Asia
Fintechs in Kazakhstan Raises Concerns Over Proposed Gambling Regulation
Fintech companies in Kazakhstan are urging greater scrutiny of a proposed law intended to regulate betting transactions in the country.
The submitted legislation, currently in its final reading, would form a monopoly entity, the Unified Accounting System (UAS), the firms said in a joint press release. The UAS would be used to determine market participants, process payments, maintain a single “electronic wallet” and make settlements with clients. A critical concern is that it could charge up to 1.5% in commissions on all market transactions, within a market where regulated transactions exceed KZT1.2tn ($2.6bn) annually.
Irina Davidenko, a spokesperson for Kazakhstan’s payments industry, commented: “The proposed legislation would be a step backwards for Kazakhstan, harming competition in the country’s vital payments sector and signaling to the outside world that necessary business reform is being driven by shadowy interests, rather than what’s right for industries and consumers.”
The proposal, partly billed as a public health move against problem gambling, resembles a previous initiative, the Betting Accounting Centre (BAC). It was shelved in 2021 after a scandal involving a deputy minister who was dismissed for accepting bribes from BAC lobbyists, according to the press release.
The lack of transparency on the UAS structure and ownership as outlined in the legislation is another aspect of the change that is seen by critics as troubling.
The reintroduction of a UAS model occurred as late as the second reading of the legislation. If passed by parliament, it will become law without the comprehensive impact analysis and scrutiny typical for such significant regulatory change.
Observers argue the new regulation duplicates existing regulatory functions already managed by Kazakh state bodies and was proposed without the cooperation of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. The central bank has previously developed its own reform proposal that avoids introducing a monopolistic entity.
Opponents further contend that the regulation could cause “significant economic damage”. National Bank of Kazakhstan representatives and the payments industry have sounded alarm bells, but the issues have not been adequately addressed, the press release added.
The concerned fintech and payment companies want the legislation to be reconsidered. They are advocating for it to be sent back to the lower house of the legislature for a full regulatory impact analysis and thorough examination to ensure that it does not adversely affect industry or the economy.
Ilya Efimenko, commercial director of the payment organisation PayDala, said: “I appeal to the Senators, who need to know the true purpose of why the UAS has made a comeback in the bill.
“This is a re-emergence of the ‘Betting Accounting Center’ (BAC), a strikingly similar entity that was withdrawn before, and behind which, as the deputy from the Amanat party Elnur Beisenbayev said, are the powerful forces of ‘Old Kazakhstan.’
“Before our eyes, a monopolist, a private operator, is being created. The emergence of monopolies such as the UAS threatens the principles of a Fair Kazakhstan. Now everything is being done to break the financial system of Kazakhstan, recognized by experts as one of the best in Central Asia.”
The post Fintechs in Kazakhstan Raises Concerns Over Proposed Gambling Regulation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Tencent Cloud Recognised as a Leader in Omdia Market Radar for Games in Asia & Oceania, Solidifying its Position as a Global Gaming Industry Innovator
Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global leading technology company Tencent, has been named as a leader among cloud platforms for games in the latest report by Omdia, a premier technology research and advisory firm. The report highlights Tencent Cloud’s exceptional capabilities in supporting the gaming industry, showcasing its cutting-edge infrastructure and innovative, gaming-specific solutions, which solidify its position as an innovator in the global gaming sector.
According to the “Omdia Market Radar: Cloud Platforms for Games, Asia & Oceania – 2025,” Tencent Cloud is the top cloud platform for game developers in China – one of the largest and fastest-growing markets globally. It is also expanding its influence internationally, establishing a significant presence in Asia and Oceania, where it is positioned as one of the leading cloud service providers and is the only Asian vendor in the leader quadrant. As China’s largest gaming company, Tencent’s scale is reflected in its deep expertise and sustained focus in the gaming sector, with a sustained focus on gaming, which drives the development of its cloud platform. This emphasis is evident in Tencent Cloud’s robust suite of tools for game developers, including game servers, multiplayer services, and LiveOps. The platform’s offerings reflect the advanced adoption of live service business models in the Chinese market, distinguishing Tencent Cloud as a leader in the industry.
Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President of Tencent Cloud International, said: “It is an honor for us at Tencent Cloud to be recognized as a leader in the Omdia Market Radar. This acknowledgment is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in supporting the gaming industry. As the demand for cloud-based gaming solutions continues to grow, Tencent Cloud becomes even more well positioned to drive innovation and deliver greater value to developers and players all over the world.”
The post Tencent Cloud Recognised as a Leader in Omdia Market Radar for Games in Asia & Oceania, Solidifying its Position as a Global Gaming Industry Innovator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
GR8 Tech has partnered with B2B gambling software provider Betting Software (BSW) to integrate its highly sought-after Sportsbook iFrame Solution into BSW’s offerings. The iFrame stands out for its easy integration and powerful margin management features, which have made it one of the most popular solutions of 2024. By adding the iFrame to BSW’s sportsbook aggregation, GR8 Tech’s innovative technology will reach a broader network of operators.
Bulat Fakhrutdinov, Head of Partnerships at BSW said, “GR8 Tech’s iFrame excels in sports selection and operational flexibility, making it a perfect addition to our portfolio. Our clients will gain access to a superior solution that effortlessly enhances their sportsbook offerings to the fullest.”
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with BSW and bring our iFrame solution to even more operators. It’s already a game-changer in the industry, and we are actively expanding its reach. This partnership is a strong endorsement of the value our iFrame brings, and it’s a big step forward for us as we continue to grow and innovate,” Yevhen Krazhan, CBDO at GR8 Tech added.
GR8 Tech’s Sportsbook iFrame stands out with its broad content offering, featuring over 50 sports and esports, 25,000 daily events, and more than 2,000 betting markets. This extensive selection caters to a variety of player preferences. The iFrame’s easy integration and mobile-first design help operators quickly respond to market trends. Plus, with AI-powered content recommendations and advanced risk management, the iFrame boosts player experience and helps operators optimize margins and minimize risks. Its margin personalization feature can increase profits by over 15%, giving operators a clear edge in profitability management.
To see how GR8 Tech’s iFrame solution can elevate your iGaming business, connect with the team at upcoming events: SBC Summit Rio on February 25-27 and SPiCE South Asia on March 4-6.
The post GR8 Tech Expands Reach Across Asia and Latam Through Betting Software Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnviraku has said that the Thai Cabinet is unlikely to approve a proposal by the Council of State to require locals to have $1.5 million in their bank accounts to enter the nation’s casinos.
It would be “difficult for the proposal to win the cabinet’s approval” because it would fail to address the issue of locals visiting illegal gambling dens or casinos in neighbouring countries, Anutin said.
He also stated that his Bhumjaithai Party would, as a government coalition member, support government policies as long as they do not harm society.
Pakorn Nilprapunt, secretary-general of the Council of State – which has proposed the revised policy, said earlier this week that the idea was to limit casino entry to those with substantial financial means.
The revised entertainment complex bill is currently welcoming its second round of public feedback but will also need further cabinet approval if latest policy revisions are to progress.
Anutin said that the newly proposed $1.5 million entry requirement for locals would be discussed at a cabinet meeting.
The post Thai Deputy PM Says Cabinet Unlikely to Approve the $1.5M Requirement for Casino Access appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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