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.”
Interviews
Exclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame

Online casinos are in a race to meet the growing demands of players, but many operators are being left behind. Slow payment systems, high transaction fees, and outdated software are limiting growth and hurting the player experience. But with the right tools, operators can break free from these limitations and create fluid, player-first experiences.
Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame, offers solutions that many operators have been waiting for. With NuxGame’s crypto-ready turnkey platform, operators can quickly solve common issues and roll out future-forward digital casinos that appeal to modern players. The crypto market is growing fast, with an expected $5 billion by 2030. Find out in this interview how making the most of crypto can take your casino to the next level and leave competitors behind.
The impact of crypto in iGaming is undeniable. Bar, do you believe Bitcoin is here to stay, or are we just seeing the beginning of a temporary trend?
The truth is, Bitcoin and crypto are here to stay, and it’s not just a “cool new thing” for players. They offer fast transactions, more security, and a level of transparency that players are increasingly looking for. The iGaming scene is modernizing, and those who aren’t adopting crypto solutions are definitely going to fall behind. You don’t want to watch everyone else pass you by.
So how does NuxGame support the crypto trend? What makes your platform stand out in this fast paced environment?
At NuxGame, we’re not simply handing over a crypto solution and calling it a day. We provide a fully integrated crypto casino software solution that supports multiple cryptocurrencies, but more importantly, we’re here for you every step of the way. Our customer service managers understand that each operator has unique priorities, so we work closely with you to make sure that everything works exactly the way you want it. The dashboard shows everything in real-time, while players get quicker transactions and a better overall game. And the best part is that you’re not left alone with the system integration. Our team is always ready to make your operations work exactly how you want.
I know you’ve got a lot of experience with turnkey solutions. What makes NuxGame’s turnkey casino solution a perfect fit for operators looking to add crypto into their business?
The whole idea behind a turnkey casino solution is to give operators everything they need to go live as soon as possible. When you add crypto, that means offering everything from crypto-friendly payment systems to blockchain-backed gaming for transparency and security. But the important part is that it’s not merely about putting a “crypto” label on your website and leaving it at that. We provide full integration with multi-coin support, crypto bonuses, and even real-time analytics. For operators, it’s the peace of mind that comes with knowing that upon making the switch, everything works — and it works fast. No waiting, no stress, just a revenue-boosting crypto experience. And you’ll be seeing profits in no time. Because you’ll get the tools to start engaging players immediately.
Bar, let’s talk about the notable transition from traditional casinos to online. Are operators who come from land-based casinos jumping on the crypto train? How are they adapting?
Absolutely! A lot of traditional operators are taking their first steps into the online scene and realizing crypto’s impact in it all. They already have local brand recognition, and now it’s time to take that trust and build it online. The great thing is, with crypto, they don’t have to worry about those annoying international payment delays or high fees. We help them adapt without the growing pains, offering localization for both payments and content. It’s basically taking what they already know and applying it to the online space: no need to rebuild everything. You’ve got your brand and audience — now let us help you go digital. It’s that easy.
One last thing: with all the changes happening in the iGaming space, especially with the crypto’s growing presence, what do you think operators should be focusing on in 2025?
2025 is all about speed and adaptability. Markets are moving at record pace, and operators who are stuck in the “perfect platform” mentality are going to miss the boat. Players expect fast, secure experiences, and with crypto, that’s what they get. But to keep up, operators need to launch fast, learn fast, and be ready to grow quickly. That means not over-complicating things: you don’t need to build from zero when you’ve got the right tools. With platforms like ours, operators can quickly adapt to trends, integrate new features, and focus on what really matters: delivering a fantastic player experience. The market’s moving, and those who move with it are the ones who win.
The post Exclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
First SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Network Jackpot Hits €80,294.89

SOFTSWISS, a leading global provider of iGaming software, celebrates the first Sportsbook Network Jackpot win, which occurred during one of the industry’s largest events – SiGMA Americas.
SOFTSWISS launched the first Sportsbook Network Jackpot with an initial prize pool of €35,000. The lucky player claimed the first Jackpot on 9 April, taking home a prize of €80,294.89 – more than double the initial sum. The winning bet was a combo bet placed on live events, with a stake of €166 and a total odds of 4.38.
The Sportsbook Network Jackpot is underpinned by a progressive, cross-operator infrastructure that enables a shared prize pool across all participating brands. Clients using the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook could join this campaign without additional individual costs while offering a grand prize to their players. The setup ensures equal winning opportunities for all players, regardless of the operator they play with.
“This is a remarkable event for our team – not only because it marks the first drop of the Sportsbook Network Jackpot, but also because it’s happening here at SiGMA Americas. We can celebrate it together with our colleagues and share the joy with the lucky player.
I see big potential in the Network Jackpot in the near future. It’s still rare in the market, but it provides additional value and entertainment for players. We are happy to announce the launch of the next campaign and invite our partners to participate in it,” stated Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook.
“Our team has done significant work to make this event happen. Previously, the Network Jackpot was available only to SOFTSWISS casino clients. Now, we’re able to offer this solution to all operators on the market – including Game Aggregator clients, clients using third-party platforms, and even Sportsbook clients.
We’re proud to deliver this engagement solution and be part of this significant jackpot drop,” commented Angelina Stasiuk, Head of Business Line at SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator.
The team is focused on providing the market with tools for engagement. Recently, the Sportsbook introduced Player Chat to enhance user engagement.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post First SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Network Jackpot Hits €80,294.89 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
ELA Games’ Yaroslav Soloshenko to Speak at the SBC Digital Conference 2025

Yaroslav Soloshenko, ELA Games’ Business Development Team Lead, will participate in the panel discussion titled “Boosting the appeal of live casino to next-gen players” at the upcoming SBC Digital Conference 2025 on April 17, 2025.
The online full-day conference will gather the iGaming industry’s influential leaders to host in-depth conversations on the most relevant and talked-about topics in the online casino and slots space.
Yaroslav will be part of a three-person panel to discuss the future of online gaming and how live casino features can capture a modern audience. He will highlight how ELA Games’ titles, such as Cash Crab, have a crucial role in inspiring business success for operators with social gamification mechanics while providing a fresh gaming experience for players.
Yaroslav Soloshenko commented, “It’s a pleasure to represent ELA Games at the upcoming SBC Digital Conference, where I’ll join influential panelists to explore how live casino features can evolve to accommodate the next generation of gamers. Our studio has witnessed firsthand how games like Cash Crab, with real-time social and gamification mechanics, can help operators drive engagement and acquire new players in a competitive market. I’m excited to discuss this topic further and provide relevant insights for all attendees.”
The post ELA Games’ Yaroslav Soloshenko to Speak at the SBC Digital Conference 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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