(AsiaGameHub) -   This week signals a fresh chapter for UK gambling as a 40% tax on online casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) takes effect. Even amid this challenging new landscape, Digitain is stepping in with assurance and enthusiasm. Alexander Jones, Digitain’s Regional Sales Director for the UK and Western Europe, speaks with SBC News about the provider’s significant entry into the UK market following its acquisition of a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) license earlier this year. Jones explains that the UK offers Digitain not just an exciting chance to break into a major, global, and competitive market, but also an opportunity to make a worldwide impact. Given the strict regulations and the newly implemented tax system, Digitain’s UK sales head points out that if operators and suppliers can thrive in this tough setting, they can succeed almost anywhere. Tell us about Digitain’s plans for the UK market and why certification from the UKGC is such an important milestone? Image source: Digitain For Digitain, obtaining UKGC certification is a strategic milestone that showcases both our preparedness and ambition. The UK ranks among the world’s most profitable iGaming markets, yet it’s also one of the most regulation-heavy. Meeting compliance standards here isn’t just a matter of checking boxes; it’s about demonstrating that your technology, processes, and approach meet some of the highest global benchmarks. When it comes to our plans, we’re taking a long-term approach to the UK market. This isn’t a fleeting entry; it’s about forging lasting partnerships, delivering tailored solutions, and establishing ourselves as a reliable technology provider for operators. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m inviting operators to share their needs and allow us to prove we’re the top go-to problem solver and solutions provider. What is your strategy for the UK market and how will it differ from other regulated markets in terms of product and solutions? The UK calls for a distinct way of thinking—what works in other markets doesn’t always apply here, and tone of voice is crucial. Our strategy rests on three core pillars: localisation, compliance-focused development, and player retention driven by product innovation. From a product standpoint, UK players have very particular expectations. This means prioritising popular sports such as football and horse racing, offering highly competitive odds, and delivering smooth in-play betting experiences are essential. We’re refining our offerings to meet these expectations while ensuring every feature complies with UKGC rules. Whether it’s our bore-draw feature, sports tournaments designed to engage first-time users, or our AI-powered sportsbook segmentation tool that delivers a personalised experience for each site visitor, every feature is carefully crafted with a B2C focus.UK operators are increasingly seeking modern, flexible, and scalable alternatives to traditional platform providers without sacrificing regulatory compliance. Leveraging our Centrivo iGaming platform and over 25 years of sportsbook expertise, we provide a cutting-edge solution aimed at boosting operators across the UK, Ireland, and broader European markets. The UK also requires more robust integration of responsible gaming tools. This isn’t just about meeting compliance; it’s about fostering trust with both operators and end-users. As part of our UK strategy, we’re also investing in expanding our local team, with plans to create a dedicated hub to support multiple functions. This guarantees that operators receive close, on-site collaboration and continuous support. In brief, although our core technology stays consistent, the way it’s packaged, presented, and optimised for the UK market is highly customised. The UK is also one of Europe’s most tightly regulated markets. Why did you want to enter this market and what does this tell us about your compliance capabilities? If you can succeed in the UK, you can succeed almost anywhere. That’s the plain reality. Entering a market with such strict regulations is both a challenge and a declaration. For Digitain, it’s a way to show that compliance isn’t a barrier but a core strength. We want the iGaming industry to know that we’re a major player in all regulated markets. Delivering a complete turnkey platform successfully in this environment is a clear sign of both our product’s maturity and our organisation’s readiness. We’ve put considerable work into fostering a compliance-first culture across our teams. This covers everything from internal procedures to the design of our platforms. The UKGC certification is essentially an external confirmation of that hard work. What are your targets and objectives for the UK market and where do you hope to be in the next 12–24 months? Over the next 12 to 24 months, we aim to enhance Digitain’s presence in the UK and Western Europe by becoming a trusted, long-term technology partner for both online and retail marketplaces. Our focus will be on delivering scalable solutions, advanced risk management, and personalised player engagement—all while staying fully compliant and offering innovative, end-user-focused services. We also intend to grow our existing UK office into a full headquarters, including commercial, trading, product, and account management teams. This local presence will allow for closer collaboration with UK and Irish operators, ensuring hands-on support and ongoing communication. Ultimately, our goal is for Digitain to be seen as a premium, reliable, and innovative provider—trusted by operators in every regulated market. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   This week ushers in a new era for UK gambling, as a 40% tax on online casino GGR comes into effect. Despite this challenging new landscape, Digitain is entering the market with confidence and excitement. Alexander Jones, Regional Sales Director for UK and Western Europe at Digitain, spoke to SBC News about the supplier’s landmark entry into the UK market after the brand secured its UKGC licence earlier this year. Jones explains that the UK not only gives Digitain an exciting opportunity to break into a prominent, global and competitive market, but it also allows the company to make a clear global statement. With strict regulations and the new tax regime now live, Digitain’s UK sales lead notes that if operators and suppliers can find success in this difficult environment, they can thrive just about anywhere. Tell us about Digitain’s plans for the UK market and why is UKGC certification such an important milestone? Image source: Digitain For Digitain, securing UKGC certification is a strategic milestone that reflects both our readiness and ambition. The UK is among the world’s most profitable iGaming markets, while also being one of the most demanding when it comes to regulation. Achieving compliance here is more than just ticking boxes – it proves that your technology, processes, and approach meet one of the highest global industry benchmarks.  In terms of plans, we are approaching the UK with a long-term outlook. This is not a quick, short-term market entry; it is focused on building sustainable partnerships, offering customised solutions, and growing into a trusted technology provider for operators. As I’ve said before, I challenge operators to share their wishlists with us and let us prove we are the go-to leading problem solver and solutions provider in the space. What is your strategy for the UK market and how will it differ from other regulated markets when it comes to products and solutions? The UK requires a different way of thinking – what works in other regions does not always translate here, and a tailored approach is key. Our strategy is built around three core pillars: localisation, compliance-first development, and retention driven by product innovation.  From a product perspective, UK players have very specific expectations. That means a strong focus on popular sports like football and horse racing, highly competitive odds, and seamless in-play betting experiences are all critical. We are fine-tuning our offerings to meet these expectations while ensuring every feature aligns with UKGC requirements. From our bore-draw feature, to our sports tournaments that engage first-time users, to our AI sportsbook segmentation tool that delivers a personalised player experience for every site user, every feature is carefully designed from a B2C perspective.UK operators are increasingly looking for modern, flexible, and scalable alternatives to traditional platform providers, without sacrificing regulatory standards. With our Centrivo iGaming platform and more than 25 years of sportsbook expertise, we offer a next-generation solution built to elevate operators across the UK, Ireland and wider European markets. The UK also demands deeper integration of responsible gaming tools. This is not just about meeting compliance rules – it is about building trust with both operators and end users. As part of our UK strategy, we are also investing in growing our local team, with plans to build a dedicated hub to support a range of business functions. This ensures operators can benefit from close, on-the-ground collaboration and consistent ongoing support. In short, while our core technology remains consistent, the way it is packaged, presented, and optimised for the UK is highly tailored to local needs. The UK is also one of Europe’s most tightly regulated markets. Why did you want to enter this market and what does this tell us about your compliance capabilities? If you can make it in the UK, you can make it just about anywhere. That is the simple truth. Entering such a tightly regulated market is both a challenge and a statement. For Digitain, it is a way to demonstrate that compliance is not an obstacle, but a core competency. We are here to show the global iGaming community that we are a major player across all regulated markets. Successfully delivering a full turnkey platform in this environment is a clear indicator of both our product maturity and organisational readiness. We have put significant work into building a compliance-first culture across all our teams. This covers everything from internal processes to the architecture of our platforms. UKGC certification is essentially external validation of that work. What are your targets and objectives for the UK market and where do you hope to be in the next 12–24 months? Over the next 12–24 months, we aim to strengthen Digitain’s presence in the UK and Western Europe by establishing ourselves as a trusted, long-term technology partner for both online and retail marketplaces. Our focus will be on delivering scalable solutions, advanced risk management, and personalised player engagement, all while maintaining full compliance and providing innovative, end user-centric services. We also plan to expand our current UK office into a full regional headquarters, bringing together commercial, trading, product, and account management teams. This local presence will enable closer collaboration with UK and Irish operators, ensuring hands-on support and continuous open dialogue. Ultimately, our goal is for Digitain to be recognised as a premium, reliable and innovative provider, trusted by operators across all regulated markets This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   It has become a recurring theme: a prominent UK footballer signs an endorsement deal with a betting firm that is ostensibly not intended for the British market. Following in the footsteps of Michael Owen, who partnered with Punt Casino, and Teddy Sheringham, who worked with 8xBet, the latest high-profile figure to join this trend is Steven Gerrard, a legend of Liverpool FC. Gerrard, who captained Liverpool to their 2004 Champions League victory, has been named the new brand ambassador for We88, a gambling operator largely unknown to the UK public. This brand should not be confused with W88—the sponsor of Sunderland FC—but it represents the same growing pattern of Asia-focused, unlicensed operators securing high-profile sponsorships with UK-linked football clubs and players. Like W88, We88 is not licensed by the Gambling Commission. It operates under an Anjouan license and is owned by MockingBird Technologies Pte. Ltd. Ostensibly, the brand is designed for Asian markets and is not intended to be accessible to UK users. While that may be the stated intent, the situation is complicated by the fact that Gerrard promoted the partnership on his personal Instagram account, which reaches thousands of UK followers. Furthermore, the We88 website can be easily accessed from the UK using a simple VPN. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Steven Gerrard (@stevengerrard) This raises concerns regarding the responsibility of public figures when choosing partners, particularly when dealing with unlicensed gambling, where the risk of addiction is significantly heightened. As part of the commercial arrangement, We88 has featured Liverpool FC jerseys on its marketing materials, despite having no official partnership with the club. SBC News has contacted Liverpool for a statement. The UKGC has previously cautioned English clubs against collaborating with unlicensed betting entities, citing previous examples such as the deals between Kaiyun Sports and clubs like Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission stated that they do not comment on specific cases. However, the regulator noted that “Anyone who engages in advertising arrangements with unlicensed gambling operators is at risk of committing the offence of advertising unlawful gambling under section 330 of the Gambling Act 2005. “Anyone engaging in such arrangements with an unlicensed brand must ensure that online gambling activity for that unlicensed brand is blocked and inaccessible to consumers in Great Britain.” Is there any answer to the unlicensed question? It is widely acknowledged that offshore gambling platforms lack the essential protections required to prevent harmful gambling behaviors, unlike the strict responsible gambling standards mandated for licensed operators. UK-based gambling charities, such as Deal Me Out, have repeatedly warned about the significant revenue lost by both consumers and the Treasury to operators that function outside the oversight of the UKGC. The impact of the black market extends to various industry stakeholders as well. Two years ago, SBC News reported that an advertisement for an Asia-facing platform appeared on the website of the International Betting and Gaming Association (IBIA). Currently, a profile for We88 is visible on the Gordon Moody website. The charity, which provides treatment for problem gambling, has been contacted for comment. Finally, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has initiated a consultation regarding a potential total ban on black market operators in British sports. Despite these efforts, offshore firms continue to pursue partnerships with UK football stars and utilize club branding. This prompts the question of whether legislative changes are necessary to prevent influential figures from entering into these deals, which are often unpopular with fans—though it remains unclear how many supporters distinguish between licensed and unlicensed operators. Regardless, Gerrard’s followers have made their opinions on the new partnership clear. Comments under Gerrard’s post Want to hear more stories like this? Check out the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the new home of all things multimedia at SBC, where our team deep-dives into the biggest stories from across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   This morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will put in place “strong and decisive measures” to limit gambling advertising and safeguard young people and other vulnerable groups. An issue that has plagued Albanese’s tenure as Prime Minister since 2023 has been resolved, with the Labor government committing to support five measures designed to drastically reduce the Australian public’s exposure to gambling advertisements. Starting January 1, 2027, the government will restrict gambling advertising on broadcast television to no more than three ads per hour between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., alongside a full ban on such advertising during live sports broadcasts within those hours. This key reform directly targets what gambling reformers describe as the “normalisation loop” between sport and betting — an issue that has driven a nationwide campaign calling for federal intervention. Labor’s reset is built around five core restrictions that redefine how, where and to whom gambling marketing can be displayed: Broadcast TV limits: No more than three gambling ads per hour between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Live sport blackout: Complete ban on gambling ads during live sports broadcasts within the 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. window Radio watershed: Prohibition on gambling ads during school commute times (8–9 a.m. and 3–4 p.m.) Digital controls: Online ads restricted to logged-in, age-verified (18+) users, with mandatory opt-out options Sporting environment bans: Removal of gambling ads from stadiums and from players’ and officials’ uniforms Further measures will see the government impose a ban on using celebrities and professional athletes in gambling promotions, alongside prohibiting “odds-style” advertising targeting sports fans. Collectively, these measures aim to dismantle the environment Albanese described where “kids grow up thinking that footy and gambling are the same thing.” Breaking Links Following a two-year delay in rolling out federal reforms, Labor believes its measures will redefine the cultural boundary between sport and wagering — without imposing a blanket ban on gambling advertising, as had been anticipated in 2023. In the absence of a unified federal framework, Australia’s media channels have become saturated with gambling content, including in-play odds, sponsored segments and personality-led betting promotions. Albanese notably rejected the Murphy Report’s 2023 recommendations, which called for a phased three-year approach to implement a blanket ban on gambling advertising. The decision drew criticism at the time and split party ranks, with reformist camps arguing the government had delayed reforms to appease media networks. The issue reached a boiling point last year as the Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR), led by Tim Costello, launched a campaign backed by 101 Australian sports and media figures calling for a full ban on gambling advertising. By siding with major TV networks, the Labor government faced criticism for allowing gambling to remain embedded in the fabric of sports consumption. Minister for Communications and Sport Anika Wells stated that from 2027, families should be able to watch sport “without being bombarded by gambling advertisements.” However, the reforms stop short of a full advertising ban — highlighting the government’s balancing act between public health objectives and the commercial realities of Australia’s sports and media sectors. Albanese reiterated this position: We’re getting the balance right here, letting adults have a punt if they want to but also making sure Australian children don’t see betting ads everywhere they look. “What we don’t want is kids growing up thinking that footy and gambling are the same thing.” Yet the cumulative impact is significant. Removing live sports advertising slots alone will strip out premium opportunities, while digital restrictions introduce friction into acquisition strategies that have historically relied on broad targeting. The key question now is how operators respond — whether through CRM-led engagement, product differentiation or increased investment in compliant, first-party marketing ecosystems. Secondary Measures Additional measures include: Crackdown on online lottery-style products deemed harmful or misleading Ban on online keno products (“pocket pokies”) Standardisation of match-fixing offences nationwide Enhanced enforcement against illegal offshore operators Continued development of BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register Expansion of financial counselling services for those impacted by gambling harm Increased public awareness campaigns on the risks of online gambling These interventions signal a broader policy shift — positioning gambling harm as a public health and social welfare issue, rather than solely a regulatory concern. Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek reinforced this stance, linking gambling harm to wider societal impacts, including family breakdown and domestic violence. Albanese: Trust the Process The government must now draft legislation, with industry consultation and regulatory design expected to shape the next 12–18 months. The January 1, 2027, start date provides a transition window for media owners to adapt to new compliance frameworks and commercial realities. Broadcasters, sports bodies and digital platforms will be given time to offset lost revenues tied to gambling partnerships, while operators face the challenge of re-engineering marketing strategies within tighter constraints. Wells concluded: “From 1 January next year Australians will be able to sit down with their families and cheer on their favourite team without being bombarded by gambling advertising. “Our reforms will break the connection between wagering and sport, minimise children’s exposure to wagering advertising and reduce its saturation across the internet, radio and TV channels. “Australian parents, families and sports fans have been calling for action, and we thank all those involved for their continued engagement and advocacy as we’ve worked continuously to get the settings balanced and right.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Sportradar AG is confronting legal allegations that its management and distribution of official sports data from major leagues are unfair and biased against competing sportsbook providers. Altenar, a Malta-headquartered sportsbook solutions firm, has confirmed filing multi-million-pound legal actions against the Nasdaq-traded sports data and tech company. The claims have been submitted to the US District Court for New Jersey and London’s High Court, where Altenar accuses Sportradar of misusing its role as a primary data partner to leading US sports leagues. The St Gallen-based global sportstech company boasts an extensive partner list that includes the National Hockey League (NHL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). Altenar argues that Sportradar has limited access to critical live data and betting odds, violating both Section 2 of the Sherman Act and the UK Competition Act. The provider additionally asserts that Sportradar has refused it access to vital data needed to run its sportsbook platform—like data supporting odds calculation—and accuses Sportradar of prioritizing its own offerings and chosen partners, which distorts market competition. Legal filings cite: “Sportradar is trying to maintain its market dominance by unfairly eliminating its competitors. It is relying on its monopoly on sports data to squash businesses with a competing offer, despite previously decrying other companies for doing exactly the same.” Altenar maintains that Sportradar has created a ‘structural barrier’ to its ability to offer a sportsbook platform by withholding or limiting access to key data from popular sports leagues. Among the ‘big four’ leagues, the NFL is the only exception, as its official data rights are owned by competing firm Genius Sports. At the heart of the dispute are Sportradar’s data and intellectual property partnerships with major US sports leagues; the company has secured and repeatedly extended “exclusive data and innovation” deals with the NBA, NHL, and MLB. Sportradar is no stranger to competition-related allegations This isn’t the first instance where Sportradar has come under scrutiny for competition-related issues. Sportradar’s purchase of IMG Arena was reviewed by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over possible violations of the nation’s competition laws, though the regulator eventually approved the deal. In March 2025, Sportradar was also named in a lawsuit in Texas, along with its main competitor and fellow sports data leader Genius. The plaintiff, PANDA Interactive, claimed that the pair had stifled competition by restricting access to the sports data they officially controlled. In Altenar’s case, the Isle of Man-based company argues that Sportradar is misusing its ‘exclusive rights’ to benefit its own sports betting solutions—such as those offered via the 2022-launched ORAKO platform—and the offerings of NSoft, which it acquired in 2022. Altenar is seeking a court order to put an end to what it calls Sportradar’s ‘refusal to supply’, as well as millions of pounds in damages. It has hired Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP to represent it in the US and Geradin Partners for its UK case. “Sportradar is trying to maintain its market dominance by unfairly eliminating its competitors,” an Altenar spokesperson said. “It is relying on its monopoly on sports data to squash businesses with a competing offer, despite previously decrying other companies for doing exactly the same. “We remain open to discussions with Sportradar, but its unilateral and aggressive actions have left us with no choice but to take legal action.” Altenar’s legal challenge carries significant implications. The company is pushing for legal action to define the limits of ‘exclusive terms’ in data partnerships, ensuring that official sports league data is distributed in a ‘fair manner’ free from conflicts of interest. On the other hand, if Sportradar successfully defends itself, it would strengthen the existing model, solidifying the position of established data providers and creating additional barriers for new entrants. A key term Sportradar might use in its defence is ‘exclusive’: if the company holds exclusive rights to a sports league’s data, shouldn’t it have the right to decide who gets access to that data? Sportradar provided the following response to SBC, on Altenar’s legal proceedings: “While we prefer not to comment on pending litigation, we strongly disagree with the claims made by Altenar, which we believe are without merit and contain numerous inaccuracies. Sportradar will address these through the legal process. We encourage stakeholders to rely on our public disclosures and SEC filings for a complete and accurate view of our business.” ________________ Interested in more stories like this? Visit the new SBC Media YouTube Channel—SBC’s new hub for all multimedia content—where our team takes an in-depth look at the top stories from the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate, and payments sectors. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.