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.
News
Affiliate Roulette and iGamingAffiliates.IO Forge Powerful Partnership to Empower Affiliates and Simplify Operator Acquisition
Affiliate Roulette, the industry’s leading platform for affiliate discovery and collaboration, and iGamingAffiliates.IO, a premier iGaming affiliate management agency, announce a partnership designed to empower affiliates and simplify operator acquisition within the iGaming industry.
Building Trust and Transparency Through Collaboration
Affiliate Roulette, known for its innovative approach to affiliate marketing, fosters a transparent environment where affiliates can showcase their skills and build trust with operators. This aligns perfectly with iGamingAffiliates.IO’s core values, which place a strong emphasis on building long-term, trust-based relationships between affiliates and brands.
A Winning Combination for Affiliates and Operators
This partnership provides a powerful combination of benefits:
- Enhanced Visibility: Affiliate Roulette showcases iGamingAffiliates.IO to a vast network of operators, increasing their chances of securing lucrative partnerships.
- Expert Guidance: iGamingAffiliates.IO’s team of experienced professionals offers operators the support and expertise needed to optimize their campaigns and achieve maximum results.
- Streamlined Operations: iGamingAffiliates.IO handles the complexities of campaign management, allowing operators to focus on their core competencies.
A Future of Collaboration and Growth
This partnership marks a significant step forward for the iGaming affiliate market. By combining Affiliate Roulette’s innovative platform with iGamingAffiliates.IO’s proven expertise, both companies are committed to fostering a thriving industry that benefits all stakeholders.
Affiliate Program News
Genome and Chilli Partners join forces to revolutionize iGaming affiliate payouts
Leading the charge in the convergence of financial technology and iGaming, Genome, a cutting-edge electronic money institution, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Chilli Partners, a prominent iGaming affiliate program specializing in casino games.
The collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the iGaming industry, bringing together Genome’s expertise in online financial services and Chilli Partners’ prowess in affiliate marketing. The partnership is set to redefine the landscape of affiliate payouts, offering an array of benefits to both affiliates and the iGaming community at large.
“We are excited to embark on this journey with Chilli Partners. By combining our financial expertise with their influential position in the iGaming affiliate space, we aim to set new standards for efficiency and innovation in affiliate payouts,” – noted Genome’s CEO Daumantas Barauskas.
For one, the partnership offers efficient payouts. Affiliates can now enjoy expedited and secure payouts through Genome’s state-of-the-art financial infrastructure, enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction.
It also provides global reach for Chilli Partners, as it can extend its reach to affiliates worldwide with Genome’s international payment capabilities. This allows Chilli Partners to foster a more diverse and expansive network.
The partnership streamlines financial workflows, ensuring seamless transactions and reducing administrative overhead for Chilli Partners, allowing them to focus on delivering top-notch affiliate services.
Genome is all about innovation in payments and online financial services. This approach brings new possibilities for payment options, providing flexibility and convenience for affiliates participating in the Chilli Partners program.
Lastly, the collaboration prioritizes compliance and risk management, assuring affiliates of secure and compliant transactions in accordance with industry regulations.
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our affiliates. Genome’s advanced financial services will play a crucial role in elevating our affiliate program to new heights”, – added Clayton Zammit Cesare, Head of Affiliates at Chilli Partners.
As the iGaming industry continues to evolve, Genome and Chilli Partners stand united in their dedication to driving positive change, innovation, and reliability. The partnership is poised to create a ripple effect, positively impacting the entire iGaming ecosystem.
About Genome
Genome is a leading EMI that provides innovative financial services, including batch payouts, SWIFT, and SEPA transfers. With a focus on efficiency and compliance, Genome empowers businesses across various industries, including iGaming, to streamline financial operations and enhance user experiences.
For more information, please visit https://genome.eu/
About Chilli Partners
Chilli Partners is a prominent iGaming affiliate program specializing in casino games. With a commitment to excellence, Chilli Partners connects affiliates with top-tier iGaming brands, offering a lucrative partnership that includes competitive commission structures and tailored support.
For more information, please visit https://chillipartners.com/
ReferOn, a state-of-the-art affiliate management system developed exclusively for casino and sports betting operators in the iGaming industry, announces the opening of a limited registration (closing 10th of May) for a free seminar. The seminar will cover valuable affiliate management tips directed at operators.
ReferOn brings several useful innovations to managing affiliate marketing in the form of a comprehensive set of tools and services – dynamic reporting, company grouping, a strong media module, easy flows for rewards, sub-affiliation, an IDC calculator, and many more. In its first year of operation, ReferOn has been recognized with industry nominations and awards including 5Star iGaming Media Awards, iGB Affiliate, SBC Casino Beats, and AffPapa Awards. Most recently, it has been shortlisted as an “Affiliate Software Provider” and “Rising Star Software” at the EGR B2B Awards.
The Referon Insights Seminar will be led by David Harris, B2B Affiliate Team Manager of ReferOn with 7+ years of experience in the iGaming market together with Alexia Gauci, B2B Sales Manager at ReferOn as a moderator. This event will help operators, both existing partners and those who are interested in the product, learn valuable information on what ReferOn can deliver to the user with the following agenda;
- Data Discovery: Dashboard, Statistics, Reporting and APIs
- Tracking Methodology: Creating a campaign, Creating a media item, Setting deals individually or in bulk, and Bulk actions
- Management Tips: Company adjustments, Master affiliate adjustments, Manager reassignments, Password setting and 2FA, Payment method checks, and Support reminders.
The duration of the first seminar will be approximately 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A session. Following the seminar, a set of useful instructions will be published and sent to the participants of the event.
David Harris shared details about the upcoming seminar, “Our goal is to give operators useful hints and tools they need to optimize their processes and scale their affiliate marketing efforts into new markets and regions. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and experience with the community.”
ReferOn’s team invites all interested operators to join us for this seminar. The number of seminar participants is limited and there is no fee to participate in the session.
Mark in your calendar: 15 May 2024, 2 PM (GMT+2).
Affiliate Roulette and iGamingAffiliates.IO Forge Powerful Partnership to Empower Affiliates and Simplify Operator Acquisition
Affiliate Roulette, the industry’s leading platform for affiliate discovery and collaboration, and iGamingAffiliates.IO, a premier iGaming affiliate management agency,...
Genome and Chilli Partners join forces to revolutionize iGaming affiliate payouts
Leading the charge in the convergence of financial technology and iGaming, Genome, a cutting-edge electronic money institution, is thrilled...
ReferOn Insights Seminar: A Comprehensive Guide for Operators
ReferOn, a state-of-the-art affiliate management system developed exclusively for casino and sports betting operators in the iGaming industry, announces...
L&G esports team founded by Alona Shevtsova won the national Dragon EC Cup tournament
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WA.Technology Launches WA.Affiliates
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Affiliate Roulette Introduces Affiliate Brain AI – A Comprehensive AI Tool Suite for Affiliate Marketers
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Alpha Affiliates set to revolutionise gaming landscape with new innovative platform, Monixbet
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Casino Guru Shines in AffPapa Awards 2024 Nominations
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iGB Affiliate ranks in top 3% of international trade events – states research agency
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