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BETCONNECT SECURES FUNDING FROM INDUSTRY HEAVYWEIGHTS TO ACCELERATE GROWTH

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BetConnect, the unique and disruptive exchange that has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports betting platforms, has secured funding from a consortium of heavy-hitting international investors. This pre-Series A round, validated by the backing of some of the industry’s most successful exponents, accordingly marks a significant milestone for the company, as it bids to expand its global footprint.

These influential industry figures comprise leading Australian sectoral specialist, Tom Waterhouse, CIO of Waterhouse VC; ex-Fox Bet CEO Robin Chhabra; and ex-Fox Bet Board Advisor and Grand Parade founder, Andy Clerkson. Yolo Investments, fronted by Tim Heath and fresh from winning Gaming Fund of the Year at this month’s Europe Gaming Awards, completes this formative funding round, bolstering re-investment from Candy Ventures whose support continues at every capital-raising stage.

The new financing will be used to accelerate BetConnect’s growth, both in the UK and internationally, supporting its technology and product roadmap over the next 12 months. Chhabra has also been appointed to the role of Strategic Business Advisor, leveraging his proven record of scaling businesses and leading some of the most consequential M&A deals at both William Hill and The Stars Group. His senior appointment underscores the company’s vision for the future.

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Tom Waterhouse, CIO of Waterhouse VC, said: “BetConnect is at the forefront of a betting revolution that’s sweeping the industry. The Waterhouse VC Fund endeavours to generate capital growth by holding long-term strategic investments in companies that can reinvigorate tired thinking and disrupt the norm. The BetConnect model improves the experience for international customers, and can be flexibly adapted to accommodate blockchain assets and the inherent crypto benefits of better margins, lower transaction costs and faster withdrawals.”

Former Fox Bet CEO, Robin Chhabra, commented: “BetConnect has a genuinely innovative product that has been stress-tested in the UK’s ultra-competitive marketplace. Dan and his team offer a transformative vision and a super-agile platform which, combined with their ability to execute, sets BetConnect up for international expansion. For me, this investment constitutes an exciting strategic play in a company that has already laid the firm foundations to strike once exchange regulations do clearly coalesce across US states.”

Tim Heath, GP at Yolo Investments, added: “Yolo Investments has quickly gained a reputation as a natural home for early stage, high growth gaming businesses, and BetConnect absolutely fits the bill. The platform is already performing strongly in the UK, and with the backing of some of the biggest names in the industry, BetConnect is ready to take the next step. We plan to work closely with the BetConnect team, leveraging the Yolo Investments network, to help them along the way.”

Daniel Schreiber, Founder of BetConnect, concluded: “BetConnect’s growth over the last three years has been incredible and to have secured investment from such prominent industry leaders will accelerate this growth to the next level. The BetConnect platform already offers players the ability to choose from best odds from all major bookies. But this funding gives us the opportunity to develop new products and services to complement the core offering, keeping them all accessible and intuitive to the evolving demands of the end user. It also allows us to focus on a community-first approach which ensures that new developments will resonate with our users.”

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Balkans

SYNOT Enters the Bulgarian Market

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SYNOT Group has successfully realized its first installation of land-based products in Bulgaria. The popular MAGIC BALL LINK jackpot system has been launched at IMPERIA Gaming Clubs in the city of Plovdiv, with three installations (a total of 12 Eclipse FL-32 machines) at three different locations.

“I would like to thank to IMPERIA Gaming Clubs for the trust and the opportunity to show the best performing products of SYNOT to the player’s audience in Bulgaria. I strongly believe that this is the beginning of a fruitful partnership which will grow in time,” said Stanislav Stanev, International Business Development Director of SYNOT Group.

MAGIC BALL LINK is a progressive jackpot system that has already gained popularity in several markets due to its attractiveness and performance. Bulgarian players can now enjoy eight exciting linked games that combine a entertaining gaming experience with the potential for significant winnings. This installation follows shortly after SYNOT Group recently obtained a license for the Bulgarian market, paving the way for further growth and expansion in the region.

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“We are happy to welcome SYNOT slot machines on our floors, and we really believe that SYNOT products will supplement our diverse offering to the players and will become an integral part of all our locations,” said Gavril Chetrafilov, Owner of IMPERIA Gaming Clubs.

The post SYNOT Enters the Bulgarian Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

UKGC Publishes Update on Financial Risk Assessments Pilot

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published a further update on the ongoing pilot of financial risk assessments.

Written by the Director of Major Policy Projects who is leading the pilot, Helen Rhodes, the update provides information on Stage two of the pilot and the issues being explored in the final stages of the pilot.

“Financial risk assessments are a proposed way of identifying high-spending remote gambling customers who may be in financial difficulties, in order to help support them,” the Commission’s latest update on the finance risk check pilot reads.

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“This is not the same as ‘affordability checks’ – the Commission does not have any regulatory requirements for affordability checks and is not proposing any. Financial risk assessments would be a much more targeted way of identifying potentially financially vulnerable customers. They would not affect a customer’s credit score if they were introduced in the future.”

Key Points Covered by the Update

The UKGC says that the pilot has given it a better understanding about the financial risk profile who met the thresholds. These customers were found to be between twice and four times more likely to have a debt management programme than those who didn’t meet the thresholds, and more between twice and five times more likely to have a default in the last 12 months.

The most remarkable is the fact that the data has reinforced the UKGC’s view that the finance risk checks will be as non-intrusive and frictionless as possible. According to the UKGC’s estimations, only 0.1% of customers would be subject to a non-frictionless assessment.

It also says that 95% of assessments carried out in stage one were possible in a frictionless matter, with this figure rising to 97% in stage two, where the total number of risk assessments carried out across three credit reference agencies rose from 860,000 to 1.7 million.

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The analysis phase of stage three of the pilot is expected to continue into the summer, after which the UKGC will move into stage four.

NatCen is continuing to work as the UKGC’s evaluation partner on this pilot and post-pilot analysis work.

Director of Major Policy Projects, Helen Rhodes, said: “These further findings from the pilot have helped us understand the extent that assessments could be conducted in a frictionless manner.

“Building on our staged approach to the pilot, we will now further explore data consistency across credit reference agencies, as well as how to support operators to identify the severity of financial difficulties that a customer may be experiencing and how they could support these customers.”

The post UKGC Publishes Update on Financial Risk Assessments Pilot appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Compliance Updates

Irish Politician Philip McGuigan Calls for Urgent Action on Gambling Harm Treatment

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Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, Chair of The All Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling, has called for urgent government action following the publication of a report presenting the findings from the 2024 Gambling Prevalence Survey, commissioned by Department for Communities, which reveals alarming levels of gambling-related harm in the north.

Speaking in the Assembly, McGuigan said what is perhaps most alarming from the survey’s findings, is the low number of people seeking help. Only 1% of those who gamble reported accessing support or information from gambling or mental health services.

He said: “The Minister of Health must act without delay to commission dedicated gambling treatment services. With existing addiction services already under pressure, additional funding is essential. The findings of this survey point to a serious gap in provision for addiction treatment in the north. The need is clearly there, but people aren’t getting the help they need.”

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According to the “Prevalence of Gambling in Northern Ireland 2024” report, 3% of the population are experiencing severe gambling-related harms, while a further 10% are considered low or moderate risk gamblers. Shockingly, approximately one in seven adults who gambled in the past year admitted to betting more than they could afford to lose. Additionally, one in eight reported needing to gamble increasing amounts to achieve the same level of excitement, and nearly one in 12 said gambling had caused health problems such as stress and anxiety.

McGuigan said: “These figures are deeply concerning and underscore the serious social and public health implications of gambling addiction. This isn’t just about individuals losing money; it’s about broken families, damaged relationships, and communities struggling with the fallout of gambling harms.”

The survey also found that 10% of people affected by gambling had experienced the breakdown of a close relationship due to someone’s gambling, highlighting the wider ripple effects of the issue.

To address the funding gap, McGuigan is also calling on the Minister for Communities to bring forward the promised levy on land-based gambling operators without delay.

“Calling the Minister for Communities to introduce a levy is a fair and necessary step. The industry profiting from gambling must contribute to the prevention and treatment of gambling harm,” he said.

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McGuigan also criticised the British Government for excluding Northern Ireland from the proceeds of the statutory levy on gambling operators introduced in Britain on 6 April. This levy is intended to fund research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm.

“Online gambling operators licensed by Britain’s Gambling Commission are freely advertising and profiting here in the North. Yet, our population is completely excluded from the financial benefits of the statutory gambling levy on these operators. That is unacceptable. Executive Ministers must demand that the North receives its fair share of this funding,” McGuigan said.

The survey further revealed that 66% of respondents believe there are too many gambling advertisements, and 71% support a watershed for gambling ads on TV and radio.

McGuigan is now urging the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP, to use her powers to implement tighter advertising restrictions, including a TV and radio watershed to limit exposure to gambling content during peak viewing times.

“The public clearly wants action. The evidence is there. We must act now to protect individuals and families from the devastating consequences of gambling addiction,” he said.

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The post Irish Politician Philip McGuigan Calls for Urgent Action on Gambling Harm Treatment appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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