Press Releases
Employees facing increased financial stress in week before payday
fastPAYE finds that almost 78% of UK workers are living payday to payday; anxiety likely to affect staff performance in the gaming sector
Almost half of UK workers who get paid monthly experience heightened money-related worries in the run up to payday, according to research by fastPAYE, the flexible wage application for the modern workforce.
Of those surveyed by the company, which launched a revolutionary wage management system last month that enables betting and casino businesses to pay staff wages on demand, 46% said that their financial concerns increased in the week before receiving their monthly wage packet.
This stress can lead to reliance on high interest credit options to tide workers over, with most people turning to credit cards to see them through the prolonged pay period. More than half of respondents admitted to using one often and at least 20% of those turn to plastic every month.
Overdrafts also provide a fallback with 40% going into the red as payday approaches, while a fifth of employees which took part in the research resort to costly payday loans that can have significant financial consequences.
Credit acquired is most spent on groceries according to the survey, shortly followed by bills, leisure activities and house repairs as workers living payday to payday struggle to cover unexpected costs when they arise.
Backed by sister company ShopWorks, a staff management system provider to some of the biggest gaming and betting brands including Betfred, PaddyPower, Gauselmann, Novomatic, Mecca and Grosvenor, fastPAYE’s research emphasises the impact of the four to five-week pay gap can have on employee financial wellbeing.
Commenting on the findings, Ian Hogg, chairman of fastPAYE, said: “The number of people going through financial anxiety because of the outdated monthly wage system often relied on by the gaming sector is concerning, especially considering that with new technology this stress can be lessened.
“Whether you’re a casino and betting company or a large retailer, if a staff member has money-related worries it is likely to affect their performance in the workplace. But by giving employees early access to a proportion of their earned wages, businesses can give workers greater control over their finances and in turn help to harness a happier workforce.”
fastPAYE launched in January this year to provide a cost-efficient, flexible alternative to the outdated monthly wage system. The application enables businesses to offer salary drawdowns based on completed shifts before payday, and since the fastPAYE model isn’t a loan, it charges no interest.
The company has a strong heritage in the gaming sector through ShopWorks, which has years of experience working in the industry, together with the technical expertise and understanding to address operators’ staff recruitment and retention challenges.
clevaQ
SCCG Partners with clevaQ to Deliver an Integrated End-to-End Ordering Solution Connecting POS, PMS, and Loyalty Ecosystems Across Major Hospitality Operations
SCCG Management, a global advisory firm specializing in gaming, sports betting, iGaming, and hospitality technology, announced a strategic partnership with clevaQ, a fully agnostic, integrated ordering solution that seamlessly connects operators to their best-of-breed systems, purpose-built for gaming and hospitality venues.
clevaQ’s newest ground-breaking solution, clevaQ Bridge, enables guests to order directly from gaming machines, delivering a true VIP experience at every EGM. Players can order paid or complimentary food and beverage at the machine via the respective touchscreen, seamlessly integrating ordering into the gaming journey without interrupting play. Fully connected to the venue’s member loyalty ecosystem, the solution allows members to earn and redeem benefits through the gaming system, with all transactions settling directly through the venue’s Point of Sale and Property Management systems.
Under the agreement, SCCG will lead global sales distribution, enterprise introductions, and strategic business development for clevaQ across commercial casinos, tribal gaming enterprises, regional operators, integrated resorts, and hospitality groups. The partnership positions clevaQ for accelerated expansion into complex, multi-outlet gaming environments where guest experience, member engagement, and operational efficiency are critical drivers of growth.
clevaQ delivers a comprehensive ordering ecosystem that connects a venue’s POS, member loyalty, and property management systems into a single, complete solution. As a truly agnostic platform, clevaQ integrates seamlessly with existing technology stacks, allowing operators to modernize ordering and loyalty engagement without replacing infrastructure. Transactions synchronize across systems in real time, providing unified visibility across gaming and hospitality spend.
With clevaQ, guests can enjoy the same seamless ordering experience in-room, poolside, while dining at the table, or directly from the EGM, creating a consistent, property-wide commerce environment across every touchpoint.
Venues are empowered by providing guests a comprehensive ordering experience, with tailored options for upsell, specials, marketing campaigns, scheduling controls, and fully customized theming to match brand identity. clevaQ’s ability to support multiple outlets within a single cart experience increases average order values, simplifies service flow during peak periods, and strengthens non-gaming revenue performance, all while reinforcing loyalty participation.
“The gaming and hospitality industries are rapidly evolving toward integrated, guest-first service models,” said Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management. “clevaQ provides operators with a comprehensive commerce layer that connects ordering, member loyalty ecosystems, and gaming systems into one cohesive environment. Through our global advisory network and distribution capabilities, we look forward to accelerating clevaQ’s adoption across commercial and tribal gaming markets seeking scalable, system-compatible innovation.”
“clevaQ was built to be the industry’s most complete and agnostic ordering system which connects your own best of breed, allowing operators to maintain their chosen sources of truth while providing an enhanced user experience for their guests and members” said Paul Pisani, Founder and Managing Director of clevaQ. “We do not require operators to rip and replace existing systems. Instead, we unify POS, loyalty, PMS, and on prem communications into a single digital journey that enhances the guest experience while preserving prior investments. Our partnership with SCCG accelerates our ability to bring this solution to operators globally.”
As gaming operators continue to prioritize non-gaming revenue growth and seamless member engagement, the partnership between SCCG and clevaQ represents a strategic alignment between advanced venue commerce technology and a global advisory platform positioned to support enterprise deployment and long-term market expansion.
The post SCCG Partners with clevaQ to Deliver an Integrated End-to-End Ordering Solution Connecting POS, PMS, and Loyalty Ecosystems Across Major Hospitality Operations appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gambling in the USA
Digicode at NEXT.io Summit NYC 2026: Driving the Future of iGaming Technology
Digicode, a leading provider of next-generation iGaming solutions, announced its participation in NEXT.io Summit NYC 2026: Innovation in iGaming, one of North America’s most influential iGaming and sports betting events taking place March 10–11, 2026, at Convene, 225 Liberty Street, Downtown New York.
NEXT.io Summit NYC 2026 brings together more than 1,200 senior executives, investors, technology leaders, operators, and innovators from across the global iGaming and sports betting ecosystem to explore breakthrough technologies, partnerships, and growth opportunities shaping the future of online gaming.
“At a time when the industry is rapidly evolving, NEXT.io Summit NYC serves as the premier stage for strategic conversation, innovation, and partnership,” said Elkhan Shabanov, CEO of Digicode Americas. “We’re excited to showcase our cutting-edge solutions that empower operators and suppliers to build faster, scale smarter, and take ownership of their technology stack.”
During NEXT.io Summit NYC 2026, Digicode will demonstrate how the Diger Suite empowers iGaming businesses to modernize their technology stack, offering a modular ecosystem of advanced solutions engineered to replace legacy systems with flexible, scalable, and performance-driven infrastructure:
- DigerRGS – Next-generation iGaming platform with full IP control and capacity for high throughput performance
- DigerPAM – Cross-market ready player account management system
- DigerPay – PSP-agnostic payment gateway supporting 200+ methods with real-time fraud protection
- DigerClick – Fully owned affiliate management platform with customizable tools and analytics
- DigerCompanion – AI-driven assistant for multilingual support, responsible gaming automation, and compliance management
During the event, Digicode experts will share real-world use cases and actionable frameworks to help industry leaders transition from legacy constraints to competitive advantage. Key topics include scaling rent-to-own iGaming platforms, automating support and compliance with AI, building resilient payment stacks, owning affiliate systems, and operating in regulated markets with adaptive technology.
The post Digicode at NEXT.io Summit NYC 2026: Driving the Future of iGaming Technology appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Latest News
NFL LEGEND ROB GRONKOWSKI TAKES ON HIGH-STAKES POKER PROS ON POKERSTARS BIG GAME ON TOUR IN LAS VEGAS
Gronk makes high-stakes debut taking on poker legends Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari
Four-time Super Bowl champion and FanDuel Ambassador Rob Gronkowski is competing in a new arena as the former NFL tight end makes his high-stakes poker debut in Las Vegas on PokerStar’s The Big Game on Tour. Gronk goes head-to-head with some of the game’s best-known pros.
Known for his dominance on the football field and his larger-than-life personality, Gronk tests his competitive instincts at the poker table, where he is reading opponents, attempting a poker-face, cracking jokes and cracking aces when trying to take down pots worth thousands.
Gronk joins a table that includes:
- Phil Hellmuth, 17-time World Series of Poker champion
- Antonio Esfandiari, one of poker’s most recognisable high-stake pros
- Rania Nasreddine, a rising star known for fearless play
- Nick Wright, sports broadcaster and analyst
- Luke Waekelin, the loose cannon who earned his seat playing online on PokerStars
Season 2 of The Big Game on Tour features high stakes cash game action filmed in Las Vegas during the PokerStars North American Poker Tour and blends established poker players with celebrity competitors and ambitious qualifiers. The result is an unpredictable mix of elite gameplay, competitive ego and real money drama. Gronk’s appearance highlights the crossover appeal between professional sports and poker where competitors use skills in psychology, risk-taking and performance under pressure.
New episodes air weekly beginning Sunday, March 8 with the season culminating on April 5. Episodes are available via PokerStars’ YouTube channels.
Season 2 Release Schedule:
- Sunday, March 8 – BGOT Season 2 Episode 11
- Sunday, March 15 – BGOT Season 2 Episode 12
- Sunday, March 22 – BGOT Season 2 Episode 13
- Sunday, March 29 – BGOT Season 2 Episode 14
- Sunday, April 5 – BGOT Season 2 Episode 15
The latest season arrives just in time to celebrate the launch of FanDuel and PokerStars in the US, marking the coming together of the two brands.
To find out more, head to the PokerStars Blog.
For more details, please contact [email protected].
More information on responsible gaming can be found at: pokerstars.com/about/responsible-gaming/
The post NFL LEGEND ROB GRONKOWSKI TAKES ON HIGH-STAKES POKER PROS ON POKERSTARS BIG GAME ON TOUR IN LAS VEGAS appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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