Press Releases

Paysafe predicts a soar in sports betting with the introduction of 5G

Published

6 years ago

February 6, 2020

New consumer research from Paysafe shows almost half (49%) of weekly sports bettors say the introduction of 5G to sports arenas is important to them

41% of sports bettors expect to be able to place in-stadium and in-play bets at large sporting events

Paysafe, a leading specialised payments platform, has unveiled international research into the impact of 5G on mobile sports betting in the US, UK and Germany. The report reveals that just under half (42%) of regular (e.g. weekly) sports bettors across countries anticipate increasing their in-play sports betting activity with the emergence of 5G. And over a fifth (21%) say that 5G means they plan to increase the number of sports they bet on.

At present, only 14% of sports bettors have no concerns at all about placing bets during events. Almost a quarter (22%) of sports bettors have concerns over delays in placing bets, and a fifth (19%) are worried about poor internet connection via their mobile device when placing a bet. One in five (18%) of sports bettors think they don’t have enough information at their fingertips be to be comfortable with making in-play bets.

With 37% of all active players preferring to place bets on a smartphone or tablet, the advent of 5G suggests that players will feel more comfortable betting more, as the risk of slow connectivity will be reduced. Furthermore, over half (55%) of all current sports bettors said that the ability to make payments from anywhere was the reason why they used a mobile platform.

5G presents an opportunity for better connectivity and increased bandwidth, which, in turn, provides more real-time data enabling players to make faster and better informed betting decisions. This will support the two thirds of current and prospective players (61%) wanting to be able to make more wagers on mobile platforms across the US, UK and Germany.

In contrast, almost half (51%) of regular sports bettors are currently reluctant to place bets when attending a sports event due to the varying quality of 4G connections. 49% of consumers felt that the introduction of 5G in sports arenas is important to them, with almost half (48%) saying they would be more likely to place a bet through their mobile app if they were at a game with 5G coverage.

There is also an expectation that in-play and in-stadium betting will soon be commonplace with 41% of all sports bettors surveyed saying they expected this to be available at most large sporting events in the future.

Daniel Kornitzer, Chief Business Development Officer at Paysafe, says: “5G offers a lot of growth opportunities for operators of mobile betting platforms as it gives better searching, faster transactions and improved in-play functionality. Our research clearly indicates that consumers have the appetite for the progress and flexibility we see with the emergence of this new standard of wireless connectivity. For players, it’s all about being able to place bets safely, anytime and anywhere. We would urge sports betting operators to be ready for the increased traffic on their platforms – it’s a huge opportunity for them.”

The full report, can be found here: https://www.paysafe.com/mobile-sports-betting-2020/. Paysafe and its brands Skrill, NETELLER, paysafecard and Income Access will be attending ICE London, taking place at ExCel London this week, at booth number N7-320.

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AI in iGaming

BetConstruct AI Hosting “Harmony Choice 2026”: The Strategic Prelude to ICE Barcelona

Published

28 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

betconstruct-ai-hosting-“harmony-choice-2026”:-the-strategic-prelude-to-ice-barcelona

BetConstruct AI has officially announced its upcoming flagship gathering, Harmony Choice 2026. Set to take place on January 17, 2026, in Barcelona, the exclusive event serves as the strategic opening of the iGaming calendar, occurring just two days before the industry converges for ICE Barcelona.

Designed as a high-level networking and insight-sharing meetup, Harmony Choice provides a vital space for reflection and connection before the intensity of the world’s largest iGaming exhibition begins.

Setting the Strategic Tone for 2026

The event is themed around BetConstruct AI’s 2026 core philosophy: “The Choice.” This concept emphasizes that in a rapidly evolving market, the decisions made today—regarding technology, partners, and direction—define long-term success.

Event Highlights:

Exclusive Networking: Gathering leading representatives and decision-makers from the global iGaming sector.
Strategic Insight: A program dedicated to early clarity, aligning on industry trends, and discussing the future of AI-driven gaming solutions.
Iconic Venue: The evening will be hosted in one of Barcelona’s most prestigious and “inspiring” settings, offering a sophisticated environment for meaningful interaction.

Event Summary: Harmony Choice 2026

Feature	Details
Date	January 17, 2026
Location	Barcelona, Spain (Iconic Venue)
Purpose	High-level networking and strategic alignment
Philosophy	“The Choice” (Direction, Decision-making, Intention)
Preceded By	ICE Barcelona (Jan 19–21, 2026)

“Harmony Choice creates a vital space for reflection and connection just days before the industry converges for ICE Barcelona,” a spokesperson for BetConstruct AI stated. “We invite industry leaders to join us for an evening of early clarity and thoughtful exchange.”

The Road to Stand 4A20

Harmony Choice is the first step in a major Barcelona circuit for the provider. Following the gathering, the company will showcase its full ecosystem at ICE Barcelona (Stand 4A20), where it plans to highlight:

“The Choice to Grow” Program: A unique 12-month commercial offer linking performance to real cost advantages.
AI-Infused Products: Updates to CRM AI, Umbrella AI, and their proprietary AI Game Recommendation System.
Special Bets Module: A new dynamic engagement tool giving operators unprecedented freedom in market creation.

The post BetConstruct AI Hosting “Harmony Choice 2026”: The Strategic Prelude to ICE Barcelona appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Arizona Benefits Fund

Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026

Published

23 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

arizona-department-of-gaming-reports-$44.9-million-in-tribal-gaming-contributions-for-q2-fy-2026

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has officially announced a total of $44,891,270 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the second quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This performance marks an approximate 5.6 percent increase compared to the same period in FY 2025, signaling continued strength in the state’s tribal gaming sector.

These contributions are vital to the state’s infrastructure, supporting everything from classroom improvements to emergency medical services.

“The financial support that tribal gaming provides the state of Arizona continues to power local and statewide needs that are vital to healthy and safe communities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “With nearly $45 million in tribal gaming contributions in the most recent period, the Department is proud to ensure the continuation of important revenue streams that positively impact Arizonans.”

Where the Money Goes: The Arizona Benefits Fund

Under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, 88 percent of all tribal gaming contributions are directed into the Arizona Benefits Fund. This revenue is strictly allocated to high-priority state initiatives.

The Q2 FY 2026 distribution breakdown is as follows:

Fund Category	Contribution Amount
Instructional Improvement Fund (Education)	$22,373,810
Trauma and Emergency Services Fund	$11,186,905
ADG Operating Costs	$4,040,214
Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund	$3,196,258
State Tourism Fund	$3,196,258
Problem Gambling Education & Treatment	$897,825
Total to Arizona Benefits Fund	$44,891,270

Local Community Impact

Beyond the state-level funds, the remaining 12 percent of tribal contributions are distributed directly by the tribes to specific cities, towns, and counties. these funds are often used for local community services and public safety programs.

Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions from Arizona’s tribes have surpassed $2.5 billion, demonstrating the long-term economic impact of the partnership between the state and its 22 federally recognized tribes.

Regulatory Oversight and Growth

Currently, the ADG regulates 26 Class III casinos across the state in close partnership with tribal authorities. This regulatory framework ensures the integrity of the games while maximizing the benefits delivered to the public.

For those interested in exploring historical data, the ADG maintains a comprehensive archive of cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year.

To learn more about the current landscape of gaming in the state, visit the official Tribal Gaming webpage.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Reports $44.9 Million in Tribal Gaming Contributions for Q2 FY 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AI in iGaming

SCCG Management and Golden Whale Extend Partnership to Drive AI-Led iGaming Optimization

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

sccg-management-and-golden-whale-extend-partnership-to-drive-ai-led-igaming-optimization

SCCG Management, a premier global gaming advisory firm, has officially announced the extension of its strategic partnership with Golden Whale Productions. This collaboration is set to redefine how iGaming operators handle data, moving away from traditional rule-based decisioning toward a future powered by AI and machine learning (ML).

The extension follows a successful initial phase focused on optimizing player engagement, retention, and monetization through predictive intelligence.

Moving Beyond Traditional CRM

Golden Whale’s technology is designed to solve one of the industry’s biggest challenges: the reliance on reactive, manual decision-making. By leveraging the LOOPS iterative machine learning system, operators can now forecast player behavior with unprecedented accuracy.

Key features of the Golden Whale integration include:

Predictive Modeling: Advanced tools for churn risk, lifetime value (LTV), and player behavior forecasting.
Seamless Integration: The platform connects directly to existing PAM, CRM, and marketing tools without requiring a complete system overhaul.
Full Model Control (FMC): Moving iGaming systems closer to autonomous operation by automating engagement and incentive levels.

“Golden Whale Productions brings a rare combination of deep gaming expertise and advanced data science that operators can deploy quickly and effectively,” said Stephen A. Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management.

Strategic Global Expansion

With a strong foundation already established in Europe, Golden Whale is looking to SCCG to support its commercial expansion across the Americas and other high-growth global markets. SCCG’s 30+ years of expertise and international office network make them the ideal partner for this scale-up.

Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO of Golden Whale, commented:

“Extending our partnership with SCCG is a natural next step in Golden Whale’s global growth. Together, we’re focused on helping operators apply AI-driven optimization and automation in practical ways, improving incentive efficiency and decision-making without overhauling existing operations.”

The Future of Incentive Efficiency

At the core of the offering are the Foundation optimization modules. These allow operators to determine:

Who to engage.
When the optimal time to reach out is.
What incentive will drive the most value.
How much to invest, while measuring impact against control groups in real-time.

By focusing on “forward-looking intelligence,” the partnership ensures that operators are no longer just looking at past data, but are actively shaping future player journeys.

The post SCCG Management and Golden Whale Extend Partnership to Drive AI-Led iGaming Optimization appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.