Latest News

Casino Guru’s complaint data reveals scope of UK players gambling at unlicensed websites

Published

5 years ago

February 24, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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.

Latest News

2RBO Affiliates Presents Lodur: a Viking-Inspired Casino and Sportsbook

Published

9 minutes ago

April 7, 2026

Master Editor

2RBO Affiliates is proud to present Lodur, a new casino and sportsbook brand that brings Norse mythology to life through an immersive, gamified experience.

Inspired by the age of Vikings, their conquests, legends, and spirit of exploration, Lodur invites players into a world where every bet contributes to continuous progression.

At the core of the experience is the Island System, a persistent progression layer that evolves across sessions. Alongside sports betting and casino play, players build and upgrade their own island settlements, unlock new territories, and voyage through more than 110 uniquely themed islands — ranging from Nordic-inspired landscapes to cyberpunk enclaves and eerie cemeteries.

Progression is fueled by Elixir, a resource earned through every deposit and wager. Players use Eliksir to access the Lodur Slot game, where they can win the coins needed to build and upgrade their settlements. Beyond building, landing the right symbols can trigger the Attack feature, allowing players to breach a rival’s defenses and claim their coins.

This interactive layer introduces a fierce rivalry that fuels long-term engagement. Whether attacking an opponent or defending their own settlement, players must constantly evolve their tactics to grow. With a vast world to conquer, Lodur offers a deep and rewarding journey — a high-stakes loop of building and competing that drives continuous player loyalty and forges a lasting bond with the saga.

“Lodur is a product where entertainment and progression go hand in hand. For players, there is always a new island to conquer and new land to explore, ensuring the hunt for glory never ends and the next horizon is always within reach. For affiliates, this creates a high-retention ecosystem where players stay invested in their journey, remain active, and scale in value over time,” commented Aviv, Head of 2RBO Affiliates.

For partners, Lodur is a powerful retention machine. By merging a premier sportsbook and casino with an adventurous Viking world, the brand creates a thrilling journey accessible via both iOS and Android apps. This seamless ecosystem of high-action gaming and continuous progression transforms standard traffic into a loyal, high-value player base, ensuring steady growth and maximum LTV for partners.

Lodur is now live and ready to fuel your profitability. Be among the first to drive traffic to Lodur and unlock a treasury of opportunities with 2RBO Affiliates!

About 2RBO Affiliates:

2RBO Affiliates is a high-performance affiliate program representing top iGaming brands. Built on an advanced platform, it combines modern gamification features, flexible commission models, and a no negative carryover policy to maximize partner profitability.

Cryptocurrency

Paysafe Introduces “Pay with Crypto” to Meet US iGaming Demand

Published

39 minutes ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

paysafe-introduces-“pay-with-crypto”-to-meet-us-igaming-demand

The new product powered by MoonPay allows players to easily deposit using stablecoins and cryptocurrencies at iGaming and daily fantasy sports companies.

Paysafe, an international payment platform, today revealed the introduction of Pay with Crypto, a novel cryptocurrency payment option for iGaming operators and daily fantasy sports companies in the U.S. market. Enabled by MoonPay, the top provider in worldwide crypto payments and stablecoin systems, Pay with Crypto enables customers of iGaming brands to conveniently use their chosen stablecoin or cryptocurrency to fund their player accounts, where allowed.

Approximately 70.4 million American adults are said to own cryptocurrency, and Paysafe’s research shows that 83% of U.S. players are interested in crypto payments, prompting the company to introduce Pay with Crypto to satisfy this demand. A player wishing to fund their iGaming account with USD Coin (USDC), another stablecoin, or any leading cryptocurrency can now use Paysafe’s new payment option for operators’ cashiers, which allows for quick conversion of their crypto deposit to U.S. dollars for gameplay.

Upon choosing Pay with Crypto and their desired stablecoin or cryptocurrency, players just link their crypto or custodial wallet to complete the deposit, while the MoonPay Commerce Checkouts technology also facilitates transactions through QR code using users’ mobile devices. After verifying the transactions, Pay with Crypto immediately converts crypto deposits into U.S. dollars to credit the player’s account.

The flexibility inherent in the Pay with Crypto solution also applies to operators, who can opt to settle payments nearly instantly in stablecoins within their business crypto wallet, or in U.S. dollars or other major fiat currencies via MoonPay’s Virtual Accounts driven by Iron.

Operators can enhance their cashiers with Pay with Crypto via a single, seamless integration of the Paysafe Gateway, designed specifically for iGaming and utilizing the company’s 30 years of worldwide expertise. The Gateway, which already features seamless card payments, the Skrill digital wallet, the PaysafeCash eCash option, a Pay by Bank service, and over 30 local payment methods, is further diversifying its services by introducing Pay with Crypto to cater to changing transactional preferences.

Zak Cutler, President of Global Gaming at Paysafe, said: “Galvanized by the growing popularity of stablecoins, cryptocurrency is evolving in the U.S. from an investment asset into a unit of value for payments, and we’re seeing this shift gather pace in the country’s iGaming market. Against this backdrop, we’re delighted to unveil Pay with Crypto, a forward-thinking solution that strongly positions U.S. operators for their customers’ changing transactional preferences – the future of how they pay when they play.”

Ivan Soto-Wright, Founder and CEO of MoonPay, commented: “Crypto rails are making payments faster and more efficient, and our job is to close the gap between this technology and real-world utility. People shouldn’t have to convert their digital assets just to make a purchase – they want to use what they already have. Paysafe brings that experience to more people through trusted, regulated platforms.”

The post Paysafe Introduces “Pay with Crypto” to Meet US iGaming Demand appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AFLE

AFLE and SCCG Management Announce Strategic Partnership to Build Gaming and Fan Engagement Ecosystem Ahead of Inaugural Season

Published

2 hours ago

April 7, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

afle-and-sccg-management-announce-strategic-partnership-to-build-gaming-and-fan-engagement-ecosystem-ahead-of-inaugural-season

The American Football League Europe (AFLE) and SCCG Management, a leading advisory firm in the global gaming industry, have announced a strategic partnership ahead of the league’s inaugural season in May 2026. As part of the agreement, SCCG Management Founder and CEO Stephen Crystal has been appointed Senior Vice President Gaming of the AFLE, where he will lead all gaming-related business development and commercial partnership initiatives.

Building a gaming strategy from the ground up

Together, the AFLE and SCCG Management will develop and execute a comprehensive gaming and sports betting strategy for the league. This includes the establishment of official betting partnerships, affiliate programs, and sponsorship-driven revenue opportunities designed to strengthen fan engagement and support the long-term commercial growth of the league and it‘s eight member clubs.

Leading the way in gaming expertise

SCCG Management brings more than 34 years of experience in the global gaming industry, with offices across North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Brazil. The firm works with over 130 client-partners across diverse iGaming verticals and specializes in strategic growth, sports wagering and technology-driven fan experiences.

In his new role, Stephen Crystal will focus on securing and managing relationships across sportsbooks, gaming operators, affiliate networks and betting media partners, while ensuring full alignment with regulatory frameworks across European markets.

A league built for the modern era

The AFLE is a newly formed professional American football league dedicated to building a sustainable, team-driven competition across Europe. With franchises in Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, France, Italy and the United Kingdom, the league is designed for scalability, media integration and international fan engagement from day one. Operating under an investor-backed structure with collaborative input from all league stakeholders, the AFLE was founded on principles of transparency, long-term development and professional governance.

That foundation makes gaming integration a natural next step. As global demand for sports betting content continues to grow, the AFLE is positioned to embed gaming partnerships directly into its commercial strategy from inception, creating new revenue streams while expanding it‘s reach to fans across European markets.

What the partnership means to both sides

Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, said: “This is a rare opportunity to help build a professional sports league with gaming and fan engagement fully integrated into its foundation. AFLE has the structure, vision, and market timing to become a major force in international sports. We’re excited to lead the development of its gaming ecosystem and establish partnerships that drive meaningful, long-term value for the league and its stakeholders.”

Moritz Heisler, COO and Managing Director of the AFLE, added: “Partnering with SCCG Management is a significant step in building the commercial infrastructure of the AFLE from day one. Gaming and sports betting are a natural part of modern fan engagement, and having Stephen Crystal lead this space gives us the right expertise and industry network to do it properly. We are building a league for the long term, and these kinds of strategic partnerships are exactly what will make that possible.”

With the inaugural season just weeks away, this partnership marks an important step in the AFLE’s commercial journey. Together, the AFLE and SCCG Management are laying the groundwork for a gaming ecosystem that is built to grow alongside the league and deliver lasting value for fans, clubs and partners across Europe.

The post AFLE and SCCG Management Announce Strategic Partnership to Build Gaming and Fan Engagement Ecosystem Ahead of Inaugural Season appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.