Press Releases
Meridianbet Foundation (GMGI) Marks Five Years of Successful Global Scholarship Program

For the fifth consecutive year, the Meridianbet Foundation is proud to recognize and reward exceptional academic talent through its scholarship program. This program now reaches students across all markets where Meridianbet operates, supporting their academic journey and professional aspirations with meaningful financial awards and industry exposure.
Meridianbet, founded in 2001 and now part of Golden Matrix Group (NASDAQ: GMGI), has grown into a global leader in online sports betting and gaming. Operating in 17 jurisdictions across Europe, Africa, and South America, Meridianbet leverages proprietary technology and a scalable, omni-channel approach across retail, desktop, and mobile platforms. This commitment to innovation and accessibility extends beyond gaming, driving Meridianbet’s support for initiatives like the scholarship program, which fosters talent and empowers communities across all markets it serves.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders
These scholarships are more than financial assistance—they represent the company’s commitment to empowering young people with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary for success. For our awardees, the Meridianbet Foundation Scholarship is a launchpad for both academic and career development, fostering a strong foundation for their futures. Awardees have consistently shared how this support motivates them to excel further and make a positive impact in their communities.
Promoting Civic Engagement and Sustainability
The Meridianbet Foundation believes in fostering a well-rounded educational experience that extends beyond academic excellence. Our scholarship recipients are not only top students but also active participants in civic and sustainability projects. Many have contributed to initiatives in recycling, public space maintenance, and environmental stewardship, setting an example for responsible community involvement.
Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Business
As a tech-driven company, Meridianbet recognizes the evolving skill gaps between traditional education and the demands of the contemporary business. To help close this gap, the Meridianbet Foundation actively support scholars in building practical skills across key fields, such as marketing, game design, artificial intelligence, investor relations, regulatory compliance, and human resources.
By connecting students directly with hands-on experiences in the fast-paced tech industry, the company offers them a competitive edge as they begin their professional journeys. This unique opportunity allows scholars to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting and acquire globally relevant expertise.
A Lasting Commitment to Academic Excellence
The Meridianbet Foundation’s dedication to fostering educational growth and professional development remains stronger than ever. By investing in the potential of exceptional students, Meridianbet continues to build a future workforce that is not only skilled but also socially conscious. The company looks forward to seeing how these remarkable individuals use this opportunity to excel, innovate, and contribute to their communities.
The post Meridianbet Foundation (GMGI) Marks Five Years of Successful Global Scholarship Program appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Defy the Odds
Defy the Odds and EDGE Markets Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation in Betting and Gaming Payments
The two companies will work together to continue to springboard newly funded EDGE Markets
Defy the Odds (DTO), a startup launchpad supporting entrepreneurs in the gaming and betting industry, announced a strategic partnership with EDGE Markets, the company behind EDGE Boost, one of the first debit card products designed specifically for responsible gaming. Together, the two companies aim to enhance financial accessibility and innovation within the gaming space while also promoting more responsible gaming. DTO will provide a host of advisory, consultative and partnership development services within the gaming sector to EDGE Markets.
“From our more than 80 collective years of experience in the betting industry, Sue Schneider, Kelly Kehn and I feel that EDGE Boost is exactly what the betting community needs right now,” said Paris Smith, Co-Founder of Defy the Odds. “Not only does it give players easy access to their own funds while promoting responsible gaming, but its built-in tools encourage smarter play. For operators, it identifies responsible players without adding extra costs or complexity. We’re excited to partner with Seni and the EDGE Markets team and help drive EDGE Boost to the next level.”
Defy the Odds will join EDGE Boost’s advisory network and also provide insights on how EDGE Boost can integrate itself further into the betting and gaming industry. Last month, EDGE Markets came out of stealth mode, announcing it had closed a $17.2 million funding round and that, since the start of 2024, the EDGE Boost debt card has already processed over $300 million in transactions.
“EDGE Boost is focused on providing bettors with financial tools that enhance their experience while keeping responsible gaming at the forefront,” said Seni Thomas, Founder and CEO of EDGE Markets. “Working with Defy the Odds will allow us to introduce our technology to many more eyes and innovators in the betting and iGaming space, giving them the financial flexibility they need to succeed while also promoting responsible gaming.”
The EDGE Boost bank account is FDIC-insured up to $250,000*, providing financial security, while all user data is safeguarded on a private, encrypted platform. EDGE Boost users are already using the card for transactions across all major digital gaming platforms, without any fees or integration required for operators.
The post Defy the Odds and EDGE Markets Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation in Betting and Gaming Payments appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Affiliate Industry
44 New Brands Growth in Q1’25: Affilka by SOFTSWISS Results

Affilka by SOFTSWISS reports its business performance in Q1 2025, continuing its steady growth as one of the industry’s leading affiliate marketing platforms.
The first quarter of the year marked a period of significant achievements for Affilka by SOFTSWISS. In January, it was named Affiliate Company of the Year at the International Gaming Awards 2025, highlighting its growing recognition in the industry.
In the first three months of 2025, 44 new brands joined the Affilka platform, bringing the total number to over 450 brands. During the same period, affiliate GGR rose by 2.7%, the number of visits increased by 3.1%, and affiliate payments grew by 13.2% compared to Q4 2024. Overall, Affilka now supports over 400 thousand affiliate accounts (+23.1% vs Q4 2024) and tracks more than 98 million registered players, up from 87 million in Q4 2024.
Alongside its financial gains, Affilka maintains an active pace of product development. The team is now preparing to release a new feature: Cross-Brand Player Duplicate Detection. It will enable operators to detect identical player accounts across multiple brands within a single affiliate program. The tool will allow operators to optimise their marketing costs and improve traffic quality.
The innovation is the third major update released by Affilka in the last six months. Earlier, the platform introduced the Geo-Distributed Redirect feature, which reduces user redirect times by fivefold and boosts player conversion. The most recent tool, the Cohort Analysis Report, enables operators to track and evaluate player behaviour more effectively.
“Affiliate marketing is evolving fast, and Affilka evolves with it,” says Anastasia Borovaya, Head of Affilka by SOFTSWISS. “We’re focused on helping our partners meet emerging challenges – whether that means offering new ways to analyse player behaviour, refine traffic strategy, or cut costs without losing efficiency. The Cross-Brand Duplicate Detection tool is one more example of how we turn real-world operator needs into functional, high-impact solutions.”
Anastasia Borovaya recently participated as a guest lecturer at the Academy of Gaming Operations, where she led a session on the Affiliate Management course. She is expected to return to teach the course again in the second half of 2025.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS complies with a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post 44 New Brands Growth in Q1’25: Affilka by SOFTSWISS Results appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Press Releases
Ygam team up with TSB Bank

Ygam and TSB Bank have joined forces to help increase understanding of in-game spending and help young gamers manage their money with confidence.
Ygam and TSB Bank have joined forces to help increase understanding of in-game spending and help young gamers manage their money with confidence.
As part of this collaboration, they have co-created specialist educational resources for schools. Developed with Ygam’s expertise and delivered by TSB Bank staff as part of their school’s programme which runs throughout the UK, the module aims to provide young gamers with practical guidance on managing their money and understanding potential financial risks while gaming.
A recent Censuswide survey of over 2,000 young gamers, commissioned by TSB, found that while the average initial cost of a game is £32, gamers spend an average of £540 annually on in-game purchases and subscriptions. Nearly half (47%) of those who spend money in-game feel they have little or no control over their spending while playing.
Linda Scollins Smith, Director of Programmes at Ygam, said: “Gaming now plays a central role in young people’s lives, offering significant benefits. However, it is always important to safeguard against the risks, and the increasing sophistication of game monetisation through microtransactions and in-game purchases underscores the need for education on this issue. We are delighted to be working with TSB to support their school programmes, combining financial education with gaming education, to help young gamers develop healthy habits and navigate the digital world safely.”
Kate Osiadacz, Head of Responsible Business, TSB, said: “Gaming is often one of young people’s first interactions with spending or managing their money digitally; so we’re pleased to be working with Ygam to reach young people with targeted advice. Our Money Confident schools programme greatly benefits from Ygam’s insight – and we’re keen help empower the next generation to make informed decisions for their financial lives ahead.”
According to a 2024 Mumsnet survey commissioned by Ygam, 88% of parents in the UK believe schools should provide education on gaming, despite only 35% reporting that their children currently do. Furthermore, 99% of these parents think this education should begin by the end of Key Stage 2.
Alongside developing educational resources, Ygam and TSB Bank will collaborate on a range of initiatives throughout 2025 to raise awareness of this issue and support families in avoiding unexpected costs from gaming.
For more information about Ygam and our portfolio of education programmes, please visit our training pages or email [email protected].
The post Ygam team up with TSB Bank appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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