Latest News

The Big Game: perfect target for cybercriminals?

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2023

Reading Time: 4 minutes

In 2022, the BlackByte ransomware group published a 292MB file containing sensitive information from the San Francisco 49ers. Like teams, venues and vendors, bookmakers are also in danger as they handle a large volume of personal data in the run-up to major events, during the events themselves and in the aftermath.

With the Big Game coming up soon in the US, Sumsub, an all-in-one verification platform that secures the entire customer journey with customizable KYC, KYB, transaction monitoring and AML solutions, has outlined what to expect and how to avoid threats associated with major events.

Expected traffic increases

Last year’s Big Game registered more than 101 million viewers according to the Nielsen consultancy. American fans avidly continue to bet on major sporting events as more and more states legalize gambling following the removal of a federal ban. By the end of 2022, the online betting industry registered a growth of two billion dollars, driven by sports pools.

Based on its experience with traffic spikes at major sporting events, Sumsub expects to see a traffic increase of more than 83% at sportsbooks around the last game of the American football season.

“Though major sporting events attract much-desired traffic to betting platforms, cybercriminals and scammers increase in number as well, so bookmakers need to take extra care. Manual verification is not optimal because, with the increased user traffic, onboarding time grows accordingly, so the best choice would be to find a trusted all-in-one verification provider offering an advanced automated solution for KYC, AML and anti-fraud,” said Andrew Sever, co-founder and CEO of Sumsub.

As user traffic increases and verification takes longer, it can be tempting for betting platforms to cut some expenses. This is especially true for bookmakers used to performing manual verification, which can take more than 24 hours under normal circumstances and much longer during big events. Bookmakers know that if verification takes too long, users will go to the competition. As a result, they may be willing to sacrifice verification accuracy for speed.

However, this type of compromise inevitably leads to regulatory sanctions. For example, Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes, was fined £17 million ($20.6 million)—the largest ever fine in the UK—for failing to enforce player security and anti-money laundering measures.

Surge in fraud

Fraud is increasing in the gaming sector. In Q1 2022, fraud increased 50.1% compared to Q1 2021. There was also an 85% increase in fake account registrations compared to Q4 2021. The upcoming Big Game is expected to attract even more fraudsters.

The list of fraud schemes that bookmakers experience is extensive:

arbitrage betting
multiple accounts
identity theft
account takeover
money laundering
affiliate fraud

Cybersecurity threats

“Big sporting events and hacking go hand in hand and the bigger the event, the more threats there are. Attackers can be individual hacker groups looking to make a quick buck or politically oriented groups wanting to steal sensitive information,” added Andrew Sever.

Cyberattacks range from hacking into match broadcasts and security cameras to stealing the personal data of athletes, organizers and spectators. More attention needs to be paid to collecting and storing user data securely, as well as increasing the overall resistance of betting platforms to hackers.

Best ways to avoid threats while enjoying high traffic?

During major sporting events, the challenge for bookmakers is to onboard users without reducing approval rates, all while remaining AML (anti-money laundering) compliant and maintaining security.

The solution is to create an automated verification flow that allows users to easily onboard and go through extra checks only where and when it really matters. Below is a list of checks bookmakers can employ at each stage of the customer journey. There are also some suggestions on how to make this flow even more agile:

Request a minimum number of checks at the time of registration. When a user registers for the first time, platforms may limit verification procedures to collecting names and checking phone numbers or email. This way, the user becomes familiar with the service and is more motivated to go through the full verification procedure when he really wants to place a bet.

Deploy simplified checks when appropriate. For low-risk users, bookmakers can introduce a simplified check using a single document, as long as it contains identity and address information. This allows users to avoid uploading additional documents to verify their address, thus increasing approval rates.

Add additional checks when users make their first deposit. This could include bank card verification and facial biometric check to ensure that the true cardholder is making a deposit.

Introduce facial recognition to prevent fraud. Doing this at the onboarding stage combats multi-accounting. Adding biometric verification when users log in or recover their account ensures that fraudsters can’t hack it. And it’s often even more important to use it at the stage of withdrawal of funds, which is where more fraud tends to occur.

“Adding these checks to the flow reduces verification time and still ensures security. For example, Kaizen Gaming moved from manual verification to Sumsub’s automated solution, reduced their average onboarding time to 1 minute 39 seconds and increased its overall performance by 350%, all while eliminating fraud,” concluded Sever.

Discussion: networking event for gambling professionals in London

In partnership with Sardine, an industry leading fraud prevention platform, Sumsub announced Gambling Pros Party, a private networking event for gambling professionals which will take place at Clays Canary Wharf, London on February 6, 2023 at 18:30 UK time. This event will be useful for experts, businesspeople and professionals working in the betting and gambling companies.

Participation is free of charge and for gambling professionals only. To save your seat, please register with your business email: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/520357091067/?discount=Sumsub

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eSports

Everything you need to know ahead of ESL Pro League Season 19

Published

18 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The ESL Pro League (EPL) returns to St. Julian’s, Malta, for Season 19 on April 23 – May 12, 2024. The world’s biggest Counter-Strike league will see teams from around the world arrive on-site for three weeks of non-stop action, and only one team will emerge victorious as Champions.

Here is all you need to know about ESL Pro League Season 19

The 19th Season of the ESL Pro League will see the 32 best Counter-Strike teams compete for a total prize pool of $750,000, a win in the race to secure Intel® Grand Slam V, and a spot at IEM Cologne 2024. Commencing on April 23, contenders from around the globe will face off in Malta for a spot in the Playoffs. There, the six best teams will compete live in front of an intimate live audience at the InterContinental Malta on May 10 – 12, 2024.

Starting with the upcoming season, EPL will see some improvements to its schedule. While the number of teams and the tournament structure remain the same compared to recent seasons, the duration of the tournament has been adjusted to three weeks instead of five. To accommodate this change, two groups will be played simultaneously during the Group Stage, resulting in a more intense story for fans to follow.

Schedule and Format

Group Stage (April 23 – May 5):

Four groups of eight teams will compete in separate triple-elimination brackets
- All matches are best-of-three
The top four teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs
- Group Stage winners advance to the Quarterfinals
- The Group Stage runner-ups advance to the Round of 12
- The Group Stage third and fourth-place teams advance to the Round of 16

Playoffs (May 7 – 12):

The top sixteen teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket
- All matches will be best-of-three, excluding the Grand Final which will be best-of-five
- The third and fourth Quarterfinals, as well as both Semifinals and the Grand Final will be played out live on stage in front of an audience

Teams Attending

Astralis (Partner Team)
BIG (Partner Team)
Complexity (Partner Team)
ENCE (Partner Team)
FaZe Clan (Partner Team)
Fnatic (Partner Team)
FURIA (Partner Team)
G2 Esports (Partner Team)
HEROIC (Partner Team)
MOUZ (Partner Team)
Natus Vincere (Partner Team)
Ninjas in Pyjamas (Partner Team)
Team Liquid (Partner Team)
Team Vitality (Partner Team)
Monte (ESL Challenger Jönköping winner)
Virtus.pro (ESL Challenger Atlanta winner)
SAW (ESL World Ranking)
Team Falcons (ESL World Ranking)
GamerLegion (ESL World Ranking)
BetBoom Team (ESL World Ranking)
Eternal Fire (ESL World Ranking)
3DMAX (ECL S46 Europe winner)
FORZE (ECL S46 Europe runner-up)
M80 (ECL S46 North America winner)
BOSS (ECL S46 North America runner-up)
The MongolZ (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific winner)
TYLOO (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific runner-up)
Imperial Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
Sharks Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
Pera Esports (European Conference winner)
Bad News Kangaroos (Oceanic Qualifier winner)
FlyQuest (ANZ Champs winner)

Prize Money (USD)

TOTAL	$750,000
1st	$170,000
2nd	$80,000
3rd-4th	$45,000
5th-8th	$32,000
9th-12th	$23,500
13th-16th	$17,500
17th-20th	$12,000
21st-28th	$7,000
29th-32nd	$3,500

Broadcast Talent

Hosts
- “Tres “stunna” Saranthus
- Freya “Freya” Spiers
A Stream
- Jason “moses” O’Toole
- Janko “YNk” Paunović
- Mathieu “Maniac” Quiquerez
- Harry “Harry” Russell
- Hugo “Hugo” Byron
- Henry “Henry” Greer
- Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
- Alex “Machine” Richardson
B Stream
- Neo “Ne0kai” Caine
- Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers
- Lucy “LucyLuce” Eastwood
- Brandon “BDog” Rawlings
- Travis “Trav” Landaw Mott

Where to Watch

The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch, ESL FACEIT Group’s premier esports viewing platform created by esports fans for esports fans and open for all.

Featuring a unique multi-perspective view selector where users can watch their favorite player’s perspective directly next to the main event stream, a live chat, a kill cam, live-generated replays of key moments, a sound mixer, a rewards program, and more, FACEIT Watch revolutionises esports streaming by putting fans in control of their viewing experience.

Fans can also watch the action on the ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand for free via YouTube.

For more information about ESL Pro League Season 19, and the latest updates on the event, please visit the official website, and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Latest News

New Market Alert! Hacksaw Gaming Touch Down in Portugal with Solverde.pt

Published

18 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Another incredible new market launch for Hacksaw Gaming, this time we’re taking a trip to Portugal with Solverde.pt. Exclusively showcasing our content until the 30th of April, this new partnership looks to be one with an exciting journey ahead.

Fan favourites Wanted Dead or a Wild, 2 Wild 2 Die, R.I.P City, Le Bandit and many more are now featured on the Hacksaw exclusive section of the Solverde.pt platform. At long last, Portuguese players can now immerse themselves in the Hacksaw experience, exploring a large catalogue of our games that demonstrate our creative mechanics and stunning visuals.

“Hacksaw has been a top request from Portuguese casino players and we always aim to know the market preferences and deliver what the customers want” says Américo Loureiro, Solverde.pt Director “We’re very proud to bring this groundbreaking studio to Portugal for the first time and have no doubt it will be a success”

Part of Solverde Group, which boasts more than 50 years of history, Solverde.pt was launched in 2017.

They strive to offer the widest casino portfolio in Portugal, prioritising all the fun of casino games with the top quality and safety that SolverdePT users have come to know them for.

Marcus Cordes, Hacksaw Gaming CEO is certain that Hacksaw enthusiasts in Portugal will be ecstatic with this new launch – “Being able to bring yet another growing market our games is what drives us forward! Saúde to a promising future partnership and to the teams who made this happen.”

With this latest launch marking our third new market entry in the past month alone, Hacksaw Gaming’s quest to introduce our collection to players worldwide is rapidly becoming reality. Are we setting the tone for even more groundbreaking ventures in the months ahead? Stay tuned, as we’re on a mission to grow our Hacksaw Community far and wide.

Latest News

What Types of Resources Help You Find New Online Casinos?

Published

1 day ago

April 19, 2024

Wladimir P.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As online betting and gambling are increasingly getting popular, more and more gambling portals and online casinos are sprouting up every day on the internet. With so many mobile applications and websites offering lucrative options, it can be quite overwhelming and confusing to find new online casinos which are both legitimate and safe. So, how do you make a decision?

This list of resources will help you clear out that confusion and help you analyse your choices more carefully and choose the right new online gambling site for yourself.

Read Reviews on Reputable Review Sites

Online review websites are one of the most reliable sources to ascertain how good a new online gambling site is. With the drastic increase in the number of online gambling portals and casinos, these review sites have become a frequent visit for many gambling enthusiasts. Such websites usually provide comprehensive reviews of different online casinos along with important information about their games, bonuses, payment methods, and customer support.

One pro tip is to look for reviews from industry experts and popular players to ensure you get a credible report and make a more informed decision accordingly.

Check for Proper Licensing

One of the most critical things before signing up for a new online gambling site is to check its legitimacy and licensing. On the portal, make sure to look for a valid license registered under a proper jurisdiction.

This will ensure that the company is a legally registered operation and that your personal and financial data is safe and secure.

Refer to News Websites and Blogs

Another credible way to find good new online casinos is to look through news websites and blogs that specifically talk about the gambling industry. These sites often publish dedicated articles about the latest trends and developments in the industry, including new site launches and promotions.

Often including reviews from experts, articles and blogs on these platforms is a good way to judge a new online gambling site and make your decision. That’s why it is advisable to keep an eye on such portals and stay updated and informed.

Join Online Forums and Communities

I believe that no one can give a better review of an online gambling website other than someone who has been on the portal and played the game themselves. While there are multiple such forums dedicated to the online gambling industry, some online casinos have their own forums dedicated to their players.

Being on these forums and communities is a good way to get in touch with industry experts and experienced players and personally get their reviews and recommendations on online casinos. You can also learn about new casinos, discuss different aspects of online gambling, and connect with other players who share your interests.

Check Social Media Platforms

It’s 2024 and no community is bigger than social media! Be it Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat or even Reddit, almost every individual and business is present over there including online gambling companies. With the easiest access to a very large number of people, online casinos have to maintain their presence and stay active on these platforms.

That’s why many online casinos have social media accounts across many of these platforms where they regularly post updates about their latest games, promotions, and other news. Thus, social media is one of the best ways to search for new online casinos. In fact, by following these casinos on social media, you can stay updated about their offerings and be among the first to know about any new developments.

Consider Bonuses and Promotions

A lot of new online casinos offer generous bonuses and promotional schemes like welcome bonuses, free spins, no or low deposits, etc., to attract new players. If you ask me, I prefer playing on a portal that asks for the lowest deposits.

For this, I look for a list of low-deposit online casinos and research their bonuses and promotions to make sure they are lofty and worth my time. Do the same while picking out your online gambling website and chances are that you’ll start with a great deal.

Choosing a new gambling site from a pool of hundreds and thousands of casinos can be daunting, especially for beginners. However, using the right resources like review portals, online communities, blogs, etc., can help you indulge in a proper research process. On the other hand, using smart techniques like checking for licenses and promotional offers offered by the company can make the decision-making even smoother.

But at the end of the day, I believe that finding the right new gambling website really depends on how well-informed you are about the industry. Always make sure to stay updated and informed about whatever is happening in the industry and you’ll automatically find it easier to pick your new gambling website.