UK to implement 1.1% levy on gambling industry to fund healthcare and addiction prevention

The UK will introduce a tax of up to 1.1% on gross gaming income to raise £100 million annually for health, prevention and research into gambling harms. Online betting limits will also be implemented to protect consumers.

Greg Flor, THNDR co-founder, about Lightning Network underestimation

At THNDR, financial technology platform with a gaming core, they combine the best of old-school simplicity with cutting-edge technology. Their games draw inspiration from classic games like blocks or solitaire, which are easy to learn and play. But beneath this nostalgic exterior, they implement the power of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network – and that’s where things get really interesting. Thanks to this technology, players can compete with each other in skill-based wagering PvP matches, free from time pressure, in asynchronous games, without needing to make deposits, and with automatic payouts after every win.

Navigating the labyrinth of identity verification in iGaming

In the fast-paced world of iGaming, where regulatory scrutiny is intensifying, the importance of effective identity verification has never been more critical. Operators are scrambling to safeguard their businesses and players alike, as advancements in technology reshape the landscape of compliance and customer experience

FATF implements new ‘grey list’ rules to aid developing nations 

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has introduced reforms to its grey list criteria, designed to offer more leniency to lower-capacity countries. The grey list, which highlights nations requiring heightened monitoring for money laundering and terrorism financing risks, is being overhauled to prevent the undue penalisation of economically weaker jurisdictions.

Philippine official optimistic on FATF grey list exit   

The Philippines’ Department of Justice (DOJ) has expressed optimism about the country's chances of removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, following nearly five years of heightened monitoring.

Macau, Hong Kong accelerating toward digital currency adoption  

China’s Special Administrative Regions (SARs), Macau and Hong Kong, are making headways in the development and implementation of their respective digital currencies. These initiatives mark a crucial step in modernising their financial systems.

Rivalry reports record margins for Q2 2024

iGaming operator Rivalry, licensed in the Isle of Man with headquarters in Canada, has released its financial results for Q2 2024. All figures are reported in Canadian dollars. "At Rivalry, our strategy has centered on two primary growth areas: the expansion of cryptocurrencies through tokenization and targeting VIP customers. In tandem with these efforts, we are meticulously managing working capital, optimizing our teams, and reducing costs in non-core areas," stated Stephen Saltz, co-founder and CEO of Rivalry. "Our focus on enhancing margins is yielding positive results, reflected in two consecutive quarters of record performance."

Meet the SiGMA East Europe 2024 exhibitors

The SiGMA East Europe Summit is in full swing, with over 200 exhibitors showcasing their brands at Hungexpo, the largest exhibition venue in Budapest. Each booth, like each company, is unique, but they all share a common goal - to tell their story. This article highlights the growth of iGaming market participants with Eastern Europe global interest. There are stories from representatives of a payment system, a niche provider, experienced developers of sports platforms and anti-fraud solutions, the creator of the first crash game, and his competitor.

Mobile and Crypto Payments Drive Innovation – SiGMA East Europe 2024 Panel

For the first time in SiGMA Summit history, presentations and panel discussions were led by Russian-speaking professionals. The second day of SiGMA East Europe 2024 kicked off with a panel titled "Mobile and Crypto Platforms Fuel Innovation," featuring Katerina Shepetenko from Legal Pilot, Elena Sabelnikova from APSmoney, and Forbes contributor Alexander Belov. The discussion was moderated by Alexey Rozhkov, CEO of MoneyGate. The panelists discussed key aspects of securing mobile and crypto payments and explored current trends in the payments industry.

New Jersey leads Pennsylvania in online poker revenue

Recent revenue data indicated that over the past three years, New Jersey's online poker sites have consistently outperformed those in Pennsylvania.