite players back to King Midas’ kingdom with this feature-rich sequel,” the Game Product Owner for Thunderkick, Mike Collins, said. “With Midas Golden Touch 2, we want to offer a visually immersive journey filled with golden treasures and big win potential.

“Features such as the new BET+ options add an extra layer of choice and excitement. The original Midas Golden Touch was a player favourite and we believe this follow-up will resonate strongly with customers and operators worldwide.”

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F1 Star Joins SOFTSWISS as LatAm Non-Executive Director: Key Highlights

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F1 Star Joins SOFTSWISS as LatAm Non-Executive Director: Key Highlights
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On the eve of SiGMA Americas, the largest iGaming show in the region, SOFTSWISS, a leading global software supplier with 15 years of experience, introduced the racing legend Rubens Barrichello as its Non-Executive Director in Latin America. Local press, influencers, and industry representatives attended the unveiling event, expressing broad interest in SOFTSWISS as the company actively expands its presence in the region.

During the official introduction, Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, and Rubens Barrichello, Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, shared the company’s plans for the Brazilian market, commented on the local gambling regulations, and answered questions about Barrichello’s role within SOFTSWISS.

Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, expressed his excitement about the significant milestone, saying: “This marks a thrilling chapter for us. It’s an extraordinary day for me personally as I’ve been a Formula 1 fan since 1994, my teenage years. Welcoming Rubens to our team feels like a dream come true.”

Rubens Barrichello, now serving as SOFTSWISS’ Non-Executive Director in Latin America, highlighted his deep connection to the company’s values. “I am new to this role but no stranger to challenges. In racing, the goal is always to win, but knowing when to step back and why things didn’t go as planned is important. I see responsible gaming in a similar manner. It is about knowing your limits and pushing forward to improve. I’m here to bring that mindset to our team.”

In light of the ever-evolving news about gambling regulation, Montik commented: “We are looking forward to the final version of the Brazilian law, expected to be unveiled this July. Understanding the regulatory landscape will guide our efforts to adapt to software requirements and bring solutions to the market. We aim to collaborate closely with local operators and businesses, empowering them with robust software tools tailored to their needs.”

Addressing security concerns, Ivan Montik emphasised: “Ensuring the security of our software solution has always been paramount. It’s been a core strength for us since the beginning. Throughout our journey in the industry, we have maintained a clean record with no cases of software hacks, of which I am proud. Our software undergoes rigorous testing by international laboratories like GLI, meeting many cybersecurity standards. We not only meet but exceed these requirements because fraudulent activities and hacker attacks constantly target the gaming industry.”

Rubens Barrichello’s appointment as Non-Executive Director in Latin America signifies a pivotal strategic step for SOFTSWISS, particularly in Brazil’s rapidly expanding market. With projections from TGM Research indicating that by 2026, Brazil’s iGaming industry could yield gross revenues of 2.3 billion euro, potentially accounting for 1% of Brazil’s GDP, which stands at 1.5 trillion euro.

 

About SOFTSWISS 

SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

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Apparat Gaming Gets Ready to Rock the Boat in New Fishin’ The Biggest Slot

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Innovative German software provider’s latest release sees players to dive into a world of underwater adventure where massive multipliers are waiting to be caught

Load your tackle box, bait your hook and get ready to reel in the catch of the day in Fishin’ The Biggest from Apparat Gaming, the in-demand German software provider’s latest splash hit slot that sees players trawl the sea for free spins and massively multiplied prizes.

Played over five reels, three rows and ten fixed paylines, Fishin’ The Biggest is a highly-volatile title with an outdoor angling theme. Boasting a maximum RTP of 96.23%, the game sees players cast their net in search of maximum wins of 4,500x the bet and can be played from as little as €0.10 per spin.

If they really want to start making waves, players simply need to land three or more scatter symbols in any position to enter the free spins bonus round or use the optional Buy Feature button to access the feature directly. Either way, they’ll be granted ten, 15 or 20 free games depending on the number of triggering scatters and all fish symbols will then be added to a special collection bar above the reels that can unlock greater rewards as the free spins round progresses.

For every 40 fish they collect, players will receive an extra ten free spins and an increasing prize multiplier; and the fact that fish contribute whether they make a win or not is sure to make every angler’s heart beat faster. Of course, the more starting free spins players receive, the better their chances of extending the feature will be, so the first goal is to reel in as many scatters as possible.

There’s a maximum of 50 free spins in total up for grabs and a massive top multiplier of up to 10x also on the line; and the fisherman who hauls in the catch is needed to fully exploit the ocean’s bounty. Only when he appears do players receive the combined win value of all fish on the reels, and if there are none, he’ll cast out his net and catch new fish so that a win is always guaranteed.

“This month, Apparat Gaming is inviting players to harvest the bounties of the ocean in Fishin’ The Biggest, our exciting new angling-themed slot where reeling in denizens of the deep can earn them free spins, monster multipliers and incredible prizes,” the co-founder and Chief Product Officer for Apparat Gaming, Martin Frindt, said. “Available now to all operators who host Apparat Gaming slots, we’re sure the game will make a big splash with both clients and customers alike.”

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