Latest News

Force Banks to Let Customers Block Gambling Transactions, Monzo Tells Ministers

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The UK government should force banks to let customers block all betting transactions, according to proposals led by the online lender Monzo, which wants gambling firms to hand over data to make sure the system is watertight.

In a letter to the sports minister, Nigel Huddleston, who is leading a landmark review of gambling law, Monzo, campaigners and addiction experts called on the government to use the opportunity to remove obstacles for people who want to stop betting.

All banks and other account providers should be made to offer tools that allow customers to bar themselves from making any gambling transactions on a debit card, they said.

Gambling companies would also be made to hand over their own bank account details, which could be stored on a central registry. This would help banks block all forms of payment for customers who want the feature, preventing them from using other means to circumvent card blocks.

“We believe the government should take the opportunity afforded by the Gambling Act review to make sure every consumer in the UK can access these blocks, regardless of who they bank with,” TS Anil, chief executive of Monzo, said.

The letter was also signed by researchers at the University of Bristol, a leading NHS gambling disorder expert, firms that provide gambling blocking software and gambling addiction campaign groups including GamFam.

“These tools are simple to build, proven to work, and will help protect hundreds of thousands of people,” they said.

The letter also calls on the government to work with video game companies to see if it would be possible to identify and block payments made for “loot boxes”, in-game features that have caused concern due to qualities similar to gambling.

“Ultimately, the Gambling Act review offers a unique opportunity to create a world-leading self exclusion framework in the UK to reduce gambling harms, and help consumers gain control of their finances,” the letter said.

“The rise in online gambling, and new ways to pay, requires a robust response from the government.”

Latest News

Vegangster’s Hubster AI Enables Brands to Launch Without a Single Support Ticket

Published

44 minutes ago

February 26, 2026

Master Editor

Vegangster has introduced Hubster AI, a built-in conversational assistant designed to simplify platform setup and daily operations for operators. The tool allows clients to ask practical questions about platform features and receive instant, structured, step-by-step guidance.

Unlike traditional support models that rely on account manager availability and ticket queues, Hubster AI operates 24/7 and supports all major languages. Operators can configure features, adjust settings, and navigate workflows independently without waiting for working hours.

Hubster AI provides detailed operational guidance across the entire platform, including:

Player Account Management
Bonus and promotion setup
Game and lobby management
CRM workflows
CMS and content updates
Reporting and analytics

Each response delivers clear instructions and, where relevant, direct access to pre-recorded video walkthroughs demonstrating the exact process.

Several brands have already completed onboarding and platform configuration without submitting setup tickets, relying entirely on Hubster AI for operational guidance.

“My idea is to make complex things simple,” said Tatjana Danevica, Product Operations Specialist at Vegangster. “Operators should not deeply need technical expertise or constant support interaction to launch and manage a brand. Hubster AI turns platform knowledge into an always-available guide, removing friction and allowing teams to move.”

Hubster AI forms part of Vegangster’s broader strategy to eliminate the skill barrier in iGaming by turning complex platform knowledge into instant, practical guidance operators can use in real time.

About Vegangster

Vegangster provides a full-stack iGaming platform engineered for speed, scalability, and operator control. Its turnkey and white-label solutions integrate casino content, payments, CRM, compliance, and engagement tools into a single mobile-first system.

Press Contact
Romans Kozlovskis
[email protected]

ELA Games

ELA Games Powers the Reels with Retro-Electric Slot “Rapid Wild”

Published

46 minutes ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-powers-the-reels-with-retro-electric-slot-“rapid-wild”

The studio’s newest high-volatility game fuses traditional casino visuals with fiery multipliers, sticky wilds, and an increasing jackpot.

ELA Games has officially launched its latest slot, Rapid Wild. This neon-filled title immerses players in the core of a high-stakes competition, merging classic arcade visuals with a frantic energy to the gameplay.

A Charged Vintage Slot

Though ELA Games has built a unique identity with immersive worlds and character-driven narratives, Rapid Wild seeks to demonstrate the team’s adaptability and provide players with unparalleled slot excitement. Bathed in a radiant violet light, the game features a smooth, retro design. Gold bars, fortunate dice, and blazing jackpots throb across the 5×3 grid, forming an energetic atmosphere for gamers who enjoy arcade-style thrills with a stronger impact.

At the core of Rapid Wild lies a quest to seek out the Crazy Hot symbols. The process is simple yet fulfilling: the greater the number of symbols that appear on the reels, the larger the jackpot grows. Competitors who can endure the pressure and effectively complete the board will seize the grand reward before the flames diminish.

Explosive No-Cost Games and Turbocharged Wilds

The classic slot experience is enhanced with a genuine array of features. Landing Scatters activates the bonus round, granting 8, 16, or 25 Free Games based on the count of triggering symbols. Amidst these rotations, the genuine strength of the Wilds is revealed:

● Multiplier Wilds: Wilds that double (x2) and triple (x3) enhance the reels to boost winnings.

● Sticky Wilds: These icons adhere to the grid for two extra spins, securing your fortune.

Game Statistics:

● Spools: 5×3

● Winning Lines: 10

● RTP: 94.08% / 96.00%

● Volatility: Elevated (4/5)

● Maximum Win: x5,000 (€250,000)

The post ELA Games Powers the Reels with Retro-Electric Slot “Rapid Wild” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bet It Drives

CoinsPaid CEO Max Krupyshev on Bet It Drives: Crypto Secrets and Why “Zero Risk” Is the Fastest Way to Lose a Deal

Published

46 minutes ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

coinspaid-ceo-max-krupyshev-on-bet-it-drives:-crypto-secrets-and-why-“zero-risk”-is-the-fastest-way-to-lose-a-deal

Max Krupyshev has been in crypto since 2013—long before it was “the usual.” In Bet It Drives podcast Season 4, Episode 3, the CoinsPaid and CryptoProcessing.com CEO joins host Yevhen Krazhan in Barcelona to explain why trust and controls decide who scales.

“Crypto was never anonymous—that was a misconception,” Max Krupyshev says in the podcast.

From there, he breaks down how the industry matured, why mass adoption is inevitable, and why the biggest risks today aren’t what most people think they are.

During the episode, Max digs into:

Is crypto still associated with money laundering?
Can crypto transactions still be completely anonymous?
The most common crypto fraud patterns in B2B
How to win big deals in business (and the fastest way to lose one)
What he dislikes in iGaming + crypto, and what the industry needs to fix next
The 8-Bitcoin story: what he spent it on, and why he doesn’t regret it
His most remarkable iGaming partnership, and why it mattered
Where crypto will be in 10 years, and what happens to cash along the way

Alongside the industry discussion, Episode 3 brings back Confess or Call, when Max is pushed into a dramatic prank call: ringing his Head of Sales with an “urgent” request.

“This episode is practical,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech and host of Bet It Drives. “Max explains the risks, how fraud happens in practice, and what operators should look for in a payment provider. If you handle payments in iGaming, this episode lays out what matters, and what doesn’t.”

Season 4 opened with a CEO episode with Cedomir Tomic (Founder of Alea) and Oleksandr Feshchenko (CEO of GR8 Tech), followed by Akhil Sarin on marketing and partnerships at Stake. Episode 3 is aimed at operators, affiliates, and product teams who want to understand crypto beyond the obvious. Episode 4 features Marek Suchar breaking down esports betting.

Watch or listen to Season 4, Episode 3 with Max Krupyshev on:

The post CoinsPaid CEO Max Krupyshev on Bet It Drives: Crypto Secrets and Why “Zero Risk” Is the Fastest Way to Lose a Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.