Latest News

UKGC: How will the ban on gambling with credit cards affect the industry?

Published

6 years ago

January 17, 2020

U.K’s Gambling Commission recently made a decision to ban gambling with credit cards. The Commission has been on a mission to promote responsible gambling and it looks like this is the next step. From now on players won’t be able to bet the money they don’t have on online games. The initiative has been around for over two years, ever since charity groups GambleAware and Citizens Advice first suggested the idea. According to the commission, around 22% of problem gamblers use credit cards to play, so it makes sense to introduce this ban in order to avoid credit card debt. This could be the start of the revolutionary approach to gambling that we haven’t seen yet. The U.K is pioneering the movement aimed at putting an end to risky gambling and promoting the responsible approach instead.

What the commission hopes to accomplish

By imposing this ban the commission hopes to promote the approach that urges the players to only spend within reason. When gamblers use credit cards it can become harder to know when to stop, because you’re not losing the money you already have. The whole appeal of the credit cards is also their biggest downside. They prevent you from thinking about money in a responsible way, in the industry where money can so often become an issue, it seems irresponsible to gamble away by using a credit card.

With this move, the commission hopes to promote a more balanced approach to gambling and it might be setting an example for other countries to follow as well.

This ban hasn’t been made official yet, and U.K’s major betting websites including PokerStars, 888, Betfair and Bet365 are still accepting credit cards on their websites and have previously received criticism for along their players to get themselves into huge debts.

It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it is likely that payment services like Paypal and various e-wallets will also be banned.

This is a huge shift in the gambling industry and the feedback has been mixed. While this move will definitely help those with the spending problem to get their bad habits in check, for those who have no problem gambling responsibly even with credit cards it might become an inconvenience. But since the topic of responsible gambling has become so relevant, it makes sense that the U.K made this decision.

We’ve seen a major shift in the way authorities approach gambling and according to industry authority VegasSlotsOnline, there are more regulations coming in the way of the casino industry, such as the record fine of 2.34 million Euro imposed on Blackrock Media by the Malta Gambling Authority.

The future of gambling

Gambling has become a huge part of the entertainment industry and online casinos have only taken its popularity further. But with online casinos, it also became harder to control some aspects of gambling. For example with online gambling it might be harder to control whether or not the player is underage, there is more room for fraudulent activities and overall online casinos have presented a whole new set of challenges for the gambling community, playing with credit cards being one of them. The proactive approach aimed at creating a more regulated gambling scene will definitely make the change for the better in the industry, but it is a fine line between trying to regulate the negative aspects of it and then trying to keep the casinos under tight control. The second one will definitely not last very long while the first option can only bring positive changes to the community.

This trend of promoting responsible gambling can be seen in other parts of the world as well, and if the U.Ks effort turns out to be successful we will likely see the wider adoption of the new regulations across other countries as well.

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

9 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

16 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

16 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.