Latest News

OKTO unlocks digital payments directly on REGAL gaming machines across UK Pubs

Published

5 years ago

May 18, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

OKTO.WALLET meets pubgoers demands for secure, cashless, mobile payments across the UK

Regal, a subsidiary of the Merkur Group UK and a leading UK supplier of amusement equipment to the leisure sector, will accept cashless payments directly onto its gaming machines via OKTO.WALLET.

Users of the OKTO.WALLET mobile app are able to deposit and withdraw funds safely, securely and seamlessly directly onto any collaborating gaming machines in the UK leisure sector. The OKTO.WALLET is a fully licensed payment service, reducing payment friction, enhancing customer experience, and focusing on responsible gambling and player protection.

The joint offering is ready to give Britain’s Pubs sector a much needed post-lockdown boost, by introducing a fully cashless experience tailored to the gaming industry and its players’ demands, increasing customer engagement and footfall. Pubgoers can embark on this digital journey by downloading for free the OKTO app from the App Store and Google Play and creating an account in just a few minutes. The OKTO app enables users to move their funds instantly across the entire payment ecosystem; from the gaming machine, the pub’s ordering app, the bartop cashier, all the way out to any retail or online business accepting OKTO Prepaid Mastercard®, linked to the OKTO wallet account.

OKTO’s mobile-first solution has easily integrated into Regal’s gaming machines without the need for any additional hardware or upfront costs, securing a level playing field in the retail gaming sector with the rest of the UK high street economy.

OKTO, in line with all major levels of responsible gaming and the latest callings of the UKGC, puts control directly in the hands of the user with powerful age verification, gaming limits and time-out periods tools, as well as with problem gambling helplines available within the app.

OKTO.WALLET is available at selected pubs with further locations being added in the coming weeks and months. Given strong customer demand and amidst the COVID-19 situation, OKTO continues to expand its UK wallet through its partnership with Regal. Pubgoers using Regal’s gaming machines are able to take advantage of a secure, universal and cashless payment method as it rolls out across the Regal network.

Simon Dorsen, Director of Gaming at OKTO, said: “Britain is moving beyond ‘peak cash’ this year, as the country has well and truly embraced a cashless society due to its convenience and ease. The Pub and Gaming sectors are able to address the users’ need with a flexible and cashless solution, thanks to our collaboration with Regal.

We designed a turn-key solution for the market that enables consumers to use a complete, digital, cashless solution, not only directly on gaming machines but also across the entire payment ecosystem. Providing them with a single payment app, users have the freedom to use their OKTO.WALLET anywhere, whether it’s pubs, AGC, Casinos or high street shops.”

Matt Bicknell, Managing Director Operations and Product at Regal, added: “Through our collaboration with OKTO, we found both a digital, instant and cashless solution to meet our customers demand and the flexible, market-proven technology that enabled us to easily adopt it in our gaming machines. The launch is the result of extensive research and co-development between our companies, and we are working actively on rolling it out to our client base in the UK.”

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

11 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

18 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

18 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.