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Regulatory Roulette: The Looming Threat to Crypto Casinos

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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.

 

 

eSports

Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo named as key note at ICE Esports Conference

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Clarion Gaming has confirmed that Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo, the technology powerhouse behind the success of global brands Stake and Kick will headline the Esports & Games Conference (EGC) taking place on 21 January as part of the ICE Barcelona experience.

As a key member of the executive team, Akhil Sarin has been instrumental in securing the high-profile partnerships that have accelerated Stake’s growth, including the Stake F1 team, UFC, Drake, and Premier League Everton FC.

Through these strategic alliances he has amplified Stake’s brand presence at the same time as creating unique, immersive player experiences, in the process setting new industry benchmarks.

Announcing the high profile speaker Will Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming said: “Securing Akhil Sarin as EGC  key note at ICE Barcelona represents a remarkable opportunity for our attendees to gain invaluable insight into cutting-edge strategies in digital and influencer marketing .

“Akhil’s expertise with Stake and Kick.com embodies the forward-thinking, innovative approach that defines the digital marketing landscapes. His participation underscores the calibre of knowledge-sharing that we are  committed to delivering at ICE and he is sure to both inspire our attendees and elevate their strategic perspective.” 

Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona, Akhil Sarin stated:  “Collaborating with Clarion Gaming at ICE Barcelona is an exciting opportunity to showcase Stake’s journey and continued focus on bold partnerships and creative marketing strategies that resonate with audiences.”

He added “The EGC is a vital platform for exchanging transformative ideas and shaping the future of gaming and entertainment. I look forward to discussing Stake’s vision and collaborating with industry leaders to inspire growth and innovation across the sector.”

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Lucky Jane returns to explore ancient Egypt in 1spin4win’s Lucky Jane in Egypt Win Spins

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This game invites players to join the fearless explorer, Lucky Jane, as she guides them through the rich and mysterious world of ancient Egypt in search of big rewards.

In Lucky Jane in Egypt Win Spins, Lucky Jane, the highest-paying symbol in the game, leads players on a treasure-filled journey across the iconic symbols of Egyptian mythology, including the protective eye of Horus, a powerful scarab, the legendary pyramids, and golden Coins. Just three golden Coins are enough to trigger the Bonus Spins round, which is at the heart of the Win Spins mechanic.

During the Bonus Spins, players receive ten free spins where Coins with values ranging from x1 to x100 appear on the 5×3 reels, paying out on any position. The more Coins a player collects, the bigger the potential payout! Players can also uncover the Minipot Coin to win the x100 Minipot or gather 15 Coins to unlock the coveted x1,000 Megapot.

Olga Bogdanova, Art Director at 1spin4win, commented, “With Lucky Jane in Egypt Win Spins, we’ve combined the richness of Egyptian mythology with a new gameplay mechanic that allows players to gather rewards as they go. The Win Spins mechanic works hand in hand with the theme, ensuring that every spin brings players closer to unlocking larger payouts and deeper adventure.”

 

 

 

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From Entry-Level Candidates to Team Leads in a Year — How We Trained and Developed Affiliate Managers at Betmen Affiliates

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My name is Margarita, and I am the Director of the Betmen Affiliates program. We launched 1.5 years ago with just 10 active partners. Finding the perfect candidate for an affiliate manager role proved challenging—being such a specialised area, I reasoned that it was much better to train on the job. Therefore, after a short while running interviews, we hired two affiliate managers one of whom had no sales experience and the other who had no experience in traffic arbitrage. It was imperative to us that we hire driven, resourceful, hard-workers; it’s people like these who can launch a new brand almost from scratch and who easily understand that hitting targets sometimes means putting in more than the standard nine-to-six effort—sometimes working longer, sometimes harder.

 

How We Developed Two Entry-Level Affiliate Managers into Team Leads

How to Train Affiliate Managers: My Case Study

At first, both of my employees brought in very few partners, so I had to transfer some of my own over to them. At the same time, I demonstrated all the steps of partner contact. We began attending events together. Both Alex and Michael quickly took on all my recommendations, improved their skills, and eventually closed many successful deals.

An affiliate manager worth his or her salt must be able to sell the product and influence affiliates to promote it at our offered rate, promote our many payment options, and talk about conversions. 

 

From Affiliate Managers to Team Leads

By the time we needed a team lead, we had formed a close-knit team. Even though I interviewed several candidates for the position, hiring externally did not feel right. The ideal person for the role needed to have strong managerial skills as well as be able to connect with myself and my team. Michael and Alex both recommended each other for the role. I took both their recommendations on and promoted them both to the position. Both Alex and Michael had already proven themselves, were loyal, trust-worthy and hard-working, and always driven to meet their goals 

 

Conclusion: Why Should You Take a Chance on Newcomers?

I hired employees with almost no experience and I have no regrets. I now have a unique team that can deliver amazing results: in just a year and a half, we’ve increased the number of FTDs by 70 times and are steadily moving towards 80,000 monthly deposits. Here are the key takeaways from their stories:

→ A candidate’s enthusiasm is more important than relevant experience. You can teach anyone anything but you can’t spark passion in them. A future manager must be passionate about the work and strive for growth.  

→ An employee who grows within the company is highly loyal to their lead and the project. Having moved from a regular manager to a team lead, they are able to train new hires because they know the role inside out. The team will respect leaders who were once in their position.  

→ People who love their work drive the brand forward and achieve the best results. They focus not on working hours or weekdays but on the goals they need to accomplish.

I love my employees and am proud of them. I believe we are one of the strongest, most united, and professional teams in the industry.

To learn more about our organization and the remarkable growth of our team, we invite you to read the full article available here. It provides detailed insights into our journey, values, and achievements.

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