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The UK online casino market is at a crossroads

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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

 

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.

 

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Gamblers Connect Partners with Bazoom to Improve Link-Building Solutions for the iGaming Industry

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Gamblers Connect Partners with Bazoom to Improve Link-Building Solutions for the iGaming Industry

Gamblers Connect, a leading and trusted iGaming Medium & Affiliate website for the iGaming sector, is pleased to announce a new premium partnership with Bazoom, a sophisticated link-building platform.

This strategic alliance is designed to introduce Gamblers Connect’s expansive network to a best-in-class resource capable of addressing one of the most persistent challenges in the highly competitive digital landscape of iGaming: the efficient acquisition of high-quality backlinks.

The iGaming industry, encompassing affiliates, operators, and marketers, operates within one of the world’s most fiercely contested digital ecosystems, where achieving visibility and digital authority is a constant battle.

This collaboration is a direct response to this challenge, spotlighting a solution that moves beyond traditional, manual outreach methods.

Bazoom has successfully streamlined the process by offering an intelligent marketplace where users can efficiently discover, filter, and secure link placements from a vast global network of nearly 100,000 media outlets, utilizing familiar SEO metrics for precision targeting.

A core component of Bazoom’s offering is its integrated content engine, which handles the creation of high-quality, tailored content, included in the price of the link purchase. Operating on a model of transparent, pay-per-link pricing without any mandatory subscriptions, the platform offers a truly scalable solution built for all stakeholders, from solo consultants to major agencies.

The partnership is founded on a shared commitment to excellence, which is encapsulated in the mutual philosophy: “Scale with quality, not noise.”

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, commented on the synergy: “Bazoom and Gamblers Connect share the same philosophy, scale with quality, not noise. This is a partnership with a clear direction and shared ambition to empower our community.”

Kristoffer Krog, Head of Global Partnerships at Bazoom, added: “We are very excited to partner up with industry leaders, to align our collaboration and reach new heights together.”

This strategic collaboration underscores a mutual dedication to providing the iGaming community with the tools necessary for sustained digital growth and authority in a transparent and results-driven manner.

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All Roads Lead to the Helicopter — N1 Partners Turns SiGMA Central Europe 2025 into a Pit Stop for Deals

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N1 Partners is heading to SiGMA Central Europe 2025 with Booth 5056 G, charged with drive, precision, and the spirit of being first — presenting its top offers, products, and entering the final lap of the N1 Puzzle Promo before the grand finale.

After hitting the road in London and conquering the waves in Lisbon, N1 Partners is taking off to the sky — straight to SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome. This time, all roads truly lead to the helicopter.

Inspired by Italian sports car engineering and the spirit of competition, with a true vibe of drive — from Ferrari and Maserati to Formula 1 — the N1 Partners stand merges speed, precision, and style in every detail, creating a space where affiliates can recharge, connect, and explore new opportunities.

Step Up to the HeliRun Challenge

Visitors can take on the HeliRun Challenge — a mechanical time-trial maze where accuracy and focus are key and winners will receive branded mini-helicopters and other limited prizes.

Win a Ferrari 

One lucky guest will drive away with a Ferrari — in LEGO form, but full of prestige.

Simply collect a branded card at the booth, follow N1 Partners on social media, and drop your entry into the prize drum.

The draw will take place on Day 3 at 16:00, with results announced on Instagram.

What Awaits at Booth 5056 G

  • Meet the N1 Partners team to discuss insights and top-tier deals.
  • Enjoy aperol & gelato sessions and exclusive giveaways.
  • Take part in interactive activations and surprise drops throughout the event.
  • Get exclusive N1 merch featuring the Puzzle Piece — your link to future N1 Puzzle Promo prizes.

Every detail is designed for speed, style, and engagement — making the booth a must-visit destination in Rome.

Why Meet N1 Partners in Rome

For more than eight years, N1 Partners has been accelerating affiliate growth, uniting 14+ licensed casino and betting brands across Tier-1 markets.

The program offers:

  • Flexible deals: RevShare up to 45% / Hybrid / CPA up to €700 for partners with top-performing traffic
  • Transparent terms: no shave, no delays, guaranteed payouts
  • Exceptional performance: Reg2Dep up to 70%

At Booth 5056 G, the team will present personalized offers and partnership opportunities for affiliates working with SEO, PPC, FB, or mixed traffic.

With N1 Partners, you don’t just work with the number one — you become one.

Don’t wait — book your meeting now and take off with N1 Partners.

Next Lap: Helicopter.

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Awards

ReferOn in the Spotlight: Nominated for the Prestigious “Best Affiliate Software 2025” Award at SiGMA Europe Rome

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ReferOn in the Spotlight: Nominated for the Prestigious “Best Affiliate Software 2025” Award at SiGMA Europe Rome

 

ReferOn shortlisted for another major award as it heads to Rome

ReferOn, the next-gen affiliate management platform, has been shortlisted for the “Best Affiliate Software 2025” category at the upcoming SiGMA Europe Awards — recognising its commitment to reshaping modern affiliate tech.

2025 marked a crucial year for the company as ReferOn evolved into one of the most forward-thinking solutions in the iGaming affiliate space. The platform continues to tackle industry pain points head-on with technological advancements like Independent Deal Calculation for flexible reward logic, multi-brand dashboards, and affiliate-controlled postbacks, all designed to give users real-time visibility and frictionless control.

Alex Bukin, ReferOn’s General Manager, commented, “This nomination is a reflection of how far ReferOn has come in such a short time. Behind every new innovative feature is a team that’s not just developing a platform, they’re transforming affiliate marketing. Our mission has always been to strip away complexity and chaos and focus on giving affiliate managers the clarity and tools they need to succeed. This recognition tells us we’re on the right track.”

ReferOn is not stranger to recognition, winning the “Best Partner For Customer Acquisition & Retention” award from the previous year’s SiGMA Europe Awards. The team now aims to build on that positive momentum and showcase its latest advancements in affiliate operations at Booth 5044 during SiGMA Europe 2025 in Rome.

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