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New Research Reveals Shocking Size of Black Market Gambling Across Europe

Research for the Betting and Gaming Council has uncovered the shocking scale of black market gambling in European countries following the introduction of strict new measures on regulated operators.
The findings come from industry research and a PWC report for the BGC as the Government finalises its work on the upcoming Gambling Review and against a backdrop of increased use of black market sites in the UK.
British punters using unlicensed sites have more than doubled in just two years, from 220,000 users to 460,000 and the amount staked is now in the billions of pounds.
The report by PWC said: “This analysis suggests that the UK has a more ‘open’ online gambling market and currently has a smaller unlicensed market share than our European benchmarks.
“Whilst it is not possible to isolate the impact of individual regulatory characteristics, the above assessment suggests that jurisdictions with a higher unlicensed market share tend to exhibit one or more restrictive regulatory or licensing characteristics.”
As the growth of these sites has rocketed, black market sites’ revenues in Norway have more than tripled since 2010 and French black market revenues have almost doubled since 2015.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “We support the Gambling Review but there is a real danger that it leads to the regulated industry being smaller and the illegal black market growing substantially.
“This research is stark about the dangers of the black market, we have to learn lessons from abroad, and make the right choice at this dangerous crossroads.
“BGC members alone employ nearly 120,000 people and pay £4.5 billion in tax in the UK. The black market, of course, pays no tax and employs no one in our country.
“Any shift to the unsafe black market would also jeopardise the £350m a year which our members currently give to horseracing in sponsorship, media rights and the betting levy – financial support which has proved crucial during the pandemic.”
Rhadamès Killy, Former General Counsel at the French gambling regulator, said: “When we introduced our regulations in France in 2010, we analysed that the black market was the most extensive in the European states where the statutory regime was the most restrictive.
“A balance is required to effectively regulate without promoting the black market – I believe that balance is best struck when targeted restrictions focus on support for those at risk, but not excessively hinder or punish the wider public.”
According to a recent report from the Gambling Commission, rates of problem gambling have dropped from 0.6% to 0.3% of the adult population suggesting that safer gambling measures introduced recently in the regulated sector have helped the decline in the rate of problem gambling.
By comparison, Norway has a problem gambling rate of 1.4%, while a survey by Public Health France last year estimated that the rate in that country was 1.6% – up from 0.8% in 2014.
This latest research by the BGC backs similar studies across Europe that consistently show a link between stricter regulations – and a surge in black market activity.
The BGC is calling on Government to consider targeted measures which protect vulnerable gamblers – not a blanket approach which could force the vast majority who bet safely onto the black market.
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Xtremepush Confirms €12m Financing by AshGrove Capital

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Xtremepush, a market leader of CRM and gamification powered by AI, has announced today that it has received €12m in new funding from its long-term investment partner, AshGrove Capital.
The European capital solutions provider, which specialises in B2B software companies, has issued a flexible debt facility to Xtremepush, which will allow a scaling up of its ambitious growth and acquisition strategies. In addition, it will cement Xtremepush’s market-leading position as a unified CRM and gamification software platform while also advancing its footprint in regulated verticals such as financial services, e-commerce, and publishing.
Xtremepush’s next growth phase, set to be expedited by this latest funding, will see it scale up its operations in multiple regulated markets. This will allow Xtremepush, with Ashgrove’s support, to continue its investment in industry leading R&D, explore new opportunities in other verticals, expand its global market footprint, and power its acquisition strategy complementary to its existing model. The CRM experts hold a five-year investment relationship with AshGrove Capital and this funding round gives a strong approval of the trajectory of the Dublin-based firm, which also has private equity relationships with tech-focused Grafton Capital and Bettor Capital.
Tommy Kearns, CEO and co-founder at Xtremepush, said of the latest funding: “AshGrove Capital has been a hugely supportive partner over the last five years and this latest financing commitment will help us realise our ambitious growth strategy and will accelerate our acquisition plans in the very near future.
“Xtremepush has gone from strength to strength as a CRM and gamification leader in a short space of time, and this backing makes it a truly exciting time to push on following such a major vote of confidence in our technology, leadership, and business direction.”
Jonathon Ferguson, Co-Founder and Partner of AshGrove Capital, added: “Xtremepush are one of very few innovators in the CRM space, consistently raising the bar and demonstrating value to its partners, who inevitably continue their relationship for the long haul”.
“This latest investment is testament to our belief in their ambitious growth strategy, strong leadership, and robust organisation – one that empowers regulated businesses to deliver compliant, tailored communications at scale. With this new commitment, we’re ready to facilitate the next step of the Xtremepush journey and help the firm scale to become a leader in CRM across various regulated sectors.“
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Galaxsys’ Maestro Tops Crash Game Charts with 500,000+ Players Worldwide

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Galaxsys is proud to announce that Maestro, its flagship crash game, has reached new milestones in player engagement and popularity. With over 500,000 active players and more than 30 million rounds played each month, Maestro continues to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience.
About the Game
In Maestro, players place bets before the round starts and watch as the parrot begins to fly, while the odds steadily climb. Players win with the corresponding odds if they click the “Cashout” button before the crash—the sudden stop—occurs. Maestro features dynamic animations and fascinating bonuses, making every round visually engaging and emotionally thrilling for players.
Key Performance Highlights
- 500,000+ active players – Demonstrating the game’s strong global appeal and consistent player engagement.
- 30 million rounds played per month – Highlighting the game’s high activity levels and replay value.
- $5+ average bet size – Reflecting players’ confidence and willingness to invest in the game.
- 75% player return rate – A testament to Maestro’s engaging mechanics and player satisfaction.
- Available in 10+ regulated markets – Ensuring safe and compliant gaming experiences for a wide audience.
- Offered by 1,500+ operators worldwide – Proving Maestro’s strong adoption and popularity within the operator community.
Teni Grigoryan, Chief Sales and Partner Management Officer at Galaxsys, commented on the game’s success and growth opportunities: “Maestro has been performing exceptionally well across multiple regions. We’re seeing strong engagement from players and consistently high activity levels, which reflects both the game’s mechanics and its universal appeal. Operators across different markets have reported excellent retention and repeat play, making Maestro a reliable and profitable addition to their portfolios.”
Operators can seamlessly integrate Maestro, along with other top-performing industry titles, through a single integration.
The post Galaxsys’ Maestro Tops Crash Game Charts with 500,000+ Players Worldwide appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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INCENTIVE GAMES AND GOLDBET LAUNCH NEW FREE-TO-PLAY GAME ‘WINNING5’

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Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, has partnered with Goldbet, part of the Lottomatica Group Italy’s leading name in online gaming, to launch a new free to play weekly football game, Winning5.
The game gives football fans a chance to visit the Goldbet app each weekday to ‘collect’ a different Seria A team, selected at random, with play bonus slot, spots bonus, and a €2,000 shared jackpot up for grabs depending on how many of their teams win over the weekend.
The more winning teams players collect, the bigger the prize. From smaller wins for two correct results, to the ultimate reward for collecting all five teams, Winning5 offers players an engaging and free way to add fun to the weeks matches.
On game day, players can track their progress through real-time updates, powered by Incentive Games’ specialised data and analytics to deliver a seamless, engaging experience.
This is the first collaboration between Goldbet and Incentive Games as part of the company’s partnership with Lottomatica.
John Gordon, CEO and co-founder of Incentive Games, said, “Winning5 is designed to bring the thrill of weekend football to life, but in a way that’s free-to-play and accessible. We’re thrilled to partner with Goldbet, one of Italy’s most respected gaming brands, to deliver a product that keeps fans engaged and entertained from kick-off to the final whistle.”
Simone Occhiuzzi, Lottomatica Digital & i-Gaming Director, said, “Our objective is to ensure an ever-expanding for-fun offering for our customers. We are proud to have broadened our engagement bouquet with the introduction of Winning5, further enriching our customers’ for-fun experience.”
The game is now live for all eligible Goldbet customers in Italy.
The post INCENTIVE GAMES AND GOLDBET LAUNCH NEW FREE-TO-PLAY GAME ‘WINNING5’ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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