TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, today
announced that Ukash has become the newest member of the body.
Ukash is a Global e-Money Network, operating
across more than 50 countries in six continents. Uniquely numbered Ukash ®
vouchers are widely available through over 400,000 payment terminals in retail
outlets and online from the company’s website. These vouchers enable consumers
to convert their cash into electronic money that can then be spent online.
Ukash enables participating online games
merchants to accept cash at their website without risk of repudiations and
charge-backs. They also benefit from accepting Ukash because they open up new
markets to which they can sell their goods and services online. Consumers
benefit from their financial identity being protected.
In the past year, Ukash has added 46 publishers to
their portfolio, including Electronic Arts, Bigpoint, Perfect World Entertainment, Gala-Net,
and Gameforge. In 2011, Ukash was a
winner of the Queen’s Award and ranked in the Times 2011 Tech Track 100.
Since its launch in 2005 Ukash has become a
globally-recognised payment method that enables online transactions using cash,
providing freedom from credit and debit card fraud, repudiations and
charge-backs, and protecting personal identity.
Paul Coxhill, Marketing Director of Ukash, explains the reason why he
decided to join TIGA:
“The United Kingdom is one of the
strongest markets for Ukash, and the percentage of users opting to use
alternative payments online is increasing daily. Ukash is joining TIGA to
promote alternative payment methods online as a way for games publishers to
monetise more paying users who are cash players. Ukash is also available in
over 50 countries, which means we can help and advise developers and publishers
on how to monetise players in other countries.”
Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, welcomed Ukash to TIGA:
“TIGA’s research shows that an increasing proportion of developers are
becoming self-publishers and that they are experimenting with a variety of
business models. Ukash is an award winning company with an expertise in online
payment methods. I am sure that many developers will be interested in examining
Ukash’s services. We welcome Ukash to TIGA.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
What is
Ukash?
Ukash® is
the Global e-Money Network and internationally recognised e-commerce cash
payment method that enables consumers from anywhere in the world to shop, pay
and play online safely, using cash. This secure payment method was developed to
protect personal identity and financial information when making online
transactions; reducing the threat of credit and debit card fraud for consumers
and repudiations and charge-backs for retailers. Ukash has no age limit, so consumers
of all ages can make the most of safe payment online.
Ukash vouchers are purchased with cash in retail outlets and issued
online from the company’s website. The unique 19 digit vouchers are then used
to pay directly with cash on any of the thousands of websites that accept Ukash
transactions worldwide.
Established in 2001 under the holding company Smart Voucher Ltd, Ukash
has grown to more than 420,000 physical points of purchase, and is available in
more than 50 countries around the world in 6 continents. In 2008, Ukash
established a strategic partnership with South African payments giant Blue
Label Telecoms – part owned by Microsoft – to develop the brand’s services.
Ukash is regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) and
operates as one of only a small number of Electronic Money Institutions, a
status that allows a single maximum online cash payment transaction of up to
£500/€750.
About TIGA:
TIGA is the
trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our
members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned
developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology
businesses and universities amongst our membership. In 2010 TIGA won two
business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade
Association Forum. In 2011,
TIGA won six business awards including ‘Trade
Association of the Year’ from the Trade Association Forum and ‘Outstanding
Organisation’ from the Chartered Management Institute. Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’
from the Trade Association Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the
Chartered Management Institute.
TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.
TIGA's vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to
do games business. We focus on three sets of activities: political
representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance
the competitiveness of our members. This means that TIGA members are
effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the
media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their
businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial
opportunities.
For further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on:
07875 939 643, or email richard.wilson@tiga.org.