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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.”

$10M guaranteed poker

ACR Poker $10M Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms

Published

1 hour ago

March 31, 2026

Wladimir P.

acr-poker-$10m-dual-mystery-bounty-venoms

ACR Poker is igniting the spring poker season with the Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms Special High Five Edition, offering an astonishing $10 million in guaranteed prize pools alongside the return of its celebrated High Five Series.

From April 12 to April 28, 2026, the special edition will feature two marquee events running simultaneously — an $8 million GTD No‑Limit Hold’em (NLH) and a $2 million GTD Pot‑Limit Omaha (PLO) tournament — promising some of the most thrilling online poker action of the year.

Players buy in for $2,650 and compete for massive mystery bounties, with the NLH event offering up to $500,000 for a single knockout and the PLO event featuring a top bounty of $200,000. Every knockout on Day 2 guarantees at least $5,000 in bounty rewards.

With five Day 1 flights, participants can enter multiple times and build competitive stacks for Day 2’s showdown. Qualifiers begin April 7th through Venom Fever satellites, providing hundreds of seats — some even free — via Direct, Mega, or Beast satellite events.

All players who make it to Day 2 on April 27th at 1:05 pm ET are already in the money. The climactic final table to crown this special edition’s champions will take place on April 28th at 4:05 pm ET.

ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker says the High Five edition builds on the momentum of earlier high‑stakes events like the $50 Million OSS XL, combining huge guarantees with broad access and big bounty potential for players of all bankrolls.

Featured Reference

For a similar take on this major online poker series and its prize pools, check out this article from Poker.org on ACR Poker’s dual mystery bounty events and their massive guaranteed prizes:
ACR Venom $10M GTD Tournaments – Poker.org

The post ACR Poker $10M Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AI in gambling safety

BOS releases report on the prevalence of gambling addiction in Sweden

Published

1 hour ago

March 31, 2026

Wladimir P.

bos-releases-report-on-the-prevalence-of-gambling-addiction-in-sweden

Sweden has seen a long‑term decline in gambling addiction over the past 25 years, despite rapid growth in online gambling availability, advertising, and mobile gaming.

Economist Ola Nevander’s research for the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) shows that the prevalence of problem gambling has steadily fallen since the early 2000s, even as the market expanded. This trend emerged even with the widespread adoption of digital gaming products and 24/7 access on smartphones.

According to the findings, the proportion of Swedes classified as problem gamblers (based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index) dropped from about 2.2 % in 2008–09 to around 1.3 % by 2021, marking a significant reduction in overall gambling harm.

Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of BOS, emphasizes that this decline suggests Sweden’s regulatory and industry efforts are moving in the right direction. While the transformation from traditional physical gambling venues to digital platforms has raised concerns, online tools such as responsible gaming technologies and AI‑assisted safeguards are helping reduce problem gambling rates.

However, Hoffstedt cautions that much work remains, because expanded game offerings and persistent advertising mean ongoing responsibility is crucial to maintain and deepen the downward trend.

Report available in full at: Problem Gambling_ENG_20260327[2]

For a similar perspective on gambling addiction prevalence trends in Sweden, see this article:
Sweden problem gambling falls but still ‘scope for improvement’ — iGamingBusiness.com Sweden problem gambling trend report (IgamingBusiness)

The post BOS releases report on the prevalence of gambling addiction in Sweden appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

ACR POKER’S DUAL MYSTERY BOUNTY VENOMS – SPECIAL HIGH FIVE EDITION HITS WITH $10 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS

Published

1 hour ago

March 31, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

acr-poker’s-dual-mystery-bounty-venoms-–-special-high-five-edition-hits-with-$10-million-in-guaranteed-prize-pools

Celebrate the return of the High Five Series with a special edition of the iconic Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms and hundreds of seats from just $0 in Venom Fever satellites

ACR Poker is turning up the excitement this spring with the Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms Special High Five Edition, featuring $10 million in total guaranteed prize pools. Alongside the return of its popular High Five series, this special edition of the Dual Venoms will run from Sunday, April 12th through Tuesday, April 28th, delivering side-by-side action in the $8 million GTD NLH and $2 million GTD PLO, offering some of the biggest online poker action of the year.

Following the success of previous editions, the $2,650 buy-in Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms return with massive guarantees and mystery bounties that reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the $8 million GTD NLH, a single knockout could earn a player the top bounty prize of $500,000, while the $2 million PLO, which ties as ACR Poker’s biggest Omaha event ever, offers a $200,000 top bounty. Every knockout starting on Day 2 guarantees at least $5,000 in both events.

With five Day 1 flights, players can enter multiple times and combine their stacks to hit Day 2 with some serious firepower. All players reaching Day 2 on Monday, April 27th at 1:05pm ET are already in the money, with the Final Table showdown for the coveted Venom crowns scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th at 4:05pm ET.

Qualifying begins Tuesday, April 7th through a packed Venom Fever satellite schedule, offering hundreds of guaranteed seats at low cost, or even for free, through Direct Satellites, Mega Satellites, and Beast Satellites.

“After the incredible turnout and massive payouts in March’s $50 Million OSS XL, Spring 2026 is shaping up to be epic with the return of our High Five Series and this special Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms edition,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “With huge guarantees, mystery bounties, and accessible satellites for every bankroll, players have double the excitement and double the chance to hit massive prizes!”

The latest Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms delivered massive fields and payouts, with both events exceeding their guarantees. The NLH drew 3,673 entries for a $9,182,500 prize pool, paying over $700,000 to the winner. Runner-up ‘BALDOUS’ from the UK scored the biggest payday of the tournament, claiming the top $500,000 bounty and $730,000 in total bounties, pocketing a whopping $1,240,310 in total. The PLO tournament attracted 837 entrants and generated $2,092,500, with the champion earning more than $300,000.

For more information, visit ACRPoker.eu.

The post ACR POKER’S DUAL MYSTERY BOUNTY VENOMS – SPECIAL HIGH FIVE EDITION HITS WITH $10 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.