Latest News

TrueLayer launches Payouts, a new way for operators to issue instant refunds and withdrawals

Published

4 years ago

September 15, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

TrueLayer, Europe’s leading open banking platform, today announced the launch of Payouts, a new solution to tackle the issues of slow withdrawals and refunds. Payouts is already being used by TrueLayer clients, including the UK’s leading online car retailer, Cazoo, to instantly pay customers when they sell their car via the platform.

Today, customers expect payments that arrive in their account in seconds. The five days it can take for card or Bacs payments to appear frustrates customers and leads to a lack of loyalty. This is made worse when operators, as part of their due diligence, need to verify new user’s payment details and identity before issuing a payout, stopping customers mid-flow and making the process even slower.

Traditional payout methods require managing multiple reports, endless rows of data, and manually tracking each payment, creating inefficiencies, input errors and complaints from customers whose payouts were never issued.

TrueLayer has tackled the issue of fragmented and slow payout processes by combining open banking verification and the fastest payment rails available to ensure players are paid to the right account, right away. The open banking-powered verification process works by matching the name provided by the customer with what’s on file at their bank to confirm the details are correct. Results are returned in seconds. Gone are the days of asking customers to upload bank statements for compliance teams to review, or using micro-deposits that can be cumbersome for users to confirm.

With the player’s details pre-populated and verified, payouts are then automatically issued through TrueLayer’s robust infrastructure, connected to thousands of banks in the UK and across the EU through a simple API integration.

“Businesses today are laser-focused on customer experience, and the post-purchase experience involving customers requesting refunds or users withdrawing their funds, is critical to build loyalty. We built Payouts to take the pain out of these transactions and enable operators to create a compelling value proposition for their entire customer base – withdraw your funds or receive refunds instantly,” commented Murtaza Bootwala, Head of Payments at TrueLayer. “It is designed with iGaming in mind, where customers are growing increasingly frustrated by the poor experiences they have to endure as a result of outdated infrastructure. In 2021 it shouldn’t take days, sometimes over a week, to receive a payment.”

TrueLayer is the only provider that can deliver account verification, powered by open banking, with Payouts to deliver payments for operators that:

Increase retention and encourage service-switching: granting instant access to funds that settle in seconds, 24/7, without having to go through lengthy verification processes, players get what they want – their money instantly – compared to five days that cards or Bacs can take.
Eliminate the cost of lost or failed payouts: using bank-verified account information to automate payment setup.
Remove manual tracking processes: initiating multiple payouts via a single API, removing errors from the whole equation.
Streamline due diligence: using open banking verification, TrueLayer crosschecks the name provided by the end-user during registration with what’s on file at their bank to confirm that the details entered are correct. This helps businesses to minimise money laundering risk.

Improve the customer experience: no don’t need to remember account details, or manually fill any forms. With a simple redirect to their bank they can authenticate their account details using fingerprint or Face ID.

“TrueLayer is leading the charge to ensure payments processes that truly work for the customer and the business, ditching outdated methods to deliver the best possible payments experience,” added Bootwala. “By verifying the account details before paying out, you can say goodbye to the days of failed or lost payments, and reduce the strain on customer support. And by offering instant payouts, iGaming operators can build players’ trust and encourage others to switch over to your service.”

The launch of Payouts continues the expansion of TrueLayer’s solutions built on top of its market-leading open banking network in 2021, following the launch of PayDirect in January.

Hold and

Pragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™

Published

5 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-rings-in-2026-with-joker’s-jewels-hold-&-spin

Pragmatic Play, a powerhouse in the iGaming sector, has officially kicked off the new year with a nostalgic neon glow. The supplier’s first release of 2026, Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin, breathes new life into a fan-favorite franchise by blending classic “fruit machine” aesthetics with high-octane modern features.

This 5×3, 10-payline slot brings back the iconic jester for a high-volatility performance, offering players a massive win potential of 10,000x their stake.

Classic Visuals, Modern Rewards

The game is a masterclass in retro design, featuring vibrant neon visuals and a traditional jester theme. Players will find a grid populated by familiar symbols such as lutes, juggling pins, and sparkling gems.

Base Game Wins: Matching 3–5 symbols can trigger payouts of up to 1,000x.
The Return of the Joker: The titular character remains the highest-paying symbol, maintaining the core identity that made the original Joker’s Jewels an industry staple.

The Main Event: Hold & Spin Bonus

The headline addition to this sequel is the integration of Pragmatic Play’s popular Hold & Spin mechanic.

Triggering the Feature: Landing three or more Money Symbols—each carrying values of up to 5,000x—activates the bonus round.
Respin Dynamics: Standard symbols fade away, leaving only the triggering Money Symbols locked in place. Players start with three respins, and the counter resets every time a new Money Symbol lands.
Grand Prize: If the player manages to fill all 15 positions on the grid with Money Symbols, the game awards the 10,000x Max Win.

“Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin provides a fresh take on a vintage theme,” said Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play. “It offers classic slots action enhanced by the popular Hold & Spin mechanic and a 10,000x max win.”

This release sets a strong pace for Pragmatic Play’s 2026 roadmap, following a prolific 2025 that saw the launch of hits like Big Bass Splash 1000 and Fortune of Olympus.

The post Pragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Balkan Gaming Market

Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg

Published

6 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

yggdrasil-strengthens-bulgarian-presence-through-strategic-deal-with-bet.bg

Yggdrasil, the leading global iGaming publisher, has officially boosted its reach in the regulated Bulgarian market by taking its premium content live with regional operator bet.bg.

This partnership marks another significant milestone in Yggdrasil’s European expansion strategy. Following a landmark commercial year in 2025—where the studio saw rapid growth across Spain, Brazil, and the Balkan markets—this new deal ensures a steady stream of high-quality entertainment for Bulgarian players.

A Portfolio of Blockbuster Hits

As part of the initial rollout, bet.bg has integrated over 20 of Yggdrasil’s top-performing titles. The selection features a mix of “all-time classics” and modern hits, including:

The Vikings Series: Specifically the fan-favorite Vikings go Berzerk.
Legendary Quests: The high-adventure Valley of the Gods.
GEM-Powered Slots: Innovative titles like Raptor DoubleMax, Hades GigaBlox, and Golden Fish Tank 2.

These games leverage Yggdrasil’s signature Game Engagement Mechanics (GEMs), which have proven to be major drivers of player retention and engagement in the Eastern European region.

Strategic Growth in the Balkans

Bulgaria has emerged as a flourishing hub for iGaming, supported by a clear regulatory framework and a growing demand for premium casino content. For Yggdrasil, partnering with an established local brand like bet.bg is a “statement of intent” to dominate the Balkan territory.

“Partnering with bet.bg is a real statement of intent for us as we further boost our footprint in the Balkan region,” said Jose Kadala, Chief Commercial Officer at Yggdrasil. “Our titles have already proven to be incredibly popular in the region, and we’re confident that bet.bg customers will love the gaming experiences we will provide for them.”

A spokesperson for bet.bg echoed this enthusiasm, stating: “We are extremely pleased to offer Yggdrasil’s wide-ranging product portfolio to our players. Yggdrasil brings a combination of fan-favorite games and cutting-edge mechanics to our collection, and we can’t wait to grow in tandem with them.”

The post Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2B gaming software

Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership

Published

6 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

gamblers-connect-and-betoxygen-announce-strategic-b2b-partnership

Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, has officially entered into a strategic partnership with BetOxygen, a software development company specializing in agile B2B gaming solutions.

The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between high-end infrastructure and operators seeking reliable, omnichannel systems. As the boundary between land-based and online gaming continues to blur, the partnership highlights BetOxygen’s role as a key architect in the modern iGaming landscape.

A Unified IT Ecosystem for Modern Operators

BetOxygen has distinguished itself by offering a complete IT ecosystem that supports a wide range of verticals, including:

Sports Betting Software
Internet Casinos
Virtual Slot Games

At the heart of their offering is a comprehensive omnichannel platform. This system integrates retail, mobile, and online operations into a single, unified back office. This allows operators to manage their entire business from one dashboard, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience for players regardless of how they choose to bet.

Efficiency and “Boutique” Support

BetOxygen differentiates itself from traditional technology vendors through a proactive, “boutique” approach to client management. Key highlights of their service model include:

Rapid Technical Support: Boasting a two-minute response time for technical inquiries.
Fast Integration: A clear roadmap that promises full platform customization and integration within 60 days of signing.
Risk Management: Continuous monitoring to protect partners from operational challenges.

Currently holding a strong presence in regulated markets across Europe and Africa, BetOxygen is focused on democratizing access to high-end gaming technology for ambitious operators.

“What sets BetOxygen apart and makes this partnership so exciting for us is their unique full package philosophy,” said Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect. “This partnership underscores our dedication to showcasing providers who prioritize speed, customization, and unwavering support.”

The post Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.