Supporting safer gambling in Malta is the focus of a new partnership between EveryMatrix, BetBlocker and the Responsible Gaming Foundation. The collaboration will see BetBlocker expand its services to include a Maltese version of its award-winning blocking software.

This project is launched as part of European Safer Gambling Week 2024 to provide both an additional tool to support Maltese players looking to manage their access to gambling and to raise the profile of the free, anonymous to use, service BetBlocker provides within one of the key international hubs for the igaming industry.

Duncan Garvie, Founder and Trustee for BetBlocker, said: “One of the biggest challenges for BetBlocker is ensuring that a technologically complex app is as simple as possible for users to set-up. Currently, BetBlocker can take a user from download to blocked in under 2 minutes.

But that is only the case where the user finds the set-up instructions easy to engage with.

“Where a user is able to access BetBlocker in the language that they are most confident in, the chances of them converting to an active block is far higher.

“We’re really grateful to EveryMatrix and the RGF for their partnership on this project. It significantly improves the options for Maltese players and will go a long way in terms of raising awareness of the support that BetBlocker offers amongst MGA licensees.

“We hope that in the future, the MGA will advance their player protection standards with the inclusion of requirement for licensees to signpost blocking software to ensure players are aware of this option.”

Jake Cachia, Head of Compliance, EveryMatrix, added: “We’re delighted to be able to support BetBlocker and the RGF with this important initiative in Malta, particularly in time for Safer Gambling Week.

“EveryMatrix is proud of its commitment to safer gambling and player protection while producing market leading gaming solutions, and partnerships such as underlining how crucial it is to keep making a difference.”

Kevin O’Neill, General Manager for the Responsible Gaming Foundation, shared these thoughts on the project: “The Responsible Gaming Foundation is proud to collaborate with BetBlocker and Everymatrix on this initiative, furthering our mission to support safer gambling practices in Malta.

Translating BetBlocker into Maltese is a significant step towards accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that players can effectively manage their gambling habits in their native language.

This project demonstrates the power of partnerships in enhancing player protection and underscores the importance of providing players with tools that promote responsible decision-making. As we launch this initiative during European Safer Gambling Week 2024, we remain committed to contributing to an environment where innovative solutions, such as BetBlocker, can meaningfully impact safeguarding our community.”

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has today announced a significant upgrade to the technology platform that supports its global integrity monitoring network. This enhancement will provide IBIA and its growing membership with access to advanced tools designed to safeguard regulated betting markets, protect consumers, and maintain the integrity of sporting events around the world.

The technology upgrade, developed in partnership with Bluehouse Technology, has been specifically tailored to meet IBIA’s operational needs. It streamlines the process for identifying and reporting suspicious betting activity, enabling a faster and more efficient response to potential integrity threats. The platform upgrade is part of IBIA’s ongoing commitment to investing in technological resources to combat betting-related manipulation.

The new platform enhances the ability to monitor for suspicious activity, improve data analysis, and share actionable insights with key stakeholders. That includes access to specific monitoring and alert data streams for key stakeholders, such as gambling regulatory authorities, thereby significantly improving interaction and cooperation that supports important investigatory activity. This improved collaboration will play a pivotal role in supporting investigations and reinforcing trust in the integrity of global betting markets.

Khalid Ali, CEO at IBIA, said: “IBIA’s new integrity technology platform provides enhanced functionality and greatly improves our ability to analyse our members’ customer account level data, which covers over $300bn in betting transactions annually, to identify and report suspicious betting activity. The upgrade allows us to provide a technological platform that keeps pace with the integrity requirements of our growing membership and the scope and scale of the market data we receive across our wider intelligence network. It will be a key pillar in our ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of sporting events and regulated sports betting markets globally.”

Sharmila Pillai, Director at Bluehouse Technology, said: “We are thrilled to have worked closely with IBIA to develop this new monitoring and alert platform. Our team worked hard to ensure the project was completed on time and within budget, and we are pleased that it has passed a rigorous independent security audit by a leading testing and certification company.”

IBIA’s global monitoring network is a highly effective anti-corruption tool, detecting and reporting suspicious activity in regulated betting markets using transactional activity linked to individual customer accounts. The new platform provides a number of important technological advancements to assist that process, which have passed an independent security audit performed by Bulletproof, a Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) company.

The new platform launch comes shortly before the sports betting market opening in Brazil, which is forecast by H2 Gambling Capital to reach $34bn in sports betting turnover by 2028, with IBIA members representing over 70% of the market’s gross gambling revenue. IBIA and the Brazilian Ministry of Finance have recently signed an integrity cooperation agreement that will allow for the sharing of information concerning suspicious betting activity connected to Brazilian sport.

Khalid Ali, CEO at IBIA, further commented: “The upgrade of IBIA’s monitoring and alert platform is particularly timely given the imminent launch of regulated sports betting in Brazil. We’re confident that this tool will provide best-in-class support for our new members and partners, including the Brazilian authorities and sporting bodies, to protect the market and sporting events.”

IBIA’s Q3 report detailed 42 alerts during the quarter. IBIA alerts contributed to the investigations and subsequent successful sanctioning of 21 clubs, players and officials in 2023.

Specialist igaming marketing agency Chips has launched Slot Showcase, the industry’s first casino games roadmap, which will provide a consolidated home to all upcoming casino game releases including slots, live dealer games, crash games, and more.

As well as promoting new games, the new industry resource – with free access for all game studios – aims to better connect casino operators and aggregators with both established and emerging game studios. The integrated hub will act as a spotlight for quality game content, particularly new and unique game innovations, enabling emerging studios to secure new partners and boost each title’s revenue potential.

Slot Showcase will enable studios to promote more games to a wider audience, raise their brand profiles, and give a prominent platform to new game concepts and features. Operators can plan launch campaigns further ahead, while discovering new partners to help them differentiate their brand and content, while aggregators will find an easier route to connect with studios outside their current portfolio.

Andy Brennan, CEO of Chips, shared his vision for the launch: “It’s wild to me that in 2024, the gaming industry still relies on scattered, outdated methods to share product news. Great games – built with immense skill and creativity – often don’t get the attention they deserve. Slot Showcase changes the game. We’re creating a platform that connects game makers and publishers effortlessly, while also giving players access to more choices than ever before. Think of it as the go-to hub for blockbuster launches, groundbreaking concepts, and real-time studio news.

“From our partnerships across the gaming industry, we’ve seen how much luck and timing can overshadow even the most exceptional games. It’s frustrating to watch so much talent hinge on chance. Slot Showcase is here to level the playing field, giving amazing games the spotlight they deserve. This isn’t just about a better platform—it’s about lifting the entire online casino ecosystem and helping the best ideas succeed. We’re all in on this.”

Slot Showcase has already integrated over 20 studios including Red Tiger, Light & Wonder, Wazdan and PlayDigital. It will soon add a news feed, industry insights, a weekly newsletter, giving subscribers a snapshot of upcoming game releases, and a podcast series featuring innovative voices from studios, aggregators and operators.