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

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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.

 

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Alex Manning

LCKY Group announce Alex Manning as Group CTO

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LCKY Group has announced the appointment of Alex Manning as Group Chief Technology Officer, marking the first major leadership hire since the company’s strategic rebrand earlier this year.

Previously known as Glitnor Group, the entrepreneurial-led organisation entered a new phase of its development in January when it adopted the name LCKY Group. The rebrand was designed to better reflect the strong portfolio of brands operating under the group while also positioning the business for future expansion.

Alex’s appointment as Group CTO represents a significant step in this next stage of growth. With more than 25 years of experience across the fintech and iGaming sectors, Alex brings deep expertise in scaling businesses and leading complex digital transformations.

Prior to joining LCKY Group, Alex served as CTO of iGaming at Light & Wonder, where he led a major engineering transformation. During his four-year tenure, he transitioned the team to a product-led, cross-functional delivery model, oversaw the development of several first-of-their-kind products, and supported the company’s expansion into new regulated markets.

Richard Brown, Group CEO at LCKY Group, said:
“Everyone at LCKY Group is delighted to welcome Alex at what is a defining moment in the company’s evolution. He brings extensive experience across regulated fintech and iGaming markets, and his proven ability to guide organisations through successful scale-ups and digital transformations makes him an ideal fit for the role of Group CTO.”

Alex Manning, Group CTO at LCKY Group, added:
“I’m excited to join LCKY Group at a time when the business is focused on strengthening its international presence and growing its influence across key regulated markets. My priority will be to build on the strong culture that already exists within the group, creating a high-performance environment where teams can thrive, innovation is encouraged, and each of our brands is given the platform it deserves.”

The post LCKY Group announce Alex Manning as Group CTO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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2025 Ads Safety Report

PropellerAds 2025 Ad Safety Outlook

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PropellerAds, a top performance advertising platform worldwide, has just published the 2025 Ads Safety Report, which offers an in-depth analysis of ad fraud trends, protective measures for the platform, and guidance for advertisers on compliance.

The report emphasizes that as fraudulent methods grow more advanced, the organization’s multi-tiered security measures are essential in protecting advertisers, traffic providers, and end users.

Advancing Ad Fraud Methods and High-Risk Areas

In 2025, ad fraud advanced considerably, transitioning from basic techniques to more intricate, infrastructure-intensive schemes. Fraudsters exploited cloaking, malware distribution networks, and social engineering tactics aimed at messenger accounts, frequently across various ad formats. PropellerAds enhanced initial moderation and foundational detection to identify high-risk actions before campaigns launched.

Throughout the year, the platform processed 729,794 campaign rejections, mainly driven by content compliance and user safety issues, with adult content and malware alerts representing the largest portions. These actions guaranteed that campaigns were halted prior to delivery, safeguarding advertisers, publishers, and end users, while upholding a consistent and reliable advertising landscape. In comparison to 2024, campaign rejections rose by 35%, indicating enhanced moderation reach and more robust preventive measures.

Markets of high value, such as Turkey and Spanish-speaking areas, saw increased levels of fraudulent behavior. Approximately 80% of identified attacks aimed at users of Windows and Android. Fraud patterns typically integrated technical, behavioral, and content indicators, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring and thorough infrastructure evaluation.

High-Risk Accounts and Safeguarding Methods

Cloaking continued to be the primary high-risk infraction, making up more than 80% of verified account suspensions. This method consists of displaying varying content to moderation systems and users, masking the actual essence of campaigns. Ransomware, unsuccessful identity verification, and scam schemes also played a role in account suspensions, albeit to a smaller degree. Fraud that relies on heavy infrastructure necessitates multi-tiered enforcement and ongoing monitoring to guarantee platform safety.

In 2025, schemes of fraud grew more advanced. Cloaking methods encompassed multi-tiered traffic management, selective content distribution, and decentralized architecture. Malware distribution has progressed from basic redirects to immediate file downloads or complex interactions. Incidents of Messenger account hijacking rose, featuring phishing sites, counterfeit login forms, and mobile-centric social engineering assaults. Certain campaigns even utilized compromised or left-behind servers and domains, necessitating thorough technical and behavioral analysis for detection.

AI and automation contributed to fraud prevention by analyzing behavioral patterns, identifying high-risk signals, and aiding expert evaluations. Although fraudsters tried to utilize AI for creating counterfeit documents or modifying creative assets, PropellerAds guarantees that all campaigns undergo expert reviews and infrastructure checks prior to traffic delivery, stopping high-risk operations from accessing users.

Advertiser Adherence and Risk Oversight

PropellerAds advises advertisers to adhere closely to platform guidelines, verify that ad content aligns with format and regional specifications, comprehend the entire user experience, and track infrastructure and domain reputation. The use of cloaking or misleading tactics is deemed high-risk and typically leads to permanent account termination.

The PropellerAds team highlights that preventing fraud is an ongoing and developing process that demands technology, expert evaluation, and collaboration across the ecosystem. The organization continues to prioritize improving platform safety, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding all individuals involved in the advertising ecosystem.

The post PropellerAds 2025 Ad Safety Outlook appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Fortune Wheel Drops

Just Slots and Hype.Bet Celebrate Year One of Multiplayer Gaming Together

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The slot developer Just Slots, based in Malta, participates in Hype.Bet’s anniversary festivities as a highlighted provider partner, offering exclusive contests, Fortune Wheel Drops, and community incentives to players during March.

Just Slots, an iGaming developer recognized for its striking and premium slot games, has revealed a collaboration with Hype.Bet to commemorate the platform’s inaugural anniversary. Taking place in March 2026, the partnership includes Just Slots as a highlighted provider for the significant event, offering unique contests, community-focused rewards, and prominent lobby positioning to users on one of iGaming’s most creative platforms.

Hype.Bet has transformed social casino gaming into the exclusive multiplayer community casino platform where players can join streamers and friends in real-time spins. Since its debut in March 2025, the platform has created a dedicated community centered on its hallmark Multiplayer Rooms feature, where hundreds of players can enter a communal room, observe a host oversee the gameplay, and track their balances fluctuating together, all in real-time.

In March, three Just Slots games—Rain and Ruin, Dynamo’s Show, and Vegan Nightmare—will be highlighted in Hype.Bet’s main lobby section, each adorned with unique halo icons to signify their participation in the anniversary promotion. Gamers can easily identify the highlighted games and dive right into the contest. The month-long competition, taking place from March 1 to 29, encourages participants to compete across the full Just Slots collection on Hype.Bet, offering rewards for individual players and streamers alike. The individual player champion receives a unique, limited-edition Hype.Bet anniversary merchandise pack, a Just Slots merchandise pack, and $500 in cash, whereas the leading streamer is awarded their own exclusive merchandise and a bonus incentive.

Enhancing the thrill, Hype.Bet’s exclusive Fortune Wheel Drops will take place every Monday and Wednesday during the campaign. Participants in Multiplayer Rooms during streamer events can seize $2,500 Fortune Wheel Drops, broadcast live to the community in a distinctly Hype.Bet style. The drops occur twice a day on those days, upholding the platform’s central belief that achieving success is more enjoyable when it is shared.

Nick Formosa, Head of Client Strategy at Just Slots, commented, “Hype.Bet has built something genuinely different in this space with a platform where the community is as much a part of the experience as the games themselves. That’s a philosophy that resonates with us at Just Slots, and this partnership felt like a natural fit from the start. Seeing our titles at the centre of their anniversary celebrations, with players competing and winning together throughout the month, really captures what ‘Play Together, Win Together’ is all about.”

Iana, Head of Marketing at Hype.Bet, added, “Celebrating our first anniversary with partners like Just Slots is a great way to highlight the community experience that defines Hype.Bet. Their games fit perfectly into our Multiplayer Rooms format, where players can watch, compete, and win together. This collaboration brings exciting competitions and rewards to our players while showcasing what social casino gaming can look like when the community comes first.”

After the launch of their inaugural game in 2024, Just Slots has introduced ten titles and established a variety of strategic alliances within the industry, emerging as a significant player in next-generation slot development. Participants can access complete information about the anniversary promotion, including contest rules and the Fortune Wheel Drop timetable, at hype.bet/promotions.

The post Just Slots and Hype.Bet Celebrate Year One of Multiplayer Gaming Together appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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