Industry News

As Online Gambling Legalization Expands, So Do Scams and Regulatory Issues

Published

6 years ago

January 30, 2020

iovation research finds large rise in bonus abuse, credit card fraud and self-exclusion reports

iovation, a TransUnion company, today released its 2020 iGaming Report. Now in its fourth year, the report analyzes more than four billion global online gambling transactions iovation screened for fraud indicators over the past 15 years.

Among the findings, bonus abuse was the number one reported fraud by iovation’s iGaming customers for the third year in a row, rising 72% from 2018 to 2019 (pg. 10). Gambling bonuses often include giving a new player house money to gamble or existing customers incentives to play more. Bonus abusers then use multiple accounts with different email addresses in order to claim the same bonus sometimes hundreds of times, which is often against gambling operators’ terms.

“Deposit bonuses can be a valuable tool for attracting and retaining players,” said Greg Pierson, TransUnion’s senior vice president of business planning and development. “Unfortunately, a few bad apples can abuse otherwise effective programs to the point of eliminating all their value.”

Another key trend in the report was the rise in self-exclusion (pg. 12). iovation received over 363,000 reports of player self-exclusion in 2019, a 63% increase over 2018. Self-exclusion is when a player admits they have a gambling problem and tells an operator not to allow them to gamble. The operator is now legally obligated to ensure the player does not resume gambling activities. In many instances a self-excluded gambler tries to set up a new account, many times with the information of another family member, when they have a change of heart. Or fraudsters set up a new account using a stolen credit card, deposit funds using that card and then self-exclude before the chargeback – a forced transaction reversal initiated by the cardholder’s bank.

“When looking at devices and accounts associated with self-exclusion reports in 2019, we saw eight times (three million) the number of devices and three times (1.2 million) the number of accounts in comparison to reports of self-exclusion. This paints a clear picture that those who self-exclude are not always walking away,” said Angie White, iovation product marketing manager. “Having multiple devices and accounts linked to self-exclusion reports could point to a self-excluded player trying to use another device to set up a new account or something more problematic like a fraud ring.”

Other key findings in the report include:

Credit Card Fraud Continues Climb: iovation iGaming customers reported a 37% growth in credit card fraud from 2018 to 2019. While operators look to stop credit card fraud, consumers expect reduced transaction reviews and unnecessary step-up authentication with their credit card transactions. (pg. 11)
Significant Majority of Transactions go Mobile: 79% of all iGaming transactions came from mobile phones and tablets in 2019, an increase of 13% over 2018. It’s clear consumers expect a mobile-first experience. (pg. 6)

“Providing a secure and friction-right mobile experience to onboard new players has never been more important for competing effectively in the iGaming market with new countries and states seemingly legalizing online gambling every week,” said Pierson.

Download iovation’s 2020 iGaming Report. To discuss it in person Feb. 4-6, visit iovation at the ICE London gaming technology event, stand N9-500. For more details about the findings, register for the Feb. 19 2020 iGaming Report webinar.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU):

TransUnion is a global information and insights company that makes trust possible in the modern economy. We do this by providing a comprehensive picture of each person so they can be reliably and safely represented in the marketplace. As a result, businesses and consumers can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good.®

A leading presence in more than 30 countries across five continents, TransUnion provides solutions that help create economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for hundreds of millions of people.

About iovation:

iovation, a TransUnion Company, was founded with a simple guiding mission: to make the Internet a safer place for people to conduct business. Since 2004, the company has been delivering against that goal, helping brands protect and engage their customers, and keeping them secure in the complex digital world. Armed with the world’s largest and most precise database of reputation insights and cryptographically secure multifactor authentication methods, iovation safeguards tens of millions of digital transactions each day.

AGA

AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

aga-announces-gaming-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026

The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026, recognizing four individuals whose careers have profoundly shaped the legal gaming industry:

• Holly Gagnon, Board Member, Bragg Gaming Group

• Bill G. Lance, Jr., Secretary of State, Chickasaw Nation

• Scott Olive, Principal & Founder, HRG Studios

• Timothy J. “Tim” Wilmott, Retired Chief Executive Officer, PENN Entertainment

“The Gaming Hall of Fame recognizes the individuals whose vision, innovation, and dedication have helped shape today’s legal gaming industry. Holly, Bill, Scott, and Tim have each left a lasting mark through decades of service and leadership. Their contributions have set a high standard for those who follow,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.

“This year’s inductees reflect the remarkable breadth of the gaming industry – from commercial and tribal gaming operators to suppliers. Each of them has helped advance gaming in significant ways, and we’re proud to welcome them to the Gaming Hall of Fame,” said AGA Chairman Lou Jacobs.

Since 1989, the Gaming Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of industry legends who have driven the commercial and tribal gaming industry forward. The Class of 2026 will be formally inducted at an invitation-only ceremony during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas this fall.

This year’s selection committee members include:

• Eric Schippers, SVP, Public Affairs & Government Relations, PENN Entertainment Inc.

• Mark Fulton, President, Cherokee Nation Entertainment

• Trevor Croker, CEO & Managing Director, Aristocrat Technologies

• Sherri Sosa, SVP, Human Resources, Hard Rock Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

• Mark Lipparelli, Chairman Emeritus, International Center for Responsible Gaming

• Kirsten Clark, Executive Director, IAGA

• Siobhan Lane, Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, Gaming, Light & Wonder; Chair, Global Gaming Women

• Dr. Brett Abarbanel, Executive Director, UNLV International Gaming Institute

• Lou Jacobs, Co-CEO, Delaware North; Chairman, AGA

About the 2026 Inductees:

Holly Gagnon, Board Member, Bragg Gaming Group

Holly began her 34-year gaming career on the opening team of Foxwoods Resort Casino in 1992, at the birth of modern tribal gaming in America. She went on to hold senior financial and operational roles at Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International before serving as President and CEO of Pearl River Resort, CEO of Chumash Enterprises for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and CEO of Seneca Gaming Corporation for the Seneca Nation of Indians. Named NAFOA Executive of the Year in 2016, Gagnon is a recognized champion of tribal economic development. As a founding member of Global Gaming Women and Distinguished Fellow at the UNLV International Gaming Institute, she has helped develop more than 300 gaming executives. She currently serves as a board member of Bragg Gaming Group.

Bill G. Lance, Jr., Secretary of State, Chickasaw Nation

Bill has served the Chickasaw Nation for decades in senior leadership roles spanning commerce, healthcare, and governance. As Secretary of Commerce for more than thirteen years, he oversaw more than 60 gaming, hospitality, retail, media, manufacturing, and tourism businesses employing approximately 7000 people. He also served as Administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Health System, overseeing construction of the 370,000-square-foot Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Oklahoma. Lance currently serves as Secretary of State, representing the Chickasaw Nation in civic, business, and governance capacities.

Scott Olive, Principal & Founder, HRG Studios

Scott is one of the most influential game designers in the history of the slot machine industry. His career spans more than three decades, beginning at Aristocrat Gaming in 1997, where he helped drive the adoption of penny and Australian-style slots in U.S. gaming markets. After co-founding True Blue Gaming in 2007, Olive established HRG Studios in 2012, where he went on to create some of the most commercially successful slot titles ever produced.

Timothy J. “Tim” Wilmott, Retired Chief Executive Officer, PENN Entertainment

Tim spent more than three decades as one of the gaming industry’s most respected operational leaders. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Penn National Gaming from 2013 until his retirement in 2019, having previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2008 to 2013. Before joining Penn National, Wilmott served as Chief Operating Officer of Harrah’s Entertainment and Division President of its Eastern Division, holding a series of leadership positions at Harrah’s properties dating back to 1988.

The post AGA Announces Gaming Hall of Fame Class of 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Industry News

Wazdan schedules three-stage Network Promotion campaign for summer

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

wazdan-schedules-three-stage-network-promotion-campaign-for-summer

The operator-facing series runs 29 June to 13 September and uses Mystery Drop and Mystery Multiplier Drop mechanics.

Wazdan will launch a summer-long Network Promotion series for partner casinos, running from 29th June to 13th September. The campaign is structured in three stages with breaks between each phase.

The promotion will use Wazdan’s Mystery Drop and Mystery Multiplier Drop mechanics. The supplier said the programme is designed to be easy for operators to activate and will be supported with marketing materials, including promotional assets, brochures and newsletter content for partners to use across their own channels.

Alongside the promotion, Wazdan has a summer content roadmap with three slot releases scheduled: Mighty Hot: Amazonia (30th June), Magic Fruit$: Cherries (30th July) and Mighty Crown: Empire of Gold (6th August).

Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wazdan, said: “Summer presents a valuable opportunity for operators to keep engagement levels high, and this promotion has been designed to deliver exactly that through Wazdan’s proven promotional tools.

“Combined with our upcoming game releases, we are excited to offer partners a strong seasonal campaign with plenty of player appeal.”

The post Wazdan schedules three-stage Network Promotion campaign for summer appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Casino Content

ICONIC21 launches Football Cup-branded casino games and debut network tournament

Published

3 weeks ago

June 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-launches-football-cup-branded-casino-games-and-debut-network-tournament

ICONIC21 has rolled out three limited-edition Football Cup-branded casino games and launched its first network tournament, ICONIC Showdown Football Cup, running from 9th of July to 19th of July.

The new titles are Football Cup Roulette, Football Cup Blackjack 360, and Football Cup Gravity Blackjack. ICONIC21 said the releases showcase different customisation approaches, including green screen production for the roulette environment and an updated visual rebrand for its RNG blackjack table.

For Football Cup Gravity Blackjack, ICONIC21 said it used its latest LED technology and applied the Gravity Series multiplier mechanic, with a custom felt, a football gate, and bespoke 3D-printed decorations.

Alongside the three new games, ICONIC21 pointed to its previously launched slot Soccer World Championship, plus The Kickoff and Top Card, which it said received football-season branding and UI/UX updates.

The ICONIC Showdown Football Cup tournament covers 11 games in total and is positioned around the quarter finals, semi-finals and final period. ICONIC21 said 1,000 winners will share a €50,000 prize pool, and operators can enroll via their account manager or by contacting the company directly.

Edvardas Sadovskis, Chief Product Officer at ICONIC21, said:

“What I’m most proud of with this project is the turnaround. We built three fully branded, technically distinct games, enhanced existing ones with promotional branding, and launched our first-ever network tournament around them, all timed to coincide with peak player interest and traffic.

That kind of speed doesn’t happen by accident, it reflects how this team works. ICONIC Showdown is a meaningful first step for us as a provider, and launching it during the Football Cup, with this much energy around the game, feels like the right way to do it. We’re genuinely excited to see how the leaderboard shapes up and even more excited for the finals.”

The post ICONIC21 launches Football Cup-branded casino games and debut network tournament appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.