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Online slot sites prepare for new Remote Customer Interaction rules
From September 12th, new customer interaction rules are coming into effect for UK slot sites and online operators. They follow a string of recent measures that have geared up player protections and come ahead of the Government’s Gambling Review. The new rules have been added to the operator Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice and apply to all remote license holders, except lottery licenses. Let’s look at the new rules and what they mean for UK gambling brands.
What are the new rules?
The new rules, which can be located in the LCCP, section 3.4.3, are as follows:
1. Effective customer interaction systems and processes must be implemented to minimise the risk to players experiencing gambling harm. They must embody the fundamental principles of “identify, act and evaluate”.
2. Licensees must stay current and account for revised advice from the Commission on customer interaction.
3. Factors that increase vulnerability to gambling harms must be considered, and licensees must take timely action when indicators of harm are identified.
4. There must be effective systems to process and monitor customer activity to identify harms and potential harms from the point of account opening.
5. The range of indicators used to identify harms or potential harms must include:
-
- customer spend
- patterns of spend
- time spent gambling
- gambling behaviour indicators
- customer-led contact
- use of gambling management tools
- account indicators.
6. The licensee is responsible for ensuring compliance, even if a third-party service is contracted.
7. Appropriate action must be taken promptly once harm has been identified.
8. The action must be tailored based on the identified number and level of harm indicators. This must include:
-
- Tailored action at lower levels minimising future harm.
- Increasing action where earlier stages have not had the required impact.
- Strong action as the next step, rather than gradually increasing efforts.
- Reducing or preventing marketing or the take-up of new bonuses where appropriate.
- Ending the relationship where necessary.
9. Marketing and the uptake of bonuses must be prevented in the case of strong indicators of harm.
10. In the case of strong harm indicators, processes should be automated to ensure timely assistance to players. In these cases, the licensee must manually review each case and allow the customer a chance to contest the measures.
11. Licensees must have processes to understand the impact of individual interactions on customers’ behaviour to evaluate if further action is needed.
12. All “reasonable steps” must be taken to evaluate the effectiveness of the licensees’ approach. The outcomes of such evaluation must be demonstrated to the Commission upon request.
13. Lastly, problem gambling rates must be taken into account by licensees as a minimum benchmark to ensure the minimum level of customer interactions is within the same rate.
What problems do they solve?
During the consultation and call for evidence, The UKGC found that while operators could interact with players experiencing gambling harm, they didn’t always opt to or, in many cases, were too slow, leading to damage. There have been clear cases in the past where operators have allowed gambling harms to occur due to non-action, such as the VIP scheme fiasco that allowed players to spend irresponsibly without proper account checks in place.
The new social responsibility code provisions aim to protect all players better and, in the case of severe harm indicators, as the interaction processes will be automated, remove the ability of operators not to act. In particular, the new rules will prevent:
- unaffordable binge gambling
- significant unaffordable losses over time
- failure to identify consumers who are particularly financially vulnerable
It’s worth noting that the current rate of problem gambling in the UK is 0.2% (a drop from 0.4% in the preceding year), with moderate and low-risk rates also stable at 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively, according to the UKGC, 2022.
What effect are the new rules going to have?
The expectation is that the new rules will protect players from gambling harm, better identify problem gamblers and stop players who are showing indicators of damage from slipping through the net.
For UK slot sites, this means implementing new systems for identifying potential harms based on indicators, inputting automatic and manual processing, and continually evaluating said measures. In many cases, these changes will likely be implemented using algorithms, with a team in charge of the manual implementation of interactions, account limitations, and the evidencing of actions as prescribed in the rules. This will come at a cost for online operators, which may also be twinned by a drop in revenue (albeit an arguably necessary drop due to increased player protections across the board) and makes the UK market less attractive to gambling brands.
In the broader context, it comes as yet another increase in the regulatory UK gambling environment, which some industry stakeholders, namely the Betting and Gaming Council and PwC report, have argued will lead to higher rates of offshore gambling, putting more players at greater risk rather than protecting them (evidence shows the size of the UK black market has doubled in the last two years, corresponding with greater regulation). The growth of the black market in tandem with increasing regulation has been evidenced in other European countries, like France and Norway. It also comes at a time when players are voicing concern about greater regulation, with a recent YouGov Poll recording two-thirds of UK bettors saying they would opt for offshore sites should the UK implement mandatory player budgets.
However, as this guidance specifically uses problem gambling indicators and measures behaviours carefully, prescribing measures based on the number of indicators displayed by players, as well as allowing them the chance to contest the actions (point 10 in the rules above), they cannot be considered as blanket measures that affect all players as the suggested player budgets could.
Erik Londré CEO of Karta
NASCAR unveils first step into the Fortnite ecosystem with custom Rocket Racing tracks inspired by its iconic events and venues
Today, NASCAR, America’s most popular motorsport, has officially entered the Fortnite ecosystem – announcing its debut with a one-of-a-kind, high-octane racing experience built in Rocket Racing.
Developed in partnership with award-winning UK metaverse studio, Karta, the experience launches with a Chicago Street Course map, styled on the real NASCAR Chicago Street Race taking place this Sunday 7th July, merging the thrill of NASCAR racing with the dynamic creativity of the Fortnite ecosystem.
With the first Chicago Street Map, players navigate multiple routes, master the art of speed, drift and avoid obstacles in intense multiplayer races or solo time trials.
Debuting ahead of the real-life Chicago Street Race, NASCAR’s official launch on Fortnite brings its second annual event in the center of one of the world’s greatest cities, into the Fortnite world. The map gives NASCAR fans, and players of all levels who may have never interacted with the sport, the chance to get closer to the real event than ever before – setting it apart from typical Rocket Racing maps.
With this fun experience aimed at gamers of all levels, NASCAR’s move into the Fortnite ecosystem isn’t just a one-time event while the Chicago race takes place. NASCAR is setting its sights on a permanent fixture on the platform, with the Chicago map marking the start of a long-term racing experience for players to continuously visit. Looking ahead at the NASCAR calendar, fans of America’s No. 1 form of motorsports and the Fortnite community can get excited, as NASCAR eyes wider plans to add more virtual recreations on the platform.
“NASCAR has always been about pushing boundaries and connecting with fans in exciting ways,” said Nick Rend, Managing Director of Esports & Gaming at NASCAR. “Fortnite provides the perfect platform to engage a global audience, blending the intensity of NASCAR racing with the immersive world of Fortnite. Karta, with their incredible creativity, attention to detail and innovative approach, were the perfect partners to help us bring this vision to life. We wanted to build something with longevity for both diehard NASCAR enthusiasts and the wider Fortnite community and we think we have succeeded with just that.”
Erik Londré, CEO of Karta, added, “Working with an icon of motorsports like NASCAR has been a dream come true. Our goal was to capture the essence of NASCAR racing – the speed, the strategy, the adrenaline – and inject it with a dose of Fortnite fun. The result is something truly special – a high-octane, visually stunning racing experience that we know players will love.”
Karta is an award-winning metaverse studio renowned for creating engaging virtual gaming experiences for global brands. Karta has established itself as a leader in creating accessible and impactful brand experiences within the metaverse across gaming, music and esports.
Since its inception in July 2021, Karta has collaborated with a diverse range of global brands, including Nicki Minaj, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Amazon Music, McDonald’s, Spotify, and Hugo Boss, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving landscape of metaverse entertainment.
The announcement of the SBC Summit Americas has garnered widespread support from industry leaders. The reimagined event aims to increase connectivity across North, Central, and South America, forming a single, cohesive platform for the gaming industry throughout the region.
Set to take place in Fort Lauderdale on May 13-15, 2025, the summit is poised to offer broader networking opportunities and drive forward collaboration within the industry.
Peruvian operator Apuesta Total shared their excitement about the location. “I always enjoy a change of scenery, and Fort Lauderdale is a fantastic choice. Many people like to turn conferences into extended weekends, so I’m certain attendees will appreciate the city’s beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere,” said company CEO Gonzalo Perez.
Relationship marketing hub Optimove’s VP of Revenue, Motti Colman, shared his thoughts on the potential of the new-look event. “With 8,000 attendees expected, this event is off to an excellent start. I am also keen on exploring new market insights through market-by-market conference sessions, so I am confident this is a great platform for expanded opportunities.”
Better Collective, a leading affiliate powerhouse and a frequent presence at SBC events, not only attending but also contributing as exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers, expressed their confidence in SBC’s potential with this revamped event.
“At Better Collective, we look very much forward to the SBC Summit America 2025 in Fort Lauderdale. With years of proven expertise in event organization, SBC enables unparalleled networking opportunities under one roof, reinforcing our connections and partnerships within the industry,” said Marc Frank Pedersen, company CEO for North America.
He added: “Having worked with SBC for many years, we trust in SBC’s commitment to deliver events that not only meet but exceed our expectations.”
Joseph Martin, CEO of Kinectify, a company specializing in anti-money laundering and compliance software, who has previously exhibited at SBC Summit North America, backed the decision, expressing confidence in SBC’s industry-centric ethos.
“SBC always puts on great events. They have deep connections within our industry and prioritize the right elements to optimize our experience. I’m excited about this new show covering both North and South America. Gaming companies operating in multiple markets across the two continents now have a single event focused on the entire Americas region. I look forward to another outstanding SBC event experience in Fort Lauderdale.”
FanDuel CEO, Amy Howe, commented on the growth that SBC Summit North America had previously achieved under SBC’s leadership. “The SBC North American Summit has become a mark the calendar industry event each spring. The conference seems to grow each year and brings together an impressive array regulators, legislators, operators and technologists that help power the industry’s growth.”
The CEO also confirmed that the “company is delighted to participate in the conference each year and looks forward to 2025 in Florida.”
Marina Bogard, Managing Director for North America at Betsson, also emphasized that the event caters to companies with diverse geographic interests. “SBC’s decision to launch SBC Summit Americas and host the event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provides a convenient opportunity for businesses with diverse market strategies to connect with both North American and Latin American leads under one roof.”
Bogard underscored the significance of this unified approach, which allows Betsson to efficiently engage with partners across diverse regions. “As you know, Betsson is a global company, and both regions remain highly significant for our expansion strategies. It is great to be able to align our efforts and meet all our partners across the Americas without having to attend multiple conferences,” she said.
Colman remarked: “SBC clearly has foresight in creating SBC Summit Americas for 2025.” Just like Bogard, he also recognized the event’s appeal to companies serving multiple geos. “At Optimove, we have experienced incredible growth in North and South America that parallels the incredible growth of SBC in each region. This new, reimagined show underscores that iGaming has come of age in the Americas. Plus, it will greatly benefit iGaming operators and service providers with diverse market interests.”
Perez echoed this sentiment. “We can all agree that the industry juggles numerous commitments, especially concerning conference participation. While attending expos around the world is rewarding, it also presents logistical and financial hurdles for companies. Therefore, I really embrace the idea of combining the strengths of the SBC Summit North America and Latinoamérica events to create a larger, more networking-rich experience,” he said.
ACR Poker
ACR POKER GETTING PLAYERS WARMED UP FOR DUAL VENOM TOURNEYS WITH $1 MILLION GUARANTEED VENOM WARMUP
The $8 Million Mystery Bounty Venom and $2 Million PLO Venom are coming to ACR Poker in August. Now, the popular online poker site is getting players warmed up in a big way with the $1 Million guaranteed Venom Warmup starting Sunday, July 7th.
The Venom Warmup tournament has a $1 Million guaranteed prize pool and a buy-in of just $55. There are even paths for players to qualify for free, making it even more of a bargain.
“We’ve never run a tournament before that had this large a guarantee for such a small buy-in,” stated ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “We hope everyone takes advantage as it’s the perfect lead-in to our dual Venom tourneys running in August.”
The $1 Million Venom Warmup has 192 total Day 1 flights from July 7th to 28th, providing almost unlimited options. Day 2 will take place on Sunday, July 28th at 4:05pm ET and the Final Table on Monday, July 29th at 2:05pm ET.
Moneymaker went on to add that one of the interesting things about this tourney is players can compete in multiple Day 1’s and combine their chip stack.
Alongside the Venom Warmup, ACR Poker is running its Venom Fever satellites, designed to provide players with hundreds of affordable opportunities to secure their $2,650 seats to the $8 Million Mystery Bounty and $2 Million PLO Venom tourneys coming in August. Highlights include 900 guaranteed seats for the Venom Mystery Bounty and 100 guaranteed seats for the Venom PLO via satellites
NASCAR unveils first step into the Fortnite ecosystem with custom Rocket Racing tracks inspired by its iconic events and venues
Industry Leaders Voice Strong Backing for SBC Summit Americas in Fort Lauderdale
ACR POKER GETTING PLAYERS WARMED UP FOR DUAL VENOM TOURNEYS WITH $1 MILLION GUARANTEED VENOM WARMUP
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