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Payments Vital for iGaming Player Acquisition and Retention – Paysafe Research

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Quick and easy payouts trump all other factors for North American and U.K. online sports bettors when selecting a sportsbook, according to the latest All the ways players pay research from leading payments platform Paysafe. The report also reveals the crucial role of the payments experience in player retention as well as sports bettors’ rising interest in digital wallets and eCash.

Surveying more than 2000 online sports bettors in six U.S. states (Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania), the Canadian province of Ontario, and the UK, in November 2022, the research found that quick and easy payouts were prioritised by 36% of players when choosing a sportsbook. They considered payouts more important than brand trust (34%), odds, and promotions (28% for both). Availability of preferred payment methods was a factor for 27% of bettors and prioritised over a sportsbook’s sports markets and team sponsorships (11% for both).

Frictionless payouts are even more of a factor in sportsbook selection for players in Michigan (43%), whose market launched in January 2021, and the UK (39%), with its iGaming industry dating back 20+ years. By contrast, in Ontario, whose expanded market launched in April, players consider brand trust paramount (prioritised by 39%), though payouts were the second most important factor (35%).

The payment experience is just as vital for player retention, with 75% of sports bettors citing this as an important factor for why they remain with a brand. Payments appear particularly crucial for customer stickiness in New York, with 85% of players in the year-old iGaming market giving this consideration.

Players’ payment preferences continue to diversify, though the traditional payment method of debit cards dominates wagering (preferred by 49% of bettors). The U.K. and Iowa gambling regulators’ bans on credit cards for iGaming have likely contributed to this trend, with debit card preferences rising to 59% in both markets. Despite these two markets’ restrictions, credit cards were a payment preference of 25% of all players and are the go-to payment method for New Yorkers (44%).

Overall, the alternative payment method (APM) of digital wallets is now more popular than credit cards, with 28% of all players preferring a wallet. This trends as high as 45% in Iowa, where credit cards are not permitted. Digital wallets’ popularity is strongest with more frequent or VIP bettors, with a wallet the top payment method for players wagering 5-7 times a week alongside debit cards (both 41%). For bettors wagering 7+ times weekly, 34% prefer a wallet, exceeding mobile wallets (33%) and credit cards (24%).

Adoption of other APMs like eCash is also growing, with 16% of players preferring this payment method, trending higher in the U.S. (18%), where cash usage is still relatively robust, and in New York in particular (28%). Future demand also appears strong, with 53% of players saying they would bet online more frequently if they were able to use eCash products.

Operators appear to be largely addressing players’ concerns about payment security, with 59% more confident transacting than they were in 2021. Nonetheless, with 30% of players undecided and 11% less confident, there appears to be no room for complacency for the iGaming industry.

“Our latest research report emphasizes how critical it is for operators to develop a customer-friendly payments strategy as part of their model in order to both convert and retain new and existing players. In a highly competitive market, operators stand to gain a competitive edge if their cashiers feature a comprehensive suite of payment methods, including digital wallets, which support the conversion of VIP players, and eCash, which resonates with cash-focused consumers who are perhaps prioritizing sticking to a budget in their betting,” Zak Cutler, President of Global Gaming at Paysafe, said.

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MyEmpire Reborn: New Look, New Empires, New Features

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MyEmpire, one of the leading brands within the MioMedia affiliate program, proudly unveils its grand transformation. The empire has been reborn — with a stunning new look, an expanded collection of games, and thrilling new features set to redefine the gaming experience.

The redesigned MyEmpire brand unveils a fresh and immersive environment inspired by great civilizations of the past. The new interface offers smoother navigation, enhanced visuals, and a layout that reflects the brand’s evolution and the spirit of the empire. It’s cleaner, faster, and full of life — giving players the feeling of truly stepping into a renewed realm of majesty.

The updated design extends across the entire game world, bringing richer landscapes, detailed architecture, and enhanced character art that adds elegance and depth, drawing players further into play.

Along with the visual transformation, MyEmpire is expanding its portfolio with new games. Each title offers a unique experience while staying true to the empire’s spirit of strategy, adventure, and discovery. Together, they create a broader and more dynamic world for players to explore.

Beyond new games, MyEmpire is expanding with the launch of a dedicated shop — a new destination where players can purchase exclusive items or exchange their in-game bonuses for them. It’s a fresh way to turn progress into rewards and make every victory even more satisfying.

Soon, players will also enjoy new gamification features — SpinRally, Wheel of Fortune, and WonderPot. These additions will introduce even more thrills and rewards, giving players the chance to test their luck, win prizes, and uncover new surprises within the empire. Each feature is designed to enhance engagement and add a fresh layer of fun to the play.

MioMedia Affiliates continue to stand at the forefront of iGaming innovation, bringing together top-performing brands and world-class affiliate partnerships. As MyEmpire enters a new era with its refreshed look and features, MioMedia Affiliates celebrates the brand’s dedication to excellence, creativity, and pursuit of entertainment that both inspires and rewards.

For more information and guidance, contact the team: https://www.miomedia.com/contact-us

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53% OF PC DEVELOPERS WORRY ABOUT STEAM RELIANCE, AS PC DISTRIBUTION DIVERSIFIES

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Rokky, the PC game distribution platform delivering publisher-approved keys to global markets, has today unveiled its landmark whitepaper, The State of PC Distribution. The report, based on an independent study of 306 game industry execs, reveals how Steam’s continued dominance of PC game distribution leaves developers fearing their over-reliance on the platform and exploring alternative channels.

For years, Steam has deservedly been synonymous with PC game distribution. A striking 72% of developers believe Steam operates as a monopoly, with more than half (53%) concerned about their overwhelming reliance on a single platform. With over 18,000 new titles hitting Steam in 2024, the dominant storefront is drowning in games, and this fierce competition fuels developers’ concerns for game distribution. Market saturation (35%), and the ever-present challenge of discoverability (33%) are cited as key challenges, although the rise of the free-to-play model (40%) was named as the number one concern.

In response, developers are diversifying their distribution channels, with a significant 48% utilising the Epic Games Store. E-stores (38%) and marketplaces (30%) are also key channels for PC distribution, offering avenues to sell Steam keys outside of Valve’s platform, and appreciated by a third of developers for their access to hard-to-reach markets. The report also dives deep into the often-misunderstood gray market, where discounted keys are resold from low-priced regions in marketplaces and e-stores. With 73% of developers concerned about players reselling keys, “The State of PC Distribution” Report details how studios can reap the perceived benefits of e-stores and marketplaces without falling victim to the gray market.

Vadim Andreev, CEO and Co-Founder of Rokky, said:

“With a growing prominence of e-stores and marketplaces, PC game distribution is more varied, vast, and complex than it has ever been. New opportunities are everywhere – as are pitfalls and challenges. And most of the old guard remain relevant. Understanding the nuances has never been more important, and so we created this report to highlight the trends that matter.”

Key Findings from “The State of PC Distribution”:

  • Today’s challenges: The rise of free-to-play games is the biggest challenge of selling PC games today (40%), followed by market saturation and competition (35%) and discoverability (33%)

  • Steam’s dominance: 88% of studios say Steam accounts for over 75% of their revenue. 72% feel Steam effectively exists as a monopoly and 53% are concerned about their level of reliance on that single platform.

  • Beyond Steam: 48% have distributed a title to the Epic Games Store, 30% to marketplaces such as G2A and Kinguin, 38% to e-stores such as Fanatical or Humble Bundle, 10% have distributed with GOG, and 8% with itch.io.

  • Marketplace Benefits: Developers relate marketplaces with benefits such as ease of use (45%), pricing control (35%), promotional support (33%) and international reach (31%).

  • E-Store Benefits: Developers relate marketplaces with benefits such as ease of use (41%), pricing control (35%), promotional support (33%) and international reach (35%)

  • Marketplace Concerns: Developers relate marketplaces with the gray market (24%), loss of control (22%), and loss of revenue (22%).

  • E-Store Concerns: Developers relate e-stores with the gray market (23%), loss of control (23%), and loss of revenue (19%).

  • Alternative distribution outlook: 75% of developers anticipate at least a 10% revenue uplift from using e-stores and marketplaces; 80% expect alternative channels to become a regular part of their distribution mix within five years.

  • Defining the gray market: Only 22% believe the gray market is the concept of unauthorised reselling. For the majority of respondents (73%), the gray market is not a practice but a place. 24% perceive that marketplaces themselves are the gray market, 24% define it as e-stores, and 25% believe the gray market is a combination of both.

  • Resale concerns: 73% of developers are concerned about players reselling keys.

The post 53% OF PC DEVELOPERS WORRY ABOUT STEAM RELIANCE, AS PC DISTRIBUTION DIVERSIFIES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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PG Soft reinforces European presence through SiGMA Central Europe sponsorship

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PG Soft, a world-class digital mobile games company, has strengthened its support of the SiGMA Summit series by sponsoring the SiGMA Central Europe Expo, taking place from 3rd – 6th November at Fiera Roma in Rome, Italy. 

The SiGMA Central Europe Expo brings together leading stakeholders from across the global iGaming ecosystem for four days of networking, innovation, and business growth in one of Europe’s most iconic cities.  

During the show, PG Soft’s branding will feature prominently at the event’s Registration Counter – the first touchpoint for every attendee and one of the venue’s busiest hubs. Additionally, PG Soft banners will surround the registration desk and storage wall areas.

PG Soft’s branding will also be displayed on large HD screens positioned beside the main entrance, running across all three days of the Expo. Two custom 30-second videos, designed by PG Soft’s creative team, will loop continuously across the displays.

While this sponsorship does not carry an official title, it further reinforces PG Soft’s commitment to enhancing the player and partner experience at leading global expos and supporting SiGMA’s mission to connect and inspire the worldwide iGaming community.

PG Soft’s spokesperson commented: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with SiGMA for the upcoming Central Europe event in Rome. Our collaboration reinforces PG Soft’s commitment to enhancing the player and partner experience at leading global expos and supporting SiGMA’s mission to connect and inspire the worldwide iGaming community.”

The post PG Soft reinforces European presence through SiGMA Central Europe sponsorship appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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