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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.

B2B iGaming

Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

logifuture-joins-forces-with-betconstruct-ai-to-expand-virtual-sports

Logifuture, a leading B2B provider of virtual sports and instant gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform powering hundreds of operators worldwide. This collaboration integrates Logifuture’s flagship products, Zoom Sports and Simulate, into BetConstruct AI’s platform, significantly expanding access to innovative engagement tools for operators.

Expanding Global Reach

The partnership enables operators to offer next-generation virtual sports and instant betting solutions, enhancing player activity and generating incremental revenue.

Zoom Sports delivers ultra-realistic virtual football and tennis events in both full-length and turbo formats, offering thousands of daily betting opportunities.
Simulate allows players to instantly simulate the outcome of betslips, removing waiting times and creating immediate engagement.

These tools extend player retention, increase betting activity beyond live events, and create cross-sell opportunities across the BetConstruct AI network.

Innovation at the Core

Both Logifuture and BetConstruct AI prioritize innovation and product differentiation, helping operators stand out in a highly competitive market.

Niccolò Cassettari, Chief Business Development Officer at Logifuture, commented:
“Partnering with BetConstruct AI is a major step forward. Their global reach makes them the ideal partner to scale Zoom Sports and Simulate worldwide. This collaboration is just the beginning of a long-term partnership to deliver new experiences and stronger operator performance.”

Looking Ahead

The partnership will focus on expanding distribution, delivering new gaming experiences, and introducing innovative products to keep players engaged while helping operators grow revenue worldwide.

The post Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

automated payouts

Infingame Launches Enhanced Tournaments and Challenges for Player Retention

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

infingame-launches-enhanced-tournaments-and-challenges-for-player-retention

Infingame, a leading game aggregator, has rolled out major upgrades to its Tournaments and Challenges promotional tools, offering operators advanced ways to engage and retain players.

Instead of introducing new products, Infingame focused on refining its most popular gamification features, enhancing flexibility, performance, and campaign management. These improvements cater to operators increasingly prioritizing long-term player engagement over acquisition.

Enhanced Competitive Tournaments

Infingame’s Tournaments tool transforms regular gameplay into competitive experiences, boosting interaction through real-time progression. Optimized for web and mobile, the tool now allows operators to:

Customize tournaments with brand-specific banners
Segment players for whitelist participation
Add timed promotions like Happy Hours
Select from five tournament formats: bet race, win race, multiplier race, highest multiplier, and highest win

The updated reward system supports monetary and non-monetary prizes, free spins, optional wagering requirements, and automated payouts, reducing operational workload while maintaining campaign flexibility.

Challenges for Mission-Based Engagement

The Challenges tool guides player activity with structured tasks and rewards, creating mission-based engagement journeys. The upgrade enhances flexibility and precision, supporting:

Short-term promotional boosts
Recurring engagement strategies
Daily and long-term challenges for consistent player activity

This approach helps operators sustain engagement across the entire player lifecycle, creating meaningful, repeatable experiences.

Operator-Driven Development

Jana Filagina, Head of Commercial at Infingame, commented:
“The goal wasn’t to reinvent Tournaments and Challenges but to make them more powerful and user-friendly. Operators need tools that drive engagement continuously while keeping operational complexity low.”

Fully integrated into Infingame’s aggregation platform, the updated tools can be deployed instantly across thousands of games via a single API, enabling a unified ecosystem where content, analytics, and engagement mechanics work seamlessly together.

The upgrades reflect a broader industry trend toward gamified, retention-focused strategies, helping operators maximize player activity while simplifying management.

The post Infingame Launches Enhanced Tournaments and Challenges for Player Retention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canadian iGaming market

Hugo Casino Teams Up with CasinoCanada to Expand in Canada

Published

3 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

hugo-casino-teams-up-with-casinocanada-to-expand-in-canada

Hugo Casino, a popular online gaming platform operated by Kawaii Partners, has officially partnered with CasinoCanada.com to strengthen its presence in the Canadian market. The collaboration will focus on editorial coverage, analytical reviews, and SEO-optimized content tailored for Canadian players.

Under this partnership, CasinoCanada will produce detailed reviews, comparison guides, and data-driven insights, aimed at delivering transparent, research-based evaluations of Hugo Casino’s platform. The content strategy is designed to attract high-quality, search-driven traffic, helping players make informed decisions while enhancing Hugo Casino’s digital visibility.

Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, which operates CasinoCanada, commented:
“Partnering with Hugo Casino aligns with our strategy of working with operators who prioritize compliance, security, and quality user experiences. Hugo Casino has a strong operational foundation and clear product vision. Our goal is to provide objective, data-driven content that drives sustainable long-term traffic and measurable results.”

Hugo Casino operates under a Curacao license and offers a wide portfolio of online entertainment, including slots, table games, and a fully immersive Live Casino. Security is a priority, with advanced encryption safeguarding players’ personal and financial information. Customer support is available 24/7 via Live Chat and email.

Players can access over 10,000 casino games, featuring top titles from leading providers such as Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, and Yggdrasil. Hugo Casino supports 10 fiat payment options and 12 cryptocurrencies, making deposits and withdrawals simple and convenient.

Kawaii Partners, launched in 2023, also operates Spinzen Casino, expanding its portfolio in the online gaming and affiliate marketing space.

This partnership with CasinoCanada highlights Hugo Casino’s commitment to transparency, high-quality content, and a growing Canadian audience.

The post Hugo Casino Teams Up with CasinoCanada to Expand in Canada appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.