Press Releases
UK’s BGC calls for Online Harms Bill to crackdown on black-market unregulated gambling operators endangering children
Standards body BGC Calls for government to use Online Harms Bill to crackdown on unregulated gambling operators
Analysis conducted for the new standards body, the Betting and Gaming Council which represents UK regulated operators, reveals consumers are exposed to large numbers of unlicensed operators (38%) through search results for key gambling terms on major search engines.
- 4 in 10 search results for key gambling terms on major search engines are unlicensed black-market operators
- Danger that children are accessing illegal websites with no strict ID and age verification measures unlike U.K. licensed operators.
- 27 million visits from UK IP addresses to black—market gambling sites
- Estimated 200,000 people in U.K. have used illegal gambling sites in past 12 months
The BGC calls on the government to ensure that the Online Harms Bill, soon to be introduced in parliament, includes action to crack down on platforms who profit from unregulated, black market gambling operators.
There is a particular danger that children are accessing these websites where there are no strict ID and age verification measures deployed by U.K. licensed operators. New strict age verification procedures introduced in May 2019 for UK licensed operators require full verification of name, age and address before anyone can open an online account or place a bet.
The regulatory Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (formerly RGSB) warned in 2018 that internet service providers, app stores, search engine companies, and other relevant providers should be vigilant to the possibility of third party use of their products to provide illegal gambling to children and young people, and should be proactive in preventing it.
The sizeable proportion of gamblers using unlicensed operators reveals that the size of the active ‘black market’ in the UK today is worth around £1.4bn in stakes.
Web traffic statistics suggest that there are 27 million visits from UK IP addresses. Some unlicensed websites block customers from the U.K. but many of those can be circumvented using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the BGC, said: “Search platforms are promoting black-market gambling operators for profit, putting the British consumers, including children, at risk. None of the UK’s strict licensed safeguards are in place on these illegal sites.
“Regulated bookies and online operators have a strict zero tolerance approach to underage gambling, yet unlicensed operators are free to prey on vulnerable consumers.
“We welcome the Government’s Online Harms Bill. But it also provides the Government with a chance to clamp down on the black-market and help protect punters who want a flutter in a safe environment.”
MGA Games, a prominent Spanish firm specializing in content creation for international casino operators, will debut Poseidon’s Orb on January 28, its latest video slot for the .com markets. This title encourages players to join an explorer on an epic quest to find the legendary city of Atlantis.
The game is a Video Slot with 5 reels and 3 rows, offering 10 paylines, and includes Wild and Scatter symbols that activate Free Spins. A remarkable aspect is the Sticky Wilds mechanic in the Free Spins round—an inventive element that boosts thrill and raises winning possibilities. It additionally includes an optional purchase of Free Spins, adjustable for each operator.
The theme of Poseidon’s Orb, drawn from global myths and legends, aims to attract a diverse audience of players. Its stunning visuals and film-inspired score further guarantee an engaging experience brimming with thrills and rewards.
Classified under popular themes like “Adventure,” “Mythology,” “Treasures,” and “Fantasy,” this latest MGA Games Video Slot serves as a valuable enhancement to any operator’s collection, improving player retention and profits, while the Free Spins purchase feature offers an extra revenue opportunity.
The post MGA Games Launches Poseidon’s Orb Slot Featuring Sticky Wilds and Free Spins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling Studio
Ludus Games Debuts PvP-First Gambling Studio and Unveils Flagship Title “Battle Fury”
Ludus Games, a new studio dedicated to next-generation PvP gambling content, officially launches today and introduces its flagship real-money title, Battle Fury, built specifically for iGaming operators.
Uniting veterans from mobile free-to-play, esports, and real-money gaming, Ludus Games creates competitive multiplayer formats that play like real games while integrating seamlessly into casino and sportsbook ecosystems. The studio focuses on PvP-by-design experiences, lightweight high-performance clients, and analytics-ready backends that boost engagement, session depth, and long-term value.
“Most gambling content still looks like single-player math models wearing a casino skin,” said Dmytro Paliants, Founder of Ludus Games. “We created Ludus to bring true competitive gameplay — short, intense real-time duels — into the iGaming world, while preserving the predictability, compliance, and margin operators require.”
Battle Fury: Real-Time PvP Engineered for iGaming
Battle Fury is a real-time, session-based PvP title where players enter compact arenas, outmaneuver opponents, and time abilities to win the pot. Designed with mobile-first performance and seamless cross-platform input, it offers:
- Short, intense matches that maximize bet cadence and repeat play
- Head-to-head duels with real-time competitive outcomes
- Lightweight Unity client optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop
“Our goal is to make PvP as easy to operate as a slot,” added Paliants. “Operators get a stable, portfolio-level RTP around 90%, built-in competitive formats, and a client that feels like a top-tier mobile game. Players get skill-influenced competition — operators get predictable performance.”
Built for Operators: From Integration to Retention
Ludus Games provides a technology stack tailored for casino and sportsbook environments, including:
- PvP-first formats that drive social stickiness and repeat sessions
- High conversion & retention via competitive loops, streak mechanics, and ladders designed by mobile gaming veterans
- Stable and responsible margin, with portfolio RTP configured at ~90%
- Multi-platform reach with responsive UX for mobile, tablet, and desktop
- Rapid go-to-market through fast skinning, localization, and lightweight API integration
Demo builds are available to qualified partners upon request.
The post Ludus Games Debuts PvP-First Gambling Studio and Unveils Flagship Title “Battle Fury” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Leading Brazilian iGaming company Esportes da Sorte has launched its national Carnival 2026 campaign, built around the messaging “There’s no doubt you’ll have fun” and the tagline “Summon the Fun.”
The campaign, which runs throughout February, employs a multi-platform strategy, with a presence on broadcast TV, radio, digital media and out-of-home (OOH) advertising. The objective is to expand reach and reinforce brand awareness during one of the most culturally significant periods in Brazil.
Beyond institutional positioning, the campaign organically integrates product communication into the creative narrative, connecting the platform to the Carnival experience lived both in the streets and through media content.
“Carnival is a central part of Brazilian culture and one of the most powerful expressions of our diversity. More than just talking about fun, Esportes da Sorte positions itself as an investor in popular culture, plurality and the experiences that make Carnival happen on the streets. We go beyond the platform: we seek to deliver an experience for the customer and contribute to the reveller’s experience, connecting brand, culture and entertainment in a genuine way,” says Marcela Campos, vice president of the Esportes Gaming Brasil Group.
The campaign is the result of a co-creation process directly involving the group’s marketing team, with creative development by the Brenda agency and media strategy conducted by the Avesso agency, both based in Recife. The concept uses Carnival as a territory of identity, encounter, and tradition to support the narrative of a brand that is strengthening itself in the field of popular entertainment, expanding its connection with different audiences and cultural expressions.
“The Esportes da Sorte campaign dives headfirst into this celebration where everything blends together: reality and fantasy, people from all corners of the world, colors, music, and endless movement. The proprietary illustrations reinforce the diversity of Brazil, its people, and the cities where Esportes da Sorte is present, creating a vibrant, popular, and unique identity within the segment,” explains Raphael Pinteiro, partner at Brenda.
The media plan prioritizes historically central Carnival destinations such as Recife, Olinda, and Salvador, while also including strategic insertions in markets like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as capitals including Natal, Maceió, and Belo Horizonte. The combination of mass media and street-level formats increases presence and frequency throughout the Carnival period, reinforcing the brand’s connection with the festival and with Brazilian popular culture.
The post Esportes da Sorte launches “Summon the Fun” for Carnival 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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