Business

More than half of British businesses are struggling to expand their sales in Europe, with trade frictions worsening despite the UK-EU trade deal, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce.

A survey by the BCC found that 54 per cent of exporters believe the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) has failed to help them increase sales in the UK’s largest overseas market, a rise of 13 percentage points compared with last year. The findings underline growing concern that Brexit-related barriers are becoming more restrictive rather than easing over time.

The results come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer pursues a much-trailed “reset” of the UK’s trading relationship with Brussels. However, business groups are warning that progress has been too slow and that unresolved red tape continues to weigh heavily on exporters.

Only 16 per cent of businesses surveyed said the EU deal had helped them grow sales, while almost none felt government support in navigating post-Brexit trade rules had been comprehensive. The BCC polled 989 firms, of which 96 per cent were small and medium-sized enterprises.

Businesses cited ongoing customs bureaucracy, VAT complexity and restrictions on staff mobility as key obstacles to selling into the EU. Problems around sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks, affecting food, drink and agricultural exporters, were also flagged as a major source of friction.

The BCC has urged ministers to prioritise practical reforms in 2026, including closer co-operation with the EU on VAT, simplified customs procedures and a deeper SPS agreement to reduce paperwork and delays at borders.

It also warned about delays in scrapping the de minimis import exemption, which allows overseas sellers to ship low-value goods into the UK without paying duties. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signalled the loophole will be closed, but not until 2029, a timeline business groups say leaves UK retailers exposed to unfair competition from overseas ecommerce platforms.

Steve Lynch, director of international trade at the BCC, said: “Problems with trade friction appear to be worsening, not improving. With a budget that failed to deliver meaningful growth or trade support, getting the EU reset right is now a strategic necessity, not a political choice.

“Businesses want clarity, certainty and delivery at pace in 2026, alongside a clear vision for how trade with Europe will actually improve.”

The findings land amid a broader political debate over whether Labour should go further in repairing ties with the EU. While Starmer has ruled out re-joining the customs union, senior figures within the party have suggested closer alignment could become an electoral issue in future.

There are tentative signs that wider business confidence is stabilising. Lloyds Bank’s business confidence index rose to a four-month high in December, while consumer confidence also edged higher after months of pre-budget uncertainty.

However, exporters say that without tangible reductions in trade barriers, optimism at home will do little to unlock growth in Europe.

A government spokesperson said ministers were making “strong progress” in negotiations with the EU, including commitments to conclude a food and drink agreement and to link UK-EU emissions trading systems, measures it said could add nearly £9 billion a year to the economy by 2040.

For now, many exporters remain unconvinced, warning that unless trade frictions ease quickly, Europe will remain a growth opportunity largely out of reach for UK businesses.

Read more:
UK-EU trade deal fails to boost exports as business friction worsens

Larry Ellison, one of the world’s richest men, has stepped in with a $40.4bn personal guarantee to shore up Paramount Skydance’s $108bn takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery, escalating a high-stakes battle with Netflix for control of some of Hollywood’s most valuable franchises.

Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, confirmed that Ellison would provide an “irrevocable personal guarantee” covering the equity financing element of the bid, as well as any potential damages claims. The move is designed to address concerns from Warner Bros Discovery’s board, which last week urged shareholders to reject the offer, arguing it was inadequately backed.

The board has instead recommended a rival $82.7bn proposal from Netflix for Warner’s studios and streaming assets. Paramount, however, insists its bid represents superior value, offering Warner shareholders $30 per share for the entire business, including its global television networks.

As part of the revised terms, Ellison has agreed not to revoke or materially alter the Ellison family trust during the transaction period. Paramount also said it would publish records confirming that the trust holds around 1.16bn shares in Oracle, worth approximately $223bn as of December 19, alongside full disclosure of material liabilities.

The equity component of Paramount’s bid totals $40.4bn, including $11.8bn from the Ellison family and $24bn from sovereign wealth funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The remainder of the deal is backed by $54bn in debt commitments from Bank of America, Citigroup and Apollo.

Netflix has also strengthened the financing behind its competing offer, refinancing part of a $59bn bridge loan and securing new credit facilities, according to regulatory filings.

Paramount has accused Warner’s board of failing to properly engage with its proposal and signalled that its offer may yet increase. The group has taken the unusual step of appealing directly to shareholders, launching a tender offer on December 12 and extending its deadline to January 21.

The acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery would hand the successful bidder a portfolio that includes blockbuster franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and DC Studios, alongside major networks including CNN.

David Ellison said the deal would act as “a catalyst for greater content production, greater theatrical output and more consumer choice”, adding that Paramount’s proposal would preserve and strengthen “an iconic Hollywood treasure”.

Warner Bros Discovery has yet to respond publicly to the revised financing guarantees, while Netflix declined to comment. As the contest intensifies, the outcome is set to reshape the global entertainment landscape, and determine who controls some of the most powerful storytelling assets in modern media.

Read more:
Larry Ellison puts $40bn personal guarantee behind Paramount bid for Warner Bros

Denise Coates, the billionaire founder and chief executive of Bet365, received at least £280m in salary and dividends in the year to March 2025, despite a sharp fall in the company’s pre-tax profits.

The Stoke-on-Trent-based gambling group reported turnover of £4bn for the year, up from £3.7bn in the previous 12 months. Pre-tax profits, however, fell to £349m from £627m a year earlier, reflecting a significant rise in costs as the business reshaped its global operations.

Accounts filed on Tuesday show that Coates was paid a salary of £104m. As the company’s majority shareholder, she is also entitled to at least half of a £353.6m dividend, taking her total remuneration from the group to a minimum of £280m.

While this represents a substantial increase on the £150m she received last year, it remains well below her record £469m payout in 2021. Over her career, Coates has now extracted more than £2.5bn in pay and dividends from Bet365, which she famously began building from a portable cabin in a car park in Stoke.

The fall in profits was driven largely by a £325m increase in expenses as Bet365 expanded its presence in the US and South America while withdrawing from China, where online betting is illegal. The company incurred £59m in one-off restructuring and reorganisation costs linked to its exit from “certain markets”.

Bet365 has long faced scrutiny over its activities in China, although it has always insisted it complied with local laws. The company did not fully cease taking bets from Chinese customers until the end of March, meaning further costs associated with the withdrawal may fall into the current financial year.

Despite criticism over the scale of Coates’s pay, industry figures often note that she does not use complex structures to minimise tax and is among the UK’s largest individual taxpayers. During the year, Bet365 also donated £130m to the Denise Coates Foundation, which supports a range of charitable causes.

During the year, Bet365 also waived loans to Stoke City, which was demerged from the group and is now controlled by Coates’s brother, John.

The accounts make no reference to earlier reports of exploratory talks over a potential £9bn sale of the business. Instead, they underline Bet365’s strategic focus on regulated markets, particularly the United States, where it now operates licensed betting services in 16 states after entering five new ones during the year.

The US expansion follows the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn the federal ban on sports betting, triggering a rapid state-by-state liberalisation that has transformed the American gambling market.

Read more:
Bet365 boss Denise Coates pockets at least £280m despite profit slump

Former mineworkers and their families are celebrating a “historic” boost to their pensions after the government handed over a £2.3bn reserve fund, delivering increases worth up to £100 a week and backdated lump sums averaging £5,500.

Members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme will see their pensions rise by 41% from Tuesday, following the transfer of the government’s share of the scheme’s surplus. The move brings long-awaited relief to tens of thousands of former workers who had campaigned for years against an arrangement that allowed the state to take half of any surplus while members bore all the risk.

The changes mainly affect around 40,000 former staff who worked in non-mining roles at collieries, including more than 5,000 women. Similar reforms were introduced last year for the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, which covers about 100,000 former miners.

For many, the uplift marks a turning point after years of financial anxiety. Julie Creed, from Mansfield, who worked in British Coal’s salaries office, said the extra income would make a “massive difference” as household bills continue to rise. She added that her mother-in-law, now in her 80s, would no longer have to worry about whether she could afford to heat her home following the death of her husband, who worked in the mines.

Campaigners had previously warned that some pensioners were “dying in abject poverty” after billions were taken from the schemes over decades. Ministers announced an end to the arrangement in the autumn budget of 2024, describing it as a long-overdue correction of an injustice rooted in the industry’s privatisation.

Cheryl Agius, chair of trustees of the pension scheme, called the change a landmark moment. She said it marked “the result of a year of determination, advocacy and collaboration” and represented a clear break from the past.

Steve Yemm, the Labour MP for Mansfield, whose constituency has the highest proportion of former mineworkers in the UK, said the move delivered justice but warned that more work remained. He said members were still seeking clarity over how future surpluses would be shared and urged ministers to reach a fair agreement quickly.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband paid tribute to former mineworkers and campaigners, saying the uplift would give thousands a better retirement. He added that receiving a 41% increase just before Christmas was recognition of the contribution mineworkers had made and the hardship many had endured since the industry’s decline.

Read more:
Former mineworkers celebrate ‘historic’ £100-a-week pensions boost

A business website is no longer just an online brochure. It is your sales platform, brand showcase, and first impression rolled into one.

For local businesses competing in today’s digital landscape, professional website design and development is what separates growth from stagnation. A well-built site attracts the right visitors, builds trust quickly, and turns traffic into enquiries and sales.

That is why more companies are investing in Website Design & Development Services in Dunstable that focus on performance, usability, and long-term scalability. Whether you are launching a new brand or rebuilding an outdated website, the right approach to design and development can significantly impact visibility, conversions, and overall revenue.

Why Professional Website Design & Development Matters

A website has only a few seconds to make an impression. Visitors decide quickly whether to stay, explore, or leave. Professional website design & development ensures every element works together to support your business goals.

Key benefits include:

Faster load times that reduce bounce rates

Clear user journeys that guide visitors to take action

Mobile-first layouts that perform across all devices

Search engine friendly structures that support SEO

Strong visual branding that builds trust and credibility

Businesses that invest in quality development often see improved engagement, higher enquiry rates, and better performance across paid and organic marketing channels.

Bespoke Website Development Built Around Your Business

No two businesses are the same, and your website should reflect that. Bespoke website development focuses on creating a solution tailored specifically to your brand, audience, and objectives.

Instead of using restrictive templates, a bespoke approach allows for:

Custom layouts designed around your services

Features built to support your sales process

Flexible content structures that scale as you grow

Improved security and performance control

This level of customisation is especially valuable for service-based businesses, eCommerce brands, and companies looking to stand out in competitive local markets like Dunstable.

Choosing a Custom Website Development Company

Working with a trusted custom website development company means more than just getting a visually appealing site. It means partnering with professionals who understand strategy, user behaviour, and technical performance.

A reliable development partner will focus on:

Understanding your business goals before design begins

Creating wireframes and layouts with conversion in mind

Writing clean, efficient code that supports SEO

Integrating analytics and tracking from day one

Ensuring your website is easy to manage and update

This approach delivers a website that not only looks good but also actively supports lead generation, sales, and brand growth.

Website Design & Development That Supports SEO

Design and SEO should never work in isolation. Website design & development plays a critical role in how search engines crawl, index, and rank your site.

SEO-friendly development includes:

Logical page structures and internal linking

Optimised page speed and performance

Mobile responsiveness across all devices

Clean URLs and schema-ready frameworks

Accessible navigation and readable content layouts

When development decisions are made with SEO in mind, your website becomes a robust foundation for long-term organic growth rather than a barrier that needs to be fixed later.

What Businesses Expect When Searching “Website Developer Near Me”

When potential clients search for a website developer near me, they are usually looking for reliability, clarity, and local understanding. They want someone who understands their market, customers, and their competition.

Common expectations include:

Clear communication and realistic timelines

Transparent pricing with no hidden costs

Ongoing support after the site goes live

Advice on content, structure, and optimisation

A website that delivers measurable results

Local-focused website development bridges the gap between technical expertise and real-world business needs, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Core Features of High-Performing Websites

Effective websites are built with purpose. Every page, section, and interaction should guide users towards a goal.

High-performing websites typically include:

Clear calls to action on every key page

Intuitive navigation that reduces friction

Fast-loading pages optimised for mobile users

Trust signals such as reviews, accreditations, and case studies

Contact forms are designed to encourage enquiries

These features work together to create a seamless user experience that supports conversions and customer confidence.

The Long-Term Value of Professional Development

Investing in professional website design & development is not a short-term expense. It is a long-term asset. A well-built website reduces maintenance issues, adapts to new marketing strategies, and grows alongside your business.

Long-term advantages include:

Lower costs for updates and improvements

Stronger SEO performance over time

Easier integration with CRM and marketing tools

Better data insights through analytics

Increased trust from both users and search engines

Businesses that cut corners with low-quality builds often end up paying more later to fix structural issues that could have been avoided.

Supporting Business Growth in Dunstable and Beyond

Local businesses in Dunstable face growing competition, both locally and nationally. A professionally developed website levels the playing field by helping smaller brands compete with larger companies online.

With the right strategy in place, your website can:

Attract targeted local traffic

Convert visitors into qualified leads

Support paid advertising campaigns

Strengthen brand authority in your sector

This is where experienced digital partners make the difference by aligning design, development, and marketing into one cohesive strategy.

Final Thoughts

A strong online presence starts with a website built for performance, visibility, and growth. From bespoke website development to complete website design & development strategies, investing in quality builds a foundation that supports every aspect of digital marketing.

If you are looking for reliable, results-focused Website Design & Development Services in Dunstable, working with a professional team ensures your website does more than exist online. It works for your business every day.

Ready to Build a Website That Delivers Results?

Digital Marketing Agency specialises in creating high-performance websites that drive growth, visibility, and conversions. If you want a website that aligns with your business goals and digital strategy, now is the time to take action.

Visit https://www.digitalmarketingagency.solutions/ to learn more and start building a website that truly works for your business.

Read more:
Website Design & Development Services: Building Digital Experiences That Drive Growth

For any business leader, the priority is always growth, stability, and the welfare of their team. Protecting physical assets and ensuring a safe working environment are foundational to these goals.

While locks and alarms have their place, the modern approach to business protection has evolved significantly. Today, a robust strategy relies on visibility and responsiveness.

Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) has long been a staple of commercial property management, but its role has shifted from a passive recording tool to a proactive business asset. However, technology rarely operates best in a vacuum. When advanced visual surveillance is paired with the intuition and physical presence of professional personnel, the result is a comprehensive safety net that allows businesses to thrive without distraction.

This article explores the positive impact of CCTV and how integrating it with manned guarding creates a sophisticated, efficient environment for staff and customers alike.

The Evolution of Visual Surveillance

The days of grainy, black-and-white footage stored on dusty tapes are long behind us. Modern CCTV systems offer high-definition clarity, remote accessibility, and intelligent analytics. For business owners, this means gaining a level of insight into their operations that was previously impossible.

Modern cameras can do far more than simply record activity. They can identify heat maps in retail stores to show where customers congregate, recognise license plates for automated barrier entry, and even detect smoke or fire hazards before they become critical.

This technological leap transforms CCTV from a “grudge purchase” into a value-adding tool. It provides managers with real-time data on operational efficiency and health and safety compliance. Yet, even the smartest camera requires human interpretation and reaction to be truly effective.

The Human Element: Why Personnel Still Matter

While cameras provide the “eyes” across a sprawling facility, they cannot replace the decision-making capabilities of a trained professional. This is why security guard services remain a vital component of corporate strategy.

A uniformed officer provides a welcoming presence for staff and visitors, offering a sense of reassurance that a camera lens simply cannot replicate. They are often the first point of contact, managing reception desks, handling deliveries, and assisting with customer queries. Their role is as much about customer service as it is about protection.

Furthermore, technology has limits regarding nuance. A camera might trigger an alert because a door has been forced open, but it cannot determine if it was a break-in or a staff member struggling with a faulty lock. A security officer can assess the situation, apply context, and make a judgment call immediately.

The Synergy: How Tech and Teams Work Together

The most effective security strategies are those that marry technology with human expertise. When CCTV and security guard services work hand in hand, they cover each other’s blind spots, creating a seamless layer of protection.

Targeted Response

In a large warehouse or office complex, a patrol guard cannot be everywhere at once. CCTV acts as a force multiplier. If a camera detects motion in a restricted zone or identifies a safety hazard, it can instantly alert the on-site team. The guard can then be directed to the exact location via radio, rather than wasting time patrolling empty corridors. This efficiency means that incidents—whether they are security breaches or maintenance issues—are resolved in minutes rather than hours.

False Alarm Reduction

Automated systems can sometimes be trigger-happy, alerting management to falling leaves or stray animals. By having a professional monitor the feeds, either on-site or remotely, businesses can verify an alarm before contacting emergency services. This prevents wasted resources and ensures that when police or fire services are called, it is for a genuine emergency.

Remote Monitoring and Virtual Guarding

For businesses that do not require a 24-hour physical presence, remote monitoring offers a fantastic middle ground. Here, off-site professionals utilise the business’s CCTV feeds to keep watch. If they spot suspicious activity, they can issue audio warnings via loudspeakers or dispatch mobile security services to the site. This integration ensures that the business is never truly left unattended, even outside of operating hours.

Enhancing Health, Safety, and Dispute Resolution

The impact of this hybrid approach extends well beyond theft prevention. A positive safety culture is a massive morale booster for employees, and CCTV plays a central role in maintaining it.

Reviewing footage allows management to identify potential trip hazards, assess whether safety protocols are being followed in loading bays, and ensure that lone workers are safe. When staff know that their environment is actively monitored for their well-being, it fosters a sense of care and value.

Additionally, in customer-facing sectors like retail or hospitality, disputes can occasionally arise. High-quality video and audio recording protect both staff and the business by providing an objective account of events. This transparency helps resolve complaints quickly and fairly, often de-escalating situations before they impact the company’s reputation.

The Business Case for Integrated Solutions

Ultimately, investing in comprehensive security services that combine electronic eyes with professional boots on the ground is an investment in business continuity.

The cost of disruption—whether through vandalism, inventory loss, or safety incidents—often far outweighs the investment in a proper protection strategy. Moreover, many insurance providers view this dual approach favourably, offering reduced premiums to businesses that demonstrate a commitment to rigorous risk management.

By integrating these tools, business owners free themselves from the worry of “what if.” They can focus their energy on innovation, customer satisfaction, and expansion, safe in the knowledge that their premises, assets, and people are professionally cared for.

Securing a Resilient Future

The narrative around business security has changed. It is no longer about fortification and fear, but about oversight and intelligence. CCTV provides the data and the vision, while skilled personnel provide the judgment and the action.

Implementing a strategy that utilises both electronic surveillance and manned guarding ensures that a business is robust, responsive, and welcoming. It turns security from a background necessity into a proactive operational asset. For modern enterprises looking to secure their future, this harmonious blend of man and machine is undoubtedly the way forward.

Read more:
Visualising Success: How CCTV Enhances Business Security Strategy

The iGaming market holds huge growth potential for emerging players. iGaming brands are reporting record revenue growth and market expansions every quarter, and as its remarkable growth trajectory continues, it’s influencing digital business models worldwide.

The truth is that players have always looked for more interactive experiences within the iGaming landscape, and as a result, casinos that are not on GamStop are introducing innovative monetization models that blend technology, entertainment, and personalisation.

This write-up delves into how the iGaming industry is reshaping digital entrepreneurship in 2025 to help you understand how it is influencing digital business models worldwide.

The iGaming Boom and Its Impact on Online Business Models

There’s no doubt that the iGaming boom has revolutionised how today’s digital businesses attract, retain, and monetise audiences. The iGaming industry, which has grown far beyond traditional online casinos and sportsbooks, has evolved to become a complex digital ecosystem, and experts attribute this growth to the standardisation of mobile-first platforms, seamless digital payments, and instant account verification.

As a result, businesses in 2025 can easily scale to new regions because this shift has inspired many modern businesses to prioritise speed and convenience.

We can all agree that data is the lifeblood of many digital businesses. Data is now being used to personalise offers and optimise user journeys, and it has had a huge impact on how digital entrepreneurship is conducted in many countries. IGaming companies have been relying on more refined data-driven marketing strategies for many years, an aspect that has set new expectations in today’s digital entrepreneurship.

Subscription, Freemium, and Microtransaction Models

Business models perfected in iGaming are being adopted across eCommerce, apps, and digital services. Subscription tiers cater to diverse customer needs and budgets by offering multiple service levels at different price points.

Under a freemium model, a business will give away a service to its target consumer at no cost, aiming to establish the foundation for future transactions. Finally, in microtransaction models, businesses generate revenue by facilitating small, frequent in-app purchases (IAPs) within a digital product.

Technology Innovations Driving the Transformation

AI, AR/VR, blockchain, and mobile-first design are the technological foundations that have set the stage for the redefinition of how entrepreneurs build online products in 2025. These technologies are commonly used in iGaming, but together, they provide entrepreneurs with frameworks for building digital products that are scalable, secure, and highly interactive.

AI has shown us that there’s a clear connection between digital transformation and business model innovation. This technology has made it easier for brands and companies alike to make things easier and better for their customers by facilitating advanced personalisation, fraud detection, and predictive analytics.

At the same time, AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) have helped brands offer more immersive experiences that have greatly redefined user engagement.

Finally, we’ve all witnessed how blockchain technology has helped improve the financial sector. We can now enjoy borderless transactions seamlessly, as well as more transparent, secure, and trustworthy payments.

AI-Powered Personalization and User Experience

The iGaming sector’s advanced personalisation tools influence UX design as well as customer retention designs used by startups. The use of behavioural data to customise game recommendations, bonuses, and in-platform experiences has been associated with the iGaming industry for years, but now, this trend has spilt over to modern startups, where they utilise the strategy to design user journeys that feel tailored rather than generic.

That’s how many startups have managed to transform digital product experiences. For the most part, they utilise AI systems to collect, analyse, and process vast amounts of user data to improve customer satisfaction and retention.

Blockchain Payments and Web3 Opportunities

Blockchain, the technology behind cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, has opened new opportunities for digital entrepreneurs to build decentralised business models. Blockchain technology offers a transparent and secure way to manage transactions without relying on third parties or intermediaries like banks.

Typically, smart contracts —- self-executing digital agreements built on blockchain technology — offer an extra layer of transparency and security by automating payouts, rewards, and user agreements. The truth is that Web3 tools are and will continue making blockchain-driven models more popular in the years to come.

Marketing Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn from iGaming

The iGaming industry has taught modern entrepreneurs that investing in data-driven marketing is key if they want to offer highly personalised experiences and ensure users keep coming back for more. You see, the iGaming industry excels in performance marketing, where advertisers pay only when specific, measurable actions like clicks, leads, or sales take place, instead of paying upfront for ad placement. SEO, on the other hand, helps in capturing high-intent traffic.

Meanwhile, social media marketing in iGaming and influencer partnerships can help build trust and visibility faster. They typically revolve around forming strategic collaborations to market products and services on the internet.

Finally, gamification and offering personalised offers have played a key role in customer retention in the iGaming industry. In conclusion, savvy entrepreneurs can learn that all these tactics have a proven record of increasing reach and putting the customer first, which in turn builds scalable and engagement-driven digital brands.

Gamification as a Growth Strategy

Gamification as a growth strategy simply means taking something that already exists, like a software application or online community, and using gaming techniques to motivate consistent participation and long-term engagement.

Since iGaming has already perfected gamification, modern entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to transform how they engage customers in other unrelated industries. This included the use of points, challenges, loyalty tiers, and reward mechanisms inspired by the iGaming industry to motivate users to take desired actions, and at the same time, make interactions enjoyable.

Data-Driven Decision Making

In iGaming, the use of analytics, A/B testing, and behavioural insights to improve customer satisfaction and have better strategic planning is very common. Of course, once user experiences are taken care of, the business is able to maximise revenue.

In this case, brands in other unrelated industries can use similar techniques to track player actions, test variations of offers, and analyse engagement patterns to make data-driven decisions instead of relying on intuitions. In essence, data allows brands to scale faster and minimise mistakes, which ultimately boosts business growth and long-term customer retention.

New Business Verticals Emerging Thanks to iGaming

The rapid expansion of the iGaming sector has made ancillary business verticals flourish. Some of the new business verticals that extend beyond traditional gambling include affiliate marketing, content creation, payment solutions, UX consulting, and compliance services.

Affiliate marketing has seen many marketing experts drive traffic and user sign-ups for iGaming operators. It has been a major ecosystem in the iGaming industry for many years, and it’s now being used in other industries to drive growth.

Content creation, which involves producing valuable, relevant content (like blogs, videos, social posts) to attract, engage, and build relationships with a specific audience, has helped build deep audience trust through authentic connection.

Payment solutions have evolved since the introduction of blockchain technology. It has helped resolve the issue of having faster and safer transactions.

At the same time, user experience (UX) is making customer-centricity a core driver of success in modern entrepreneurship, with consultancy firms emerging to offer help to brands seeking better ways to optimise engagement, retention, and accessibility.

Finally, compliance services have helped many brands with a crucial framework for risk mitigation, building trust, and enhancing operational efficiency.

Affiliate Marketing & Influencer Partnerships

Apart from being cost-effective and easy to blend, authentic brand storytelling, affiliate marketing and influencer partnership are among the most profitable niches stemming from the recent iGaming boom.

Digital content creators get to earn a sustainable income through commissions by promoting new betting sites UK players can access on the internet. For entrepreneurs, affiliate marketing allows them to bolster brand visibility — it tends to offer a relatively higher ROI (return on investment) because they are typically performance-based.

Challenges Entrepreneurs Face in the iGaming-Influenced Market

Frequent legal changes, high competition, fast-changing technology, and ethical considerations are some of the main factors founders must account for in 2025. The iGaming industry offers abundant opportunities, but as things stand, there are so many organisations that oppose the idea of marketing gambling-related products, especially gamification in modern entrepreneurship.

Let’s not forget that competition is also intensifying by the day. Player acquisition and retention are becoming more difficult as more established and startups seek customer attention on the internet. At the same time, technology is constantly evolving, which means ethical considerations are a must to ensure that, as companies adapt to new platforms and AI tools, they observe fair practices. This includes avoiding exploitative gamification and protecting user data.

Navigating Regulation and Compliance

Understanding legal frameworks is essential for anyone entering iGaming or iGaming-adjacent industries. That’s because adapting to new challenges means preparing for what may affect your business in the future — in this case, licensing requirements, advertising rules, and responsible gambling regulations that vary widely across jurisdictions.

Many iGaming companies have incurred heavy losses after being fined for violating laws in the jurisdictions in which they operate, affecting their bottom line. So, for startups exploring the lucrative iGaming-adjacent opportunities, they ought to stay informed to ensure they operate legally.

Conclusion

While there may be challenges, the iGaming industry will most likely continue to shape digital entrepreneurship in the years to come, just like in the previous years. Currently, the iGaming landscape is pushing innovation, inspiring new business models, and opening doors for entrepreneurs worldwide.

As everything shifts to mobile and demonstrates how data, gamification, and decentralised systems can engage and retain users, iGaming’s influence will only deepen and inspire more creative, interactive, and technology-driven business ventures globally.

Read more:
How the iGaming Industry is Reshaping Digital Entrepreneurship in 2025

To every business that cares about its reputation, customer conversations matter.

Providing great service has always mattered. Doing it brilliantly and consistently, is where things become hard, particularly for SMEs juggling growth, limited resources and rising customer expectations. At Moneypenny, we exist to solve that challenge. By combining unrivalled people and smart AI, we represent businesses seamlessly, delivering exceptional conversations that protect reputation and drive growth.

That mission has never been more relevant. Customer expectations have shifted dramatically in recent years, changing how people want to engage with businesses of every size, from retail and hospitality to trades, tech, healthcare and property.

Customers now expect the best of both worlds: speed and simplicity for everyday tasks, and real human expertise for the moments that matter. This shift is forcing companies to rethink how they deliver service. Hybrid-service models, which blend human connection with intelligent technology, are fast becoming the new standard. For SMEs, this isn’t just another trend to navigate; it’s a genuine opportunity to compete more confidently with much larger players.

Customers want both: personal expertise and digital convenience

Today’s customers expect seamless experiences. They want reassurance, empathy and expertise when a situation is sensitive or complex, but they also expect quick answers, instant access and zero friction for simpler interactions.

We see this every day across the thousands of businesses we support. Routine enquiries don’t need to wait in a queue, and customers don’t want to repeat themselves or struggle through clunky processes. At the same time, when something really matters, a billing issue, a legal query, a health concern, people want to speak to someone who listens and understands.

Hybrid-service models make this possible. At Moneypenny, our AI Voice Agent can handle routine calls instantly, 24/7, while our people step in for conversations that require judgement, nuance or care. Crucially, the experience is designed around choice. Some customers are perfectly happy to engage with AI for quick answers; others want to speak to a human straight away, and they shouldn’t be made to fight the system to do so. It’s not about choosing between automation and humans. It’s about using both intentionally, and transparently, to create better, more meaningful customer experiences. For SMEs in particular, getting this balance right, and respecting customer preference, can be a powerful point of difference.

Designing a hybrid experience that still feels premium

One common concern for smaller businesses is whether hybrid service will dilute their personal touch. The reality is that it doesn’t, not when the experience is designed with intention.

High-value moments, onboarding calls, consultations, problem-solving and relationship-building, should always feel personal. These are the interactions customers remember and talk about. Meanwhile, routine tasks such as appointment booking, updates or FAQs can often be delivered remotely or through technology without reducing quality.

What customers dislike isn’t the fact that a service is hybrid; it’s confusion. Unclear communication, inconsistent tone and uncertainty about who is handling what quickly erode trust. Setting expectations early, explaining how your service works and being transparent about the customer journey all build confidence. And confidence builds loyalty.

A well-designed hybrid model allows SMEs to deliver a premium experience consistently, even as they scale.

Restructuring teams to support hybrid delivery

Hybrid service doesn’t just change how businesses serve customers; it changes how teams operate internally.

Many SMEs simply don’t have the headcount to manage multiple communication channels or provide round-the-clock responsiveness, but they don’t need to. Outsourcing services such as lead qualification, appointment booking, payment taking, live chat or administrative support is often far more sustainable than hiring in-house. It also frees internal teams to focus on the work that truly drives growth.

When repetitive tasks are removed, people can concentrate on customer care, problem-solving and strategic work, the areas where human expertise really shines. Hybrid models also encourage more specialised roles, improving both efficiency and job satisfaction.

That said, hybrid raises the bar on communication. Clear messaging, consistent tone of voice and strong documentation are essential to delivering a seamless experience across both digital and human touchpoints. Businesses that invest in this groundwork are the ones that see the greatest return.

Pricing differently in a hybrid world

Customer expectations around pricing are evolving too.

Businesses can position high-impact, specialist support at a premium, while tech-enabled or remote elements can be priced more predictably. This opens the door to clearer packages, subscriptions or retainers, models that are particularly attractive to SMEs looking for stable, recurring revenue.

Hybrid delivery can also improve margins. When routine tasks are automated or outsourced, costs become more controllable without compromising service quality. Transparency is critical here. Customers trust businesses that clearly explain where efficiency is gained and where expertise is being applied. When people understand the value, they are far more willing to pay for quality.

Technology should make life easier, not harder

With so many tools on the market, it’s easy for SMEs to feel overwhelmed. But technology adopted for its own sake rarely delivers results. The most successful hybrid businesses start with the outcome they want to achieve for their customers, then select the technology required to enable it, not the other way around. By designing the customer journey first and choosing tools that genuinely enhance it, businesses avoid unnecessary complexity and focus investment where it delivers real impact.

The right technology should reduce admin, integrate smoothly, simplify service delivery and complement your people. If it doesn’t make life easier for your team or your customers, it isn’t the right fit.

At its best, technology fades into the background, enabling businesses to focus on what really matters: building relationships, protecting reputation and delivering great service, every time.

Hybrid isn’t a buzzword, it’s a competitive advantage

For SMEs across every sector, hybrid-service models are no longer optional. They are a strategic advantage. Done well, they improve customer satisfaction, increase operational efficiency, reduce pressure on teams and allow businesses to scale sustainably without losing their personal touch.

At Moneypenny, our role is simple: to be a trusted partner, always in our clients’ corner, helping them deliver exceptional customer conversations that drive growth. By combining brilliant people with smart AI, we empower businesses of all sizes to compete, grow and protect the reputations they’ve worked so hard to build.

Most importantly, hybrid brings together what customers value most: the speed of technology and the humanity of real people. And that combination will define the businesses that thrive in 2026 and beyond.

By Mark Finlay, Chief Commercial Officer, Moneypenny

Read more:
Why hybrid-service models are the future for business in 2026

New multi-AI integration enables real-time cross-verification for translation precision

In the world of AI translation, relying on a single engine has long meant accepting its blind spots. From occasional hallucinations to awkward phrasing or cultural mismatches, many businesses have learned that one engine’s output often isn’t enough.

That’s why MachineTranslation.com is making a decisive shift, introducing five new AI engines to its platform and expanding its lineup to an unprecedented 22 AIs. The goal? Accuracy through consensus, rather than reliance on a single algorithm.

“The problem isn’t a lack of AI options; it is finding the one that truly understands your specific context,” says Ofer Tirosh, CEO of Tomedes, the language services provider behind MachineTranslation.com.

“That is the power of MachineTranslation.com’s SMART option. You don’t have to rely on a single opinion. SMART compares all AIs and automatically selects the translation that the majority agree on per sentence. It is about achieving accuracy through aggregation and consensus.”

From AI Guesswork to AI Agreement

With the addition of Meta’s Llama, Amazon’s Nova, AI21’s Jamba, Moonshot’s Kimi, and Z.ai’s GLM, users now benefit from a system that analyzes each sentence across 22 different engines, instantly surfacing the most consistent translation based on cross-model agreement.

This marks a major enhancement to the platform’s SMART feature, which doesn’t just display multiple outputs but actively compares them to find the best-fit translation. It’s like putting your content through a panel of experts, each with a different linguistic strength.

The result? Internal evaluations show a reduction of 18–22% in obvious translation errors and stylistic drifts compared to single-model usage.

What Makes Each AI Model Unique?

Each newly added engine plays a distinct role in the ensemble:

Meta’s Llama – The “Human” Touch: Offers fluency and naturalness, flagging robotic outputs.
Amazon’s Nova – The Speed Engine: Optimized for processing speed and large-scale content loads.
Moonshot’s Kimi – The Context King: Excels at understanding long documents and maintaining narrative flow.
ai’s GLM – The Deep Thinker: Known for logical clarity and syntactic complexity handling.
AI21’s Jamba – The Professional: Prioritizes formal tone and reliability for business communications.

Each one adds a new dimension to translation review and helps filter out hallucinations, grammatical oddities, or culturally inaccurate phrases.

“These models aren’t just copies of one another; they think differently,” says Shashank Jain, Tech Lead at MachineTranslation.com.

“We’ve optimized the platform so that adding five more AIs doesn’t mean waiting five times as long. It is a seamless, instant experience.”

A Transparent Translation Workflow

One of the core philosophies behind MachineTranslation.com is transparency. Instead of hiding behind opaque algorithms, the platform shows users exactly how each engine interpreted the source.

“We are building a glass box, not a black box,” says Rachelle Garcia, AI Lead at MachineTranslation.com.

“Users deserve to see exactly how different AIs interpret their words so they can move forward with total trust. By adding distinct AIs like Moonshot’s Kimi, AI21’s Jamba, Amazon’s Nova (and more), we give users a wider palette. If Meta’s Llama misses a cultural idiom, Z.ai’s GLM might catch it (and vice versa). It allows for nuance verification in seconds.”

Features like segmented bilingual view, translation quality scores, and side-by-side output comparison help users evaluate and refine translations with more confidence than ever.

Designed for Teams that Need Accuracy at Scale

This upgrade is particularly impactful for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), localization teams, and multilingual content producers managing high-volume workflows.

By enabling cross-verification at the sentence level, teams can quickly detect outliers, flag inconsistencies, and push reliable content forward, without the delays or costs of full manual review.

And thanks to recent backend optimizations, users won’t experience any speed penalties when working with the full set of 22 engines.

Translation Without the Guesswork

The 22-AI update is now live and accessible for all users. Whether you’re localizing marketing content, preparing regulatory documents, or managing large-scale translation projects, you can now cross-check your output across the most comprehensive lineup of AI models in the industry.

Stop guessing. Start comparing.

Visit MachineTranslation.com to explore the enhanced SMART feature and translate with unmatched confidence.

Read more:
MachineTranslation.com Redefines Accuracy in AI Translation with 22-Engine Rollout

Trustly is an open banking payment method that enables you to transfer money directly between your bank account and an online casino.

Rather than using a card or setting up a separate e-wallet, you simply log in through your own bank’s secure interface to authorise a transaction. The process works for both deposits and withdrawals, and because it connects straight to your bank, there’s no middleman holding your funds.

Over the past few years, Trustly has grown significantly in popularity among UK slot players. There are now plenty of Trustly casinos available in the UK for slots fans to choose from, and the payment method ticks a lot of boxes that matter to players. From generous limits to fast cashouts, it offers a combination of features that make it genuinely useful.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key reasons why using Trustly to play slots in the UK has become so popular.

Access to a huge range of slot games

One of the first things every slot player wants to know when considering a new payment method is whether it limits their options. The good news is that casinos with Trustly often have many slots and a lot of variety, resulting in extensive game libraries. This applies to small or niche sites and larger platforms, with many operators choosing to partner with the best software providers in the industry.

That means you’ll usually find thousands of slot games to choose from. Whether you prefer classic fruit machines, Megaways titles with thousands of ways to win, or progressive jackpot slots where the prize pools climb into the millions, Trustly casinos generally have you covered.

Some of the top slot providers you’ll commonly find at these sites include:

Pragmatic Play
NetEnt
Big Time Gaming
Red Tiger
Blueprint Gaming

These developers are responsible for some of the most popular slots on the market, so choosing these sites certainly doesn’t mean compromising on game quality or variety.

Trustly unlocks most slot bonuses

If you’ve spent any time browsing casino bonuses, you’ll know that not all payment methods are eligible. Some options are excluded from triggering welcome bonuses, free spins offers, or ongoing promotions, with PayPal being a common example. While it’s a trusted and widely used e-wallet, many UK casinos restrict bonus eligibility for deposits made through it.

Trustly rarely faces these issues. Because it’s a direct bank transfer rather than an e-wallet, most casinos don’t apply restrictions. That means you can typically claim the full range of promotions on offer, including both packages for new players and any ongoing promotions for existing players.

For slot fans, this matters quite a bit. Free spins are one of the most common bonus types and are available specifically for playing slots, so being locked out of them simply because of your payment method is frustrating. With Trustly, you can usually avoid that problem entirely and take full advantage of whatever catches your eye.

Flexible deposit and withdrawal limits

Different players have different budgets, and a good payment method should work for everyone. Trustly does this well by offering flexible limits at both ends of the scale.

For casual players, the low minimum deposits make it easy to get started without committing too much. Most casino sites set their minimum deposit for Trustly at around £10, though some go even lower. Minimum withdrawal limits are similarly reasonable, usually sitting at £10 or thereabouts. That means if you land a modest win, you can still cash it out without needing to hit a high threshold first.

More experienced players can appreciate the generous maximum limits. You can often deposit up to several thousand pounds in a single transaction, which is higher than many other payment methods allow. The same applies to withdrawals. If you’re fortunate enough to hit a big win, you can usually withdraw larger amounts without needing to split them across multiple transactions over several days.

This makes managing your bankroll far more straightforward, ensuring Trustly is ideal for all types of players.

Quick withdrawals and other perks

Nobody wants to wait days to receive their winnings. One of Trustly’s biggest selling points is that it’s one of the best UK withdrawal methods for casino players, with these transactions often processing within a matter of hours. Some people even report receiving funds instantly. Of course, the exact timing depends on the casino’s own processing procedures, but Trustly itself doesn’t introduce unnecessary delays.

Beyond speed, there are several other practical benefits worth mentioning. First, you don’t need to create a separate account with another service, unlike with e-wallets. You simply use your existing online banking credentials to authorise payments, meaning it’s one less account to manage.

Second, you never share your payment details with a casino site. Every transaction happens through your bank’s own secure login page. For those who are cautious about online security, this is a genuine benefit.

Finally, most of the UK’s banks are supported. This includes major names such as Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, HSBC, and Santander, along with many smaller banks. The chances are your current bank is already compatible, so you can start using it straight away without switching accounts or jumping through hoops.

When you add it all up, Trustly offers a genuinely convenient way to fund your slots play. For UK players looking for a reliable and hassle-free payment option, it’s easy to see why so many have made the switch.

Read more:
Why Trustly slots are a great option for UK players