Latest News
OKTO ready to answer industry’s cashless question, once and for all
Introducing a software-based solution carefully tailored to Britain’s retail gaming sector, Simon Dorsen, director of gaming at OKTO – joined by Gambling Business Group (GBG) CEO Peter Hannibal – explains how the financially licensed company has leveraged GBG’s new EFT protocol to provide operators with a cashless system that allows players to use, move and collect their funds instantly – whether it’s on a gaming machine, at the bar, or in their local high street shops.
International fintech provider OKTO is ready to give Britain’s retail gaming sectors a much needed post-lockdown boost by offering the definitive solution to the longstanding challenge of cashless payments.
While there remains competition to provide the sector-wide cashless solution the industry requires, OKTO’s director of gaming Simon Dorsen, an 18-year veteran of the gaming industry, believes the company’s strict financial licenses, vast technological expertise, and unrivalled wallet universality all put OKTO’s secure and complete cashless solution ahead of the pack.
“Cashless and digital payments in the UK is the norm now and today’s consumers demand the digitisation of payments across the economy, and in gaming as well. We have tailored our wallet towards the unique requirements of gaming, but we’re not just a gaming wallet,” explained Dorsen. “Money in the OKTO ecosystem can be moved or spent anywhere that accepts digital payments, whether it’s pubs, bingo clubs or high street shops – and our licenses, upholding the strictest of security standards, mean that any funds with us are always fully protected. The fact that we are financially licensed is very important, as it means both merchants and users can be confident that OKTO is backed by central banks across Europe.”
In addition to its licenses and software-based solution, a recently developed Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) protocol, made publicly available by Gambling Business Group (GBG), has given OKTO an advantage over the industry’s false-starts at a cashless solution. Without the need for any additional hardware or upfront costs, the protocol makes it possible for OKTO to bring any digital gaming machine into its payments ecosystem – finally putting the retail gaming sector on a level playing field with the rest of Britain’s high street economy.
“We are thrilled to be working on established industry protocol which is fully supported by the principle manufacturers of digital machines in pubs and AGC’s. It enables our truly cashless solution to allow users to go up to a gaming machine in the pub, press a button to use OKTO, and deposit funds to start playing. When they cashout, they get the money back in their cashless wallet instantly. Additionally, we are able to onboard pubs as merchants, so if the users want to immediately spend on food and drink in the pub, they can; either through their OKTO.WALLET app or, in the near future, from their OKTO debit card that is linked to the wallet.”
Indeed, much like increasingly popular neo-banks such as Monzo and Revolut, OKTO allows users to move and use their funds instantly, as they wish, putting the power directly in the user’s hands. It’s not just a “one-use” wallet, as users can extend the wallet usage beyond gaming machines and into the wider economy. This is not only ideal for giving players the most frictionless experience possible, but also for allowing operators to easily move, manage and count their digital cashboxes, detailed Dorsen.
“Because the transactions are instant within our ecosystem, you can dramatically move to a settlement time that is instant,” he continued. “We can automate and move towards an instant settlement process. Compared to the traditional cash dependent system, this will allow operators to reimagine the way they operate.”
GBG CEO Peter Hannibal, whose open EFT protocol allows payment providers to ‘talk’ to any connected digital gaming machines, believes that OKTO’s entry into the retail gaming sectors has come at the perfect time. Not only has the protocol made it so much easier from a technical perspective, but with Covid-19 creating a sentiment of fear around the use of cash, the increasing trend of cashless payments is affecting all sectors of the industry more than ever.
“During lockdown we learned that bingo customers were concerned about using cash after the clubs reopened,” Hannibal explained. “The operation of traditional bingo has always been dependent upon coins and cash, but that clearly needs to change, and companies like OKTO will enable them to do that. Products like OKTO’s cashless solution have the potential to transform many gambling activities including bingo – and there’s an existential need for it now, even if there wasn’t before.”
Importantly, OKTO also provides a range of social responsibility tools to players through the fintech provider’s app, incorporating a strict age verification process, self-exclusion, betting limits, and profit and loss calculator tools that further enhance consumers’ protection. In addition, there is a section embedded in the app with national problem gambling helplines.
Hannibal summarised that OKTO’s solution presents a rare opportunity for the industry; a situation in which everyone’s a winner. The player gets more choice, the regulator gets responsible gaming tools in the players’ hands, and the operator gets a boost to business efficiency when it’s most needed. And with no upfront costs, it’s a boost that Dorsen believes operators will welcome.
“I have noticed a real change in operator’s mindsets over the past 18 months. There was a tipping point last year, even before COVID-19 came along, where operators realised that they need to learn about and adopt new cashless solutions. Now, naturally, we are seeing the consumer shift, and because of COVID-19 all demographics are becoming more comfortable using cashless payments,” said Dorsen. “The current economic circumstances are requiring operators to focus on efficiencies more than ever, and because our software based solution connects directly to the GBG/EFT protocol, we can provide fast deployment without any upfront capital expenditure. There’s not a big financial hurdle to implementing our cashless solution, so we think that operators will be eager to finally unlock the benefits they’ve been hearing about for so long, and we’re ready to show them exactly how our end-to-end cashless solution can help their business.”
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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
AU10TIX announced the launch of a free Child Safety Age Assurance Risk and Readiness Assessment and Age Assurance Readiness Guide designed to help businesses better understand their risk and tailor their strategy to meet regulatory obligations. They support AU10TIX’s Selfie-based Age Estimation service, which delivers the industry’s most precise and unbiased age assessment in just two seconds. In the US, federal legislation such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires parental consent for users under 13, while the California Consumer Privacy Act mandates age verification for websites accessed by users under 16. Additionally, 19 U.S. states now enforce mandatory age checks for adult content and gambling platforms. Similar regulations are impacting social media and online services in the UK, EU and Australia.
Caesars Entertainment has launched its third fully in-house developed proprietary online casino title: Signature American Roulette. Now live in New Jersey, the game is available across Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino, bringing another standout addition to the Company’s Signature table game series. Developed by Empire Creative, Signature American Roulette reflects Caesars’ growing investment in building its own proprietary content, a cornerstone of its online casino strategy aimed at delivering a best-in-class player experience. Signature American Roulette follows the recent launches of fan-favourite Signature titles, Caesars Palace Signature Multihand Blackjack Surrender in May and Signature Blackjack Surrender in June, both also developed by Empire Creative.
Novig announced the successful close of an $18 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Forerunner, with participation from existing investors Y Combinator, NFX, Perceptive Ventures and Gaingels. Founded by Jacob Fortinsky and Kelechi Ukah, Novig is reimagining sports predictions as a transparent and fair marketplace. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, Novig allows users to trade directly with one another, rather than against the house, eliminating hidden fees, biased odds and the risk of being penalised for winning.
Partnerships
IGT announced that it has secured a multi-year sports betting technology and services agreement with Hipodromo de Agua Caliente SA de CV and Distribuidora Internacional de Equipos de Juego, S. De R.L. De C.V. that will significantly extend IGT PlaySports’ footprint to Mexico and Latin America via Corporación Caliente. Per the agreement, 42 Caliente sportsbooks in Mexico will leverage the IGT PlaySports platform and services from the Company’s Trading Advisory Services Team. Through a phased rollout, Caliente will also be able to provide select sportsbooks operators throughout Latin America access to IGT PlaySports’ technology, extending the technology’s reach to more than 100 additional venues across eight countries.
CT Interactive has announced a strategic partnership with Ondiss. Through this collaboration, CT Interactive’s top-performing titles are now integrated into the Ondiss platform, significantly expanding the company’s reach within the region’s regulated iGaming market. This integration adds value to the broad Argentine audience of Casino & Hotel Casino Magic S.A., which successfully uses the Ondiss platform. With CT Interactive’s certified and player-favourite content now available, operators on the platform are empowered to diversify their offerings and meet the increasing demand for engaging, high-quality games.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – August 11-17 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Bundesliga International is strengthening its longstanding agreement with Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ: SRAD) to further enhance the viewing experience, accelerate innovation through new exclusive data, and deliver next-generation digital experiences for the betting and gaming market.
Sportradar’s partnership with Bundesliga International dates back to 2005. Utilising the 3.6 million data points from every Bundesliga match, and harnessing Sportradar’s proprietary technology, a suite of engaging products has been launched ahead of the start of the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, and available to Sportradar’s global client base. These include:
Live Player Markets: Leveraging Bundesliga tracking data and Sportradar’s advanced AI capabilities in real-time will create approximately 240 additional opportunities to bet per match.
4Sight Streaming: Award-winning, next generation streaming technology allows betting operators to incorporate AI-driven animated overlays and actionable insights into a live stream, enriching the Bundesliga viewing experience by increasing understanding of live match action.
Enhanced Live Match Tracker: Powered by tracking data and computer vision which keeps fans engaged and provides in-play betting opportunities directly within the betting app.
“We are thrilled to further deepen our collaboration with Bundesliga, one of the most popular football leagues in the world,” said Patrick Mostboeck, SVP Fan Engagement at Sportradar.
“Over the course of our nearly twenty-year relationship, we’ve worked together to develop some of the most innovative and engaging football solutions for fans across the globe. And we continue to work together to power new ways to engage audiences and deliver unmatched value to the global football ecosystem.”
With coverage of more than 150,000 matches annually across 900+ football leagues, as industry leaders Sportradar offers the industry’s deepest and most comprehensive football portfolio.
“The Bundesliga is always looking to innovate and, working with Sportradar, we lead the way when it comes to enhancing our media product for the betting and gaming industry,” said Peer Naubert, Chief Executive Officer of Bundesliga International.
“This long-term relationship lays the foundation for creating new ideas and staying ahead of the curve, and we’re excited to see the fruits of that labour come to life with this latest launch.”
The post Sportradar introduces next gen Bundesliga products appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, has unveiled its 2025 Global Regulatory Awards (GRAs) shortlist.
Now in their ninth year, the GRAs continue to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals, teams, and organisations in the gambling industry that have excelled in compliance, corporate social responsibility, and safer gambling. This year’s awards shortlist features 21 award categories, over 190 finalists and more than 100 unique organisations represented. “Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. Achieving a place on the shortlist is no small feat, especially in our most competitive year yet. The continued growth of the GRAs reflects how seriously the industry takes compliance and the ongoing drive for excellence in this field,” stated Mike Woolfrey, CEO of Vixio. Woolfrey added: “Our thanks go to the judging panel for their diligent and independent evaluation, which ensures the integrity of these awards. We look forward to celebrating with so many of you in November.”
The 2025 GRA presentation will take place on November 19, 2025, at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Due to the event’s popularity, the remaining tables will sell out fast. Vixio strongly advises booking now to ensure you don’t miss out. You can now secure your table online in minutes using Vixio’s quick and easy booking portal. Additional information on table bookings can be found here.
The GRAs 2025 shortlist is as follows:
| AML or MLR Professional of the Year | |
| 1 | Carlos Suárez, Catena Media |
| 2 | Cecile O’Connell, LeoVegas |
| 3 | Dave Foppert, DraftKings |
| 4 | Eleni Panagiotopoulou, SOFTSWISS |
| 5 | Georgi Iliev, Delasport |
| 8 | Kate Faulkner, BoyleSports |
| Award for Commitment to Compliance by a Supplier | |
| 1 | BETBY |
| 2 | Digitain |
| 3 | Docaposte |
| 4 | GBG |
| 5 | GeoComply |
| 6 | GeoLocs by mkodo |
| 7 | Kambi |
| 8 | OpenBet |
| 9 | Play’n GO |
| 10 | Pragmatic Solutions |
| 11 | Soft2Bet |
| 12 | Wazdan |
| Award for Commitment to Compliance by an Operator Sponsored by: Gaming Associates | |
| 1 | Betinia |
| 2 | CampoBet |
| 3 | DraftKings |
| 4 | Genting Casinos |
| 5 | LeoVegas |
| 6 | Tipico Games |
|
Chief Compliance Officer of the Year Sponsored by: eCOGRA |
|
| 1 | Abby Cosgrave, LeoVegas |
| 2 | Anton Sikström, Catena Media |
| 3 | Corinne Valletta, Betsson Group |
| 4 | Ed Bedrosian, Xpoint |
| 5 | Filippo Ferri, Delasport |
| 6 | Jennifer Aguiar, DraftKings |
| 7 | Lloyd Lemmon, Pragmatic Solutions |
| 8 | Ray Dunkle, Virginia Lottery |
| 9 | Sara Cass, IFX Payments |
| 10 | Sophie Bowler, Zodia Custody |
| 11 | Steve Richardson, Scientific Games |
| 12 | Tommaso Di Chio, Bragg Gaming |
| Compliance Innovator of the Year | |
| 1 | BetComply |
| 2 | BizAcuity Solutions |
| 3 | GeoComply |
| 4 | Mindway AI |
| 5 | OneComply |
| 6 | OpenBet |
| 7 | Rightlander |
| 8 | Sharp Vision |
| 9 | Soft2Bet |
| 10 | Xpoint |
| Compliance Professional of the Year | |
| 1 | Andrew Poole, Light & Wonder |
| 2 | Ardie Manuel, Virginia Lottery |
| 3 | Arshak Muradyan, Digitain |
| 4 | Bill Curtis, DraftKings |
| 5 | Christopher Lottering, Pragmatic Solutions |
| 6 | Denzil Mason, Genting Casinos |
| 7 | Jeremie Kanter, Continent 8 |
| 8 | Jessica Feil, OpenBet |
| 9 | Juan Jose Daruich, Daruich |
| 10 | Martin Crowe, NexaCompliance |
| 11 | Ryan Farrah, LeoVegas |
| 12 | Tatevik Grigoryan, BetConstruct |
| Compliance Rising Star Special Award | |
| 1 | Attila Hunter, Betika |
| 2 | Birgit Strauszberger, Greentube |
| 3 | Jasmine Yasin, Delasport |
| 4 | Kate Faulkner, BoyleSports |
| 5 | Kevin Kostreci, GLI |
| 6 | Kizzie Fenner, Evoke |
| 7 | Maša Tičar, Pragmatic Solutions |
| 8 | Medisha Moodley, Games Global |
| 9 | Robert Lo Giudice, BetMGM |
| 10 | Shacke Manukyan, BetConstruct |
| 11 | Sheena Patel, DraftKings |
| 12 | Vanessa Hurt, Paysafe |
| Compliance Team of the Year
Sponsored by: Docaposte |
|
| 1 | AGS |
| 2 | BetConstruct |
| 3 | Bragg Gaming |
| 4 | Continent 8 |
| 5 | Delasport |
| 6 | Digitain |
| 7 | DraftKings |
| 8 | OpenBet |
| 9 | Playtech |
| 10 | San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission |
| 11 | Scientific Games |
| 12 | Wazdan |
| Head of Regulatory Affairs or Government Relations of the Year | |
| 1 | Carl Brincat, LeoVegas |
| 2 | Devon Dalbock, GLI |
| 3 | Emeline d’Ollone, Catena Media |
| 4 | Emőke Péter, Worldline |
| 5 | Filippo Ferri, Delasport |
| 6 | Hartwig Gerhartinger, Paysafe |
| 7 | Michael Karloutsos, Hard Rock International |
| 8 | Travis Foley, BMM Innovation Group |
| Legal Team of the Year | |
| 1 | Alea |
| 2 | Altenar |
| 3 | Betika |
| 4 | Betsson Group |
| 5 | Bragg Gaming |
| 6 | Catena Media |
| 7 | Kambi |
| 8 | LeoVegas |
| 9 | Light & Wonder |
| 10 | OKTO |
| 11 | Paysafe |
| 12 | Virginia Lottery |
| Marketing Compliance Team of the Year
Sponsored by: White Bullet |
|
| 1 | BetMGM |
| 2 | Better Collective |
| 3 | Catena Media |
| 4 | Gentoo Media |
| 5 | LeoVegas |
| Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling | |
| 1 | AiR HUB – UNLV International Gaming Institute |
| 2 | Betting and Gaming Council |
| 3 | Casino Guru |
| 4 | EPIC Global Solutions |
| 5 | Flutter Entertainment |
| 6 | GamProtect |
| 7 | Genting Casinos |
The post Vixio Announces the Finalists for the 2025 Global Regulatory Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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