Latest News
Monzo and TrueLayer team up to protect vulnerable customers
We’re running a joint pilot to create an open banking powered gambling block
Monzo was the first bank to introduce a Gambling Block in 2018, following demand from customers who wanted help controlling their gambling addictions. Over 275,000 Monzo customers have chosen to activate the Monzo Gambling Block and less than 10% have ever switched it off permanently.
The Gambling Block is a completely optional tool that blocks card payments to gambling firms. Customers can apply to their Monzo account themselves in the app or by speaking to a member of Monzo’s customer services team.
However, with more and more gambling providers switching to convenient, open banking powered payments, Monzo and TrueLayer have teamed up to offer the same protections for customers using these new payment methods to gamble. This pilot means that Monzo customers will be able to benefit from an extended gambling block that prevents card transactions and open banking powered payments to operators supported by TrueLayer.
We believe that banks like Monzo and open banking providers like TrueLayer have an important role to play in offering customers greater control over how they spend their money.
How it works
Right now, Monzo customers can request to block transactions made to gambling providers, from their account. To remove the block, a customer who has opted out will need to speak to Monzo’s customer support team and wait 48 hours to switch off the feature.
Most of the gambling blocks currently on the market today work by blocking card payments to specific ‘merchant category codes’, assigned by card schemes (like Mastercard or Visa). These codes let the bank know what type of business their customer is trying to pay, before they send their money. However, these merchant category codes are only available for card payments – not open banking powered payments. As more and more consumers switch to these new, convenient methods, we need to act to make sure they could access the same protections.
Now, TrueLayer will automatically let Monzo know, via an enhanced API call, any time their customer attempts an open banking payment to a gambling firm specifically. This additional data access enables Monzo to prevent the payment on the customers’ behalf if they have their gambling block activated.
This is a relatively straightforward change that Monzo and TrueLayer engineers were able to build in a few days. However it could make a huge difference for those struggling with gambling addiction.
What it means for the future of the industry
Every consumer should have access to a gambling block, regardless of who they bank with – or how they pay.
This is relatively simple for banks and open banking providers to put in place, but can have a big impact on someone’s well being. Other banks and open banking providers should follow our lead, to allow gambling blocks to cover non-card payments.
Providing customers with self exclusion tools for gambling is only the beginning, and there’s so much more that can be done.
Open banking providers offer a unique opportunity to help gambling operators seamlessly support those experiencing gambling harms – and empower consumers to stay in control of their finances. Initiatives like affordability checks to flag at-risk players earlier, spending limits to help ensure players do not overextend themselves, and friction free identity checks can all be improved using open banking.
By enabling the right types of protections for all players, gambling can remain a purely social activity, rather than one with life-altering negative effects.
Latest News
ELA Games Welcomes Ewa Kaźmierska As MD
ELA Games, a pioneering game supplier studio, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ewa Kaźmierska as Managing Director. This strategic leadership hire marks a pivotal moment in the studio’s journey, positioning ELA Games for accelerated growth and increased market penetration within the competitive iGaming sector.
Ewa brings over 15 years of senior leadership expertise, having successfully steered a game studio through periods of sustained growth and innovation. Her proven track record as a former Chief Executive Officer at multiple iGaming brands will be instrumental in driving ELA Games’ ambitious roadmap. Ewa’s appointment aligns with the studio’s commitment to excellence and reinforces its mission to deliver an exceptional portfolio that resonates across global markets.
ELA Games is gearing up for an impactful 2025, with Ewa at the helm to guide the studio’s expansion strategy. Her leadership will support the studio’s initiatives in establishing a strong market presence and enhancing product development to meet evolving industry demands.
Ewa commented on her new role, stating, “Joining ELA Games presents an incredible opportunity to lead a talented team with a clear vision for growth and innovation. ELA Games has the potential to become a leading force in the industry, and I am excited to contribute to its journey toward building a unique and influential gaming portfolio.”
The addition of Ewa Kaźmierska to ELA Games’ executive team underscores the studio’s dedication to robust growth and strategic excellence. With this leadership move, ELA Games is poised to strengthen its position as a premier game supplier in the iGaming landscape.
The post ELA Games Welcomes Ewa Kaźmierska As MD appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Week 45/2024 slot games releases
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Tom Horn Gaming invites bold adventurers to join Max Gold, the fearless explorer, as he delves deep into faraway lands, seeking hidden treasures, legendary jackpots, and mysteries waiting to be uncovered. With an array of exciting features, including the Hold & Win bonus game with jackpots and respins, shatter mode with increasing multipliers, stake booster, and bonus buy, Max Gold.
PopOK Gaming is thrilled to announce the release of its newest slot game, Spinosaurus – a captivating 3×5 slot that transports players back to the thrilling age of dinosaurs! With vibrant, colorful visuals and dynamic gameplay, Spinosaurus features the iconic, mighty dinosaur as your guide on an adventurous quest for massive wins. Players can immerse themselves in prehistoric excitement while aiming for incredible rewards.
Belatra Games has launched its pirate-themed title, Tortuga Codex. This 5×4 slot casts players on a journey on the hunt for untold riches buried on a mysterious island. A Skull symbol acts as the Wild and will substitute for any other symbol to increase the chances of a win. An intriguing element to the game lies in the Additional Reel feature which sits above the main frame. It’s in sync with the main reels, displaying Wild symbols, special pirate icons, and numbers from one to nine.
Vibra Gaming has unwrapped its latest release, Candy Loop, where if players trigger the Candy Round bonus they can max their win by up to 5000x in a game for all sweet-toothed slot fans. Set within a backdrop of clouds and sugar players will lap up this delicious classic three-stepper slot mechanic packed with sweet bonuses, free spins and wilds.
Zillion Games is thrilled to announce the release of Egypt’s Moon, a high-volatility slot that invites players to journey through the mysteries of ancient Egypt under a mesmerizing nighttime sky. Featuring Cleopatra, hidden treasures, and the essence of Egypt’s rich mythology, Egypt’s Moon promises an enthralling experience set against a captivating backdrop. This slot game offers players 25 paylines and an RTP of 96.75%, delivering both excitement and reward.
Having made a big splash with its popular Aqua Lord slot back in 2022, innovative software developer, Swintt, is preparing to dive beneath the waves once more in an action-packed sequel that now features new and improved Pearl Respins and even bigger prizes. Played out across five reels and ten fixed paylines, Aqua Lord 2 picks up where its predecessor left off by once again plunging players into a world of sunken treasures where sticky pearl symbols hold the key to unlocking huge wins of up to 6,000x the bet and two incredibly rewarding features.
Amusnet has released Extra Crown Dice. This latest addition to Amusnet’s online casino portfolio is a majestic dice slot filled with thrilling features. This 5-reel, 10 fixed lines dice game is based on one of the video slots, with redesigned symbols to look like dice. The kingdom of Extra Crown Dice is full of excitement with dice, sevens and eights, where fortunes await those bold enough to seize them. The Star and the Fleur-de-lis symbols are the Scatter symbols boosting the player’s winnings.
The dazzling dancefloor of Piggy Blitz returns with Piggy Blitz Disco Gold, the latest 6×4 online slot sensation from Play’n GO, boasting immersive features and endearing characters. The dancefloor is calling, and it’s shining brighter than ever! Piggy Blitz Disco Gold takes players back to the groovy days of the 1970s – where neon lights and disco beats set the stage for high-energy spins and big-time wins. Our favourite pigs are back, bringing glittering Cash Coins and the exclusive Gold Piggy Feature to this glitzy slot adventure.
Booming Games is going for goal with its first-ever instant win title, Ronaldinho Scores Shoot & Win, as it continues to leverage its partnership with the international footballing icon. Players step into the football boots of Ronaldinho and experience the thrills and excitement of trying to beat the keeper. Each shot the player takes could mean a big prize – there are 16 prizes in total with each kick potentially delivering at least 3 instant rewards.
The post Week 45/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Canada
ComeOn Group adds sportsbook to its offering in Ontario
ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.
ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.
ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”
*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)
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