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.

21.com

21.com launches online casino and sportsbook led by ex-BetVictor CEO Michael Carlton

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

21.com-launches-online-casino-and-sportsbook-led-by-ex-betvictor-ceo-michael-carlton

21.com has launched as an online casino and sportsbook, naming industry veteran Michael Carlton as Founder & CEO, the company said on 16 June 2026.

The operator said it is targeting a range of global jurisdictions and plans to differentiate through a “modern technology stack” and “AI-centric operations.” It did not disclose target markets, licensing status, launch territories, or product partners.

Carlton previously served 13 years at EY as a Chartered Accountant before entering gaming in 1997, according to the company. He later spent 17 years as CEO of BetVictor and has since invested in betting and gaming companies.

Carlton said 21.com is being built without legacy platform constraints. “Having started in the gaming industry prior to the launch of the internet and then having the privilege of being involved as the industry evolved and adapted to the opportunities, there is now a further revolution occurring with the power created by embracing AI helping us to move faster and tailor personalised experience to the player.

“One of 21.com’s greatest strengths is that it is being developed for the current market, rather than an after-thought adaptation of an existing one. Many operators have been around for a long time and continue to be defined by legacy platforms and pre-crypto payment customer journeys that existed long before the modern technical tools that exist now became a reality. 21.com has embraced AI to deliver unparalleled customer experiences.

“With a team of industry leading experts with the motivation and ability to achieve our goals but without any legacy systems, 21.com is able to take advantage of new technologies to become a market leader in the gaming industry”.

The company also set aggressive commercial targets. “21.com will be one of the top three operators in every market it operates and in the world within two years,” Carlton said.

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Alex Scott Chief Product Officer at Tequity

Tequity appoints Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

tequity-appoints-alex-scott-as-chief-product-officer

Former Microgaming poker MD and ex-WPT Global president joins as supplier pushes regulated-market expansion and new verticals.

Tequity has appointed Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer, adding a long-time iGaming executive to lead product vision and oversee the product lifecycle from conception to market launch.

Scott has more than 20 years of experience in the sector. He previously served as Managing Director of Poker at Microgaming and later led WPT Global as President.

The hire comes as Tequity expands its product structure, including the recent launch of Tequity Exclusives, a vertical for custom-built games that sits alongside its RGS, Originals and Publishing divisions. The company also said it has completed BMM Testlabs certification for its RNG and the first batch of Tequity Originals titles as it targets regulated markets.

Alex Scott, Chief Product Officer at Tequity, said: “Tequity is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in iGaming by harnessing the power of technology to streamline and elevate game development.

“It is an incredibly exciting time to join the team. I look forward to leading the product vision across our expanding divisions to deliver next-generation casino content to operators worldwide.”

Krzysztof Opałka, CEO at Tequity, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Alex to the team as we continue to move the business forward at pace. His two decades of industry leadership and pioneering, hands-on experience with AI-driven casino games make him the perfect fit to lead our product strategy.

“With our rapid recent progress across all of our divisions, his expertise will be invaluable in maximising the impact of our portfolio.” Scott will attend iGB Live in London next month as part of Tequity’s team.

The post Tequity appoints Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

adtech

Media Troopers adds AI automation tool to Media Cruiser DSP

Published

3 weeks ago

May 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

media-troopers-adds-ai-automation-tool-to-media-cruiser-dsp

Media Troopers has added a new artificial intelligence feature to its proprietary media buying platform, Media Cruiser DSP, introducing an automation layer called Automation Rules.

The company said Automation Rules is a rules-based automation engine designed to optimise campaigns using real-time data. Media Troopers said the tool can support actions including setting price ranges, highlighting and pausing underperforming metrics, creating exclusion filters, and adjusting bids without prior manual intervention.

Media Troopers positioned the release as a way to increase output while reducing operational costs, describing the workflow as “a single click” to apply automation.

Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive of Media Troopers, said, “Media Troopers is always looking to improve its systems to ensure that clients have the best technology available to help enhance their campaigns while also saving them time. This new AI feature is sure to be a game-changer among customers when it comes to increasing marketing output by taking on board and managing client data around the clock.”

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