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Majority of gamblers hit with affordability checks have handed over info, but wider betting population unwilling

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  • Most bettors asked to undergo financial checks agree
  • Higher spending players more willing than lower spenders
  • Most who’ve not yet faced affordability checks say they will refuse

The majority of bettors who have been asked for proof they can afford to gamble have provided it, but there are big questions over how things will play out if checks become mandatory or more common, the results of a new study by sports betting community OLBG show.

A survey of bettors carried out online by YouGov for OLBG found that the majority of those who had been asked by gambling operators to provide documents such as payslips, bank statements or other documents had complied with the request.

The survey, which polled 1,007 bettors, found that 21.8% of bettors had already been asked for documents by at least one bookmaker. Of these, 74.3% had provided them, but 17.9% had refused and started playing with a different licensed operator instead. Of the remainder, 4.1% refused and moved to an unlicensed operator, while 3.7% stopped betting entirely.

The willingness to provide documentation was less widespread among those who had not yet been asked to do so, however.

Of the 78.2% of punters who had not yet faced affordability checks, 37.3% said they would refuse and simply stop betting, 35.0% said they would move to a different licensed operator and 4.1% said they’d go to an unlicensed company. Only 23.5% indicated they would be willing to provide the documents.

“Most bettors who have been asked to provide documents have done so. More importantly, very few of those who were asked stopped gambling or went to the black market, the latter being the worst unintended consequence of measures aimed at making gambling more responsible,” said Richard Moffat, CEO at OLBG.

“However, there is a stark difference between those who have been asked and those who haven’t in terms of willingness.”

As the below table shows, overall 65% of bettors reported not being willing to comply with affordability checks. Those betting lower monthly amounts were the least open to handing over financial documents, with more than three in four (75.4%) of those betting less than £5 a month and 72% of those betting £6-15 a month unwilling to undergo affordability checks.

“Few people who are spending at this level are likely to think it is proportionate for a bookie to ask for proof they can afford it and it’s quite surprising how many lower spending players report already having been asked. From the rumours about what level mandatory checks might come in, it seems unlikely checks will be forced on players at levels under £100 per month,” said Moffat.

Players spending less than £100 per month

Have you been asked by a gambling company to provide payslips, bank statements or similar documents as part of an affordability or proof of funds check? All bettors Less than £5 £6-15 £16-25 £26-50 £51-100
Unweighted base 1,007 235 224 147 154 93
Yes, I have and I provided the required documents 16.16% 6.00% 10.08% 20.86% 16.55% 14.27%
No, I have not but I would provide the documents if asked 18.45% 18.20% 18.06% 23.14% 20.31% 21.62%
Yes, I have, but I didn’t provide the documents and bet with a different licensed company instead 3.92% 0.40% 1.77% 4.22% 4.53% 6.57%
Yes, I have but I didn’t provide the documents and bet with a different unlicensed company instead 0.90% 0.00% 0.47% 0.71% 1.29% 1.08%
Yes, I have but I didn’t provide the documents and stopped betting 0.79% 0.00% 0.43% 0.70% 1.94% 1.10%
No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t provide the documents and would bet with a different licensed company instead 27.40% 20.40% 31.52% 24.80% 35.25% 38.36%
No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t provide the documents and would bet with an unlicensed company instead 3.20% 1.30% 3.57% 4.17% 3.27% 1.11%
No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t bet 29.18% 53.60% 34.10% 21.40% 16.86% 15.88%
Total willing to provide documents 34.61% 24.20% 28.14% 44.00% 36.86% 35.89%
Total unwilling to provide documents 65.39% 75.70% 71.86% 56.00% 63.14% 64.10%

Players spending more than £100 per month

Have you been asked by a gambling company to provide payslips, bank statements or similar documents as part of an affordability or proof of funds check? All bettors £101-200 £201-300 £301-500 £501-1000
Unweighted Base 1,007 57 16 16 20
Yes, I have and I provided the required documents 16.16% 30.04% 31.87% 50.63% 40.65%
No, I have not but I would provide the documents if asked 18.45% 19.41% 12.94% 0.00% 4.79%
Yes, I have, but I didn’t provide the documents and bet with a different licensed company instead 3.92% 12.40% 6.73% 0.00% 15.35%
Yes, I have but I didn’t provide the documents and bet with a different unlicensed company instead 0.90% 1.77% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Yes, I have but I didn’t provide the documents and stopped betting 0.79% 1.70% 0.00% 6.45% 0.00%
No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t provide the documents and would bet with a different licensed company instead 27.40% 24.19% 36.36% 30.49% 28.90%
No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t provide the documents and would bet with an unlicensed company instead 3.20% 5.19% 12.10% 6.45% 5.12%
No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t bet 29.18% 5.31% 0.00% 5.98% 5.20%
Total willing to provide documents 34.61% 49.45% 44.81% 50.63% 45.44%
Total unwilling to provide documents 65.39% 50.56% 55.19% 49.37% 54.57%

* Players spending more than £1,000 per month were excluded as numbers were too small to be statistically significant.

However, while willingness to undergo affordability checks does seem to increase among players who spend more on a monthly basis, even among those spending £100-plus per month, less than half were open to affordability checks.

One big difference between players at lower spend levels and those spending more than £100 was the likelihood of players stopping gambling if asked to undergo checks. While 53.6% of those betting less than £5 said they wouldn’t gamble if faced with affordability checks, just 5.31% said the same in the £101-200 per month category.

Higher spending players were more likely to have moved to a different licensed company rather than provide documents, but across all spending amounts a significant proportion of players reported plans to do so if asked to provide documents.

“Many players reported either having already moved to a different licensed operator or being willing to do so over affordability checks. Therefore, there is now a big question mark over what might happen if affordability checks become mandatory and all licensed operators have to impose them at certain levels,” said Moffat.

The survey also found that younger players were more willing to submit to financial checks. About one-third (33.34%) of those aged 18-24 said they had been asked for and provided documents, while 22.86% said they hadn’t been asked but would do so. In the 55-plus age group, the percentage of players reporting the same fell to 6.40% and 15.37%, respectively.

More details on this breakdown can be found in the full survey report, along with various other findings on the UK’s gambling habits.

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WSOP® PARADISE 2025 REVEALS FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE WITH NEW EARLY-BIRD PACKAGES

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The record-breaking poker festival in the Bahamas adds fresh events and exclusive perks for players booking early 

The World Series of Poker (WSOP®) today unveiled the complete schedule for the highly anticipated WSOP Paradise 2025, which will take place at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas from Dec. 4 through Dec. 18. This announcement also introduces two new, limited-availability early-bird packages, designed to provide players with unmatched value and exclusive benefits.

This year’s festival expands on its commitment to high-stakes action with a full slate of 15 WSOP gold bracelet events:

Event

Date

Buy-In

#1 Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty NLH – $5M GTD

Dec. 4

$2.5K

#2 Triton PLO 6-Handed

Dec. 4

$75K

#3 Triton PLO Main Event

Dec. 5

$100K

#4 High Roller Turbo NLH

Dec. 6

$50K

#5 Triton Invitational – NLH

Dec. 7

$250K

#6 Super COLOSSUS NLH

Dec. 7

$5K

#7 Super PLOSSUS PLO

Dec. 8

$10K

#8 Triton NLH 7-Handed

Dec. 8

$125K

#9 Triton NLH Main Event

Dec. 9

$100K

#10 Triton NLH 8-Handed

Dec. 10

$150K

#11 Super Main Event NLH – $60M GTD

Dec. 10

$25K

#12 8-Game Mix 6-Handed

Dec. 11

$10K

#13 High Roller PLO

Dec. 13

$50K

#14 GGMillion$ NLH – $10M GTD

Dec. 15

$25K

#15 The Closer NLH Turbo Bounty

Dec. 16

$10K

This year’s WSOP Paradise features an expanded partnership with Triton Poker, the leading high-stakes tournament operator. In 2024, two gold bracelet events were curated by Triton; the number increases to six in 2025, with WSOP bracelets going to the winners of Event #2 Triton PLO, Event #3 Triton PLO Main Event, Event #5 Triton NLH Invitational, Event #8 Triton NLH 7-Handed, Event #9 Triton NLH Main Event and Event #10 Triton NLH 8-Handed.

To reward early registrants, WSOP is introducing two new early-bird packages for players looking to secure their seats, with both offering massive added value:

  • The $100K Paradise Package – limited to just 500 packages, includes a 13-night stay (Dec. 5 to Dec. 18), complimentary access to the WSOP buffet and a $500 food & beverage room credit. The deposit to secure is $10,000.

  • The $300K VIP Package – includes a 15 night stay (Dec. 3 to Dec. 18), complimentary access to the WSOP buffet, a $1,000 food & beverage room credit plus one á la carte meal from the Triton menu per day. The deposit to secure is $15,000.

For the first time at WSOP Paradise, resort fees are included in the package price, and the room credit is also provided for use throughout the resort. The full package amount must be played in WSOP Paradise events.

GGPoker will once again serve as the exclusive international satellite partner, aiming to send more than 1,000 players to the Super Main Event. WSOP Express and Road to Paradise qualifier tournaments are already underway in the GGPoker tournament lobby. Additionally, over 500 players are expected to qualify for the Circuit Championship through WSOP Circuit gold ring events (running from Jul. 1 through Dec. 2, 2025, both live and online), and ClubGG plans to send more than 400 players to the same event.

In an exciting new partnership, PokerStake will cover up to 50% of the unsold action for Circuit Package winners who choose to list their Super Main Event action on the platform.

“I said last year that a $50M guarantee was crazy, but adding another $10,000,000 on top is absolutely insane! The WSOP is bringing the biggest high rollers and the best poker experience possible back to paradise,” said Daniel Negreanu, GGPoker Global Ambassador. “With the new Super Mystery Bounty event and the expanded partnership with Triton, this is a can’t-miss festival for players of all levels. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

“With the WSOP Paradise at Atlantis Paradise Island tournament schedule now set, the countdown to The Bahamas IS ON! This year’s lineup delivers an unbeatable mix of world-class events, record-breaking guarantees, and unforgettable poker moments in one of the most iconic destinations on the planet. From seasoned pros to newcomers, players from around the globe will find their place in paradise, and their shot at history,” added Joe Brunini, Chief Gaming & Customer Development Officer, Atlantis Paradise Island.

WSOP Paradise 2025 will feature a daily live stream from Dec. 12 through Dec. 18 on the WSOP YouTube channel, with CBS Sports Network television coverage planned for distribution in early 2026.

Further details on event structures and schedules will be available on the WSOP+ app. The WSOP reserves the right to cancel, change, or modify the tournament or any tournament event, in part or in whole, without notice. Entry fees will be added to all events, and up to 3% of tournament buy-ins will be withheld for staff and operational costs. Guaranteed events are paid out after deducting the percentage for costs from the total prize pool.

Please follow @WSOP on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram or check WSOP.com for more event news and updates: wsop.com/news/2025-wsop-paradise.

For more information on WSOP Express, please visit: ggpoker.com/tournaments/wsop-express/.

To book your Atlantis stay at exclusive WSOP rates starting from $199 per night, please visit: atlantisbahamas.com/wsop-in-paradise

The post WSOP® PARADISE 2025 REVEALS FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE WITH NEW EARLY-BIRD PACKAGES appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator Breaks the 35,000-Game Mark, Reaffirming Its Status as the Largest Content Hub

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SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, has announced that its Game Aggregator has surpassed 35,000 active titles, reinforcing its position as the industry’s largest games hub. The platform continues to provide operators with a broad portfolio, backed by 99.999%–100% uptime reliability.

In the first half of the year, the Game Aggregator expanded its content offering by 26%, now delivering over 35,000 active games from more than 300 providers – covering every major game category. Operating in 24 jurisdictions, the product ensures full compliance and accessibility for operators worldwide. 

The Game Aggregator equips operators with built-in tools designed to drive engagement and maximise player value. The fully customisable Tournament Tool boosts daily bet volume by 22%, with participants placing twice as many bets and wagering three times more than non-participants. At the same time, Jackpot Aggregator campaigns have been shown to double the average player turnover. These mechanics are more than just features – they are revenue multipliers, seamlessly integrated into the platform.

With slots leading demand, the Fortune Rabbit game and Pragmatic Play external game provider ranking at the top, the Game Aggregator sets the standard for content depth, stability, and business impact.

SOFTSWISS maintains a 100% uptime commitment, with actual availability consistently measured at 99.999%–100%. This ensures operators never lose a session, a bet, or their players’ trust. 

The Game Aggregator is more than just a product – it’s a technology backbone that drives scalable success for our partners. From instant access to premium content to the industry-leading uptime and proven engagement mechanics, we’re giving operators exactly what they need to compete and win, added Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator.

With a broad and ever-growing game portfolio, full compliance coverage, and tools that drive real results, the Game Aggregator is helping shape the future of iGaming. In a market where 24/7 performance and player trust are essential, SOFTSWISS isn’t just keeping up – it’s leading the way.

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator Breaks the 35,000-Game Mark, Reaffirming Its Status as the Largest Content Hub appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Exclusive Interview: Firesand Shield – Combatting Account Fraud in iGaming

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In an era where digital threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the iGaming industry faces a relentless battle against fraud and cyberattacks. To combat this evolving landscape, European Gaming recently spoke with Chris Blake, Director at Firesand, about their new product, Firesand Shield. This cutting-edge security solution has been developed to tackle the complex tactics of modern fraudsters and hackers head-on.

In this interview, Chris Blake provides an in-depth look at how Firesand Shield was created specifically to combat the rise of account fraud, explaining how these attacks are becoming more automated and stealthy. He details the product’s multi-layered approach that goes beyond traditional bot detection, integrating seamlessly with operator platforms while delivering powerful real-time intelligence. Blake also discusses how Firesand Shield not only protects against fraud but also helps operators meet stringent regulatory requirements in highly regulated markets. Finally, he shares his vision for the future, outlining how Firesand is committed to staying one step ahead of a constantly changing threat environment.

 

Firesand Shield was developed to combat the rise of account fraud within the iGaming industry. How are these attacks evolving, and what level of disruption are they causing?

Account fraud is becoming more sophisticated. Attackers now use highly automated ‘low and slow’ techniques that avoid detection by mimicking normal user behaviour, which allows them to evade detection, as well as exploit platforms at scale.

In another change, rather than brute force attacks on platforms, we’re seeing credential stuffing attacks powered by breached data and botnets. This is where nefarious actors will use stolen databases of known usernames and passwords to try and gain access to accounts.

The outcome of this is that these attacks can cause significant impacts on operators. Compromised accounts lead to chargebacks, bonus abuse, regulatory issues, and player attrition.

Firesand Shield was built specifically to address these challenges at the level the industry demands. It goes beyond standard bot detection by recognising behavioural indicators that traditional tools miss, using a multi-layered approach that combines analytics, reputation intelligence, and real time risk profiling.

Our proactive, intelligence-led defence ensures that operators have a significant advantage in preventing fraud, maintaining platform integrity, and crucially, preserves a seamless player experience.

 

How does Firesand Shield integrate with operator platforms and back ends to deliver a seamless solution? 

Integration can take part via two methods, that are both unobtrusive to the day-to-day activities of a platform. A classic API integration sees operators connect core user workflows, including login, registration, password reset, to Firesand via RESTful APIs. Firesand returns risk scores based on credential health, unusual behaviour, and IP location mismatches.

In addition, through both OAuth for enterprise SSO and simple username and password logins, we can facilitate access to a live dashboard provides visibility into login trends, potential attacks, and detailed metrics.

 

How can Firesand Shield help operators reduce regulatory risk, especially in highly regulated jurisdictions like the US, UK, or mature European markets?

Modern regulations demand active threat detection, prevention, and response, not just passive tools like firewalls or CAPTCHAs. There are demands now to prove you can detect, prevent, and respond to credential-based threats that potentially compromise platform integrity.

Firesand Shield supports this with real-time detection of threats, human-led attack identification, and unwanted actors.

As well as identifying potential threats, our built-in dashboards offer real-time reporting, instant access to logs and forensic data, and are created to ensure that all reports are audit-ready, with one-click data exports. This removes the operational burden of post-incident analysis, and allows operators to demonstrate control across their estate, satisfying regulators and clients alike.

It all aligns with best practices under various regulations, such as GDPR, gambling commission rules, and state-level cybersecurity legislation in the US. Firesand Shield is not just a fraud prevention tool, but a powerful compliance ally.

 

What kind of real-time fraud intelligence and threat response capabilities does Firesand Shield offer for operators managing large-scale player traffic during peak events?

Big sporting events, casino promotions, or game launches are prime targets for attackers. They use the surge in traffic as cover for credential stuffing, account takeovers, and bonus abuse. These aren’t just bot driven, but increasingly human-led or blended threats designed to bypass legacy defences.

Firesand Shield is built for high-volume, high-risk environments, delivering real time results under pressure, and automated mitigation at scale.

With traffic pattern monitoring that detects abnormal spikes in activity, or dynamic reputation scoring, where traffic from known malicious sources can be blocked, the product allows for real time decision making that assists operators. Firesand Shield goes beyond detection, allowing for immediate responses all controlled from our dashboard.

Even during peak events, Firesand Shield ensures system performance is unaffected while delivering the fraud protection and data required to protect players, satisfy regulators, and maintain operational integrity.

 

With an outlined roadmap of improvements to Firesand Shield, can security software keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of bot-driven fraud attacks?

Absolutely, and it must. The landscape of account fraud, particularly bot-driven attacks, is evolving faster than ever. Attackers continuously adapt, using more advanced automation, machine learning, and even human fraud farms to bypass traditional defences. Static, rules-based systems quickly become outdated. That is why Firesand Shield is built as a living platform with agility at its core.

Our development roadmap is shaped by continuous threat intelligence, client feedback, and industry trends. Upcoming enhancements include:

  • Additional bot detection
  • VPN detection
  • Adaptive risk-scoring algorithms, tuned in real time to each operator’s unique traffic patterns
  • Machine learning models that evolve as attacker tactics change
  • Expanded breach intelligence feeds to flag compromised credentials faster
  • Operator-led rule customisation, allowing real-time tuning without code or downtime
  • User hygiene scoring, offering visibility into the health of player credentials across your platform

What makes Firesand Shield different is that it is not just reactive, but proactive and predictive. We’re not waiting for attackers to act. Instead, we are constantly learning from data across the iGaming ecosystem and pushing updates to stay ahead.

Built with regulatory frameworks in mind, we have strived to produce a solution that counters multiple pain points experienced across the industry that can have severe effects on operations if bad actors are successful with their intentions.

For operators and regulators alike, this means confidence that Firesand Shield is not just fit for today, but also ready for what’s next. Security software can and must keep pace, and our roadmap ensures that Firesand Shield leads that charge.

The post Exclusive Interview: Firesand Shield – Combatting Account Fraud in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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