Industry News
ConnectPay Launches Payment Verification App as Response to Pandemic-Related Privacy Concerns
In order to strengthen privacy safeguards, ConnectPay has released a payment verification app as a direct response to COVID-related confidentiality concerns. The app will eliminate the risk of data breach due to third party system flaws and lay a robust foundation for developing more in-depth features later on.
The pandemic has raised the alarm about a potential privacy crisis, affecting a range of industries. To tackle risks of confidentiality during the coronavirus outbreak, ConnectPay, an online banking service provider, has released a new mobile application to help ensure payment security and prevent data breach during the vulnerable market conditions.
In an effort to combat the pandemic, some countries have introduced contact-tracing applications, which require sharing personal data with a variety of third parties. This has sparked a discussion about whether access to personal data could be abused. Such threats on the privacy front typically force consumers to reevaluate the services they use and become more aware about the information they choose to share: for example, the Cambridge Analytica case, which involved a major Facebook user data leak, changed the way people communicate on social media, as their posts became significantly less personal. Now, there is a new privacy threat on the horizon, and this time it may lead to a substantial profit and customer loss, as people, once again seeking to protect their personal data, may start ignoring certain services or businesses all together.
There has always been a certain level of skepticism when it came to reliability of third party apps; yet the current situation has only exacerbated the long-standing question, debating the capability of outsourced vendors to handle massive amounts of sensitive data and ensure its safety. Therefore, getting rid of third party authorization while enhancing payment security was the main motivator behind the ConnectPay App launch. In order to better protect client data, TransUnion (formerly Iovation) provided ConnectPay with critical authentication components for a comprehensive fraud prevention framework development to be moved in-house.
“Having a third party to authorize payments may lead to a bunch of risks that aren’t always accounted for. This is one of the main reasons we decided to develop our own payment verification solution,” said Marius Galdikas, CTO at ConnectPay. “By moving the matter in-house, we can closely monitor transaction security, eliminate the risk of data breach due to third party system flaws, and assure our clients, as well as their customers, that, if any problems arise, they will be handled in a timely fashion.”
Currently, the application offers multi-factor authentication to verify payment transactions, however, Galdikas notes, the current version of the app is only at the beginning of its roadmap. The company aims to make all digital banking services available at their clients’ fingertips, as more features will be rolled out in the foreseeable future. The end-goal is to create an all-round mobile solution for all digital banking and payment transaction related services, which is fully independent from third party vendors.
“This is a continuation of the new ecosystem development: the absence of the middleman will increase payment transparency and better protect sensitive information from external threats,” explained M. Galdikas. “Many organizations, even with robust security systems, have fallen victim to privacy breaches due to susceptibility of third parties they are affiliated with.”
“That’s why shifting focus to developing an in-house product enables us to bring more technologically sophisticated and secure solutions for the industry,” continued M. Galdikas. “Additionally, this will enable us to reallocate time and other resources to R&D, and, in turn, provide the market with more solutions that could benefit their business and increase profitability.”
ConnectPay continuously invests in innovative ways to limit financial fraud, and is planning to invest additional 750 thousand euros in Anti Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism compliance solutions throughout the current year. In addition, the company restricts the grounds for illicit financial activity, as any unethical business practices are eliminated during a thorough client screening process.
IAGA
The International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) Announces 2024 International Gaming Summit in Washington, D.C.
The International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) will hold its 41st International Gaming Summit Monday, May 27 through Thursday, May 30, 2024 at The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C.
As a premier event that brings together leaders from all global gaming sectors, the Summit will provide operators, suppliers, attorneys, investors, bankers, regulators and other advisor delegates with an unparalleled opportunity to meet and discuss the most important issues facing gaming.
“We are looking forward to holding this year’s 41st Annual International Gaming Summit in Washington, D.C., and are pleased to announce an agenda that includes a specific focus on some of the key sports betting issues the rapidly expanding US market is facing. As part of this focus, we will bring together representatives from global sports betting operators, regulatory agencies, professional sports leagues and other experts to discuss how the industry’s sports betting stakeholders can better work together to ensure a sustainable, responsible sports betting environment that is built on best practices lessons learned from other markets,” John Stawyskyj, President of IAGA, said.
“Beyond our sports betting focus, our diverse agenda includes discussions on other issues of importance including the growing impact of fraud and cyber breaches on regulated operators, a look into the federal and state lobbying process, an update on what’s happening in other gaming markets outside North America, a deep dive into new technologies and how they might impact gaming and more. I look forward to welcoming our delegates to Washington and participating with them in lively discussions about these critical issues and more,” Stawyskyj added.
Marker Trax, a leader in cashless payment solutions for the gambling industry, has announced the appointment of John Henderson as its senior vice president of operations.
As the company continues solidifying its cashless payments sector leadership position, Henderson joins the team to play a key role in leading strategic planning efforts, executing new operator and customer initiatives, directing pursuit of key performance indicators, and ensuring overall product and technology quality control. He reports directly to, and will work closely with, Marker Trax President Charlie Skinner.
Henderson is a seasoned, energetic industry veteran who brings to Marker Trax more than four decades of success in delivering technology-based business solutions, leading innovation-forward companies seeking to increase their industry footprints and to solidify their market shares.
“We’re cementing our leadership position in the cashless space, and John is the right leader, at the right time, to help guide us there. He has tactical expertise, and a long track record of success in the IT space. More than that, though, he’s always eager to innovate – which aligns perfectly with our philosophy and goals. We’re lucky to have him on board,” Charlie Skinner, President of Marker Trax, said.
Immediately prior to joining Marker Trax, Henderson served as chief information officer at WorldStrides, a global leader in educational travel services, and helped the company navigate a business and IT transformation program. Henderson has also held client partner roles at Accenture, IBM, and Cognizant, and has served numerous global brands including Choice Hotels, Hilton Hotels, MGM Resorts, Wynn, Disney, and Royal Caribbean.
“Every step of his career, John’s shown natural aptitude for client relationship management and large-scale systems integrations, and a keen, tactical eye for optimizing performance at all levels of an operation. At Marker Trax, we’re increasing our market footprint through continual innovation, and John’s tactical leadership will be of tremendous benefit to reaching our goals,” Skinner said.
Henderson’s addition caps a prolific run of recent accomplishments for the company. It recently unveiled its innovative consumer product, Moolah Play, secured renewed commitment from partner and global payments leader Euronet Worldwide Inc., and is introducing its cashless credit technology into more markets around the country.
Affinity Interactive
Affinity Interactive Appoints Scott Butera as President & Chief Executive Officer
Affinity Interactive has announced the appointment of Scott Butera as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Mr. Butera, who most recently led AI’s Sports Information Group (SIG) business, brings over 30 years of experience in gaming, hospitality, media, entertainment, and sports to the pivotal role. In his new capacity, Mr. Butera will set strategy and oversee operations of the Company’s diversified portfolio of casinos resorts across Nevada, Missouri, and Iowa. He will also continue to oversee all print and online media platforms, including Daily Racing Form.
Mr. Butera is an industry veteran who has a history of leading growth and innovation at numerous companies. As CEO of SIG, he led initiatives to develop retail and business products and optimize ecommerce sales for the Daily Racing Form. Under his leadership, SIG experienced significant growth in market share and revenue. Previously, Mr. Butera served as President of Fubo Gaming at Fubo TV Inc. He has also held CEO and President positions at MGM Resorts International, the Arena Football League, Foxwoods Resort & Casino, Tropicana Entertainment, and Trump Entertainment, among others. Earlier in his career, he worked as an investment banker for more than a decade, gaining valuable financial expertise that he later applied to strategic decision-making in the gaming industry. Mr. Butera has a B.A. from Trinity College, where he served as a Trustee, and an MBA from New York University.
“Scott’s operating acumen and deep knowledge of the gaming and entertainment industries have helped AI and Sports Information Group expand product offerings and improve the sports and gaming experience for consumers around the world. I am confident Scott will integrate seamlessly into this expanded role, and under his leadership, Affinity will achieve greater success, continuing to deliver world-class experiences to nearly 1 million users and guests across platforms,” James J. Zenni Jr., Chairman of Affinity Interactive, said.
“Affinity’s mission to elevate the gaming industry through advanced technology and unparalleled customer offerings – both across digital media platforms as well as in-person gaming – remains a driving force behind the business’ success. I am eager to collaborate with Jim and leverage my familiarity with the business as well as my passion for driving innovative change to execute on AI’s long-term strategic priorities,” Mr. Butera said.
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