Author: Charles Shephardson

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, is preparing to propose strict rules governing how criminals and offenders can spend their state benefits. The policy push positions welfare reform as a central battleground ahead of the next UK general election, signalling a sharp shift in Conservative campaigning priorities. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp took to media briefings this weekend to outline the party’s emerging plans in detail. Philp described the proposal as a “smart” approach to welfare spending, suggesting targeted restrictions rather than blanket benefit cuts across the board. The plans would give authorities greater control over how certain benefit…

SOFTSWISS, a global iGaming technology provider, launched a multichannel campaign at NEXT Valletta 2026 to spotlight products beyond its flagship Casino Platform. The activation centred on three solutions within the SOFTSWISS portfolio: the Sportsbook, the Game Aggregator, and the Prediction Markets Platform. The campaign directly addressed a challenge the company openly acknowledged, noting that many industry professionals still associate the brand primarily with its Casino Platform. SOFTSWISS described its approach as deploying “the most advanced marketing technology available: people noticing things,” blending LinkedIn activity, employee-led content, and an offline activation. The campaign began with a LinkedIn post from Valentina Bagniya,…

New research presented at a major industry conference suggests the Gambling Commission’s flagship survey dramatically overstates how many people in Great Britain actually gamble. Dan Waugh of Regulus Partners compared the Gambling Survey for Great Britain’s participation estimates against real administrative data obtained directly from licensed operators across three product categories. The Gambling Survey for Great Britain was launched in 2023 as a bespoke online survey targeting 20,000 respondents annually, positioned by the Commission as the definitive source on gambling participation. Waugh presented his findings at the UNLV Eadington Conference 2026, concluding that the survey figures were substantially higher than…

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation has officially launched a national helpline dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing gambling-related difficulties across the Philippines. Known as the National Problem Gambling Helpline, the service connects callers with trained para-counsellors and mental health professionals around the clock. The helpline offers psychological first aid, guidance, triage and referrals for longer-term treatment where necessary, providing immediate and confidential assistance to those in need. Pagcor has partnered with the Seagulls Flock Organization Inc., a non-governmental group specialising in counselling, addiction treatment and behavioural wellness, to operate the hotline. SFO’s team includes psychologists, counsellors, social workers, researchers and…

Austria has formally begun its review of existing gambling laws, setting the country on a clear regulatory path toward a liberalised online gambling market. The process follows a new Draft Bill finalised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, targeting the long-standing monopoly privileges currently enjoyed by Casinos Austria. The Draft Bill represents a significant shift in Austria’s approach to gambling regulation, signalling the government’s intent to reshape the sector fundamentally. For decades, Casinos Austria has operated under exclusive privileges that have effectively locked out competition from the broader online gambling industry. The Federal Ministry of Finance has now moved to…

Betsson has compressed development cycles from 80 days to five after a company-wide AI push prompted one team to fundamentally rethink how it works. The breakthrough came after CTO Fredrik Ögren outlined Betsson’s AI investment priorities during an all-hands meeting, sparking a transformation far beyond the introduction of new tools. The team responsible for retention and engagement systems, including complex bonus and tournament mechanics, had traditionally operated through backlog refinements, planning cycles, and incremental releases stretching close to three months. After the AI push was announced, the team broke into smaller units and used AI to help redesign the entire…

Sun International’s online betting brand Sunbet has officially launched in Namibia, making it the third African market the brand now operates in. The Namibian rollout continues a long-standing partnership with platform provider Bede Gaming, which has supported Sunbet’s digital operations since 2017. Bede Gaming currently powers Sunbet’s platforms in South Africa and Botswana, and will now extend that infrastructure into the Namibian market. Sunbet entered Botswana in 2024, and the performance there has provided strong justification for the brand’s continued continental expansion strategy. During the H2 2025 reporting period, the Bede-powered Botswana platform recorded a 189% increase in registrations and…

Sunbet and BetPawa are making significant moves across the African continent, targeting fresh markets as local operators grow in ambition and scale. The African gaming industry has experienced a notably active period recently, with both local and international companies pursuing new opportunities across the region. International firms have taken a strong interest in Africa, recognising its potential as a major growth frontier for the global gambling industry. Super Group, Kaizen Gaming, and Virgin Bet are among the prominent international names that have been eyeing African markets for potential expansion. While global operators circle the continent, homegrown companies like Sunbet and…

Blueprint Gaming has reinforced its long-term partnership with bet365 through a major new open account offer featuring some of the supplier’s most recognisable slot titles. Eligible bet365 customers can now access free spins across four of Blueprint’s standout releases upon signup, including Fishin’ Frenzy: Lure Em’ In and King Kong Splash. The four featured titles also include Fishin’ Frenzy: Big Catch Gold Spins and Triple Action Cash Strike, representing some of Blueprint’s most consistent performers across regulated markets. The collaboration highlights the enduring strength of the relationship between the two companies, as well as the continued popularity of Blueprint’s flagship…

Sports betting companies are increasingly eyeing market-making as a natural extension of their existing financial modelling and risk management capabilities. The prediction markets space has blurred the lines between traditional wagering and financial trading, creating fresh opportunities for established bookmaking operators worldwide. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, prediction markets are categorised as derivative exchanges, meaning they rely partly on market-making to ensure liquidity between buyers and sellers. Earlier prediction products like Betfair struggled significantly due to a lack of liquidity, a problem that bookmakers believe their existing infrastructure can help solve. On DraftKings’ Q1 earnings call, CEO Jason Robins said his company…