Latest News
How 2 Bolton Based Businesses are Tackling Addiction in the Aftermath of Lockdown
Two Bolton based businesses, Acquiesce and WHYSUP, recorded a podcast discussing addiction, and how they are tackling it following the coronavirus lockdown.
Acquiesce is a private rehabilitation centre, offering luxury accommodation and an urban recovery model that integrates recovery into everyday life. Tina, the senior practitioner at Acquiesce, oversees each individual’s entire journey.
WHYSUP was founded by Mark and Liam. They work to deliver presentations, workshops and keynotes to schools and businesses across the UK to educate and raise awareness of mental health and addiction.
Mark’s Story
Mark begins by explaining his battle with a gambling addiction that started with a bet when he was just sixteen. By 21 he realised he needed help and attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings.
“I remember going to a GA meeting, looking around and thinking ‘Well I’ve not lost my house, not lost my wife, not lost my family. I’m not as bad as these so I don’t need help.”
By 25 he had a girlfriend and a professional job. Everyone around him thought he had left his old life behind and was on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case.
At 29, he was kidnapped and held hostage by a group with machetes who were demanding ransom from his mother. Luckily, the police tracked his phone and rescued him.
Mark finally hit rock bottom when his family turned their backs on him. Without his family, he felt that suicide was the only way out of his mess but knew the impact this would have on everyone around him, including his children.
With help from his mum, Mark went to rehab in Birmingham. He took part in the fourteen week programme but stayed there for another five and a half months.
In rehab, Mark wrote down all of his debts. He initially thought he owed a total of £100,000 but now says it was closer to £306,000.
“It’s like I’m talking about a different person now when I look back. Thankfully that’s where it turned around for me. Rehab saved my life.”
Liam’s Story
Around the age of 13, Liam started to experiment with alcohol and drugs like many teenagers at the time.
“There was no prevention or awareness, no knowledge of addiction. My decisions were based on ‘Am I going to get caught?’”
“By 15 I was taking Class A drugs several times a week. I thought drinking and drugs were a normal part of life. I also thought I was good at it because I could do it and still do what I was supposed to be doing.”
Liam got his GCSEs, enjoyed Thai boxing, got his A levels and had a long term girlfriend, all whilst taking drugs.
“I was living a double life. No one knew. From the outside I was seen as popular and successful, the things that you don’t associate with addiction. That’s why I never thought I had a problem.”
He also started struggling with his mental health, dealing with feelings of shame, guilt and paranoia. Liam finally acknowledged his problem after crashing four cars in one week and his family started to ask questions.
“From the minute rehab was mentioned I booked myself in. I pretty much destroyed everyone I loved because I had to tell them what had been going on. When I came out, I went back to normal life, the life where I’d taken drugs for 19 years.”
Following rehab, Liam continued to take drugs after he relapsed at a funeral. His wife became frustrated with the chaos and arranged for him to stay with Mark.
“It wasn’t easy but I was given a safe place. I was able to build a recovery in the real world, which is very important because you can’t just live in a bubble.”
Mark encouraged Liam to make weekly plans, give up his cash card and attend the gym in the same way that he did when he was in recovery at the halfway house.
“I didn’t need to change my location, I needed to change my mindset. People, places, routine, structure- I had to relearn it all to get where I am today. This is why we got in touch with Acquiesce. It integrates the real world into your recovery.
Acquiesce
Acquiesce provides a discreet, highly supported and safe environment within the community to recover in. Without being hidden from the real world, the urban recovery model allows individuals to gain all the tools and experience necessary whilst maintaining a carefully monitored level of responsibility over their own recovery.
This makes the transitional period from treatment a much smoother process, resulting in a more sustainable recovery journey.
WHYSUP
Mark and Liam started WHYSUP after discussing how their addictions started and the mental challenges they had faced. They wondered if anything would have changed had they been given a talk in school.
Three years later, their service is well established and works in three different sectors; education, business and sport.
They have spoken to over 30,000 people nationwide. Over the last 18 months, people with some form of experience have joined the team. Initially their key focus was addiction but they now focus more on mental health and wellbeing.
Support During Lockdown
The team were managing the number of calls well, especially once they hired a professional who helped with more severe cases. Unfortunately, when lockdown started, calls quadrupled and they could no longer meet the demand.
“We underestimated how many and how severely people were declining. They were threatening suicide and we had to drop off flowers at funerals of people who would likely still be here if it wasn’t for lockdown.”
Acquiesce also had an increase in calls, with people experiencing anxiety and fear from a loss of jobs and uncertainty about the future. Tina explained that the number of individuals at high risk from drinking has doubled according to Public Health England.
“We found that some clients have relapsed after being clean for many years and have had to come back into treatment.” Tina added.
When defining addiction from a professional point of view, Tina says they look at withdrawals, tolerance, loss of control, broken promises and consequences, but that in reality it’s a much wider perspective.
“I define addiction as a compulsive behaviour that is impossible to stop without professional help and support. As much as you try to convince yourself you can do it alone, I know from experience that you just can’t.” Added Mark
Liam’s definition of addiction has changed over time. He said, “Two and a half years ago, I’d have talked about drugs. For me now it’s more than a substance or behaviour, it centres around thinking and feeling.”
Tina explained that the Acquiesce programme is very much about positivity, positive self talk, self esteem, gaining confidence.
“When clients come in, their addiction has robbed their self esteem and we work to get it back.”
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction or mental health issues, please book a callback with Acquiesce at acquiesce.org.uk/contact or 01204 771940, or get in touch with WHYSUP at whysup.co.uk/contact
To listen to the whole podcast, please visit acquiesce.org.uk/how-2-bolton-based-businesses-are-tackling-addiction-in-the-aftermath-of-lockdown/
Latest News
Atlas-IAC’s CEO Maxim Slobodyanyuk Talks Winning Strategies & Vision for Future Growth in the iGaming Sector
Atlas-IAC, a Next-Generation iGaming platform, has been recognized as the Best Sports Betting Provider Of The Year and Rising Star In Sports Betting Technology at the Prague Gaming & Tech Awards 2024. The GamingTECH Awards annually determine industry excellence in Central and Eastern Europe. Maxim Slobodyanyuk, CEO of Atlas-IAC, tells about insights into Atlas-IAC’s innovative solutions that are reshaping the iGaming landscape and the core principles of partnership driving mutual evolution for both Atlas-IAC and its esteemed operators.
Congratulations on winning “Best Sports Betting Provider Of The Year” and “Rising Star In Sports Betting Technology” at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2024! How does Atlas-IAC feel about receiving such prestigious recognition?
We take pride in being acknowledged as the best sports betting provider and the rising star in sports betting technology across Central and Eastern Europe. At the heart of our success lies a team of exceptional visionaries, developers, and business analytics striving to elevate the industry to new heights of technological innovation and responsible gaming practices.
I’d like to thank our great partners for choosing Atlas-IAC as their technology provider, and for subscribing to our core business principle — to evolve and grow together. Our win is our partners’ win as well.
To be the best sports betting provider entails a weighty responsibility, one we approach with unwavering dedication. These awards serve as a validation of our unwavering commitment to excellence and as a catalyst for renewed determination to shape the future of sports betting technology. We are grateful for recognition and remain resolutely committed to charting new horizons of success alongside our valued partners.
Could you provide insights into the strategies that drove Atlas-IAC’s success in the iGaming industry?
At Atlas-IAC, our success strategy revolves around building strong partnerships and establishing a notable presence in the competitive global entertainment technology market. We prioritize automation, which gives us an edge in emerging markets and allows us to onboard partners quickly and streamline operations.
Continuously improving our platform to offer a seamless Sportsbook API experience is a priority. Our aim is to deliver fast performance, smooth betting experiences, real-time risk management, advanced anti-fraud measures, and scalable solutions for partners worldwide.
Staying up-to-date, enhancing our product, analyzing market and partner needs, and proactively responding to them are essential. Being the top technological partner is a strategy that consistently works for us.
How does Atlas-IAC’s in-house developed Sportsbook differentiate itself from competitors?
Atlas-IAC’s in-house developed Sportsbook sets us apart because we have full control over its features and can make rapid improvements. Features like Personal Odds Boost and Clever Margin allow for customized experiences tailored to our partners’ needs. We focus on personalization, ensuring the product aligns perfectly with each operator’s requirements. With a skilled team dedicated to our partners’ needs, we can promptly address requests and deliver effective solutions.
Atlas-IAC offers one of the most automated Sportsbook available in the market. How does automation enhance the experience for both operators and users?
Our fully automated Sportsbook API is efficient and user-friendly, enhancing engagement and retention. It’s equipped to handle high demand periods effectively and offers tools for precise betting management and reliable results. We can swiftly develop and integrate custom modules for partners, giving us a competitive edge. We prioritize meeting partners’ needs while delivering enjoyable experiences for players, fostering mutual benefit for all involved.
What specific features or tools have been well-received by operators in the iGaming industry?
In the realm of iGaming, Atlas-IAC has garnered recognition for its remarkable adaptability and keen responsiveness to the requirements of our partners. Understanding the distinctive needs of each operator, we have crafted a tailored approach to ensure effective solutions.
One specific example of our successful tools is our Cashback feature, which serves as a versatile tool for promoting sporting events and enhancing player entertainment. This feature offers customizable settings based on specific sports, events, odds criteria, and frequency. With such flexibility, operators can effectively incentivize participation and elevate excitement levels among players.
In essence, the suite of features and tools offered by Atlas-IAC not only addresses the diverse needs of operators but also fuels engagement and growth within the iGaming industry.
What are Atlas-IAC’s goals for continued innovation and growth in the iGaming sector?
Looking ahead, our primary aim is to continually push the boundaries of innovation while delivering outstanding value to our partners. We remain steadfast in our commitment to leading the charge in the iGaming sector, fostering sustainable growth, and championing responsible gaming practices. Our strategy revolves around staying agile, adapting to emerging trends, and catering to the unique needs of operators worldwide.
The evolving sports betting landscape of 2024 underscores the critical importance of adaptability and innovation. Operators must navigate this dynamic environment marked by technological advancements and regulatory shifts, and Atlas-IAC stands ready to assist them in this endeavor.
In terms of market focus, we are meticulously evaluating opportunities in LATAM, Eastern Europe, South-East Asia, and Africa. These regions offer significant growth potential, and our tailored strategy is geared towards effectively meeting the unique demands of these diverse markets.
The post Atlas-IAC’s CEO Maxim Slobodyanyuk Talks Winning Strategies & Vision for Future Growth in the iGaming Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The evolving landscape of affiliate marketing within the iGaming ecosystem presents both opportunities and challenges due to regulatory shifts. Adapting to these changes is crucial to navigate the dynamic environment effectively. Slotegrator experts exploring strategies to avoid pitfalls globally and adopting adaptable approaches can optimize affiliate marketing amidst evolving regulations.
The iGaming industry has had to focus on a number of changes in the area of affiliate marketing – as a result of regulatory and advertising changes.
Beyond that, it’s important to keep in mind another important key initiatives that include key components of a successful affiliate program:
- The quality of the content the affiliate creates.
- Regulations the affiliate or affiliate program might be subject to.
- This is especially important if the affiliate expects a commission for every sign-up. If the affiliate is getting paid for every player they send your way, the players need to stay for a while for it to be worth it.
- An ongoing analysis of the size and quality of traffic the affiliate is delivering you.
To know more about these points you can read an instruction from the Slotegrator Academy by link.
The changes have not only affected the regulatory environment of the iGaming industry, but also affiliate marketing as a result of the general changes. What is important to look out for?
Slotegrator shares some regional specifics of affiliate marketing:
- Asia is a diverse and dynamic region for affiliate marketing in the iGaming industry. Affiliates operating in Asia have to navigate complex regulatory conditions and varying cultural attitudes. Marketing managers have to employ strategies that prioritize mobile channelization, collaboration with opinion leaders, and compliance with local laws — all of which are essential to success.
- Affiliate marketing in Africa is still in its early stages but is already showing significant potential. With the increasing availability of the internet and the spread of smartphones, the continent is opening up opportunities for affiliates to reach a fast-growing market. However, factors such as regulatory uncertainty, payment processing difficulties, and the cultural diversity of the region need to be taken into account.
- In Latin America working with local affiliates who have a deep understanding of the regional market helps to better customize marketing campaigns and achieve higher conversion rates. Given the strict regulation of gambling in some Latin American countries, it is important to comply with local laws and advertising restrictions to avoid negative consequences.
- Affiliate marketing in Europe is a dynamic and competitive landscape where effective strategies and a professional approach can ensure significant business success and growth in the iGaming sector. One of the important parts of affiliate marketing in Europe is the use of a variety of channels to build audiences. It helps to diversify and increase the flow of traffic to the partner’s site, which helps to increase conversion rates. Careful research of each country’s rules and restrictions is needed regarding the advertising and promotion of gambling.
Alyce Fabel from CasinoRIX, Slotegrator’s media partner, summarizes key aspects for affiliate companies to concentrate on.“As each year passes, affiliates must strive to improve and keep pace with the market. Competition is growing, regulations are evolving, and that brings changes to many regions. We can highlight five key points for affiliate companies to focus on:
- Continuously search for and acquire new traffic channels. It’s crucial not to focus only on one channel; diversification is necessary. This has been particularly evident in the past year, with significant changes and updates in SEO and mobile traffic (iOS/Android applications).
- Ensure content quality. As AI tools continue to advance, it’s essential not only to learn to apply them in work but also to differentiate content written by humans from AI-generated content (especially crucial for SEO projects).
- Configure deep analytics. Constantly work on improving traffic quality and understand where to make enhancements. The standards for traffic quality are rising.
- Provide added value. It’s time to start developing the product aspect as well, thinking not only as an affiliate but also about providing customers with additional value. This will also help in achieving higher-quality marketing.”
Cultivate relationships with partners. Build strong and lasting relationships, stay informed about all industry changes and news, and keep up with technologies and innovations. This is crucial for achieving high results.
And some words about the affiliate marketing trends as a compass to guide development efforts in this area in the right direction. Khoren Ispiryan, sales manager at Slotegrator, and the speaker of the latest Prague Gaming & TECH Summit ‘24, shares some insights:
- “The best thing is to include real people in the affiliate marketing. To create an environment where bloggers, streamers and influencers will make a bigger impact on the end user behavior.
- In 2024, gambling companies will continue to partner with influencers and other internet celebrities. These partnerships will be increasingly effective methods of attracting new audiences, promoting products, and increasing brand awareness.
- Loyalty programs and other ways of enhancing the user experience will also be essential for the promotion of gambling websites.
- The development of partner relationship management software will be a major priority. It will help improve usability for affiliate partners and enable better communication between companies and affiliates. For instance, Partnergrator from Slotegrator offers a solution for online gambling platform operators who face difficulties in tracking their affiliate program data. This innovative solution provides the ability to manage and analyze affiliate programs in real-time, using analytics to simplify the decision-making process.”
The post How to avoid failing at affiliate marketing in 2024? appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
GiG Media, a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group (GiG), today proudly announces it has secured 3rd position in the prestigious EGR Power Affiliate Ranking for the second year running.
This achievement underscores the business’ unwavering dedication to strategic innovation, expanding its market reach and delivering unparalleled value to its partners and shareholders.
GiG Media’s portfolio of high-quality traffic websites, including WSN.com, Time2play.com, Askgamblers.com and Casinotopsonline.com, has been instrumental in driving its success. With operations spanning across Malta, Denmark, Serbia, and Spain, GiG Media continues to set the benchmark for lead generation in online sportsbooks and casinos.
Commenting on the achievement, Jonas Warrer, CEO of GiG Media, stated:
“We are delighted to receive this acknowledgement yet again in the EGR Power Affiliate Ranking and this is nothing short of a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. This superb accomplishment reflects our relentless pursuit of excellence, internal talent, and continuous growth in the iGaming affiliate landscape. As we continue to grow the business in 2024, we remain steadfast in our commitment to players, partners and the industry alike.”
GiG Media’s portfolio expansion and strategic diversification have been pivotal in propelling its growth trajectory. Its ongoing product development and recent acquisition of Time2Play Media emphasise the company’s proactive approach to seizing emerging opportunities and reinforcing its market leadership position.
The post GiG Media Secures 3rd Place in EGR Power Affiliate Ranking for Consecutive Year appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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