Industry News
Covid-19 – A message from UKGC chair, Neil McArthur to online gambling operators
Since I wrote to you last week, the response to Covid-19 has affected everyone in Great Britain.
Over the last week, I have spoken to representatives across the industry and understand the significant impact that these uncertain and unsettling events are having on your businesses, your customers and your employees. We have been drawing up an initial assessment on the impact recent events will have on the gambling industry and assessing how we should approach our own work over the coming months.
Protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed by gambling has always been a major priority and we are very mindful – as you should be – of the fact that the risks of harm arising from online gambling have increased as a result of recent events. As you know, the social distancing measures that have been imposed this week now mean that anyone other than key workers will be at home for most of the day. We are already seeing reports of an increase in online slots, poker, casino gaming and virtual sports.
In light of these developments, whilst I recognise the enormous challenges businesses are facing, I want to make the Commission’s expectations absolutely clear:
- Consumer protection must be paramount
- We expect you to act responsibly, especially around individual customer affordability checks and increased social responsibility interactions.
- We expect you to be very mindful that customers may be vulnerable and experiencing financial uncertainty, whilst others may be experiencing other effects of being isolated including, for example, feelings of anxiety, loneliness or boredom.
- We expect you to know your customers and step in if they are showing signs that they are experiencing or at risk of harm.
- Marketing must be conducted responsibly
- We expect you to on-board new customers in a socially responsible way.
- You must not exploit the current situation for marketing purposes and should be very cautious when seeking to cross-sell online gaming products to customers who signed up with you in order to bet.
- We expect you to ensure that your affiliates are conducting themselves appropriately.
- Compliance with licence conditions and codes of practice
- We expect you to act in a way that minimises the risks to the licensing objectives.
- Treat consumers fairly and communicate with them in a clear way that allows them to make a properly informed judgment about whether to gamble.
- Work with the Commission in an open and co-operative way and act in accordance with both the letter or the spirit of the regulatory framework we have set.
If we see irresponsible behaviour we will step in immediately. So, whilst I know that the current climate is unprecedented, gambling operators must play their part in making sure that people are kept safe.
If you want to share your own analysis of impacts to the industry, or share other information that may be relevant to our work on this issue, you can talk to Ben Haden, Programme Director for Industry Insight, who is collating all of the information about how Covid-19 is affecting the industry.
If you have information or concerns about the behaviour of an operator then our Confidential Intelligence Hotline is continuing to take calls or you can email the team. Finally, you can continue to contact your Account Manager in the normal way to notify of any key events or questions you have during this time. If you have other questions or queries, please let us know and we will do our best to get you an answer.
Yours sincerely,
Neil McArthur
Carsten Koerl Founder and CEO of Sportradar
Sportradar Introduces Playradar, Delivering Sports-Data-Backed Casino Content to Operators Around the Globe
New brand to link sportsbook and casino experiences via exclusive hybrid content.
Sportradar Group AG, a prominent worldwide sports technology firm that develops engaging experiences for sports enthusiasts and bettors, today unveiled Playradar, a specialized brand providing a comprehensive ecosystem of interconnected gaming experiences for international operators. This signifies the subsequent phase in the development of Sportradar’s iGaming operations.
Sportradar has recently appointed Edo Haitin, the former CEO of Playtech Live, to head its iGaming division as part of this expansion. Haitin offers over 20 years of experience in iGaming operations, live casino development, and executive leadership, contributing senior-level knowledge to enhance Sportradar’s iGaming expansion.
Playradar will leverage Sportradar’s live and historical sports data and AV streams, combined with casino games, to create unique, proprietary, hybrid products featuring:
- Live 24/7 Experience Centre – players will be offered a game and a live stream to watch simultaneously on the same screen, blending sports viewing and gaming for pure engagement or betting real money. This creates a community and opportunities for players to interact in real-time, sharing tips, game preferences and reactions.
- Live & Historical Streaming Sports/Casino Hybrid Content – transforming real sporting moments into interactive event driven gameplay by blending live and historical sports streaming with casino mechanics to create innovative hybrid gaming experiences. A live prediction product will also be powered by Sportradar’s live data.
- Premium iGaming Content – virtual sports and a full suite of casino games, from slots and table games to arcade and crash, developed to the highest standards for a positive player experience.
Sportradar is exceptionally poised to expand its iGaming operations by leveraging its current game studio, sports data knowledge, streaming abilities, and worldwide distribution network. The marketing, acquisition, and retention technologies of the company utilize profound understanding of player behavior across both betting and iGaming sectors, strengthening Sportradar’s connections with sportsbook and casino operators globally. Since most of Sportradar’s clients already function in both areas, iGaming serves as an organic pathway to foster sustained monetization and lifetime value in conjunction with betting.
Playradar will function solely in regulated markets, incorporating responsible gaming and integrity into each product it offers. Game launches are planned for 2026, starting in the UK, North America, and Latin America. The complete product lineup will include classic table games, arcade games, slots, and virtual sports.
Carsten Koerl, Founder and CEO of Sportradar, said: “iGaming represents a natural and scalable extension of our business, and a strategic acceleration of our long-term growth roadmap. Playradar content is designed to provide optimized cross-sell between the worlds of sport and casinos, helping operators to increase player value and session length at a time when engagement and retention are key to operational sustainability. In Edo, we have an experienced and proven industry leader to drive the business forward, with the support of a passionate and dedicated team.”
Edo Haitin, EVP of iGaming added: “By combining our unrivalled experience in sports data and live streaming, along with a proven track record of product development, we aim to create hybrid content and gaming experiences to capitalize on the rising popularity of sports casino consumption. We’re uniquely positioned to seamlessly blend live and historical sports events, innovative gaming mechanics, and casino content and have the advantage of being able to distribute games to an already licensed portfolio of operators. I’m incredibly excited to be further strengthening our iGaming business through Playradar and to grow it into a leader in iGaming content, leveraging Sportradar’s existing resources and the highly experienced and skilled team already in place.”
The post Sportradar Introduces Playradar, Delivering Sports-Data-Backed Casino Content to Operators Around the Globe appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI
Table Trac Introduces Patent-Pending Artificial Intelligence Technology for Table Games
Table Trac Inc. (TBTC) has received patent-pending status from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its proprietary AI-driven Table Games Manager / Manager Trainer. The system leverages machine learning trained on decades of table games transactional data and pit player data to create distinct player personas designed to challenge both human pit managers and artificial intelligence systems.
The solution is delivered through a realistic gaming floor simulation environment, allowing the generation of a simulated gaming floor to be configured. Each training session utilizes a randomized mix of the player personas, creating a continually changing set of scenarios that never repeat. This approach enables trainees to compete head-to-head against the AI, optimize floor decisions to improve yield, and better understand the factors driving each decision.
While initially developed for table games management and training, the underlying artificial intelligence, simulation, and decision support framework has broader applicability across the CasinoTrac platform. Management is exploring additional use cases for this technology across the Company’s suite of casino management solutions, reinforcing CasinoTrac’s long-term product roadmap and innovation strategy.
The post Table Trac Introduces Patent-Pending Artificial Intelligence Technology for Table Games appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
GR8 Tech
GR8 Tech Unveils Major Platform Enhancements Ahead of the World Cup
GR8 Tech is implementing a series of platform-wide enhancements designed to help operators maximize performance during the year’s biggest sporting event. With the World Cup expected to drive massive traffic, repeated betting surges, and intense competition for player acquisition, these updates focus on the areas that most directly impact operator results. The improvements aim to help partners convert more traffic, retain more players, and extract greater value throughout the entire tournament journey.
“World Cup traffic by itself does not guarantee better results. What matters is how well operators can turn that attention into acquisition, conversion, retention, and long-term player value,” said Denys Parkhomenko, Chief Product Officer at GR8 Tech. “That is where our focus is right now. We are enhancing the sportsbook experience, expanding engagement and loyalty tools, and advancing our crypto capabilities to help partners make the most of the biggest opportunity of the year.”
Key Areas of Focus
1. Sportsbook
The sportsbook is receiving a comprehensive upgrade, including redesigned navigation for easier event discovery, improved campaign visibility, and enhanced Bet Builder functionality. Additional updates include quick-access, player-specific markets and new Odds Boost features, balancing player appeal with margin control.
2. Engagement and Retention
GR8 Tech is expanding its loyalty and bonus systems with a VIP-focused program, automated bonus mechanics, more flexible bonus selection, and enriched casino and sports-related engagement tools. The update also includes updated tournament settings and the introduction of new game content to enhance player retention.
3. Crypto
The company is strengthening its crypto offering with early-stage player segmentation based on wallet transaction history, more flexible VIP and risk management before first deposit, and smoother wallet-based payments, including ramp payments and direct top-ups via WalletConnect and other wallets.
Across the platform, these updates are designed to help operators capitalize on the World Cup’s peak traffic, delivering measurable improvements at every stage of the player journey. Detailed release notes will follow, highlighting specific product enhancements and the developments shaping GR8 Tech’s World Cup-ready platform.
GR8 Tech – Platform for Champions
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider of high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Its portfolio includes Crypto Turnkey and Hyper Turnkey solutions, ULTIM8 Sportsbook, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and the proprietary affiliate management platform Aff.Tech.
With a geo-specific, operator-first approach, GR8 Tech delivers practical innovations that drive measurable results quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, the company has over 100 successful deployments and multiple industry recognitions, including Platform Provider of the Year at the SBC Awards 2025.
The post GR8 Tech Unveils Major Platform Enhancements Ahead of the World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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