Latest News
Open Banking Can Change the Game in the Post-Credit-Card-Ban UK Gambling Industry
The consequences of the upcoming ban on credit card gambling in the UK might bring more financial harm to the i-gaming industry and inconvenience to responsible players than good to problem gamblers who constitute roughly 1% of 24 million adults who gamble in Britain. Fortunately, the situation opens the window of opportunity for open-banking payments – even more convenient than cards and e-wallets and not as controversial.
The official rationale of the new restriction imposed by the Gambling Commission (UKGC) might create an erroneous impression that most players in the UK are addicted to gambling and place bets using credit cards. In reality, according to the UKGC’s data, only around 800,000 people in Britain use credit cards for gambling, and just about 22% of those who do are problem gamblers. In other words, the newly introduced regulation, meant to protect less than 180,000 adults from getting into debt by making it just slightly more complicated, will push the remaining 620,000 responsible players, who gamble on credit cards just for convenience and simplicity, towards alternatives.
As e-wallets are very well known and broadly used among players, one could conclude that e-wallet providers are the grand winners here. An increase in the demand could be a good reason for them to raise prices. But the UKGC must know very well that wallet apps can be easily used as proxies for credit card gambling, and thus further restrictions might be a matter of time. But there is a way for all – gaming companies, gamblers, and the regulator – to achieve their goals without causing harm to other parties in the ecosystem. This can be done through open banking.
Open banking enables initiating direct wire transfers between players and gaming companies without the need for the former to leave the latter’s website and fill a transfer order form. The transactions are bank secure as the authentication process is, in fact, on the bank. It’s quick, easy, and does not require any third-party apps. The payee gets a notification on the transaction status in real time, so credits or virtual tokens can be added to a user account instantly, which means no interference with the overall gambling experience. Furthermore, this approach does not allow the player to spend more money than they have on their bank account, so it mitigates the risk of getting into debt. On top of that, pay-outs are easier and cheaper to handle as they take only as much time and cost as a regular Bacs BACS transfer (plus a small technical processing fee). I believe this might be a perfect solution for responsible gamblers who appreciate the simplicity of credit card payments as well as for i-gaming companies willing to enhance their overall user experience.
Problem gambling needs to be addressed, and people who suffer from gambling addiction as well as their families should be, surely, receiving appropriate support. Although, I don’t think the ban on credit card gambling could, in any way, be the form of support such people need. For the UK’s gambling industry and over 10.5 million online players, smooth open-banking payments can be a way to have a cake and eat it.
Straal is an international provider of payment, optimization and fraud prevention solutions for future-minded businesses. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products that make accepting digital payments easier, as well as more effective and secure. Straal enables accepting one-off and recurring payments carried out by customers with credit and debit cards of all major organizations, initiating transactions via open banking APIs, ordering SEPA Direct Debit cycles and more. Thanks to Straal, customers can pay in currencies of their choice (over 150 options), using their preferred desktop and mobile platforms, while merchants can effectively maximise their transaction approval rate and mitigate risk. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Warsaw, Poland. www.straal.com
Platipus Ltd., a leading developer of high-quality HTML5 slot games, has unveiled its 2026 Network Tournament Series, offering a total prize pool of €125,000. Designed to enhance player engagement and operator performance, the series will run across five thrilling stages, each with €25,000 in prizes and 150 winning positions per event.
The Network Tournament Series aims to provide players with an immersive and competitive gaming experience while delivering measurable benefits for operators. By encouraging extended play sessions, increasing retention, and boosting Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), the campaign offers a strategic promotional solution for operators seeking to maximize performance and player loyalty.
Platipus confirmed that the tournament series will feature its most popular slot titles, including Wild Spin, Wild Spin Deluxe, Wild Crowns, 7 & Hot Fruits, alongside rotating feature games tailored to each stage. Each tournament stage promises unique excitement, rewarding players for skill and participation while fostering community engagement and competitive play.
The five tournament stages are scheduled as follows:
-
Stage 1 (January 29–31): Santa’s Bag
-
Stage 2 (February 5–7): Pirate’s Legacy
-
Stage 3 (April 30 – May 2): Catch the Leprechaun
-
Stage 4 (June 4–6): Jackpot Lab
-
Stage 5 (September 17–19): Pirate’s Map
All events will be powered by Platipus’s proprietary tournament tool, ensuring seamless integration for operators, real-time leaderboard functionality, and a smooth player experience across all participating games.
According to the Platipus team, the tournament series is “not just about prizes — it’s about creating excitement, community engagement, and memorable experiences.” Operators can join the campaign effortlessly, leveraging a ready-to-deploy promotional framework that drives player engagement, retention, and long-term revenue growth.
With the launch of the €125,000 Network Tournament, Platipus continues to reinforce its position as a top-tier provider of HTML5 slot content and innovative iGaming solutions, offering operators and players a dynamic, rewarding, and highly engaging gaming experience throughout 2026.
The post Platipus Launches €125,000 Network Tournament Series to Boost Player Engagement in 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI in iGaming
BetConstruct AI Named Global Gaming Company of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026
BetConstruct AI has been officially recognised as Global Gaming Company of the Year at the International Gaming Awards (IGA) 2026, marking a major achievement for one of the iGaming industry’s most influential technology providers.
The prestigious award highlights more than two decades of innovation, a rapidly expanding global footprint, and a bold, transformative approach to Artificial Intelligence in gaming.
The IGA 2026 accolade underscores BetConstruct AI’s position as a truly global iGaming technology leader. The company delivers fully localised, multi-currency, and multi-lingual solutions designed to meet the specific regulatory, cultural, and operational requirements of markets across every continent. This global adaptability has become a defining strength, enabling operators to scale efficiently while maintaining compliance and player relevance.
The recognition follows a year of significant growth and strategic expansion for BetConstruct AI. The continued evolution of its AI-powered ecosystem has introduced new benchmarks for operational intelligence, automation, and player engagement, reinforcing the company’s reputation for forward-thinking innovation in a highly competitive sector.
At the heart of BetConstruct AI’s success is a strong partner-first philosophy combined with a deep commitment to in-house product development. By building the majority of its technology internally, the company ensures a robust, open ecosystem that supports seamless integrations and provides operators with full control over their platforms. This approach allows BetConstruct AI to maintain consistently high quality across its extensive product portfolio while remaining flexible to partner needs.
Winning the Global Gaming Company of the Year award reflects BetConstruct AI’s long-term vision of shaping the future of iGaming through advanced localisation and continuous technological innovation. By pairing global infrastructure with locally adapted solutions, the company enables its partners to overcome regulatory and administrative complexities, allowing them to focus on acquisition, retention, and sustainable long-term growth.
As the iGaming industry increasingly prioritises transparency, intelligence, and efficiency, BetConstruct AI continues to lead the way. By combining human expertise with AI-driven precision, the company empowers partners to build and manage their own unique “universe” within the global iGaming landscape, setting a new standard for scalable, intelligent gaming solutions.
The post BetConstruct AI Named Global Gaming Company of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
always-on betting
Highlight Games Partners with OpenBet Trading System to Expand Video Virtual Sports Offering
Highlight Games, the London-based specialist in video virtual sports and instant win games, has announced a landmark long-term partnership with OpenBet, one of the sports betting industry’s leading content, platform, and services providers.
The collaboration marks a significant step forward in expanding access to premium video virtual sports across regulated betting markets worldwide.
Under the agreement, Highlight Games’ extensive content portfolio will be fully integrated into OpenBet’s Trading System, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most powerful aggregation networks for elite trading and sports betting content. This digital integration will allow operators using OpenBet’s platform to seamlessly offer Highlight’s award-winning video virtual sports alongside live sporting events.
The partnership is designed to help operators deliver a continuous and engaging sports betting experience, even during periods when live events are unavailable. By blending virtual sports with live markets, operators can maintain player engagement, optimise betting uptime, and enhance overall product variety.
Highlight Games’ video virtual sports are powered by authentic archive footage from some of the world’s most recognisable sporting competitions. Available titles include virtual sports content featuring Serie A, LaLiga, England’s Premier League — with historic footage from iconic clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal — as well as the Turkish Süper Lig. Additional sports coverage includes ATP Tour Tennis, PDC Darts, and MotoGP, offering a broad and diverse range of betting opportunities.
Unlike traditional computer-generated virtual sports, Highlight Games’ products use real broadcast-quality footage, delivering a level of realism that closely mirrors live sport. This authenticity has become a key differentiator in the video virtuals market, appealing to bettors seeking immersive, lifelike betting experiences that reflect the pace and excitement of real-world competitions.
For OpenBet, the integration further strengthens the capabilities of its Trading System, reinforcing its position as a next-generation data and trading solution. By expanding its content ecosystem with premium video virtual sports, OpenBet continues to enhance product quality, improve content diversity, and support operator competitiveness across global markets.
Steven Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of Highlight Games, described the partnership as a major milestone for the company. He noted that Highlight’s video virtual sports are specifically designed to replicate the excitement and unpredictability of live sports betting. By integrating with OpenBet’s industry-leading Trading System, Highlight Games is enabling operators to deliver always-on sports entertainment that keeps customers engaged beyond traditional live event schedules.
Jason Ayton, Chief Business Development Officer at OpenBet, also welcomed the partnership, highlighting its strategic importance. He emphasised that adding Highlight Games’ premium video virtual sports further enhances OpenBet’s sophisticated content aggregation network. According to Ayton, the collaboration empowers operators to better bridge the gap between live events by offering high-quality, engaging betting content at all times, reinforcing Trading System’s status as a premier platform for world-class sports betting entertainment.
The post Highlight Games Partners with OpenBet Trading System to Expand Video Virtual Sports Offering appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoRomanian B2B Licence Granted to iGP, Boosting Its Regulated Operations in Europe
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
Global Gaming Solutions welcomes the Isle of Man Government’s commitment to the iGaming sector
-
Alex Baliukonis Game Producer at BGaming4 days ago
Crack the Vault in BGaming’s Mystery Heist
-
Latest News3 days ago
SKIP THE QUEUE WITH THE MIDNITE SHUTTLE: MIDNITE TEAMS UP WITH SNOOKER LEGEND TO OFFER FANS A FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM ALLY PALLY STATION
-
Africa7 days ago
CT Interactive Bolsters Global Presence with South African Certification
-
Africa6 days ago
Amusnet Appoints Cameron Green as Country Manager for South Africa
-
EveryMatrix6 days ago
Matias Montero joins EveryMatrix as Managing Director for Latin America
-
BETER7 days ago
BETER enters sixth US state with North Carolina approval
