Press Releases
National Gambling Education and Support Programme Launched for the UK
GamCare and YGAM will be working together to provide a new national gambling education and support programme for young people aged 11-19 across the UK.
The initiative will equip a generation of young people to better understand the risks associated with gambling and engage with gambling products and environments in an informed way.
The programme is part of a package of BGC Safer Gambling Commitments announced in November 2019. It will involve direct provision of education to 120,000 young people, in addition to the training of over 100,000 professionals who deliver education to young people – including teachers, youth workers, community mental health practitioners, police and community sports trusts.
GamCare and YGAM have set out the following shared aspirations for gambling education in the UK:
All 11-19-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive at least one session of gambling awareness education during their secondary/further education (provision in Scotland is delivered through Fast Forward)
All teachers, youth workers and other professionals working with young people should have access to information about the risks of gambling, how to identify gambling related harm in young people and where help can be sought.
All parents and families should have access to information about young people’s gambling, how to keep young people safe, and where they can be referred for help and support.
All young people (aged 18 and under) who are ‘at risk’ of or have developed a problem with gambling, or are affected by the gambling of someone close to them (e.g. a parent), should have access to age-appropriate treatment
The evidence-led, evaluated, and accredited education programmes extend beyond the individuals they reach directly by equipping people with the skills and confidence to talk to others about gambling harms and identify harmful behaviour in those close to them.
Anna Hemmings, CEO of GamCare, says:
“GamCare have been working with young people and youth facing professionals to deliver gambling education for many years. What we see in the classroom tends to be polarised views on gambling, and a lack of clear understanding about its potential risks. We are delighted to be working with YGAM and extending this much needed programme. We believe that gambling education should have parity with education around other risky behaviours and the extension of this programme will help us take a significant step towards achieving that aim.”
Lee Willows, founder and CEO of YGAM, says:
“Building upon our five-year track record of training professionals who have influence over young people’s learning, we are delighted to be working with GamCare, the Betting & Gaming Council and their members and our various external evaluation partners to scale our geographical reach to deliver this ambitious programme. Raising awareness and harm-prevention education is an important component to reduce gambling-related harms. By training professionals who have influence over young people’s learning, we will equip these professionals with the skills, knowledge and confidence to not only deliver the programme but also highlight the age-appropriate support available from GamCare.”
The education programme will be supported by a range of high-quality materials developed in accordance with PSHE Association, City and Guilds and Pearson quality standards.
To ensure the programme is delivered throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, resources will be further enriched by quality video and digital content reflective of the spaces in which young people consume information.
Those identified as being impacted by gambling-related harm through the programme will be able to receive seamless access to help and support from the GamCare team and via our youth facing website: www.BigDeal.org.uk
The Betting and Gaming Council is providing funds for the programme to the Charities Aid Foundation, which will disperse the funds to GamCare and YGAM in accordance with the grant. The programme will be overseen by an independent evaluator who will report regularly on progress against key target objectives.
Casino Guru
Casino Guru enriches its portfolio with a dedicated sweepstakes casino database and updated safety index
Casino Guru, the global authority on online casino transparency and player safety, is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of a dedicated sweepstakes casino overview tailored to the rapidly evolving U.S. market.
Following months of in-depth research and development, the company has unveiled a new initiative focused on social sweepstakes casinos — a unique and increasingly popular segment of the online gaming space. As part of this expansion, Casino Guru has adapted its trusted Safety Index to reflect the specific characteristics of sweepstakes casino models.
“We’ve been hearing about sweepstakes casinos for quite some time, from social media buzz to community discussions and expert panels,” said Jozef Krucay, Branch Operations Lead at Casino Guru. “It became clear this wasn’t just a passing trend, but a notable shift in how people engage with online entertainment.”
Unlike traditional online casinos, sweepstakes casinos use virtual currencies such as Gold Coins, Sweeps Cash, or Vegas Gems. Players can enjoy games for free or use purchasable coins to enhance their experience. With some luck, they may receive a special sweepstakes currency, which can be redeemed for real-world prizes — presenting both exciting opportunities and important considerations for player protection.
Casino Guru’s newly launched content includes:
- Listings for 11 published sweepstakes casinos, with over 60 more identified and currently in development
- An adapted Safety Index that reflects the distinct risks and rules of sweepstakes platforms
- Educational materials and player resources, including complaint-handling tools
- Planned detailed reviews to provide deeper insights into each platform
“Our goal is to help players navigate this growing space with the same clarity and confidence we’ve brought to traditional online casinos,” Jozef added. “As always, our focus remains on transparency, safety, and informed decision-making.”
This new direction positions Casino Guru at the forefront of player advocacy in emerging casino formats — with a clear path toward future expansion in the broader world of social and sweepstakes gaming.
The post Casino Guru enriches its portfolio with a dedicated sweepstakes casino database and updated safety index appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Conferences
Fast Track showcases AI-driven CRM, gamification and bonus abuse prevention at SBC Americas 2025
Fast Track announces its participation at the upcoming SBC Summit Americas 2025, taking place between May 13-15 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event is one of the most significant gatherings for the Latin American and North American iGaming markets, and will bring together operators and suppliers from across the region, offering a unique platform for innovation and collaboration.
As Fast Track continues to strengthen its’ market regional presence, the tech supplier will showcase its full lineup of solutions that set it apart in the iGaming industry: CRM, AI-driven gamification, and bonus abuse prevention. These core three pillars work together to help operators across Latin America and North America to enhance player engagement, manage risks, and drive sustainable growth.
“Fast Track has established a solid presence across several North and Latin American markets, and the SBC Summit Americas is the perfect platform for us to connect with both existing partners and new operators,” said Simon Lidzén, Co-Founder and CEO of Fast Track. “We’re excited to showcase how our AI-driven ecosystem is helping operators transform player engagement and achieve exponential growth.”
Visitors to Fast Track’s stands D430 and D440 will have the opportunity to explore the company’s complete product offering, including:
- CRM: Built around the innovative concept of Singularity, Fast Track’s CRM enables operators to deliver highly personalised, dynamic player experiences that boost retention and loyalty.
- Rewards: An AI-driven gamification ecosystem designed to seamlessly integrate with CRM operations, turning every player visit into a rewarding experience.
- Greco: The only Gameplay Risk Engine offering operators real-time insights and advanced risk management capabilities by providing detailed insights into player activity.
The post Fast Track showcases AI-driven CRM, gamification and bonus abuse prevention at SBC Americas 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
MixRift unveils brand new strategic PvP arena gaming experience
MixRift, an innovative mixed reality (MR) gaming developer, today announced the official launch of Battle Orb, a competitive strategy game which invites players to challenge each other and transform their physical surroundings into dynamic battlefields. Available now for Meta Quest platforms, Battle Orb represents the next evolution in mutli-player MR gaming.
A first PvP game for MixRift, Battle Orb allows players to step into immersive arenas where physical and digital worlds collide. Skill meets chaos in this fast-paced multiplayer strategy game, which challenges players to aim, shoot, and dominate with speed and precision across customized battlefields, combining tactical thinking with physics-based gameplay. Every hit counts as players collide, strategise and outplay opponents from around the world, from the comfort of their own homes. Players can compete in 2-player or 4-player battles, earn trophies, unlock and upgrade powerful units, and master unique arenas to climb the leaderboard.
“With Battle Orb, we’re not just launching a game, we’re basically turning your living room into a fantasy battleground.” said Bobby Voicu, CEO of MixRift. “We wanted to create something where anyone can jump in and start having fun in seconds, but that you could also master and keep replaying. I think this is what the future of gaming looks like, and it’s a blast!”
Key Features:
- HD Graphics: Cutting-edge MR design technology creates a truly immersive gaming experience
- Creative Character Options: Choose from tens of monsters, creatures, and cartoons to play with – each one zanier than the last
- Real-Time PvP Action: Face-off in 2-player or 4-player matches full of high-stakes action
- Physics Meets Strategy: Master the perfect angle, power, and timing to outmaneuver opponents, and perfect your shots to climb through the ranks
- Unique Units & Powers: Earn wins and open loot chests to unlock and upgrade special characters and abilities
- Environmental Integration: Scale your battlefield to fit any space, turning living rooms into competitive arenas
- Competitive Progression: Climb global leaderboards through a rewarding rank system and prove you’re the righteous winner
The game’s intuitive controls ensure players of all skill levels can jump in immediately, while the strategic elements provide long-term engagement for competitive gamers. Battle Orb’s intuitive and quick matchmaking system means players are matched with others in similar ranks within seconds.
Battle Orb has been designed with comfort and safety in mind, earning a “Comfortable” rating and PEGI 3 classification, making it appropriate for players of all ages while still delivering compelling gameplay for serious competitors.
“We’ve created Battle Orb to be a really special mixed-reality competitive experience,” said Voicu. “The way it transforms your physical environment into a strategic battlefield creates moments of gaming magic that simply aren’t possible in traditional formats.”
Availability:
Battle Orb is available now on the Meta Quest Store for Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest 2 platforms. The game requires an internet connection for its online features.
For more information, visit https://mixrift.com/ or follow MixRift on social media for updates, tournaments, and community highlights.
The post Physics-Based Strategy Meets Mixed Reality: Battle Orb Redefines Competitive Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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