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Call for Ireland to Ban Credit Cards in Online Gambling

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A betting industry lobby group has called for the Government to follow the UK and ban credit cards in online gambling.

Problem Gambling Ireland said the introduction of such a ban here could have a significant impact in tackling gambling debt.

“Having a facility for people to gamble with money they don’t have is extremely dangerous,” Barry Grant, chief executive of Problem Gambling Ireland, said.

However, Mr. Grant said such a ban is unlikely to be introduced in Ireland until the country’s long-awaited independent gambling industry regulator is in place.

The UK Gambling Commission has said that, as of April 14, British-based punters will not be able to use credit cards to make bets or deposit money into online betting accounts.

The UK ban will apply to all online and offline gambling products, with the sole exception of over-the-counter lottery tickets.

Before Christmas, Mr. Grant described as “absolutely shocking” industry figures showing Irish punters gambled close to €10bn — including more than €800m on lottery and scratch card products — last year, making Ireland the seventh-highest gambling country in the world.

“As a nation, we are developing an increasingly dysfunctional relationship with gambling,” he said at the time. Research by the UK’s betting regulator classes 22% of online gamblers, in the country, who use credit cards as “problem gamblers”.

“The ban on credit card usage for UK gambling deposits likely represents a low single-digit percentage risk to related gaming revenues. The latest in a recent series of more onerous regulatory changes, it also acts as a further reminder that the UK opportunity is no longer what it once was,” Davy analyst Michael Mitchell said.

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Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams

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Nils Ristau and Daniel Schmitz debut a work enablement platform aimed at day-to-day execution across product, retention and AI adoption.

Sparky Space, a new AI-powered work enablement platform founded by former German Air Force officer Nils Ristau and tech leader Daniel Schmitz, has launched and is now available globally for iGaming operators and suppliers.

The founders are positioning the product around execution support inside daily workflows as teams face tighter regulatory demands, faster product cycles and higher player expectations. The company cited industry research suggesting only 10-20% of learning is consistently applied in day-to-day work, creating a gap between training and on-the-job outcomes.

“In military operations, performance depends on clarity, structure, and disciplined execution in changing environments,” said Ristau. “The iGaming industry operates under similar pressure.

“Competitive advantage does not come from knowledge alone – it comes from how effectively teams apply it every day.”

Sparky Space said its platform supports areas including product development, player retention and AI adoption, with use cases spanning customer-centric experimentation, agile product and game development, decision-making and prioritisation, practical generative AI prompting, and cross-functional collaboration. The company said the tools are intended to help teams launch features, respond to regulatory change, and optimise marketing and support processes.

While initially focused on iGaming, Sparky Space said it has been built for broader use in other fast-moving, technology-driven industries.

Relevant data as follows:

The post Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Belatra

Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign

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The slots supplier says its portfolio now exceeds 150 games and highlights recent LatAm expansion from its Buenos Aires base.

Belatra is marking its 33rd birthday with an anniversary campaign running throughout April, the iGaming slots developer said.

The company said it was founded in 1993 and has since transitioned from building gaming machines for land-based casinos to producing digital content. Belatra added that its portfolio has grown to more than 150 games.

Belatra also pointed to its strategic Latin American headquarters in Buenos Aires as a key base for regional partnerships and growth.

Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “We’re only just getting started, but birthdays provide the perfect chance to reflect on our successes and the path that’s brought us here. From launching our innovative ‘multi-universe’ content strategy to our rapid expansion in Latin America, the successful launch of our first Crash game, and multiple high-profile industry award wins — we are always developing, creating, and evolving. 33 years of innovation, dedication, and gaming excellence — and the best is yet to come.”

Belatra did not provide additional detail on upcoming releases or the timing of any new product announcements beyond saying updates will land during April.

The post Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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iGaming Real Talk

iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members

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Founder Surya Palli positions the group as a real-time extension of the brand’s long-form podcast conversations.

iGaming Real Talk said its WhatsApp community has crossed 500 members, marking what the company described as a growth milestone for the group.

The community is positioned as a space for candid discussion among iGaming professionals, including operators, studios, affiliates, and suppliers. The company attributed the group’s growth to its structure, stating it operates with minimal moderation and allows promotions.

Surya Palli, Founder of iGaming Real Talk, said: “Reaching 500 members is a proud moment, but what matters more is the quality of the conversations happening inside the group every day. This community is built on trust, openness, and a genuine desire to help each other grow.

Our long-form podcasts can only cover so much at a given time, but the WhatsApp community is an always-on, real-time extension of those conversations. We’re just getting started.”

iGaming Real Talk said it plans to expand the community through exclusive content, industry interviews, and collaborative discussions.

Those interested in joining the iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community can join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K2UoLJdluQdFJXvV1uDw6Z

The post iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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