Latest News
UK Gambling Firms Accused of Exaggerating Scale of Black Market Betting

UK Gambling firms have been accused of concocting a “dodgy dossier” to exaggerate the scale of black market betting, in an attempt to influence an upcoming government review expected to result in tougher regulation.
Gambling industry figures recently seized on a report claiming that 200,000 people in the UK spend £1.4bn on black market sites every year, warning that tougher regulation could drive more people into the arms of “unscrupulous” operators.
But in a letter to a cross-party group of MPs examining gambling-related harm, the Gambling Commission’s chief executive, Neil McArthur, delivered a withering assessment of the report.
The boss of the gambling regulator said the report, written by consultancy PwC, was “not consistent with the intelligence picture” and did not distinguish between real consumers using black market sites and bots or other automated systems.
He said the report should be treated cautiously, adding that it lacked any evidence to show an increase in illicit betting.
“We know that licensed operators and their trade bodies are concerned about the impact of the illegal market, but our own evidence suggests that the impact may be being exaggerated,” he said.
McArthur said black market concerns should be kept in proportion “despite … reports from consultants paid for by the industry, and should not distract from the need to continue to drive up standards and make gambling safer in the regulated market.”
Such direct criticism from the regulator will be a blow for the industry lobby group, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which has repeatedly referred to the report to back its arguments against stricter regulations.
The government is considering a range of measures that could involve limiting stakes on online virtual slot machines, or forcing web-based casinos to carry out thorough affordability checks if customers deposit a certain amount per month.
McArthur dismissed BGC’s suggestion that such measures could fuel a surge in black market operations.
“In any event, we are not convinced by the argument that suggests that raising standards in the licensed market will prompt consumers to gamble with illegal operators,” he said.
The Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs the MPs’ group that receive the letter, said: “The online gambling industry talks up the threat of the black market in an attempt to resist regulation and protect its profits, but trying to hijack the debate by manufacturing dodgy dossiers of information to further their own ends is an incredibly transparent tactic and will not be any kind of excuse to hold down standards.”
The BGC and several of the UK’s major betting companies, which commissioned the report, refused a request to provide a copy.
But the Guardian has since obtained both a draft version, dated April 2019, and a final version, dated July 2019.
The two appear identical except that the final version removed a reference to the three firms that commissioned it, Ladbrokes owner GVC, William Hill and The Stars Group, which owned SkyBet and has since merged with Paddy Power owner Flutter.
Matt Zarb-Cousin, a former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn who runs the campaign group Clean Up Gambling, said: “The gambling industry has been quoting from this report as it attempts to drive a race to the bottom in regulation. Having finally seen the contents, it’s clear why it was reluctant to make this report available for public scrutiny.”
A BGC spokesperson said countries with tougher regulation than the UK had bigger black market problems.
“We have repeatedly called on the government to use the online harms bill to crack down on access to these sites, and we would support financial service providers being obliged to block black market transactions,” he said.
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Evoplay stokes the flames with Belfry Bliss Hold and Win

Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has launched Belfry Bliss Hold and Win, a fiery 5×3 slot that blends retro-inspired visuals with a darker twist on the fan-favourite Hold and Win mechanic.
Set against a backdrop of flames and ringing bells, the game reintroduces Evoplay’s mischievous Devil character, not as a foe, but as a Wild symbol, lighting the way to potential wins. Classic slot icons like sevens, bars and cherries return, but the real action begins when the bells drop.
Landing six or more bonus symbols triggers the Hold and Win Bonus Game, initiating three spins, where the goal is to collect 15 special symbols to win the ULTRA jackpot, offering 1,000x the bet.
Additionally, the title comes with two smaller jackpots, SUPER and MINOR, adding to the excitement and win potential.
For those eager to jump straight into the action, a Bonus Buy feature provides direct access to the Bonus Game.
With its bold design, atmospheric soundtrack and fast-paced gameplay, Belfry Bliss Hold and Win adds a distinctive edge to Evoplay’s growing Hold and Win portfolio.
Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Belfry Bliss Hold and Win takes the familiar charm of classic slots and turns up the heat. We’ve given it a bold, fiery personality that blends nostalgia with a darker, more playful twist.
“The Hold and Win mechanic coupled with the three jackpots takes this game to the next level, with all features designed to keep the energy high and the experience engaging.”
The post Evoplay stokes the flames with Belfry Bliss Hold and Win appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
NOVOMATIC Africa Launches Local Assembly for Panther LPMs, Driving Innovation and Growth

NOVOMATIC Africa has announced that it has reached a major operational milestone: the local assembly of its popular Panther FV623D and FV624D Limited Payout Machines (LPMs) is now fully underway in South Africa. This strategic development marks a critical step in the company’s commitment to regional growth, operational agility and technological excellence.
The initiative was born out of post-pandemic global supply challenges, where machine delivery lead times were significant. To address this, NOVOMATIC Africa made the strategic decision to localise certain production capabilities—shortening timelines, reducing dependency on international shipments, and contributing to the local economy and empowerment.
At the helm of the project is Mohamed Abdullah, Technical & Operations Manager, who leads a team of highly skilled, internationally trained technical professionals.
After extensive planning and cross-border collaboration, NOVOMATIC Africa equipped a dedicated assembly area within its new Midrand facility. The space was enhanced with the necessary tooling, shelving and safety systems to handle high-volume pre-assembly processes, including monitor and bill validator modules.
This ambitious three-year journey—culminating in South Africa’s first locally assembled Panther LPMs—was not only a triumph of logistics and innovation but also a testament to human expertise, resilience and visionary leadership.
To ensure full compliance and alignment with both NOVOMATIC AG (Austria) and local regulatory standards, the project included:
• Acquisition of an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Safety Test Machine
• Establishment of robust quality control protocols
• Integration with the NAG central database
• Development of a structured pre-assembly line for key components
• Empowering Local Talent
“Investing in people has been the most important part of this journey. Yes, we’re building machines. But more importantly, we’re building capability—equipping our team here in South Africa with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to meet global benchmarks,” said Mohamed Abdullah.
NOVOMATIC Africa’s investment in local production is more than a tactical solution—it’s a long-term strategic move aimed at strengthening the company’s footprint across the continent.
As demand continues to grow, the company remains focused on building a resilient, skilled local workforce and continuing its mission to deliver high-quality, technically advanced gaming machines for Africa’s evolving gaming landscape.
The post NOVOMATIC Africa Launches Local Assembly for Panther LPMs, Driving Innovation and Growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
TaDa Gaming Releases Golden Bank 2

TaDa Gaming has released Golden Bank 2, a sequel to the popular Golden Bank slot. With a 10,000x max win and exciting features, Golden Bank 2 engage players with its immersive gameplay and the potential for substantial payouts.
Set in a golden vault, Golden Bank 2 combines the simplicity of classic slots with the thrill of modern mechanics. With vibrant graphics and a dynamic soundtrack, the game immerses players in an exciting, high-stakes atmosphere. Players can take advantage of Unlimited Bonus Game, expanding wilds and Super Bonus Features to boost their chances of winning big.
Golden Bank 2 offers players thrilling opportunities with its Wild High Rewards, Unlimited Bonus Game and Super Bonus features. Wild symbols appear on all reels, substituting for all symbols except the Bonus and can transform into 2x, 3x or 5x multipliers, up to 625x when multiple Wilds land on the same payline. The Unlimited Bonus Game is triggered by three Bonus symbols, unlocking the Bonus Accumulation Box where prizes accumulate based on Bet x Total Multiplier. Super Bonus symbols boost the multiplier of all accumulation boxes by up to 10x. With a 10,000x max win, medium volatility and unlimited bonus gameplay, Golden Bank 2 offers thrilling rewards and big win potential.
Sean Liu, Director of Product Management at TaDa Gaming, said: “Golden Bank 2 takes the best elements of classic slots and amplifies them with new, innovative mechanics, which offer players multiple ways to win while keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. We’re excited to see how our clients respond to this high-reward game.”
The post TaDa Gaming Releases Golden Bank 2 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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