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Fan Index Reveals: The MOST Popular Gaming Character of ALL TIME

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The most popular gaming character is Mario, receiving a whopping 451 points from the fan index
In second place is Sonic the Hedgehog with 394 points, receiving a staggering 59,700,700 Google searches in the last year
Legend of Zelda’s Link lands third place with 377 points, holding the largest number of Reddit mentions
The least popular gaming character is Jack from BioShock with just 48 points!

We’ve spent a lot of time at home, getting to know our favourite video games more than ever before, falling even more in love with a whole range of gaming characters. However, there is plenty of debate about which characters are the nations’ favourite!

With this in mind, experts at Stashbird.com wanted to discover the most popular gaming characters of all time from the best-selling video game franchises*. To thoroughly investigate, Stashbird.com created a gaming fans’ index by analysing the following factors:

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Sales of the franchise
Average worldwide searches over the past year
Number of hashtags on Instagram
Number of Reddit mentions
Gamers’ popularity score (survey)

The top 10 most popular characters

Stashbird.com can reveal that in first place, and crowned the most popular gaming character, is Mario with a massive 451 fan index points!

Mario ranked first for franchise sales with a staggering 653,000,000 worldwide copies of Mario games sold, bagging him an easy 100 points. The fun-loving character also ranked sixth for average worldwide searches with 4,606,547 (86 points) in the past year alone! Despite these results, Mario only ranked 10th for popularity, with 45% of gamers choosing him as their ultimate favourite.

Not far behind in second place is Sonic the Hedgehog with 394 points. The extraterrestrial hedgehog ranked second for worldwide searches (59,700,000), giving him 97 points! He was voted the favourite by only 21% of gamers surveyed, however bagged himself 91 points for his 94,300 Reddit mentions.

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Link from The Legend of Zelda places third, accumulating 377 points! It is no surprise as the star of the Nintendo series to have ranked top for Reddit mentions (3,920,000) and popularity score (74%), receiving 100 points for both! Interestingly, he ranked lower down for search volumes, with 1,196,200 average searches over the past year.

At number four is Donkey Kong with 354 points, scoring high with 3,930,000 yearly average searches (83 points), 570,000 Instagram hashtags (77 points) and 26,400 Reddit mentions (80 points).

To complete the 10 most popular gaming characters, the results are as follows:
5. Master Chief (Halo) 323 points, Crash (Crash Bandicoot) 323 points, Sora (Kingdom Hearts) 323 points
6. Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy) 314 points
7. Pac-Man (Pac-Man) 308 points
8. Kirby (Kirby) 306 points
9. Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher) 294 points

Closing the top 10 is Ezio Auditore Da Firenze, star of four of the Assassin’s Creed games, with 291 points!

Just making the bottom 10 is Joel Miller, ranking 25th out of a possible 34 places, from the Last of Us. This is not surprising as the franchise only scored 14 points for its 24 million sales. He also scored low on Reddit searches, receiving just 29 points for his 1,670 mentions.

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John Marston from Red Dead Redemption and Simon Belmont from Castlevania were both among the least popular with 94 and 74 points, respectively.

Bioshock’s Jack rounds off the bottom 10 list with measly 48 points – a staggering 403 points less than first place contender Mario.

Methodology
1. *Stashbird.com analysed the list of best-selling video game franchises that have sold at least 20 million copies and pulled the most popular/recognised character from each to compile the list of 36 most popular gaming characters of all time.
2. The team then created an index looking at several factors, including sales of the franchise, search volumes using SemRush, the number of Instagram hashtags per character and the number of mentions on Reddit.
3. Finally, to complete the index Stashbird.com surveyed 4,567 gamers worldwide to ask them to vote for their favourite from the list to give each character a popularity score.
4. Games where there is no playable main character were excluded from the list.
5. Stashbird normalised the data by using the PERCENTRANK.INC function in Excel. This function returns the rank of a value in a data set as a percentage of the data set between 0 and 1. These values were then multiplied by 100 to make the range between 0 and 100. The maximum score a character could receive was 500.This enabled the team to rank the 36 characters from most to least popular based on their total points. The data was collected on 29/02/2021 and is correct as of then.

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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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