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W2 Release First Real Time Affordability Solution For UK Operators

Published

5 years ago

January 19, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

W2, the award-winning provider of global regulatory compliance software to the gaming market, has announced its brand-new real-time affordability check, which will support the needs of operators as they adapt to evolving guidance from UK Gambling Gambling Commission (UKCG). UKGC guidance requires licence holders to put affordability at the heart of their safer gambling commitments for 2021 and it will undoubtedly become a central focus in the 2021 gambling act review.

The W2 affordability solution gives you a real time view of what a consumer earns on an individual level, and most importantly does not require additional customer interaction. Using authorised and compliant banking data feeds to provide current account turnover information that can be used for customer protection purposes, the solution can cover a period up to 24 months and across joint and sole accounts, as well as including multiple addresses. Data on this scale provides real insights on an individual customer level.

A Word From W2
Peter Murray, W2 Head of Sales commented “If you look at any of the pronouncements from the regulators in the UK and the upcoming review of the UK Gambling Act, front and centre to everything they’re doing is affordability. For us at W2 it is all about offering a solution which removes friction but is compliant, and we believe that this new affordability solution is suited to both the needs of the regulator, the challenges the operators face, and the consumers desire to be protected from harm.”

Kevin Fox, W2 Senior Product Manager responsible, said “the solution is split into two main parts. Level one offers an affordability index which leverages the data to give results on account activity including levels of income and turnover in the account and collates this into a score-based response. Level two offers more in-depth insight which allows the operator to collect and verify the declared income of the customer. These two components are a massive step in the right direction for safer gambling.”

Crucial Compliance
W2 will also be working with strategic partner, Gibraltar based Crucial Compliance, on the release of the affordability check. Working together, the two firms believe that this solution can have a positive impact on the industry as it aims to significantly help towards the issues surrounding responsible gambling and player protection.

Andy Masters, COO at Crucial Compliance commented “We are absolutely delighted to officially release this affordability solution. Since partnering with W2 in late 2020 we have combined our resources to bring to market a solution which is not only is frictionless and solves real time, real data affordability, but is also built into our player management solution. We have worked hard to ensure that this is as easy as possible for operators to continue to meet the needs of the regulators now and in the future”

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

1 hour 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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