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Payment solutions provider OKTO to show market-leading cashless technology at EAG
In less than eight months OKTO has secured partnership agreements with a host of UK-based brands including Regal, Inspired, Bob Rudd, MERKUR Bingo and MERKUR Slots. 2022 will see it continue to engage with the domestic industry starting with a debut appearance at the UK’s flagship show – EAG.
Simon Dorsen, Chief Commercial Officer at OKTO, confirmed the brand’s business development strategy: “We have been involved in an intensive programme of meetings, product demonstrations and productive senior C-level discussions with a wide range of UK game creators, operators and retailers across the Single Site, AGC, Casino and Bingo sectors. The response has been phenomenal; even as visitors to ACOS we were able to connect with key figures from the industry all of whom have been impressed at how the OKTO solution enables consumers to deposit and withdraw funds on gaming machines in a safe, seamless and secure way using a licensed, omni-channel, open-loop mobile payment app.”
He added: “Operators are taking a progressive and integrated approach to the retailing of entertainment, and the OKTO cashless app enables winnings from gaming machines to be circulated through the business notably F&B. Modern consumers value freedom and choice and the OKTO solution enables them to spend their winnings at any other location where Mastercard payments are allowed using OKTO’s Mastercard which is linked to the OKTO account. On so many levels the OKTO digital wallet delivers the optimum digitalised customer journey.”
Dorsen, who has 16 years’ experience in both the gaming and payment sectors holding senior roles with GTECH and IGT where he established the company’s first omni-channel sales team, believes in the importance and value of championing safer gambling. “Every gaming regulator places social responsibility and protecting the small proportion of problem gamblers at the very top of the organisational agenda” he stated. “We believe in the fundamentals of safer gambling which is why the app has been designed to deliver a safer gambling tool-box including a profit and loss calculator, age verification, time-out periods, the ability to set gaming limits as well as access to helplines for problem gambling.”
“At EAG we will be bringing all of the energy, the drive and the vision that’s synonymous with the brand in order to achieve our key objective to be the architects of digitalisation in what is arguably Europe’s most important entertainment, leisure and gaming markets”
Members of the OKTO senior leadership team, including Chief Commercial Officer Simon Dorsen, will be present at EAG on the OKTO stand 295.
gaming
Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens”

A chaotic jungle journey with big, bad foes and insane riches.
Welcome to the jungle, where Shoot Happens! Face your opponent, take aim, and fire your way to riches.
ELA Games unveils its boldest title to date, a combination of decision-making and narrative progression where every shot counts.
In Shoot Happens, you’re not just a player. You’re the main character who has to fend off waves of increasingly dangerous (and valuable) monsters. Armed with 3 shots per round, you’ll need precision and calm nerves to take down the reward and add it to your Winpot. Hit the target for riches. Miss… and it’s back to the beginning.
The Choice Is Yours
Each round is in the hands of the player. Do you cash out now? Or keep slashing through the jungle for bigger and better rewards? Decision-making, timing, and a whole load of guts go a long way.
Expect the Unexpected
Random projectile bonuses can appear in any round, boosting your rewards massively. And just when you thought your journey through the treacherous jungle was over, the final boss appears. While the other monsters may have been a piece of cake, he doesn’t stay down. Each time you defeat him, he respawns for juicier and recurring payouts. Keep going as long as you can handle it, and you might walk out as the top dog of the jungle.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the game’s release, “With Shoot Happens, the team ventured outside of conventional game formats, and we wanted to give players a super engaging experience where they’re in control. This title is a bold approach to game design in this industry, as we’re empowering players with choice and enriching the gameplay experience with strong visuals, narratives, and plenty of replayability.”
Play how you want. The Winpot is yours
Shoot Happens is the perfect blend of fast-paced action, bold decision-making, and interactive gameplay. Whether you’re a cautious player or a complete daredevil, the game is an enticing experience for all.
How deep into the jungle are you willing to go?
The post Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
American Gaming Association
AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling

As gaming regulators, state Attorneys General, and state legislatures continue to scrutinize the business practices of online “sweepstakes” casinos, new research shows that consumers overwhelmingly use these platforms to gamble – and that sweepstakes operators are heavily targeting players in key states. By exploiting loopholes in the law, these operations undermine the integrity of the legal, regulated gaming marketplace.
According to Sensor Tower data compiled by the American Gaming Association (AGA), half of all online, real-money casino advertisements seen by consumers in early 2025 promoted offshore “sweepstakes” casinos. The data shows these unregulated operators concentrate their advertising in populous states.
“These operators present themselves like legal, regulated platforms – but they operate outside the law and regulation. There are few if any responsible gaming tools, no regulatory oversight, and no consumer protections. It’s a dangerous subterfuge that puts players at real risk,” said AGA Vice President of Government Relations, Tres York.
Despite operating outside the regulated gaming market, “sweepstakes” casinos are widely perceived by players as gambling platforms, with 68% of users saying their primary reason for playing is to win real money. This confusion is no accident – many of these sites mimic the look, feel, and language of legal operators, blurring the line for consumers and reinforcing the need for clearer enforcement and public education.
Key findings include:
• 90% of sweepstakes casino users consider the activity to be gambling.
• 69% describe sweepstakes casinos as places to wager real money.
• 80% of sweepstakes players spend monthly, and nearly half spend weekly, without the safety nets offered by regulated operators.
The number of monthly sweepstakes casino players is twice as high in states lacking sweepstakes prohibitions.
“Sweepstakes” casinos aggressively market on popular digital platforms throughout the country. Legal, regulated gaming operators, by contrast, advertise responsibly in legal states where consumer protections and regulatory oversight are in place.
“The data is clear. Consumers see right through the ‘sweepstakes’ casino facade and they’re calling it what it is: gambling. We look forward to policymakers continuing to enforce their laws and create clarity through new policy measures to protect their residents,” added York.
The post AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Compliance Updates
MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Gambling Sites Targeting Michigan Players

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist letters to six unlicensed online gambling platforms attempting to target Michigan residents without state authorization. The action underscores the MGCB’s relentless, ongoing efforts to shut down illegal gambling operations and protect Michigan consumers from financial risk, identity theft, and unfair play.
The targeted sites—Crypto Slots, NitroBetting, NewVegas, Las Vegas USA Casino, Grand Rush Casino, and Slotgard Casino—were found to be operating in violation of Michigan laws that require licensure for internet gaming and sports betting.
“These sites were attempting to exploit Michigan players while operating outside the law. We take this seriously. When unauthorized operators offer games without regulation, Michigan players are left exposed—and we will not tolerate it,” said Henry Williams, MGCB Executive Director.
This enforcement action is part of the MGCB’s larger crackdown on illegal online gambling platforms. In recent months, the agency has issued numerous cease-and-desist letters, with additional investigations currently underway.
The MGCB continues to monitor online gaming activity and urges the public to be cautious when engaging with gambling content on social media or through digital advertisements.
The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Gambling Sites Targeting Michigan Players appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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