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Ready to re-open with cashless? Consumers will expect the option from day one
As more and more retail operations increasingly implement cashless systems ahead of reopening to the public, OKTO’s Director of Gaming Simon Dorsen spoke to Coinslot about how the fintech firm’s digital payment solution, OKTO.WALLET has been specifically designed with the leisure and hospitality industry’s main concerns in mind; user friendly, affordability, security and social responsibility as well as the universality that consumers are craving for.
Do you always pay with plastic, or are you more comfortable with cash? Have you ever paid friends by your phone while you’re all out for drinks at the pub? Do you have a lonely banknote sitting in your wallet for almost a year now, to wager while you are enjoying your drink at the pub? These questions as well as the days of pubs’ players and visitors with cash-stuffed pockets will not be the norm anymore, as consumer preferences are rapidly changing and the age of mobile payments is taking over the world.
Going cashless is not only the newest tech trend but also a strategic goal, especially when this comes as a complete cashless ecosystem and through an open and interconnected mobile payment app. With the coronavirus, a generation of change has occurred in just a few months. This is forcing all sectors to reconsider their business models, how they interact with their customers and their routes to market.
The number of cashless payments in the UK has been great than cash and growing in proportion since 2017, and this trend has accelerated now more than ever, as businesses increasingly opt for offering choice and the convenience of paying in a way that suits the consumer. This is already evident in pubs where it has been reported that 30 percent of customers have already used a mobile to pay in a pub based and from my discussions with pub operators between the lockdowns cash accounted for only 20 percent of F&B sales. It is now a natural progression to extend the choice of compliant digital payment to the gaming machine player. This deliverers convenience for the player and better operations for the pub.
Retail operations are now competing in an increasingly digital world, where consumers are no longer constrained to traditional payment methods but have access to more choice than ever before. As pubs and other operations reopen, it is paramount for them to have a digital payment strategy that ensures people to keep revisiting the venue, improving efficiency and customer experience. For me, this will be enabled with a solution that offers cashless convenience across all touchpoints for the consumer.
The key, however, is to find the cashless system that suites the specific needs of your business, and this is particularly true for more complex retail environments such as pubs, adult gaming centres and casinos. The selection of a reliable, licensed payment partner to help activate this digital payment strategy is critical. Few providers are focusing on the nuanced needs of gaming operators, especially for land-based, while at the same time supports a universal, open-loop, cashless solution that consumers are looking for. Consumers want simply to use, move and collect their money anywhere, not just for gaming and this to be in a simple, fast and secure way.
At OKTO, our gaming division has built a solution to meet the exact specification of the UK’s pub and leisure industry. Our secure, open-loop, cashless end-to-end payment solution delivered through OKTO.WALLET payment app is designed to meet all the niche demands of retail gaming customers,
allowing players to move funds instantly across the entire payment ecosystem via the OKTO app; from the gaming machine, ordering app or at the bar/restaurant, even to any retail or online business that accepted debit card through the OKTO Prepaid Mastercard® linked to OKTO app.
We have a 360 approach, which the operators need, to get ahead through field-proven technologies and the extensive know-how of key integrations across all physical touchpoints in and out of the gaming venue as well as a strong understanding and proven ability to integrate the wallet with digital touchpoints.
Working with major gaming and betting operators across Europe and gaining extensive experience and feedback, we are set to provide a tailored solution also for the UK. Having a deep understanding of different markets requirements, we are aligned with the operators focus on efficiencies and due to the software nature of our solution, we provide fast deployment that requires no additional investment at the gaming machines. This is especially important after such a long period of disruption, during which retail businesses have been prevented from trading. Understandably, many operators currently can’t or don’t want to bear a big financial hurdle for setting up a cashless payment facility, and with OKTO they don’t have to.
Social responsibility is also a key priority. All the main tools of social responsibility are fully covered through the OKTO app. From a strict age verification process and time-out periods to betting limits, and profit and loss calculator as well as a specific section with national problem gaming helplines are within the app and are all designed to enhance further consumer protection.
The most sophisticated technology often seems the simplest. Our easy-to-use solution allows players to go simply to a gaming machine, press a button to use OKTO, and deposit funds to start playing. And it’s the same in the cashout; they get the winnings back to OKTO wallet in real-time. As we can also onboard pubs as merchants, if OKTO users can spend some money on food and drink in the pub, they simply can; and they can also split the bill with their friends or send and receive money from their friends using the OKTO app.
Retail gaming and betting operators in the UK but also Spain, Romania, Greece and Cyprus are already ready to adopting the OKTO cashless solution. Many pubs and operators are capitalising now, during this time before lockdown ends, to install the OKTO cashless system and progress their business on all fronts. Will you follow suit for your retail gaming business? Will you cash in on the trend for cashless? Open with OKTO!
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Sports marketing consultancy Strive Sponsorship has brokered a multi-platform content and media partnership between SBK, the fast-growing, data-led sportsbook app, and Premier Sports, the premium sports broadcaster in Ireland and the UK.
The deal sees SBK become the official sponsor of Premier Sports’ ‘Scottish Football Social Club’ podcast – a YouTube and audio series that brings sharp, irreverent takes on all things SPFL. SBK will also support and feature in social media content for LALIGA and Scottish Premiership football throughout the 2025/26 season, marking a major step in SBK’s expansion into Ireland and broader UK football media.
In addition, Premier Sports subscriptions will be offered to SBK customers as part of exclusive promotional packages, enhancing access to premium football content and increasing brand loyalty.
“We’re proud to have connected two smart, fan-focused challenger brands in this deal,” said Malph Minns, Managing Director at Strive Sponsorship.
“This partnership brings together content, distribution and fan utility in a way that few betting brands are doing today. SBK’s focus on value aligns perfectly with Premier Sports’ growing football community and media reach. It’s exactly the type of strategic, insight-led activation we specialise in.”
This partnership follows Strive’s work building SBK’s sport sponsorship portfolio across football clubs across the UK and Ireland — with a consistent focus on content-driven, fan-relevant assets that deliver beyond traditional branding.
Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, said:
“This is a really exciting move for us. Being part of Premier Sports’ LALIGA and SPFL social content gives us powerful visibility in key communities. We’re all about giving fans more value, and with Premier Sports subscriptions now available to our customers, this partnership delivers on that promise.
“It’s been great working with Strive on this deal. What sets them apart is their ability to go beyond just brokering deals — they bring structure, insight, and creativity to the whole process. Their work continues to deliver brand value that aligns tightly with our marketing objectives.”
Shane Hogan, Head of Marketing at Premier Sports, added:
“We’re delighted to welcome SBK on board. They bring a fresh approach to the betting space and have a real focus on fan-first activation. This partnership gives our content new momentum, especially on social and podcast platforms, while giving our audience access to great offers and added value. It’s a win-win.
“Strive has been a pleasure to work with. Their expertise was clear from day one. They don’t just connect brands and rights holders — they engineer partnerships that work commercially, creatively, and for the fans. We’re excited about what this one will deliver.”
The post Strive Connects SBK and Premier Sports in Multi-Platform Football Tie-Up appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider of iGaming software solutions, has unveiled its latest report on Latin America’s iGaming landscape, providing a comprehensive, data-rich guide for operators navigating one of the industry’s fastest-evolving regions.
After becoming the first certified iGaming software provider in Brazil and obtaining further approval in Peru, SOFTSWISS has deepened its regional expertise to help operators, regulators, and stakeholders better understand and operate within the dynamic LatAm iGaming market.
As the iGaming sector turns its eyes toward emerging markets, Latin America stands out as both a challenge and an opportunity. The newly released Latin America’s iGaming Market Overview from SOFTSWISS offers a detailed, country-by-country analysis of the region’s regulatory frameworks, market potential, and player behaviour.
The report serves as a starting point for understanding gambling regulation across Latin America. It helps analysts, governmental institutions, and operators solve the problem of scattered and unclear information about the market peculiarities of the region’s countries, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge to build strategies grounded in local realities.
What’s Inside the Report?
The iGaming in Latin America Market Overview examines 19 jurisdictions and outlines their licensing conditions, taxation models, local ownership requirements, and digital infrastructure, which collectively shape the operating landscape. The 2025 edition offers:
- Detailed regulatory snapshots for land-based and online gambling in LatAm countries
- In-depth assessments of mobile penetration, payment infrastructure, and demographic trends
- Analysis of traditional betting culture and its impact on online product strategies
- Insights into upcoming reforms and their competitive implications
Many local experts note that the Latin American market is highly fragmented, with each country presenting its own unique regulatory landscape for iGaming. From Costa Rica’s legal grey zones to Paraguay’s border casinos and Brazil’s regulatory leap with Law No. 14.790, the report underscores how nuanced and fragmented the market remains. Understanding distinct frameworks is critical for any operator looking to succeed in the region, whose potential is really powerful when approached strategically.
Magnho José, President of Instituto Jogo Legal (IJL), comments: “Costa Rica’s open licensing model has positioned the country as a global hub for online gambling, serving operators from both Latin and North America. Meanwhile, border zones like Ciudad del Este in Paraguay host some of the region’s most established land-based casinos. Latin America’s market isn’t just growing, it’s geographically layered and commercially diverse.”
The SOFTSWISS overview gives operators a clear, data-informed view of where the region stands today – and where it is headed next.
Dario Leiman, Head of Business Development in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, shares his excitement: “With Brazil’s full-scale iGaming regulation now in place, SOFTSWISS is fully ready to operate in the market. In parallel, we’ve been evaluating opportunities in other Latin American countries. This report is more than a regional snapshot – it’s a practical tool for any operator looking to eliminate the guesswork from market entry and make informed decisions.”
The Latin America report is part of a broader effort by SOFTSWISS to deliver strategic, market-specific intelligence for iGaming professionals. Earlier this year, the company released the iGaming in South Africa 2025 report – an in-depth analysis of one of Africa’s most promising regulated markets.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Releases 19-in-1 Market Overview: iGaming in Latin America appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
GR8 Tech is bringing the fight to SBC Lisbon 2025 with a clear mission: Activate the Heavyweight. Building on the momentum of its Heavyweight Club, GR8 Tech will showcase how elite operators turn ambition into measurable results: through mindset, execution, and technology that wins under pressure.
“The Heavyweight Club is built on results, not rhetoric,” said Sergey Ghazaryan, CRO at GR8 Tech. “After launching it with great success, we’re bringing that momentum to SBC Lisbon 2025 too—this time with an even stronger call to action: Activate the Heavyweight. It’s where we’ll show exactly how GR8 Tech turns ambition into championship results. If you’re ready to lead from the front, we’ll be in your corner every step of the way.”
The Heavyweight Club unites leaders who build for performance, not appearances. Inspired by GR8 Tech’s partnership with Ready to Fight and the discipline and focus of Oleksandr Usyk, the Club champions resilience, clarity, and execution. It’s for operators who value outcomes over promises and expect a partner to match that intensity.
Activate the Heavyweight: What’s on Show in Lisbon
GR8 Tech will run hands-on demos across its high-performance stack, engineered for scale, speed, and profitability with geo-specific precision:
● Hyper Turnkey — a complete, end-to-end iGaming solution designed for speed and precision. Featuring a no-code, widget-based frontend for instant UI updates, an AI-powered CRM for deep personalization, and geo-specific presets for fast, fully compliant market entry.
● ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame — customizable, fast-to-market sportsbook that adapts to any brand and market. Launch in days, personalize deeply, and keep margins tight with AI-powered features.
● Infinite Casino Aggregation — single-API access to a vast content portfolio with powerful promo tools and analytics for smarter monetization.
The Heavyweight Standard: Results Under Pressure
Here’s what Heavyweight performance looks like in practice:
- Breakeven in under 12 months in Tier-2 and 3 markets with geo-specific presets that launch fast and land right.
- +30% engagement powered by AI that identifies player preferences with 99% accuracy, driving precision personalization at scale.
- Retention built in with advanced gamification: quests, leaderboards, and achievements that turn participation into loyalty.
- 180,000+ in-play events traded monthly on our own tech stack, delivering depth, speed, and control to operators.
- 96% uptime and lightning-fast load times worldwide thanks to our geo-distributed, high-performance architecture.
Don’t just watch the next era of iGaming leadership—step into the ring.
Meet GR8 Tech at booth C350 during SBC Lisbon 2025, September 16–18, and discover how to scale fast, localize smart, and compete where it’s toughest. Heavyweight results start here.
GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.
With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.
The post Activate the Heavyweight Experience with GR8 Tech at SBC Lisbon 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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