Okada Manila reports 24% decrease in GGR for Q1 2024

The rapid development of the iGaming sphere has become possible due to the advancement of the software used by online gaming. To provide users with exciting and high-quality products, the industry requires a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies, concepts and approaches such as High Load, Big Data, High Availability, High Scalability, Realtime and Low Latency. Therefore, iGaming software developers are driving the global development of the industry and this is precisely what PIN-UP.TECH are doing.

The PIN-UP.TECH segment is part of the PIN-UP Global ecosystem and consists of IT companies specialising in software development for all their members. Among the achievements of PIN-UP.TECH are unique technological solutions which enable partners to maintain their leading position and provide players with a high quality service. Over 500 specialists from different countries are involved in the technical direction of PIN-UP, who ensure the stability of iGaming platforms, CRM, anti-fraud tools, affiliate systems and much more. Among the leaders of this professional team is Volodymyr Todurov, Chief Analytics Officer, who shared with SiGMA News comments about their unique work experience. 

Could you tell us more about the ML/AI model and how it works for you?

AI-based decision models meticulously scrutinise numerous parameters associated with each transaction, encompassing variables such as the frequency of bets, their sizes, the selected events, as well as their history. These parameters undergo analysis within the model, where those exhibiting the highest predictive efficacy are identified and incorporated into the forecasting process. 

IWe have employed machine learning with a primary focus on the extreme gradient boosting model, renowned for its efficacy with structured data. The crux of this approach lies in constructing an ensemble of models that iteratively refine each other, thereby bolstering the accuracy of the forecasts. The model is fed with an extensive betting history as input and yields a probability in the range of 0..1, indicating the likelihood of user involvement in fraudulent activities.

What are the advantages of an AI-based anti-fraud model compared to a classic one?

When we are confronted with vast quantities of data, the utility of ML/AI models becomes evident. They offer a heightened capacity to generalise information and discern patterns in customer behavior that elude methods like manual transaction analysis or the application of linear rules.

AI serves as an additional toolkit for the operations team, streamlining processes by reducing error rates and decision-making times for individual cases, while also uncovering fresh insights into our clientele. In certain respects, AI enriches our expertise and broadens our perspectives by employing a slightly divergent approach to decision-making. Many tasks can now be delegated to AI with autonomy. 

Consequently, AI facilitates the expansion of business volumes without a proportional increase in the risk-management team, streamlining daily operations by eliminating tedious routines and affording the opportunity to delve deeper into the analysis of other processes.

In your opinion, how can AI-based anti-fraud tools develop and what problems can they solve in the future?

Within the team, we outlined how we see the development of anti-fraud tools using ML and AI, and made our plans for the further implementation of these technologies. Our next step involves crafting a decision-making system using cutting-edge deep neural networks and generative artificial intelligence. By slashing decision times, we're getting closer to our goal of ramping up accuracy and speed in spotting fraudulent client behaviour.

This approach, with its knack for learning and adapting, dives deep into each client's history, employing various scenarios to pinpoint specific groups, including fraudsters. These new tools, once honed to a tee, are a real find for the anti-fraud team's daily grind.

For big businesses, they're like a trusty sidekick for retrospective checks, ensuring we've correctly labeled all clients as either "good" or "bad," so managers may not worry, knowing they haven't missed any troublemakers. And for small businesses, they're a game-changer, eliminating the need for a hefty analyst team right off the bat. Let AI take the wheel on manual tasks, and watch the anti-fraud department's efficiency skyrocket.

What are some ways to further improve the efficiency of anti-fouling processes? Tell us briefly about your approaches.  

Each team, taking into account the direction of the business and the number of specialists, has its own secrets of increasing efficiency and intelligently solving complex problems. For us, this is definitely procedures automatisation based on a DDDM approach, which allows us to think out of the box. We evaluate all workflows seeking optimisation points. Our goal is to find the manual procedure, so called “monkey job”, to automate it. 

The problem could be solved in different ways: I will give a couple of examples from our operations within the last few years. Previously, anti-fraud analysts needed to export a few csv-tables to merge them in order to understand if there are certain behavioural changes on player accounts based on financial and gambling history. We realised that we will save at least 10-15 minutes of manual operations per each case just creating a new default real-time dashboard with pivot tables and charts needed. 

Another case is reviewing current operations. Let’s take a look at the withdrawal confirmation process. Based on a DDDM approach we analyse the weight of evidence on each reason leading to manual withdrawal confirmation. Some of the reasons were created as a reaction to certain fraud cases to keep an eye on potential returning fraud. However, business expanded and more new players from new GEOs led to decrease the performance of the rule. So, we adopted the rule and made a 15% uplift in the team’s productivity in terms of their workload. The main point here is to run continuous analysis on workflow operations based on load and productivity measurements to find the optimisations combining management and automatisation. 

What processes does a business need to set up to integrate the DDDM model, how long can it take, and how fast does it generate revenue?

The main point regarding DDDM is the mindset. Senior managers must deny all arguments based on feelings, hopes and “expertise”. I mean, this kind of approach should be used only for some exceptions when you have no data to calculate your decision. Or when the problem is not worth calculating efforts. Every time you want to make changes on your product ask the team about numbers.

The very common mistake is so-called survivorship bias. Pay attention that you make conclusions using end-to-end analysis to relevant scope of entities. Based on practice, managers forget to make helicopter views on the issue pretty often. I will make an example within anti-fraud operations. A manager came with retrospective fraud activity analysis based on welcome bonus abuse within the last 4 months. 83% of users had the same patterns to create an alerting scoring trigger: first deposit over $13, using prepaid bank card, IP analysis mismatch (probably proxies or VPN). Looks pretty good, yes? 

However, I asked to make calculations if there is still a good efficiency if we will extrapolate this trigger to whole new users. Scoring models showed 5% efficiency. So, some combination of attributes could perfectly describe a group of fraud users and still be common for a bigger segment of good users. By the way, we added some gamestyle patterns to those welcome bonus hunters triggers to segregate from good players and keep the trigger in production.

Using DDDM will bring value from Day 1. You will avoid mistakes and increase productivity. The main point is to ask the team to show their number as the main argument on the business decision made.

Volodymyr’s short bio:

Volodymyr Todurov has eight years of experience in gambling, having held the positions of risk manager, and head of antifraud & analytics. He currently holds the position of chief analytics officer at PIN-UP Global. He is an expert in risk management operations of sportsbook, casino, affiliate programmes, marketing, payment systems. Volodymyr specialises in data-driven decision-making approach, economic modeling, and forecasting.

We're continuing our conversations with the experts at PIN-UP Global, so stay tuned to SiGMA News for more on the current engines of the iGaming sphere.

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .

’s latest report reveals a mixed bag of results for the gambling industry in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2023. The report, which compares the performance of the industry with the same quarter of the previous financial year, covers both online and in-person gambling activities of licensed betting operators (LBOs) across Britain.

The online market witnessed a significant growth with the total Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) in Q4 reaching £1.4 billion ($1.75 billion), marking a 5% increase from the previous year. This growth was accompanied by a 10% increase in the total number of bets and spins, reaching a record high of 24 billion. Consequently, the average monthly active accounts also saw a 2 percent rise.

A closer look at the online market reveals that real event betting GGY experienced a modest increase of 2 percent year-on-year, amounting to £565 million. However, the number of bets saw a decrease of 6 percent, while the average number of monthly active accounts only saw a marginal rise of 1 percent.

Online slots emerged as the major contributor to the overall growth of the online GGY. The slots GGY saw an impressive 11 percent increase during Q4, reaching £614 million. The number of spins also increased by 12 percent, and the average monthly active accounts rose by 7 percent to 4.2 million per month.

Contrary to the online market, the retail betting market experienced a slight decline. The LBO GGY decreased by 3 percent to £568 million, and the total number of bets and spins dropped by 1 percent to 3.3 billion.

In addition to the Q4 report, the also published its Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSCB) last month. The survey revealed that 48 percent of respondents had gambled in the last four weeks at the time of the survey. The most prominent demographic for gambling was men aged 45-54.

The Q4 report presents a dynamic picture of the gambling industry, with online platforms showing promising growth while retail betting sees a slight decline. As the industry continues to evolve, these trends offer valuable insights for stakeholders to strategize and adapt to the changing landscape.

Analyzing the global gambling markets reveals a fascinating diversity in their performance and growth trajectories. The United Kingdom, with its mature and well-regulated market, leads the pack with an online gambling market worth around $12.5 billion. This dominance is further underscored by the UK’s leading position in gross gaming revenue among European countries.

In contrast, the United States presents a rapidly evolving market. The state-by-state rollout of sports betting and online gaming has propelled the US online gambling market to a worth of around $11.0 billion. However, the participation rate in online gambling is relatively low at 7 percent, compared to a global average of 17 percent.

Brazil, a newcomer to the global gambling scene, has shown remarkable growth with an online gambling market worth around $10 billion. Australia, known for its love of sports and betting, boasts a significant gambling market worth around $6.5 billion.

In Europe, Italy’s well-established gambling market is worth around $4.5 billion, ranking high in gross gaming revenue among European countries. Germany, France, and Spain also contribute significantly to the European gambling landscape with their substantial gambling markets.

While the UK gambling market shows a 5 percent growth in Q4 GGY, it’s crucial to note the unique market dynamics and trends in each country. The global popularity of online gambling, driven by innovation, deregulation in key markets, and the pandemic, is on the rise. However, the regulatory landscape varies across countries, influencing the growth and nature of their respective gambling markets. This analysis underscores the diversity and dynamism of the global gambling industry.

In the midst of Ukraine's ongoing conflict, a silent battle is being waged within the ranks of the armed forces. Junior Sergeant Pavlo Petrychenko of the Ukrainian army raised an alarm about a perilous vice that has taken hold among the soldiers: online gambling. This addiction has led to numerous soldiers squandering their salaries, plunging them and their families into financial distress.

The situation has escalated to such an extent that some soldiers have resorted to selling off military equipment, including drones and thermal imaging cameras, to fund their gambling habits. This not only compromises their personal safety but also jeopardizes the security of their fellow soldiers.

The relentless stress of war and the physical distance from their families and loved ones have left the soldiers emotionally drained. In their search for a coping mechanism, many have turned to online gambling. It provides a temporary escape from their harsh reality and a fleeting rush of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.

Petrychenko, recognizing the severity of the issue, petitioned President Zelensky to ban gambling among soldiers. His plea resonated with many, garnering 26,000 supporters in just a few days. This overwhelming response necessitated a formal reply from the president.

On April 20, Zelensky responded by signing a decree that prohibited military personnel from engaging in online gambling during wartime. The decree also imposed restrictions on advertising, initiated a nationwide campaign to educate the public about the dangers of gambling addiction, and mandated the blocking of all illegal gambling sites.

The health ministry was tasked with developing a strategy to treat severe gambling addiction. However, just five days before the decree was signed, Petrychenko, the soldier who had sounded the alarm, was tragically killed in action in the eastern Donetsk region.

His petition sparked a nationwide discussion about the psychological toll of war on Ukraine’s already stretched forces. Lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko claimed that nine out of ten frontline soldiers were grappling with he said was “destroying morale in the military.”

Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, Oksana Syvak, echoed these concerns. She revealed that there were numerous complaints from parents and spouses about soldiers losing their hard-earned money to gambling. While there are no official statistics to quantify the problem, personal accounts suggest that the sums involved are substantial.

Ivan Zadontsev, a press officer for the Aidar battalion, shared a story about a soldier in his unit who won 2.5 million hryvnias ($63,000) through gambling, only to lose it all in the hope of winning even more. Another soldier won a staggering 60 million hryvnia ($1.5 million) jackpot and subsequently deserted.

Zadontsev suggested that the relatively high salaries of soldiers, which are six times the national average, might be a contributing factor to the gambling problem. Syvak, on the other hand, attributed it to the psychological impact of the ongoing conflict.

“During such hostilities, very often people use alcohol, drugs, smoke weed or… abuse gambling,” he said. “This is a consequence of war… gambling is a break from reality, a secondary reaction to a severe trauma.”

The rise in online gambling has also raised security concerns. Anton Kuchukhidze, chairman of the Ukrainian Gambling Council, estimated that there are 1,200 illegal gambling sites, 300 to 400 of which are Russian companies. However, he argued that there was no research to support the claims of widespread gambling addiction among Ukrainian soldiers.

As the war continues to ravage the Ukrainian economy, But with it comes a hidden crisis that is silently tearing at the fabric of the Ukrainian armed forces, a crisis that demands immediate attention and action.

Betfred has recently made a significant strategic shift. The company has fully absorbed its supplier, Sharp Gaming, marking a new chapter in its business operations. The founder of Sharp Gaming, Andrew Daniels, will now serve as Chief Information Officer, further strengthening the company’s technological prowess.

Sharp Gaming, launched in 2017 with over £100m funding from Betfred Chairman Fred Done, has been a key player in Betfred’s operations. The company has now transitioned completely in-house and rebranded as Betfred Technology. This move signifies Betfred’s commitment to leveraging technology to drive its business forward.

Betfred Technology will now power Betfred’s full-spectrum B2B system, including its Player Account Management (PAM), sportsbook, gaming aggregation, Remote Gaming Server (RGS), websites, and applications. This integration is expected to unlock new opportunities for Betfred, enhancing its ability to deliver superior services to its customers.

Andrew Daniels, the former CEO of Sharp Gaming, expressed his excitement about the transition on LinkedIn. He stated, “Completing the migration allows us to look ahead and begin Our new platform is key to unlocking new opportunities for us. As we embark on this new chapter for Betfred, we also bid farewell to the name Sharp Gaming.”

Daniels, who launched Sharp Gaming in 2020, will now take up a new role as Betfred’s Chief Information Officer. This follows Betfred’s acquisition of Sharp Gaming in 2021, after a £25m investment in 2020. The business had been supported by Betfred from its inception, receiving £25m from Done at launch.

Daniels thanked his team for their hard work, stating, “Thanks to my fantastic team, who have worked around the clock since December to ensure the success of the migration. Here’s to the next chapter of innovation, growth, and success at Betfred.”

Before founding Sharp Gaming, Daniels had a rich history in the gaming industry. He worked as Betfred’s Head of Mobile Development from 2011 to 2013, and as a Senior Developer at IGT following the supplier’s acquisition of mobile gaming business Million-2-1. He also founded Degree 53, an online gambling, mobile gaming, and website-focused creative agency, which was acquired by Bally’s Interactive in 2021.

This strategic shift by Betfred reflects the growing importance of cutting-edge technology in the betting industry. With its new in-house technology department, Betfred is well-positioned to innovate its offerings and continue its growth trajectory in the years to come.