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findings, Ian Hogg, chairman of fastPAYE, said: “The number of people going through financial anxiety because of the outdated monthly wage system often relied on by the gaming sector is concerning, especially considering that with new technology this stress can be lessened.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fastPAYE launched in January this year to provide a cost-efficient, flexible alternative to the outdated monthly wage system.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.
Press Releases
Clarifying Our Editorial Policy on Non-Gamstop Gambling Content

In response to recent questions around the presence of non-Gamstop casino content on our platform, HIPTHER would like to clarify its editorial stance. While such articles were accepted as part of past collaborations, we do not endorse gambling among self-excluded individuals, and these posts do not reflect our future publishing direction. As a global B2B media company, our commitment remains firmly rooted in ethical content, industry transparency, and responsible gambling advocacy.
A Note on Our Editorial Policy Regarding Non-Gamstop Content
Recently, we published a limited number of articles that referenced non-Gamstop casinos — platforms operating outside the UK’s regulatory framework. While these were accepted as part of wider editorial collaborations, we want to clarify our stance.
HIPTHER does not promote gambling to individuals under self-exclusion, nor is our target audience UK-based players. We are a global B2B media organization covering international markets and industry developments.
That said, we recognize the sensitivity around content related to non-UKGC platforms — particularly in the context of responsible gambling. We’ve reviewed the matter internally and have decided:
✅ We will not be publishing similar content in the future.
✅ We will be updating any existing articles with clear disclaimers and responsible gambling resources.
✅ We remain committed to ethical coverage and transparency in everything we publish.
Our focus continues to be on highlighting innovation, regulation, and forward-thinking trends in the gaming industry — across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. Player safety matters, and we believe media has a role to play in setting higher standards.
—
The HIPTHER Editorial Team
We Welcome Dialogue
We remain open to feedback and collaboration with partners, readers, and stakeholders who share our values around ethical industry coverage and player protection. For comments or inquiries, please contact us.
The post Clarifying Our Editorial Policy on Non-Gamstop Gambling Content appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Russell Ferris appointed Managing Director at Racecourse Media Group

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has appointed Russell Ferris to the new role of Managing Director.
Russell, currently CEO of Weatherbys Ltd, will be joining RMG on August 18.
He can count on more than 20 years of senior management and directorial experience in the racing industry, including as Managing Director of Limerick Racecourse and Director, Ireland for At The Races. He joined Weatherbys Ireland in 2016 and was promoted to Weatherbys Ltd Group CEO three years later.
Nick Mills, CEO of RMG, said: “Russell is highly regarded within the industry and will bring a wealth of expertise, experience and enthusiasm to RMG. Russell will oversee and further align the Commercial and Broadcast departments and help take the business to new levels in terms of innovation, engagement and revenues. I very much look forward to welcoming Russell to RMG in August.”
Russell, who also sits as a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of Racing Digital and Venture Bio, said: “I am delighted to be joining a great team at RMG and very much looking forward to the new challenge. RMG play a pivotal role within the industry both domestically and internationally, and I am excited by the company’s vision to further enhance the sport’s appeal, reach and engagement to ensure a bright future for all.
“I’d like to thank the Weatherbys family for the opportunity provided to me. It has been fantastic to see the business develop and diversify in recent years, and I know that I leave it in great hands with Sharon O’Regan and a talented team across the business.”
The post Russell Ferris appointed Managing Director at Racecourse Media Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry Awards
SOFTSWISS Named Online Casino Innovator in CEE 2025

SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider, won the Online Casino Innovator in CEE title at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2025 with its forward-thinking Game Aggregator. The award celebrated companies that drive innovation, excellence, and leadership in the iGaming and tech landscape across Central and Eastern Europe.
SOFTSWISS continues to lead online casino innovation in the CEE region with its Game Aggregator – one of the largest and most advanced game hubs in the iGaming industry. The solution offers over 27,800 exclusive games from 280+ leading providers, supporting more than 1,250 brands. Operators can integrate it via a one-time API as a standalone product for any third-party platform or as part of the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.
The Game Aggregator offers a vast portfolio of RNG and live games for desktop and mobile, including slots, table games, crash, and casual games – many optimised for crypto gameplay. The content is fully localised to suit operators’ target markets, supporting multiple languages, currencies, and regional preferences.
The Game Aggregator is certified to operate across key markets in Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with licenses or compliance in countries like Greece, Romania, Spain, Brazil, Nigeria, and South Africa. The platform provides powerful innovations that help operators grow their business effectively:
- Tournament Tool: A versatile tool that enables operators to launch custom competitions in five simple steps. With mechanics like total bets, highest multiplier, and total wins, this solution saw an 80% growth in adoption by operators in 2024.
- Crash Games in Tournaments: A new integration that elevates engagement.
- Non-Monetary Prizes: Enhances reward variety with trips, gadgets, and more.
- GGR Report Builder: Aggregates performance data across all games and providers.
- Jackpots for Crash and Live Games: Implemented via the Jackpot Aggregator integration, leading to over 50% growth in average total player value.
Alena Bekus, Deputy Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, comments on the win:
“This award is a meaningful recognition of our team’s continuous efforts to build not just a product, but a powerful ecosystem that supports our partners’ growth. We constantly listen to our clients, innovate based on their needs, and work to deliver a flexible, scalable, and forward-thinking solution that meets the evolving demands of the iGaming market.”
By focusing on operator success, player engagement, and industry adaptability, SOFTSWISS continues to deliver forward-thinking solutions that set new benchmarks. Winning this award reaffirms the company’s role as a true innovator in iGaming.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in 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, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Named Online Casino Innovator in CEE 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Aristocrat Interactive6 days ago
Aristocrat Interactive Delivers Custom Branded Game “Caesars Ultimate Stars” for Caesars Sportsbook & Casino
-
Blokotech7 days ago
Blokotech appoints Nicolas Castearena as Commercial Director LATAM
-
BCLC7 days ago
BCLC Launches “What’s played here stays here” Campaign
-
Latest News6 days ago
Embark on an Epic Adventure with Jenny Nevada in the Diamond Temple at SlotsCapital.lv – Enjoy a 150% Deposit Bonus
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Continent 8 achieves ISO 50001 certification, championing responsible energy management in its data centres
-
Latest News7 days ago
Enhanced bonus play and stylish collects await in Blueprint Gaming’s Kong 3 Even Bigger Bonus™
-
Cryptocurrency6 days ago
Slotland Entertainment Rolls out Dazzling New Slot, 8 Crystals, Across Multiple Brands with new Cryptocurrency Integration
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
UKGC to Introduce New Rules to Increase Safety and Simplicity of Consumer Promotional Offers