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

Published

6 years ago

July 9, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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

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.

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

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.

Gems of Ra 3 Pots

Evoplay Opens the Portal to Wealth in Gems of Ra 3 Pots

Published

35 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

evoplay-opens-the-portal-to-wealth-in-gems-of-ra-3-pots

Evoplay, the acclaimed game development studio, has unveiled a sunlit Egyptian tale with the launch of Gems of Ra 3 Pots, its newest slot game where holy riches and celestial enhancements influence every spin.

Nestled among majestic pyramids, Gems of Ra 3 Pots crafts a realm overseen by the deities Anubis, Horus, and Isis, each bestowing distinct abilities that alter the Bonus Game.

Wilds show up on reels two to five, replacing all standard symbols to form winning combinations. They can appear as individual icons or in complete stacks, boosting the likelihood of triggering payouts in the base game.

Central to the experience are four kinds of Bonus symbols: Blue, Red, Green, and Money, each with random values and the chance to activate Mini, Mega, and Super jackpots.

Activating the Bonus Game occurs when landing Blue, Red, or Green symbols with a matching booster. The Extra Wealth enhancer boosts the worth of as many as four Bonus symbols, while Extra Reels introduces a separate independent bonus area, with both grids merging their rewards at the conclusion of the round. The Extra Spins booster enhances the feature to four spins, prolonging the pursuit of treasure even more.

The Bonus Game can be activated with one, two, or all three boosters at the same time. In this feature, only Money Bonus symbols are present, and gathering all 15 spots grants access to the Grand Jackpot.

Featuring win potential exceeding 6,000x, the game combines a traditional Egyptian slot ambiance with a contemporary feature design centered on strategy-focused bonus upgrades.

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Gems of Ra 3 Pots is all about discovery and escalation. We wanted to create a slot that captures the grandeur of Egyptian mythology while giving players meaningful ways to influence the Bonus Game through the different god-powered boosters.

“It’s a title that combines atmosphere, clarity, and strong win potential, offering a fresh take on a theme players continue to love.”

The post Evoplay Opens the Portal to Wealth in Gems of Ra 3 Pots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

bet365

Peter & Sons Joins bet365 in Strategic Multi‑Market Collaboration

Published

35 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

peter-&-sons-joins-bet365-in-strategic-multi‑market-collaboration

Maverick game studio Peter & Sons has revealed a significant new collaboration with bet365, a top online gambling operator globally, enhancing its foothold in essential regulated markets around the world.

Peter & Sons’ unique portfolio has now launched with bet365 in the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and various other regulated markets, providing fully localized and compliant experiences customized for players in each region. The launch signifies an important achievement for the studio, emphasizing its dedication to controlled expansion and enduring strategic alliances.

Established in 2019 with a goal to represent the “anti-boring,” Peter & Sons has gained acclaim for striking art direction, engaging narratives, and creative mechanics. Through the integration of exceptional artistry, mathematics, and sound creation, the studio consistently produces top-performing games that shine in competitive markets.

bet365 is internationally acknowledged for its technology-focused platform, strict regulatory adherence, and exceptional player experience. Catering to millions of clients in regulated regions, the operator is recognized for collaborating with top suppliers to improve its varied gaming portfolio.

The partnership is expected to grow further in the upcoming months, with Italy, Brazil, Ontario, Greece, and Sweden already confirmed as new launch markets. This gradual implementation will greatly expand the worldwide availability of Peter & Sons’ content, presenting its distinctive collection to a wider global audience.

Yann Bautista, Commercial Director and Founder at Peter & Sons commented: “Partnering with bet365 represents an important step in our regulated market strategy. bet365’s reputation for technological excellence and compliance aligns perfectly with our long-term vision. We are proud to see our games live across several major jurisdictions and look forward to expanding this collaboration even further.”

Clement Le Scanff, bet365 Head of Gaming Commercial and Operations, said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Peter & Sons. This collaboration is testament to our commitment to providing cutting-edge content that enhances the customer experience and delivers engaging, entertaining gameplay.”

The post Peter & Sons Joins bet365 in Strategic Multi‑Market Collaboration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alina Mihaela Popa Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21

ICONIC21 Boosts Romania Operations Through VivaBet Alliance

Published

35 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-boosts-romania-operations-through-vivabet-alliance

ICONIC21 advances its strategic growth in regulated markets through a new collaboration with VivaBet, a rapidly expanding online casino operator in Romania.

By means of this agreement, sought-after supplier ICONIC21 provides a collection of more than 15 live casino games, enhancing VivaBet’s selection with content focused on performance.

VivaBet established a solid presence in the Romanian market by emphasizing a varied casino selection and a user-friendly platform designed for local users. Functioning within Romanian regulations, the brand persists in investing to broaden its content library to stay pertinent in a fiercely competitive landscape.

The inclusion of ICONIC21’s live casino collection helps achieve this goal by presenting contemporary studios, rapid gameplay, and multiplier-driven features that enhance player involvement.

Among the games going live with VivaBet are some of ICONIC21’s strongest performers:

· Gravity Blackjack

· Gravity Roulette

· Multiple variations of Baccarat

The Gravity Series, recognized for its multiplier mechanics integrated into classic formats, introduces an additional dimension to conventional table games. This strategy has reliably produced high engagement metrics in various markets.

Merging traditional casino elements with improved payout opportunities and refined studio aesthetics, the collection meets the desires of Romanian players who are progressively pursuing both recognition and extra thrill.

Commenting on the partnership, Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, said: “Romania is a key regulated market for us, and partnering with VivaBet marks another important step in strengthening our footprint locally. We see strong demand for live content that blends classic gameplay with modern mechanics, particularly within our Gravity Series. Collaborating with an operator that understands its audience and is focused on continuous growth allows us to deliver real value.”

From VivaBet’s side, Matei Secaci, Head of Casino, added: “We are pleased to integrate ICONIC21’s live portfolio into our platform. Expanding our array of games with a provider that is growing quickly and investing in high quality production enables us to further enhance the experience we offer our players. The addition of titles such as Gravity Blackjack and Gravity Roulette brings fresh energy to our live casino section.”

The partnership with VivaBet is a key element of ICONIC21’s wider growth plan in regulated European markets. Through providing adaptable integration, a varied live portfolio, and studio-led innovation, the company remains a dependable partner for operators in search of unique live casino content.

With the increasing demand for interactive, enhanced live games, collaborations like this one strengthen ICONIC21’s dedication to providing scalable, performance-oriented solutions customized to the requirements of each market.

The post ICONIC21 Boosts Romania Operations Through VivaBet Alliance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.