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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.”

Games Global

Games Global and Nailed It! Games launch Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO

Published

41 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

games-global-and-nailed-it!-games-launch-raging-gods:-olympus-2-power-combo

Greek mythology slot sequel adds new modifiers and keeps a 5,000x maximum win

Games Global, working with exclusive studio partner Nailed It! Games, has released Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO, a Greek mythology-themed slot sequel. The title uses a 5×3 reel layout with 20 paylines and features a maximum win potential of 5,000x, according to the companies.

The game builds on the original with an expanded POWER COMBO bonus game and new feature modifiers. Games Global said the new additions include Prize Double, which multiplies all Prize Symbol values on the board by 2x, and the Power Symbol, which upgrades individual prize values as spins continue.

The POWER COMBO bonus game can be unlocked by any bonus symbol, with all symbols that land on the feature-activating spin awarding their respective modifiers. Returning mechanics include Prize Booster (increasing Prize Symbol values by up to 5x), Extra Collect (gathering all visible cash values without removing symbols), and Instant Jackpot (awarding one of four fixed jackpots).

A SUPER collection can also open access to the POWER COMBO feature, activating two or more mechanics at the same time once completed. During the feature, Jackpot Gem Symbols contribute towards four fixed jackpots — Mini at 10x, Minor at 20x, Major at 200x and Mega at 5,000x — with multiple jackpots available within a single round.

Paweł Piotrowski, Co-Founder at Nailed It! Games, said: “Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO builds on the original by giving the POWER COMBO bonus game more flexibility.

“Adding Prize Double and Power Symbol allowed us to expand how features combine, which brings more variation to each round.”

David Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy and Partner Management at Games Global, said: “With Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO, Nailed It! Games have taken a well-performing concept and pushed it further – adding depth, energy, and new ways for players to engage.

“It’s a clear step up for the series and reinforces the strength of this theme within the Games Global portfolio.”

The post Games Global and Nailed It! Games launch Raging Gods: Olympus 2 POWER COMBO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Conferences

Blokotech and Evoverse sign on as presenting sponsors for iGaming Real Talk at BiS SiGMA South America

Published

41 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

blokotech-and-evoverse-sign-on-as-presenting-sponsors-for-igaming-real-talk-at-bis-sigma-south-america

Blokotech and Evoverse have joined as presenting sponsors of iGaming Real Talk’s content series recorded live at BiS SiGMA South America in Brazil.

According to iGaming Real Talk, the Brazil edition follows its AIBC Eurasia Dubai coverage and focuses on the LatAm iGaming market “especially since the market was regulated.” The partnership covers the full series, which iGaming Real Talk said delivered 11 in-depth interviews and more than 30 short-form video clips filmed on the expo floor.

The series includes interviews with executives and founders, including Heathcliff Farrugia (SiGMA World), Miranda Guliashvili (SOFTSWISS) and Dominic Sawyer (TEQUITY), among others.

Surya Palli, Founder of iGaming Real Talk, said: “BiS SiGMA South America has quickly become a key meeting point for the LatAm iGaming ecosystem. Partnering with Blokotech and Evoverse allows us to scale the reach of these conversations and continue building a platform that showcases real insights from across the industry.”

iGaming Real Talk said the Brazil edition is part of its “Real Roadshow 2026” content plan and is positioned around the region’s post-regulation market evolution.

The post Blokotech and Evoverse sign on as presenting sponsors for iGaming Real Talk at BiS SiGMA South America appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

game-mechanics

Microgaming rolls out Link & Merge mechanic with three-slot launch on 29 April

Published

41 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Wladimir P.

microgaming-rolls-out-link-&-merge-mechanic-with-three-slot-launch-on-29-april

Microgaming is launching a new slot mechanic, Link & Merge, on 29 April via the simultaneous release of three titles: Almighty Zeus Wilds Link&Merge, Lucky Twins Wilds Link&Merge and 123 Soccer Link&Merge.

The Link&Merge feature is positioned as a variation on Hold & Spin-style gameplay. When five or more adjacent Coin symbols land, they link and merge into a single higher-value symbol. The merge then triggers one of three bonus outcomes: Jackpot, Multiply or Spread, with the potential for additional Coin symbols to land and create further merges.

Microgaming is pairing the mechanic with three themes at launch: Almighty Zeus Wilds Link&Merge, Lucky Twins Wilds Link&Merge and 123 Soccer Link&Merge. The supplier said each title uses the Link&Merge bonus within a shared core framework that includes cluster wins, Wild Meter progression, Free Spins and Multiplier Trail functionality.

A Microgaming spokesperson said: “Link&Merge gives us a mechanic with real forward momentum. Each merge has the potential to change the shape of the feature, open up new opportunities and keep the round moving in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. By launching three games around it simultaneously, we are able to give the mechanic a much bigger stage from day one and show the range it can bring to the Microgaming portfolio.”

The post Microgaming rolls out Link & Merge mechanic with three-slot launch on 29 April appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.