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Casino Guru’s complaint data reveals scope of UK players gambling at unlicensed websites
The Gambling Commission’s recent calls for evidence and views from the industry and the public regarding upcoming changes to Great Britain’s gambling regulation has seen a number of professionals emphasize the potential rise of black-market gambling as a consequence of tightening regulations.
These claims have been largely backed up by a PwC report, which estimates the number of UK online gamblers using unlicensed operators to have more than doubled from 2018 to 2020, from c.210,000 to c.460,000 gamblers.
Later on, UK gambling firms have been accused of exaggerating the scale of black-market gambling in an attempt to influence the GC’s decision to introduce tougher regulations. The GC’s chief executive Neil McArthur commented that the report delivered by PwC is not consistent with their intelligence picture and lacked any evidence to show an increase in illicit betting. He added that GC’s own evidence suggests that the impact may be being exaggerated.
Simon Vincze, Casino Guru’s Responsible Gambling Projects Manager, has been keeping up with the heated discussion taking place in British media and looked into their data on player complaints to get an idea about the scope of the issue: “I understand the need for regulation in the gambling market and its usefulness in keeping children and vulnerable players safe. It’s something I deeply believe in and work towards in my position as well. However, it didn’t seem right to me to just disregard the negative effects of tightening regulations altogether.”
Casino Guru operates a casino dispute mediation service, in which players can complain about any online casino if they feel to have been mistreated, regardless of its license, and get assisted for free. After looking into their data, Simon discovered 666 complaints submitted by players from the UK, of which 145 is about casinos with a license from GC and 521 is about casinos without it. This means that 78% of all complaints submitted by UK players have been about operators without a GC license.
“Of course, this doesn’t mean that 78% of UK players gamble at foreign websites. Because of the generally lower quality of service and reputation of these operators, it can be expected that these players will run into issues more often, resulting in a higher proportion of players submitting public complaints. However, it is also a clear sign that there are UK players gambling at casinos without a GC license, and that there is quite a lot of them,” Simon commented on this data.
He also compared the British situation to what has happened in Sweden: “When gambling regulations get more restrictive, an increased proportion of players usually start looking for unlicensed operators to avoid those regulations. Sweden is a great example of this, where 40% of casino players and 34% of sports betters gamble on unlicensed websites or would consider doing so in future, according to a study published back in April 2020. Taking a look at Google search data, there has been a major increase in Swedish players actively looking for unlicensed casinos since introducing the country’s gambling regulations with a strong focus on player safety.”
“With tighter regulations being introduced in Great Britain, the GC should be aware of the possibility of an increasing number of British punters actively looking for unlicensed sites in attempts to avoid the strict regulations. These players then gamble on foreign websites without the strict limits present at UK-licensed ones, ending up more susceptible to problematic gambling habits as a result of lower responsible gambling standards of some foreign operators, on top of other negative qualities that can be present at these websites.”
Data from the PwC report suggests that 4,5% of UK players gamble at foreign websites, while 78% of all complaints submitted to Casino Guru by UK players are related to these foreign websites.
Simon commented: “Combining this data would suggest that 4,5% of players are responsible for 78% of all casino complaints, which would signify a huge imbalance. Of course, the numbers are based on different data and there may be other factors in play, but I think that the imbalance is there, and has to do with the fact that players gambling on foreign websites simply run into issues more often. These can range from unclear bonus terms and bad implementation of responsible gambling features all the way to unscrupulous casinos outright scamming players.”
“If an increasing number of players leave the regulated market and go for foreign alternatives, they may be subject to a higher risk of developing problem gambling and losing money to foreign websites, some of which can have unscrupulous tendencies. This seems like a good enough reason to seriously consider the risk of rising use of black-market gambling websites by UK players,” he added.
While the GC is examining evidence presented by stakeholders and working towards updated gambling regulation, it remains to be seen how the situation ends up being handled and what new rules get implemented. Only time will tell whether tighter regulation really does increase the use of black-market sites or not, and whether the benefits will outweigh possible drawbacks.
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GET SET FOR GREATNESS AND THE POKERSTARS’ SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP OF ONLINE POKER WITH THE SCOOP WARM UP SERIES, AWARDING $10 MILLION IN GUARANTEES
With PokerStars’ iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) just around the corner, poker players can get set for greatness and start strong with the SCOOP Warm Up series, which runs February 1-16 and guarantees over $10 million in prizes.
With 69 events across high and low tiers inspired by SCOOP events and formats, and buy-ins ranging from just $2.20 to $5,200, SCOOP Warm Up offers newcomers and seasoned pros the perfect opportunity to fine-tune their skills and build momentum ahead of the prestigious SCOOP series taking place this year from March 1-25.
Among the SCOOP Warm Up schedule highlights are two thrilling Main Events and an exciting lineup of Sunday action:
- $109 Sunday Special (PKO), $500,000 guaranteed, February 1
- $75 Sunday Special, $400,000 guaranteed, February 8
- $22 Mystery Sunday Special, $250,000 guaranteed, February 8
- $109 Main Event Low, $1 million guaranteed, February 15
- $1,050 Main Event High, $300,000 guaranteed, February 15
Poker players can also crank up their Warm Up game with daily challenges and claim their spot in the Main Event through the SCOOP Warm Up Ticket Machine raffle, which runs February 1 -12 and awards $200,000 in coveted SCOOP Warm Up Main Event tickets.
For a chance to scoop a ticket, players can opt in via their challenges window from February 1 and complete up to three daily challenges by playing SCOOP Warm Up tournaments:
- Play in at least one event to secure the first raffle entry
- Play in at least two events to earn the second raffle entry
- Knock out at least two players in SCOOP Warm Up events to get a third raffle entry
To find out more about SCOOP Warm Up, please visit the PokerStars website or the PokerStars Blog.
The post GET SET FOR GREATNESS AND THE POKERSTARS’ SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP OF ONLINE POKER WITH THE SCOOP WARM UP SERIES, AWARDING $10 MILLION IN GUARANTEES appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
In iGaming products, gamification often shapes how engagement is structured. Missions, level systems, progress indicators, and challenge mechanics turn gameplay into a guided journey. As responsible gaming (RG) evolves from a compliance obligation into a product design requirement, these same mechanics are being used to make RG tools more visible and easier to use—so they feel like part of the experience rather than something hidden or separate.
In this article, Atlaslive shares its perspective on how technology can support safer, more transparent player journeys.
The Shift: RG as a Core Product Function
Responsible gaming is increasingly seen as a capability the platform must deliver effectively, not just offer in theory. Features such as limit-setting, reality checks, and session breaks are expected to be easy to find, simple to understand, and accessible without friction.
For instance, the UK Gambling Commission requires financial limits and time-based controls to be available at all times, not buried in complex navigation or hidden menus. These expectations also apply to how operators present and implement RG tools, emphasizing clarity, usability, and genuine player choice rather than a box-ticking approach to compliance.
At the same time, safer play organizations stress the value of approachable support. GambleAware materials highlight player-focused tools that help users reflect on their habits, review activity, and maintain control.
Practical Applications of Gamification in RG
Gamification becomes useful in RG when it improves the visibility and approachability of these features. Structured prompts and familiar UI elements can draw attention to tools without disrupting the player experience. Gamified elements can also provide helpful context—such as time or spend snapshots and gentle check-ins—without creating alarm or discomfort.
It also supports normalization of responsible actions. Step-by-step limit setting, clear confirmations, and neutral prompts around pauses or reality checks can frame these moments as standard parts of play rather than interruptions. In this way, gamification helps position breaks and reviews as choices, not restrictions.
What to Avoid
Gamification loses its value when it drives intensity instead of control. Mechanics that create urgency or reward extended sessions and higher spending can undermine RG goals. Problems also arise when RG tools are difficult to access—when players have to search for limits or breaks—or when messaging feels overly heavy, making support features uncomfortable to use.
In short, when applied thoughtfully, gamification helps RG tools integrate naturally into the overall product experience and supports long-term player trust.
This document is provided to you for your information and discussion only. This document was based on public sources of information and was created by the Atlaslive team for marketing usage. It is not a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any gambling-related product. Nothing in this document constitutes legal or business development advice. This document has been prepared from sources Atlaslive believes to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness and do not accept liability for any loss arising from its use. Atlaslive reserves the right to remedy any errors that may be present in this document.
About Atlaslive
Atlaslive is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, Payment Systems, and Retail Module. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.
The post Gamification as a Responsible Gaming Tool in iGaming Platforms appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
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Lotto.com, the nation’s first online lottery platform to digitally deliver draw games and scratch tickets, has announced a major milestone – reaching 4 million customers, and counting, in less than five years since launching in Spring 2021. As the fastest-growing lottery courier platform, Lotto.com continues to redefine accessibility and convenience for players nationwide. Customers have collectively won over $150 million in prizes through Lotto.com, including $90 million in draw wins and $63 million in scratch wins, with more than 7 million winning tickets ordered on the platform. These results highlight the excitement, ease and trust players have in Lotto.com’s modern approach to lottery.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has requested the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to pause all college sport offerings in prediction markets until the agency implements appropriate regulations. The NCAA sent a letter to the CFTC calling for a robust system of safeguards and detailed its willingness to work with the regulatory body to assist with developing the necessary guardrails to protect student-athletes and college sports. The critical safeguards requested include age and advertising restrictions, enhanced integrity monitoring, prop market prevention, anti-harassment measures, and harm reduction resources.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed a civil enforcement action in the District Court for Carson City against BLOCKRATIZE INC. d/b/a POLYMARKET; QCX LLC d/b/a POLYMARKET US; and ADVENTURE ONE QSS INC. d/b/a POLYMARKET. In its complaint, the Board asked the court for a declaration and injunction to stop Polymarket from offering unlicensed wagering in violation of Nevada law. Polymarket operates a derivatives exchange and prediction market where it offers event contracts for sale. These products are offered for sale on Polymarket’s mobile app and are made available to people in Nevada. The Board considers offering sports event contracts, or certain other events contracts, to constitute wagering activity under NRS 463.0193 and 463.01962 and, therefore, entities offering such event contracts must be licensed.
Partnerships
High Roller Technologies Inc. announced it has entered into a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Crypto.com | Derivatives North America (CDNA), for an exclusive partnership to launch an event-based prediction markets product in the US. The events contracts will be offered by CDNA, a CFTC-registered exchange and clearinghouse and affiliate of Crypto.com, to customers through HighRoller.com. The partnership will offer people the opportunity to trade event contracts across markets including finance, entertainment, and sports, through a legal, engaging, and user-friendly platform.
High Roller Technologies Inc. announced it has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Lines.com, a premier sports media platform owned by Spike Up Media, to enter into and execute a strategic marketing partnership designed to accelerate customer acquisition and brand awareness for High Roller’s planned entry into U.S. prediction markets. This LOI follows High Roller’s announcement of its strategic partnership with Crypto.com | Derivatives North America to launch a regulated event-based prediction markets product in the US. Through the contemplated strategic marketing partnership, Lines.com will serve as a key distribution and media partner, leveraging its high-intent audience, advanced automation infrastructure, and market-leading conversion performance to support High Roller’s prediction markets rollout.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – January 19-25 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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