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Why cutting through in the UK is still very possible

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2024

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Graeme Savill, Account Management Team Lead at Gaming Corps, argues how despite the UK being a highly-competitive market, there are still plenty of reasons why it can provide meaningful opportunities for new entrants

Generating a gross gambling yield of just over £4bn during the 2022-23 financial year, the UK is undoubtedly one of the most established and successful online casino markets in the world. With 2,343 active operators holding a UK licences, it is evident that the market is vast. For online casino suppliers, even a small slice of that market could prove to be extremely lucrative. That was the thinking behind our decision to launch in the UK this year.

It is, of course, undeniable that cutting through the noise in the UK market is a very challenging task. The sports betting markets that we have seen open up in the US ihave provided the perfect example of how difficult it can be to upset the status quo. But the key thing to remember is that with challenges comes opportunities; we believe that finding a place in the UK is far from impossible.

We’re not entering the UK entirely as a newbie. The partnerships we have with the likes of Flutter Entertainment, Entain, Kindred and LeoVegas – which we are aiming to bring over from other markets where we are active – will likely bring us speedy access. If we were coming into the UK without those existing relationships, it could be a very different challenge, but having that grounding on which to stand is very important.

Localised content is key

It is critical to remain dynamic and agile in any market that you enter, making sure you adapt to fast-evolving industry trends, regulation and player expectations. There are many legacy brands that continue to dominate the UK market with decades of experience. They have shown how vital it is to build products and player experiences which are localised for the UK market – what works for Swedish players may not work too well for UK players, for example. In fact, UK player interests and habits tend to be quite specific.

As a Brit myself, I may not fit into the typical UK player profile. But it’s fair to say that we’re a fairly unique segment in the global casino player base. We know what we like, and more importantly, what we don’t. The balance of offering proven themes as well as popular mechanics, achievable win caps, frequent features and medium-level volatilities has brought us strong early results and we’re very happy to see players coming back to these games.

The ability to innovate is integral to growth in the UK. As we go live with more and more operators, we will continue to push new verticals like our Smash4Cash™ line of games. We believe this can be a game changer in the long-term, as Gaming Corps looks to reach new and existing players.

In the UK market, there are also opportunities for casino games suppliers to cross-sell their products to sportsbooks, particularly around some of the standout events this year such as the men’s European Championship in football and the Summer Olympic Games.

Regulation leads to adaptation

Admittedly, this is a unique time to be going into the UK, particularly in light of the impending measures of the White Paper, which we all unequivocally have to be aware of. Adapting to, and complying with, increased regulation is part and parcel of competing successfully in all regulated markets. With regards to the UK, a continued increase of regulation does put pressure on operators and suppliers alike, but we believe that the iGaming industry is resilient enough to manage these pressures effectively.

We operate with the understanding that it’s imperative to always adapt and be prepared for new regulations; this is how we can ensure that we have not only a competitive advantage, but also a sustainable business. That ability to adapt will be key to sustaining growth in the UK, regardless of whatever challenge is thrown to operators and suppliers.

The post Why cutting through in the UK is still very possible appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

8 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

15 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

15 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.