

Asia
Online Casino Players Today: SOFTSWISS Spotlight
Asia takes the lead in high-stakes bets, while Europe leads with female players – insights from SOFTSWISS, a leading global iGaming technology provider, backed by its Casino Platform data analysis.
SOFTSWISS experts scrutinised the data from the Casino Platform’s client projects, spanning September 2022 to August 2023, to create profiles of contemporary players across three regions: Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
EUROPE
The European iGaming market consistently ranks top in terms of revenue generation and financial performance. According to the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform data, Europe boasts eight times the number of active players compared to LatAm and a staggering 18-fold increase compared to Asia. Furthermore, 68.3% of European players favour mobile devices for placing their bets, with the average bet size nearly doubling that of Latin America but still behind the Asian figure.
Gender disclosure is not mandatory during the registration process in certain online casinos, but even with the available data, some intriguing patterns emerge. According to the SOFTSWISS research, nearly half of European online casino players are male, accounting for 47% of the total player base. At the same time, Europe is the leader in the number of female players (18.11%), closely followed by LatAm, while Asia lags significantly behind. SOFTSWISS experts contend that this can be attributed to a heightened level of female engagement in the European economy, which is closely correlated with higher educational attainment and, consequently, improved access to personal income sources.
When considering the age range of contemporary online players from Europe, the majority falls within the 31–40 age group. This demographic tends to gravitate toward slot games as their preferred gaming option, with card games and roulette holding the second and third positions.
Darya Avtukhovich, Head of SOFTSWISS Casino Platform, comments: “One of the important aspects for the European market is payment systems. Due to diverse player locations, operators need multiple payment options, which becomes even more complex in regulated markets. SOFTSWISS is actively addressing this by obtaining licences and certifications. We also integrate payment systems into the Casino Platform, ensuring flexibility for operators entering specific markets.”
LATIN AMERICA
LatAm emerges as a promising hub for the iGaming industry. Markets that have already embraced online casino and bookmaker regulation are witnessing steady growth, while countries that are on the verge of implementing these regulations anticipate remarkable growth in the near future.
According to the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform data, in LatAm, 69.2% of active players use mobile devices to place bets in online casinos, slightly exceeding the equivalent figure in Europe. Male players constitute the majority, while females comprise 17.4% of the user base. The largest player demographics fall within the age group of 31–40 years, representing 20.8% of the total, while those aged 18–24 and 25–30 each account for 18.8%. The variations in distribution between these age groups in LatAm are the smallest among the analysed regions.
Highlighting the key features of the local iGaming culture, Carla Dualib, Regional Business Development Manager in LatAm, says: “Local online casino players tend to place small but regular bets. This sets them apart from European players, who, in turn, opt for less frequent but larger wagers when betting online.”
The data collected by the Casino Platform support this expert opinion: players from Latin America place the lowest bets compared to other analysed regions.
“Another key difference between LatAm players and players in other regions is their unwavering love for sports betting, especially football. However, when it comes to classic online casino games, local players are active in slots and roulette games. The latter is gaining momentum – according to the Game Aggregator statistics, roulette games make up 21.8% of all types of games preferred by Latin American players, which is 2–4 times more than in Asia and Europe,” noted Darya Avtukhovich, Head of SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.
ASIA
This region is characterised by technological advancement and progressiveness, with certain countries leading the global economy and boasting a high GDP per capita. This progressive nature is evident in the average bet size, which, according to the Casino Platform data, outstrips European averages by 2.5 times and leaves the average bet size of LatAm players trailing behind by more than fourfold.
In Asia, the prevalence of players who prefer mobile betting exceeds that of the other regions, with 71.6% favouring this method. Also, the percentage of female players in Asia is significantly lower, comprising just 6.2%. Within the Asian player demographic, those aged 31 to 40 are the most commonly found group placing bets in the projects powered by the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.
Slot games dominate the market, accounting for over 80% of all games. Speaking about the entertainment theme, Darya Avtukhovich notes: “Operators catering to the Asian audience should include traditional regional games in their portfolio. This involves not only stylising content using well-known Asian symbols, such as dragons, but also bringing familiar table games for local players online, such as Mahjong and others. Similarly, in sports betting, offering bets on traditional sports like Muay Thai and Kabaddi alongside popular international sports will significantly enhance the online casino’s offerings.”
Summing up the research, it is evident that common trends exist among players in different regions. However, it is essential to consider local peculiarities to shape an effective strategy. Darya Avtukhovich emphasises the importance of attracting local experts who understand the audience’s cultural nuances, traditions, and values. SOFTSWISS implements this approach by leveraging the extensive experience and expertise of its regional managers in LatAm and Asia to effectively develop clients’ businesses in new markets.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international iGaming company supplying ISO 27001-certified software solutions for managing gambling operations. The expert team, which counts 1,400 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, Georgia, and Belarus. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.
Asia
New Indian Law Aims to Curb Online Money Gambling Sector, Prohibits Related Advertising

Following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 on August 21, the government of India imposes a complete ban on online money games, alongside the advertisements related to the sector.
Passed by the parliament, any financial transactions related to these platforms would be considered unlawful as stated under the Information Technology Act of 2000. The legislation also aims to establish a national-level regulatory authority that will govern the categorising and registration of online games.
The said authority shall issue guidelines, codes of practice and directions for compliance, with strict punishments induced, leading to imprisonment for up to three years, and a fine to one crore rupees or 114,017 USD.
The advertisement of the said games is also punishable with similar penalties, with imprisonment up to two years and a fine of up to fifty lakh rupees 1140 USD.
While the law prohibited online money gaming such poker, rummy and fantasy sports that offer cash rewards, e-sports are considered and recognised as a legitimate competitive sport in India, and is not included in the total ban, as well as online social games or casual games that are recreational in nature.
This draws that the bill-turned-law, used a “balanced approach” since recognising that the online gaming sector is one of the most dynamic segments in the digital and creative economy, hence, still allowing esports and online social games.
This came after the report of over 45 crore or 45,000,000 people were reportedly affected by online money games and have lost more than Rs. 20,000 crores or 2,280.414 USD, according to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology.
According to the same ministry, the total ban was driven by the following reasons:
• Addiction and Financial Ruin
• Mental Health and Suicide
• Fraud and Money Laundering
• Threat to National Security
• Closing Legal Loopholes
• Encouraging Healthy Alternatives
Meanwhile, the bill also stated that while the online gaming authority governs the registration of online games, the central government still has the authority to frame the rules for the promotion and advertisement of e-sports, online social games and other rules related under the law.
In total, the legislation aims to safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly the middle class and youth by introducing these strict regulations and a greater emphasis on brand responsibility and ethical advertising.
The post New Indian Law Aims to Curb Online Money Gambling Sector, Prohibits Related Advertising appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Macao Casino Sector Salaries Hit a 10-year High

Salaries in Macao’s gambling industry have climbed to their highest level in a decade, with average earnings for full-time employees increasing 2.4% year-on-year to 27,390 patacas, according to the second quarter survey on manpower needs and wages by the Statistics and Census Service (known by its Portuguese initials DSEC).
Average monthly earnings for resident full-time casino employees were slightly lower – 27,340 patacas per month – but also rose by 2.4%. Since 2023, the average pay for non-resident workers has exceeded that of residents, with non-resident managers now earning an average of 90,000 patacas a month.
DSEC attributed the quarter’s rises “mainly to increases in salaries.”
The number of full-time workers in the gambling sector edged up by 380 over the past year, reaching 52,898 at the end of the second quarter. Most were local directors and managers.
The sector reported 208 job vacancies at the end of June, with clerical roles accounting for more than half. Just under half of the roles required work experience, while 74.1% required only senior secondary education or lower.
Demand for manpower has “gradually stabilised,” DSEC noted, as both the employee turnover rate (1.6%) and recruitment rate (1.1%) dropped year-on-year.
The survey does not cover junket promoters or their associates.
The post Macao Casino Sector Salaries Hit a 10-year High appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
ED Arrests Karnataka MLA Veerendra “Puppy” in Illegal Betting Case

The Indian Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into Karnataka Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra, also known as “Puppy,” over alleged involvement in a large-scale money laundering and illegal betting operation. The legislator, arrested in Sikkim on Saturday, August 23, was brought to Bengaluru on Sunday for further questioning in connection with financial transactions tied to casinos in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Georgia.
Veerendra was apprehended in Gangtok, where he had reportedly been pursuing a deal to lease land for a casino venture. After his arrest, he was produced before a special court in Bengaluru, which granted ED custody until August 28. To prevent any incidents during his transfer, strict security was enforced at Kempegowda International Airport, and he was quickly escorted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
Authorities confirmed that multi-state raids preceded the arrest, covering 31 locations across India, including Bengaluru, Hubballi, Chitradurga, Goa, Jodhpur, Mumbai and Sikkim. Five casinos in Goa—Puppy’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino, Puppy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino, and Big Daddy Casino—were also raided as part of the ongoing probe.
According to ED sources, preliminary findings suggest that Veerendra maintained financial links with casinos and shell companies operating in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Georgia. Evidence gathered during the raids points to overseas transactions and the use of foreign entities to launder large sums of money, some of which may have originated from cyber fraud. Officials suspect that these funds were “converted into white money” by being disguised as credit card transactions.
Documents recovered from multiple properties also revealed that Veerendra was in the process of finalising a deal to acquire a casino from Santiago Martin, a businessman widely recognised as the “lottery king” of Tamil Nadu. Martin is already under investigation by the ED in a separate money laundering case and is known for his financial ties to political figures.
Incriminating evidence seized from Veerendra’s residences, including Rs 12 crore in cash and a significant quantity of jewelry, is now being analysed. The ED has also uncovered records suggesting that his brother, K.C. Thippeswamy, managed three Dubai-based entities—Diamond Softech, TRS Technologies and Prime9Technologies—believed to be connected to their gaming and call centre businesses.
The post ED Arrests Karnataka MLA Veerendra “Puppy” in Illegal Betting Case appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
gaming3 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News7 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry8 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News7 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry8 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018