Daily Archives: May 17, 2022

And the figures will likely be even more impressive if the unceasing pandemic continues to push gamers towards digital avenues of entertainment.

Live dealers, virtual reality casinos, blockchain-based provably fair games the tech has been unstoppable in the last two decades and is not expected to falter anytime soon, at least as long as Moores law holds and the demand for quality online casinos stays where it is now.

But the most mind-boggling technology that reshapes online gambling and most other online industries for that matter is data science. It is responsible for the ads you see, the games youre being suggested, and even the captchas you get when accessing an unfamiliar website.

So what exactly is data science, and how does it affect casino players? Before we start, wed like to give credit to Anna Rosak, a gambling expert from KasynoHEX, who gave us some insight into casino data science and also helped us put this piece together.

As technologies develop, more and more interdisciplinary fields appear, and data science is one of them.

It uses scientific methods and algorithms to extract valuable knowledge from structured and unstructured data and then produce insights into many other fields, such as marketing, software development, customer service and more.

Online casinos have already started to capitalize on big data in a variety of ways, and this trend is about to become all-encompassing.

Competitor research. Having access to the behaviour of competitors, it becomes easier to spot their drawbacks and get as many advantages as the data analysis allows. Besides, Big Data may be to get an idea of the level of competition and the saturation of this or that market or its segment.

Customer preferences. Likes, dislikes, expectations, and inclinations that drive purchasing decisions can be obtained via Big Data analysis.

Collecting customer preferences have long become critical for marketing success, and it goes without saying online casinos do it as well. You must have noticed that almost every website wants you to accept its cookies so that they could collect useful information about you.

Online security loopholes. Online casinos use Big Data to identify weak spots and improve their online security, especially in customer data storage and payments (deposits and withdrawals).

Big Data is undoubtedly the key element for the online casino business.

At the same time, it has very few benefits for casino players themselves except for improved content issuance (which is not always good, as many punters prefer doing in-depth research rather than succumbing to what is being advertised to them).

Continue reading here:

Data science: the future of online gambling Retail Technology Innovation Hub - Retail Technology Innovation Hub

The online gambling scene, though, has perhaps been able to benefit greatly because of the widespread adoption of cryptocurrency that is being experienced within the continent. 57% of Africans remain unbanked, and many of those have since turned to alternative methods of currency, including virtual means.

Naturally, this will have had an impact on the gambling industry, as many from the continent now continue to flock to a crypto casino and use their favorite digital asset and combine this with one of their preferred pastimes: playing gambling titles including slots and table games. Indeed, with it suggested that there was a growth of 1,200% between July 2020 and June 2021 in regard to crypto, there is likely to be an interest in these services moving forward!

Gambling remains very popular with Africans

Despite the issues that were experienced around the world in the last couple of years due to the devastating virus and the impact it left in its wake, Africans continued to go back to crypto gambling in their numbers, as many of them found it a luxury and a form of recreation that they could enjoy when their lives were not at their best.

Indeed, this was not the only reason why the industry was utilized as much as it was, with it being evident that the improvement in communication infrastructure around the entire continent is a significant factor for many. As of 2020, the continent had boasted 11.5% of all internet users in the world, therefore many would have argued that the development of infrastructure was needed.

However, the problem regarding legal matters and online gambling legislation within the continent is an issue that many have faced, although this is why so many gamers have begun to use a crypto casino to enjoy one of their favorite pastimes.

Why are legal issues a problem?

The laws regarding online gambling across the continent are rather varied, with some allowing the activity, whereas others have outlawed it. Some nations still remain in a grey area, too, thus adding to the problems that continue to be experienced.

Tanzania is an example of a nation that has embraced the industry as they have provided liberal and inclusive gaming regulations, whilst there are others that have made it a lot more difficult. However, with that said, Africans are free to access offshore sites, which is why the market is able to thrive within certain countries.

There is no denying that there is still a lot of room for the online gambling industry to try and potentially manouver into, however there is perhaps a reason why they are yet to have accomplished this.

There is confusion amongst many African nations about what to do in regard to imposing new laws and enforcing them, especially when they are not implemented at the federal level. Nonetheless, it would seem the future is rather bright.

What is the future of gambling in Africa?

Naturally, there will be plenty of interest regarding what happens in the future for the online gambling industry within Africa, although it does look rather positive. Many countries are looking to embrace the industry, whilst there are citizens across the entire continent that are extremely passionate about the pastime, and with crypto adoption at an incredible level, this could be one way in which they decide to enjoy this activity in the meantime, as well as in the future!

Continued here:

Can crypto play a role in the rise of the African online gambling market? - Business Insider Africa

Do you like the idea of being able to play casino games no matter where you might be? Well, youve come to the right place. This article will explore all of the best mobile casinos in the USA you can sign up to today.

Some online casinos are better than others when it comes to the mobile experience. Thats why weve taken the time to test out the mobile offerings of all the best casino sites.

Lets find out more about our top picks.

Best Mobile Casinos in the USA

1. Ignition Best Mobile Casino in the USA Overall

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If you cant make up your mind about what type of online gambling you want to dabble in today, then Ignition Casino is for you. There is every leading game type on offer through this excellent online casino platform - from mobile slots and poker to live dealer games.

Game Collection: 4.9/5

Are you someone who loves both online poker and casino games? The Ignition mobile casino has a quality offering for the USA players in both of these departments. There is always plenty of action for poker players thanks to the high traffic levels.

While there isnt a huge amount of casino games, every base is covered. This goes for slot titles, bingo, regular table games, and live dealer games. More than 12 different leading game studios supply these titles.

Our favourite part of the Ignition Casino game library was their live casino. There are a few dozen different tables, each with professional dealers and varied betting limits. No matter if you are a high roller or a low-stakes player, there is a table for you.

User Friendliness: 4.9/5

Thankfully, you dont need to download any casino apps to access Ignition Casino on a mobile phone in the United States. The browser-based mobile online casino ticks every box. Compatible with all major operating systems and web browsers, youll have no issues accessing the mobile casino games.

The Ignition mobile casino design is great. Despite the wide range of mobile games, youll still be able to quickly find the section you are seeking. Site speed is top-tier and there is a quality gameplay experience across the board.

Welcome Offer & Bonuses: 4.7/5

Ignition Casino is one of those platforms that have separate crypto and non-crypto welcome offers. This allows you to chop and choose the bonuses depending on your preferences.

For those depositing via Bitcoin, you can get a 150% first deposit bonus up to $1,500 when you use the IGWPCB bonus code - twice. This signup offer is a 100% match bonus up to $1,000 for non-crypto depositors. Both deals carry an achievable 25x wagering requirement.

Plenty of other tasty promotions is within your reach at Ignition Casino. You can dip your toes in different types of poker tournaments, while also trying out the latest slots with free spin offers and reload bonuses.

Banking Options: 4.6/5

Cryptocurrency transactions are particularly encouraged at Ignition Casino. Boosted bonus offers are usually available for USA players depositing via crypto. The non-crypto payment options are a bit limited, with e-wallets not being an option.

Conducting transactions via mobile is particularly straightforward with Ignition Casino as well. Withdrawal speeds are about average, with a 48-hour pending period in place.

2. Red Dog Casino Best Welcome Offer of all Mobile Casinos

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Red Dog Casino likes to keep players accounts topped up with regular offers, including the amazing welcome bonus. After getting the generous first deposit bonus, you can dip your toes into the quality game library through this great mobile online casino - and make use of free spins promos, and more.

Game Collection: 4.7/5

Even though its a new site, Red Dog Casinos game library is on par with the best online casinos in USA.

One of the best aspects is that it regularly adds new games. This keeps things fresh and exciting, rather than players having to stick to the same old games again and again.

Each title also will be playable in demo mode, which is always a plus. You can sharpen your skill sets without having to put real money on the line all the time. We really enjoyed the jackpots that are on offer at Red Dog Casino, with huge prizes often up for grabs.

Upon first glance, you might be concerned that Red Dog Casino doesnt offer live dealer games to the USA players. However, you will be able to see the different live casino games once you register for an account.

User Friendliness: 4.8/5

A mobile experience is supposed to be something that allows for great ease of use. You dont want anything too flashy - just great functionality. This is something that Red Dog Casino delivers in spades.

There is ultimate flexibility with Red Dog Casino, as there are casino apps to download, or you can access the mobile casino through a browser. Youve got the best of both worlds.

No matter which road you go down, you know that there will be a straightforward navigation system and plenty of enjoyable mobile-optimised games to play.

Welcome Offer & Bonuses: 5/5

Red Dog Casino regularly updates its welcome bonus to keep things interesting. New USA signups are always in for a treat. The current offer sees players getting a 235% first deposit bonus and 55 free spins. Just use the LEPRECHAUN bonus code to unlock this deal.

You wont find many other mobile casinos in the United States with a better match bonus than that. Another great feature is that Red Dog Casino will often offer free spins for new games. This gives you the chance to check out new titles while getting some extra boost.

Oh, and did we mention there are regular exclusive Red Dog bonus codes? If you use the bonus code FREEBANDITS, you can get 30 free spins on Cash Bandits 3, an exciting high-RTP slot game.

Banking Options: 4.4/5

USA players will find an ideal level of variety in the banking section. However, the minimum withdrawal is a tad steep at $150. This is something to keep in mind before signing up for an account as it might not suit certain types of players.

3. EveryGame Best Game Variety of any USA Mobile Casino

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Dont recognise the EveryGame Casino name? Well, this is a massive revamp of the highly popular Intertops brand.

Everything has a fresh feeling, with their USA mobile casino in particular extremely easy to use. With tons of stunning promotions and quality games, this is one not to be missed.

Game Collection: 5/5

EveryGame Casino really meets nearly every aspect you could want from an online gambling site. Everything from sports betting and casino games to poker is on offer to players from America.

The mobile online casino is split into two different sections. Youve Casino Red and Casino Classic. These are mainly just different types of interfaces, both containing a high-quality range of games. More than a hundred mobile slots are playable on each option from your mobile device.

Table games players are well covered, too, particularly for players from America that enjoy blackjack. Players in America will find more than 14 different regular blackjack variants to play, as well as a whole range of live dealer blackjack games.

User Friendliness: 4.7/5

EveryGame has undergone a transformation in recent times. Many USA players might be familiar with its previous identity Intertops. It has been given a major revamp and it now looks amazing.

Everything is ultra-modern and sleek. You can quickly switch from section to section without any hassle. With their USA mobile casino, you can sign up for an account in less than a minute. All this allows you to start playing your favourite games in no time.

No casino app is available, but everything works perfectly through a browser on your phone. Pairing an extremely established online casino operator with a new mobile casino design is a recipe for success when it comes to the user experience.

Welcome Offer & Bonuses: 4.5/5

Each of the two casino sections has its own welcome deposit bonuses. Interestingly, one is better than the other. For Casino Red users, youll get a 125% first deposit bonus up to $1,000 when you use the SIGNUP1000 promo code.

If you prefer the look of the Casino Classic section, then you will obtain a 100% match bonus up to $100 when using the SIGNUP1 bonus code. Both of these offers carry a respectable 30x wagering requirement.

There are also tons of other promotions to tickle your fancy. Regular tournaments and reload bonuses can be found. Youll even find a bonus that is solely focused on mobile casino players. That said, they could benefit from adding more free spins promos.

Banking Options: 4.8/5

At EveryGame, every possible popular type of transaction option for a USA mobile online casino is present. This makes everything a whole lot easier. Just note that allowing a day or two to get payout approval is a necessary step.

4. Slots.lv Best User Experience of all USA Mobile Casinos

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If you are looking for the best user experience on your mobile device, then Slots.lv Casino is for you. No matter what you are trying to do, it will be as smooth as it could be with this casino site. On top of that, theyve got some of the most generous welcome offer opportunities around for players from America.

Game Collection: 4/5

Enjoy having tons of variety when playing online slots? Then Slots.lv Casino could be for you. There are almost 200 different big-name slots games on offer. Over a dozen different major game studios provide the slots.

Added to the many choices of online slots is the solid range of table games. This should satisfy the needs of most table game players in America. While the live casino doesnt have the biggest collection, it covers all bases.

User Friendliness: 5/5

If you are looking to get down to business straight away when visiting a USA mobile casino, then Slots.lv is a good option. The game library is presented in such a way that you can quickly see the many game options on your mobile device without the screen being overly cluttered.

Any game that has a jackpot will clearly showcase the big prize, as well as new games and updated titles being clearly highlighted. We couldnt really ask for much more when it comes to user experience for United States players.

The mobile casino is a breeze to use, no matter if youre setting up an account, adding funds, or playing the games.

Welcome Offer & Bonuses: 4.8/5

Not many other mobile casinos will have a better choice of welcome offers. There are separate deals for crypto and non-crypto deposits, as well as regular promos for live casino USA players.

These offers dont just cover your initial deposit they also will provide bonuses for your subsequent eight deposits.

Regular promos will be in abundance, as well as various rewards offers. The My Slots loyalty program allows you to accumulate reward points with each real money wager you make. These points can unlock some nice prizes and exclusive perks.

Banking Options: 3.9/5

One downside of Slots.lv is that it doesnt have the biggest range of payment options for players from America. You really only have cryptocurrency or debit/credit cards methods available to you. Generally, a 1-2 working day pending period is in place for withdrawals.

5. BetOnline Casino Best Bonuses of any Mobile Casino

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BetOnline Casino really is a jack of all trades. Whether youre into sports betting, casino games, or poker, you can chop and change between the various options on your mobile device - and its also reflected in their welcome bonus, as there are four different types of them.

Game Collection: 4.5/5

BetOnline Casino brings a good choice of mobile games to the table, with over 360 titles being on offer. A large portion of these titles is slots games, coming from more than five different studios.

You also have 30 different poker options to check out, as well as a great variety of table games. Blackjack and roulette variants are everywhere, with some particularly interesting niche choices being present.

Plenty of specialty games are to be found, as well as four different bingo titles. In terms of live dealer games, youll get plenty of enjoyment out of each of the available titles. If youre looking to feel like you are sitting at an actual table, then their live casino is for you.

Oh, and did we mention that its also one of the best online sportsbooks?

User Friendliness: 4.5/5

Many people enjoy a sleek design - something which is certainly present at BetOnline Casino. Their mobile casino has gone through a few improvements in recent times, and they certainly managed to enhance the user experience.

All game types are clearly displayed and you can quickly filter through a wide range of categories.

If a game had a special feature, it was clearly displayed as part of the wider game library. The logo of the studio that supplied the title is also clearly shown. This allows you to quickly spot the types of games you wish to play.

Welcome Offer & Bonuses: 4.9/5

If you like deposit bonuses (and who doesnt?), then youre in for a treat here. There are separate deals for the BetOnline Casino, sports betting section, poker platform, and crypto depositors.

Youll need to use the relevant bonus code to trigger these deals, each of which is quite similar in terms of the size of their bonuses. While the wagering requirements vary from offer to offer, the 30x rollover target for the casino bonus is quite decent.

Many great other offers can also be found when you visit the promotions page. Youll get access to weekly challenges, slots tournaments, reload bonuses, and cashback offers. You really are spoilt for choice with BetOnline Casino.

Read the rest here:

15 of the Best Mobile Casinos in the USA: Top Mobile Casino Sites and Apps - HeraldScotland

Cryptocurrency, a cutting-edge payment system, has now made its way into the world of online gaming. Even though casinos currently offer a wide variety of traditional payment methods, many gamers are also using cryptocurrency.

Investing in Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and FIREPIN (FIRE) is a certain way to make your financial goals a reality (FRPN). If youre a lover of both cryptocurrencies and gambling, then youll get something out of this essay. Everything you need to know about the future of virtual currencies in online gaming is right here.

As the gambling business develops, new technologies are being introduced by various operators in an effort to draw in new customers. Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are becoming increasingly popular in the gaming business for a variety of reasons. To play their favourite casino games, a large number of gamblers choose to use quick and secure payment options. US online casinos now allow you to deposit and win in BTC, this is great news considering the limitations of the normal wagering methods.. When utilising Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for an online business, players may deposit and get their winnings in a matter of minutes. Today, the most popular online gaming sites in the United States are accepting bitcoin, and this number is steadily rising. Check your local state laws to see whether there are any limits on bitcoin gambling at online casinos in the United States.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana are just some of the virtual currencies that may be used to play at online casinos. If youre looking for online casinos that take bitcoins, here are some tip.

Find out if the casino offers your favourite casino games by checking out its game collection.

Verify the trustworthiness of the online casino. Check out all of the online casinos exclusive deals and free money. Making a deposit and placing a bet on your preferred game is as simple as locating an online casino that takes bitcoins. There are several different kinds of cryptocurrencies that online casinos will accept. There are a variety of virtual currencies that may be used to pay for goods and services on the internet. Gamblers may gamble on their favourite casino games using Bitcoins, Ethereums, and Solanas.

Bitcoin is the most valuable virtual money in the world. In general, most crypto casinos accept bitcoin as a form of payment. Many advantages are available to gamers thanks to the usage of peer-to-peer technology in this virtual currency. In the cryptocurrency world, Bitcoin is one of the most widely used forms of currency.

The cheap costs, international payments, and rapid peer-to-peer transactions are some of the most essential advantages of utilising bitcoin as a payment mechanism.. Many experts and professionals feel that Bitcoin is the future of the online gaming business. Bitcoin will always be the most popular cryptocurrency in online casinos, no matter how many new cryptocurrencies enter the market.

The second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum, is also popular on online casinos and gambling websites. Ethereum is not just digital money, but also an open-source blockchain platform on which decentralised applications may be developed. The gaming industry has benefited greatly from Ethereums introduction of new technologies and business models. There are many gamers that use the Ethereum platform to develop their own unique gaming apps.

Future of online casinos and gambling sites will be powered by Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Litecoin and Tether. Virtual currency benefits are cited as a major factor in why bitcoin gambling is growing increasingly popular. Players and operators alike stand to gain greatly from crypto gaming.

You dont have to be an expert to use cryptocurrencies to make deposits and withdrawals. In addition, some Bitcoin casinos provide players with more favourable wagering requirements. Players who wish to pay with traditional banking methods should be aware that the process of sending and receiving money may take some time. The use of cryptocurrency videos, on the other hand, has simplified transactions for gamers.

Yes, in a nutshell. US gamers can gamble, wager, and withdraw using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency on a variety of online gambling sites, however it is mostly a grey zone.

There are no laws prohibiting crypto gambling at any online casinos at the moment, and this is due to the fact that it is deregulated. Using bitcoin at an online casino may be the way to go in the future as cryptocurrencies rise in popularity. Its also unlikely that online gamblers IP addresses can be used to track their activity.

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Casinos with Crypto | The future of online gambling? - NewsBTC

Posted on: May 16, 2022, 08:11h.

Last updated on: May 16, 2022, 10:25h.

Peru is closer to introducing online sports betting in an effort to boost its economy. The Economic Commission of the Congress unanimously approved a bill regulating the activity.

Congresswoman Diana Gonzles presented the bill, which proposes to regulate sports betting on the internet or other communication channels.

During the session, held in the Legislative Palace, the legislator argued in support of her initiative. She indicated that it would allow Peru and national athletes to benefit from the economic activity. The bill will now head to Parliament for further discussion.

Gonzles explained that this bill will formalize sports betting, which will help prevent crimes such as money laundering. It will also provide greater support to Peruvian sports through the taxes the government will be able to collect.

The initiative comes as Perus national sports organizations receive smaller budgets each year. In addition, Gonzles maintains that online sports betting is not regulated in Peru. As a result, there is no tax revenue. She stated that, in 2018, the unregulated sports betting industry in Peru was worth about 1.8 billion soles (US$475.87 million).

The proposal indicates a total of 12 sanctions in case of any violation of the rule. These range from a fine of up to 50 UIT, the suspension of activities of up to 36 months, definitive cancellation of the license, and disqualification for up to 10 years. The UIT is a type of tax unit that currently is equal to S4,600 (US$1,216).

Of that, the government didnt receive any percentage. Even at just 3%, Peru would have received over $14 million. For a country where approximately 19% of its population lives in poverty, that money would go a long way.

To a large extent, the success of the casino and gambling sector in Peru is because of a clear, precise and easy-to-implement regulatory framework. This legal formalization has attracted many investors, both national and foreign, who see in this sector an interesting potential for income generation.

The Peruvian government, aware of the importance of recognizing, formalizing, and regularizing the gambling sector, developed a strict but clear legal framework. It allows interested companies to develop the activity with total legal certainty, while offering players more assurances. However, online casinos and online sports betting remain absent.

Peruvian regulations on this matter clearly differentiate between gambling and betting. The law defines as a game of chance that which is based on mere luck to determine the players profit. This includes slot machines, lotteries and casino games, such as bingo, roulette, and others.

On the other hand, gambling games require skill, knowledge, and talent. Betting is regulated by Law 10345 dating from 1945, but it only tried to introduce the activity. Sports betting, on the other hand, is regulated by article 1942 of the Peruvian Civil Code, and there are no major restrictions on the exercise of this type of business.

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Peru Takes a Step Forward with Online Gambling Legislation - Casino.Org News

Online gaming solutions provider Evolution announced Monday it has signed an agreement with online casino brand PlayStar for the provision of Evolution's online Live Casino and "First Person" RNG-based casino games in New Jersey for PlayStar's US market debut later this year.

Under the terms of this new deal, PlayStar customers will be able to access an extensive range of Evolution's online Live Casino games and First Person casino games on desktop, tablet and smartphone.

The live dealer games, streamed in real-time from Evolutions established Live Casino production studio in Atlantic City, will include all the casino classics: Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and numerous Poker variants. In addition, PlayStar customers will also be able to play Evolutions First Person RNG-based offering.

Evolution will also be providing access to its portfolio of Red Tiger and NetEnt slot games, featuring key games such as "StarburstTM", "Gonzos Quest MegawaysTM", "Primate King", and many others.

Adam Noble, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of PlayStar Casino, spoke in a press release about the company's latest deal and said: This partnership marks a great milestone in the PlayStar Casino journey, in entering this agreement with an industry heavyweight and market leader means were one step closer to launching our 'online casino experience like no other'."

"Were pleased well be offering the full suite of Evolution content, including NetEnt and Red Tiger titles, and of course Evolutions market leading live catalogue. This formidable offering of content is a must-have to drive our aspirations in the New Jersey market, followed by Pennsylvania with more markets to come," Noble added.

Jeff Millar, Evolutions Commercial Director for North America, also commented: PlayStar is a new brand with big ambitions, and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership working together. This is another step forward in Evolutions journey to providing our award-winning games portfolio to more and more players within the US market. Our portfolio offers something for everyone, and we hope that PlayStars customers will love the quality and variety on offer.

More here:

Evolution signs Live Casino, RNG gaming partnership with online operator PlayStar ahead of US launch - Yogonet International

iGaming and its impact on land-based casinos in Durham Region has become an issue raised by some ahead of the 2022 provincial election.

Kelly LaRocca is of the opinion that iGaming is a bet the province cant afford.

Ontario implemented its new online betting model in April, a move that the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) has panned since it was first announced in January, citing a lack of consultation with the provinces Indigenous communities and potential for lost revenue and jobs.

Under the new online gaming system launched in early April, dubbed iGaming Ontario, the new Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario subsidiary will let private gaming websites that have qualified through a licensing process start taking wagers.

That decision has led to consternation among the Scugog Island First Nation who have raised concerns the province has rolled out the new offering too quickly without giving thought to the impact it would have on existing gambling halls in Durham Region as well as the economy of local First Nations.

I think that theyre rolling out the program too fast without proper data to support their model. Theyve given us pretty scant details around their model and around their belief that this will not deleteriously impact the land-based gaming facilities in the province, not to mention the concerns around responsible gaming and public health and safety, said LaRocca, chief of the MSIFN.

Ive seen very little data to support ... their very rushed unveiling of the gaming machines. Theres been very little consultation with First Nations, but also with Ontarians in general and certainly the service provider operators that run the land-based facilities within the province. I think the operators are all on board from what I am understanding and they are feeling generally the same way that they have great concern around the existential threat that is iGaming.

Instead of relaxing its restrictions on who can run an internet gaming site in Ontario, making it basically a Wild West free-for-all for companies across Canada as well as those offshore, LaRocca said the province should have taken a slow approach by offering online gambling to be run by existing brick-and-mortar casino operations through a tethering system.

That is the very least they can do, because the threat to our gaming positions remains live, certainly speaking on behalf of the First Nation and the Great Blue Heron, but its really a threat to all gaming across the province in the sense that anyone with the internet can game from their living room, said the MSIFN chief.

So its really quite disturbing and I think that for those service providers and those communities that have put their blood, sweat and tears into proliferating responsible, successful gaming in the province and investing in Ontario, I think that they ... should be the most concerned because theyre in direct competition with the province who is also the regulator. The irony is palpable.

LaRocca also reiterated previous statements that the MSIFN would seek legal steps against the province over its decision to launch iGaming without consulting First Nations as well as the introduction of another Durham Region casino in Pickering.

Unfortunately, the province has put us into a position after three years of promising that they would sit at the table with us, the province has put us in a position where we have no other avenue except to seek legal recourse, which were doing, she said.

In late January of this year, Scugog councillors passed a resolution calling on the province to provide some certainty that the new iGaming model would not negatively impact the existing land-based gambling industry.

In bringing forward his notice of motion, Ward 3 Coun. Robert Rock raised concerns about the potential for lost casino jobs and less spending in the Scugog community by fewer visitors to the Great Blue Heron Casino.

Im concerned that this iGaming model, if not thought through appropriately, can have some negative impacts for an industry that employs people in our region and contributes to our local economy, he said at the Jan. 31 meeting.

In a separate interview, Rock also acknowledged that less money flowing through to the MSIFN could mean fewer donations to the community and region from the Scugog Island First Nation.

Any threat to (the MSIFN) is another threat to the community because they do reinvest in this community, he added.

Supporting the motion put forward by Scugog was Ajax, which also has a stake in iGaming with uncertainty swirling around the future of its own casino, with its lease running out in 2026. Ajax has used some of its share of those casino funds to build a new recreation centre as well as update its fleet of vehicles using the $96 million it has received to date.

I think its going to have a very significant impact, said Sterling Lee, the regional Ward 2 councillor. I understand the internet is where everything is going. But we also understand that these casinos, which host municipalities have in their jurisdictions, theres a lot of significant revenue to the towns that create major pilot projects.

And when you start taking away from brick and mortar and going towards an iGaming model, there is no kind of guarantee that host municipalities will see any of that money or even where any of that money goes and thats not even considering any of the jobs that are possibly at risk as a result, because theres no sort of mandate that iGaming operators be Canadian owned or Canadian run or Canadian businesses.

In neighbouring Pickering, where a new rival gaming hall recently opened up, Mayor Dave Ryan says his concerns are not as much with competition from iGaming as the provinces decision to open up the gambling industry to outsiders before existing casinos can get back on their feet post-pandemic.

iGaming is part of the overall package and we understand that and we dont have any difficulty with iGaming, specifically, I am concerned about the implementation of the iGaming model; I mean, were just going through a restart, if you will, of the bricks and mortar casinos, he said.

According to Ryan, Pickering has received $7.8 million over the final three quarters of 2021 for hosting the casino, including almost $2.3 million in the final quarter of last year, which the mayor described as lower than anticipated.

You can see theres a significant revenue stream there for which the city is ... grateful and were also anxious to see that revenue stream is protected, obviously. The other serious concern is, of course, for the jobs that are associated with the casino. So were very concerned that the casino, the bricks and mortar operation, be allowed to re-establish itself, if you will, post-pandemic. And so thats our concern relative to the iGaming. That is just the implementation schedule and how theyre going to allow the existing casinos to participate in that iGaming going forward.

Its estimated by the casino industry that iGaming could, over five years, jeopardize 2,500 gaming hall jobs and result in $190 million less in municipal contributions and a loss of $3 billion in provincial tax revenue.

According to Unifor, the union that represents casino workers, including those in Durham Region, Ontario will be the first province to allow private-sector operators to offer online betting on games like slots, blackjack and poker.

Corey Dalton, president of Unifor Local 1090 in Durham, did not respond to an email request for a comment for this story. In February of 2022, he forwarded along a union letter stating the locals position.

We are especially concerned that, under the current proposal, iGaming operators would be allowed to stream a smaller share of gaming revenue to the provincial government than bricks-and-mortar casinos, a concession that gives these mostly foreign internet gaming companies a significant and unfair advantage, said the union in a Jan. 12 letter to its membership. This is a multi-billion-dollar mistake in the making that will lead to fewer jobs, higher municipal taxes to compensate and less revenue for Ontario schools, hospitals, roads and other priorities.

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, which operates the three Durham casinos, also did not wish to be interviewed for this article or answer submitted questions. Instead, Chuck Keeling, the companys executive vice-president of stakeholder relations and responsible gaming, provided a statement on behalf of Tony Rodio, the chief executive officer.

Great Canadian supports fair, competitive gaming rules, whether for land-based facilities or online. The pandemic has forced our facilities to close for the better part of the last two years, putting thousands of our workers out of a job. As the pandemic eases, we are seeing guests return to our casinos because we provide a best-in-class gaming experience, delivered responsibly and safely by hard-working Ontarians.

While Great Canadian supports iGaming in principle and has every intention of participating in the market, we continue to engage with the provincial government and its various agencies regarding our concerns with the provinces iGaming model. We are committed to investing hundreds of millions in our facilities, generating billions in revenue for the provincial government, and employing thousands of Ontarians, and we will continue to advocate for policies that support that commitment.

NordStar, an investment company led by Jordan Bitove and Paul Rivett, which also owns Torstar, the owner of this newspaper and other media properties, also has entered the online gambling world. NorthStar Gaming, a gaming venture of NordStar, has said it plans to launch an online betting brand and take bets on sports. It said it has reached an advertising and marketing services agreement with Torstar.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY:With the June 2 provincial election quickly approaching, we reached out to various stakeholders across Durham Region to garner their thoughts on Ontarios new iGaming model.

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'Great concern around the existential threat that is iGaming': Durham stakeholders weigh in on introduction of online gambling - Toronto Star

Following its latest LatAm deal, Pragmatic Play has inked an important milestone deal with global online gambling company bet365 that will see customers of the British brand gain access to the multi-product content providers expansive slot collection.

Lauded by the Malta-based supplier as a hugely important moment, bet365 customers can look forward to choosing from among award-winning titles such as the 2017 hit Wolf Gold,the mythology-themed video slot Gates of Olympus released in February 2021, as well as more recently launched games Chicken Chase and Drill That Gold. Each of which can be accessed in Pragmatic Plays rapidly expanding portfolioof more than 200 HTML5 titles.

Drops & Wins:

Also part of the agreement, bet365 will take part in the providers wildly successful Drops and Wins promotions, including Daily Prize Drops & Weekly Tournaments,which award players extra prizes while playing their favorite game. The concept that started in January 2020, sees Pragmatic Play award players 1,000,000 a month via its operator network which spans slots and Live Casino verticals.

Key Territories Growth:

In addition to the massive UK regulated market, the collaboration also sees Pragmatic bolster its presence in many other important territories. And follows numerous major partnership agreements in recent months between the provider and leading operators in the iGaming industry, including Gibraltar-based gambling company 888 Holdings for adedicatedlive dealerBlackjack studio for its flagship online casino brand,888casino.com andRomanias largest sports betting operator, Superbet, in March and April 2022, respectively.

Significant Scope:

Expressing the significance of the deal, Julian Jarvis, Chief Executive Officer for Pragmatic Play, said via company news

bet365 is a brand that needs no introduction. As the largest operator in our industry, taking our slots live with them is a hugely important moment for us as we continue to grow.

We pride ourselves on our premium, multi-vertical offering and this deal gives us significant scope to grow together with bet365.

Venezuela Moves:

The agreement, as mentioned, is on the heels of the providers new partnership with Venezuelan online casino and betting operator La Troya Hpica which sees three of Pragmatics leading verticals delivered simultaneously to the operators digital game lobbies in the South American country.

In addition to online slots such as Goblin Heist Powernudge,Clover Gold, and the high-flyingSpirit of Adventure, the operators customers in Venezuela will also have access to the providerslive casinoportfolio, which includes traditional card games likebaccaratandblackjack, as well as the game show-inspired title,Sweet Bonanza Candyland, and its virtual sports suite, which offers opportunities for betting on sporting events presented in market-leading real-time 3D graphics, including Fantastic League, Force 1, and Horse Racing.

Fans can also look forward to their favorite games developer launchingits next hit, The Great Stick Up, on May 19th. The high volatilitycrime-themed gameoffers free spins, a sticky mystery symbol and a progressive feature all wrapped up in a5,000x max win.

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Pragmatic Play online slots live with Bet363 - World Casino Directory

It's not easy to have a successful and leading business, but probably even less so in an industry as complex and ever-changing as the iGaming one. However, that's exactly what Ivan Montik, founder of SOFTSWISS, has done with the gaming solutions provider he launched more than a decade ago. "The company has been my primary focus and my biggest passion since 2009," he tells Yogonet. "It wasnt easy, as I had absolutely no experience in the industry and had to learn everything from scratch."

The company has now become a staple of the iGaming industry, empowering partners and clients in a number of areas, including online casino, sportsbook and affiliate marketing. Part of this success responds to the constant introduction of new features, including an early adoption of cryptocurrency in 2013, and the utilization of AI within operations. "SOFTSWISS remains at the forefront of innovation and provides the market with new technologies and ideas," Montik says with confidence.

In this interview with Yogonet, SOFTSWISS' founder reflects on his experience within the industry, the company's values and goals, and future expansion plans. Montik also discusses new technologies and the opportunities they open to operators, plus how his company leverages these developments within its own portfolio.

You have achieved several personal milestones within gaming throughout your career in the industry. How much would you say your personal experience has shaped the company and how do you assess your experience in this industry thus far? What new personal achievements would you like to reach in the future?

My personal achievements are all closely connected to SOFTSWISS, as the company has been my primary focus and my biggest passion since 2009. I have invested a great deal of time into studying iGaming and becoming an expert in this industry. Now I can say that the owner's personal involvement is extremely important in the early stages of developing a business.

It wasnt easy, as I had absolutely no experience in the industry and had to learn everything from scratch: gaming jurisdictions, regulator requirements, player preferences and rules of creating successful games, secure payment processing methods, complicated bank relationships, etc. iGaming turned out to be really complicated, but I was lucky to have people by my side who supported me in all questions and never gave up.

It is really motivating to see brands powered by SOFTSWISS get industry awards in such nominations as Best Casino of the Year, Players Choice, etc. SOFTSWISS itself became the Best Customer Service Company of the Year (2021) according to the International Gaming Awards (IGA) and 5Star Starlet Awards. That makes me very proud of what we have achieved together.

Now we have reached 1,000+ employees, and thats my big personal highlight, but also a big challenge. Running a company of this size requires certain changes in the management strategy, but staying flexible is my favourite motto, so Im ready for further growth. We will keep reaching out to new markets, developing country projects, expanding our product line with new high-end products and delivering top technology solutions to our customers. At 40, I feel very energetic and motivated to keep my company at the forefront of innovation.

The company has been vocal in its support for Ukraine amid the current geopolitical scenario, and has asked its colleagues to join its initiatives in this regard. How would you define the companys values, and what impact can SOFTSWISS make through its actions?

Our corporate values basically reflect the main human values, and the industry or type of business doesnt much matter here. We definitely put our customers as our top priority and focus on providing them with the highest quality service. To implement these goals, we need to take care of the relationships within the company and create an effective corporate culture. People are our main asset and I strongly believe that mutual respect within our teams and sincere support among our colleagues are the basic things we should start with. We are striving for open and honest communication with timely feedback and try to teach our employees to share the responsibility rather than compete.

We are trying to support the initiative and show people that a swift decision resulting in a mistake is still better than a delayed decision and a lost benefit. We try to be flexible in our processes and solutions, as the agile approach has proved to be the most effective one in running a company of 1,000+ people. Freedom of speech and opinion is also absolutely essential for the effective functioning of a company. Suppressing peoples opinions can only result in permanent dissatisfaction and lead to aggression.

If the world leaders would try to manage their countries based on the values above, I believe that we could avoid many mistakes and even tragedies, like the tragedy we are witnessing now. We are vocal in our support for Ukraine because now its absolutely important to call things by their names. What we are facing now is the war against humanity and no political motto can justify it. Many representatives of the IT business and iGaming, including SOFTSWISS and our partners, immediately reacted to the situation and took decisive actions to help people in Ukraine in all possible ways, from sending armour to helping evacuate women and children and providing them with shelter in neighbouring countries. We know each case of a life saved through our effort and will continue investing our time and money to help this disaster end sooner.

What plans does SOFTSWISS have for global expansion in 2022 and how will it approach new locations entered last year?

We are growing both in terms of the new offices and new geographical markets. For a company of 1,000+ people, it is hard to stay in one place. Besides, we need to keep competitive in the job market and offer the most comfortable conditions to our employees. Now people at SOFTSWISS can choose to work in Poland, Georgia, Malta, Estonia or Belarus, at any of the company offices. We also hire local specialists in these locations.

Expanding the geography of the markets is also our top priority. With the licences in Serbia, Greece, and Nigeria, we are reaching out to these promising regions and planning to launch country projects in cooperation with our partners in the near future.

What global trends do you, as a long-time representative of the iGaming industry, see in gambling right now? What should you pay attention to now, so that you won't be left behind in 5-10 years' time?

The most vivid trend that I see is the transfer from offline gaming to online gaming. It started more than a decade ago and will last for quite a few years. The land-based casinos will continue to lose profit and online gaming will be gaining popularity. The last couple of years of lockdowns have shown us how to work from home and we also mastered home entertainment. Many players seem to be comfortable with online games and do not strive to get back to the real-life experience. Fast penetration of mobile technologies into iGaming will strengthen this trend.

Crypto gaming also stays on top of the major industry trends. 2021 was a real breakthrough year for crypto. Our internal analysis showed that last year's growth was really amazing compared to 2020, and the share of crypto bets to fiat currency grew significantly. As the trend will obviously continue in 2022, iGaming wont miss a chance to use all of the benefits that crypto brings to the industry.

As crypto gaming gains momentum, does the company see operators actively seeking crypto solutions? What should they take into account before engaging with these technologies?

Operators interest in crypto solutions continues to grow. Many fiat-currency businesses are trying to jump in and get the benefits of the promising trend. The most popular mistake many of them make is an underestimation of the traffic costs for a crypto casino. They are much higher compared to those of real money casinos, because the sources are different and the competition involves various kinds of crypto projects, not just gaming sites. So, before getting into this business, it is crucial to evaluate your capability for traffic acquisition.

Continuing to talk about technology and innovation, what other trends, such as VR or AR, or the increasingly popular metaverse, should we expect to gain a footprint in gaming this year?

Talking about 2022 in particular, I dont think the year will be a breakthrough in terms of VR and AR in gaming. There have been very few cases of using the technologies in online casinos so far, and I dont observe any particular interest in them either from the operators or the players perspectives. With this lack of demand, the technologies are not developing as quickly as they could and theres very little content involving VR or AR for online casinos.

I can foresee the metaverse gaining more popularity in the next several years and stimulating the mass development of VR and AR technologies. However, mobile gaming still remains the present and the near future of online casinos. People are getting more and more attached to their mobile devices and are trying to manage their major activities with smartphones. Theres still a very large potential for development in this sphere, and its definitely too early to speak about the next generation of devices and technologies.

How does SOFTSWISS leverage artificial intelligence technology in its software and how do the companys products benefit from it? What advantages does the ability to analyse user behaviour and other similar analytics reports have to the industry?

Several years ago we created an R&D department at SOFTSWISS. Its main purpose is to investigate how artificial intelligence can be used in iGaming and to consult other departments on how to implement the technology in the most efficient way. AI has proven to be very effective in terms of improving online casino security as it can detect certain fraudulent intentions and take automated actions to prevent cheating. Our research has also shown that AI technologies are essential for analysing human behaviour and customising the gaming content according to the achieved data.

Approaching every player individually and providing them with a custom-tailored gaming experience can significantly increase their lifetime value which is basically what the operators are struggling for. However, the technology doesnt work the same for all projects and markets. Our experience has shown that for certain markets the human approach, in which managers analyse player behaviour and adapt the casino settings manually, is more effective than the machine learning approach. To put it in a nutshell, I believe that 90% of the future online casino operation will be performed by AI, but 10% will still need a more personalised human touch.

iGaming regulation is changing quickly, sometimes leaving operators behind. In what ways are they being affected, and what do you see as essential for a market to have in order to provide proper conditions to its operators?

Being flexible and open to innovation is absolutely essential for a modern regulator. Online gaming is a fast-evolving and highly technological industry, with new trends appearing every day and new projects entering the market, and the regulation should keep up to date with these changes. Unfortunately, very few jurisdictions can boast flexibility and an open approach to providing operators with adequate working conditions.

Unlike the industry itself, jurisdictions take really long to introduce the necessary changes, preferring stagnation over innovation and making it hard for the operators to offer new gaming experiences to players. Among the local regulators, I can only mention Estonia as a forward-looking jurisdiction. The Estonian local licence offers operators conditions similar to those of .com licences, which are more flexible and well adapted for the modern gaming market conditions. Other jurisdictions still have a long way to go.

SOFTSWISS has made a series of key announcements for its Affilka platform and the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, which greatly improve the products, in addition to expanding the client list. What are the key new innovations SOFTSWISS is implementing within its portfolios, and how do they benefit clients? What impact do you expect them to have in the market?

SOFTSWISS Sportsbook and Affilka have both been developed to react to our clients growing demand for these products. Our aim was to make their online gaming business more attractive for players and more efficient from a management perspective. We used our profound understanding of the market trends and user needs to create the products that could complement the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform and games and provide our clients with a one-stop service for a successful online gaming business operation.

Some features implemented within the products are unique and completely new for the market. For instance, Affilka offers built-in payment processing, easy integration into any platform via API, ultra-flexible commission constructor and the possibility to have multiple brands under one affiliate program. The recently launched Reports API enables easy and convenient day-to-day communication with partners and provides real-time statistics on brands, marketing campaigns and player activity.

The independent research performed by our clients before choosing Sportsbook and Affilka showed that their functionality cannot be compared to that of any other product as it provides operators with strong competitive advantages and helps strengthen their position in the industry. As always, SOFTSWISS remains at the forefront of innovation and provides the market with new technologies and ideas. I expect other providers to follow the trend and implement our best practices within their products.

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"Mobile gaming still remains the present and the near future of online casinos" - Yogonet International

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The lengthy history of gambling in the United Kingdom has made it one of the most lucrative markets globally. Over the years, the law has taken different courses to protect minors and vulnerable adults from addiction.

The Gambling Act 2005, is the latest parliamentary act to govern gambling and also led to the formation of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission(UKGC). This is the regulatory body that supervises and regulates all gambling activities.

Before the Gambling Act of 2005, the government had established different Acts to regulate gambling. The first regulatory efforts were penned down in 1698, making all lotteries illegal unless operating under the statute's authority. It was not until the 20th century that the legalization and regulation of lotteries and bingo halls commenced.

This was through the 1934 Act followed by the Betting and Gaming Act 1960. Under these, small lotteries were legalized and bingo halls were established as members' only clubs. Even so, the Gambling Act 1968, is what set the precedent for the expansive gambling industry in the UK. This was by allowing more commercial casinos to be set up.

Online gambling and sports betting completely changed gambling through ease of accessibility, therefore, endangering minors and vulnerable adults. By 2005, this called for an update of the law in order to seal off any loopholes. Subsequently, the Gambling Act 2005 was passed and the UKGC was formed.

The Act had three objectives to fulfill which include;

Since then, there have been several amendments to ensure that the law is fit for the digital age.

As a measure to ensure the protection of vulnerable adults in the UK, the UKGC has a requirement for online casinos to be members of Gamstop. This is a self-exclusion program that helps gamblers to refrain from any gambling activities for a duration of their own choosing.

To use the platform, players have to register on the site's official website and choose a duration ranging from 6months to 5 years. During this period, players will not be able to access any online casinos in the UK. In addition, punters will not receive any promotions related to gambling.

It is legal for players in the UK to play on sites, not under Gamstop. These sites give players a way to bypass Gamstop self-exclusion. However, these sites will not hold a license from the UKGC. Also, these sites are not expected to market their products to UK players lest they lose their right to operate in the country.

There is a lot to expect from these sites. In this article about non-Gamstop sites, we highlight the advantages of wagering on these sites. Toping the list is that there is no limitation on maximum stakes nor bets to be placed. This is great for high rollers who prefer to place high stakes.

Moreover, non-Gamstop sites offer extensive gaming libraries to encompass different slot and table titles. The bonus offers are also extensive and offer players reasonable wagering requirements and easy ways to cash out.

When compared to Gamstop sites, players don't have to complete their exclusion times as requested earlier. They can always change their exclusion period when they feel they are okay to resume gambling.

As mentioned, any casino that doesn't comply with the Gamstop mandatory requirement doesn't receive a license from the UKGC. While this may be one of the most prestigious licenses around the world, there are other renowned licensing bodies. These include Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming, and Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Casinos licensed by these regulatory bodies also have to follow stringent measures and rules. For instance, these casinos are expected to ensure players' funds have been protected plus use encryption to protect and secure private and financial data.

Moving forward, gambling will only intensify as mobile gaming continues to take the lead. With this, the commission is expected to tighten sanctions and standards to curb any violations and fulfill its threefold objectives. Players can expect an additional reduction in maximum stakes.

Identity verification will be more strict to protect minors and reduce the chances of multiple accounts. Players will also have to prove the source of their funds in a bid to reduce the chance of problem gambling. Clearly, these changes will strive to be beneficial to problem gamblers.

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