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ClearStake launches affordability solution for gambling, promising to change the way the industry thinks about consumer protection

Published

4 years ago

March 23, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

ClearStake today announced the general availability of its affordability solution, which makes it incredibly easy for customers to share financial data with gambling operators, and as a result enables those operators to comply with emerging affordability requirements without compromising either customer experience or revenues.

Backed by investors with a proven track record and extensive experience in the gambling sector, ClearStake wants to change the way gambling operators think about affordability checks. Specifically, the ClearStake approach removes the pain associated with these checks, and thus enables operators to meet responsible gambling commitments whilst avoiding the customer churn associated with conventional approaches.

“With regulatory red-tape increasing within many industries, affordability checks are fast becoming the new normal”, said Martin Burt, CEO of ClearStake. “However, manual checks cost time and money to perform and can lead to frustration amongst customers which can lead them to churn. ClearStake makes it incredibly simple for operators to conduct these checks, and just as easy for their customers to engage. We genuinely believe our approach is game-changing”.

ClearStake, allows customers to share their financial data via Open Banking, or sharing conventional statements via a fast, easy UI that maximises customer opt-in.

Once uploaded, ClearStake analyses all relevant data, calculates customer income and outgoings to establish affordability, and flags risk indicators such as high gambling spend, significant debt repayments, benefits, or any other unusual transactions. The product then recommends a decision, and each case is stored so that every affordability decision is easily evidenced.

Among other investors, ClearStake is backed by Oli Slipper and Adam Perrin, previously early investors in Open Banking insurance unicorn Marshmallow. Both feel that ClearStake has the potential to follow suit.

Speaking of his investment, Adam Perrin said “ClearStake has a strong founding team and very exciting tech. Their vision and passion is solving a very real challenge that exists across multiple verticals and geographies. While the governmental and regulatory pressure within the gambling industry makes it an obvious starting point for ClearStake, we envision moving into multiple sectors as we continue to refine and develop the service.”

Martin Burt of ClearStake added “increased regulatory requirements are a welcome protection for gambling customers but they do create a time-consuming administrative headache for firms who are doing their best to comply. We’re looking to lessen the burden on them while also increasing protection for all customers, leading to a more seamless service for both customer and provider.”

asia-pacific

Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026

Published

5 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

groove-shortlisted-for-best-aggregator-at-sigma-asia-awards-2026

Groove has been named a finalist for Best Aggregator 2026 at the SiGMA Asia Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for 2 June 2026 at the SMX Convention Centre Manila during the SiGMA Asia Summit.

The shortlist was announced by Global Gaming Insider, according to the company. Groove said its platform aggregates more than 15,000 games from over 150 providers via a single API.

Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove, said: “This shortlist is external recognition of a truth we already feel internally: Groove is moving at a different pace. Asia is not a single market, it is a collection of distinct regulatory environments, player behaviours, and partnership opportunities”

Campo added: “Our platform is built to respect that complexity, not smooth it over. Being named a finalist for Best Aggregator tells us that our approach; deep integration, localised content strategies, and commercial precision; is resonating with the operators who matter most in this region. We are not just bringing games to Asia. We are bringing a roadmap for sustainable growth.”

Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Groove, said: “The aggregation space is crowded. Differentiation is everything. This nomination confirms that our vision, transforming aggregation from a commodity into a strategic growth discipline, is taking hold.” He added: “Operators across Asia are no longer asking for just volume or speed. They are asking for structural resilience, data intelligence, and a partner who can execute across fragmented regulatory landscapes with precision. Groove delivers that. To be recognised alongside the best in Asia is a privilege, but the real work continues in Manila and beyond. We are here to win, not just awards, but the trust of the operators who build their businesses on our platform.”

The post Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

data providers

DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026

Published

5 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

data.bet-reports-168%-turnover-growth-from-virtual-content-in-q1-2025–q1-2026

DATA.BET says turnover from its virtual content grew 168% between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, with the supplier reporting the product accounted for 39% of total virtual sports turnover and 45% of profits over the period.

The company said the content is developed fully in-house and delivered through automated bot-vs-bot matches that run 24/7 without dependence on real-world fixture schedules. DATA.BET positioned the format as a way to provide continuous events and reduce operational overhead for operators.

Across the same period, DATA.BET reported +299% active users, +129% across clients GGR, +246% events per quarter, and +218% bets placed.

DATA.BET also said the audience profile overlaps with live football bettors, which it believes supports retention during seasonal breaks. The supplier added that the algorithm-driven format “carries no fraud exposure,” supports In-Stream Betting overlays, and provides near-zero latency between broadcast and market updates.

“Over the past year, our bot-vs-bot virtual content has delivered consistent, measurable results across every operator deployment. Building e-Football in-house gives us the flexibility to configure it to what each operator actually needs — whether that is a specific league structure, a particular mix of bot and player content, or a branded competition format,” mentioned Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET.

The post DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

content studios

155.io makes fintech debut with Coverd partnership

Published

5 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

155.io-makes-fintech-debut-with-coverd-partnership

155.io has signed a partnership with US-based fintech platform Coverd, marking the content studio’s first move into fintech. The deal was announced Thursday 21st May 2026.

Under the agreement, 155.io’s real-world games will be integrated into Coverd’s platform. Coverd said the integration is designed to turn everyday transactions into interactive experiences where users can win the chance to have purchases covered through 155.io gameplay.

Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, said: “This partnership gives us the opportunity to bring our content to a completely new audience. We share a philosophy with Coverd around disrupting and modernising industries through more interactive experiences. They understand that younger audiences expect entertainment and engagement across every digital touchpoint, including finance, which is exactly how we think about design.”

Albert Wang, Coverd co-founder, added: “Today’s consumer is actively embracing gamified products across every category, so there’s no reason personal finance should stay in the stone age. We’re excited to work with 155.io to make financial experiences more interactive and give everyone a chance to live big by winning back their purchases. 155.io’s next-gen content fits perfectly with what we’re building at Coverd.”

155.io said the integration will bring its interactive content—built around live-action footage and real-time mechanics—to Coverd users. The studio’s portfolio includes Rush Hour from its CCTV Game library, alongside Ducks.io and Snow Run.