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New report today reveals a staggering 85% increase in online fraud with over a fifth of all online traffic now an attack

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  • In the UK: gaming, online streaming and social media sites, travel and retail/ecommerce companies are the worst hit by fraudsters

  • Experts also find that the metaverse is already fast becoming a fertile breeding ground for cybercrime and newly defined, ‘Master Fraudsters’

A new report released today, The 2022 State of Fraud and Account Security, is warning UK commerce that it faces its most challenging year ever. Experts from the Arkose Labs Network, an online fraud deterrence platform, analyzed over 150 billion transaction requests across 254 countries and territories in 2021 over 12 months to discover that there has been an 85% increase in login attacks and fake consumer account creation at businesses.  Alongside this, it identified that a quarter (one in four) of new online accounts created were fake. A further 21% of all traffic was confirmed as a fraudulent cyber attack. 

“From the earliest days of online information to the rapid evolution of today’s metaverses, the internet has come a long way. However, this latest data shows that it is more under attack than ever before,” said Arkose Labs Founder and CEO Kevin Gosschalk. 

He continued: “Your digital identity is a currency for fraudsters and wherever there is online commerce, cybercriminals are quick to identify vulnerabilities.”

The new report focused on a number of key themes:

The Worst Attacked Sectors in the UK

The latest research took a deep dive into UK business specifically to understand which sectors were the most attacked by online criminals. The ongoing popularity of online gaming puts it top of the list for fraudsters with almost half (46%) of all the attacks in the UK, as seen by Arkose Labs. Digital media companies (social networks and online streaming platforms) are also high value targets and represent a third of all attacks, seeing an 88% increase since 2020. Across all sectors including ecommerce/retail, travel, gaming, financial services, one in every four new online accounts created were fake throughout 2021. 

Metaverse companies are more likely to be targeted by “Master Fraudsters”

The rise of virtual worlds has created new attack opportunities for bad actors. Early insights from the Arkose Labs Network show scams, microtransaction abuse, and unfair play are the top threats in a metaverse world. These companies experienced 80 percent more bot attacks and 40 percent more human attacks than other businesses. “Master Fraudsters” attack their targets by scripting together multiple tools with intense persistence. They combine bots and human fraud farms, and invest large amounts of capital, creating virulent attacks. Top attack patterns Master Frauders use to disrupt fair commerce include microtransaction fraud, spam and scams.

Crypto-fraud sees Asia overtake Russia as the world leading attacking region

In prior years, Russian attacks were more common, but in 2021, attackers from Asia took the top spot, with 40 percent of all attacks coming from this region. One in every two Asian attacks originated from China. Leveraging an ecosystem of tools and low-cost resources, two-thirds of Chinese attacks targeted registration, primarily driven by abusing free trials at cloud computing platforms for crypto mining. 

Credential Stuffing attacks see a significant spike

Attacks are more volatile than ever. A single attack can consume nearly 80 percent of traffic at peak periods, and in 2021, credential stuffing spikes hit up to 76 million per week. Attack rates doubled during peak season in November, making it the most dangerous month in 2021. Bots were used almost exclusively in Black November. 

The Intelligent Bot

Attackers have continued to invest in increasingly sophisticated bots. Bots mimic human behavior with a high degree of accuracy and in 2021 accounted for 86 percent of all attacks. Today’s bot signatures are three times more complex than signatures of previous years. This level of sophistication makes it more difficult to assess risk and make accurate decisions. Businesses require even more sophisticated analysis to detect anomalies and prevent loss.

Arkose Labs provides support for some of the world’s most recognized brands and platforms, including Honey, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PayPal, Pitney Bowes, Roblox, Venmo, and Zilch, covering industries, including financial services, fintech, gaming, retail, technology and social media, representing more than 1 billion social media users, 60 percent of online video gamers, and 40 percent of all retail volume.

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Maintenance Worker of 25 years Hits $200,758 Jackpot on Leprechaun Luck at Winaday Casino

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Winaday Casino is celebrating a life-changing win after long-time player Scott O., a maintenance worker of 25 years, hit a massive $200,758.55 jackpot while playing Leprechaun Luck in the early hours of January 29.

The win marks a turning point for the recently remarried father of two, who now plans to use the prize to secure his family’s future while enjoying a few well-earned comforts.

Scott was unwinding at home, playing on his tablet for around 30–40 minutes, when the unexpected happened.

“Honestly, I just froze for a second. I stared at the screen and thought, ‘There’s no way that just happened,’” he said. “Then I called my wife over because I needed someone else to see it. I was shocked, excited, and a little shaky.”

A regular player at Winaday and Slotland, Scott now plans to pay off bills, build savings, and support his two grown children with their education. He also hopes to create a backyard space where his family—and their dog—can spend more time together.

“It’s not just about the money,” he added. “It’s about making life easier and doing something meaningful for the people I care about.”

Michael Hilary, Manager at Winaday Casino, commented:

“We’re absolutely thrilled for Scott and his family. Moments like this are what players dream of, and it’s even more special when it happens to someone who genuinely enjoys the experience. His story reflects what Winaday is all about—entertainment that can sometimes lead to extraordinary outcomes.”

To celebrate the win, Winaday Casino is offering a $25 Free Chip promotion available to both new and existing players until April 30, 2026, valid on all Slotland Entertainment slots.

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Scott also shared advice for fellow players: set a budget, play for enjoyment, and know when to walk away.

“Winning felt incredible,” he said. “But what made it truly special was sharing that moment with my wife right there at home. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Winaday Casino continues to welcome players looking for their own lucky break, proving that sometimes, a simple spin can turn into a life-changing moment.

The post Maintenance Worker of 25 years Hits $200,758 Jackpot on Leprechaun Luck at Winaday Casino appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Blueprint Gaming

Blueprint Gaming releases Game of Thrones™ slot, kicking off HBO’s multi-title epic

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Blueprint Gaming™ has launched its eagerly awaited Game of Thrones™ slot, marking one of the studio’s most important IP acquisitions yet and a key achievement in its ongoing plan to connect globally recognized entertainment brands with advanced, modern slot mechanics.

Created in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, the launch marks the initial installment in an extensive multi-game plan influenced by HBO’s Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon worlds.

Few modern franchises have made as significant a cultural impression as Game of Thrones. Its ten-year run on television created an international following, received critical praise, and achieved record viewership, while House of the Dragon has further developed George R.R. Martin’s universe for a new audience. Blueprint’s upcoming title seeks to encapsulate this magnitude with a comprehensive feature set that immerses players in the political unrest and power conflicts of Westeros.

Central to the design is Conquer the Houses, a progressive system focused on four legendary families, each providing a unique Collect-style modifier. The Night’s Watch gathers all apparent cash values; House Stark secures symbols and updates the grid; House Baratheon adjusts reels to create cash stacks and activate respins; and House Lannister enhances visible values with the possibility of adding extra symbols. House Targaryen finishes the collection, gathering all reel values prior to activating repeat respins on non-Collect reels for increased winning opportunities.

These layered characteristics guarantee that every House provides significant gameplay diversity. Extra unpredictability arises from Dragon Fire Modifiers, which can ignite unpredictably to provide strong enhancements and increased volatility.

Advancement is propelled by The Seven Kingdoms Map, where landing on two Bonus symbols moves players closer to enhancements, concealed Iron Throne bonuses, and finally the Iron Throne Super Bonus.

The main Iron Throne Spins feature grants 10 free spins with all activated Collect features in play. Gather symbols to earn extra spins and multipliers, and with sufficient advancement, activate a x10 cash-prize multiplier to heighten both excitement and payout possibilities.

The launch showcases Blueprint’s dedication to combining major entertainment licenses with math-based gameplay tailored for modern online users. By acquiring and evolving one of television’s most iconic franchises, the studio keeps showcasing its talent for transforming cultural symbols into commercially meaningful slot experiences characterized by depth, progression, and mechanical sophistication.

More titles from both the Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon realms will be introduced as part of Blueprint’s custom series, broadening the legacy of Westeros throughout the iGaming world and providing operators with a launch of exceptional size and importance.

Charlie Jacka, Head of Product at Blueprint Gaming™, said: “Few modern series have captured global audiences in the way Game of Thrones has. For this first game, we wanted to reflect the scale and intensity of the licence through layered mechanics and strong progression.

“Features such as Conquer the Houses, the evolving Seven Kingdoms Map and Iron Throne Spins combine Collect functionality with modifiers and multipliers that build momentum across the session.

“Given the strength of the brand and the depth of the feature set, we expect standout performance from a game that will resonate strongly with both fans of the series and core slot players.”

The post Blueprint Gaming releases Game of Thrones™ slot, kicking off HBO’s multi-title epic appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Arcade

Pragmatic Play Elevates Arcade Roster with the Im-Peck-Able Chicken+

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Pragmatic Play, a prominent content provider for the iGaming sector, has enhanced its arcade collection with the debut of Chicken+, a retro-themed game showcasing fast-paced action and significant winning opportunities.

Brought to existence with retro 8-bit visuals, the game tests players to evade approaching vehicles and various dangers, leading the chicken safely over the road.

With each lane successfully cleared, the win multiplier increases. Players can withdraw their earnings whenever they choose or try to navigate all lanes for the top reward, but a single random mishap concludes the round as a defeat. Players are able to view the possible winnings and the likelihood of success in reaching each lane to aid in their decision-making.

There are four levels of risk – Easy, Mid, Hard, and Daredevil. Raising the level reduces the number of lanes per round and increases the volatility, enhancing the maximum win potential from 24x in Easy mode to over 3,000,000x in Daredevil.

Blending nostalgic visuals with an eccentric theme, a user-friendly interface, and rapid betting rounds, Chicken+ meets the increasing demand for engaging, fast-paced games.

The title signifies the newest entry in Pragmatic Play’s continually growing arcade collection, succeeding the launches of Plinko+, Spire+, and Mines+.

Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “Chicken+ blends retro charm with simple, high-engagement mechanics. With configurable risk levels and significant win potential, it stands out as another compelling addition to Pragmatic Play’s diverse arcade portfolio, inviting players to test their nerve and cross the road.”

The post Pragmatic Play Elevates Arcade Roster with the Im-Peck-Able Chicken+ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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