Latest News

Embracing New Affordability Checks and Supporting Safer Gaming

Published

3 years ago

October 13, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Adam Hancox, director of gaming for TransUnion in the UK

The gambling industry is facing major changes, with the UK government review of the 2005 Gambling Act white paper set to be published in the coming weeks and a new customer interaction guidance for remote gambling licensees coming into force in September 2022.

Although these upcoming changes will require adjustments from gaming operators, they can also bring new opportunities. The revised regulation – with precise details still to be revealed – is expected to further support safer gaming initiatives that were introduced by the UK Gambling Commission in 2019. This will also help operators to balance their social responsibilities with the products they provide and protecting vulnerable gamblers.

The time has come for increased protection

Problem gambling is not new, but given wider economic uncertainty and the cost of living crisis, it’s an area that needs increased attention. Recent figures suggest that 1.3% of the population – the equivalent of over 870,000 consumers – could be termed ‘problem gamblers’.[i]

With inflation at its highest rates since March 1991,[ii] over half of UK consumers have reduced their expenditure and intend to decrease it further as the year progresses,[iii] according to TransUnion’s latest Consumer Pulse study.

When these figures are viewed against the backdrop of a clear link between individuals facing financial strain and gambling issues, there is cause for concern. In fact, researchers from the University of Liverpool and the National Centre for Social Research found that people in deprived areas are more likely to use online casinos and place risky long-odds bets.[iv]

The NHS has pledged[v] to open two new clinics exclusively serving gambling addicts this year, on top of longer-term plans to bring the nationwide total to fifteen gambling clinics by 2024.

To support this, the Gambling Commission has shared new customer interaction guidance for remote gambling licensees which outlines how operators must “identify, act and evaluate” when a player may be displaying tell-tale signs of problem gambling.

The new framework is designed to help gambling operators spot signs of harm and subsequently take prompt action. But it is also designed to be reactive so that organisations can support players where harm is already being experienced, in order to reduce or stop gambling. Even at this later stage, intervention is most effective if the harm is identified promptly and responded to quickly.

The gaming sector is waiting to see what the long-awaited review of the 2005 Gaming Act spells for the industry. With publication imminent, it is expected that operators will be obliged to remove features from online games that heighten an at-risk player’s likelihood of engaging in unsustainable activity. Other restrictions could include caps on stakes of between £2 and £5 for online casinos, as well as a ban on free bets and VIP packages for players who incur heavy losses.[vi]

One particularly controversial point appears to be to what extent affordability checks will be ramped up, and whether the white paper will spell out the requirement for checks that oblige players to share personal financial information such as bank statements and payslips.

Increased protection without CX disruption

Any concerns that these changes could dilute customer experience (CX) are misplaced. Gaming operators need to adhere to more stringent regulations but in a way that doesn’t compromise their platform’s player experience – this is key. Using innovative, data-enabled solutions can maintain the smooth experience today’s players expect, whilst also promoting safer gaming through identifying and protecting the vulnerable.

For example, the Gambling Commission’s new customer interaction guidance requires licensees to analyse several factors to determine a player’s affordability credentials, which include spending patterns, time spent gambling and other key indicators. They are then obliged to “take appropriate action in a timely manner” if the risk of harm is identified.

Modern, AI-led solutions can enable gambling companies to assess and evaluate all relevant factors on an always-on basis. For example, TransUnion’s Affordability Solution for Gaming, uses cutting-edge modelling and analytics to help operators protect their business and players while supporting compliance strategies and regulatory requirements. Anti-fraud and identity verification capabilities can significantly amplify player protection, having stopped 300,000 underage gambling applications last year.

By using socio-demographic, behavioural and transactional data – such as playing time, a series of bad debt indicators, deposit and loss amounts, income sustainability indicators, operators that use the solution can assess players’ affordability and vulnerability throughout their journeys, with minimal impact to the gaming experience.

Additionally, there are already solutions in place that can alleviate any concerns around new affordability checks. For example, Open Banking that has had a strong impact on the financial services sector. At its simplest, Open Banking means that consumers can more easily utilise the power of their bank statement information.

For gaming, this could mean affordability and anti-money laundering (AML) assessments no longer require a request for documents that causes friction in the player experience. Instead, players can use a purpose-built screen flow which quickly, but securely, takes them through the consent and authorisation required for Open Banking. What’s more, the solution can be fully embedded into existing interfaces with simple integration meaning players are taken on an unintrusive, friction-right journey to better data sharing.

Gaming operators will need to meet new regulation, whether that be the framework that came into effect for remote licensees in September, or the soon-to-be revealed legislation in the forthcoming white paper.

Rather than interpreting these changes as challenging hurdles, gaming operators have the opportunity to embrace advanced automated solutions that will help meet new regulation with ease – allowing them to demonstrate to their players just how committed they are to protecting their financial wellbeing, as well as their gaming experiences.

[i] Gambling Commission: Andrew Rhodes speaks at Westminster Media Forum 2022, June 2022

[ii] Office for National Statistics: Consumer price inflation, UK, June 2022

[iii] TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse Q2 2022 UK Study, based on a survey of 1,004 UK adults from 20 May–1 June, 2022

[iv] National Centre for Social Research and University of Liverpool: 2022 Patterns of Play Report

[v] NHS England: NHS launches new gambling addiction clinics to meet record demand, February 2022

[vi] Gambling Insider: Gambling Review Whitepaper ‘Due in the Coming Weeks’

Claire Osborne Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment

Two new slots from Inspired — Coin Inferno Step ‘N’ Stack™ and Mummy It Up™

Published

15 seconds ago

January 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

two-new-slots-from-inspired-—-coin-inferno-step-‘n’-stack-and-mummy-it-up

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. is thrilled to unveil the release of two entertaining online and mobile slots: Coin Inferno Step ‘N’ Stack and Mummy It Up, in the UK and Maltese iGaming markets.

Inspired is excited to unveil the release of their new two slot games, broadening the popular Cash Bank series.

Coin Inferno Step ’N’ Stack introduces a fiery twist to traditional slot gameplay with a 3×3 reel setup, five heated win-lines, and casino-themed symbols amidst a background of a raging sea of flames. Central to the base game are Cash Collector symbols that gather visible cash values, generating excitement and forming a pseudo-progressive coin stack that remains on the reels, amplifying the thrill with each spin. The thrill intensifies with the Win & Spin Bonus, where locked collectors, expanding reel rows, and resettable spins merge to form an exhilarating, continually escalating chase for hot cash prizes. For gamers seeking greater control and increased volatility, Fortune Spins, Fortune Bet, Gamble, and Bonus Buy choices offer exciting opportunities to intensify the action and pursue potentially larger payouts.

Mummy It Up with Cash Bank immerses players in a realm of ancient Egyptian magnificence, showcasing glimmering gold and timeless enigma. Nestled within opulent palaces embellished with scarabs, favorable beings, and treasures fit for Pharaohs, each spin ignites a spirit of exploration and the quest for exhilarating Cash Bank victories. The game expands its well-liked Cash Collection features through Cash Bank Free Spins, pseudo-persistence Scarab collections, and a Wheel Bonus Game that can grant free spins, bonus entry, or access to one of four shining Prize Pots: Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand. The game is additionally improved with enjoyable character reel modifiers and customizable gameplay features like Fortune Spins, Fortune Bet, Bonus Buy, and Gamble choices.

Claire Osborne, Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, said: “Inspired is starting 2026 with strong momentum, and these two launches set the tone for the year ahead. Coin Inferno Step ’N’ Stack and Mummy It Up both deliver fun and big win excitement for players, while supporting sustained player engagement and strong performance for operators. With a roadmap packed full of exciting new content, Inspired is well positioned to drive continued growth across the iGaming landscape.”

The post Two new slots from Inspired — Coin Inferno Step ‘N’ Stack™ and Mummy It Up™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

ELA Games

Following ICE 2026 Triumph, ELA Games Officially Releases “Wealth of the East”

Published

1 hour ago

January 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

following-ice-2026-triumph,-ela-games-officially-releases-“wealth-of-the-east”

ELA Games is excited to announce the official B2B launch of Wealth of the East. The game, now accessible to partners, was initially introduced to the industry as the studio’s highlight during the three-day event in Barcelona, where it attracted the attention of numerous operators and aggregators because of its unique combination of slot mechanics and tabletop gaming.

The unique unveiling at ICE turned out to be a significant triumph, paving the way for the complete rollout. The ELA Games exhibit gathered industry representatives to engage with the game’s distinctive selling proposition: a twenty-sided Dice (D20) element that adds a tactile, physical sensation to digital slot gaming.

A Festivity of Wealth

The reels of Wealth of the East sparkle with the vibrant essence of an Eastern celebration. The gameplay is centered around the charming figure God Fu, a god of wealth serving as the Wild symbol in the game. He may arrive at any moment, and when he shows up, all Dice on the display spring to life, uncovering multipliers that enhance every coin visible or activate instant Jackpots. These empowered coins provide instant payouts, rewarding players as soon as they appear.

Sparking the Hold & Win Safe

The game showcases a visually impressive progression system crafted to uphold the festive theme and decorated with vibrant reds and golds. Every gathered coin also flies upward into the Golden Pot located above the reels, gradually enriching it with festive treasure that players can see and experience.

As the pot overflows, the screen bursts into red and gold as the Hold & Win game starts. Players receive 3 respins and a setup prepared to collect gold. In this intense feature, the elusive Imperial Lotus can appear, boosting multiple rewards simultaneously and elevating the entire round to new levels.

Game Stats:

● Reels: 5×3
● Lines: 10
● Max Win: x5,000
● Max Exposure: €250,000
● Buy Bonus: Yes
● Volatility: Mid
● RTP: 93.97% / 96.06%

Marharyta Yerina, Managing Director of ELA Games, commented: “Wealth of the East was the perfect title for us to showcase at ICE 2026. We took the classic t’Eastern Celebration’ theme and gave it a distinct twist with the God Fu character and his twenty-sided dice. It adds an original, tactile layer of excitement that players really respond to. The ‘Rising Pot’ visualizes the journey toward the bonus, keeping the excitement building spin after spin. We can’t wait for the industry to see the celebration in action.”

The post Following ICE 2026 Triumph, ELA Games Officially Releases “Wealth of the East” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

QTech Games add more content muscle with Reflex Gaming portfolio

Published

2 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

qtech-games-add-more-content-muscle-with-reflex-gaming-portfolio

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for all emerging markets, has signed its latest supplier partnership with Reflex Gaming, the UK’s largest independently owned omnichannel game supplier, enabling its platform customers to access the studio’s expansive slots catalogue.

Established in 2004, Reflex Gaming’s prolific production line run of legendary games has catapulted the supplier to igaming prominence and recognition, offering a diverse array of gaming experiences across both digital and analogue markets, and driving through new innovations in gaming, including the creation of entirely new gaming categories.

Reflex Gaming creates the highest quality digital gaming content for license to many of the world’s leading casino operators, as evidenced by its steady stream of recent hit titles, including Candy Crazed Pandas DoubleMax, Big Game Fishing Christmas Catch, The Cursed Idol, and 8 Balls of Fire Blazing Bounty. All of these games and more are now available via QTech’s premier platform, which is taking the widest range of online games to international markets, with established names sitting alongside the industry’s most exciting up-and-coming providers.

This collaboration naturally broadens Reflex Gaming’s international scope, unlocking untapped regions for diversified growth, above all in Africa and Latin America.

QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We’re dedicated to constantly launching more and more first-class content and product innovation that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Reflex Gaming extends our impressive sequential pipeline into 2026 – and we’ve so much more to come this year! In today’s marketplace, only premium games of the highest standard separate you from the crowd. So, we look forward to sharing their wide spectrum of games with both leading and challenger operator brands in emerging markets worldwide.”

Mat Ingram, Chief Product Officer at Reflex Gaming, added: “At Reflex Gaming, we pride ourselves on working with the sector’s biggest and most commercially recognised partners, and QTech Games fits our growth plan perfectly, as we continue to expand our horizons into new territories, leveraging our brand’s values which . QTech’s platform is a gateway to global audiences, so we can’t wait to see how our highly engaging games perform across a greenfield landscape of emerging markets.”

The post QTech Games add more content muscle with Reflex Gaming portfolio appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.