日期: 2026年4月7日

(AsiaGameHub) -   Skill On Net has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) regarding a sponsored Instagram post that featured a stand-up comedian discussing pistachios. The advertisement for the white label casino operator Gecko Play featured an unnamed comedian performing a routine on stage. During the set, the comic remarked: “Gambling is really like eating pistachios, if you get a good pistachio, you want another good one, if you get a bad one, you want a good one even more,” which drew laughter from the crowd. At the bottom of the video, a GambleAware logo and an 18+ symbol were displayed alongside text reading “Gambling can be addictive please play responsibly,” with #AD appearing in the bottom right corner. According to the ASA, two individuals lodged complaints questioning whether the advertisement promoted irresponsible socially gambling conduct. Skill On Net contended that the comparison drawn between gambling and pistachios was meant to be ‘light-hearted, observational humour regarding the variability and unpredictability of outcomes’. The company further clarified that the post was not designed to ‘encourage persistent gambling, nor to suggest that individuals should continue gambling’ to chase losses. It also noted that the ad did not reference financial loss, raising stakes, risk-free betting, or excessive play. Nevertheless, acknowledging that the advertisement might be perceived in a manner that violates the CAP code, Skill On Net has taken down the post and revised its internal marketing guidelines in light of the complaint. The ASA responded by confirming that the advertisement violated the CAP Code because it trivialised the act of gambling after a loss instead of promoting responsible play. This ruling was made despite the inclusion of the GambleAware logo and the 18+ disclaimer, as the regulator determined these features did not change the ad's general message, ‘which made light of continued gambling following both wins and losses’. The ASA observed that viewers likely interpreted the statement to imply that gambling is ‘compulsive and hard to stop’. Additionally, the remark about wanting a “good one even more” after a “bad one” was seen as a subtle suggestion to place additional bets to recoup losses. The ASA elaborated: “We therefore considered the ad gave the impression that the decision to gamble, even in the face of losses, should be taken lightly and that it encouraged or condoned repetitive or frequent participation in gambling, including after losses. For that reason, we concluded that the ad was likely to encourage gambling behaviour that was harmful and therefore breached the Code. “The ad breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 16.1, 16.3 and 16.3.1 (Gambling).” The ASA mandated that the advertisement must not be broadcast again in its current form and that future marketing materials must not ‘portray, condone or encourage gambling behaviour that was socially irresponsible or could lead to financial, social or emotional harm’. For more stories like this, visit the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the central hub for all multimedia content at SBC. Our team explores the major stories across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate, and payments sectors. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Agreegain has expanded its casino suite by adding fresh game content from Endorphina. As part of this partnership, more than 200 slot games from the Prague-based studio will now be accessible to Agreegain’s network of operator partners. Featured titles include King Of Ghosts and Hell Hot 100. Inga Kadyrova, Endorphina’s Partnership Manager, stated: “Partnerships like this help us strengthen our position across the industry, and I am confident our games will be a perfect complement to their existing offerings. We are thrilled to welcome Agreegain as our new partner.” Endorphina holds partnerships with over 5,000 companies globally and holds licenses to deliver game content across 31 jurisdictions worldwide, spanning markets in Europe and Latin America. Agreegain noted that integrating Endorphina into its partner network has enhanced the strength and variety of its content portfolio for its operator partners. Maria Afzaal, Senior Partnership Manager at Agreegain, added: “At Agreegain, we are consistently seeking content that aligns with the regions and markets we prioritize. “Partnering with Endorphina is an exciting milestone that lets us deliver innovative, diverse games that meet the needs of our operator partners across Europe and Latin America. We believe this addition bolsters our content portfolio and provides our partners and players with content that aligns with their preferences and our overall market strategy.” Managing Regulatory Risks Earlier this year, Josh Kingett, Business Development Manager at Agreegain, spoke with iGaming Expert about how content aggregators must adapt as operators continue to pursue international expansion into new markets. Kingett stressed that aggregators must proactively track regulatory shifts across global jurisdictions to ensure the games they offer are either pre-certified or swiftly adjusted to meet new compliance requirements. He added: “Aggregators should manage provider certifications and compliance updates through a central hub, shielding operators from tedious contract management, individual studio negotiations and delays. “Providing modular, jurisdiction-specific configurations via a single API also allows operators to adjust content compliance settings without rebuilding their entire platforms.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   With the UK’s new gambling charity funding system now officially operational, will this prove a clear positive for the sector, or will further persuasion be needed to justify the decision? For those unaware of how gambling harm funding works in the UK, gambling operators previously made voluntary contributions to GambleAware, which would allocate the funds to charities across the entire UK. However, with GambleAware shutting down, this old model is now a thing of the past, following recommendations laid out in the 2005 Gambling Act Review White Paper that mandated a statutory Prevention, Treatment and Research levy to raise £100 million annually. Half of these funds are earmarked for treatment and administered by the NHS, 20% goes toward research managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), leaving 30% for prevention efforts—money intended for gambling charities. This prevention funding stream, previously overseen by GambleAware, is now handled by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), and most critically — not every charity has been selected to receive funding. Following recent final funding confirmations for charities, LinkedIn was swamped with posts from specialist gambling harm groups expressing their disappointment over the selection process, with some confirming they will take drastic action to cope with their lack of financial support. Nadine Ashworth, Chief Executive of gambling charm charity thrivin’ together, warned that many people employed in the NHS, armed forces, police, or financial services face job loss risks if they access support through the NHS, making that route off-limits. GamLEARN, another charity focused on lived experiences, chose to remain positive when announcing it had not been selected in this funding round, though the outcome would still have stung regardless. EPIC Restart Foundation shared: “We won’t pretend otherwise, it’s a blow, and we’re still taking it in.” Gamban, a free-to-use comprehensive gambling blocking tool, now requires a subscription to stay operational after failing to secure the funding tender. The situation is not any easier for charities that did secure funding, either, as they now face heightened attention and pressure to justify their services without being required to provide such explanations. BetBlocker, for example, was contacted by The Guardian with a list of questions probing the quality of the charity’s services, which founder Duncan Garvie addressed in full on LinkedIn once more. Naturally, tensions are running high right now, with sharp criticism coming from all corners of the gambling sector. There is also a significant amount of confusion, as highlighted in an op-ed by Derek Webb, a Labour party donor and gambling reform advocate. Webb simultaneously criticised charities that previously received gambling donations while lamenting that some have been caught up in ‘unspecified allegations related to due diligence or ineligibility’. This widespread polarization is set to continue, at least until the dust settles, but the most important question to answer is whether the small number of selected charities can handle the full responsibility of supporting all of the UK’s problem gamblers. Want to hear more stories like this? Check out the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home of all things multimedia at SBC, where our team deep-dives into the biggest stories from across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Amnesty International has charged Cambodia’s casino regulator with effectively endorsing enterprises involved in severe violations, such as torture, human trafficking, and child labor. The organization has highlighted 12 casinos that the Cambodia Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC) authorized plans for between December 2025 and January 2026, noting that these venues function as scam compounds where documented human rights violations have occurred. Among those listed are three Crown casinos in Poipet, Bavet and Chrey Thum – owned by Anco Brothers Co. Ltd – as well as the Majestic Two and Majestic Hotel & Casino, whose former Chair, Kuong Li, was charged at the beginning of 2026 with illegal recruitment for exploitation, aggravated fraud, and money laundering. According to testimony from victims interviewed by Amnesty International, trafficked workers, often enticed by social media ads promising lucrative job opportunities, are detained against their will and compelled to participate in schemes that have defrauded victims of billions of dollars. Amnesty International utilized site visits and victim testimonies to cross-reference official plans submitted to the CGMG. The organization documented abuses such as workers being subjected to torture and beatings with electric shock batons. “The authorities must explain why casinos with proven ties to trafficking and torture continue to receive official approval,” said Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Co-Regional Director. “Every day that these casinos remain licensed is another day in which people on casino property are at risk of human rights abuse. “Our research establishes a clear link between Cambodia’s licensed casinos and its scamming compounds. At a time when the government claims to be dismantling the scamming industry, the evidence shows it is simultaneously approving plans for casino properties where abusive scamming compounds are run.” Authorities in Cambodia have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to addressing scam compounds; Reuters reported that approximately 190 scam centers were closed down in February. Last week, Cambodia’s Parliament also passed the first cybercrime law dedicated to targeting the perpetrators of online scams. Once implemented, those convicted will face between two to five years in prison and fines up to $125,000. Sentences for scams conducted by gangs or against many victims can extend up to 10 years. However, Amnesty International has accused the Cambodian government of “deliberately ignoring a litany of human rights abuses” and police forces in the country of collusion with compound bosses to avoid enforcement action. A report published in June 2025 by the charity identified 53 scamming compounds, and over half were linked to casinos, as gangs often repurpose former casinos and hotels into centers for fraud. “The Cambodian authorities know what is going on inside scamming compounds, yet they allow it to continue. Our findings reveal a pattern of state failures that have allowed criminality to flourish and raise questions about the government’s motivations,” Ferrer said in June. She added that the latest revelations demonstrate that the casino sector requires “investigation and accountability,” and demanded that the Cambodian government immediately suspend the gambling licences of the casinos identified until a “full, independent and transparent investigation into the violations documented at these sites” is conducted. The CGMC and the companies named failed to respond to Amnesty International over the allegations. According to a statement released on 5 April, the CGMC has revoked the licence of the Shang Hai Resort, a casino not named by Amnesty International, after raids found evidence of activity related to scam compounds. Want to hear more stories like this? Check out the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home of all things multimedia at SBC, where our team deep-dives into the biggest stories from across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   France's national gambling regulator has urged casinos to intensify their efforts against underage and problem gambling, stating that some establishments are failing to detect and assist a sufficient number of patrons experiencing gambling-related harm. The authority highlighted that both compulsive and underage gambling rank among the most significant threats within the French market, calling on the industry to re-evaluate its approach to these challenges. Alongside this caution, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) acknowledged the growth in collaborations between casinos and support services, as it assessed operator action plans designed to prevent excessive and underage gambling. Uneven results The ANJ observed that while casinos are enhancing their systems for identifying and assisting at-risk players, some 'are still only detecting and supporting an inadequate number of excessive or pathological gamblers, a figure that does not match their customer traffic levels'. The regulator also mentioned that the improved links between gambling venues and support organizations have facilitated directing identified problem gamblers to treatment, running awareness campaigns, and training employees. Regarding staff training, the ANJ reported that more than 2,200 individuals have utilized the e-learning module since its introduction in November 2024. More work to do Minimizing gambling harm is a central pillar of the ANJ's strategic plan for 2024-2026. Since October 2019, operators have been mandated to submit their protection action plans to the ANJ for assessment, with the goal of bolstering player safeguards. In all, plans were submitted for approval by FDJ United and Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU), 17 licensed online operators, 210 casinos and gaming clubs, and 231 racetracks. Only one casino's plan was rejected. The ANJ pointed out that industry-wide advancements have occurred but stressed that more work is necessary to achieve the target of reducing gambling harm by 2027. Operators received several suggestions, such as reinforcing their systems, training staff, and giving players essential information. While the ANJ approved the action plans from FDJ and PMU, it indicated two primary issues require attention: Implement a rigorous policy for monitoring retail outlets to ensure compliance with the prohibition on sales to minors. Create methods suitable for physical locations to establish a more efficient system for recognizing and aiding gamblers affected by harm. Strengthening systems Concerning licensed online operators, the ANJ said most have implemented procedures to prevent circumvention of the underage gambling ban, covering registration, information provision to adults, awareness initiatives, and parental controls. Actions to better detect individuals harmed by gambling have also been taken. The count of flagged players increased from 31,000 in 2024 to 89,000 in 2025, following upgrades to detection tools and new metrics. Nevertheless, the regulator expects operators to enhance their identification of potentially harmed players to align it 'with the scale of their customer base and prevalence research'. 'Concrete and quantifiable outcomes' must also be realized in fortifying systems that spot those suffering or at risk, with possible monitoring to confirm these improvements. This push for stronger systems coincides with operators gearing up for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. The ANJ reminded FDJ, PMU, and other licensed operators earlier this year that they must not surpass their declared total promotional budget for 2026. Racetrack improvements In the horse racing sector, the ANJ recognized work to inform bettors about support resources, train staff, and the ongoing supervision by the National Federation of Horse Racing (FNCH). However, the regulator emphasized the need for a clear separation at venues between family-friendly zones and betting areas, and to ensure content does not indirectly promote gambling. The FNCH was also directed to enhance its processes for identifying and supporting individuals experiencing gambling harm at tracks by persisting with training, as current efforts were deemed 'insufficient'. Want to hear more stories like this? Check out the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home of all things multimedia at SBC, where our team deep-dives into the biggest stories from across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has concluded its inquiry into KPMG's audit of Entain Plc's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022. The UK's statutory body for audit, accounting, and corporate governance has stated that neither KPMG nor Entain will face any disciplinary measures. Launched in November 2024, the investigation focused on KPMG's work on Entain's FY2022 consolidated accounts. This followed the FTSE-listed gambling operator's agreement to a £615m deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in 2023. This DPA, settled with HMRC and the Crown Prosecution Service, concerned bribery accusations connected to GVC Holdings—Entain's former operating company—and its historical business activities in Turkey. No action needed In its FY2023 results, Entain posted a statutory loss of around £890m, largely due to a £585m provision for the DPA. The full settlement totalled £615m, made up of a £585m penalty, a £20m charitable contribution, and £10m in costs to the authorities. The audited year, FY2022, was characterised as one of robust fundamental performance. Entain recorded an EBITDA of £993m and an operating profit of £103m, buoyed by expansion in the US through its BetMGM brand and persistent demand in UK and European markets, amplified by conditions during the COVID pandemic. The FRC examined whether KPMG had sufficiently evaluated legal and regulatory risks in Entain's accounts, particularly regarding how liabilities from its past Turkish operations were handled. In its decision, the FRC said: “Having reviewed the evidence obtained in the investigation, and having considered all relevant factors, the Executive Counsel has decided not to bring enforcement action.” Since 2024, Entain has consistently asserted that all issues related to the case are now settled, confirming the group has completely moved on from its historical exposure. Operating under an updated corporate charter, Entain now conducts business solely in fully regulated markets, strengthening its compliance and governance structure. Notwithstanding these reforms, financial challenges persist. For FY2025, Entain reported a third straight annual loss, amounting to £680m, even as key performance indicators showed marked improvement in its core UK and Ireland markets, indicating a return to stability in these important regions. A broader restructuring KPMG continues to serve as Entain Plc's statutory auditor, with the end of the FRC investigation eliminating a source of regulatory doubt over its audit services. Nevertheless, the firm is undergoing its own operational overhaul. In early 2026, KPMG disclosed a strategic review of its workforce, confirming intentions to eliminate roughly 440 assistant manager positions in its audit division, in addition to about 120 roles in its advisory business. The firm cited unusually low staff turnover rates as the reason for the necessary workforce changes. The resolution of the Entain investigation, paired with wider restructuring in the audit industry, highlights an evolving environment for corporate governance and audit supervision, where regulators are weighing scrutiny against a more proportionate enforcement strategy. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Government authorities in the Philippines have announced that the country has now fully eliminated all remaining traces of offshore gaming operations, which are widely known as POGOs. Prior to July 2024, online gaming operators were permitted to set up their headquarters in the Philippines while serving customers based in overseas markets such as China. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr reversed this policy during his 2024 State of the Nation Address, announcing that he would ban POGO operations entirely due to their deep ties to a range of criminal activities. He explained that POGOs had “expanded into illegal activities far beyond gaming, including financial scams, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture and even murder”, and a deadline of the end of 2024 was set for all such operations to cease operations permanently. Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida told The Manila Times on Monday (April 6) that “there are no official POGOs left operating in the country, and no unauthorised illegal POGOs either”, confirming that the government’s sector-wide crackdown has been completed successfully. The close of the POGO era POGO operations first began emerging in 2003, after the Philippines offered a base to Chinese gaming operators that were displaced by the Chinese government’s full ban on all gambling in Mainland China. The sector saw rapid growth starting in 2016, after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) began issuing operating licenses to POGO providers. At its peak in 2019, the Philippines’ POGO industry counted more than 300 licensed operators, contributed over P100bn (£1.25bn) in tax revenue to the national government, and employed tens of thousands of local Filipino workers. However, as POGOs grew in scale, widespread concerns over linked criminal activity continued to build, leading to repeated calls for a full ban on the sector, demands that President Marcos Jr ultimately answered. One of the most high-profile criminal cases connected to POGOs involved Alice Guo, a Chinese national who was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 on human trafficking charges. The charges followed a 2024 raid on a POGO operation located on land Guo owned in the town of Bamban. Police found more than 700 Filipino and foreign nationals at the site, many of whom reported they had been forced to participate in online scam operations. Further investigations also uncovered that Guo had faked her Filipino citizenship to win election as Mayor of Bamban. A statement from the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) released after the guilty verdict said: “Guo’s power, wealth and public image were built entirely on human trafficking, online scam operations and a falsified identity.” “This long-awaited ruling is not only a legal victory but also a moral one. It delivers justice to victims, reaffirms the government’s unified stance against organised crime and marks a defining moment in the country’s fight against large-scale trafficking and online scam syndicates.” A new chapter for the Philippine gaming market One year after the official end of POGO operations, the PAOCC is still prosecuting cases linked to members of dismantled POGO networks, which highlights how deeply criminality was embedded throughout these operations. Gambling remains a key economic driver for the Philippine economy, but regulated online gaming is now limited to domestic inland operators (PIGOs) and is overseen by PAGCOR. In 2025, online gaming activity generated P53.3bn (£667.9m) in revenue for PAGCOR. Even so, the regulator recorded an overall 5% drop in total revenue, partially caused by the offshore gaming ban, as the now-banned sector contributed almost P3bn (£37.6m) in revenue in 2024. Following the government’s crackdown on POGOs, policy focus has now shifted to strengthening oversight of the regulated gaming industry, as well as cracking down on the country’s unregulated gambling black market. Want to enjoy more stories like this? Explore the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home for all multimedia content from SBC, where our team delivers deep dives into the biggest stories across the global sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   An investigation by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) into KPMG’s audit work on Entain’s financial accounts has been closed with no further action planned, though the circumstances of the underlying issue remain subject to upcoming legal proceedings. The FRC launched this probe into KPMG’s auditing of Entain’s 2022 accounts in 2024. It was opened as part of a broader case connected to Entain’s former operations in Turkey and allegations against the company’s former executives, dating back to when the firm operated as GVC Holdings. Between 2011 and 2017, while trading under the GVC name, Entain ran a Turkey-focused business called Headlong Limited. In 2019, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) opened an investigation into “potential corporate offending” at this entity. HMRC, the UK’s national tax authority, raised concerns that adequate anti-bribery and anti-corruption procedures were not being implemented at Headlong. The inquiry ultimately resulted in Entain entering a £615 million deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), made up of a £585 million financial penalty, a £20 million charitable donation, and £10 million to cover authorities’ investigation costs. In February 2023, Entain released its full annual accounts for the 2022 trading year. The group reported 11% growth in net gaming revenue, boosted by that year’s FIFA World Cup, and later lifted its 2023 EBITDA guidance to a range of £985 million to £995 million. The FRC subsequently questioned whether KPMG’s audit of these 2022 financial figures had fully accounted for any potential liabilities tied to the former Turkish business. It has now, however, concluded that KPMG did not commit any wrongdoing. “After reviewing all evidence gathered during the investigation and considering every relevant factor, the FRC’s Executive Counsel has decided not to pursue enforcement action,” the regulator’s statement said. “Therefore, in line with Rule 146 of the AEP, Executive Counsel has determined that the respondents to the investigation are no longer subject to enforcement action. As a result, the case has been closed.” A spokesperson for KPMG UK said: “We are pleased the investigation has concluded with no sanctions, and we remain committed to delivering consistent, high-quality audit work.” Upcoming Turkey-linked trials GVC officially rebranded as Entain in December 2020. This change followed the resignation of Kenny Alexander as Chief Executive Officer in July 2020, and the resignation of Lee Feldman as Chairman in March 2019. Alexander, Feldman, and five other former GVC executives are scheduled to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court on 14 February 2028. All seven face charges of fraud, bribery, and perverting the course of justice. Entain’s leadership team has changed drastically since Alexander and Feldman departed. After Alexander left the role, he was replaced as CEO by Shay Segev, who previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Segev held the CEO position for six months before resigning in January 2021 and leaving the company that June. He later became CEO of sports streaming platform DAZN, where he leads the platform’s expansion into the betting and gaming sector. Jette Nygaard-Andersen, who had served as a Non-Executive Director at the firm since 2019, then took over the CEO role. She held the position for more than four years before stepping down in December 2023. The role was then filled by Stella David on an interim basis starting in January 2024, before Gavin Isaacs took the top job between September 2024 and February 2025. David has returned to lead the company on a permanent basis since April 2025. Entain’s new leadership maintains that the company has put significant distance between itself and the 2010s-era GVC that was led by former CEO Alexander and former Chairman Feldman. For example, Barry Gibson, who served as Entain’s Chairman between 2020 and 2024, has stated that “the group has changed immeasurably since these events took place”, referring to Headlong’s 2010s Turkish operations. The company has still felt the impact of the legal developments and investigations, however. The £615 million DPA had a major effect on Entain’s 2023 finances, with the firm recording a £900 million loss that year. These developments also likely contributed to the company reaffirming its 2023 commitment to only focus on regulated and soon-to-be regulated markets, a promise first made in November 2020 just before the GVC rebranding was announced. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Sportsbook provider Sportingtech has enhanced its offerings in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by introducing several new widgets designed to boost user engagement. The new additions include an Events Widget, a Groups Widget, and a Long-Term Bets Widget, all tailored to cater to the enthusiastic football audience as the tournament approaches. The Events Widget provides a comprehensive overview of match markets, improving the user experience from initial discovery to placing a bet. The Groups Widget, meanwhile, offers users detailed information on group fixtures and participating teams. The Long-Term Bets Widget provides direct access to outright and tournament special bets. Sportingtech stated that the objective is to prominently display key markets for players, thereby reducing friction in the betting process and enabling operators to benefit from increased bet volumes. Data cited by Sportingtech to support the launch of these specialized widgets indicates that 80% of player attention is concentrated above the fold, and strategic placement of widgets can increase engagement by up to 500%. With the 2022 World Cup generating approximately $35 billion (£26.3 billion) in total wagers, and FIFA expanding this year's tournament to 104 matches, there are even greater commercial opportunities available, which can be leveraged through smart widget positioning. All of Sportingtech’s widgets have been developed with a mobile-first approach, featuring a customizable front-end user experience to accommodate the specific needs of each operator. Tommy Molloy, Chief Product Officer at Sportingtech, commented: “The World Cup represents the most significant commercial opportunity in the sports betting calendar. Our operators deserve a product that meets this occasion.” “Through our close collaboration with our partners, we have gained a deep understanding of their requirements. These widgets were developed based on those discussions, aiming to reduce friction, highlight the most relevant markets, and deliver an experience optimized for the tournament. “The surge of casual bettors during the World Cup presents a valuable retention opportunity. The operators who succeed will not be those who are the loudest, but rather those whose user experience encourages players to return.” For more stories like this, visit the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the central hub for multimedia content covering the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate, and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Optimove has finalized an agreement to purchase Smartico, aiming to boost its 'positionless marketing' offerings for iGaming clients. The deal, announced on Easter Monday (6 April), positions Optimove to become a worldwide frontrunner in both CRM marketing and gamification. The acquisition is particularly important as it will improve Optimove's specialized services for the global iGaming industry. Leadership aims to bolster its marketing platforms for a market forecast to be worth $185bn (£140bn) by 2033. As explained to the media: “Optimove pioneered CRM marketing for iGaming, establishing the category and growing the market. Over the years, Optimove observed competitors entering the field. One company was exceptional. Smartico introduced the combination of gamification and CRM marketing to the iGaming sector.” Founded in 2019 by CEO Arman Gal and Yuval Mechoullam, Smartico has developed an all-inclusive CRM platform for iGaming operators. This system encompasses automation, gamification, free-to-play mini-games, bonus engines, jackpots, and risk modeling. Smartico remains autonomous According to the agreement's terms, Smartico will keep operating as a completely independent entity. It will retain its current leadership, product development plans, and customer service. Optimove stressed that Smartico's existing clients will experience no interruption, as the company preserves its commercial and operational independence. Gal highlighted that the deal was designed to maintain Smartico's autonomy while creating new avenues for growth: “Since its inception, Smartico was founded with a clear goal: to make player engagement more dynamic, rewarding, and effective for operators. Aligning with Optimove confirms that vision, but crucially, it does not alter our identity. “We continue to be fully independent, with unchanged leadership, the same strategic roadmap, and an unwavering dedication to our clients. This partnership provides us with greater scale—access to more resources, broader reach, and enhanced capacity to innovate rapidly in an increasingly complex market.” Gal further stated that the synergy between the two firms would enable Smartico to speed up the development of its gamification and real-time engagement products, all while remaining a direct competitor in the CRM arena. Optimove shows hand At the Optimove Conference in London this March, Founder and CEO Pini Yakuel told SBC the company was putting the finishing touches on a “seismic M&A deal for iGaming partners,” scheduled for announcement in the following weeks. The Smartico acquisition marks Yakuel's sixth M&A transaction as founder. This follows Optimove's $75 million strategic funding round, which enabled the integration of various technologies such as Adact (gamification engine), Graphyte (personalization), Kumulos (messaging), Axonite (marketing data), and DynamicMail. Elaborating on the reasoning for the purchase, Yakuel pointed out that Smartico was unique among numerous CRM rivals: He said: “What stood out to us about Smartico wasn't only their product, but their company's foundation. Similar to us, they bootstrapped, maintained discipline, and concentrated intensely on providing tangible value to operators. In a market filled with followers, Smartico developed something truly innovative—integrating gamification into CRM as a central driver for engagement. “This isn't merely consolidation to grow larger. It's about supporting a company that helped define the same market category from a distinct perspective. We carved out one route into iGaming CRM, and with Smartico, we are fortifying another. That is the evolution of the market.” Yakuel added that this deal aligns with Optimove's long-term plan to broaden its “positionless marketing” concept. The strategy involves incorporating complementary technologies while preserving competitive dynamics within the industry. Want to hear more stories like this? Check out the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home of all things multimedia at SBC, where our team deep-dives into the biggest stories from across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. . This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   SOFTSWISS has expanded into the prediction markets space with a new B2B offering that unlocks fixed-odds, event-based wagering. By removing peer-to-peer exchange mechanics, operators can directly engage audiences outside the scope of traditional sportsbooks by letting them wager on real-world events spanning politics, economics, technology, and other topics. This fixed-odds framework does not depend on external liquidity or market-based pricing, so it gives operators greater control over their pricing and margins while utilizing a familiar risk management structure. Operators looking to integrate this product can do so via a standalone iFrame widget or directly through the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook. Existing SOFTSWISS customers can launch the solution in roughly two to three days, while new customers will take up to three weeks to go live. Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of Operations at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, shared: “For most operators, the real question isn’t whether prediction markets are compelling, but how to integrate them into an existing tech stack without completely rebuilding systems around exchange mechanics. “A fixed-odds model makes this far more practical. It lets operators test this demand using familiar risk and compliance frameworks, while also opening access to audiences who don’t typically engage with traditional sports betting behaviors.” Prediction markets have seen explosive growth in popularity over the past few years, with the largest surge in the United States driven by Kalshi and Polymarket – the two leading platforms in this sector. Unlike traditional sports betting offerings, participants wager against one another to predict the outcome of events ranging from global elections to the specific trick a mascot will perform during an NFL game. U.S. trading volume neared the $50 billion (£38 billion) mark in 2025, up from just $300 million the previous year. This lucrative commercial opportunity has led several major players in the gambling industry to expand into prediction markets, most prominently Flutter Entertainment’s FanDuel Predicts and DraftKings’ dedicated offering. SOFTSWISS is not the first B2B company to enter this space. Just last week, Malta-based sportsbook solutions provider BETBY announced its own expansion into prediction markets, demonstrating that despite ongoing controversy in the sector, it is attracting significant commercial interest. Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, added: “We are seeing a growing player demographic. Prediction markets are not just an extension of sportsbooks – they bring in entirely new audiences who have never engaged with traditional betting products. “Their motivations differ: users are driven by their knowledge of global events rather than sports fandom. Paired with the constant flow of news and public discourse, this creates a more consistent engagement layer. Operators who underestimate this shift risk missing out on both consumer demand and a new wave of market participants.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Content saturation is a major challenge in the iGaming industry, so standing out now depends less on quantity and more on strategic focus. In this piece, Edvardas Sadovkis, Chief Product Officer at ICONIC21, contends that purposeful variety is emerging as the critical factor for keeping players engaged. As gaming operators grapple with increasing “lobby clutter,” Sadovkis examines how curated content plans, cross-vertical integration, and quicker, more user-friendly experiences can ease decision fatigue and lengthen players’ time on the platform. Using ICONIC21’s own growth journey as an example, he explains why organized diversity and brand-driven ecosystems will shape success in 2026. Traditionally, the iGaming sector prioritized quantity over quality, leading to market saturation. As 2026 nears, data shows that generic game titles are becoming less relevant. These games lack unique flair and fail to meet the expectations of players accustomed to endless scrolling. This situation imposes a “lobby overcrowding cost” on decision-makers. Information overload reduces the quality of choices, resulting in a paradox of choice—when faced with too many similar options, players often abandon the platform entirely. Purposeful variety is the solution to combat decision fatigue. A cross-vertical strategy that supports this smooth flow is a key growth driver. Integrating different verticals can boost player lifetime value. The goal is to guide players from the homepage to their next optimal action quickly, delivering experiences that align with their preferences and your brand’s standards. This shift toward curated variety is the core foundation. This transition to curated variety underpins the success of leading iGaming content providers. ICONIC21 initially focused on delivering an entertainment-first live dealer experience. A major change came in 2024, when the company rebranded and became an independent entity, expanding its content offerings and evolving from a live-centric approach to a comprehensive 360-degree supplier. Their growth from a live-only specialist to a multi-vertical powerhouse offering live casino, slots, virtual games, promo tools, dedicated studios, and more serves as proof of successful scaling, aligned with market demand and data-driven insights. But how? Trust is the currency of live gaming, but spectacle drives engagement. ICONIC21’s Gravity Series—including recently released Gravity Wheel, Gravity Roulette, and other game types—transforms traditional games into cinematic events by layering multipliers and high payouts. For the mobile-first, digitally native audience, speed is everything. RNG-based formats like Crash or Plinko and fan favorites like Chicken Run act as vital “bridge content,” capturing players’ attention with simple, intense mechanics.While some providers flood the market with low-quality “slop,” it’s important to maintain a steady release cycle balanced across verticals. This pace keeps the lobby fresh without contributing to choice overload. As content becomes commoditized, your brand remains your most valuable asset. Dedicated studios reflect your unique vision. Branded games consistently outperform network games in engagement and retention by fostering familiarity and loyalty. The message for 2026 is clear: authority trumps volume. Build a brand-led, diverse ecosystem that values your players’ time, and they will respond with loyalty. Your content should be as fast, distinctive, and intentional as your audience. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.