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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.

Amusnet

Amusnet Celebrates Football Season with the Launch of Ca$hybara Football Edition

Published

8 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-celebrates-football-season-with-the-launch-of-ca$hybara-football-edition

As football fever takes over the world and fans unite around the beautiful game, Amusnet is bringing the excitement from the stadium straight to the casino floor with the launch of Ca$hybara Football Edition – the latest addition to the beloved Ca$hybara series.

This energetic crash game puts players at the center of the action, where every touch of the ball could lead to bigger rewards. Taking the spotlight once again is the unstoppable Ca$hybara, this time stepping onto the football pitch with confidence, skill and plenty of flair.

In Ca$hybara Football Edition, the charismatic sports star keeps the ball airborne through an impressive display of juggling mastery. With every successful touch, the multiplier climbs higher, creating a thrilling balance between risk and reward. The challenge is simple: decide how long to stay in the game before cashing out. The longer Ca$hybara remains in control, the greater the potential winnings – but one missed touch can change everything.

Designed to keep players engaged from kick-off to the final whistle, the game introduces constant decision-making throughout every round. Players can choose to secure part of their winnings with the 50% Cashout option or continue riding the momentum in pursuit of even bigger multipliers. Timing, confidence and a little courage will determine who comes out on top.

Adding another layer of excitement are the popular Jackpot Cards, Amusnet’s signature jackpot feature, offering players additional chances for rewarding surprises and making every session even more dynamic.

With its football-inspired theme, fast-paced gameplay, and familiar Ca$hybara charm, Ca$hybara Football Edition arrives at the perfect moment, capturing the energy and passion of the season when football dominates conversations across the globe.

Whether players are seasoned crash game enthusiasts or discovering the genre for the first time, Ca$hybara Football Edition delivers an entertaining experience where every second counts and every decision matters.

Gamble

Play the game and multiply the winnings through the Gambling feature.

Multipliers

The game starts with a multiplier set at 1x and rises gradually and can go up to a max coefficient of 1,000,000. Multiplier can potentially crash at 1x, ending the game round.

50% Cash Out

Players can cash out 50% of their bet during the game round and continue playing with the remaining 50%.

Jackpot Cards

The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.

The post Amusnet Celebrates Football Season with the Launch of Ca$hybara Football Edition appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

ArenaPlus

DigiPlus Wins “Digital Operator of the Year” Award at 2026 Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific

Published

8 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

digiplus-wins-“digital-operator-of-the-year”-award-at-2026-global-gaming-awards-asia-pacific

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus), the country’s premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, has been named Digital Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific, marking its second consecutive annual win in the category and reinforcing its leading industry position in the APAC region. The recognition was announced during the Global Gaming Awards ceremony held on June 2 at Conrad Manila.

One of the international gaming industry’s most prestigious awards programmes, the Global Gaming Awards, powered by Global Gaming Insider, recognise excellence in innovation, player experience, responsible gaming and operational excellence across both land-based and online gaming sectors. Winners are selected by a panel of senior industry executives with extensive experience and deep knowledge of the market, with the voting process independently adjudicated by KPMG to ensure rigor and transparency.

The Digital Operator of the Year category recognises operators that have demonstrated outstanding growth, innovation and player engagement over the past 12 months. DigiPlus emerged victorious from a shortlist of eight nominees, besting seven other operators across APAC.

Judges highlighted DigiPlus’ strong 2025 performance, the addition of over 500 new e-games on its platforms, and the rollout of industry-first responsible gaming tools. The company also continues its momentum in 2026 through major partnerships, including recently launched collaborations with Manny Pacquiao and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

In addition to its top industry honor, DigiPlus earned further recognition for its social impact initiatives, securing the first runner-up spot in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Year category.

The awards body commended DigiPlus for its impressive CSR work via the DigiPlus Foundation which delivers healthcare, education, disaster relief, and social empowerment programs to over 1 million beneficiaries and counting across the Philippines.

“We are honored to once again be recognized by the Global Gaming Awards. These prestigious international industry accolades reflect DigiPlus’ unwavering pursuit of excellence and our drive to continuously innovate, deepen player engagement, and champion responsible gaming across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco.

“Together with the recognition for DigiPlus Foundation, this back-to-back win affirms our commitment to delivering world-class digital entertainment to Filipinos while contributing to nation-building.”

The Global Gaming Awards also hold annual editions in the Americas and EMEA regions, recognising industry excellence across the globe.

The post DigiPlus Wins “Digital Operator of the Year” Award at 2026 Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Greece

SYNOT Games Announces New Partnership with Superbet

Published

8 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

synot-games-announces-new-partnership-with-superbet

In a move that further reinforces its footprint across regulated European markets, SYNOT Games has announced a new partnership with Superbet, a prominent platform in Greece. The collaboration certified SYNOT titles, including some of the studio’s latest and most innovative releases, to the casino’s rapidly growing grid.

Players on Superbet can now enjoy great slots such as Respin Joker 81, Aztec Jaguar and Toro Wilds Reel. These additions expand Superbet’s offering with a spectrum of engaging mechanics, artistic design and mobile-first performance, ensuring the highest-quality entertainment for Greek audiences.

The agreement is part of SYNOT Games’ strategic initiative to solidify its presence exclusively in licensed, regulated markets by providing certified content through partnerships with established, trusted regional operators.

Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games, said: “We are excited to bring our portfolio to Greek players through this strategic alliance with Superbet. Greece represents a market with great potential and an audience that appreciates quality, variety, and innovation. Superbet’s agility and commitment to delivering premium entertainment make them an ideal partner for our continued Mediterranean expansion.”

Superbet, known for its user-centric approach and cutting-edge platform, views the addition of SYNOT Games content as a key enhancement to its offering and a testament to its mission of hosting best-in-class gaming experiences.

Stathis Leontaritis, Casino Lead at Superbet, said: “Our partnership with SYNOT Games further strengthens our commitment to delivering a diverse and engaging gaming portfolio to Greek customers. With its proven track record across Central and Eastern Europe, unique game mechanics, and strong land-based heritage, Synot brings a distinctive content offering that complements our existing Superbet portfolio and supports our goal of providing a premium online entertainment experience to players in Greece.”

This collaboration not only empowers Superbet to differentiate its portfolio further but also underscores SYNOT Games’ long-term commitment to regulated growth, responsible gaming, and working exclusively with trusted local operators – a model increasingly valued by players and regulators.

The post SYNOT Games Announces New Partnership with Superbet appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.