Category Archives: Gaming & Entertainment

Entertainment, Gaming, Gaming & Entertainment

5 Best Games to Stimulate Your Business Brain

Believe it or not, there are still plenty of people who wrongly assume that games are bad for you. Just because you enjoy something, doesn’t mean that it isn’t good for your brain. There are plenty of great games out there that can be beneficial for your mind while sharpening up your logic and reasoning skills, as well as helping you to relax and enjoy some downtime.

Blackjack

Blackjack is a casino staple and is one of those games that can get the brain functioning and considering strategy.

The base game of blackjack is one that has plenty of opportunities for building a strategy and making choices and calculated risks. There are also other types of additional ways that people can turn blackjack into an even more advanced game. For instance, side bets can be a great way to make the game even more advanced, they can act as a form of insurance bet in some scenarios, therefore expanding the options and decision making process when you are dealt your hand. That said, blackjack is a game of chance and strategy alone won’t guarantee you a win.

Chess

Chess is an ancient game that is associated with smart people all over the globe. It isn’t easy to get to the point where you are legitimately good at this game, so prepare to put the hours in as you work out the best ways to beat your opponents. There are virtually limitless possibilities for a chess game. With all of the pieces moving slightly differently, strategy and rules are bound to test your brain. You need to stay sharp while playing or you will, inevitably, end up in a checkmate situation!

Chess is best played against other humans and, fortunately, with plenty of online chess sites out there and the chances to connect to quality Internet and 4G networks increasing, there are a lot of ways that you can log in and play against others, even when you are on the go.

Crosswords

Crosswords are one of many different word games that do a great job of testing your brain and giving it that extra bit of stimulation. You’re using language skills as well as a bit of creative thinking in many different circumstances.

On top of this, when you choose to play a crossword game, you might also get to try out a cryptic crossword, which means even more potentially tricky clues that really get your brain thinking. Cryptic clues are not very linear, which means you sometimes have to work out a riddle before you even work out the word that you need to fit in.

Some crosswords are more difficult than others and you can find them in magazines and newspapers or specifically buy books full of crosswords.

Tetris

Whether you’re old enough to remember playing this on a Game Boy or you’ve played it in your browser, or even using retro gaming apps, plenty of us know what it feels like to become obsessed with Tetris. The satisfaction of seeing the pieces fall into place is certainly one of the reasons this game was such a huge success.

Did you know that playing it is actually good for you, too?

Science Daily explains that “Brain imaging shows playing Tetris leads to a thicker cortex and may also increase brain efficiency, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Research Notes.”

Being able to form patterns, plan ahead and get out of tricky situations, as well as thinking quickly, are all parts of the experience when you are playing Tetris. These are all skills that can help in real life and Tetris is a great way to stimulate the brain in this way and start to get your mind working. As we can see from the studies, there is proof of long-term benefits.

Jigsaw Puzzles

You either love them or hate them. Jigsaw puzzles can be infuriating and they can be either far too difficult or far too easy (stay away from the kids’ selection).

However, in a similar way to Tetris, the skills you are using to work out the patterns and fit everything together can certainly start to stimulate your brain and provide you with a little cerebral kickstart when you need it. A good way to keep the mind ticking over on a day off, for instance – and if the thought of messy pieces everywhere drives you nuts, why not try a Jigsaw app?  There are loads to choose from.

Summary

There are so many different games that can stimulate your brain. From card games to puzzle games, and even word games. In fact, there are also computer games that can be good for certain skills in your brain, so there’s no reason to feel guilty about playing!

Gambling, Games Sector, Gaming & Entertainment

How to Choose a Safe Real Money Slot Operator

There are hundreds of video slot operators that could be a great choice for your new online casino. Sadly, there are also plenty of sub-par developers who have bad reputations, shady practices, or slot games that aren’t up to scratch.

In this article, we’ll look at how to sift out the good from the bad. How can you choose a safe real money slot operator that provides fair games with excellent security and transparency? To do this, there is a range of important factors to consider, including licensing, RTP, payment options, transparency, and security architecture, which I will discuss below.

 

Licensing

Perhaps the first factor to consider is a gambling licence. As you are aware, online casinos should have a gambling licence and this is also true for real money slot operators. Licences are issued by an official regulatory body or licensing body that covers a specific region, such as the UK Gambling Commission.

These organisations are responsible for giving licences and also for auditing the slot operators to make sure they comply with gambling laws and regulations for the country/region the business resides in. We categorically advise against ever using a slot operator that doesn’t have a license.

If they do not have a gambling license from an official body, then they do not have to comply with gambling laws and could potentially be scamming customers or using biased RNG systems to rig their games. Legitimate slot operators should always have their licensing info visible and available to check.

Slot RTP

If you read this review of real money slots, you will see plenty of mentions of RTP. RTP stands for the return to player percentage. This denotes how much a player can expect to win back when playing over time. For example, a well-known slot from NetEnt is Bloodsuckers, which has an RTP of 97.00%.

This means that if you spent $100 playing the game, over time, you would expect to get back $97.00 or make a loss of $3.00. The industry average for video slots if 96.00%, therefore, you should ideally be looking for an operator that has plenty of slot games with an RTP that is equal or above this.

If the slots have an RTP below 96.00%, the games are less attractive and fewer people will play them as customers often look at RTP in relation to their chances of winning.

Payment Options

It’s also a great idea to consider payment options for slot games. It’s important that people can easily make deposits and play the games. Which currencies do the video slots support? What denominations are there in terms of spin value? What is the maximum payout the slot can provide, and does it have a progressive jackpot feature?

These are all important factors to consider, and they help determine the accessibility of the slots and how people can actually play them depending on their budget.

 

Transparency for RNG systems

Online slots use RNG (random number generator) systems to determine the outcome of each reel spin. This is a complex algorithm that uses computer science to randomly spit out a number sequence that relates to each reel being in a different position.

This is how video slots are randomised; you only want to use software developers that have their RNG systems verified. There are third-party testing labs and auditing companies, like eCOGRA, that test RNG systems for randomness and make sure nothing underhand is being done behind the scenes by the slot provider.

Proper RNG systems make sure that the slots are fair and that everyone has a proper chance to win real money.

 

Security Architecture

Lastly, consider the security and the platform the video slots are made from. Securing your business is incredibly important and individuals must also be secure when doing anything online. For slot games, this mainly comes down to the host, i.e. the online casino, and they must have SSL encryption and use HTTPS for web data transferals.

The slot operator should ideally utilise modern methods for their games, such as HTML5 for coding as opposed to the older flash games that are no longer supported by Adobe.

 

Make Sure You Choose the Right Slot Operator to Benefit from Their Games

The primary factors to look for are licensing and RNG systems as these virtually guarantee that the slot operator is legitimate and that their games are not biased and will not scam customers. Other factors, like RTP, payment options, and security features, are also vital in determining which slot operators to use.

Gaming & Entertainment, News, Tech

The Return of Retro Gaming

How online marketplace Fruugo helped UK retailer Sellatronic tap into international demand for retro video games

Over the last four years, the gaming industry has seen huge growth. Data from Statista estimates that there are now more than 3.2 billion gamers worldwide in 2023, up from 2.6 billion in 2019. The global lockdowns played a significant role in this, as people searched for ways to keep entertained around the home. However, the rising popularity of streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube has also led to a surge in demand for more innovative gaming experiences.

For retailers within the gaming industry, this provides a huge opportunity to expand their business and reach new audiences on a global scale. However, with big demand, comes big competition. Leading retailers are increasing their product investment to ensure they have the newest consoles, games and accessories on hand to meet customer demand, and putting their brand front and centre for any highly anticipated launches through advertorial placement.

As a result, it can be hard for independent retailers to make an impression on both a local and international scale. Sellatronic, a Cumbria-based independent retailer specialising in video games and software, found this to be one of its biggest challenges since being founded in 2018.

“The popularity of the industry means there is strong competition from other online retailers offering similar products,” says Christopher Ferguson, owner of Sellatronic. “We regularly need to update and adapt our offerings to cater to evolving customer preferences, all whilst managing shipping costs, customs, and delivery times.”

Sellatronic has a unique selling point: sourcing and selling hard-to-find items such as retro games. Whilst the majority of retailers prioritise newness, Sellatronic also offers its customers a wide selection of ‘old school’ video games, DVDs, CDs and more, many of which are now seen as collectible items.

With its distinctive offering, Sellatronic had an opportunity to become a leading brand within a select demographic. However, as this demographic was so niche, the company needed to expand its audience outside of the UK and enter the international market.

For many retailers, selling across borders can be an uphill battle as it requires resources and tools that many do not have in order to cope with the various complexities involved. However, cross-border marketplaces provide a solution to these challenges. They offer a global platform to help reach new audiences and grow sales whilst reducing the headaches involved in traditional cross-border trading.

When Sellatronic joined online marketplace, Fruugo, the retailer was granted access to more than 40 markets and a plethora of new customers within their target demographic, and has since enjoyed a fast rate of incremental sales from around the world. “By leveraging the global reach of Fruugo, our sales have rapidly grown, translating to an approximate 400% increase in daily order volume since we started.”

Despite Sellatronic being a UK seller and the most popular gaming communities being in China, Japan and the United States, most of these sales have come from markets that Sellatronic did not anticipate to perform strongly.

“Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway have all shown a strong interest in our unique offering of video games, which has been a pleasant surprise for us as we didn’t initially anticipate such significant demand from these markets. Our retro selection has resonated especially well with our Swiss customers. This unexpected success has made a really positive contribution to our overall sales and growth.”

The unexpected demand in these markets further emphasises the importance of cross-border selling, since independent retailers can’t always predict where there will be greater demand for their products, but can capitalise on this with the help of marketplaces.

By selling on Fruugo and having access to a global audience, Sellatronic has also been able to research and analyse different market trends and adapt their selling strategy to cater to various audiences, with the support of its dedicated account manager.

“In the past year, a noticeable trend in the industry has been consumers seeking to rediscover and preserve their favourite movies, music, and video games as they find comfort in reliving enjoyable moments from their past. By showcasing our product range on a global stage, Fruugo has helped us jump on this trend and reach our target demographic across multiple markets.”

An additional benefit to selling on Fruugo has been the access to the rich ecosystem of technology solutions on the marketplace.

“Digital transformation is extremely important to us and Fruugo has played a significant role in helping us to digitally transform and streamline our business operations. By providing a global marketplace and allowing us to integrate seamlessly with its API, we can efficiently manage sales, inventory, and customer interactions on a centralised platform, reaching a broader audience. This has been crucial in enhancing our online presence and has meant we can allocate more resources towards growing and expanding our business.”

Overall, Fruugo has removed the operational headaches of cross-border selling, allowing Sellatronic to cost-effectively grow their sales. Fruugo translates seller product details, converts currency and provides localised international customer service, helping retailers provide product transactions swiftly and smoothly.

Since joining Fruugo, Sellatronic has gone from strength to strength, and the company has no plans of slowing down.

“We want to continue developing our business and build on the strong performance seen since 2018. This includes expanding our product selection, sourcing more collectibles and retro items to further enhance our position as a leading provider of hard-to-find media, and increasing the number of countries we sell to. Fruugo will continue to play a pivotal role in improving our cross-border selling efforts and connecting us with new customers within our target audience.”

 

Gaming & Entertainment, Technology

Factors that Impact the Online Gaming Industry in the UK

Internet searches related to online gaming have increased rapidly in the past five years. According to the Telegraph, most gamers in the UK play mobile games. They spend up to 24 hours every week playing mobile games like Fortnite, Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, and slots.

For clarity, console and PC gaming aren’t going anywhere any time soon. The UK is still in love with FIFA and Call of Duty. However, more and more gamers are gravitating towards mobile gaming.

In this guide, we’ll dig deeper into the factors influencing the growth of online gaming in the UK. Let’s get started.

Mobile Gaming

As mentioned, mobile gaming is all the rage in the UK. It doesn’t matter if you like Battle Royale games or slot machines. Everyone is into mobile gaming. Surprisingly, mobile games are not even as advanced as their PC counterparts.

PC and console games are much more sophisticated than Candy Crush Saga. They have intricate storylines. They have intuitive mechanics, advanced graphics, and capabilities that can only be supported by expensive gaming machines.

Despite that, mobile gaming is growing rapidly in the UK. Most players don’t seem to care about the sophistication of PC games. They care about being able to play entertaining games on their iPhones and Android devices.

Fortunately, video game publishers do an excellent job of creating fun mobile games. Take Subway Surfers as an example. It’s an endless runner game starring a graffiti artist.

In the game, you run away from a security guard and his dog while avoiding obstacles. The game ends after you hit an object. Or, if you’re caught by the guard. It’s a simple, casual game.

ESports

The UK is home to some of the biggest eSports gamers in the world. There’s Zerkaa, who has more than 17 million watch hours on Twitch. Then there’s Quicky Baby, who loves God of War and has more than 560,000 followers.

Although UK streamers play all sorts of games, they dominate the online casino space. If you like online slots and table games, you need to follow a few streamers from the UK.

They share their winning tips on the app. They also provide casino and bonus recommendations. Read more about online casinos before you become an avid player, though.

Also, figure out what games you like. The casino industry has games like slots, blackjack, poker, and roulette. If you decide to play eSports games, consider popular titles like CS: GO, League of Legends, Fortnite, and Dota 2.

Regulations

Regulations primarily affect the iGaming sector. They impact the amount of money you can deposit and play at casino games. Also, they impact the conditions new casinos must meet to acquire a license from the Gambling Commission.

This year, the biggest change to the remote gambling sector is the release of a new gambling white paper. The document proposes affordability checks for people who lose over €125 per month or €500 per year.

For clarity, these checks won’t interrupt casino players. Instead, if you pass the net loss threshold set by the white paper, the casino will check your financial well-being from credit card companies.

Another proposal included in the white paper is the elimination of gambling adverts from sports jerseys. The Premier League knew this proposal was coming. And so, it voted to end front-of-jersey betting adverts starting the 2026-27 season.

International Trends

When you think about it, the online gaming industry in the UK mirrors international trends. Today, Twitch streaming is a big deal in the gaming industry. It’s the same case in the UK.

VR gaming has been trending for a few years in the US and Asia. Likewise, it’s a trending topic in the UK. In other words, the British online gaming space is a reflection of the global gaming industry.

This explains why the most popular games in the UK are also popular in other parts of Europe, North America, and Asia. FIFA is the only exception. It’s incredibly famous in the UK but not in the US or Canada.

Games are CS: GO, Minecraft, and Call of Duty have millions of fans in both the UK and North America. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, though. Gamers from around the world tend to share the same likes—exciting games.

Technology

Technology lies at the heart of all forms of gaming. Without it, the industry would die a natural death. In the past three decades, online gaming has been improving with the growth of technology.

In the 1990s, visuals in video games were terrible. The AI was simple and the mechanics weren’t always good. With time, things changed. Artificial Intelligence spiraled into the advanced technology it’s today.

Most modern games use AI to create realistic gaming environments. From the NPCs to playing against the computer in simulation games—the games are exciting due to modern AI.

Beyond AI, technology has improved graphics, programming knowledge, hardware, and storytelling. The best online games today can’t run on old-school computers and consoles. They’re too advanced.

Cloud Gaming

The future of online gaming is linked to two technologies: the cloud and mobile gaming. Cloud gaming aims to revolutionize gaming, and not just in the UK. With cloud gaming, you may never need to purchase expensive gaming machines anymore.

Cloud gaming doesn’t just benefit players, though. It also helps publishers by eliminating the need to invest in expensive hardware and server rooms. You see, cloud computing takes care of a business’ hardware needs.

By doing so, it makes it easy for games to run smoothly on the Internet. For the uninitiated, cloud gaming is the reason we can play multiplayer games online. Without this technology, you would still be inviting your friends to play games through Local Area Networks (LAN).

Conclusion

Mobile gaming, cloud computing, and the international gaming community are some of the biggest influencers of online gaming in the UK. If technology improves, so do online games. If gaming trends around the world change, the UK adjusts.

 

 

Gambling, Games Sector, Gaming & Entertainment

The Best Practices for Responsible Gambling in Online Casinos

The advent of online casinos has transformed the gambling landscape, offering unprecedented convenience and excitement. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential dangers that accompany it. Gambling, if approached carelessly, can exact a toll beyond monetary losses, impacting your health, relationships, and overall happiness. This is precisely why responsible gambling is of utmost importance. In this article, you’ll learn the best practices for responsible gambling in online casinos. You’ll discover how to set a budget, limit your time, and seek help if you need it.

Online Gambling: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Online gambling is a form of entertainment that allows you to play various games of chance, such as slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, bingo, sports betting, and lotteries, using the internet. But it’s also risky. To safeguard against financial losses and maintain a balanced life, it is imperative to adopt the following measures:

  1. Prioritise responsible gambling practices like deposit and time limits etc.
  2. Choose reliable sites that have a license, a good reputation, a secure payment system, and a customer support service.

When searching for reputable online casino sites, a valuable approach is to explore dedicated and reliable online casino review platforms. One notable example is bestonlinecasinocyprus.com, which caters to individuals seeking the best online casino experience. This review platform provides honest and unbiased assessments of the top online casinos available in Cyprus. By evaluating your options on such platforms, you can make well-informed decisions to ensure your engagement with trustworthy and reputable online casinos that prioritize player safety and satisfaction.

Best Practices for Responsible Gambling in Online Casinos

To ensure a safe and responsible gambling experience in online casinos, here are three best practices that can help you maintain control and prevent issues:

1. Setting Personal Limits

Decide on how much money and time you can afford to spend on online gambling and sticking to these limits. Setting personal limits can help you avoid losing more than you can afford, chasing losses, or neglecting other aspects of your life. To set a realistic and reasonable personal limit, you need to:

  • Consider your income, expenses, savings, and debts
  • Allocate a portion of your disposable income for gambling
  • Decide how often and how long you want to gamble
  • Divide your budget accordingly

Moreover, you can use apps or spreadsheets to record your gambling transactions and monitor your spending.

2. Use Responsible Gambling Tools and Features

There is a variety of features that are offered by many online casinos to help you control your gambling behavior and prevent problems. Some of the common responsible gambling tools and features are:

Self-exclusion and cooling-off periods

These are options that allow you to block your access to the online casino for a certain period of time, ranging from a few hours to several months or years. They are useful if you feel that you need a break from gambling or if you have a gambling problem.

Reality checks and session reminders

These are notifications that pop up on your screen at regular intervals to remind you of how long you have been playing, how much you have won or lost, and how close you are to your limits. They are useful to help you keep track of your gambling and to make informed decisions.

Account history and financial transaction monitoring

These are features that allow you to view your past gambling activities and transactions, such as your bets, wins, losses, deposits, withdrawals, and bonuses. They are useful to help you monitor your spending and to identify any patterns or problems.

3. Recognizing Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling is a condition where gambling interferes with your normal functioning and causes harm to yourself or others. This condition can have serious consequences for your health, finances, and relationships. Some of the signs of problem gambling are:

  • Spending more money or time on gambling than you can afford.
  • Chasing losses or trying to win back money that you have lost.
  • Lying or hiding your gambling behavior from others.
  • Feeling guilty, depressed, or anxious because of your gambling.
  • Neglecting other aspects of your life, such as work, family, or hobbies.
  • Having trouble controlling or stopping your gambling.

Conclusion

Gambling can be a thrilling and rewarding activity, but only if you play smart and safe. This article has given you some practical tips on how to gamble responsibly online, such as choosing reliable sites, setting limits, and using tools. But remember, if gambling becomes a problem for you or someone you know, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources and people who can support you and help you overcome it.

Gambling, Gaming & Entertainment

Navigating non-UK casinos: Reviews and Regulation Insights

In the UK, gambling is neither secret nor clandestine. Numerous regulations are expected of internet casinos by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). To that end, participants must go through KYC tests before being allowed to wager and withdraw earnings.

The UKGC, the organization in charge of overseeing and issuing licenses to online casinos in the UK, has a difficult job. In addition to assisting casinos in serving UK gamblers, it also safeguards those who might become addicted to gaming.

Sadly, few online gamblers profit from the UKGC’s protective steps for the most defenseless. As a consequence, non-UK casino websites also referred to as non-GamStop casinos, have become much more famous in recent years.

This comes as no wonder given that these platforms frequently host competitions and offer generous rewards. They also offer a wide variety of activities and banking choices.

Regulation of non-UK casinos

One thing to think about when contemplating playing at non-UK casinos is where the casino is situated. It can significantly impact how enjoyable your experience will be.

Some jurisdictions come very close to meeting the UKGC requirements, even though none can equal them. Casinos may also be able to apply for numerous licenses in these countries so they can later apply for a UK license.

These variations result from different licensure requirements, costs, and filing procedures. A license is not necessary for some countries, making them simpler to run than those in the UK. Given that they don’t want security concerns to go unreported, these websites are not permitted to apply for a UK license.

Licensing agencies for non-UK casinos

UK players can enrol at non-UK casinos if they’re searching for lucrative and entertaining gambling destinations without a UK license. Due to their permits from prestigious gaming authorities, these platforms are authorized to function. They also take stringent security steps to guard against unauthorized access to your data.

Players are constantly searching for non-UK casinos because they don’t want to be constrained by GamStop. GamStop enables you to overcome your obsession with gambling. When resolve alone is insufficient, it enables you to self-exclude and take preemptive measures.

There are many trustworthy licensing authorities that you should keep an eye out for when playing on non-UK casinos. These authorities include Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association, Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming, and others.

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)

The Malta Gaming Authority’s authorization readily surpasses that of the UKGC. A casino must abide by a stringent set of guidelines and rules to receive a license from the MGA. If you want to participate outside the UK, MGA-licensed sites provide the same degree of security as UK-licensed ones. This guarantees a top-notch encounter for you.

You might be shocked to discover that their casino has a license from the UKGC. This enables them to offer you services from around the globe, such as MGA licensure.

Regarding online gambling, MGA also has stringent regulations. Any licenses that do not meet the criteria will be removed or canceled. You can get in touch with them if you have any worries.

Gibraltar Licensing

Despite being protected by the UK, Gibraltar does not adhere to British legislation. The gambling licenses given by Gibraltar are very different from those provided by the UKGC in many respects. One of these differences is that casinos operating under their permits will be subject to heftier penalties.

Additionally, they have higher standards for providing excellent customer service. It is always comforting if you are fortunate enough to locate a casino that has a Gibraltar license. You always know that the customer support staff will be there for you in any disagreement or corrective action.

Curacao jurisdiction

Another authority that is frequently encountered in non-UK casinos is Curacao. For those who engage in online casinos, Curacao is a well-liked authority. It permits entry to the website for US players as well as new participants from other nations.

The lax enforcement of laws in Curacao is an issue. This implies that some legally operating casinos might be more dishonest than others, which could endanger your safety.

There are only four master permits in Curacao. This implies that Curacao is a secondary source for online gambling companies to obtain their licenses. Compared to other nations, the licensing processes are much faster and involve less paperwork. They are therefore well-liked by websites that want to launch rapidly. When registering on the website, Curacao competitors must bear this in mind.

Antigua and Barbuda

Another renowned regulating agency is the Financial Services Regulation Commission from Antigua and Barbuda. This license requires casinos to constantly demonstrate their ability to pay out rewards.  If not, they run the danger of losing their licenses.

Sweden

A few casinos outside of the UK are authorized by the Swedish Gambling Agency Spelinspektionen. These websites frequently take participants from the UK and provide excellent deposit and withdrawal payment choices.

Advantages of non-UK casinos

The amazing incentives offered by non-UK online casinos are one of their benefits. By using your incentives, your chances of winning are greater. The fact that these extras are free is one of their finest features. Without becoming overly enamored with it, betting is simple.

These sites typically give sizable bonuses. Some websites offer bonuses up to your sixth payment, which is incredibly lavish. Additionally, devoted players can take advantage of daily, weekly, and unique incentives. As they improve the likelihood of winning, these bonuses make it thrilling to play online.

Quick sign-up is also another advantage of non-UK casinos. On non-UK sites, this procedure moves much more quickly. In contrast to UK platforms, which frequently implement long KYC processes, this one does not. You can pay and begin playing right away after completing a brief registration procedure.

Casinos outside the UK also have the benefit of being regulated under EU rules and legislation. Fairness and conformance are very strictly enforced by the EU. If you think the casinos have committed a crime, you can even sue them in court.

Finally, gambling sites outside of the UK are extremely private. They encrypt their website using SSL technology. In other words, you should anticipate that your info will be private.

 

 

 

Entertainment, Games Sector, Gaming & Entertainment

Five Areas Of Gaming That Are Worth Investing In This Year

Gaming is a rapidly growing industry that offers exciting opportunities for both casual and professional players. With new technologies and trends emerging every year, it can be challenging to decide where to invest your time and money. In this article, we will share five areas of gaming that are worth investing in over the next 12 months…

Cloud Gaming

Cloud gaming is a technology that allows players to stream games from remote servers, without the need for expensive hardware or downloads. It offers flexibility and accessibility, as players can access games on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Some popular cloud gaming services include Google Stadia, Amazon Luna, and Nvidia GeForce Now. With the rise of 5G networks and improved internet speeds, cloud gaming is expected to become even more popular in 2023.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that immerses players in a 3D environment, where they can interact with objects and characters in a realistic way. It offers a unique gaming experience that enhances immersion and engagement, and can be used in various genres, such as action, adventure, simulation, and sports. Some popular VR platforms include Oculus Quest, PlayStation VR, and HTC Vive. With the increasing affordability and accessibility of VR devices, it is expected to become a mainstream gaming trend in 2023.

eSports

eSports is a competitive gaming industry that has been growing rapidly in recent years. It involves professional players competing in online or offline tournaments, with prize pools that can reach millions of pounds. Some popular eSports games include League of Legends, Fortnite, and Overwatch. With the increasing popularity and legitimacy of eSports, it offers exciting opportunities for players, teams, and sponsors in 2023.

Mobile Casino

Mobile casino is a popular trend that offers convenience and accessibility for players on the go. It involves games that can be played on smartphones and tablets, and includes various styles of games from blackjack to online slots. With the increasing capabilities and processing power of mobile devices, mobile casino is expected to continue its growth in 2023, with brands such as Casino777 really beginning to lead the way.

Indie Games

Indie games are games developed by independent studios or individuals, without the support of major publishers or investors. They often offer unique gameplay, art style, and storytelling, and can be found on various platforms, such as PC, console, and mobile. Some popular indie games include Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Among Us. With the increasing popularity and success of indie games in recent years, they offer exciting opportunities for creativity and innovation in 2023.

Entertainment, Games Sector, Gaming & Entertainment

The Factors that Make iGaming a great business

The iGaming industry has seen significant growth over the past few years, with a market value of $66.7 billion in 2020 and projected to reach $92.9 billion by 2023. With such rapid growth, it is important to understand the factors that make iGaming a great business.

Growing Demand for iGaming

The demand for iGaming has increased due to several factors, including the rise of mobile devices and access to the internet. The convenience and accessibility of online gaming have contributed to its popularity. In addition, the increasing number of countries legalizing and regulating the industry has also contributed to its growth.

Technological Advancements

The iGaming industry heavily relies on technology, facilitating the creation of highly realistic and immersive gaming experiences for players. For instance, live casino games featuring real dealers have gained popularity, enabling players to enjoy a more authentic casino experience from the comfort of their homes. Some gaming platforms are even incorporating virtual reality technology to enhance immersion.

Regulatory Framework

The regulatory framework is crucial to the success of the iGaming industry. Governments and regulatory bodies ensure that operators adhere to strict fairness, security, and responsible gaming standards. Successful iGaming operators, such as 32red casino uk, understand the importance of complying with regulatory standards to maintain their reputation and retain their customers. The United Kingdom Gambling Commission, for example, is responsible for regulating online gaming in the UK, and its regulations are among the strictest in the world.

Competitive Landscape

The iGaming industry is highly competitive, with numerous operators vying for customers’ attention. Successful operators differentiate themselves through innovative offerings, such as unique game variations, exclusive partnerships, and exceptional customer service. In addition, successful iGaming companies use data analytics to understand their customers’ preferences and tailor their offerings accordingly.

Customer Experience

Customer experience is critical in the iGaming industry. Operators that provide exceptional customer service and offer a seamless gaming experience will retain their customers and attract new ones. Successful operators provide a variety of payment options, fast and secure transactions, and 24/7 customer support. Companies that offer personalized promotions and rewards to their customers are also likely to have higher customer loyalty.

In Summary

The iGaming industry is a great business opportunity due to the growing demand for online gaming, technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, competitive landscape, and customer experience. As the industry continues to evolve, operators that stay ahead of the curve by investing in innovation, adhering to regulations, and providing excellent customer service are likely to succeed.

 

Entertainment, Games Sector, Gaming & Entertainment

How the upcoming white paper could change the UK online gambling landscape

If you’re a fan of online casinos, then you may not overly concern yourself with the legislation that exists. Ultimately, the UK is in a fortunate position where it has some of the most liberal gaming laws in the world. Certainly, when you compare the UK to the US, the former makes it much easier to play online and enjoy the experience. Yes, there are protections in place, but there is also a sense of players taking a degree of responsibility for themselves too.

The last real changes to gambling laws came with the Gambling Act 2005. However, the country is set to unveil, what could be, a major overhaul of these laws and regulations. The upcoming white paper could have a huge impact on the industry and could mean that the user experience found across gambling sites will completely change. As you read on, we’re going to explore this in more detail.

 

What is the UK gambling white paper?

The first potential surprise with the white paper is that it’s no longer new news! This government publication was compiled back in April 2020 and saw an update being applied in September of the same year. It contains details of the current gambling laws and also proposes a series of changes. The purpose of these changes is:

  • To increase consumer protection
  • The reduction of problem gambling
  • To make it easier to enforce regulations
  • To prevent money laundering

As things stand, we already have the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This body exists to ensure that customers are treated fairly and that the actions of online casinos are transparent. Where operators fail, the UKGC has the power to issue fines and take away licenses. The white paper is looking to increase the protections that already exist and to give the UKGC more teeth.

 

Does the paper really matter?

In a word, yes. The white paper will present the biggest shakeup to gambling legislation for almost 2 decades. The focus is on developing high standards that ensure that underage gamblers are protected, those with gambling addictions are helped, and crime is prevented. While operators already have a degree of responsibility in these areas, the onus will shift and those responsibilities will become even greater.

From a consumer’s point of view, at first glance, this should all be celebrated as good news. The idea is that the UK will have one of the safest online gambling environments in the world and that players will be able to play in confidence. 

What’s likely to be in the final version of the gambling white paper?

The gambling industry is poised waiting to find out just what the paper will include. There have been numerous delays and until its final publication, there is a degree of uncertainty. Some of what’s expected to appear include:

  • The introduction of maximum stakes on online slots
  • Stricter affordability checks – players could be asked to provide bank statements or payslips if they lose more than £100-£500 a month
  • The end of sponsorship deals with football clubs
  • Restrictions on offers, bonuses and promotions 
  • Speed of gameplay
  • Prize limits

These potential measures are all on the table as ways of protecting consumers. It’s clear that there is a huge focus on factors that may help to prevent problem gambling from arising in the first place. However, what will the impact be on players and operators?

 

The potential effects of the white paper

The reality is that the white paper will have a tremendous impact on both players and operators. When looking at operators, they will need to take a new approach to their setup. They will need to adhere to new standards to demonstrate that they are upping the protections in place for players. There will also be the need to up their game in terms of their approach to problem gambling. A further issue faced will be the potential loss of publicity and advertising.

From the side of players, there will be limits on what they can stake and how fast they can play. This should lead to an overall safer experience. What some players may resent though is the proposed limits, or even abolition, of bonuses, promotions and VIP clubs.

 

What do experts have to say?

From the gambling industry, there has been little voiced as yet. Instead, when operators have had things to say, it has tended to be encouraging the government to just hurry up and get on with it. The industry is keen to see exactly what is proposed so that they can reflect and respond.

Some parties have raised concerns when it comes to the intrusive methods used for affordability checks. The fear here is that it will simply send people to black market operators. 

 

When can we expect to see the white paper?

As it stands, the answer here is that we don’t know. There have been a series of delays since 2020. Of course, the government’s focus on the pandemic will have played a part but there have also been numerous cabinet reshuffles that have got in the way.

The latest update that we’ve had has come from the culture secretary, Lucy Frazer. All that she’s had to tell us is that we can expect the publication “soon”. We had previously been told that this would happen during the early part of 2023, but this remains to be seen.

 

Final thoughts 

The UK has long had an environment that is favourable to online casino operators. That being said, the UKGC has been there to ensure that the sector never resembled the Wild West and there have been protections in place for many years now. What the white paper seems to want to do is simply tighten these.

Reputable online casino operators will have little to fear with regard to what’s coming. Players should be willing to embrace added protections that they’ll be offered but they may find that there are certain limits placed on their play. Current online casino fans will be keen to see what’s set to happen in terms of offers and bonuses as these have long been a staple part of online casinos. 

Gaming & Entertainment, News, Tech Thought Leadership, Technology

CX tech is a safe bet to protect gamblers – and avoid fines

Written by Oliver Bareham, CX Director, FourNet

Big betting firms have been in the headlines in recent days, facing record fines for failing to protect customers.

But why?

It appears that gambling firms are failing to understand their customers’ intent, and failing to use the right tech tools – used by many other sectors – to avert problems before they occur.

Technology can provide a whole range of solutions to protect gamblers and reduce the likelihood of stiff enforcement action against betting companies.

In the last week alone, five companies have been fined a total of £25 million by the UK Gambling Commission, in part for failing to have sufficient controls in place to protect new customers and problem gamblers from heavy losses.

The gambling industry is now under pressure to address these issues and restore public trust.

 

Andrew Rhodes, Gambling Commission chief executive, says there are indications that the industry is doing more to make gambling safer, and that many firms are using algorithms to spot gambling harms or criminal risk more quickly.

But algorithms are not an adequate solution. AI-powered customer experience (CX) solutions coupled with FourNet’s unique CX diagnostic approach would provide much more effective safeguards for gamblers and betting companies alike.

 

Our expert diagnostic approach helps companies get to the root cause of the problems they need to overcome. We use data – both quantitative and qualitative – to find the right technology solution.

One tool that could help betting firms is speech analytics, which can enable contact centres to monitor customer interactions for signs of problem gambling and intervene before it becomes a serious issue.

Speech analytics works by analysing audio recordings of customer calls and using natural language processing (NLP) algorithms to identify key words and phrases that suggest a customer may be experiencing problem gambling.

This could include statements such as “I can’t stop gambling”; “I’ve spent all my money” or “I need to win back my losses.” By flagging these signals in real-time, contact centre agents can be alerted to intervene and offer support to the customer.

 

Real-time agent assistant technology can also be used alongside speech analytics to further enhance the contact centre’s ability to address problem gambling.

This technology uses machine learning algorithms to analyse the content of a conversation and provide agents with suggested responses to customer queries. In the case of problem gambling, the technology could offer agents scripts and talking points on how to address the customer’s concerns and offer support.

 

By using speech analytics and real-time agent assistant technology in tandem, contact centres can identify and respond to signs of problem gambling quickly and effectively. This not only helps to reduce the risk of customers developing serious gambling addictions, but also helps to improve the industry’s reputation and restore public trust.

 

Of course, technology alone cannot solve the problem of problem gambling, or all the issues faced by the gambling industry.

But it is crucial for companies to take a proactive approach to social responsibility and anti-money-laundering, including training employees to identify and respond to signs of problem betting.

By leveraging the power of speech analytics and real-time agent assistant technology, along with expert CX diagnostics conducted by business analysts, data scientists, service designers, and technologists, contact centres can play a key role in reducing the risk of problem gambling and promoting responsible gambling practices.