Monthly Archives: May 2023

Brexit to the fore again in Northern Ireland local elections – Reuters.com

Posted: May 18, 2023 at 1:21 am

BELFAST, May 17 (Reuters) - Northern Ireland holds elections to local councils on Thursday that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is pitching as an opportunity to bolster its call for further concessions from Britain on a revised post-Brexit trade deal.

The DUP says it will not drop a 15-month boycott of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government unless London introduces laws to protect Northern Ireland's ability to trade freely with the rest of the UK and offers greater flexibility around a deal struck with the European Union in February to ease trade checks.

With polls suggesting the party may fall into second place behind Irish nationalists Sinn Fein - as it did in elections to the devolved assembly last year - the DUP wants to avoid losing too many votes to other unionist parties and the fast-growing cross-community Alliance Party.

"Unionists have a clear choice. They can strengthen our position as we seek to finish the job of restoring Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom or unionism can divide and splinter," DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson told supporters last week.

Counting begins on Friday and is likely to continue into Saturday.

The leaders of Britain, Ireland and most recently U.S President Joe Biden have all urged the DUP to restore power-sharing - a key part of a 1998 peace deal that mostly ended three decades of sectarian conflict.

London has said it will introduce laws to protect unfettered Northern Ireland/British trade, but it is unclear what exactly is needed to satisfy the DUP and whether the legislation will be compatible with the revised EU/UK Northern Ireland trade deal.

The DUP will view a solid election outing as a "continuing mandate" for its boycott, said Jon Tonge, professor of politics at the University of Liverpool, while a splintering of the vote benefiting the small, more hardline Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) would only serve to harden the DUP's stance.

"I'm not expecting a big rainbow to appear after the election. What's more likely than not is that this will be a display of unionist resolve which, in the short term at least, will actually make things worse," he said.

"It is a case that this is another hurdle to get over, something almost to be endured."

Reporting by Amanda Ferguson, writing by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Sharon Singleton

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Brexit to the fore again in Northern Ireland local elections - Reuters.com

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EU pushes forward with post-Brexit forum for EU, UK financial … – KFGO

Posted: at 1:21 am

By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) -The European Unions executive body said on Wednesday it has formally adopted a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) to allow financial regulators from Britain and the bloc to cooperate more closely, though stopping short of market access.

Britains EU exit largely severed its financial sectors previously unfettered access to the bloc, raising concerns over Londons role as a global financial centre.

As part of Brexit terms, the EU agreed to formalise cooperation between financial watchdogs. However, that was put on hold Brussels following disagreements between the bloc and Britain over Northern Ireland, now resolved through the Windsor Framework.

The European Commission said on Wednesday is has adopted the draft MoU, though it still needs final political endorsement from EU states.

I am confident that our relationship and future engagement in financial services will be built on a shared commitment to preserve financial stability, market integrity, and the protection of consumers and investors, Mairead McGuinness, the EUs financial services commissioner, said in a statement.

The MoU will create a joint EU-UK Financial Regulatory Forum, similar to one the EU already has with the United States.

The MoU does not deal with the access of UK-based firms to the Single Market or EU firms access to the UK market nor does it prejudge the adoption of equivalence decisions, the Commission said.

Joanna Penn, treasury minister in the UK parliaments upper house, welcomed the positive move given how EU and UK financial markets are deeply interconnected.

The Treasury stands ready to sign the MoU and we do look forward to operationalising the forum as soon as possible this year, Penn told a debate on EU-UK financial services.

Treasury ministers will meet with McGuinness next week, Penn added.

The EU has granted equivalence or EU market access to derivatives clearing houses in London until the end of June 2025.

In the meantime, the bloc has proposed a draft law to force banks and asset managers in the EU to shift a yet-to-be-decided chunk of their clearing home from London, though industry officials expect equivalence to be extended in some form after June 2025.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Paul Simao, Kirsten Donovan)

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Post-Brexit UK Employment Reform: Three month cap on non … – JD Supra

Posted: at 1:20 am

The UK Government has published a policy paper entitled Smarter Regulation to Grow the Economy (10 May 2023) that outlines a series of upcoming employment related regulatory reforms designed, in part, to take advantage of the UKs post-Brexit regulatory freedom. The stated aim is to reduce unnecessary regulation for businesses to ensure economic growth whilst maintaining existing UK labour standards.

What are the proposed changes?

There is no timeframe for this change to come into effect and, until the legislation is papered, the specific scope of this cap is yet unknown. For example, it is not yet known how this may impact non-competes in arrangements contained outside of the employment contract but that are related to employment (e.g. within incentive agreements). Whilst currently employers will still be able to include longer non-competes in employment contracts for now, in light of the proposed change, greater consideration should be given to notice periods, garden leave provisions, the use of non-solicitation and non-poaching provisions, and the wider set of protections available to employers when drafting and negotiating contracts of employment.

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Migration nation: Brexit has meant more immigration than ever – The Spectator

Posted: at 1:19 am

Manchester is desperate for workers. There are 40,000 jobs advertised in the city at the moment, at every pay grade. Ann Summers wants a stockroom assistant (10.70 an hour), or you could invigilate exams at 14 an hour or post videos on TikTok for 20 an hour. Sellcheck Chemicals is offering up to 75,000 a year for a sales manager (No biology background needed, no previous experience necessary). Even the army is offering trainee officers 34,000 after their first year. But ask any employer in the city what its like hiring and theyll tell you: its a battle.

Whats strange about this is the fact that though all these jobs are on offer, unemployed Mancunians dont seem to want them. Figures published last week show that 18 per cent of Manchesters adults are claiming out-of-work benefits. Some 120,000 have reported as long-term sick. Welfare dysfunction has created a huge hole in the workforce.

The net migration figure released next week is expected to come in at above 700,000 a year

Its the same story in city after city. Somehow, the UK has managed to combine mass joblessness with a worker shortage. Almost one in five working-age people in Birmingham are on out-of-work benefits, and its the same story in Glasgow and Liverpool. In Blackpool, the number is closer to one in four. This is a huge waste of lives, leaving aside the issue of taxpayers money.

Though Rishi Sunak promises welfare reform, its not clear how he intends to deal with a problem of this size. His officials have warned him that things are set to get much worse. There are 5,000 claims per day for sickness benefits, many on the grounds of poor mental health almost twice thepre-pandemic rate. No one expects that rate to start slowing. Internal government forecasts now envisage the welfare caseload rising for five years, with the number on disability benefits surging by a third to 3.7 million. The Prime Ministers officials are admitting that we wont escape this trap any time soon.

So who will fill the million-plus vacancies? How can we grow the economy? The answer to this question will become clear next week, when figures are released showing that mass immigration is back on a scale that would have been unimaginable not so long ago. And rather than treating it as a problem, Sunaks government seems to regard it as a solution to Britains missing workers.

During the Brexit campaign, much fuss was made of the news that immigration had hit 323,000 a year, making a mockery of David Camerons promise to reduce it to the tens of thousands. Brexiteers and Remainers alike assumed the whole point of leaving the EU and ending free movement was to reduce arrivals. The consensus was that about 130,000 a year was right. We now take that amount of people roughly every ten weeks. The net migration figure released next week is expected to come in at above 700,000 a year: by far the largest in the history of our islands.

While its true that next weeks numbers will be inflated by refugees from Ukraine and Hong Kong, and by students (many of whom arrive with dependants in tow), the underlying trend is clear. The Office for Budget Responsibility has abandoned any idea that Brexit meant cutting back immigration, because there is no evidence that anyone in government is remotely serious about doing so. It now forecasts, long-term, around 250,000 arrivals a year almost twice the post-Brexit projections. A second great wave of migration has begun.

How to address the problems that mass migration brings, without seeming to have betrayed Brexit?

While the first wave of mass immigration in recent decades was an unforeseen consequence of expanding the European Union, this one is planned. The Tories have taken back control and used it to ramp up immigration to a level that New Labour would never have dared attempt.

Its often said that the United Kingdom is an immigrant country. This is not quite true. Until the mid-1980s, we were a net exporter of human beings. In 1948, parliament passed a law giving all 800 million citizens of the Commonwealth the right to live and work in Britain, the assumption being that hardly anyone would want to come to these rain-battered islands. Waves of migration made the news, but they barely dented the demographics. When more people started to arrive in the 1990s, the numbers were modest. So the EUs borderless future was designed at a time when no one imagined the level of mass migration to come, because it had never happened before. Tony Blair had no idea that he was about to preside over a new economic model. He didnt plan for it, because he just didnt see it coming.

The problems are becoming obvious. The mass movement of migrants meant that employers preferred cheaper, foreign-born workers over investing in training locals. The consequent increased pressure on housing, schools and hospitals are what led, in part, to the Brexit vote. People wanted their politicians to make a better job of managing globalisation.

Boris Johnson talked about controlling migration to force companies to pay decent salaries: if that meant higher prices, so be it. He saw the national shortage of truck drivers as a wake-up call: such people should be valued and paid properly. This wasnt just Brexiteer bravado. Sir Stuart Rose, the ex-M&S chairman and a Remain campaign chief, argued the same: the end of free movement would push up wages for low-skilled workers, he said though he thought this was not necessarily a good thing. Both sides agreed Brexit would mean lower migration and higher salaries. Not many would make that case now. Rather than rising, real-term incomes are midway through their sharpest fall since postwar records began.

A milestone was passed this week when it emerged that 20 per cent of the UK workforce is foreign-born making us more of an immigrant country than even the United States. Brexit has brought in a different mix of migrants. India has supplanted Poland as the biggest source country for new workers: followed by the Philippines, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Australia and the United States. Interestingly, post-Covid sickness and mental health issues havent seemed to afflict Britains immigrant community in the same way as they have its natives.

But while the US regards itself proudly as an immigration nation, our Prime Ministers strategy is to act as if nothing is happening. There is no Statue of Liberty at Victoria Coach Station in London, though a quarter of all UK schoolchildren have an immigrant mother. In London its just over half.

Brexit Britain can claim to be one of the most welcoming countries in the world with a work visa approval rate of about 96 per cent. Its almost 100 per cent for Americans (12,382 applied and just 47 were refused). Non-EU citizens are no longer treated as second class: in fact someone from Kyrgyzstan is more likely to get a work visa than someone from Germany. Before Brexit, just seven people from Tajikistan were granted visas a year. Now, its about seven a day. Visas for people from India have doubled since the Brexit vote. Zimbabwe is up 20-fold, Uzbekistan 100-fold.

Britain is now the country where workers of the world unite. So far, all this is being done with success and harmony that would astonish the rest of the world. There is virtually no anti-migrant backlash: indeed, a recent poll showed Britain to be one of the most pro-immigrant countries in the world. Were also about the only country in Europe not to have a serious anti-immigrant populist party in parliament or with any significant showing in the opinion polls. Concern about migration is far lower than it was pre-Brexit, even if the numbers are higher, which is in part because the government has taken control of who arrives.

To enter Britain there is a list of conditions: you need to be an English speaker with a sponsor, a job offer and a minimum salary, and in an approved profession. Perhaps this has made the influx less controversial its immigration but with greater democratic consent. But its also easy to see how this could begin to sour. We still need many more workers and they will all keep coming. There will be ever more pressure on hospitals and schools. This is the problem Sunak faces now. How to address the problems that mass migration brings, without seeming to have betrayed Brexit?

Perhaps every new worker is vital to the economy but the fact remains that the government is issuing visas equivalent to a city the size of Southampton every year and there are certainly no plans to build a new Southampton every year. He needs to ask: where will the newcomers live? Who will build their houses, teach their children, tend to their sick? To dodge these questions, to pretend its not all happening, guarantees big problems in the future.

Being honest about mass migration also means being honest about the trajectory of British welfare. Yes, Sunak would like reform. But if his own officials are predicting a massive increase in mental health caseloads, on the assumption that the problem is going to get far worse, then its time to talk about this too. Why do we think a million more people are going to end up on disability benefits? Why in Britain, not anywhere else? The reason this question is so difficult to discuss is that tough-love welfare reform is fraught with political danger. No politician wants to be accused of being heartless.

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Politically, its easier to write the cheque and forget about the long-term sick. Its astonishingly easy to do so. When figures were released this week showing 5.3 million on out-of-work benefits, up from 5.2 million already a staggering figure it was given no coverage at all. Its amazing how recategorisation of benefits can make millions disappear: politically, at least.

Sunak embodies the quiet success of British integration, but theres a risk in getting too carried away. The industrious Zimbabwean and Australian immigrants can hardly be blamed for welfare dysfunction. But if they are being used to cover it up, then its worth discussing.

Is it possible to give up on welfare reform and use mass immigration to build post-Brexit Britain? Absolutely. Is it desirable? Thats another question. And its one the Prime Minister should really get around to answering before too long.

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Migration nation: Brexit has meant more immigration than ever - The Spectator

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Best PGA Championship Betting Promos & Bonuses | Bet on PGA … – Worcester Telegram

Posted: at 1:18 am

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Best PGA Championship Betting Promos & Bonuses | Bet on PGA ... - Worcester Telegram

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Gambling firm allegedly paid blogs to link new mothers to its online games – The Guardian

Posted: at 1:18 am

Gambling

Coral had deals with parenting bloggers to offer tips, including on how to relieve stress of caring for a baby, claims source

One of the UKs leading gambling brands allegedly paid blogs advising new mothers to recommend its online casino games and link to its website, in a tactic that has been condemned as predatory by leading mental health and addiction experts.

Coral struck deals with parenting bloggers to embed links in posts offering tips, including on how to relieve the stress of caring for a new baby.

One post, ostensibly about baby food recipes, said: If as a mum you cant leave the house, then why not consider bingo online?

You can click here to play Bingo online at Coral this momentary break from childcare can prove beneficial.

The Advertising Standards Authoritys (ASA) guidelines state that gambling adverts must not be socially irresponsible, including presenting betting as a way to relieve loneliness or depression.

Another parenting blog recommended opulent games of online roulette that are easy to learn and can provide some handy winnings too.

The ASA guidelines also state that gambling must not be presented as a solution to financial concerns.

A further three parenting blogs posted parenting articles that also contained segments recommending online casino or bingo and linking to the Coral website.

A source familiar with the arrangements said Coral had paid the bloggers to include the links.

Such games are typically more popular with women than sports betting. Major gambling operators have sought to expand their customer base in recent years by targeting women, who have historically gambled less than men.

Entain, which owns Coral, said the articles including links to the Coral website had been posted between 2014 and 2016, before it bought Ladbrokes Coral in 2018.

On Tuesday, the company said it would try to get them taken down as soon as possible, although they remained live on Sunday.

Neither Coral nor any Entain brand actively targets young mothers or any other potentially vulnerable group through the use of affiliate marketing, a spokesperson said.

The company added that it was unable to prevent third parties from linking to our gaming sites.

The source, who used to work for a company that arranged such deals with bloggers, said Coral staff had read the articles and signed them off before publication.

Entain added: We do not make payments to any of the sites in the examples provided.

However, it did not say whether Coral had done so in the past.

Claire Murdoch, NHS Englands national mental health director, said: Its cynical for gambling firms to target new and single mums at a time in their lives when they may be suffering stress, sleep deprivation and issues which make them particularly vulnerable.

This is yet another example of predatory behaviour from a gambling industry which is worth billions each year while at the same time the NHS is investing more than ever before in mental health support for new mothers.

Henrietta Bowden-Jones, the founder and director of the National Problem Gambling Clinic, said: The direct targeting of new mothers by embedding a bingo advert in a page about baby food recipes is deeply disturbing and should be called out.

Gambling is not a way out of psychological distress and these embedded messages are taking advantage of peoples circumstances knowing they may be at home alone for far longer periods than ever experienced.

These are all gambling adverts hiding in full light of day, it may be less apparent to someone new to gambling that these messages are there encouraging people to take up gambling for the first time.

Only one of the blog posts disclosed that links contained in the article were the result of a sponsorship or affiliate marketing arrangement.

The Guardian has chosen not to name the blogs because the authors could not be reached for comment.

The source said the practice was chiefly aimed at manipulating Googles search results by creating an association between women and online casino and bingo games.

Entain said the links did not provide it with any search engine benefits.

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Gambling firm allegedly paid blogs to link new mothers to its online games - The Guardian

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5 Ways to Make Money in the Online Casino Industry – Analytics Insight

Posted: at 1:18 am

The virtual world of online casinos has been experiencing a significant surge in popularity, captivating individuals from all backgrounds. With endless possibilities and the potential for lucrative earnings, this digital playground entices newcomers looking to cash in on the action. Are you interested but unsure how to get started? This article will reveal five clever ways to profit within this thriving industry. So, lets dive in and discover how to make money gambling online!

Playing casino games is one of the simplest and most popular methods to make money in this thriving industry. Various casino games are available, ranging from classic slots to modern video poker machines with multiple paylines.

Users can begin playing these games by registering an account at any online casino platform that accepts players from New Zealand. To get started with minimal investment, beginners can check out the list of the best $1 deposit casino NZ for players located in New Zealand. These platforms welcome new players with a bonus or free spins, allowing them to start playing instantly and potentially win real money with just a small deposit.

One of the perks of gambling to make money is that users can start with small wagers and eventually work their way up to larger bets as they gain more experience. Moreover, some online casinos offer sign-up bonuses or free spins on certain slot machines. These promotions provide an excellent opportunity for new players to test out various games without risking any real money.

Additionally, users can participate in various tournaments and competitions hosted by online casinos. These events often require an entry fee but allow players to win money by gambling.

Working for an online casino may not be the first thing that comes to mind when contemplating career options, but its a lucrative and exciting industry. There are numerous positions available depending on your qualifications and experience.

Some common roles you might consider pursuing at an online casino include:

For instance, customer service jobs require excellent communications skills with strong attention to detail while empathizing with customers needs. In contrast, marketing entails promoting what the casino offers new and existing players. The job requires understanding of digital advertising tools such as email newsletters or social media outreach campaigns utilizing SEO techniques.

Another popular way to make money in online casinos is by becoming a casino streamer. As a streamer, you get paid to play your favorite games and broadcast them live for an audience.

To achieve success as a casino streamer, it is important to have a passion for gaming and enjoy interacting with others. Additionally, having reliable equipment such as high-quality streaming software and hardware like cameras, microphones or capture cards can enhance the overall experience for viewers.

Once you have the necessary gear for your streams, its the time! Start by getting familiarized with various online casinos and games they offer so that during gameplay, there wont be any surprises or glitches that possibly ruin the overall experience (and audience engagement).

One crucial factor is that you need a solid strategy for engaging your viewers. You can do live commentary, interact with the chat functionality, or generate banter between players (if applicable). Viewers also love seeing big wins and dramatic moments so make sure they share those special times with them during your broadcasts.

Becoming an affiliate marketer is one of the most popular ways to make money in the online casino industry. As an affiliate, you will promote one or multiple online casinos and receive a commission for each player that signs up through your unique link.

To become successful at affiliate marketing, choosing reputable and trustworthy online casinos with high conversion rates is essential. To attract potential players, you can create content like reviews, guides, or comparisons on your website or social media channels. For instance, you can create a list of top websites and offer users to play at a 5 dollar deposit casino or other low-deposit sites.

In order to increase your earnings as a casino affiliate, its important to establish trust with your audience by providing helpful information and engaging with them regularly. Additionally, keeping an eye out for special promotions or bonuses offered by the casinos you promote can be a great way to entice new players and boost your profits. Developing long-term relationships with repeat players is also key in maximizing revenue potential.

However, it should be noted that affiliate marketing takes time and effort before seeing significant returns. Building a loyal following requires patience and perseverance but can ultimately yield long-term success in this lucrative industry.

If you have the technical knowledge and the know-how to develop software or games, then creating your game titles is one way to make money in the online casino industry. With technological advancements providing more opportunities, skilled developers can create new gaming experiences for players worldwide.

Developing games or software requires significant resources, time, and effort. You need to have excellent planning skills when determining what kind of game you want to create and who your target audience is.

Moreover, building casino games includes programming in HTML5 and JavaScript for web-based games or languages such as C++ for more advanced software. You must also integrate the necessary features like payment systems and user accounts management.

One crucial but often overlooked aspect of building a casino game is securing approvals from relevant gaming authorities before launch. This ensures that your game adheres to global regulatory standards required by watchdogs, reducing chances of getting fined or even expulsion in worst-case scenarios.

If you create something unique and successful, partnering with an established online casino company also attracts opportunity. They can pay licensing fees so their players gain access to it!

So, is gambling a good way to make money? Of course the industry offers numerous ways to make money and enjoy exciting digital experiences. Whether you prefer playing games or working behind-the-scenes as a marketer, customer service representative, or streamer theres something for everyone in this thriving space.

However, remember that some roles require specific skills while others take time before seeing significant returns on investment. Therefore it is vital always to weigh your options carefully when choosing which avenue best suits your needs!

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Betsson Subsidiary BML Group Becomes Enemy of Finland’s … – Casino.Org News

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Posted on: May 17, 2023, 03:37h.

Last updated on: May 17, 2023, 11:17h.

The Finnish Police Board (FPB) isnt happy with global gaming operator Betsson. In a first for the law enforcement agency, it has gone after BML Group Ltd, a Betsson subsidiary, for violating Finlands gaming laws.

The FPB, per an announcement on its website, has ordered BML to stop marketing gambling products in Finland, accusing it of violating the Lottery Act. It has also presented BML with a conditional fine of 2.4 million (US$2.6 million) for having broken the law.

Finlands gambling market is completely controlled by the state-run Veikkaus monopoly. While this may change in the future, any gaming company that brings its name across Finlands border into the country faces persecution.

Betsson and its subsidiaries have had several opportunities to state their own point of view and change their operations in accordance with the FPBs position. During the consultation process, the company has made some changes in relation to the marketing channels it uses. Despite this, the authorities accuse it of continuing its marketing to mainland Finland without interruption.

The FPB estimates BMLs financial interests are large enough to continue accessing the Finnish market. It also believes that what it dubs illegal activity has continued for a long time, despite the previous control measures of the agency.

The ban applies to material that directly or indirectly promotes gambling in Finland on BMLs gambling websites. This includes anything that appears in the country linking the company to gambling, including the use of Finnish public figures for advertising, podcasts, digital and print news, and more. Anything that has already been published has to be removed as well.

The prohibition also includes affiliate marketing on behalf of BML Group Ltd on websites owned and managed by third parties. If, despite the ban, BML Group Ltd continues to market gambling in Finland, the Police Board will take measures to impose another fine to be paid.

The fine could have been higher, with the FPB deciding that BML has already taken measures to reduce its marketing presence in the country. As a result, it showed a certain degree of leniency.

The decision will be enforced beginning on June 3 and, if BML complies, it wont have to pay the fine. The company has the opportunity to appeal the decision by the same date, but hasnt indicated if it will. Betsson didnt respond to a request for comment.

Its not just big gaming companies with deep pockets that can get into trouble for disturbing the Veikkaus monopoly. Even individuals who promote other brands have found themselves in trouble with the law recently.

One is Finnish social media star Lauri Kangas, according to Finnish media outlet iltalehti. Under the nickname Lateksituppii, he allegedly promoted gambling websites on Twitch, YouTube, and more in 2020 and 2021. Kangas also introduced various instant casino games from other platforms to his followers.

That led to charges against him this year in the District Court of It-Uusimaa. Prosecutors hit him with a fine of 69,313 (US$75,142) or a suspended prison sentence, although its contingent upon a judges ruling. That decision is scheduled for May 26.

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19% Crypto Bets Growth: SOFTSWISS Reveals Digital Coin Results … – European Gaming Industry News

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In January 2023, SOFTSWISS, the leading technology provider for iGaming, was recognised as Crypto Company of the Year by the prestigious International Gaming Awards. As a pioneer in crypto gaming, every quarter, the company analyses the crypto gaming market and shares valuable industry insights. This time, among key indicators, the expert team unveils what the average crypto player portrait looks like.

The Q1 crypto results are based on the data from over 700 brands powered by the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator and the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.

In Q1 2023 the Total Bets indicator increased by 44.66% compared to the same quarter the previous year and by 2.24% compared to the preceding quarter. This data demonstrates a steady growth trend in the iGaming market.

In absolute terms, the sum of wagers in crypto also shows positive growth over the course of the last year. In the first quarter of 2023, the share of bets in digital coins accounted for 30%. Q4 of 2022 showed 9% volume growth in Total Bets in crypto compared to the first quarter of the same year. Q1 of 2023, on the other hand, showed a more significant volume growth 19%.

Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS comments: Despite the global events of 2022, which have undoubtedly caused most digital coins to fall in value, we are now seeing them rise in value again. For that reason, we are observing both growth in the iGaming market in general and also an increase in the sum of bets made by crypto players. We expect digital coins to remain in stable use by players in 2023 and could see more significant growth with a combination of two factors: competent retention of players and the absence of strong volatility in the crypto market.

Compared to Q4 2022, the top 3 most used digital coins remain the same: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC). However, their shares have changed Bitcoin is up by 1.9 p.p. at the expense of smaller digital currencies, while Ethereum remained the same.

Looking at the development of digital coins over a longer period, the changes in the shares of digital coins are more substantial. From Q1 2022, BTC increased by 3.72 p.p., whereas ETH lost 5.01 p.p. The fall in the share of the third leading digital coin, LTC, occurred by 1.36 p.p.

The final shares for Q1 2023 are as follows:

Tether (USDT) took a share of 5.1% for the first time, in turn, Dogecoin (DOGE) rates fell by 1 p.p. compared to the previous quarter, taking a 2.5% share at the end of Q1 2023.

Among other currencies that showed an increase in the share of Total Bets Ripple (XRP), Tron (TRX) and Cardano (ADA).

Diving deeper into the industry insights, SOFTSWISS has defined the average crypto player portrait. Based on the Q1 data and available data from player profiles, 65% of the crypto audience is male and 35% female.

The percentage of age groups of the crypto players who have indicated their age on their online casino profile is as follows:

Thus, the core audience of digital coins in iGaming is in the 31-50 age range. It makes up 70% of the audience that uses crypto.

Moreover, more than half of crypto GGR per Q1 was formed by bets made on mobile devices: 64% of mobile users vs. 32% of desktop ones.

This data may become crucial when choosing a strategy for growing an existing iGaming brand or launching a new one. As SOFTSWISS experts note, interest in starting crypto projects is high, even when crypto demonstrates quick changes and might be unpredictable. Nevertheless, Q1 statistics indicate that 2023 is shaping up to be a year of positive development for projects related to digital coins.

Max Trafimovich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS, summarises: Over the last few years we have seen a steady increase in demand for crypto-ready solutions, be it for launching a casino or a sports betting venture. Its undeniable that some crypto iGaming operators have drawn much attention and accolades on a global level. Besides crypto, such operators also happen to be at the forefront of various other innovations, those going beyond the payments aspect. SOFTSWISS will remain the ultimate partner on this frontier with new crypto-oriented technologies, top-level service, and security.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international iGaming company supplying certified software solutions for managing gambling operations. The expert team, which counts 1,500+ employees, is based in Malta, Poland, Georgia, and Belarus. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

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How to Identify a Safe and Reliable Online Slots Site Five … – Five Reasons Sports Network

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Slots are arguably the most popular casino game on the planet. This is due to various factors, not least of which is they are relatively straightforward to get into (compared with other games), and they provide the potential to win some serious money with the correct strategy. However, because of the popularity of slots, lots of sites have popped up that claim to offer the best games and the most chances of hitting the jackpot; this creates a situation where new games simply dont know where to spend their cash. Fortunately, if you know what to look for, you shouldnt have any problems. So, with that in mind, lets examine the most important criteria for selecting a new slot site.

This initial point might strike as peculiar to most English speakers; the world is much larger than you think, and there are plenty of slot players from all over the world. Therefore, it can pay to select a site that you can read and fully comprehend the rules and regulations. The good part is that this isnt as difficult as it seems and simply involves typing what you want into your search engine of choice. For example, if you happen to be Indonesian, you might type slot gacor terpercaya, or if youre Spanish, the query might be mejor casino tragamonedas. The idea is to land on a site that you can understand so that you can avoid any potential issues and get access to support in your local lingo.

This tip rings true for pretty much anything you plan on doing online. By examining other players experiences, you will understand whether a site or product is worth your investment in time and money. As with the previous section, you can use the web to find these reviews and conclude based on what you discover. If you really want to dig deeper, you should head over to sites like Reddit, where they have sections (or subreddits as theyre known) dedicated to specific things like gambling sites. Here, you will see genuine reviews, unhindered by bias or the allure of affiliate commission which will give you a great indication of what to expect.

It goes without saying that to play in an online slot casino; you must sign up and deposit your money to play. However, unless you are comfortable with your data being out in the wild for all and sundry to see, you should double-check that the casino uses a secure encryption protocol that will keep your transfer safe from prying eyes. The most common way to achieve this is by checking the URL and ensuring it has a padlock next to the address. If in doubt, you can usually paste the URL into a specialist site so that you can verify it. Nonetheless, regardless of the sites security, it might also be prudent to utilize a VPN (as long as it doesnt go against their terms and conditions), which will keep your connection safe throughout your gaming sessions.

Choosing a casino to ply your trade can be freight with danger unless you know what youre looking for. Fortunately, with the tips in this post, you will be able to select one that is secure, offers you what you want, and gives you the greatest chance of enjoying yourself.

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