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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.

Affiliate Succes

Hiring Blitz Expands Quantum Affiliate’s Staff By 10%

Published

2 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

hiring-blitz-expands-quantum-affiliate’s-staff-by-10%

The UK-based affiliate is expanding its marketing and commercial teams by hiring six new staff members, while there are still five positions to be filled.

Power affiliate Quantum (previously QiH Group) has experienced significant expansion in the initial two months of 2026, hiring six new staff members for its commercial and marketing teams since December.

First on the list is Shannon Walsh, who enters the swiftly expanding commercial department as a partnerships manager.

Dimi Papamichael, speaking about the stellar growth of his team, said: “From day one, I’ve felt a huge amount of backing and belief in what we’re building here at Quantum – and that’s already turning into real momentum. We’ve recently hired a couple of great people to join our growing commercial team, and we’re not stopping there – with a few more hires lined up in the next couple of months.

“It’s a clear sign of where we’re heading, and there’s a real energy around the business right now. With big plans for this year, we’re continuing to invest in the commercial team to make sure we’ve got the right people in place to move quickly on the opportunities ahead. I’m excited to be building such an ambitious and talented team as we head into a big 2026, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together.”

The marketing team, headed by Luke Watkin, is proud to welcome:

Cameron Harris, Marketing Specialist
Caitlin McIntyre, Affiliate Sales Lead
Caroline Millington, Affiliate Account Manager
Ariadni Argyropoulou, paid social specialist
Gabriela Profir, performance marketing lead

Luke Watkin, director of marketing for Quantum, said: “As a leader I’ve found it to be extremely energising having the backing, the investment, and the ambition within the business to be able to recruit top marketing talent in a number of key positions in recent months. In a short space of time we have really levelled up the quality of our team, and this is already paying dividends both in terms of how we are working, but also (and most importantly) in the form of results. I am excited to continue doing what I love, which is building brilliant teams.”

In addition to the six roles, Quantum is also seeking to fill roles for:

head of sales
senior business development manager
paid social lead and
sales ops executive

HR Director for Quantum, Andrea Talreja, shared: “It’s a time of exceptional growth for Quantum, which is exciting and rewarding. We’re seeking not only the roles listed here, but quite a few more in 2026, so if you’re a tech or performance marketing professional – whether from iGaming or other sectors – please get in touch!”

The post Hiring Blitz Expands Quantum Affiliate’s Staff By 10% appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

CasinoCanada

CasinoCanada announces new partnership with MelBet

Published

3 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

casinocanada-announces-new-partnership-with-melbet

CasinoCanada has announced a strategic partnership with MelBet, the international betting and gaming operator, aimed at expanding the brand’s footprint in Canada through dedicated content and brand representation on CasinoCanada’s digital platforms.

Under the agreement, CasinoCanada.com will produce detailed reviews and SEO-focused content tailored to Canadian audiences. The partnership is designed to provide users with clear, transparent information about MelBet’s products and services, while enhancing the operator’s visibility in Canada and driving traffic to the MelBet website.

CasinoCanada is operated by SEOBROTHERS, and Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR, said:

“MelBet operates across multiple international markets and has established a consistent presence in the iGaming industry. Through CasinoCanada, we will focus on delivering clear, data-based content tailored to users in Canada and quality traffic to the MelBet website. This partnership is structured around transparent communication and long-term cooperation.”

MelBet offers daily betting on over 1,000 events across sports and esports, alongside a wide range of slots from more than 120 global providers. The brand has earned multiple accolades, including Best Online Gambling Operator (EVENTUS 2023), Best Affiliate Program (SiGMA Africa Awards 2024), and Live Casino of the Year (AffPapa iGaming Awards 2024).

The operator’s high-profile sports partnerships feature legends such as Andrés Iniesta, Didier Drogba, and Kamaru Usman. In October 2025, MelBet extended its agreement as Juventus’ official betting partner in MENA and Africa, while Spanish La Liga and professional Dota 2 organisation OG Esports further enhance its global portfolio.

Anastasiia Shcherbyna, CMO at MelBet Affiliates, commented:

“Working with CasinoCanada has been smooth and efficient. They understand the specifics of our brand, communicate clearly, and consistently deliver on their commitments. We appreciate their professional approach and see strong potential for long-term cooperation.”

This collaboration positions MelBet for sustained growth in Canada, leveraging CasinoCanada’s content expertise and digital reach to strengthen brand awareness and user engagement.

The post CasinoCanada announces new partnership with MelBet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Barbara Bang

QTech Games Amplifies Action Through Barbara Bang Integration

Published

3 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

qtech-games-amplifies-action-through-barbara-bang-integration

Emerging-markets leader enhances its content selection with new games from a rising contender.

QTech Games, the premier game aggregator for emerging markets, has sustained its robust momentum in its pipeline, owing to its recent agreement with promising studio, Barbara Bang, a slots provider recognized for its unique method of game development and a customized approach to discovering localized solutions for various markets.

Incorporating an outstanding portfolio from a highly unique and innovative digital slots supplier further enhances QTech Games’ expanding platform, which is bringing a diverse selection of online games to emerging markets, featuring well-known brands alongside the industry’s most thrilling new providers.

The games offered to QTech partners through this agreement are crypto-friendly and include popular titles and new releases like Sky Rail Riches, Juicy Fruits, Sunshine Rich, and Chieftain Buffalo. Each utilizes distinct maths modeling that alters the volatility spectrum, contributing to an engaging gaming experience.

Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “We’re committed to rolling out first-class content that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Barbara Bang extends our impressive sequential pipeline – and we’ve so much more to come in 2026! In today’s marketplace, only high-quality games offering something different separate you from the rabble, so we’re delighted to see how Barbara Bang is fulfilling this demand. Their dedication to data-driven content development, coupled with an acute focus on even the most specific player-centric details, matches up neatly with QTech’s own localisation techniques across emerging markets.

George Dias, Partnership Manager of Barbara Bang, added: “Barbara Bang prides itself on our ever-expanding production line of titles which provide unique and head-turning experiences in an increasingly homogenised space. And we’ve found QTech to be a natural habitat for embracing such content, and delivering it to new audiences. Founded with the goal of bridging the gap between players and gaming platforms, Barbara Bang is now acquiring progressive recognition in the iGaming market, thanks to this deal with the top aggregator QTech Games.

“We’re confident that this partnership will allow us to seamlessly broaden the scope of our slots for fresh audiences across emerging markets. It’s a significant step for Barbara Bang in enlarging our global footprint.”

The post QTech Games Amplifies Action Through Barbara Bang Integration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.