Press Releases
Global bettors demand payment choice, speed, and security in play
Paysafe’s annual ‘All the Ways Players Pay’ report reveals insights from 4,300 online sports bettors across Europe, North America, and LATAM
A positive payment experience makes 82% of global online sports-bettors stay to continue wagering with sportsbooks, according to new research released today by leading payments platform Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE). Beyond player retention, the latest ‘All the Ways Players Pay’ annual report underscores the critical role payments play in customer acquisition and the importance of sportsbooks offering localized cashiers with alternative payment methods (APMs) to ensure payment choice plus fast and secure transactions.
The 2025 edition of the report, which includes Latin America for the first time, reveals players in the region share North American and European bettors’ priorities when choosing a sportsbook. Globally, quick and easy payouts are the top factor in sportsbook selection, with 34% of bettors prioritizing payout speed over brand trust (33%), promotions, and odds (both 24%), user experience (18%), and sports market variety (17%). Cashing-out quickly is particularly important to bettors in Romania (prioritized by 42%), the U.S. (41%), and Argentina (37%).
Beyond payouts, global players consider other payment factors more important than everything else except brand trust. Bettors seek rapid deposits (25%) and the availability of their preferred payment methods (also 25%) when choosing a sportsbook.
Players’ desire for diverse payment preferences demonstrates the importance of operators maximizing payment options. In the regions surveyed, debit cards remain the top payment choice (42%), trending even higher in Mexico (63%) and Peru (56%) as well as in jurisdictions that ban iGaming credit card transactions like the U.S. state of Tennessee (51%) and the U.K. (48%).
Despite restrictions, credit cards are preferred by 24% of players globally and remain the top payment method in France (39%). But APMs like digital wallets are challenging cards’ popularity. Digital wallets are a top choice for 38% of global players and are even more popular in Argentina (52%) and densely populated U.S. states like New York (48%) and Florida (46%).
Interest in local payment methods (LPMs) available only in specific regions is robust in the U.S. (16%), where Venmo is popular, but trends highest in Colombia (29%) and Ecuador (24%).
Against the backdrop of a resilient cash culture, LATAM players favor eCash for iGaming, with 30% of Colombians and 25% of both Peruvians and Ecuadoreans considering it a preference, though cash’s popularity also stands strong in Spain and the U.K. (both 22%).
In addition to localizing their cashiers, operators need to focus on transactional speed. With players demanding rapid payouts, 42% of global players expect to cash-out instantly. And 34% consider fast deposits critical to their payment experience, trending highest in Colombia (45%) and Ecuador (43%).
Transaction security is even more important, with 41% of global bettors prioritizing this in their payment experience. Players in Argentina (51%), Peru (48%), and Colombia (46%), as well as Romania (44%) and Italy (43%) appear particularly sensitive to security concerns.
Players’ confidence in the security of their transactions continues to improve, with 66% more confident than a year ago, though there’s no room for operator complacency, with 8% less confident and 26% on the fence. These doubters almost certainly impact operators’ revenue, with 32% of players who’ve not wagered in 6+ months saying fraud concerns were their major blocker.
Looking ahead, players reveal a strong appetite for real-time payments, with 73% expecting this to become the norm at sportsbooks within two years. Over the same period, adoption of APMs like digital wallets and eCash will likely grow, with 60% expecting to wager more with one. Bettors in Colombia (85%) and Peru (81%) are particularly bullish on upping the ante with APMs.
“Our latest ‘All the Ways Players Pay’ research report surveys online sports bettors’ transactional preferences across an unprecedented range of regulated markets in the Americas and Europe,” said Zak Cutler, President of Global Gaming at Paysafe. “Payments are crucial for player acquisition and retention in every single market, but there can be no one-size-fits-all approach. Operators will only maximize conversions and minimize churn if they localize their cashiers and respond to player demand for an exhaustive range of payment options that balance transactional speed with security.”
The post Global bettors demand payment choice, speed, and security in play appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Press Releases
MightyTips ambassador Jevgenijs Aleksejevs wins and takes his pro boxing record to 18-0
MightyTips ambassador and professional boxer Jevgenijs “The Hurricane” Aleksejevs improved his record to 18-0, defeating Ismaël “Issou” Seck from France with a unanimous decision at the AAA Fighting Series boxing event in Braunschweig, Germany on May 3, 2025.
On a solid boxing card at the Millenium Event Center, the reigning IBO European middleweight champion Jevgenijs Aleksejevs continued his undefeated run with a commanding performance over his first 10-round bout. The Latvian took on France’s Ismaël Seck (13-8-2), a durable and battle-tested fighter who had never been knocked out.
“Jevgenijs epitomises the values at the heart of the MightyTips brand: a will to win, commitment, and pursuit of excellence,” Eugene Ravdin, SEOBROTHERS Head of PR, said. “The Hurricane delivered a thrilling performance and showed his fighting spirit against formidable opposition. At MightyTips, we believe this is just another step in his journey towards greatness — and we’ll continue to stand by Jevgenijs every step of the way.”
How it happened
Aleksejevs established dominance from the off and masterfully closed the distance, not allowing the Frenchman to settle into a rhythm and use his height and reach advantage. The Latvian unleashed intelligent combinations, mixing up levels with double and triple punch sequences. His ability to switch from head to body and back again kept Seck on the defensive.
Seck’s resilience allowed him to survive the distance despite withstanding wave after wave of heavy shots from Aleksejevs. The judges awarded Aleksejevs a well-deserved unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 97-93). A performance like this sends a strong message to the middleweight division: The Hurricane is ready for bigger challenges.
“I feel excellent about the fight,” Jevgenijs Aleksejevs commented. “It was a valuable experience and a great lesson for me. I hope the spectators enjoyed it as much as I did. My matchmaker will line up a good title fight for me soon. This one served as a kind of check-up bout.”
Who is Jevgenijs Aleksejevs
Born in Riga, Aleksejevs is a former kickboxer and a 2008 junior European champion. A leg fracture in 2015 forced him to switch disciplines. He made his pro boxing debut 12 years ago and now boasts a KO rate of 55%. He is renowned for his counterpunching ability and often dominates during the later rounds. He has been acting as the MightyTips ambassador since June 2023. This win lifted him to the 39th in the BoxRec.com middleweight world ranking.
The post MightyTips ambassador Jevgenijs Aleksejevs wins and takes his pro boxing record to 18-0 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
(In order of appearance from left to right)
India is on the brink of witnessing a gaming revolution that is shaping the global industry. With 590 million gamers and industry projections estimating the market to reach INR 66,000 crores at a growth rate of 14.5%, as compared to the global growth of 8% (CAGR). India is now poised to become a billion dollar gaming powerhouse outpacing growth globally.
A large contributor to this sea change is mobile gaming. India has now become the second-largest mobile gaming market by downloads, with figures 3.5 times higher than the US or Brazil. As per a recent Lumikai report, 23 million new gamers from the country joined in FY24, with weekly playtime shooting up by a notable 30%. Backed by $2.8 billion in investments and significant job creation potential, gaming is becoming a key pillar of India’s digital economy.
Nitish Mittersain, CEO & Joint MD at Nazara Technologies, says that the evolution exceeds beyond mere numbers. He underscores, “In a world where gaming is becoming a cultural and economic force, India is no longer just a consumer market, but also becoming a maker. With scale, talent, and strategic capital, Indian companies are rewriting the rules, growing from local leaders to global powerhouses.”
The country’s mobile-first ecosystem, enormous internet penetration, and tech-savvy youth have made it a fertile ground for gaming, while what’s also changing is how games are being made, distributed, and funded.
According to Anuj Tandon, Partner India & UAE at BITKRAFT Ventures, “The Indian gaming industry is experiencing a significant resurgence. A large talent pool and innovative narrative developers are fostering ecosystem expansion, leading to the creation of globally marketable games. Recognizing the emerging prominence of the Indian market, BITKRAFT is looking to make strategic investments to support its development as a vital contributor to the international gaming & entertainment sector.”
With the gaming sector in India empowering the larger community, content, and creators across the country, games are increasingly interactive among larger audiences, and platforms are working to intrigue new-age streamers and influencers from tier 2 & 3 cities in India.
Speaking about the shift in the Indian gaming market, Piyush, Founder & CEO of Rooter, “India has witnessed a significant surge in in-app purchases by gamers over the past three years, driving industry revenue growth at a 40% CAGR. Once a challenging market to monetize, improved micro-transaction behavior and effective pricing strategies are now encouraging gamers to spend more for enhanced experiences. Content creators are leveraging streaming platforms like Rooter to collaborate with publishers and raise awareness about games and their assets. Over the last two years, Rooter has unlocked multiple monetization channels, engaging with over 100 brands, numerous gaming publishers, global platforms, and gift card partners to create scalable revenue opportunities.”
The rise in engagement is paving the way for real business opportunities. Casual games particularly have opened new doors for monetization via in-app purchases, ads, partnerships, and sponsorships especially when game access is embedded seamlessly into daily routine platforms.
Yashash Agarwal, CEO & Co-founder of Gamezop, explains, “The world is waking up to where the real action in gaming lies, and that’s India. A projected revenue CAGR of 14.5% – nearly double the global average, is a clear sign that India is not just part of the global gaming story, we’re writing the next chapter.
Web gaming, in particular, is seeing explosive traction, and India is leading the charge. We’re witnessing a new wave of native users turn to web games for their accessibility, speed, and immersive play – no downloads, no wait time, just instant fun. What’s equally exciting is that India is not just consuming web games at scale; it’s also emerging as a powerhouse for web game development.
From an infrastructure perspective, we find ourselves in a better position than ever before. Devices are becoming smarter and faster, and with 5G technology, smartphones today have more capabilities than ever. As a result, people are spending more time online, leading to a surge of apps and websites across categories. At Gamezop, we’ve seen how seamlessly web games can plug into the everyday digital lives of Indian users across news, entertainment, utility, and fintech platforms. With the right regulatory and infrastructure support, India could very well define the future of web gaming.”
Meanwhile, on the development front, the industry is seeing a shift toward homegrown innovation. Indian studios have evolved from providing services like localizing global titles to creating original games that are performing well on the global stage.
Anurag Choudhary, Founder & CEO of Felicity Games, puts it plainly, “India is not just becoming a billion-player market, it’s emerging as a powerhouse for innovation in mobile gaming. With a young, connected population and a rapidly evolving developer ecosystem, we’re seeing global-quality titles being built and scaled from here. At Felicity Games, we’re proud to be part of this movement by publishing Indian games for global audiences, backed by strong unit economics and technology-led operations.”
With supportive regulation, sustained investment, and a stark rise in talent, India’s gaming sector is reportedly estimated to reach around INR ~500,000 Crores in value by 2034. India with the growth, innovation, and the large user base is set to emerge as a billion-dollar global giant, surpassing the global growth and setting new benchmarks.
The post Gaming in India – The Rise of a New Billion-dollar Economic Powerhouse appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Press Releases
ToonieBet Launches Sportsbook, Elevating Player Experience and Local Community Engagement in Ontario
ToonieBet Expansion with Sportsbook on App Store and Google Play, to Continue with Commitment to Delivering Localised and Engaging Experience for Ontario Players
ToonieBet, Soft2Bet’s flagship online casino and sportsbook for Ontario, has officially launched its sportsbook on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The platform is tailored specifically for local players, offering a dynamic betting experience with a broad range of sports events and competitive odds. The platform also features personalised promotions and loyalty rewards designed to match the preferences of Ontario’s diverse betting community.
The sportsbook uses official data feeds, ensuring players have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information on top local and international sports events. Additionally, the platform offers live broadcasting with real-time match analytics, allowing users to make informed betting decisions as events unfold. Integrated with MEGA and advanced player account management features, the operator is committed to delivering a seamless and responsible gaming environment that enhances the overall player experience while supporting local sports initiatives.
As part of this launch, the platform has also introduced a Sportsbook section on its official website, expanding its portfolio and bringing more choice to its growing customer base. With access to over 85,000 live events each month and more than 70,000 pre-match events across a wide range of sports, players now have even more ways to bet on what they love. Soft2Bet’s Canadian brand invites all players to explore its standout online casino and the full spectrum of sports betting, all delivered through a fast, secure, and fully localised platform.
Since its debut at the end of 2024, ToonieBet has offered a fast, fair, and secure online casino and sportsbook experience, fully localised for Ontario’s vibrant gaming market. The Apple App and Google Play additions further enhance accessibility, bringing ToonieBet’s premium entertainment to players on the go.
Additionally, this milestone complements the operator’s recent partnership with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, which made ToonieBet the Official Online Casino Partner of the team. The partnership includes in-arena branding, digital promotions, and fan engagement initiatives like social contests, allowing ToonieBet to connect with Ontario sports fans in exciting ways and offering chances to win team merchandise and tickets.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Soft2Bet’s Chief Product Officer stated: “As Soft2Bet continues our rapid growth, we are excited to provide Ontario players with access to ToonieBet’s sportsbook which is now available on the Apple App and Google Play Store, offering seamless access to a customised experience tailored for the province’s passionate gaming community.”
ToonieBet is Soft2Bet’s brand, one of the world’s fastest-growing iGaming turnkey solutions providers, that delivers high-quality products and services for online gambling operators with iGaming brands around the world and a portfolio of 19 global licenses, including Ontario.
The post ToonieBet Launches Sportsbook, Elevating Player Experience and Local Community Engagement in Ontario appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Baltics4 weeks agoPlayson powers ahead in Europe with Fenikss partnership
-
Balkans4 weeks ago
CT Gaming Expands in Macedonia with a Landmark Installation
-
Compliance Updates4 weeks ago
GRAI: Join the Ongoing Public Consultation
-
partnerships3 weeks ago
Octoplay accelerates UK and Irish growth with strategic BoyleSports partnership
-
Latin America3 weeks ago
SOFTSWISS Ignites Brazil with ‘Race Like a Legend’ Experience
-
Press Releases4 weeks ago
Booming Games Unveils Easter Classics: A Charming Springtime Slot Full of Fluffy Fun and Festive Wins
-
Africa3 weeks ago
INCENTIVE GAMES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, SOUTH AFRICA AND UK WITH LIGHT & WONDER
-
Latin America3 weeks ago
SCCG Becomes Sponsor of SFT Combat
