Latest News
Nearly half of gamers call for restrictions on Microtransactions
- 33% of gamers purchased a microtransaction (MTX) or loot box at least once a week, with 25-34 year olds most likely to purchase (45%)
- Xbox users are slightly more likely to make in-game purchases than PlayStation owners
- Call of Duty was labelled the worst offender for MTX by almost a third (29%) of gamers
The survey, commissioned by gaming publisher, WePC, reveals how gamers are feeling since the pandemic and follows the recent investigation on loot boxes in Belgium, as more European authorities consider banning them altogether.
Microtransactions and gambling
Over a third (33%) of UK gamers purchase a microtransaction or loot box at least once a week, with nearly 1 in 10 (8%) spending over £100 on each purchase occasion. Younger gamers aged 16-24 admitted to spending £17 above the national average of £36. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of this age group also claimed their gaming expenditure in general has seen an increase during the pandemic.
Although a large majority of respondents (69%) agreed that loot boxes promote gambling to younger gamers, only 19% called for them to be banned altogether. Users felt that along with the age limit, a cap on the amount that could be spent (43%) and restrictions on the impact paid content has on core gameplay (26%) would be more effective. Call of Duty was ranked the nation’s least favourite microtransaction offender (29%), followed by FIFA (28%) and Candy Crush (26%)
But some gamers claim it depends on the game in question.
“In COD, your MTX are based around gun skins and animations, so it doesn’t directly affect your abilities to play,” says Leeds-based gamer, Josh Allen.
“FIFA, on the other hand, makes multiplayer experiences so much worse. You can play against someone who has paid to have a better team, which makes them impossible to beat, even if they’re less skilled at the game. That’s why I’ve given up playing FIFA altogether. COD, on the other hand, you can pay for aesthetic but winning is still based on skill.”
Leeds was revealed to be the capital city of microtransactions too (42%), followed closely by Brighton (41%) and London (39%).
Plymouth’s gaming community were the least likely to make in-game purchases (21%), along with Glasgow (23%) and Southampton (24%).
Post-pandemic gaming
Whilst restrictions may have started easing in the UK, reduction in social interaction has had both a financial and emotional impact on gamers.
Nearly half (47%) have admitted their gaming expenditure has increased during the pandemic, with the majority of money going to new video games (38%), online subscriptions (19%) and gaming equipment (19%).
Around 1 in 5 Xbox, Mobile, Nintendo and PC gamers say they spend most of their gaming expenditure on microtransactions.
However, it was Nintendo users that spent the most on loot boxes compared to any other console, with an average of £56 spent per purchase. PC gamers followed closely behind, spending an average of £51 per MTX.
Sophie, an avid Animal Crossing fan and regular Nintendo gamer, has doubled her gaming expenditure since restrictions first came into place last year.
“I’m playing more games so making my way through my library quicker. I’m also buying games so that I can play online with friends and fill in that social gap.”
Will Blears, Marketing Director at WePC said:
“As gamers ourselves, we understand that gaming is skill-based experience and it’s clear from the research that gamers are currently forced to buy into MTX and loot boxes to gain advantages within that experience.”
“The European laws coming into place highlight the concern that is clear, from our survey data, is echoed around the gaming community. Loot boxes could definitely be a gateway into the darker side of gambling and creators need to factor in safety to make sure gaming continues to be enjoyable for all.”
Latest News
Grover Gaming announces $1.05 billion sale of charitable gaming assets to Light & Wonder, Inc.
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Grover Gaming, Inc. and G2 Gaming, Inc. (together, “Grover Gaming”) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its charitable gaming assets (“Grover Charitable Gaming”) for a total consideration of up to $1.05 billion to Light & Wonder, Inc. (“Light & Wonder,” or “L&W”)
The total consideration of the sale consists of the following:
- $850 million cash, payable upon closing of the transaction and subject to customary purchase price adjustments
- Contingent cash consideration of up to $200 million, subject to the achievement of certain financial targets through 2028
Privately owned by Garrett Blackwelder, Grover Charitable Gaming was founded in 2013 and currently has an installed base of over 10,000 leased electronic pull-tab units across five U.S. States (ND, OH, VA, KY, NH) operating under a recurring revenue model.
Grover Charitable Gaming has developed long-standing and persistent relationships with charitable customers in the states that it operates, underpinned by a dedicated local team of service technicians and relationship managers.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Blackwelder will collaborate with Light & Wonder to help drive the continued success of the business over the next four years.
The Company expects the transaction to close during the second quarter of 2025, subject to required regulatory and other approvals and customary closing conditions.
Post acquisition, Light & Wonder will operate the business with a combination of Grover Gaming and Light & Wonder employees.
“Grover Gaming is a leading player in charitable gaming, a category that has experienced significant growth in recent years,” said Matt Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Light & Wonder. “This transaction complements our position as the leading cross-platform global games company by adding another compelling regulated adjacency to our profile.”
“Importantly, there are exciting incremental revenue opportunities to be realized by leveraging Light & Wonder’s proven land-based gaming content to a new and loyal customer base. We look forward to continuing to partner with Grover Gaming’s customers, building on its strong dedication to customer service,” Mr. Wilson concluded.
“I am very thankful for all of our Grover Gaming teammates and how hard they work every day,” said Garrett Blackwelder, CEO and Founder of Grover Gaming. “I’m also grateful for our customers’ loyalty over the past two decades. We realize without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Light & Wonder is an ideal partner for us, given our similar company cultures and dedication to innovation and customer service.”
“The real winners are the charities and fraternals in these markets, because of the exciting game content L&W brings to the table,” said Kevin Morse, Chief Development Officer of Grover Gaming. “We are excited to see Charitable Gaming taken to a new level.”
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is serving as legal advisor to Grover Gaming in connection with the transaction.
View original content: prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases
The post Grover Gaming announces $1.05 billion sale of charitable gaming assets to Light & Wonder, Inc. appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Betty
Wyzia Renews Canadian Partnership With Betty
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Wyzia, the pioneering Canadian online payment solutions provider for regulated markets, is celebrating the renewal of its highly successful ongoing partnership with Betty, Ontario’s premier online slots casino.
This partnership, which began in 2023, is key to Wyzia’s expansion across North America. It supports players of Betty, an online casino catering to female players whose business is supported by Wyzia’s innovative, secure, and robust payment management solutions.
Wyzia is at the forefront of Canada’s fintech landscape, pioneering seamless online payment solutions for regulated markets. Its innovative platform connects merchants directly to all Canadian financial institutions, simplifying transactions and empowering businesses with reliable, efficient financial tools.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate a year of working with Betty with the renewal of our agreement,” said Guy Fietz, Group CEO at Wyzia. “Our collaboration has not only expanded our reach but enhanced the payment experience for Betty’s growing community of players.
“We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration and driving further innovation in the online gaming industry.”
Betty is the only platform created specifically for Ontario slot players. In 2024, Betty has enjoyed unprecedented growth, with a tenfold increase in net revenue since January and over 1000% growth in active players across Ontario.
By fostering a fun, safe, and supportive environment, Betty has harnessed the power of the female gaming audience to create a unique online casino experience. Betty focuses on transparency, community-based play, and gamification of the traditional slot experience.
This player-focused model has allowed Betty to stand out from other services, resulting in phenomenal growth and the ability to retain female players at a rate three times higher than their male counterparts.
Additionally, Betty automatically processes 99% of withdrawals, so players quickly receive their funds, a crucial benefit for online slot players.
“Our partnership with Wyzia has been instrumental in providing our players with a seamless, fast, and secure payment experience,” said Chavdar Dimitrov, Founder and CEO at Betty. “We are excited about the growth we’ve achieved together and are committed to delivering even better services to our community in the future.”
The post Wyzia Renews Canadian Partnership With Betty appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Latest News
PopOK Announces Two Ground-Breaking Releases – Eye on the Money & Avi
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PopOK Gaming is making waves in the gaming world with the launch of two thrilling new titles in a single day: Eye on the Money—a collaboration with world-renowned street artist Alec Monopoly, and Avi—a high-flying crash game designed for adrenaline-fueled action. These dynamic releases showcase PopOK Gaming’s commitment to innovation, excitement, and engaging gameplay.
Eye on the Money: A Fusion of Art and High-Stakes Wins
PopOK Gaming is pleased to introduce Eye on the Money, a high-energy 3×5 slot with 25 paylines, featuring Alec Monopoly’s iconic graffiti-inspired style. This one-of-a-kind game blends luxury, art, and big wins, delivering a bold and vibrant slot experience.
Key Features That Keep You Spinning
– Wilds – Substitutes for regular symbols, helping players land bigger wins.
– Money & Jackpot Symbols – The Collect symbol gathers all Money and Jackpot symbols, boosting winnings.
-Free Spins – Unlock thrilling Free Spins with special reels packed with surprises.
– Super Game & Four Epic Jackpots – Enter the Super Game and pick from four jackpots for a chance at massive rewards!
With its bold artistic flair, engaging mechanics, and thrilling win potential, Eye on the Money is a must-play for slot enthusiasts and art lovers alike.
Avi: Get Ready to Fly PopOK Gaming’s Latest Crash Sensation!
Taking crash games to new heights, Avi offers an electrifying experience where timing is everything. Players place their bets, watch the multiplier rise, and must cash out before the crash to claim their winnings. With a 98% RTP and a 10,000x max multiplier, Avi delivers high-speed action and massive winning potential.
A Seamless and Immersive Experience
Sleek, modern interface for a smooth user experience.
Lightning-fast gameplay to keep players engaged.
Mobile-optimized design for seamless play on all devices.
Easy integration for operators, with full support from PopOK Gaming.
As crash games continue to dominate the market, Avi is set to become a player favorite, offering a thrilling mix of strategy, excitement, and high-stakes fun.
The post PopOK Announces Two Ground-Breaking Releases – Eye on the Money & Avi appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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