Latest News
HSBC UK increases gambling block feature to 3 days
With lockdown causing an increase in gambling, HSBC UK and first direct have today announced an increased cooling off period to their gambling block feature, from 24 hours to 72 hours.
The self-restriction tool, which prevents customers from being able to make gambling payments on their accounts after it’s switched on, will automatically decline any gambling transactions for three days, to help people control their urge to gamble.
Recently published data from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) highlights that lockdown measures have had an impact on gambling behavior in the UK, with a month-on-month increase of 29% in gross gambling yield (GGY), and a 7% increase in active accounts.
Maxine Pritchard, Head of Financial Inclusion and Vulnerability at HSBC UK said: “This is a challenging time for many of our customers, with some not working and perhaps facing financial difficulty. By increasing the restriction to 72 hours, this will help give our customers time to pause when they are tempted to return to gambling.
“We are always looking for new ways to support our customers and make it easier for them to manage their finances. Customer feedback on our gambling control showed us there was more we could do to help and we’ve worked closely with them and with GamCare to design the solution.”
Available to HSBC UK and first direct customers with an active debit card, the option can be switched on via the ‘Manage Cards’ section on the HSBC UK mobile app (within the ‘Cards’ section of the fd mobile app), as well as via telephone banking or by going into a branch – giving customers added control over their spending.
Anna Hemmings, CEO of GamCare, says: “The ability to block gambling transactions through your bank card or app is an important tool for those struggling with their gambling, and is ideally used together with other practical tools such as self-exclusion, blocking software, and specialist support around the issue – as we have recently emphasised through our ‘TalkBanStop’ partnership and campaign.
“The University of Bristol Personal Finance Research Centre has also highlighted that ‘positive friction’ such as a cooling off period is important for the success of blocks, as this prevents them being turned off in the event of urges to gamble. GamCare is pleased to see HSBC UK and first direct take this positive step to support their customers.”
HSBC UK and first direct both have their own specialist support teams on hand to help vulnerable customers including those at risk of financial harm from gambling and can refer customers to a trusted external organisations where needed.
Powered by WPeMatico
Golden Whale, a provider of machine learning-driven optimisation and decision intelligence for the iGaming industry, has partnered with Cevro, an AI-powered platform designed to automate and enhance player interactions across support and operational workflows.
At the core of the integration is Golden Whale’s Full Model Control framework, which uses ML models to continuously analyse live player behavioural data, enabling more precise decisioning across engagement and incentives, driven by deeper insight into player value, churn probability and behavioural intent. These decisions can then be actioned through Cevro’s AI agents, allowing operators to guide and control player-facing responses with greater precision across multiple channels, including chat, email and helpdesk, with voice capabilities set to follow.
Cevro’s platform supports a wide range of player-facing processes, including bonus queries, KYC checks, payment-related communications and responsible gaming workflows. By introducing decision intelligence into these touchpoints, operators can move beyond reactive support models and toward more proactive, context-aware engagement, where responses are informed by real-time signals around player value and behaviour.
Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale, said: “Operators are managing an increasing number of player communications across different touchpoints, and many of those processes are still handled in a reactive or manual way. By working with Cevro’s AI agents, we can connect our decision intelligence directly into these communication workflows, enabling operators to respond more precisely and consistently, while also reducing the complexity of managing these interactions at scale.”
Chaim Heber, CEO at Cevro, added: “Our focus is on helping operators automate and scale player interactions without losing quality or control. By integrating Golden Whale’s decision intelligence, we can bring a new level of precision into how our AI agents operate, using deeper signals around player value, churn risk and behaviour to guide responses. This not only improves resolution and efficiency but also allows operators to deliver more meaningful interactions that support retention and long-term player value.”
The post Golden Whale and Cevro team up to advance AI-driven player interaction appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has strengthen its presence in Brazil through a new partnership with leading global operator bet365, marking another step in its growth across regulated Latin American markets.
The agreement sees a selection of top-performing Evoplay titles integrated onto bet365’s Brazilian platform, initially starting with standout releases such as Hot Triple Sevens and Temple of Thunder II Bonus Buy.
The partnership enables Evoplay to bring its diverse portfolio of high-performance content to one of the most promising emerging regulated markets, at a time when Brazil’s evolving landscape continues to create new opportunities for operators and suppliers alike.
By collaborating with bet365, a globally recognised brand known for its extensive reach and strong local engagement, Evoplay reinforces its commitment to delivering tailored content that resonates with regional player preferences.
Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Partnering with bet365 represents an important milestone for Evoplay as we continue to expand our Latin American presence and build our network of global operator brands. Brazil is a market with huge potential, and we’re excited to bring a selection of our best-performing titles to its players.
“Our focus remains on supporting operators with content that not only meets regulatory standards but also delivers strong player engagement, and this collaboration is a testament to that approach.”
Spokesperson at bet365, added: “We are pleased to partner with Evoplay as we continue to enhance our offering in Brazil.
Their portfolio of localised games aligns well with our commitment to provide high-quality gaming experiences to our customers.
“We look forward to rolling out additional titles in the near future as we strengthen our collaboration with the supplier in this key market.”
Evoplay
Evoplay is a leading iGaming developer with a portfolio of 250+ slots, table, crash, and instant games.
It uses innovative gameplay and cutting-edge design to elevate user experience and bring new audiences to the world of iGaming.
The company’s commitment to innovation and revolutionary products was recognised by the most prestigious industry awards.
bet365
At bet365, it’s always extraordinary!
bet365 Casino is the home of gaming excitement, offering an extensive range of slots to choose from, including multi-layered jackpots, classic fruit games, and the latest innovative titles. Plus, with popular Live Games like Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, there’s always something for every player.
bet365 is committed to Safer Gambling. We promote gambling as an enjoyable leisure activity, and we believe that gambling can only remain this way if you stay in control and gamble responsibly. However, we know that for some people gambling can stop being a harmless leisure activity and become a problem.
bet365 has a range of useful tools to help customers stay in control of their gambling that can be found at https://responsiblegambling.bet365.bet.br/br
The post Evoplay strengthens Brazil footprint with bet365 deal appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Brazilian agency We has hired Valentina Ursini as Group Account Director, where she will lead business strategy and client relationships for accounts including EMS, Novibet, Jovi and IBJR (Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming).
Ursini brings experience from Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and TBWA, where she led global and local accounts for brands including Visa, Procter & Gamble, Motorola, Gatorade, Coty, Kimberly-Clark and Friboi.
“We has something that is rare today: genuine proximity to the client’s business and a very clear ambition for shared growth,” Ursini said.
“I am joining a team that already knows these clients deeply, and I bring a fresh perspective on expansion opportunities, efficiency and brand building.
It is about developing the business in a consistent and relevant way.”
Maurício Almeida, managing director at We, said Ursini’s appointment raises the standard of service for the agency’s strategic accounts.
“She combines expertise, consistency and a very pragmatic business vision, which is exactly what we look for in our model. She understands that client relationships only make sense when they translate into results.”
* The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming is a private industry association representing licensed betting operators in Brazil. Its primary role is to support the development of a regulated, transparent and sustainable gambling market in the country.
The organization focuses on promoting responsible gaming practices, contributing to public policy discussions, and working alongside regulators to ensure compliance with Brazil’s evolving legal framework for betting.
It also advocates for consumer protection, market integrity and the reduction of illegal gambling activities.
In the context of the article, the IBJR appears as a relevant institutional player within the Brazilian iGaming ecosystem, reflecting the growing importance of industry representation as regulation advances.
The post WE names Valentina Ursini Group Account Director for IBJR and key clients appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
1spin4win7 days ago1spin4win partners with OdiBets to strengthen its presence in Africa
-
Eastern Europe7 days ago
Soft2Bet launches Zinx iGaming and sportsbook brand in Romania
-
Acquisitions/Merger6 days ago
Petroglyph Development Group and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce the Successful Closing of the Acquisition of Chances Maple Ridge
-
Conferences6 days ago
Blokotech and Evoverse sign on as presenting sponsors for iGaming Real Talk at BiS SiGMA South America
-
Bede Gaming6 days ago
PointsBet Canada rolls out Bede Gaming aggregation and bonusing platform
-
Asia6 days ago
Betby se asocia con QTech Games y amplía alcance de sportsbook en Asia
-
Bede Gaming6 days ago
PointsBet Canada and Bede Gaming Launch New iCasino Partnership
-
Canada5 days ago
FanDuel Announces New Partnership with Toronto Tempo
