News
The UK online casino market is at a crossroads
Martyn Hannah, Managing Director of Comparasino, says the direction the government and regulator take with updates to gambling law will determine the long-term success of the market
Great Britain is approaching a crossroads when it comes to online casino and the direction it takes will ultimately determine the viability of the market for all stakeholders over the next few years, including comparison sites such as Comparasino.
This remains a market with plenty of potential. The latest participation figures from the Gambling Commission show high demand for online casino, sports betting and bingo, with around 10 million people (16% of the population) engaging in these activities.
But the regulatory requirements being put on operators are now impacting the experiences they can offer to players while squeezing margins to the point where the UK – once the benchmark for regulated online gambling markets – is no longer sustainable for some.
In the last three years or so, we have seen an exodus of brands with only a small number of new online casinos taking their place.
This should be cause for concern, especially as the consultations from the White Paper rumble on and the changes that will result come into focus – we’ve already had the £2/£5 slot stake limits confirmed with more updates to follow.
Of course, players must be protected so that those at risk of developing problem play receive the support they need long before they reach the point of crisis. But at the same time, we have to remember that just 0.3% of UK players are considered to have a gambling problem.
The real risk for me is that if regulations and requirements continue to tighten, the UK market will no longer be viable for most brands – only the tier ones will be able to manage the slim margins.
This is bad for player choice and ultimately has the potential to push consumers towards unlicensed brands that can offer the experiences they are seeking and this is the opposite of what the changes to regulations are aiming to achieve.
It’s important to remember what players are looking for when deciding where to play – they want generous bonuses, a seamless sign-up process and a great selection of games to explore. They want to do this with reputable brands they can trust, and that’s why licencing is so important.
But the requirements operators must now meet – and any new requirements set to come into force – are at risk of damaging the player experience to the point where many will turn to unlicensed brands. Remember, these sites usually offer a great customer experience, they just don’t hold a licence.
The other day I was sitting with a friend when they signed up for an online casino for the first time. They were genuinely shocked by the sign-up process, especially the amount of information they had to provide and the length of time it took to register and deposit.
They were especially irked by the need to provide their occupation and monthly income. When I said there were unlicensed sites that offered a more streamlined onboarding process – and bigger bonuses – the friend said they’d play at those brands over the licensed site.
Of course, this is just one example but for me, it should raise concerns about how far we go when it comes to limiting bonuses and imposing stringent affordability checks on operators.
The Gambling Commission has indicated that affordability will be “light touch” for most players, but any additional friction really does risk pushing players to unlicensed sites where the sign-up process is quicker and the bonuses bigger.
The challenge is striking the right balance between consumer experience and protecting the most vulnerable, and I have some ideas for how we can do this.
I think operators should be able to offer the bonuses they wish, but they should not be able to impose high wagering requirements – or any wagering requirements, ideally.
Again, I tried explaining how the wagering requirement works to my friend and they simply couldn’t get their head around it.
“So, I have to wager £975 through the casino to unlock £15 in bonus winnings? That’s ridiculous.”
This is also what leads players to ultimately gamble more than they can afford as they make additional deposits in an attempt to complete the playthrough requirement, only to run out of funds or give up having deposited more than they intended.
This is when players can become frustrated. Many find it hard to understand how wagering requirements work, and then when they can’t withdraw their bonus winnings, it leads to a negative experience with the brand but worse, can put them in a state of mind that’s not ideal for gambling.
Player onboarding needs to be faster and more seamless, too. It’s so clunky right now that operators shouldn’t be surprised that a large percentage of players drop-off between landing at a casino for the first time and spinning the reels.
For context, it took around seven minutes for my friend to find a brand, sign up, deposit and play.
There are technologies available now – I’m talking about open banking here – that would mitigate sign-up friction, but would most likely require regulatory approval for operators to be able to use them to improve the sign-up process.
I absolutely believe that operators should be mandated to monitor each and every player in real time, and benchmark their gambling activity against markers of harm. This is the best way to spot problem play early and then make the necessary interventions.
I also think education is vital, and this is where affiliates must do more. Players are often unaware of the licensing process in the UK, and why it’s important to play at licensed brands. Nor are they aware of the tools in place to help them stay in control of their play.
This is something that we have committed significant resources to, with a dedicated safe gaming hub, responsible play messaging on all of our pages and the Comparasino Blog, where we publish articles and interviews with responsible gambling thought leaders.
The UK has always set the standard for regulated online gambling and I hope that this will continue to be the case once the consultations have closed and the final updates to the law are made.
The market might be at a crossroads, but if it goes in the right direction, it has a long and successful future ahead.
Affiliate Announcements
711 Renews its Partnership with NetRefer as its Affiliate Marketing Platform Provider
Leading Dutch online casino 711 has renewed its partnership with NetRefer, a data-driven, AI-powered, affiliate marketing platform provider engineered for the iGaming industry.
The family business, started as Carousel Casino Games and founded in 1994 in Belgium, began as a land-based casino chain before expanding into an online casino in 2012. A decade later, in 2022, they entered the Dutch online gaming market as 711 BV, with NetRefer as their Affiliate Marketing partner.
Despite being a new operator, 711 brings over 30 years of experience in the Belgian gaming market and, in two years, has expanded its portfolio, partnering with major game providers like Pragmatic Play and Evolution.
With a diverse game selection that follows the latest gaming trends, attractive promotions, high winning odds, and fast payouts, 711 prioritises player satisfaction and delivers a seamless gaming experience.
They pride themselves on operating under strict regulations and undergo regular external audits to ensure a secure player experience. They emphasise responsible gaming, offering tools and information for player well-being.
Johan Mostert, Affiliate Manager at 711, stated: “NetRefer is known for its innovation and forward-thinking. Their comprehensive, customisable platform – through impressive add-ons – has streamlined our affiliate marketing, making the past two years an excellent partnership. We’re excited for what’s ahead.”
Amanda Camenzuli, NetRefer’s Manager of Account Management, shared: “711 is a dynamic operator in the Dutch market, and their attitude, enthusiasm, and work ethic make this renewal both exciting and rewarding. We at NetRefer look forward to what’s to come in this continued partnership.”
North Star Network and Bojoko are delighted to announce the digital sports media group’s acquisition of the leading iGaming affiliation as NSN looks to take a decisive step into the casino space.
The deal, which includes all Bojoko assets, was concluded on February 14 and represents a new chapter for the Malta-based asset, giving them the resources to become an even bigger force in the iGaming affiliate world. This acquisition is structured using upfront and earnout payments, representing 3.0-4.5x 2025 EBITDA depending on future performance.
Since launching in 2017, Bojoko.com has become the go-to platform for UK players seeking in-depth casino, bingo, and sports betting insights, while Bojoko.ca has been instrumental in helping Canadian players navigate the rapidly growing online gaming market.
This acquisition will allow both platforms to expand their reach, enhance their services, and provide even more value to users in these key markets. It also opens room for further market expansion.
Julien Josset, co-founder and CEO of North Star Network, shared his excitement about the acquisition: “We are thrilled to welcome Bojoko into the North Star Network. Bojoko has built an excellent reputation in the industry for its user-driven approach, commitment to true quality, and innovative platform,” he added.” This acquisition aligns perfectly with our vision to expand our influence in the iGaming industry, giving us an instant footing in the casino vertical.
“Bojoko’s casino knowledge is almost unparalleled, and we could not be more excited about the future,” Josset concluded. “Together, we plan to expand Bojoko’s reach internationally, creating even more value for players and partners alike.”
Bojoko co-founder and CEO Joonas Karhu will continue to lead the project. “This is a monumental step forward for Bojoko. Since day one, our goal has been to empower players with expert insights and easy tools that allow them to make informed choices,” Karhu began. “With North Star Network backing us, we’re now in a position to enhance our solutions, expand, and bring our expertise in the online gambling space to new audiences worldwide.
“This partnership opens the door for unprecedented growth and innovation.”
iGB
Barcelona editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate welcome world record gaming industry attendance of 59,101 from 163 nations
• Total attendance up 13% year-on-year
• Visitors from 163 nations make journey to Barcelona
• Spain top represented nation at ICE
• UK top represented nation at iGB Affiliate
• Visitation exceeds 100,000 for first time
The Barcelona editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate have ripped up the record books attracting a total of 59,101 unique attendees surpassing the previous high of 52,345 which was set in 2024 – the last editions to be held in London.
The ICE unique attendance of 50,019 represented an 11% year-on-year uplift with iGB Affiliate recording a total of 9,082 unique visitors an increase of 24% on the previous highest which was set 12-months ago.
ICE and iGB Affiliate registered a total Visitation figure, which measures the number of person days spent at the Fira Gran Via Barcelona of 107,664 another gambling industry world record. Nine nations recorded four figure attendances with Spain topping the table (8,954), followed by the UK (6,518), Malta (3,074), Cyprus (2,328), Ukraine (1,938), United States (1,730), Italy (1,496), Bulgaria (1,252) and Germany (1,157).
Stuart Hunter, Managing Director Clarion Gaming said: “The data has been interrogated by an independent registration body and reflects the number of unique attendees.”
He added: “I am delighted that the transition of ICE and iGB Affiliate to Barcelona has been so well-received by our international community of stakeholders. The data has confirmed an all-time opening day high of 32,788 ICE attendees and a closing day attendance of 24,926 which was 20% higher than 2024’s closing day.
“Growth was achieved across all key jurisdictions, including Continental Europe, North America, LATAM, and Asia, with notable new growth recorded from the UAE and India. While UK attendance saw an anticipated reduction in numbers, like-for-like UK company representation remained stable. Looking behind the data it has been a case of UK companies rationalising their representation to their senior teams. The overall attendee growth mitigated and exceeded that reduction.”
Looking ahead to 2026 Stuart Hunter confirmed that 86% of the event space is already booked. He stated: “The response has been so positive that many exhibitors have already rebooked and in many cases secured additional space for January 2026. ICE will expand into Hall 1 addressing exhibitor requests for extra space while iGB Affiliate will relocate to Hall 8 providing attendees with a dedicated arrival experience. The success of the 2025 event underscores the value of the move, and we look forward to building on this momentum for 2026.”
Naomi Barton, Portfolio Director, iGB Events described the response to the first edition of iGB Affiliate to take place in Barcelona as ‘simply outstanding’. She stated: “The growth of iGB Affiliate has been phenomenal and Barcelona has underlined the popularity and status of the brand. Whilst the figures can only tell part of the story the unique attendance of 9,082 was a 24% uplift on 2024 with the 2025 figures representing the fifth consecutive year of significant growth.”
She added: “108 nations were represented at iGB Affiliate making it one of the most international live b2b events on the industry calendar. All of the metrics that we use to measure performance are looking extremely healthy and we are in the midst of analysing in more detail the exhibitor and visitor surveys that we commission after each event. Our attention now switches to July and the relocation of iGB L!VE from Amsterdam to ExCeL London.”
The ultimate goal of conferences like this is for brands to make connections with key thought leaders and decision makers and ultimately establish themselves as the best paying online casino in South Africa or Canada or whatever country they are operating in.
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iGB1 week agoBarcelona editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate welcome world record gaming industry attendance of 59,101 from 163 nations
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News4 days ago
North Star Network acquires leading casino affiliate Bojoko
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Affiliate Announcements2 days ago
711 Renews its Partnership with NetRefer as its Affiliate Marketing Platform Provider