Latest News
Casinos in England to Reopen on August 1
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that casinos in England can re-open on 1 August after more than four months in lockdown. The PM’s decision has been welcomed by the industry standards body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) as a major boost for the tourism and hospitality sector.
The trade body has urged the devolved administrations to “show their hands” and end the uncertainty for the 2000 employees who work in Scottish and Welsh casinos who still have no end to lockdown.
Casinos in England employ more than 12,000 people and contribute nearly £300 million in tax to the Exchequer. Casinos also play a vital role in the tourism economy contributing nearly £4 million a week.
The betting and gaming industry – which employs over 70,000 people across the U.K. and contributes over £3 billion a year to the Treasury – has introduced a range of strict COVID safety measures which have already seen betting shops and bingo halls re-open and now casinos in England will follow soon.
Betting and Gaming Council Chief Executive Michael Dugher said:
“After four long months of lockdown, it’s fantastic to see casinos will reopen safely for business again on 1 August. I am delighted that they can now play their part in supporting the recovery of the tourism and hospitality sector.
“BGC casino members went the extra mile to meet strict COVID guidelines some weeks ago but were left in the dark as to when they would be allowed to reopen. I’d like to thank DCMS Secretary of State Oliver Dowden, Minister Nigel Huddleston and the many cross-party MPs who supported us and worked hard to secure a reopening date.
“Britain’s casinos employ thousands of people and pay millions in tax, and they were one of the few remaining leisure and hospitality businesses to remain closed.
“The uncertainty has been awful for the 12,000 people who work in casinos in England and we now call on Scottish and Welsh governments to follow suit and permit casinos to reopen without delay. The devolved administrations owe it to the 2,000 employees who work in Scottish and Welsh casinos to end this uncertainty and help them return to work.”
Powered by WPeMatico
Kaizen Gaming brand becomes an Official Regional Sponsor as World Cup 2026 approaches, with campaigns planned across digital, TV and OOH.
Betano has signed a new sponsorship agreement with the Argentina National Football Team, joining as an Official Regional Sponsor, the company said on April 29, 2026.
The deal was announced from Athens, Greece and Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the Kaizen Gaming-owned sports betting and gaming brand positioning the partnership ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
According to the company, the sponsorship will include “local 360° campaigns” featuring Betano’s tagline “Confiá” across digital media, television, and out-of-home (OOH) advertising. Betano also said it plans “high-engagement activations” intended to connect fans with the team.
In the release, Kaizen Gaming framed the agreement as part of a broader strategy to invest in top-tier sports partnerships to support international brand growth and “responsible gaming experiences.” Financial terms, territories covered under the “regional” designation, and contract duration were not disclosed.
More relevant data as follows:
- Betano (Kaizen Gaming) official website; https://www.betano.com/ Primary source for brand and market presence details related to Betano.
- Kaizen Gaming official website; https://kaizengaming.com/ Company background and corporate announcements for Kaizen Gaming, the owner of Betano.
- AFA (Argentine Football Association) official website; https://www.afa.com.ar/ Authoritative reference for Argentina national team commercial partnerships and federation announcements.
- FIFA World Cup 2026; https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canada-mexico-usa2026 Official tournament page to ground the timing reference to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The post Betano signs sponsorship deal with Argentina national football team appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
New France stop runs Nov 2-8; EPT Prague returns to the Hilton Prague on Dec 2-13, both counting toward the PokerStars Live League.
PokerStars has added two stops to its 2026 live poker calendar: EPT Prague returns on Dec 2-13 at the Hilton Prague, and a new PokerStars Open event will debut in Aix-en-Provence, France, on Nov 2-8. The operator announced the dates on April 22, 2026.
Both events will award points in the PokerStars Live League, PokerStars’ annual leaderboard system across High, Medium, and Low tiers. PokerStars said more than €150,000 in PokerStars LIVE credit will be paid out to the top three finishers in each tier at year-end, plus a live freeroll with a €100,000 prize pool at the first EPT of 2027 for the top 30 finishers in each tier.
EPT Prague is set to run as an 11-day festival, with PokerStars flagging the High Roller and EPT Main Event among the headline tournaments. PokerStars cited last year’s Prague Main Event at more than 1,200 entries for a prize pool of more than €5.9 million, with Matan Krakow winning for more than €770,000.
The new PokerStars Open Aix-en-Provence stop will run in partnership with Texapoker at Pasino GRAND Partouche Aix-en-Provence. It becomes the latest confirmed date in PokerStars’ 2026 live lineup, which also includes EPT Monte Carlo (April 30 – May 10), PokerStars Open Namur (May 27 – June 7), PokerStars Open Malaga (June 22-28), and EPT Barcelona (August 16-29).
“We’re delighted to bring players two more incredible live events and welcome the return of EPT Prague,” said Cédric Billot, Associate Director, Live Events. ”Each stop offers a unique experience and world-class competition and strengthens an already exciting 2026 schedule. We look forward to welcoming everyone for another standout year of live poker.”
More relevant data as follows:
- PokerStars Live; https://www.pokerstarslive.com/ Official schedule and event information source referenced in the announcement.
- PokerStars blog; https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/learn/news/ PokerStars’ news hub cited for additional details on live events and updates.
- European Poker Tour (EPT) – PokerStars Live; https://www.pokerstarslive.com/ept Background and official overview of the EPT brand and tour stops mentioned in the release
The post PokerStars adds PokerStars Open Aix-en-Provence and confirms EPT Prague for 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Betano joins the Argentina National Football Team as Official Regional Sponsor ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026
Betano, the premium online sports betting and gaming brand of Kaizen Gaming, is an Official Regional Sponsor of the Argentine National Football Team, further highlighting its commitment to supporting Argentine sport.
The sponsorship agreement comes at a time of increased global anticipation for the game, just weeks before the FIFA World Cup 2026. Through this partnership, Betano is strengthening its ties with Argentine football and together with the country’s National Team, will deploy high-engagement activations that bring the fans closer to the game.
Argentina, the reigning world champions and one of the most iconic footballing nations, hold three World Cup titles and 47 major tournament wins and are supported by an expansive international fanbase. By reinforcing its presence in this legendary footballing stronghold, Betano continues to elevate its brand profile, integrating it into the elite of global sport. The partnership with the National Football Team of Argentina also reflects Kaizen Gaming’s broader strategy to invest in top-tier sports collaborations that drive international brand growth, while delivering innovative and responsible gaming experiences to millions of users worldwide.
The scope of this sponsorship will include local 360° campaigns that feature Betano’s tagline “Confiá” in digital media, television, and out-of-home (OOH) advertising.
Football is a global language, and few teams and countries embody its passion and legacy like Argentina. This partnership is a natural step for Kaizen Gaming and the Betano brand, deepening their presence at the heart of the sport and connecting with fans in moments that matter most. As anticipation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to build, this collaboration positions Betano centre-stage in the football conversation. Ahead of what promises to be a thrilling tournament, Kaizen Gaming remains focused on expanding its international reach, investing in strategic partnerships, and building meaningful connections with fans worldwide.
The post Betano Teams Up with World Champions Argentina in New Sponsorship Deal appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
ELYSIUM Studios7 days agoElysium Studios rolls out Jekyll & Hyde Co. slot with 5×5 grid and 5,000x cap
-
3 Oaks Gaming7 days ago
3 Oaks Gaming adds Must Drop JACKPOT mechanic to 4 Pots of Egypt slot
-
ELA Games7 days ago
ELA Games launches King and Flame slot with Hold and Win coins and Bonus Wheel
-
Africa6 days ago
QTech Games wins Leader in Online Casino at SBEA+ Eventus Awards 2026
-
BETANO6 days ago
Bets Under Scrutiny: Public Health, the Supreme Court, and Brazil’s Market
-
game release7 days ago
Just Slots releases Shadow Pirates with new 2XCOIN mechanic
-
Africa6 days ago
GoldenRace brings In-Shop Mobile and virtual sports to iGaming Afrika Summit
-
Brazil6 days ago
Inside EGR Power 50: Shaping the Future of iGaming in Marbella
