Latest News

Heading to the races? You might need your payslips

Published

3 years ago

March 13, 2023

Reading Time: 2 minutes

With the biggest week of UK racing taking place at Cheltenham this week, many occasional bettors are likely to be preparing to have one of their first flutters of the year.

Event organiser The Jockey Club reported a whopping 280,000 racegoers over the four-day event last year and OpenBet, the platform that took bets for leading bookies such as William Hill, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, SkyBet and Betfair, processed bets worth more than half a billion pounds.

But leading gambling licensing law firm Poppleston Allen has warned that punters might be asked for more than just money when they go to place their bets this year, thanks to the increasing trend among bookmakers to carry out affordability checks on their customers.

“Since last year’s major racing events took place, we’ve seen a rise in bookmakers undertaking affordability checks and asking players to provide documentation such as payslips and bank statements to prove they can afford to gamble,” said Felix Faulkner, solicitor at Poppleston Allen.

“A recent study of more than 1,000 bettors carried out by YouGov for sports betting community OLBG found that 22% had been asked for payslips, bank statements or similar documents by at least one bookmaker[i].

“If a betting establishment asks a customer for financial information and they are unable or unwilling to provide it, the company is well within its rights to refuse to take their bet. Bookmakers have a legal responsibility under their operating licence conditions to minimise the risk of customers experiencing gambling harm. If they have concerns a customer might be trying to bet more than they can afford, it is advisable they refuse the bet.”

Gambling companies are regulated by the Gambling Commission, which provides guidance that suggests that they should consider customers’ affordability when interacting with customers. However, the guidance does not set limits or thresholds at which gambling companies need to ask for proof customers can afford their gambling.

There have been credible rumours that the forthcoming government White Paper on gambling reform will propose mandatory limits, but the publication of this has been repeatedly delayed due to changes in government departments.

Faulkner said: “There is an element of uncertainty in the market at present. The current Gambling Commission guidance[ii] for premises-based operators, which applies to on-course bookmakers, states that Commission research found some operators had set ‘inappropriately high’ thresholds in the past.

“However, at present there are no hard and fast rules on what is an appropriate level that should prompt bookmakers to ask customers for proof their gambling is affordable to them. This has resulted in gambling companies setting their own rules on when it is appropriate to carry out financial checks on customers and this has led to some differences between bookmakers.

“It remains to be seen how the various on-course bookmakers will interpret the guidance this year. In practice it can be difficult for them to work out who can afford what if there is a race starting in one minute and there are 20 people waving money at them to put a bet on, however compliance with licence conditions is mandatory and operators should always act responsibly.”

Amusnet

Amusnet Officially Enters the Philippine Market

Published

2 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-officially-enters-the-philippine-market

Amusnet has announced its official entry into the Philippine market. In a double milestone for the company’s expansion strategy, Amusnet has successfully gone live with its first local operator, 747Live, and is now officially featured on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) List of EGLD-Approved Electronic Games. The list currently includes a total of 214 approved titles, representing a significant achievement and reinforcing Amusnet’s position as a trusted B2B partner in the country.

“These are two major achievements for us: a strong PAGCOR-approved portfolio and going live with our first partner in the Philippines, 747Live – both laying the foundation for accelerated growth and a stronger market presence,” said Kalin Angelov, Business Development Manager at Amusnet.

“We are very pleased to welcome Amusnet to our platform, as their reputation for premium content perfectly aligns with our mission to offer the best gaming experience in the Philippines. As Amusnet’s first partner in the region, we are excited to introduce such an extensive selection of approved titles to our audience,” said Enrico Menghini, CEO at 747Live.

The initial integration with 747Live allows local players to experience Amusnet’s world-renowned gaming mechanics, immersive graphics and signature jackpot features. To celebrate this market entry, Amusnet is highlighting a selection of top-performing titles, such as the dynamic 100 Golden Coins: Reel Fishing, the fan-favourite Extra Crown and the high-energy 100 Golden Coins.

This expansion into the Philippines marks a new chapter for Amusnet. The supplier continues to set new standards in the iGaming industry, providing operators with a robust and diversified portfolio of high-quality content. By entering the Philippine market with such a strong lineup, the company establishes itself as a premier partner for local operators, dedicated to bringing premium gaming experiences to a new and growing audience.

The post Amusnet Officially Enters the Philippine Market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Betting and Gaming Council

Betting and Gaming Council Appoints Kane Purdy as New Chair

Published

2 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

betting-and-gaming-council-appoints-kane-purdy-as-new-chair

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has appointed Kane Purdy, Managing Director at Gamesys Operations Limited, as the new non-executive Chair with immediate effect.

Kane takes on the role after 20 years in the betting and gaming industry, bringing extensive operational experience, deep sector knowledge and a strong track record of leadership across the regulated sector.

In addition to his role at Gamesys Operations Limited – part of Bally’s Intralot – Kane has played an active role in driving industry collaboration, including as Chair of GamProtect, the single customer view initiative designed to enhance player protection and raise standards across the industry.

The Chair position will be filled on a rotating basis by BGC members, with each term lasting 12 months.

Kane succeeds Executive Chair Michael Dugher, who stepped down earlier this year after six years at the BGC.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive Officer of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Kane brings a huge amount of experience, expertise and talent to this role, built over two decades in the industry.

“He is a highly respected leader with a deep understanding of both the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with operating in a regulated environment. He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration, helping to drive forward initiatives that strengthen standards and protections across the sector.

“I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to champion our members, raise standards and support a well-regulated industry that delivers for customers, the economy and communities across the country.”

Kane Purdy, Managing Director at Gamesys Operations Limited and non-executive Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “I am honoured and delighted to take on the role of Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council.

“After 20 years in the industry, I understand the importance of working collectively to meet challenges, raise standards and ensure the regulated sector continues to thrive.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with Grainne and the team, as well as with members from across the industry, to build on the strong progress already made and help shape the future direction of the BGC.”

The post Betting and Gaming Council Appoints Kane Purdy as New Chair appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

TaDa Strengthens its Presence in South Africa Through New Partnership with Sunbet

Published

2 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

tada-strengthens-its-presence-in-south-africa-through-new-partnership-with-sunbet

TaDa has strengthened its presence in the South African iGaming market through its new partnership with Sunbet, one of the country’s premier online gaming and sports betting operators.

The new collaboration supports TaDa Gaming’s continued growth in regulated markets and further strengthens its presence in South Africa’s rapidly evolving online gaming sector.

Winner of the SiGMA Africa Slot Newcomer of the Year 2025 award, TaDa’s mobile first, player-centric and expertly localised games stand out through their dynamic features and mechanics, immersive themes and easy onboarding that aligns with local preferences.

Sunbet customers will have immediate access to TaDa’s leading Fortune Gems series, including Fortune Gems 500 which is currently the top slot across African jurisdictions; while the retro slot machine design of Rapid Gems 777 has seen it quickly become a player favourite. Distribution is through Light & Wonder Inc.

Ray Lee, Director of Business Development, TaDa Gaming, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sunbet. Their strong customer focus and reputation for being ahead of the curve for innovative content gives us opportunities to increase our know-how, improve our localisation and continue to deliver great gaming experiences to more players across South Africa.”

Tyler Gentle, Casino Product Manager at Sunbet, said: “Great games are games that people come back to. They strike the right balance between simplicity, reward and engagement. TaDa’s games do that, and then some. They’re accessible, engaging and importantly, built to be played. And that’s why we’re so excited they are now part of Sunbet’s line up.”

The post TaDa Strengthens its Presence in South Africa Through New Partnership with Sunbet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.