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OKTO ready to answer industry’s cashless question, once and for all

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Introducing a software-based solution carefully tailored to Britain’s retail gaming sector, Simon Dorsen, director of gaming at OKTO – joined by Gambling Business Group (GBG) CEO Peter Hannibal – explains how the financially licensed company has leveraged GBG’s new EFT protocol to provide operators with a cashless system that allows players to use, move and collect their funds instantly – whether it’s on a gaming machine, at the bar, or in their local high street shops.

International fintech provider OKTO is ready to give Britain’s retail gaming sectors a much needed post-lockdown boost by offering the definitive solution to the longstanding challenge of cashless payments.

While there remains competition to provide the sector-wide cashless solution the industry requires, OKTO’s director of gaming Simon Dorsen, an 18-year veteran of the gaming industry, believes the company’s strict financial licenses, vast technological expertise, and unrivalled wallet universality all put OKTO’s secure and complete cashless solution ahead of the pack.

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“Cashless and digital payments in the UK is the norm now and today’s consumers demand the digitisation of payments across the economy, and in gaming as well. We have tailored our wallet towards the unique requirements of gaming, but we’re not just a gaming wallet,” explained Dorsen. “Money in the OKTO ecosystem can be moved or spent anywhere that accepts digital payments, whether it’s pubs, bingo clubs or high street shops – and our licenses, upholding the strictest of security standards, mean that any funds with us are always fully protected. The fact that we are financially licensed is very important, as it means both merchants and users can be confident that OKTO is backed by central banks across Europe.”

In addition to its licenses and software-based solution, a recently developed Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) protocol, made publicly available by Gambling Business Group (GBG), has given OKTO an advantage over the industry’s false-starts at a cashless solution. Without the need for any additional hardware or upfront costs, the protocol makes it possible for OKTO to bring any digital gaming machine into its payments ecosystem – finally putting the retail gaming sector on a level playing field with the rest of Britain’s high street economy.

“We are thrilled to be working on established industry protocol which is fully supported by the principle manufacturers of digital machines in pubs and AGC’s. It enables our truly cashless solution to allow users to go up to a gaming machine in the pub, press a button to use OKTO, and deposit funds to start playing. When they cashout, they get the money back in their cashless wallet instantly. Additionally, we are able to onboard pubs as merchants, so if the users want to immediately spend on food and drink in the pub, they can; either through their OKTO.WALLET app or, in the near future, from their OKTO debit card that is linked to the wallet.”

Indeed, much like increasingly popular neo-banks such as Monzo and Revolut, OKTO allows users to move and use their funds instantly, as they wish, putting the power directly in the user’s hands. It’s not just a “one-use” wallet, as users can extend the wallet usage beyond gaming machines and into the wider economy. This is not only ideal for giving players the most frictionless experience possible, but also for allowing operators to easily move, manage and count their digital cashboxes, detailed Dorsen.

“Because the transactions are instant within our ecosystem, you can dramatically move to a settlement time that is instant,” he continued. “We can automate and move towards an instant settlement process. Compared to the traditional cash dependent system, this will allow operators to reimagine the way they operate.”

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GBG CEO Peter Hannibal, whose open EFT protocol allows payment providers to ‘talk’ to any connected digital gaming machines, believes that OKTO’s entry into the retail gaming sectors has come at the perfect time. Not only has the protocol made it so much easier from a technical perspective, but with Covid-19 creating a sentiment of fear around the use of cash, the increasing trend of cashless payments is affecting all sectors of the industry more than ever.

“During lockdown we learned that bingo customers were concerned about using cash after the clubs reopened,” Hannibal explained. “The operation of traditional bingo has always been dependent upon coins and cash, but that clearly needs to change, and companies like OKTO will enable them to do that. Products like OKTO’s cashless solution have the potential to transform many gambling activities including bingo – and there’s an existential need for it now, even if there wasn’t before.”

Importantly, OKTO also provides a range of social responsibility tools to players through the fintech provider’s app, incorporating a strict age verification process, self-exclusion, betting limits, and profit and loss calculator tools that further enhance consumers’ protection. In addition, there is a section embedded in the app with national problem gambling helplines.

Hannibal summarised that OKTO’s solution presents a rare opportunity for the industry; a situation in which everyone’s a winner. The player gets more choice, the regulator gets responsible gaming tools in the players’ hands, and the operator gets a boost to business efficiency when it’s most needed. And with no upfront costs, it’s a boost that Dorsen believes operators will welcome.

“I have noticed a real change in operator’s mindsets over the past 18 months. There was a tipping point last year, even before COVID-19 came along, where operators realised that they need to learn about and adopt new cashless solutions. Now, naturally, we are seeing the consumer shift, and because of COVID-19 all demographics are becoming more comfortable using cashless payments,” said Dorsen. “The current economic circumstances are requiring operators to focus on efficiencies more than ever, and because our software based solution connects directly to the GBG/EFT protocol, we can provide fast deployment without any upfront capital expenditure. There’s not a big financial hurdle to implementing our cashless solution, so we think that operators will be eager to finally unlock the benefits they’ve been hearing about for so long, and we’re ready to show them exactly how our end-to-end cashless solution can help their business.”

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USDT Casino Launches Industry-First ‘Sunday Brunch Free Spins’ with Zero Wagering Requirements

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USDT Casino has unveiled a groundbreaking promotion that is set to transform weekend gaming for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. The innovative ‘Sunday Brunch Free Spins’ offer provides players with 20 free spins on Evoplay’s popular Food Feast slot, featuring zero wagering requirements and no maximum win limits.

This player-centric initiative marks a significant departure from traditional casino promotions, offering unprecedented flexibility and instant cashout capabilities for USDT players.

The promotion, available every Sunday, targets active players who have made at least one deposit during the previous week, with a minimum qualifying deposit of $20 USDT required to participate.

Key features of the Sunday Brunch Free Spins include:

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  • 20 Free Spins on Food Feast by Evoplay
  • Zero wagering requirements on all winnings
  • No maximum win limits
  • Instant cash rewards
  • Available exclusively for USDT players
  • Simple claim process via 24/7 Live Chat

The promotion demonstrates USDT Casino’s commitment to providing enhanced value to its crypto-focused player base while eliminating common friction points associated with traditional free spin offers.

Industry-Leading Player Benefits

Unlike conventional casino promotions that typically impose 35x-50x wagering requirements, USDT Casino’s Sunday Brunch Free Spins allows players to keep 100% of their winnings immediately. This approach aligns with the broader industry trend toward transparency and player-friendly terms.

The seamless claim process through Live Chat ensures instant reward delivery, eliminating delays commonly associated with promotional offers. Players can simply contact support on Sundays to receive their spins, with no additional verification steps required.

Setting New Standards in Crypto Gaming

USDT Casino’s innovative promotion arrives as the crypto gaming sector continues to evolve, with operators seeking differentiation through unique player offerings. The Sunday Brunch Free Spins program positions USDT Casino as a forward-thinking operator focused on customer satisfaction and retention.

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The promotion’s recurring weekly structure encourages consistent player engagement while rewarding loyalty without complex tier systems or restrictive conditions.

Michael Thompson, Head of Promotions at USDT Casino, stated, “Our Sunday Brunch Free Spins represent our commitment to creating genuine value for our players. By eliminating wagering requirements and win limits, we’re delivering an authentic, player-first experience that sets new standards in the crypto casino space.”

The promotion is now live and available every Sunday, with USDT Casino reserving the right to modify terms as needed. Players must agree to the casino’s fair play policy and promotion terms to participate.

About USDT Casino: USDT Casino is a leading cryptocurrency casino platform specialising in Tether (USDT) gaming solutions. The platform offers seamless crypto transactions, instant withdrawals, and a diverse game portfolio tailored for the modern digital gambler.

The post USDT Casino Launches Industry-First ‘Sunday Brunch Free Spins’ with Zero Wagering Requirements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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UK Gambling Commission Flags Deepfake-Fueled Money Laundering Threats in Online Gambling Sector

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a warning about the growing threat of money laundering facilitated by artificial intelligence technologies, including deepfakes, and the rising use of crash games. As part of its regulatory mandate, the UKGC requires licensed operators to stay ahead of evolving cybersecurity risks or risk incurring fines and even losing their licenses. With AI-powered deception on the rise, the Commission urges tighter security protocols across all operator systems.

The need to tighten security 

Artificial intelligence has become more sophisticated, and some users are taking advantage of this to bypass due diligence checks. Players registering on mobile casino platforms are typically required to provide identity documents as part of KYC procedures under AML regulations. However, deepfake technology is now being used to bypass these verifications.

Criminals now use artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos, false documentation, and face swap images to facilitate money laundering. This is why the UK Gambling Commission has stated that all operators in the UK must work fast to retrain employees in assessing customer documents.

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In addition to AI threats, the UKGC continues to classify cryptocurrency as a high-risk channel for laundering illicit funds. Operators are reminded that all crypto transactions must be treated with enhanced due diligence, given their anonymity and growing association with financial crime.

The Commission also raised concerns over the rising popularity of crash games typically found on both licensed and unlicensed crypto casino platforms. Their short duration and rapid cash-out mechanics make it difficult for platforms to detect suspicious patterns, creating opportunities for high-risk laundering behavior to go unnoticed.

All operators were advised to implement appropriate procedures to identify suspicious patterns during the crash games. The UKGC shared an update that revealed that remote and non-remote casinos were providing unlicensed money service business facilities to third parties. These businesses included foreign currency exchange, with some customers attempting to deposit large denominations, such as 500-pound bills.

The Body considered such transactions a money laundering risk. It also noted that some individuals have been offered money to use their personal details to open multiple gambling accounts for criminals. This has been a source of concern for the commission as these accounts are being paid for without the third parties, knowing that they act as unlicensed betting intermediaries.

So far, two operators have been penalized for anti-money laundering and customer care failures. The erring operators were ordered to pay 375,000 pounds for AML breaches, while the bookmaker was fined 686,070 pounds.

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The UKGC also warns operators to avoid supply partners connected to illegal sites. This came from the observation that games developed by operators with software licenses were ending up on unlicensed websites. The UKGC warns that operators connected to black market supply chains may face direct penalties even if indirectly involved. As such, due diligence on third-party content providers is now not just advisable, but essential. These developments underscore a broader industry challenge: maintaining regulatory compliance amid fast-evolving digital threats.

The post UK Gambling Commission Flags Deepfake-Fueled Money Laundering Threats in Online Gambling Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Regulatory Roadblocks: The Future of Sweepstakes Gaming in the U.S.

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Sweepstakes gaming has become very popular in the United States, as it provides individuals with the opportunity to win prizes without the need for a purchase. As opposed to traditional gambling, which has been highly regulated, sweepstakes gaming operates under the gray area of the law, and as a result, it runs in a varied regulatory environment. As this form of entertainment continues to evolve, it is significant for operators, players, and policymakers to understand the regulatory challenges in order to shape its future.

Understanding Sweepstakes Gaming

Sweepstakes gaming allows users to participate in games and contests in which prizes are won. Sweepstakes are a bit different from traditional gambling. In normal gambling, individuals gamble money in hopes of winning, while in sweepstakes, you do not typically have to purchase anything for entry. The growth of new sweepstakes casinos platforms offering casino-style gameplay through promotional credits and free-entry mechanics has expanded the reach of the sweepstakes model, attracting users seeking low-risk entertainment alternatives.

However, the legitimacy of sweepstakes gambling differs from state to state, and all these various regulations form a set of laws that are confusing to both the operators and the players. New sweepstakes casinos typically have to contend with such convoluted regulation, as there are multiple regulations at the state level to comply with. This inconsistency could be challenging for operators to implement and may limit players from accessing this new and creative gaming experience.

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The Future of Sweepstakes Gaming in the U.S.

In spite of the regulatory hurdles, there are possible avenues that can potentially unlock a brighter future for sweepstakes gaming in the U.S.

  • Standardization of regulations

Nowadays, the legislation is different. Each state has different definitions, rules, and prerequisites for sweepstakes. This lack of uniformity can keep operators from entering the marketplace and confuse players about their rights and responsibilities. By promoting interstate collaboration to develop standardized regulations, the industry would benefit from more transparent compliance channels that make it easier to conduct business for emerging sweepstakes casinos. A standardized regulatory landscape would not only reduce legal uncertainties but also optimize consumer confidence, ensuring an open and fair gaming environment.

  • Innovation in Compliance

Compliance innovation involves using new solutions and technology to make the regulations of sweepstakes gaming simpler or better. As there is evolution in the industry, the traditional methods of performing compliance might no longer apply, hence becoming a hindrance in the manner in which operators comply with diverse state regulations. New solutions like blockchain and artificial intelligence can be explored to enhance transparency and accountability in sweepstakes gaming.

  • Consumer Education

Consumer education involves the offering of understandable, clear information to players about their rights, responsibilities, and types of games played. As the industry expands, it is very crucial to educate consumers so they know how the sweepstakes are conducted, the rules of play, and the possible risks. Educating players so they are well-informed will enable operators to build trust and achieve responsible gaming practices. Effective consumer education can diminish confusion regarding sweepstakes, resulting in a more secure and transparent gaming experience

The post Regulatory Roadblocks: The Future of Sweepstakes Gaming in the U.S. appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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