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New watchdog formed to protect punter’s interests

Published

6 years ago

September 21, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A new voluntary organisation has been formed with the aim of protecting members of the betting public from rogue tipsters. The UK Association of Sports Tipping has just launched after 2 well known reviewers joined forces to organise things.

Chris Sowerby and Peter Philipson together have conducted over 2000 service reviews and have wide experience of the range of tipsters that are available. They commented that “UKAST will for the first time allow punters to check if a service being promoted operates in an open and honest manner.”

UKAST’s aim is to offer independent verification and accountability for tipster services operating in the UK. It provides objective information to allow potential customers to make informed choices about tipster services, whilst at the same time providing genuine and authentic services with a recognisable accreditation that attests to their fairness, transparency and integrity.

All membership applications will be actively vetted and approved members will be entered on the public database. In addition a disputes resolution facility is available which certified members have agreed to comply with.

Approved members may display their registered details with a watermarked badge as shown.

The first commercial member is Bet Chat which publishes football services and general betting advice. Founder Josh Allen said “The sports tipping industry has been sorely in need of a verification body for many years now. Not only does the lack of one lead to consumers falling foul of scams and incompetent tipping, it also results in scepticism around genuine tipster platforms.

In Chris and Peter, UKAST is run by two people with exceptional experience in the world of proofing and reviewing and I see them as the ideal duo to head up this new venture. I didn’t need to think twice about submitting my platform to their verification service, and nor should anybody else!”

Other industry players have welcomed the formation of UKAST including Brian Chappell from Justice for Punters which fights for a ‘fair playing field’ for those who like a bet. He said, “J4P welcomes this new Association and the standards it is trying to achieve. We wish UKAST all the best.”

Soon the public should be asking any tipster or service that is not a UKAST member why that is.

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

4 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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