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How the UKGC Ban on Credit Cards Affected Payment Provider Industry and Consumer Habits

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The UK Gambling Commission ban on the use of credit cards has challenged consumers and businesses, seeking to adapt to the new requirements. 

On April 14th, the new UKGC ban came into effect, prohibiting the use of credit cards to top-up online gambling accounts: the measure was instituted in an effort to mitigate financial risks for consumers and prevent them from gambling with the money they do not possess. The new regulation challenged some of the prevalent consumer habits and pushed payment vendors to expand the scope of their services.

Agnė Selemonaitė, Deputy CEO at ConnectPay, shared her insights on the impact it had for both sides of the market.
Impact for payment service providers

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According to Ms. Selemonaitė, current changes the industry is going through will affect not only the bettors’ spending habits, but also payment gateway providers, aiming to supply the market with flexible, as well as compliant, solutions.

“Our focus has always been on being proactive towards any new developments in the market. That’s why even amidst lockdown we pivoted towards integrating more payment methods into our Merchant API to provide gambling vendors with more options to facilitate payments,” explained A. Selemonaitė.

According to Selemonaitė, more and more gambling sites are getting into partnerships with payment service providers, seeking to streamline settlements for their regular bettors and provide a greater on-site experience. As ConnectPay aims to continue growing its payments selection, Selemonaitė encourages operators to look into how leveraging diverse solutions could help better match their clients expectations.

As the opinions on the policy are two-fold, A. Selemonaitė noted that every decision, with the goal of mitigating risks for consumers, should be a welcomed initiative. That said, it is important that alternative solutions rolled out into the market would meet both vendor and consumer needs, but with added safety, while being compliant with the new measures. “In order for business to welcome new measures, regulators need to stay focused on setting up such an environment that fosters the development of a holistic system and doesn’t hinder scaling opportunities,” she added.
What are the alternatives for consumers?

The operators’ commitment to enable clients to continue enjoying their favorite pastime while spending within reason led betters to get accustomed with various other payment options.

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Visa and Mastercard debit cards

Using a debit card is almost identical to using a credit card, with the main difference that with the prior, the funds are taken directly from the checking bank account, rather than being charged to a line of credit to be paid for later. This ensures that the bettors themselves verify payments, and help protect the account from scammers’ malicious intent.

Prepaid cards

Many providers, such as ConnectPay, issue prepaid cards, which, unlike debit, are not linked to a bank account to draw money from. Instead, the customer is spending money that has been loaded onto the card beforehand. Prepaid cards are limited by default, therefore one can only access the amount of funds that have already been vouched for.

E-wallets

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Although the credit card ban extends to e-wallets, they can still be used for gambling-related payments with the exception that the service does not support credit lending. Similar to prepaid cards, e-wallets require money to be loaded prior to any transaction. It is an appealing alternative as it offers faster payouts and enables switching back and forth between different gambling sites with ease.

Cryptocurrency

Another method to deposit money is using a cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin. It provides total anonymity, as no personal details are shared with the site, making it one of the most secure alternatives. Although many do not understand the inner workings of the crypto industry, it remains a viable option for all tech-savvy betters.

Even though some may still be unconvinced about the necessity of the new legislation, it is shaping up to be a sound solution, which could lead to heightened industry transparency, as well as provide consumers with more payment options to choose from. However, its true impact on the industry will show only after some time.

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Ezugi launches EZ Marble Race Monaco – a new spin on RNG gaming

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Ezugi, part of the Evolution Group, has released EZ Marble Race Monaco, the first in a new series of eye-catching games that combine the thrill of marble racing with cinematic visuals. This unique title blends pre-recorded race footage with Ezugi’s licensed RNG technology, ensuring every outcome is truly random.

Set against the glamorous backdrop of Monte Carlo, players watch five colourful marbles—red, blue, green, white, and yellow—race down a twisting track inspired by Monaco’s iconic streets. It’s an unpredictable, fast-paced experience that keeps players guessing to the very end.

According to Ezugi’s Chief Growth Officer, Ben Zairi, “I am confident that players will enjoy this new, fast-paced game and appreciate its cinematic experience. While the game features pre-recorded clips of real balls and a physical track, our technology still allows us to reskin it with different background themes or even offer a privately-branded version tailored to any client’s styling and design.”

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Zairi added: “Ezugi is pioneering the hybrid game space, combining real assets with licensed RNG, as well as live streaming with pre-recorded elements. We will launch several additional exciting products during the second half of the year. Stay tuned!”

EZ Marble Race Monaco also introduces a range of betting options—from choosing the winner to predicting the top five order—with payouts up to 71:1. It’s designed to deliver both fun and the potential for big wins.

The game starts a new chapter in hybrid RNG gaming for Ezugi, with more editions like EZ Marble Race Las Vegas on the way. Its modular design makes it easy to localise and tailor for operators across global markets.

Following the success of past titles like Magic Claw and Fortune Pusher, this release continues Ezugi’s mission to merge engaging gameplay with familiar betting mechanics. Available via Ezugi’s platform and Evolution’s One Stop Shop integration, EZ Marble Race Monaco is plug-and-play ready with full marketing support and promotional assets included.

The post Ezugi launches EZ Marble Race Monaco – a new spin on RNG gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Push Gaming reels off Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch

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B2B gaming supplier Push Gaming has returned to the deep blue with Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch, a reimagined follow-up to one of its most beloved recent titles.

Building on the charm and success of the original Fish ‘n’ Nudge, Big Catch brings fresh energy to the series with a new take on free spins and added layers of excitement designed to engage both loyal fans and new players.

While retaining the iconic visuals and light-hearted theme that made Fish ‘n’ Nudge a standout, this release delves deeper beneath the surface to deliver more action and anticipation.

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Among the new features are locking net symbols, which boost the chances of catching fish and can reel in extra free spins. The addition of individual reel multipliers, increased by the powerful boost symbol, creates the potential for significant wins, keeping each spin loaded with promise.

Crafted with Push Gaming’s signature focus on player-centric design, Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch is a bold evolution of a proven favourite. It retains the approachable gameplay and visual charm of the original, while introducing dynamic mechanics that enhance engagement and replayability.

Jack Wood, Game Producer at Push Gaming, said: “With Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch, we wanted to evolve a concept that players already love, while bringing something fresh to the experience. It’s all about building on what works, adding excitement through new mechanics, and keeping the gameplay feeling sharp and rewarding.

“This title exemplifies our approach to development by listening to players, refining proven features, and delivering content that’s both entertaining and effective for our partners.”

The post Push Gaming reels off Fish ‘n’ Nudge Big Catch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Evoplay brings e-instant win content to Azərlotereya OJSC

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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has partnered with Azərlotereya OJSC, the state-owned lottery operator in Azerbaijan, to bring its acclaimed e-instant game portfolio to the country’s players.

The partnership sees Evoplay provide a series of high-performing e-instant win titles to Azərlotereya OJSC’s digital platforms, with Penalty Shoot-out: Super Cup, Hot Slice, and Tap Craze already live, and additional games such as Adrenaline Rush, Big Catch, and Thimbles scheduled to launch later this month.

As a member of the World Lottery Association, Azərlotereya operates lottery and sports betting games across both retail and online channels under the Azərlotereya and Misli brands. The operator plays a key role in Azerbaijan’s national gaming strategy and is recognised for its commitment to responsible, sustainable growth.

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Partnering with a state-run lottery marks another significant milestone for Evoplay, as it enters the Azerbaijani market for the first time and expands its presence in the regulated lottery sector.

Each game has been tailored to Azərlotereya OJSC’s platforms, with localised content, currency and language, as well as modifications to support the lottery’s Responsible Gaming policies.

Frank Cecchini, Head of Lottery at Evoplay, said: “We are incredibly proud and pleased that Azərlotereya, a member of the World Lottery Association, has chosen our games to help with generating revenue for their good causes.

“E-instant games are still a relatively new offering for many state operators, and we’re proud to support Azərlotereya in enhancing its digital entertainment portfolio.”

Ashraf Pashabayli, iGaming Product Manager at Azərlotereya, added: “It was a great experience working with Evoplay. Evoplay responded to all our requests with great professionalism and attention to detail. We got the games exactly how we wanted them and look forward to continued success.”

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The post Evoplay brings e-instant win content to Azərlotereya OJSC appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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