Latest News
SBC Summit Malta: Payments Innovation Track to Tackle Fraud, Crypto, Open Banking & More
As the global betting and iGaming industry descends on Malta this June, payments will take centre stage as part of SBC Summit Malta’s dedicated Payments Innovation track.
The track, which takes place on Thursday, 12 June at the InterContinental Hotel, will unite payments executives, fintech specialists, and compliance leaders to explore the most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities in payment technology.
With sessions on Open Banking, crypto investment, and the future of fraud prevention and KYC, this track equips professionals to navigate regulatory changes, adapt to disruptive technologies, and meet rising player expectations.
Discussing the inclusion of the Payments Innovation track at SBC Summit Malta, SBC CEO and founder, Rasmus Sojmark, said: “Payments are no longer just a backend function. They’re a key strategic pillar for driving engagement, trust, and scalable growth across the industry.
“That’s why we’ve introduced the Payments Innovation track: to give operators, suppliers, and payments professionals a focused space to deep-dive into critical trends in this space. Our goal is to turn these innovations into actionable advantage.”
Open Banking has the potential to reshape how the gambling industry handles payments, enabling faster deposits and withdrawals, real-time KYC checks, and a lower risk of fraud. Open Banking in Europe: The Disruptor Transforming Payments and Affordability will explore whether the technology can truly deliver on its promise. Featuring Theresia Mallia (Head of Payment Product, Kindred), Christian Reinheimer (Director Payments Product & Technology, LeoVegas), and Sean Spiteri (Head of Payment Solutions, PressEnter), and moderated by Rachael Kennedy (Editor, Payment Expert), the session will examine how Open Banking could enhance affordability checks, streamline transactions, and improve player experiences, while also tackling the regulatory and operational challenges facing operators.
As crypto adoption accelerates across gaming and payments, this session cuts through the hype to deliver grounded, actionable advice. The Crypto Myth-Busting and Trends: How to Invest Wisely and Avoid Common Pitfalls workshop will explore how operators, affiliates, and suppliers can approach digital assets with clarity and caution.Through practical exercises and expert insights led by Joseph Borg (Partner, WH Partners), Wesley Ellul (CCO, Quizando), Mark Grech (Founder & CEO, Pyaza), and Sabine Roiss (CEO & Founder, Crypto-Play), attendees will tackle risk mitigation, navigate market volatility, and develop compliant crypto strategies that enhance player trust within evolving payment ecosystems.
The panel Redefining Fraud Prevention addresses the evolving landscape of AML and fraud prevention. Featuring Piotr Lisak (AML Governance Officer & MLRO, Kindred), Sergio Muscat (Founder, Oxygia Consulting), Greg Papanastasiou (CCO, Play North), the session will explore how operators are leveraging AI, streamlined workflows, and cross-industry collaboration to combat fraud, maintain compliance, and stay ahead of increasingly complex threats.
Also featured as part of the track will be the session Beyond Detection: The Convergence of Fraud & AML in iGaming Risk Management, a fireside chat featuring Tim De Borle (COO, Casumo) and Tamas Kadar (CEO, SEON) as they examine how operators can align fraud and AML strategies to strengthen risk management and streamline compliance.
Beyond the Payments Innovation track, SBC Summit Malta will offer attendees deeper insights into key European and global markets through focused tracks, including Casino Evolution, Europe: Regulation & Compliance, Affiliate Insights, Next-Gen Sports Betting, and the Marketing Playbook. Expert-led workshops across both days will also deliver opportunities for hands-on learning.
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Secure your spot at SBC Summit Malta with our discounted ‘Group Pass‘. For groups of three or more, you can gain access to three days of networking, exhibition, and conference content for the price of €400 (a discount of €200 off a Full Event Pass).
Additionally, you can purchase our ‘Expo+ Pass‘ for €150. This pass grants you access to the conference and exhibition only.
Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary passes, granting them full access to the event.
The post SBC Summit Malta: Payments Innovation Track to Tackle Fraud, Crypto, Open Banking & More appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Nagoshi Studio Unveils GANG OF DRAGON, a New Action-Adventure Game from Director Toshihiro Nagoshi
Steam page: store.steampowered.com/app/4146000/
GANG OF DRAGON
is a new action-adventure game set in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo’s iconic nightlife district. Protagonist Shin Ji-seong is a high-ranking member of a Korean crime syndicate, and is portrayed by celebrated Korean actor Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee).This new story will engage players in an exciting way and showcase increadible graphics for an action packed adventure. Viewers of The Game Awards were the first to get a look at the new footage!
About Toshihiro Nagoshi
The post Nagoshi Studio Unveils GANG OF DRAGON, a New Action-Adventure Game from Director Toshihiro Nagoshi appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
Blask & Gamblers Connect Enter A New Media Partnership
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, is proud to announce a new media partnership with Blask, a leading AI-powered analytics ecosystem dedicated to the iGaming industry.
This collaboration marks a pivotal step in the company’s mission to provide the most accurate, transparent, and data-backed content. Under the terms of this agreement, Blask will provide Gamblers Connect with complete access to its cutting-edge market intelligence platform.
This suite includes the Blask Index and real-time data tracking across more than 100 jurisdictions, allowing for granular analysis of market dynamics, brand performance, and player behaviour. By integrating these professional-grade tools into the editorial process, Gamblers Connect will elevate the depth and precision of its industry reporting.
The cornerstone of this partnership is a commitment to sharing knowledge with the wider iGaming community. Gamblers Connect will produce four exclusive case studies throughout 2026. Released once per quarter, these comprehensive reports will utilise Blask’s advanced analytics to uncover emerging trends, benchmark operator performance, and provide actionable insights for industry stakeholders.
This alliance represents a shared vision for a more transparent iGaming sector. By combining Blask’s technological prowess with Gamblers Connect’s editorial expertise, the aim is to set a new standard for data-driven journalism.
Max Tesla, Blask CEO, commented: “Partnering with Gamblers Connect is a natural step for Blask. We are building an ecosystem of transparent analytics that empowers the industry, and GC is one of the few media partners that truly values data and knows how to work with it. I’m confident this collaboration will strengthen both sides and deliver more accurate, trustworthy, and insight-driven content to the iGaming community.”
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect, added: “Partnering with Blask allows us to combine their strong analytical framework with our media expertise. It’s a collaboration grounded in trust and mutual respect, with the shared goal of delivering meaningful and measurable results to the industry.”
The post Blask & Gamblers Connect Enter A New Media Partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Alyona Suvorova
Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine
The law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan have effectively eliminated the organized criminal group created by Vadim Gordievsky from Ukraine and his accomplices, Larisa Ivchenko and Alyona Suvorova. Even though the law enforcement agencies managed to block accounts and payments of the Marginplus Company, key employees and management are still hiding.
According to the media, just a few days ago, the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan revealed a large-scale shady scheme of cross-border transfers that involved numerous payment organizations and providers. The funds were disguised as legal transactions and withdrawn to the accounts of online casinos. The total volume of illegal transactions exceeded more than $1 billion.
According to law enforcement authorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the key organizer of the miscoding scheme, which involved bookmakers, online casinos, payment organizations, and bank employees, is Vadim Ivanovich Gordievsky from Ukraine, who was born in 1974. He was the leader of the organized criminal group and used the local Marginplus Company for these purposes (official website: marginplus.kz). In addition to companies from Kazakhstan, Gordievsky also worked with illegal Russian online casinos while helping them to facilitate illegal payments.
According to new information from law enforcement agencies in the Republic of Kazakhstan, banks and bookmakers, including the local PIN-UP bookmaker, have already terminated all cooperation with Gordievsky’s Marginplus company.
According to informburo.kz, the local licensed Pin-Up.Kz bookmaker (legal entity: Bonami LLP) declares that it has nothing to do with transactions carried out by individual payment organizations. Judicial and criminal proceedings have already been initiated against these structures, and the company itself is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies to establish all the circumstances and identify fraudulent, shady schemes.
According to unofficial information, the Pin-Up management provided the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan with all the data related to the Marginplus company belonging to Vadim Gordievsky.
As of today, all financial activities of Marginplus have been paralyzed. In addition, large amounts of money have been blocked in its bank accounts. This money should have been paid to partners, contractors, and providers, including the local Parimatch betting company. Ordinary employees of Vadim Gordievsky’s company are already looking for new work while its management, including Larisa Vladimirovna Ivchenko (listed as the head of Gordievsky’s FC Alta Capital from Ukraine), is still hiding. Alyona (Elena) Suvorova has already closed and renamed her social media profiles a few days ago. In addition, she does not respond to messages and is trying to evade responsibility.
We would like to remind the audience that Alyona Suvorova positions herself “as an entrepreneur, investor, and a crypto trader with 5+ years of experience.” According to Suvorova herself, she has been developing payment technologies in the field of FinTech for 10 years. In 2021, she opened her own business for international crypto transfers. In addition, she is the founder of the Lemoncoin Crypto Academy.
According to investigators, Gordievsky’s partner, Mikhail Kovalev (Mykhaylo Kovalov), who is a citizen of both Ukraine and Israel, as well as an owner of a number of companies in the EU, in particular, in Poland, and who has a residence permit in Spain, was closely working with Gordievsky. By using the STABLEX SOLUTION Sp. z o. o fictitious company (official website: solvexs.pl) in Poland, he was engaged in illegal payments and withdrawal of cryptocurrencies into fiat money.
At the same time, as the source notes, the mentioned management and the people involved in the money laundering of Marginplus Company will be added to the wanted list of Interpol in the nearest future. The National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan has also announced that it’s going to closely monitor this case. According to local laws, participants of this shady scheme face up to nine years in prison. Information on Vadim Gordievsky’s companies and connections in other countries is also being checked.
After the initiation of criminal cases for financial crimes, fraud, and the announcement of his wanted list by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vadim Gordievsky left Ukraine on forged documents. Before diving into the world of financial fraud, he was involved in land and property issues in the Kyiv region. As of today, numerous criminal cases have been initiated.
The post Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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