Latest News
MARCA Named Official Strategic Partner for Legends Charity Game 2025

Spain’s most influential sports voice, MARCA, has been confirmed as the Official Media Partner for the Legends Charity Game 2025, holding exclusive coverage rights across the Spanish market.
Set for September 15 in Lisbon, the Legends Charity Game 2025 will bring together football icons for a Portugal Legends vs. World Legends showdown. The match aims to raise €1 million for four selected charities, blending elite sport with a powerful message of unity and social impact, fittingly held in a city set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Legends Charity Game, organised by Sport Global, will raise funds for four organisations: the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, which continues to provide critical aid amid war; the Portuguese Red Cross, delivering support to communities facing hardship; International Alert, a peacebuilding NGO working in conflict zones worldwide; and Caritas Portugal, which supports vulnerable families facing poverty and displacement.
The pitch will host a lineup of football greats, including Luís Figo, Deco, Nuno Gomes, and Carvalho for the Portugal Legends, and global icons like Kaka, Cafu, Puyol, Michael Owen, Del Piero, and Henrik Larsson for the World Legends.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC Events and Sport Global Group, which organises the Legends Charity Game, said: “With MARCA on board, we’re able to reach millions of fans and drive real impact for the causes this match supports.
“Their reach, especially in Spain and Latin America, will be key to amplifying our message of hope, unity, and charitable giving.”
As the world’s second most visited sports website, MARCA.com stands as a global titan of sports journalism, attracting over 257 million visits in June alone. Known for its authoritative coverage, deep fan engagement, and expansive reach, MARCA’s involvement in the Legends Charity Game guarantees the event will connect with millions of passionate football fans across Spain and the globe.
The match is expected to attract 50,000 fans to Estádio José Alvalade, and reach millions more through an international broadcast and digital livestream. With a world-class production featuring Champions League-style coverage, the Legends Charity Game is set to become one of the most widely viewed and celebrated charity sporting events of the year.
“MARCA’s involvement ensures Lisbon, and the Legends Charity Game will be at the heart of the global football conversation this September,” Sojmark added.
About the Legends Charity Game
The Legends Charity Game brings together the greatest footballers of yesterday for the benefit of tomorrow. With a mission to raise €1 million for charity, the event will unite sportsmanship and purpose on one of Europe’s most iconic pitches. Learn more at https://www.legendscharitygame.com/.
About MARCA
Born in 1938, MARCA has written the history of Spanish and international sports since its beginnings, and its national character defines it as the newspaper for all fans. In addition, it is regarded as the most comprehensive specialized daily, open to all sporting disciplines, and an international benchmark.
In Spain, it is the leading sports daily with 967,000 daily readers in its print edition, according to the second 2025 wave of the Estudio General de Medios (EGM), and with an average daily online audience of more than 3.4 million followers, as reflected in the latest data collected by GfK.
The post MARCA Named Official Strategic Partner for Legends Charity Game 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Eastern Europe
Digitain Strengthens Romanian Market Presence Through KingCasino Partnership

Digitain has entered a new partnership with KingCasino, further solidifying its active role and growing presence in the Romanian market.
Digitain, the leading sportsbook and iGaming solutions provider, proudly announces its latest partnership with KingCasino, marking another step in its Romanian growth journey. This partnership also strengthens Digitain’s footprint across Eastern Europe, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to equipping operators in the region with advanced sportsbook and iGaming solutions.
KingCasino is a fast-growing operator in Romania, offering players a wide range of slots, live casino, and sports betting opportunities. Known for its user-friendly platform, localized offering, and strong customer focus, KingCasino continues to build a loyal player base in the competitive Romanian iGaming landscape.
Through this partnership, KingCasino will gain access to Digitain’s award-winning Sportsbook, featuring thousands of monthly events, as well as Digitain’s Centrivo platform – a state-of-the-art solution for online casino and sports betting operators. In addition, KingCasino will benefit from advanced gamification and built-in bonus engine, real-time tournament engines, and customizable multi-layer progressive jackpots that enhance player engagement, along with access to dozens of casino providers available in the Romanian market.
Ani Mkrtchyan, Chief Sales Officer at Digitain, commented: “Partnering with KingCasino is not only about expanding our footprint in Romania — it’s about building long-term, value-driven relationships. With a shared ambition for growth and innovation, we are confident this collaboration will deliver outstanding results while contributing to the development of not only local but also global iGaming ecosystem.”
Thanos Karakostas, Head of Product at KingCasino, added: “As a company dedicated to delivering top-tier gaming experiences, we are always looking for ways to innovate and expand across the market. With Digitain’s expertise and advanced solutions, we will further enhance our offerings for players. Their reliable technology and committed team make them a trusted partner, and together we share a vision for excellence and continuous improvement.”
With this latest agreement, Digitain further expands its network of partners across Eastern Europe, reaffirming its position as a trusted technology provider committed to supporting operator growth in regulated markets worldwide.
The post Digitain Strengthens Romanian Market Presence Through KingCasino Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Elizabeth Varley, solicitor at licensing law firm Poppleston Allen, shares a handy refresher on the UK’s statutory levy, including the who, how much, why and how to pay

Invoices are now available for payment on eServices
Invoices for the Statutory Levy are now available on the Gambling Commission’s eServices. Payment must be made by 30 September 2025.
Licensees should have been contacted to make payment via the ‘Invoices and Payments’ tab of their eServices account. For anyone who has not received any correspondence, primary contact details on your eServices account should be checked to ensure these are up to date.
As a reminder, we have outlined the basics of the levy below.
What is the levy?
Following a public consultation led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which ran from 17 October to 14 December 2023 the Government introduced a statutory levy to be charged to all licensed gambling operators, with rates set per sector/activity provided
The levy replaces the previous requirement for licensees to make annual financial contributions to a list of research, prevention and treatment organisations.
Where the total billable statutory levy value for a licensee is £10 or less for a relevant period, the licensee will not be required to pay.
The levy period
The first statutory levy period is defined in the Gambling Levy Regulations. For lottery operating (society) licences the first statutory levy period began on 1 April 2024, for all other operating licenses the first statutory levy period began on 1 July 2024. For all licensees, except society lottery operating licences, the calculation of the statutory levy will be based on Regulatory Returns data from July 2024 to March 2025 multiplied by one and one-third. For society lottery operating licences the calculation will be based on data reported to the Gambling Commission relating to 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
The statutory levy will then be invoiced on an annual basis, on 1 September, and will be based on the activity from the previous financial year. For example an invoice issued on 1 September 2026, would be the levy payable for 2026 to 2027, but would be based on regulatory return data relating to 2025 to 2026 (April 2025 to March 2026).
Payment
Invoices for the statutory levy this financial year (2024 to 2025) are now available online through eServices with full payment required before 1 October 2025, meaning payment must be made by midnight on 30 September 2025.
Payment of the statutory levy is a licence requirement, and therefore non-payment, or late payment of the statutory levy could result in operating licence revocation, unless the Gambling Commission is satisfied that this is due to administrative error.
How is the levy calculated?
The rate of the levy varies depending on the licensed activity provided, ranging from 0.1 percent to 1.1 percent:
Type |
Percentage of leviable amount |
Gambling Software |
1.1% |
Remote Betting intermediary (not trading room only) |
1.1% |
Remote Bingo |
1.1% |
Remote Casino |
1.1% |
Remote General Betting |
1.1% |
Betting intermediary (trading room only) |
0.5% |
Non remote betting intermediary |
0.5% |
Non remote casino |
0.5% |
Non remote General Betting (not on-track or on-course) |
0.5% |
AGC |
0.2% |
Non remote Bingo |
0.2% |
Non remote General Betting (on-track or on-course) |
0.2% |
FEC |
0.1% |
Gaming Machine Technical |
0.1% |
Lottery |
0.1% |
Pool Betting |
0.1% |
The post Elizabeth Varley, solicitor at licensing law firm Poppleston Allen, shares a handy refresher on the UK’s statutory levy, including the who, how much, why and how to pay appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
EurAsia
Groove Technologies Shines in Georgia at SmartSoft Partner Event: Culture, Connection, and Collaboration Take Centre Stage

Groove Technologies’ Account Manager Nathalie brought signature energy and excellence to the heart of the Caucasus during a vibrant industry gathering hosted by SmartSoft, one of the region’s most innovative gaming providers.
The event, held under the guidance of SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head, Beka Kipiani, unfolded in Tbilisi against a backdrop of Georgian tradition, art, and world-renowned hospitality. Far more than a business meeting, this immersive experience showcased the fusion of iGaming innovation and cultural celebration, reinforcing strong ties between Groove, SmartSoft and other participants.
From high-level strategy discussions to a glamorous Gala Dinner, Nathalie represented Groove with style, joining fellow iGaming leaders for an evening of fine cuisine, live music, and the unmistakable warmth of Georgian camaraderie.
The itinerary didn’t stop at the ballroom. A rich cultural programme took guests through historic landmarks, arts showcases, and curated experiences that brought Georgian heritage to life, echoing the fusion of legacy and future-forward thinking that defines both Groove and SmartSoft.
As part of her visit, Nathalie also took part in a focused meeting and dinner with Groove Georgia’s team, strengthening regional alignment and celebrating the local team’s fast-growing contributions to Groove’s global strategy.
SmartSoft’s innovative collection of arcade-style casino games and premium slots is redefining the casino experience by blending skill-based mechanics with immersive gameplay to create groundbreaking crash-style games and other non-traditional casino content. Among SmartSoft’s most popular titles is JetX, an adrenaline-fueled crash game where players bet on the soaring trajectory of a jet plane. With its thrilling risk-reward mechanics and social multiplayer appeal, JetX has captured the attention of gamers across the world.
Beka Kipiani, SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head, added: “Hosting Groove’s Nathalie and our many other industry friends in Georgia was both a pleasure and a privilege. We believe in the power of local pride and global ambition, Groove understands that language. This wasn’t just a company event; it was a celebration of partnership, trust, and shared growth.”
As Groove continues to expand its global network of premium gaming partners, experiences like these highlight the power of in-person collaboration in crafting tomorrow’s success stories. Groove’s 15,000+ game portfolio, powered by 150+ elite providers including SmarttSoft, already stands as one of the most comprehensive in iGaming.
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies, said: “Groove thrives on relationships; real, human partnerships that evolve beyond emails and dashboards. Events like this give our people, like Nathalie, the chance to connect deeply with partners like SmartSoft, to understand their market, and to share a bit of our Groove DNA while embracing theirs. Georgia delivered beauty, insight, and opportunity in equal measure.”
The post Groove Technologies Shines in Georgia at SmartSoft Partner Event: Culture, Connection, and Collaboration Take Centre Stage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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