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Marc Etches to step down as CEO of GambleAware
After almost a decade as Chief Executive, Marc Etches has announced he will step down from his role as Chief Executive of GambleAware at the end of March 2021.
Under Marc Etches’ leadership, GambleAware has evolved to become the primary commissioner and convenor of services dedicated to reducing and preventing gambling harms in Great Britain. Formerly known as the Responsible Gambling Trust, the charity is now guided by a public health approach, overseen by a wholly independent and expert Board of Trustees, and works collaboratively with those in the public health sector, including the NHS, public health agencies, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations.
Marc Etches has led a substantial increase in funding and donations during his time as CEO and leading members of the Betting and Gaming Council have recently committed further funding of £100 million for the next four years. The charity now has £40m of grant funding under active management and the additional pledged funding will help GambleAware to continue to develop the National Gambling Treatment Service with its partners across England, Scotland and Wales.
The process to select a new Chief Executive will be led and overseen by GambleAware’s Board of Trustees. As GambleAware enters into the next stage of its evolution, the independent Board will look to appoint someone with appropriate expertise, including in commissioning healthcare services, who will be able to continue to ensure gambling harms are understood and tackled as a matter of public and individual health and wellbeing.
Commenting on Marc Etches’ departure, Kate Lampard CBE, Chair of GambleAware said:
“It has been a pleasure working with Marc over the past four years and he has taken the charity from strength to strength. As a result of his hard work, GambleAware has developed the expertise and sustainability to continue to deliver and work with partners across the healthcare spectrum to prevent and protect against gambling harms. I look forward to continuing this important work with a new Chief Executive next year.”
Marc Etches also commented: “It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as CEO for nearly a decade and I am enormously proud of the charity’s development and the contribution it makes, in partnerships with others, to keeping people safe from gambling harms.
With the prospect of a new era of increased funding and wider commissioning responsibilities, it is the right time for the charity to find someone with the skills and expertise necessary to take it into the next stage of its evolution.
I want to thank the Board of trustees and the entire staff team at GambleAware for their hard work and commitment to the charity’s purpose as well as for their magnificent personal support of me.”
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Casino Content
Habanero launches Raiden Shogun slot with 259 ways and stacked multipliers
Habanero has launched Raiden Shogun, a Japanese-themed 5×5 slot built around a samurai-triggered Wild mechanic and a stacked multiplier system.
The game runs on 259 Connected Ways across a 5×5 grid. Habanero said the samurai can trigger at random, cutting through bamboo on reels 1, 3 and 5 to reveal stacked Wilds.
A free spins feature is triggered by scatters, with three, four or five scatters awarding 8, 18 or 38 free spins respectively. During free spins, the bamboo reveals multipliers that continue to stack “without resetting,” according to the supplier.
Raiden Shogun also supports Habanero’s Jackpot Race
and Buy Feature. Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, said: “Raiden Shogun is a game built around a clear mechanical identity. The samurai Wild reveal is visually impressive and immediately communicates what the game is about while the non-resetting multiplier system gives the free spins genuine weight.
“We continue to focus on creating games that balance distinctive design with top performance, and this is a title that we’re confident will connect well with both players and operators.”
The post Habanero launches Raiden Shogun slot with 259 ways and stacked multipliers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Blueprint Gaming
Blueprint’s Fishin’ Frenzy™ Lure ‘Em In: Tackle Boxes Set the Reels Ablaze
Blueprint Gaming
revisits its famed lakeside setting in Fishin’ Frenzy
Lure ‘Em In, where unique tackle boxes lead to rewarding features in bonus rounds, alongside the opportunity to secure a maximum win of 10,000x.
With launches from the acclaimed franchise regularly topping the UK studio’s best performers, the newest installment is poised to enhance the impressive momentum, providing operators’ lobbies with an engaging, feature-packed enhancement.
At the center of the activity are three colored tackle boxes that gather corresponding blue, red, and green scatters when they appear during a spin. Guaranteed entry to the bonus game occurs if three bonus scatter symbols appear with at least one modifier in effect.
Activating the bonus game through the blue tackle box will enable the Cast and Catch modifier. In the round, the appearance of wilds will ensure a respin, with wilds and prize symbols staying in position while the other symbols are respun.
When the Golden Catch modifier is triggered through the red tackle box, unique golden wild symbols appear on the reels, collecting all visible cash prize symbols and enhancing the overall win with a multiplier of as much as 5x.
The Take the Bait upgrade, activated by the green tackle box, introduces unique cash prize symbols to the reels, depicted by a can of worms. When a can of worms icon appears, all visible cash prize amounts are gathered by any fisherman symbol.
In a significant increase to winning possibilities, as many as three Lure ‘Em In upgrades can operate simultaneously during the bonus round, with two active tackle boxes ensuring super free games, and three leading to the mega free game, where the opportunity to achieve the 10,000x maximum prize becomes available.
Immersive trails have become a staple in Blueprint bonus games, and the studio has continued this popular trend with its latest release. Every four fisherman symbols that are collected during the feature will award five additional free spins, with the standard cash prize value in place increased to a maximum of 50x.
For those with an eye on a particular catch to remember, the Express Bet can be triggered at any time during gameplay for 0.5x the base stake, doubling the chances of triggering the bonus game.
Following hot on the heels of Game of Thrones
, Fishin’ Frenzy
Lure ‘Em In
reinforces Blueprint’s ability to cleverly craft fresh-themed, bountiful titles for players to enjoy worldwide.
Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events, said: “Fishin’ Frenzy
remains one of our most iconic and best-performing franchises, and with Lure ‘Em In, we have introduced exciting new mechanics to elevate the experience even further. The addition of dynamic tackle box modifiers and the ability to combine multiple enhancements brings greater variety and anticipation to the bonus.
“We are confident this latest instalment will resonate strongly with operators and players, continuing the franchise’s legacy as a standout performer.”
The post Blueprint’s Fishin’ Frenzy™ Lure ‘Em In: Tackle Boxes Set the Reels Ablaze appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
3 Oaks Gaming
3 Oaks Gaming releases Lucky Apple x1000 slot with multipliers up to x1000
3 Oaks Gaming has released Lucky Apple x1000, a 6×5 scatter pays slot with cascading reels and multipliers up to x1000.
Wins trigger when eight matching symbols land anywhere on the reels. The game uses a Cascading Reels mechanic, removing winning symbols and dropping new ones in place. Red Apple Symbols can appear randomly or be “assisted by the character,” revealing multipliers from x2 to x1000. Any multipliers in view combine and are applied to the total win after the cascade.
The slot also includes a Free Spins feature where multipliers from winning spins contribute to a growing Total Multiplier during the feature, according to the company.
In certain markets, 3 Oaks Gaming said players can access a Bonus Shop with two Free Spins options, including an upgraded round where multipliers range from x10 to x1000.
Krasimir Pankovski, Sales Director at 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “Lucky Apple x1000 highlights our approach to combining strong themes with proven mechanics that resonate with players. By bringing together cascading reels, high-value multipliers and a cumulative Free Spins model, we’ve created a title designed for both engagement and longevity.
“The addition of the Bonus Shop adds further flexibility, supporting player choice while helping operators maximise performance as we continue to grow a competitive portfolio.”
The post 3 Oaks Gaming releases Lucky Apple x1000 slot with multipliers up to x1000 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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