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Regulatory Roulette: The Looming Threat to Crypto Casinos
Hold on to your crypto hats, folks, because this party is about to get regulated! Spinning wheels and lucky sevens, anonymous transactions basically, all that has gone into making the crypto casino industry a booming one. It now draws regulators’ attention worldwide. Though many of you may view this as a killjoy, it’s centrally relevant to understand the potential impact and why this is happening in the first place.
Imagine this: you are on a hot streak at your favorite crypto roulette table, one lucky spin after another. Suddenly, a message appears: “Error: Transactions exceeding X amount require KYC verification.” Talk about a mood killer! Before you hurry to buy a pack of tinfoil hats, let’s look into the reasons behind this potential regulatory crackdown.
The Dark Side of the Crypto Coin
It’s a Catch-22 situation: while anonymity gives room for discreet transactions, it is also an expressway to all sorts of wrongdoing. This poses a great concern for regulators seeking to keep the online gambling space clean.
Now, across the Atlantic, France’s gambling watchdog raised red flags against two rather popular crypto casino platforms in 2021: cbet.gg and stake.com. What was their crime? Allowing transactions with those oh-so-convenient crypto coins. The French authorities said it runs against AML (anti-money laundering) regulations. Similarly, while Spain fails to regulate means of gambling payments as such, it has precisely forbidden crypto as a valid means.
The Great Crypto Gambling License Fiasco
You might be wondering at this point, “But wait, they have licenses!” And that is where it gets thick. Many crypto casinos proudly display their licenses, but then a closer look at things reveals a spidery web of regulatory loopholes.
Curaçao—fast, cheap, and hence a go-to choice for most crypto gambling sites. Sounds good? Not quite. Critics argue this license is essentially a “participation trophy.” The Curaçao regulatory body doesn’t exactly hold licensees by the hand. They rarely conduct audits or enforce regulations, leaving operators to pretty much do their own thing.
Malta used to be the star child of crypto gambling licenses, boasting appealing tax breaks and access to European markets. However, recent scandals have Malta somewhat tarnished. Allegations of lax AML procedures and possible ties to organized crime cast a dark shadow over what once was the prestigious Maltese license.
Then there is the case of Costa Rica. And wait, there is no gambling license here! Many times, what is shown is a glorified registration of the company, costing around $10,000. This means that they have an “office” in the country, but there is no regulatory body that will hold them accountable. It’s a casino operator’s dream, or nightmare (depending on how one views it).
The Four Horsemen of Crypto-powered Shenanigans
Now, how exactly are cryptocurrencies being used for nefarious activity in online gambling? The grim report from the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) has outlined four key areas about it:
- Goodbye Fiat: Cryptocurrencies are making for an alternative to traditional means and methods of payments; in effect, this makes it difficult for authorities to track transactions and identify suspicious activity.
- Blockchain Bonanza: Some gambling apps are based on blockchain technology, thereby further obscuring the transactions and creating a whole new layer of complexity for regulators.
- Agent Provocateur: Crypto facilitates the transfer of funds to betting agents outside the regulator’s framework. This allows them to bypass AML and consumer protection measures.
- Wash, Rinse, Repeat: It’s no wonder that anonymity in cryptocurrency makes it tailor-made for laundering profits from illegal gambling operations. Money can be rushed around quickly and is anonymous, making it next to impossible for any authority to track money flows.
The Potential Impact of Increased Regulatory Scrutiny
What does this regulatory crackdown mean for the future of crypto casinos? Well, let’s break it down.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
On one hand, increased regulation might boost player trust and confidence. Knowing that your darling crypto casino runs within a tight framework of laws and regulations tends to build trust. This gives the players a feeling of security and fairness and will, therefore, help attract more players into the fold. Further, it will weed out rogue operators who are more interested in lining their pockets than in providing a safe environment to play in.
The road to regulation, however, remains bumpy. Tighter regulations augment the cost of compliance for operators. With their price hikes, this can be transferred to players in higher fees, or worse, some casinos may opt to fold up and leave the market altogether.
Furthermore, by their very nature, cryptocurrencies are anonymous. If regulations require casinos to obtain more personal identifying information from their players, some players might be turned off by that loss of privacy. This can direct players to unregulated platforms where risks are higher.
The Future is a Gamble
At one end is the future of crypto casinos, while at another corner are innovative operators battling it out with watchful regulators in a game of cat and mouse. As the industry matures, we could witness the wedding of benefits accruable from blockchain technology with those safeguards ushered in by traditional regulation in a hybrid model.
For players, doing your homework is critical. Look for a casino that has won some reputable licenses and has a reputation for fair play. Remember not to take any risk, however irresistible, on an unregulated platform. At the end of the day, it’s not worth the risk. There are enough good crypto casinos to choose from.
Conclusion
The key to survival lies in adaptation, and the industry itself will survive if crypto casinos can effectively navigate a regulatory turf while maintaining their innovative edge. It’s high time the industry rolled up its sleeves to show it can be responsible and trustworthy in the global gaming market.
Although it is a gamble, careful planning, and responsible practices might just be what crypto casinos need to make it big in the future.
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Expanse Studios (GMGI) Secures ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification
Expanse Studios, the iGaming division of Golden Matrix Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: GMGI), proudly announces its recent certification to the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard, which demonstrates globally leading data security standards.
This globally recognized certification reinforces the Group’s dedication to safeguarding confidential information, client trust, and strengthening its competitive position in the iGaming industry.
The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard establishes a rigorous framework for managing and protecting information security across all operations. By attaining this certification, Expanse Studios has implemented a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS) that ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. This certification goes beyond compliance and assures our clients and partners of our stringent security protocols, protecting against cyber threats and unauthorized access.
“Achieving the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification marks a significant milestone in Expanse Studios’ journey. This certification not only reinforces our security framework but also highlights our commitment to upholding the highest standards of trust and integrity for our clients and players worldwide.”, said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios.
In an industry where information security is paramount, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification demonstrates Expanse Studios’ proactive stance on cyber risk management and adherence to international best practices. The certification process included comprehensive evaluations, audits, and stringent checks, all contributing to a secure environment that benefits our clients, players, and business partners.
ISO certification assures the clients that Expanse Studios operates with top-tier security mechanisms, solidifying the role of the GMGI entity as one of the most trusted and compliant partners in the iGaming sector.
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Almedia Hires 17 New Staff Fuelling Exponential Growth
– Powering the next generation of rewarded user acquisition –
Almedia, the data-driven platform engineering the future of mobile gaming user acquisition – today proudly announces a major hiring wave which includes over 17 people from leading global tech and gaming brands. The new hires are essential to Almedia’s ambitious strategy for achieving exponential growth across Europe and Northern America over the next 12 months.
The new team members will join an already established team, based in Berlin, with a current headcount of 80, supporting a global client base of mobile game developers and publishers. The expanded team joins established departments including product development, marketing, account management, fraud, and talent acquisition. The 17 new hires will drive Almedia’s core mission: elevating user acquisition to new heights and engineering the future of intelligent engagement.
Moritz Holländer, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Almedia, commented: “Since 2020, we’ve been at the forefront of rewarded user acquisition, and our services and results are being embraced by the global mobile gaming industry, by companies such as Playtika, SuperPlay, Plarium, and Monopoly Go. Team Almedia is witnessing real-time exponential demand for its rewarded UA services, hence we have a robust scaleup roadmap in place to help us manage demand.”
He added: “What we’ve proudly achieved in four years is quite remarkable. With zero funding, a highly profitable organisation, we are humbled to be assembling a true dream team for the global mobile gaming industry. We are thrilled to welcome the latest waves of new hires to the team, which will help us to further establish our brand as the most credible, data-driven rewarded user acquisition company in the world.”
The new hires include
- Andrey Shilin, Lead Product Manager
- Holly Pickerell, Workplace and Culture Manager
- Sabina Halilovic, Fraud Analyst
- Alexander Rasch, Senior Finance Manager
- Alisson Paschoal Hausmann, Senior Mobile Developer
- Anthony Clement, SEO Manager
- April Chen, Senior Customer Success Manager;
- Benedikt Roth, Lead User Acquisition Google Ads Manager
- Caroline Sobkow, Talent Acquisition Partner
- Federica Stiscia, Senior Gaming Partnership Manager
- Marc Hammes, SEO Manager
- Mapa Vega, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
- Pablo Herranz, Senior Talent Acquisition Partne
- Ravisankar Chinnam, Senior Frontend Developer
- Kutay Akalin, Data Scientist
- Aleksei Smagin, Junior Affiliate Specialist UA
- Neil Laverty, Senior Customer Success Manager
Almedia currently has a range of positions open across operations, talent, product, marketing and more. To learn more about careers at Almedia, visit the jobs section on the website.
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Huge Jackpot at King Billy Casino: C$3,658,306!
King Billy Casino, launched in 2017, has had some impressive players wins during the “reign of King Billy”. A few of them include Live Game winnings of €135,223, daily winnings from 2 or more slots of $164,000, and €250,000 won on a single spin. However, the latest win by a King Billy Casino player dwarfs every big win that has come before this. Actually, it’s bigger than all previous big wins combined for the operator!
Because, we are talking about C$3,658,306.
This amazing six-digit number was the result of a player going on a safari in her (and millions of other players) beloved Mega Moolah progressive slot from Games Global. In an autumn, the player stepped into eternal summer by wagering a small C$6,25 bet and winning 562.816 times her bet! This is the power of Mega Moolah, as evidenced at King Billy.
King Billy people had only warm words for the occasion. A representative of the casino has stated: “We are elated, for this huge big win. We can never forget that our first big win, many years back, was more than 200,000 Canadian dollars, so we have special ties with the region. And it’s now amazing to see our VIP-player making such a cashback and echoing that big win! Congratulations to our player”.
A few words about Mega Moolah. It was an Internet sensation when it was launched with its beautiful graphics and sounds, and immersive gameplay and it is a sensation today, still going strong after almost 20 years. The slot, which has spawned more than 20 variations, and has given millions in cash to players all over the world (including 5 millionaires in 2024 alone) features 4 types of jackpots that make it stand out from the competition.
About Games Global
Games Global is a supplier of the online gaming industry delivering force and direction to gaming with more than 1,300 top class games. The company has made a commitment to deliver the industry’s more disruptive ideas and compelling data-driven gaming experiences. Games Global features a total of 40+ partnered and in-house studios, services 600+ branded websites and boasts record-breaking jackpots with its worldwide network.
About King Billy Casino
Established on St Patrick’s Day in 2017, King Billy is a renowned new generation casino with more than 26 awards and accolades. The casino is available in English, German, French and Finnish, and created a unique user experience, building on the theme of King Billy and his Kingdom. King Billy ensures that all its players, “Citizens” in the casino language, receive the care and attention they deserve.
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