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Racing TV survey uncovers significant black market threat

Published

3 years ago

February 13, 2023

Reading Time: 3 minutes

A recent Racing TV survey has drawn a strong response among its members, with more than 3,500 having their say on the Gambling Act Review and the spectre of the black market.

Racing TV is fully supportive of the objectives of the Gambling Act Review in protecting those at risk of gambling harm. In what is the first consumer survey to assess the scale of the black market and affordability checks, the key findings were:

80% of the 3,469 respondents said they would not like to see mandatory limits imposed by bookmakers
15% of 3,539 respondents said they bet, or know someone that bets, with an unregulated online bookmaker
22% of 3,575 respondents said they have been asked to supply personal information
50% (404 respondents) of those asked to supply this information, refused to do so
92% of 3,237 respondents said they would consider using a different bookmaker if no personal information was required

Affordability checks and loss limits have been key focal areas of the ongoing Gambling Act Review and will draw most attention when the White Paper is published.

Reports in the media last year indicated that a leaked draft of the White Paper contained fixed loss limit thresholds. These are highly contentious for our survey respondents. Nearly 80% of the 3,469 respondents said they would not like to see mandatory limits imposed by bookmakers.

Perhaps the most worrying of these findings was that 15% of the 3539 respondents to the below question said that they bet, or they know someone that bets, with an unregulated online bookmaker.

In the absence of clear direction from the Gambling Commission, and while the wait for the publication of the White Paper goes on, many bookmakers have introduced affordability checks, some of which, such as requests for payslips, bank statements or P60s, could be considered intrusive.

More than 22% of the 3,575 respondents to the below question suggested that they have been asked to supply such documents.

Just over half of those who had been asked to supply such documents declined to do so.

In addition, more than 92% of 3,237 respondents to the below question suggested they would consider using a bookmaker, which didn’t require documentation.

Martin Stevenson, CEO of Racing TV’s parent company Racecourse Media Group, said: “The widespread response to the Racing TV survey shows how much the ongoing Gambling Act Review, combined with their recent experiences, is affecting our members.

“Our survey revealed that 15% of respondents bet, or know someone that bets, with an unregulated bookmaker, which is of real concern. With millions of customers betting on racing, the findings of this survey indicate that hundreds of thousands of punters are potentially using the black market.

“This survey is clear evidence that shows that the black market is real and substantial and suggests that affordability checks are having the effect of moving a significant number of affected punters out of the UK-regulated environment and so exposing them to potential harm. This must be a pyrrhic victory and the opposite to what affordability checks set out to achieve.

“We have shared this information with the Gambling Commission and hope that they can take account of this in their assessment of the black market. The evidence suggests it exists and is only building.”

Stevenson went on: “Nearly a quarter (22%) responded yes to the question on whether they had been asked for personal information, with 50% refusing to comply. This is a strikingly high percentage, demonstrating consumers’ rejection of this intrusion on their leisure activity.

“The inference that 22% of racing punters are at risk of harm is very challenging to believe and appears excessive when compared against the overall prevalence of problem gambling.

“In addition, RMG has seen a material decline in online betting turnover on horseracing in 2022. The Racing Post has estimated the sport could lose up to £40m of funding each year. Everyone involved in the industry should be deeply concerned. The impact of affordability checks is that the sport is suffering a heavy financial toll.”

The former Minister with responsibility for Horseracing and Gambling, Paul Scully, recently indicated how the Government were approaching affordability checks, saying: “It is not the role of the government, it is not the role of the Gambling Commission, to tell people how much of their salary they are ‘allowed to’ spend on gambling.”

Stevenson continued: “I hope that the new Minister with responsibility for Horseracing and Gambling will also consider the results of this survey as part of the ongoing work on the Gambling Act Review. It has been long overdue, in this process, to consider the attitudes of the consumers themselves in regard to how they choose to spend their time and money. I was very glad to hear the former Minister acknowledge that in his recent speech.

“Applying universal limits does not recognise the wide range of natural betting behaviours, events, seasonality or differing individual financial circumstances. The undoubted highlight of the Jumps season, the upcoming Cheltenham Festival – which is the major focus for many punters – is clearly a case in point. To that end, I was pleased to see the former Minister stating that a ‘one size fits all approach’ was not the intention.

“I’d like to thank all our members who took part in the survey.”

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

Published

16 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

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.

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PG Soft reinforces European presence through SiGMA Central Europe sponsorship

Published

17 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

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.”

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Novabet96 Casino Enhances Player Experience with Data-Driven Insights and Responsible Gaming

Published

2 days ago

October 29, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Novabet96 Casino has introduced a modernized player engagement framework that integrates responsible gaming practices, advanced analytics, and recognized slot content to improve the digital casino experience. The platform aims to offer an entertainment environment grounded in fairness, transparency, and user control—prioritizing both innovation and ethical standards in the online gaming sector.

A core part of this evolution is the expansion of its content portfolio, featuring premium titles like aristocrat pokies, a global favorite among slot enthusiasts. By incorporating Aristocrat Pokies online, Novabet96 Casino seamlessly connects nostalgic gameplay with cutting-edge design. Each game, optimized for engagement and fairness, enhances the platform’s reputation as a trusted environment where players experience both excitement and reliability.

As part of this initiative, Novabet96 has expanded its game portfolio to include a wide variety of popular slot titles, including games inspired by the iconic design style of Aristocrat machines. These games, known for their recognizable gameplay mechanics and visual themes, are offered in a format that emphasizes reliability and compliance. The inclusion of such content enhances the platform’s offering while maintaining legal and brand clarity.

“Engagement in online gaming goes beyond variety; it’s about relevance and responsible delivery,” said the company’s Head of Product. “Our platform uses aggregated player insights to recommend content that aligns with user preferences while preserving transparency and control. From classic slots to live dealer experiences, our technology helps shape a more informed and adaptable gaming environment.”

Central to the platform’s evolution is a data-informed approach to user interaction. Novabet96 uses behavioral trends—not individual tracking—to optimize content recommendations and user experience. These insights help streamline platform navigation, refine bonus structures, and support responsive design across mobile and desktop devices. By focusing on aggregated data patterns, Novabet96 balances personalization with privacy awareness and compliance.

Responsible gaming is a foundational element of Novabet96’s approach. The platform offers built-in player protection tools such as deposit limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion features—designed to empower users to manage their activity in a safe and informed manner. By integrating these controls early in the player journey, Novabet96 reinforces its commitment to ethical entertainment practices and long-term sustainability in the gaming industry.

Platform accessibility has also been improved through interface upgrades that reduce friction in the sign-up, deposit, and withdrawal processes. These refinements ensure users can navigate the site with ease while maintaining secure transactions and clear promotional terms. Every feature reflects a streamlined, responsible approach to digital engagement—eliminating ambiguity and reinforcing trust.

Novabet96’s transparent operations, responsible gaming features, and recognizable game titles support its goal of delivering a user-first experience without overstating outcomes. With an emphasis on integrity, the company continues to shape a standard of excellence in Southeast Asia’s competitive online casino market.

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