MAR APR 2021
Editor's Letter
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global online gambling market is expected
to reach nearly $160bn by 2028. Some of this boom will invariably come from the
pandemic that channelled gamblers in their millions to online options as land-based
destinations closed during those particularly di cult times last year. While online has been a
mainstay for millions already, those making the leap from land-based entertainment certainly
spiked. And even though casino doors have swung open again to great relief and celebration,
the stickiness of online, in terms of variation and hygiene concerns, won’t tire out once we’re
all allowed to convene again.
Even though online is safer regarding social distancing, however, no amount of it can
make you immune from cyber threats.
For our cover feature, we examine the most urgent cyber security trends to combat threats
deep in nebulous cyber space. Continent 8 Technologies, the big igaming data centre and
global network solutions provider, and giant cyber security operations centre Big Cyber zero
in on the changing landscape of where main threats are originating. According to Leon Allen,
innovation director at Continent 8, the consensus from senior industry leaders is that the
online gaming sector continues to be “plagued” with so-called traditional types of attack such
as DDoS. “The meteoric growth of cloud adoption across the industry has resulted in the
potential for cloud environments to not be fully secured,” he says. “The boundaries of work
and home have now merged from a psychological and, more crucially given this topic, a
technological perspective. These changes have opened up many more attack verticals for
bad actors looking to exploit individuals or attack unsecured remote devices.”
Alexandru Petrescu, SVP at Big Cyber, adds that relying on current cyber security regulations
can leave you one step behind. “Another threat is the belief that IT security requirements
mandated by respective regulators equate to cyber security best-practice. They don’t,”
he states. “This can give a false sense of security.”
The sheer number of people flocking online can add to that mirage of security. The soaring
popularity of online gambling can be a source of great joy or a real sore spot, depending on
your circumstances and luck. But no matter what side you fall on, or end up having a foot in
each of the two, keeping up to speed with threats requires unprecedented vigilance, for the
players and those behind the scenes guarding the ramparts. So for those committed to
battling on that ghostly online front, we should thank them for their service.
Work in Progress
VigiTrust CEO Mathieu Gorge and COO Rowan Fogarty, data security and compliance experts, explain how Brexit will impact UK data privacy regulations, and advise how gaming companies can remain compliant going forward
Driving player engagement
Michael Maerz, deputy CEO Asia Pacific at Sportradar, talks to Gambling Insider about the role data and technology can play in improving the sports betting experience, focusing on the Asian market
The Hidden Problem
Iqbal Johal explores the debate surrounding the black market threat in the UK following a PwC report, and what it might mean for the country’s fight against problem gambling
At what stage of development is LATAM gaming
Industry experts from BetGames.TV, BtoBet, EvenBet and Alfastreet discuss whether they view the Latin American gaming market as an emerging or maturing jurisdiction
A Brighter Future Than Ever?
Tim Kennedy, Suzo Happ VP of sales Europe, tells the GI Huddle all about the company's plans for retail sports betting in the US. According to the executive, there is plenty of life in retail yet
Unique to Women
Gordon Moody Association interim CEO Matthew Hickey speaks exclusively to Tim Poole about plans for the world's first ever women gambling clinic, as part of the GI Huddle’s problem gambling series
LeoVegas: Q4 in review
Following his CEO Special interview in the Jan/Feb issue of Gambling Insider, LeoVegas CEO Gustaf Hagman returns to discuss the operator’s Q4 financial results on the GI Huddle
From PASPA to Pandemic
SportCaller MD and co-founder Cillian Barry speaks to Gambling Insider about the company’s journey so far and the effects of key milestones along the way
Change the Channel
Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling, on the difficulties of regulating gaming
Gaining Prominance
We continue our look at the emerging esports vertical’s popularity across Asia, focusing on the Hong Kong market with Bird & Bird sport, media and tech counsel Alex Norman
Team effort
Iqbal Johal provides an in-depth look at the new sports betting environment experienced during the 2020-21 season, and why the industry’s resilience provides hope for the future
Safety in Numbers
Stefano Sordini, CEO of NetShop Internet Services Ltd, examines the ever-increasing need for more robust safeguarding measures, as hosting services face greater challenges to data
Under Pressure
Harry Barnick, senior analyst at research provider Third Bridge, discusses how the UK gambling industry is coping under the strain of increased regulation and what we can expect as deadlines loom
Source of the Matter
Nick Hill, Premier Consulting director, discusses why gaming needs blockchain and the value of it in the ever-changing online gaming sector
Better, Stronger, Faster
Warren Tristram, president of Worldpay Gaming Solutions, Worldpay from FIS, speaks to Gambling Insider about how the need for multiple payment options and fast pay-out speed will be crucial going forward in the US gaming industry, following last year’s digital transformation
Chequemate
Paul Sculpher, co-director of GRS Recruitment, dusts off the credibility of an antiquated payments system and asks if progress might actually signal the end of Mayfair’s world-leading exclusive casinos
Raising the stakes
With 2021 looking likely to be a transformational one for online poker, especially in the US, EvenBet Gaming runs the rule over the biggest developments in the rapidly growing market
Too Early To Tell
Anders Basbøll, Danish Gambling Authority gaming machines and systems chief adviser, speaks to Gambling Insider about how the Danish gaming market has weathered the pandemic, and whether it will leave an ever-lasting impact
Sponsorships: Another Perspective
During the Financial Times’ Business of Football conference, panelists from Udinese Calcio and Rakuten discussed their sponsorship needs and how this may have changed during the Covid-19 pandemic
Opportunities in Challenges
Simon Hammon, Relax Gaming CPO, discusses using technology to adapt during the Covid-19 pandemic
One for the Ages
Mark Balch, VP of esports betting services at Bayes Esports, analyses age verification challenges in esports and discusses the complexities of putting a comprehensive framework in place
Pushing the Boundaries
Chief product officer at Evolution, Todd Haushalter, speaks to Gambling Insider about how the supplier is using innovation and technology to increase its industry footprint
An Ever-evolving Threat
With contributions from Continent 8, Jumio and Big Cyber, Tim Poole analyses the biggest cyber security trends of 2021, as the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbates an already-vital area of concern for gaming firms
Big Question
How Has Brexit Affected Gibraltar as a Gaming Jurisdiction?
Cashless Gaming: Affecting Change
Duncan Pollock, head of global marketing at DR Gaming Technology, speaks to Gambling Insider about cashless gaming and its growing potential
Empowering Female Voices
DraftKings’ Jennifer Aguiar speaks to Tim Poole after being appointed the operator’s chief compliance officer, discussing her evolving duties, regulatory challenges and Women’s History Month
Future Focus
Björn Krantz, Chief of Global Market Operations at Yggdrasil, outlines the direction he and his team are centred on in order to deliver quality beyond expectation, and innovation wrought from global adversity
