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Aston Villa Foundation and Kaizen Foundation Celebrate Success of ‘Play it Forward’ Programme in Birmingham

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The Aston Villa Foundation, in partnership with the Kaizen Foundation, has announced the successful progress of the Play it Forward programme, a community-focused initiative designed to tackle inequalities in physical activity and access to sports facilities in neighborhoods surrounding Villa Park.

Supported by the Premier League, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), and Birmingham City Council, the programme is investing in the long-term sustainability of community-led sports spaces. As part of its delivery, Play it Forward will fund an additional 350 hours of physical activity on mini outdoor pitches across Birmingham, helping to create safer, more accessible environments for young people to engage in sport.

Expanding Community Sports Access Across Birmingham

Since its launch, the initiative has successfully established four community sports sites across the City of Birmingham. Working in collaboration with local partners Birmingham United, Spark Active, and Our Community Foundation, the programme is using football as a powerful tool to engage, inspire, and support young people in areas facing social and economic challenges.

The programme officially launched in October with two high-profile community events. Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans made a surprise visit to the Concord Youth Centre in Sparkbrook, while Aston Villa Women players Sabrina D’Angelo and Maya Hijikata visited the Birmingham Settlement Sports & Community Centre in Kingstanding. During these events, young participants took part in football activities, Q&A sessions, and discussions about the players’ journeys into professional sport.

Long-Term Support Beyond the Pitch

In addition to funding facilities and activity hours, the Aston Villa Foundation is providing extensive professional expertise to strengthen partner organisations. This support spans grants and fundraising, marketing and communications, governance, monitoring and evaluation, health and safety, safeguarding, and risk management, ensuring the programme delivers sustainable, measurable impact.

Siraj Hussain, Founder of Birmingham United Foundation, highlighted the importance of safe community spaces: “Sparkbrook is one of the most deprived areas in Birmingham, with young people struggling to access provisions and safe spaces to take part in sport. Bringing young people to a place like Concord Youth Centre, supported by trusted youth mentors, gives them the chance to be off the streets and engaged in something positive. Sport is an incredible engagement tool.”

Sport as a Catalyst for Youth Development

Panos Konstantopoulos, President of the Kaizen Foundation, emphasized the broader social value of the programme: “Access to sport is not a luxury; it is essential for youth development. It supports physical and mental wellbeing while fostering teamwork, respect, and healthy competition. Play it Forward creates opportunities for young people to channel their energy in ways that can be life-changing.”

Alison Mapp, CEO of Spark Active, also praised the initiative’s impact on grassroots football:
“We are committed to developing girls’ football and offering affordable, accessible sports provision in deprived areas. Many girls prefer community-based football over formal settings. Play it Forward has helped us strengthen our relationship with the Aston Villa Foundation and elevate our work. Their funding, equipment, coach mentoring, and player visits have taken our girls’ football programme to the next level.”

Building Sustainable Impact Through Football

The Play it Forward programme demonstrates how strategic partnerships between football foundations, charities, and local organisations can drive meaningful change. By improving access to facilities, investing in long-term community infrastructure, and using sport as a vehicle for inclusion, the initiative continues to make a lasting difference for young people across Birmingham.

The post Aston Villa Foundation and Kaizen Foundation Celebrate Success of ‘Play it Forward’ Programme in Birmingham appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brazil

Z.ro anuncia aquisição da Paag em um movimento estratégico voltado à consolidação de mercado

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Z.ro firma acordo com Paag em um negócio relevante que adiciona mais de 200 milhões de transações anuais à vertical de pagamentos da companhia.

O Z.ro Global Payments, que até abril operava como Z.ro Bank, anuncia a aquisição e incorporação da vertical de pagamentos da Paag, em um movimento estratégico voltado à consolidação de mercado e ao ganho de participação no setor de pagamentos digitais.

A integração será realizada por meio de um plano estruturado de migração, desenhado para assegurar continuidade operacional, com estabilidade e segurança para todos os clientes ao longo do processo.

Segundo Edisio Pereira Neto, presidente do Z.ro, a operação amplia de forma expressiva o volume processado pela empresa, que já supera 500 milhões de transações.

“A Paag tem forte presença em processamento de pagamentos, especialmente no mercado de jogos, com mais de 200 milhões de transações anuais que serão incorporadas ao nosso ecossistema, reforçando nossa liderança no setor”, afirma Edisio.

Como parte da operação, João Fraga, CEO da Paag, e Ricardo Vidal, CSO da empresa, passam a atuar também como sócios responsáveis pela vertical dedicada ao mercado de iGaming dentro da Z.ro Global Payments.

“A criação dessa frente específica reflete a relevância do segmento e da necessidade de criar soluções cada vez mais customizadas para este mercado.

Nossos dois novos sócios trazem um know-how essencial para liderar esta frente”, afirma o CEO da Z.ro Global Payments.

“Estou muito motivado em assumir esse novo desafio. Com a união das expertises, consolidamos a maior operação de pagamentos voltada ao mercado de jogos no Brasil.

Tenho a convicção de que essa integração nos levará ao maior market share do setor. Literalmente, zeramos o game”, declara Vidal.

Para a Paag, o movimento também marca um novo momento estratégico da companhia.

Após anos de atuação no mercado de pagamentos para operações digitais, a empresa passa a atuar como Paag Shield, focada no desenvolvimento de soluções de gestão de risco, compliance e prevenção à fraude, e Paag Engage, focada em inteligência operacional, aquisição e retenção. Ambas sem vínculo societário com a operação realizada ao lado do Z.ro Global Payments.

“Esse movimento marca uma nova fase para a Paag. Construímos uma operação sólida de Payments ao longo dos últimos anos e temos confiança de que os clientes continuarão sendo atendidos com excelência dentro da estrutura da Z.ro.

A partir de agora, concentramos ainda mais nossos esforços na evolução do Paag Shield e Paag Engage, com soluções voltadas à inteligência de risco, compliance e eficiência operacional”, explica Fraga.

Nova vertical dedicada ao segmento de jogos no Z.ro

“A criação dessa frente específica reflete a relevância do segmento e da necessidade de criar soluções cada vez mais customizadas para este mercado. Nossos dois novos sócios possuem amplo know-how para liderar esta frente”, explica Edísio.

“Atualmente, o segmento já responde por aproximadamente 25% da nossa receita. Com a nova estrutura, deverá subir para cerca de 35% já no primeiro ano”, afirma.

A iniciativa reforça a estratégia do Z.ro de segmentação de negócios, permitindo maior profundidade nas operações, otimização de negociações e desenvolvimento de soluções adaptadas às demandas específicas de cada mercado.

O Z.ro International, responsável por recolher pagamentos na América Latina e enviá-los para qualquer país do mundo, e o Z.ro Digital Assets, de pagamentos internacionais com criptoativos, são outras duas verticais lançadas no último ano.

Aquisição não concluída

Em 2025, o banco BS2 chegou a anunciar negociações para a aquisição da Paag, em um movimento que indicava o interesse da instituição em ampliar a atuação no processamento de pagamentos digitais para o mercado de jogos .

Na ocasião, a estrutura do acordo previa a entrada inicial com uma participação minoritária na empresa.

O plano também contemplava a possibilidade de aquisição total da Paag em um prazo de até três anos.

No entanto, apesar do anúncio e das tratativas iniciais, a negociação não foi concluída e não avançou para a efetivação da operação.

Mudança de nome

Recentemente, o antigo Z.ro Bank alterou seu nome para Z.ro Global Payments, refletindo a estratégia de internacionalização da companhia, iniciada em 2025.

A mudança consolida o posicionamento da empresa como provedora de infraestrutura global de pagamentos, com soluções inovadoras voltadas para serviços de processamento de pagamentos locais e transfronteiriços, além de Bank as a Service.

The post Z.ro anuncia aquisição da Paag em um movimento estratégico voltado à consolidação de mercado appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Plaza Hotel & Casino books Bolero – The Show for June 20 one-night run

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Latin music-and-dance production led by Las Vegas-based producer Adan Alejandro plays the Plaza showroom at 7:30 p.m.

Plaza Hotel & Casino will host Bolero – The Show for a one-night performance in its showroom on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.

The production is billed as a Latin music-and-dance show featuring a live band, singers, and dancers, with influences including bolero, flamenco, salsa, tango, mambo, and other Latin rhythms.

Bolero – The Show is led by Las Vegas-based producer, singer, and songwriter Adan Alejandro. The Plaza said the show’s production team and performers have roots in the Latin entertainment community and experience performing in Las Vegas and other venues across the US and Latin America.

Tickets are now on sale for the June 20 performance.

The post Plaza Hotel & Casino books Bolero – The Show for June 20 one-night run appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Bolero – The Show performs for one night only at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, Saturday, June 20

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The Plaza Hotel & Casino welcomes Bolero – The Show to its classic Vegas showroom for one night only, Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Bolero – The Show is a bohemian Latin musical blending Latin rhythm, passionate dance, and timeless love songs. Featuring a live band, singers, and dancers, the show creates an immersive and elegant experience inspired by bolero, flamenco, and Latin music.

Led by Las Vegas-based producer, singer, and songwriter Adan Alejandro, the production team and show performers have roots in the Latin entertainment community and many years of experience performing live music and entertainment events in Las Vegas and other venues across the United States and Latin America.

Bolero – The Show is designed as an immersive live entertainment experience that blends music, dance, and theatrical elements inspired by Afro-Caribbean and Latin American traditions. The production combines bolero, salsa, tango, flamenco, mambo, and other Latin rhythms in a format created specifically for the Las Vegas showroom environment.

With a live band, dancers and vocal performers, Bolero – The Show creates a large-scale Latin musical and theatrical experience with an emphasis on rhythm, movement, passion, and audience connection that is designed specifically for the Plaza’s showroom.

Tickets are now on sale for the June 20th performance at Bolero – A Bohemian Latin Musical – Plaza Hotel and Casino.

 

The post Bolero – The Show performs for one night only at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, Saturday, June 20 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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