The use (and misuse) of user data has only been thrust further into the spotlight, not only with new laws taking effect in many countries but also thanks to a slew of high-profile scandals, such as Cambridge Analytica. With the ongoing consequences of data breaches, people are demanding more transparency around how their data is used.

That’s as true of the US as it is of any other country. And, on the back of public pressure, several states have implemented (or are in the process of implementing) regulations which share broadly the same goals as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

As these laws, and the wider data transparency movement, gather momentum, there’s increased speculation around how far out the US is from adopting its own GDPR-style legislation at a federal level.

Companies need to start asking themselves how ready they are for the laws in place and how ready they’ll be for any federal laws that may be instituted around data privacy.

The impact of CCPA

While GDPR grabbed all the international headlines, the first US regulations aimed at data transparency were actually signed into law at around the same time.

The California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) provides several important rights to residents of the state, allowing them to know what personal data is being collected about them, access it, request its deletion, and opt out of having their personal data collected.

All for-profit companies that do business in California (within certain thresholds) are required to comply with the law, which comes into effect on 1 January 2020.

While the CCPA does differ from GDPR in several important respects (most significantly, it works on an opt-out basis, rather than the GDPR’s explicit opt-in requirement), it was still a significant step forward in the evolution of privacy laws in the US.

The depth of its impact becomes especially apparent when you consider that close to a dozen other states have either drafted or passed copycat legislation in the months since CCPA was passed.

While some are less restrictive and others more stringent than CCPA, all model themselves on it to some degree.

With these kinds of advances at the state level, there are increasingly loud calls for data privacy laws to be implemented at a federal level.

Federal Complications

These calls have come from independent commentators, as well as major industry players. Their logic is compelling too. Not only would a federal law be easier to comply with than a patchwork of state laws, the greater resources available at a federal level would also make it easier to enforce.

Another advantage of a federal data privacy law is that it would allow data from the EU and EEA (European Economic Area) to be transferred to the United States without the need for any additional safeguards or agreements, as long as the EU sees the legislation as providing an adequate level of data protection.

However compelling the case for federal data protection legislation might seem, it’s unlikely that it will come to pass any time soon.

First off, any proposed federal law that comes before Congress may prove too weak for some states (Californian representatives have already argued that their law is the best and should not be subsumed) and too stringent for others.

The fact that there are already several competing federal data protection bills may also hamper the chances of any one of them passing successfully in the near future.

Pre-Emptive Action

That does not, however, mean that organizations should proceed with the assumption that legislation won’t be passed.

Instead, they should act preemptively, readying themselves for any laws which do pass. If an organization is already GDPR compliant, for example, it should be well on its way to regulatory compliance, no matter which states it operates in.

Being ready early won’t just spare an organization the inevitable last-minute rush once legislation does pass, it also comes with a host of business benefits, including improved data management, increased trust, and improved customer loyalty.

This guest post was written by Mia Papanicolaou who heads up the North, Central and South American operations for Striata.

Meta: The iGaming industry has gone through various milestones to get to where it is today. Here’s a detailed guide for beginners or all those who wish to understand the factors and challenges which contributed to the rise of this exciting gaming platform.

What do you understand once you hear the word ‘iGaming?’ While it may sound like a pretty basic term, it’s something which continues to cause a lot of misunderstanding and confusion, especially for newbies. That’s why we have taken enough time and resources to come up with this simple iGaming industry beginner’s manual. We hope that it will go a long way in settling all your worries. Take a look!

What is ‘iGaming?’

Before we dive into the history and growth of this exciting industry, let us first define the term ‘iGaming.’ Well, according to Sally M. Gainsbury, who wrote an interesting piece on the taxonomy of casino games as well as gambling, iGaming is a system of online slots where all outcomes depend on chance. Players also receive monetary awards once they win.

However, online games which don’t involve this system of betting don’t fall under the ‘iGaming’ category. Such includes casino-based games. These are basically social casino slots where no actual betting is required. That being said, some of the most interesting ‘iGaming’ classifications being played in today’s online casinos include:

– Poker
– Mobile Gambling
– Various Casino Slots
– Lottery
– Sports Betting
– Bets on Horse Racing
– Bingo

Growth and History of ‘iGaming’

1. Microgaming Developed the First Online iGaming Website In 1994

Before we were introduced to the world of online casinos, Microgaming had already started marking remarkable strides in this industry. In fact, during this time, it was considered to be the largest gaming developer. Also, in the same year, Antigua Barbuda became the first country to issue licenses allowing online casinos to operate freely through its free processing and trade act.

2. The Establishment of The Kahnawake Gaming Commission in 1996

It was launched in the Canadian, Kahnawake Mohawk Territory to regulate all online gambling licensing activities across the world. The InterCasino was also the first gambling house to allow its players to wager using real money.

3. Tremendous iGaming Achievements In 1998 From Microgaming and Planetpoker

Just four years after establishing its gambling software, Microgaming introduced ‘Cash Splash.’ This was its first progressive online jackpot slot, designed to reward players with huge cash-outs. Likewise, during the same year, we also saw the introduction of the first online poker room from PlanetPoker.

4. Other iGaming Advancements by 1999

Before ushering in the new century, the ‘iGaming’ industry already had over 700 online top casinos running on real money. There was also the establishment of the Multiplayer feature, which allowed gamers to communicate with one another as they played.

5. By 2000, More Countries Had Began to Accept the Concept of ‘iGaming’

Different territories in the United Kingdom like Gibraltar and the Isle of Man opened their ‘gambling’ doors to online gaming. This ‘wave’ kept on spreading with more than 8 million users across the globe. Furthermore, the industry surpassed more than 2 billion dollars in revenue.

6. 888.com was Launched Back in 2003

This was quite an eventful year for the industry with the introduction of 888.com, one of the most reputable online gaming websites of today. Interestingly, according to the Chinese culture, the number ‘8’ is a lucky digit, something which resonates well with ‘iGaming.’

Sadly though, three years later, the United States of America (USA) passed a somewhat controversial Gambling Enforcement law. It prohibited all gaming houses from accepting online payments for betting.

7. Growth of Mobile Devices in Online Gaming by 2010

There’s no arguing the fact that mobile devices have transformed the way we do business and interact with each other. When it comes to the ‘iGaming,’ in 2010, they had become the ‘kings’ of the industry. During this time, gamers had already placed bets worth 10 billion dollars using their online betting platform!

The Technical Revolution Challenges of The iGaming Industry!

Despite such remarkable growth, ‘iGaming’ has gone through various problems. Yes, other than just looking for a way to maneuver through harsh legal policies, online gaming companies had a lot more on their plate.

These include:

A. Technological Problems

The continued adoption of internet services in different countries, especially those to the west and the growing use of personal computers in homes contributed to a substantial rise in the ‘iGaming’ market services. As the speed and power of these computers continued to increase, companies had to work tirelessly just to improve their offerings. They also had to create better sound and graphics as well as provide players with a wide variety of online slots.

B. Massive Competition

Today, the ‘iGaming’ industry is overcrowded with online games due to the increase in demand. Hence, companies need to have a generous and innovative incentive that allows them to draw the attention of new players. Good examples include:

– Bonuses like free bets or spins
– The free-play feature
– Frequent player points (FPP)
– Cashback promotions

Conclusion

The ‘iGaming’ industry is something which will continue to grow as time goes on and as more people continue to see the value of placing online bets for huge cash-outs. It’s convenient, fast, and flexible for the everyday gambler. Besides, even though it continues to face different challenges, its continued success is truly outstanding.

So, what you think about the ‘iGaming’ industry? Is it an easy or risky way of making money in the tough economic situation of today? We’d like to hear from you, drop us a comment!

This guest post was written Thomas Glare, a passionate iGaming enthusiast who takes great pride in understanding the steady growth of this industry. Through his work, he provides content that brings joy to your heart and offer a helpful hand to all those who are just starting their journey into online casino slots or games.