Press Releases
ICE 2024 Consumer Protection Zone raises £41,100 for ICRG and Betblocker

ICE 2024’s Consumer Protection Zone (CPZ) has raised £41,100 to be split between two charities; the International Centre for Responsible Gambling (ICRG) and Betblocker, with more than £225,000 now raised by the CPZ over the last four years.
Earlier today, ICRG and Betblocker were invited to a donation ceremony at the CPZ where they each received £20,500, raised with the help of Light and Wonder, Flutter, Betsson Group, IGT, Novomatic, Neccton and Playtech.
Following the well-attended ceremony, Ewa Bakun, Clarion Gaming’s director of industry insight and engagement, said: “We are really pleased to have raised more than £225,000 over the last four years, with £41,100 coming from seven donors this year. It’s very rewarding to be able to use ICE 2024 as a platform to support the important activities these charities carry out and to promote the commitment of the industry through the Consumer Protection Zone. I can only hope we can continue this effort next year and raise even more for such deserving charities.”
After receiving an oversized cheque for £20,500, Betblocker founder and trustee Duncan Garvie, commented: “We had no idea we were in consideration for this donation. The money is a big help, and will contribute massively towards the development of a new timer feature we are hoping to implement. As a charity, we are always working hard to get funding through the door, but almost as important as the money is the exposure. Having ICE champion Betblocker – providing us with a stand – is a huge profile lift for us.”
ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky, who also accepted an award as Clarion Gaming’s Charity of the Year at the ceremony, added: “It was an honour to be named Charity of the Year, but it was still a big surprise to receive this donation of £20,500 – and a great way to start our 25th anniversary year. It’s an exciting year for us, we currently have 27 different studies launched, with our major sports wagering behaviour report due by the end of Q2. The most recent study we have launched is with Harvard Medical, and today’s donation will help us fund more research with some of the best investigators in this field. When you are a small organisation like ours, £20,500 is very meaningful – it’s meaningful money.”
BETANO
Club Atlético River Plate and Betano Announce Long-Term Principal Partnership

Club Atlético River Plate and Kaizen Gaming, one of the world’s biggest GameTech companies and owner of the Betano online sports betting and gaming brand, announce a new long-term partnership that will see Betano become the club’s new main and front-of-shirt partner, starting from the current season.
The new partnership with River Plate follows an exciting year for Kaizen Gaming and its Betano brand, which launched in Argentina just a year ago and is already regarded as one of the country’s leading online gaming platforms. Alongside expanding its sponsorship programs, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and growing market presence, Kaizen Gaming has also solidified its role as a pioneer in shaping the online gaming industry internationally and fostering safe, controlled environments for players.
For River Plate, this agreement represents a strategic step in its international expansion and in the diversification of its revenue streams. In this regard, the alliance with Betano is a clear example of the club’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and building strong relationships with leading global brands.
Jorge Brito, President of River Plate, said: “Partnering with Kaizen Gaming and its brand Betano marks a significant milestone for us. Their presence in 19 international markets aligns perfectly with our global vision. Through its sponsorships of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 and the Argentine Professional Football League’s “Torneo Betano”, Kaizen Gaming has reinforced its leading role in the world of sports. River Plate is also a global leader in sports marketing, backed by a passionate fan base, an iconic stadium and an unmatched record of over 85 consecutive sold-out home matches. We are proud to be the most followed club in the world. With this partnership, we continue to grow, break new ground, and we’re excited to welcome Betano to the River Plate family.”
Stefano Di Carlo, River Plate’s General Secretary, added: “This agreement is the result of a long-term strategy we have been developing to consolidate the club as a global leader, backed by its institutional strength and more than 120 years of sporting success. The fact that an international brand like Betano has selected us as its partner speaks volumes about the strength of the River Plate brand worldwide and the confidence our institutional and sporting project inspire.”
Julio Iglesias, Chief Commercial Officer at Kaizen Gaming, said: “River Plate is a global footballing institution with one of the largest fan bases in the world and a history dating back over 120 years. As soon as we started speaking with the club, we knew we had found a partner who shared our values and relentless drive to raise the bar and set the highest standards in everything they do. The club and its fans’ passion for football is second to none, and it is exciting to be joining them on the next chapter of their illustrious history. At Betano, we are always aiming for the top.”
The new partnership expands beyond marketing activities. Kaizen Gaming continues to join its partners in driving positive social impact in local communities, whilst promoting the value of responsible gaming.
The post Club Atlético River Plate and Betano Announce Long-Term Principal Partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BetMGM
Octoplay Launches Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, Accelerating North American Expansion

Octoplay continues its expansion in North America by launching Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, building on the company’s continental growth strategy following its Michigan provisional license approval.
This strategic launch builds on the growing momentum with BetMGM, marking a significant milestone in Octoplay’s North American expansion, introducing the bespoke opt-in jackpot solution built in collaboration with BetMGM. The decision to expand the partnership with BetMGM demonstrates the strong relationship between the companies and sets a strong foundation for Octoplay’s continued growth across North America.
The Ontario launch builds on Octoplay’s rapid market entries over recent months, including Microgame’s network of 50 operators in Italy, Slovakia’s leading operator Niké, and Sweden’s state-owned Svenska Spel Sport&Casino. With active licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Italy, and Belgium, Octoplay continues its accelerated expansion across both European and North American markets.
Jackpot Blitz has achieved a remarkable 88% player opt-in rate since launch. This performance, combined with BetMGM’s extensive player base, sets a strong foundation for Octoplay’s North American growth as the company prepares for launches in Michigan and additional US states in 2025.
“The launch of Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario accelerates our North American expansion plans,” says Carl Ejlertsson, CEO at Octoplay. “Our strong partnership with BetMGM has enabled us to bring this innovative product to their Ontario players. With our proven track record of collaboration with top tier gaming operators like BetMGM, we’re ideally positioned to drive significant growth together in regulated markets across North America.”
Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM, said: “Ontario is a key iGaming market for BetMGM, and adding Jackpot Blitz strengthens our vast collection of games. Octoplay is part of our strategy to collaborate with top-tier partners to bring the best content to our players.”
As Octoplay prepares for its Michigan launch in 2025, followed by entries into additional US states, this expansion with BetMGM represents another milestone in the company’s accelerated growth. The partnership reinforces Octoplay’s momentum as the company continues its rapid advancement in North America.
The post Octoplay Launches Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, Accelerating North American Expansion appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
partnerships
UFC Champion Valentina Shevchenko Joins Stake as Global Brand Ambassador

Leading betting platform Stake proudly announces that Ultimate Fighting Championship (“UFC”) Women’s Flyweight World Champion, Valentina Shevchenko, has signed on as a Global Ambassador for the brand.
One of the most iconic and celebrated athletes in combat sports, Shevchenko currently reigns as the UFC Flyweight World Champion and holds the coveted No. 1 spot in the UFC’s Women’s Pound-for-Pound rankings. A Muay Thai specialist from Kyrgyzstan, Shevchenko has dominated the MMA world since her UFC debut in 2015, and continues to build her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. She will next defend her title on May 11 against top contender Manon Fiorot of France.
With this partnership, Shevchenko joins a championship roster of Stake ambassadors that includes UFC stars Merab Dvalishvili, Alexandre Pantoja, Max Holloway, Alex Pereira, and Israel Adesanya.
Speaking on the partnership, Shevchenko said:
“Stake has become one of the most important and exciting partners of the UFC, and I’m proud to now be a Global Ambassador for the brand. Stake is the home of champions, and I’m excited to work with its incredible team.”
Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake, added:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Valentina to the Stake family. It’s rare to see a true legend of the sport still performing at the absolute highest level, and we’re excited to build a long and successful partnership together. We feel that the Stake brand is now synonymous with the UFC, and our relationships with the very best athletes in the sport helps us continue to grow in the MMA sphere.”
The post UFC Champion Valentina Shevchenko Joins Stake as Global Brand Ambassador appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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