Industry 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.

casino apps

CasinoRank Data Reveals an Attention Crisis in Online Casino Gaming

Published

3 days ago

January 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

casinorank-data-reveals-an-attention-crisis-in-online-casino-gaming

Online casino engagement is breaking down faster than operators anticipated, according to new research by CasinoRank. The analysis tracked player behaviour across 847 slot, crash and live dealer titles over 18 months and shows that while players are logging into casinos more frequently, their willingness to stay and engage is declining. Session frequency rose 23% year over year, while median session duration fell 18%, pointing to a shift towards shorter, faster interactions rather than sustained play.

The research draws on aggregated session data from 40 operators across Europe, Latin America and Asia between Q2 2024 and December 2025. Across markets, a consistent pattern emerged: platforms that introduced additional layers between app open and first gameplay experienced higher early-session abandonment, even when traffic increased. Personalisation layers, lobby restructuring, promotional overlays and navigation changes that delayed the first meaningful interaction were repeatedly linked to players exiting before placing a bet.

Key patterns:

• Players opening casino apps more often but exiting earlier

• Higher abandonment when friction appears before first gameplay

• Steeper retention declines as response times reach double-digit seconds

• A growing share of session losses occurring before gameplay begins.

The findings suggest the window to earn engagement has collapsed to seconds. Mobile-first behaviour has reduced tolerance for slow loading, unclear navigation or delayed gameplay. Retention declines steadily as response times increase, with the sharpest drop once delays extend into double-digit seconds.

Game performance data reflects the same shift. Titles built around immediately understandable mechanics consistently maintain top-ranking visibility longer than feature-heavy games with layered bonus structures or complex progression systems. As engagement windows shorten, complexity is increasingly perceived as friction rather than innovation.

Dylan Thomas, credibility lead at CasinoRank, said the findings point to a structural change rather than a temporary fluctuation. “Engagement is not falling. It is fracturing. Players are returning more often, but committing less time per visit,” Thomas said.

“Platforms now have seconds, not minutes, to earn the first meaningful action.”

The post CasinoRank Data Reveals an Attention Crisis in Online Casino Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bill Hornbuckle

MGM Resorts Powers Up to 100% of Daytime Las Vegas Strip Electricity with Solar

Published

4 days ago

January 22, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

mgm-resorts-powers-up-to-100%-of-daytime-las-vegas-strip-electricity-with-solar

MGM Resorts International has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy strategy, now powering up to 100% of its daytime electricity needs on the Las Vegas Strip with solar energy. The achievement was made possible after the Company began receiving 115 MW of solar energy and 400 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage in December of 2025 from the recently completed Escape Solar and Storage Project, located in Lincoln County, Nevada.

By combining power from the newly activated Escape Solar and Storage Project with the Company’s 100-megawatt (MW) Mega Solar Array, MGM Resorts has more than doubled its access to renewable energy. In addition, the battery system from Escape Solar allows MGM Resorts to store solar energy generated during peak production hours and use it during evenings and other lower-production periods.

“With this new project coming online, we are accelerating progress toward our goal of using 100% renewable electricity domestically by 2030. Together with our Mega Solar Array, the new Escape Solar and Storage Project reflects our focus on scalable, impactful clean-energy solutions. It also demonstrates that our industry can operate more sustainably while delivering long-term cost stability, strengthening our business and supporting a more resilient energy future,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts.

MGM resorts announced a 25-year power purchase agreement with Escape Solar LLC in September of 2024 to amplify the Company’s renewable energy capabilities and extend production to cover up to 100% of its Las Vegas properties’ total daytime needs.

As an operator of large-scale resorts, MGM Resorts remains focused on expanding renewable energy use to lower long-term energy costs and mitigate exposure to energy price volatility. Since 2016, the Company has significantly reduced carbon emissions through investments in renewable energy projects, including:

• 323,000-panel Mega Solar Array providing 100 MW to MGM Resorts locations in Las Vegas

• 26,000 solar panels atop the Mandalay Bay Convention Center providing 8.3 MW to that property

• 100-kW rooftop solar array to help power T-Mobile Arena

• 3456 solar panels atop the parking garage at MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.

The post MGM Resorts Powers Up to 100% of Daytime Las Vegas Strip Electricity with Solar appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

crash titles

DragoBet Launches Multi-Regional Casino and Sportsbook Platform

Published

4 days ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

dragobet-launches-multi-regional-casino-and-sportsbook-platform

DragoBet has launched its online casino and sportsbook as a service designed for use across multiple markets. The platform adjusts language, currency, and payment settings by region, while keeping casino play and sports betting available through a single account.

Players complete one registration and can use the platform on desktop and mobile devices, with the same account structure and balance maintained across all access points.

Casino and Sportsbook Offering

Drago Bet launches with a casino catalogue exceeding 10,000 titles, covering a broad range of play styles. The selection includes slot games, table formats, live dealer tables, jackpots, crash titles and other feature-based releases. Games are supplied by more than 100 established software providers, combining well-known titles with newer releases within the same library.

DragoBet sportsbook is built into the same environment as the casino and covers a mix of international competitions and locally followed events. Football, basketball, tennis and cricket make up the main focus, while a range of other sports is also included. Betting is available both ahead of kick-off and during live matches, with prices updating continuously as games unfold.

Account Structure and Payments

A single account and wallet connect both casino and sportsbook activity. A single account and wallet connect casino and sportsbook play, with one DragoBet login used to access all products under the same balance.

DragoBet casino supports a range of commonly used payment options, depending on market and currency. These typically include bank transfers, debit and credit cards, alternative card solutions, digital wallets such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, Revolut and N26, as well as cryptocurrency payments. The exact methods available are displayed within the platform.

Deposits are processed online, while withdrawals are handled following account verification in line with standard internal procedures.

Security and Compliance

The platform operates under an established offshore gaming framework. Standard operational controls are applied, including encrypted data transmission and transaction monitoring.

Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures form part of the withdrawal process. These measures are applied to support account security and payment integrity.

Bonuses and Player Programs

The casino offers a structured DragoBet bonus system for new and returning players. The welcome package is delivered across multiple initial deposits, with defined wagering conditions. Additional promotions, reload offers and cashback campaigns are available on an ongoing basis.

A loyalty system, Dragon Throne Club, is integrated into the platform. The program is structured across multiple levels and provides cashback, rakeback and account-based rewards tied to continued play.

The post DragoBet Launches Multi-Regional Casino and Sportsbook Platform appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.