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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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Jani Kontturi Head of Games at SkillOnNet
SkillOnNet and Playtech Strengthen Ties Through Multi-Market Games Expansion
Playtech’s casino and bingo offerings launch in various regulated markets.
SkillOnNet and Playtech have solidified their enduring collaboration with a multi-national launch of Playtech’s top-tier casino and bingo offerings.
The global entertainment brand SkillOnNet has successfully incorporated and unveiled the extensive game collection of the software giant in Portugal and Brazil, with Greece expected to go live soon. A launch in Peru is anticipated shortly as well.
Simultaneously, SkillOnNet has introduced Playtech Bingo through its well-known PlayOJO Bingo brand. Playtech’s advanced iBingo platform is renowned as one of the industry’s most robust and scalable options, providing shared network liquidity, improved player engagement features, and a comprehensive range of bingo variations and progressive jackpots.
The contract encompasses a range of customized, market-oriented marketing initiatives in each region, aimed at showcasing Playtech’s top-rated and most well-known games on SkillOnNet’s premier, TV-promoted brands, including PlayOJO, PlayUZU, and BacanaPlay.
The campaigns aim to boost player acquisition and engagement while enhancing the visibility of Playtech’s leading games in every regulated market. The agreement strengthens the already strong relationship between the two firms, highlighting their mutual emphasis on regulated expansion, high-quality player experiences, and sustainable market growth.
Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “Portugal, Brazil, Greece and Peru are all strategically important markets for SkillOnNet, and working with Playtech allows us to deliver premium content that resonates with local players while meeting each market’s regulatory requirements.”
Marat Koss, Chief Interactive Gaming Officer at Playtech, commented: “We’re excited to expand our longstanding collaboration with SkillOnNet into new markets and bring our next-gen iBingo platform to new players. The multi-market launch serves as both a strong testament to the quality of our technology and the trust placed in our long-term Bingo strategy. We look forward to continued shared success with a valued partner.”
The post SkillOnNet and Playtech Strengthen Ties Through Multi-Market Games Expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Adam Miles Director of Sales DEGEN Studios
Why the Slot Market Needs to Move Beyond the ‘Safe Middle’
Check out our latest Q&A w/ Adam Miles, Director of Sales, DEGEN Studios
You’ve joined DEGEN as Director of Sales at a key moment for the studio. What drew you to the role?
DEGEN has a very defined identity. It’s not trying to sit in the safe middle of the market, and it’s not trying to be everything to everyone. The games are high-volatility, identity-led and built with a specific player in mind. That makes the commercial proposition much stronger.
In a saturated industry, differentiation isn’t optional. Operators don’t need more generic content. They need studios that understand their audience and can deliver something with character and intent. DEGEN already had that direction, which made the opportunity compelling.
DEGEN positions itself as bold and disruptive. Does that make the sales conversation easier or more challenging?
It makes it clearer. When you have a defined identity, you’re not trying to convince every operator. You’re engaging with those who understand the value of differentiated content and who have player segments that respond to high-volatility, high-impact experiences.
Safe content will always have a place. But there is a significant audience looking for something more intense, more distinctive. Our job commercially is to ensure DEGEN’s portfolio is positioned where it will resonate most.
Transparency around who you are simplifies the conversation, shifting the focus from volume to value.
What are your immediate priorities in the role?
First, strengthening global distribution in a targeted way. It’s not about placing the portfolio everywhere. It’s about aligning with operators and aggregators who understand our positioning and can give the games the right context in their lobbies.
Second, deepening partnerships. We want operators to see DEGEN as a studio with a defined role in their content mix, particularly for high-volatility segments.
Internally, it’s also about feedback. Sales shouldn’t operate in isolation. Performance data, operator insight and market trends need to feed back into roadmap discussions. That loop between commercial and creative teams is essential if you want consistent growth.
DEGEN recently launched the DEGEN Powered initiative. How does that fit into your commercial strategy?
DEGEN Powered expands the conversation beyond individual releases. By partnering with studios like Spin Lab, who share a similar philosophy around player-first, identity-led design, we’re building a broader ecosystem.
It’s not a funding model or a traditional publishing structure; it is a strategic alignment. The studios maintain independence, but the DEGEN Powered banner signals shared values and a commitment to high-impact gameplay.
Commercially, that adds depth. It shows consistency in approach and reinforces the idea that this isn’t a one-off tone, it’s a growing segment of the market.
In such a competitive market, what gives DEGEN a genuine edge?
Most studios will aim for the broadest possible appeal, for DEGEN it’s about audience focus and being intentional. The portfolio is built around clearly defined player behaviours, particularly those who engage with higher volatility and stronger thematic identity.
When you understand who the game is for, your commercial message becomes sharper. Instead of promising universal appeal, you can demonstrate defined appeal backed by performance logic.
Operators are increasingly data-driven. They segment their player bases carefully. When a studio understands that segmentation and builds accordingly, the commercial discussion becomes more credible.
As your role develops, what does success look like for you?
Success is about expanding the brand sustainably. That means entering key markets with the right partners, strengthening our global footprint and ensuring the portfolio performs consistently across different territories.
It’s also about reputation. I want DEGEN to be recognised not just as a creative studio with attitude, but as a reliable commercial partner. A studio that delivers differentiated content and backs it with structured, strategic growth.
If operators associate DEGEN with bold, high-volatility experiences that perform for specific segments, and they trust us to support that with strong partnerships and execution, then we’re on the right path.
Ultimately for me, the role is about scaling the commercial side of the business while protecting what makes DEGEN different.
The post Why the Slot Market Needs to Move Beyond the ‘Safe Middle’ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Affiliate Succes
Affilka and Gamblers Connect announce media partnership
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, has announced an official partnership with Affilka, one of the industry’s most trusted affiliate management platforms.
Affilka powers the software behind some of the best-run operator programs in iGaming, offering near real-time tracking and automated reporting that help affiliates and operators operate efficiently and transparently.
Throughout 2026, the two companies will collaborate on a range of initiatives, including data-driven content and localized market insights, with the shared goal of helping players make informed decisions while supporting operators in building sustainable and trustworthy affiliate relationships.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said:
“Our partnership ensures that operators running on Affilka’s platform are recognised across our network for meeting higher operational standards. Prompt payouts, fair tracking, and robust anti-fraud measures aren’t optional extras — they are the baseline we expect from any brand we recommend to our community.”
The post Affilka and Gamblers Connect announce media partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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