Latest News
OKRE Launches ‘Development Rooms’ for Screen and Audio Entertainment Creatives in Partnership With BFI, BBC and UKIE
The first event, OKRE Development Rooms: Planet, Perspectives, Plot will be hosted by Head of Talent, BBC Content, Donna Taberer
The cross-sector collaboration charity OKRE (Opening Knowledge Across Research and Entertainment) has today launched OKRE Development Rooms, a brand new programme of talks and roundtables presenting fresh ideas and perspectives from academic research and lived experience for creatives in the screen and audio entertainment industries.
The online series is free to attend and is run in partnership with the BFI, BBC and UKIE. It welcomes all those in film, TV, interactive and podcasting who seek inspiration to develop new content across all genres for high impact audience engagement.
Each Development Rooms event will explore a major social and scientific theme from unexpected angles with experts from around the world, featuring keynote speakers, breakout Rooms and virtual networking.
The theme for the first OKRE Development Room is Planet, Perspectives, Plot, offering a lateral look at climate change research, personal lived experiences and sources of funding.
Says OKRE Director Iain Dodgeon: “OKRE’s mission is to further cross-sector collaboration between the entertainment industries, academic research and the social impact sector. We’re delighted to partner with BBC, BFI and UKIE on the OKRE Development Rooms, which will bring diverse creative minds together for an energising and inspiring experience. Now feels like an invigorating and urgent time to be collaborating with communities from all over the world, so I’m really excited to follow the connections that result from these events.”
Says BFI Senior Production & Development Executive Lizzie Francke: “OKRE Development Rooms will provide a welcome space for creatives in the screen industries to engage with experts to inform their work and enable them to interpret important issues in accessible, informative and entertaining ways for audiences to enjoy. We’re delighted to be supporting this programme.”
“The BBC is pleased to partner with OKRE, the BFI and UKIE in this initiative. Bringing together academics and creatives to explore the key subjects of our age such as climate change is critical. I’m delighted to be able to host OKRE’s first Development Room: Planet, Perspectives, Plot to see how we might make these subjects engaging for all audiences.” Donna Taberer, Head of Talent, BBC Content.
Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of Ukie, said: “We know that games are an incredibly powerful medium for stories and ideas, and an important way for people to understand sometimes complex topics. We have also seen what can happen when the science community collaborates meaningfully with game developers to create impactful stories as well as in harnessing player attention to work through complex data sets and problems. This initiative will support more collaborations and will help games achieve real social impact.”
Powered by WPeMatico
Player loyalty is evolving — and so is WinSpirit’s approach. They’ve unveiled a fully redesigned VIP program, merging loyalty mechanics and exclusive rewards into one clear, gamified journey. The goal? Drive deeper engagement, long-term satisfaction, and higher lifetime player value (LTV) through transparency and simplicity.
This combination of permanent progression and time-limited campaigns positions WinSpirit’s VIP Club as a modern retention tool — one designed to reduce churn while giving players a clearer sense of achievement.
Data-Driven Response
The updated VIP model is a direct response to user behavior and feedback. WinSpirit observed that, for some users, the previous program might have been a little complex — primarily due to separated loyalty levels and the pressure of maintaining temporary statuses. So the brand decided to simplify the progression path.
“We consistently listen to our players, and their desire to retain earned progress was clear,” said a WinSpirit representative. “This redesign is our commitment to them—we’re replacing complexity with simplicity, ensuring every player feels valued and their long-term journey is rewarding.”
How the New VIP Club Works
The redesigned VIP Club merges lifetime progress with seasonal engagement to create a system that rewards both consistency and activity. Players unlock a permanent VIP status that never resets — a key benefit that builds trust and long-term motivation.
On top of this, rotating seasonal levels introduce fresh challenges and time-limited bonuses that keep engagement high. Even when players take a break, their status stays — removing pressure and encouraging steady play.
All progression and rewards are tracked in a centralized VIP dashboard, giving players full visibility and control without the need to contact support. This clarity minimizes friction and churn.
Seasonality as a Strategic Engagement
WinSpirit’s new format introduces quarterly campaigns, each with a dedicated theme and bonus structure. The current activation, Flame of Thrill, designed to re-ignite player motivation during autumn campaigns, features:
- Increased cashback tiers and deposit insurance
- Personalized bonuses and access to exclusive promotions
- Limited seasonal rewards and much more
Even for long-term players, these rotating seasons bring something new — keeping the program exciting well beyond the first few tiers.
Why It Matters for Business
From a business perspective, the redesigned VIP Club introduces several measurable advantages:
- Increased retention (reduced status loss anxiety).
- Higher LTV (steady progression over time).
- More consistent activity (recurring seasonal goals).
- Fewer negative touchpoints (clear rules).
The introduction of a permanent VIP threshold (VIP Iron) creates a strong psychological anchor for re-engagement — aligning well with known gamification strategies in product design.
Overall, WinSpirit’s transformation reflects a broader commitment to listening to players. The brand is shifting toward a more sustainable model that fosters long-term relationships through clarity, fairness, and flexible progression. It’s a big step toward a smarter, player-first future — where loyalty is truly rewarded, and progress never goes unnoticed.
Canada
Group from Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Elements Casino Chilliwack
Great Canadian Entertainment and a consortium group of certain communities from the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe, through an entity affiliated with Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd. (the “Ts’elxwéyeqw Group”), announced that on November 7th, 2025, they entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase by the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group from Great Canadian Entertainment of Elements Casino Chilliwack, one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia.
The Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe constitute seven First Nation communities and are the First People of the Chilliwack River watershed. The transaction represents a transformational milestone for the communities within the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group.
Elements Casino Chilliwack serves guests across the Fraser Valley and is Chilliwack’s top destination for gaming and entertainment, featuring over 300 slots, live and electronic table games, bingo, dining, live entertainment and more.
The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and the receipt of regulatory and other approvals. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Great Canadian Entertainment will continue to provide transitional services and support to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group for a period following closing.
“This purchase marks an exciting milestone for our Nations and for the entire territory. By coming together in partnership, we are not only investing in a strong business opportunity, but also in the future of our people. The revenues generated through this acquisition will help strengthen our communities, create new opportunities, and ensure our Nations continue to play a leading role in the local economy. Additionally, we believe that local community-based ownership of Elements Casino Chilliwack will further strengthen the broader Fraser Valley community and economy. It’s a proud moment that reflects how Indigenous leadership and collaboration can build a stronger, more inclusive future for everyone,” said Chief David Jimmie, Chief of Squiala First Nation and President of Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Ltd.
“We are very excited to have entered into this agreement with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. We have had the privilege of being part of the Chilliwack community since we opened Elements Casino Chilliwack in 2012, and we believe that under the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group’s stewardship, the business will begin an exciting new chapter. For the team members and guests of Elements Casino Chilliwack, and the local community, we can think of no better owner for the business. We look forward to the closing and then working with the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group team during the transition period,” said Matt Anfinson, CEO of Great Canadian Entertainment.
McCarthy Tétrault LLP is acting as legal advisor and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. is acting as financial advisor to the Ts’elxwéyeqw Group. McMillan LLP is acting as legal advisor to Great Canadian Entertainment.
The post Group from Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and Great Canadian Entertainment Announce Agreement for the Acquisition of Elements Casino Chilliwack appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Reading Time: < 1 minute
SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited confirmed that the New Zealand Gambling Commission has granted SkyCity Queenstown Limited with a renewal of its casino venue licence for a further 15 years from 7 December 2025, pursuant to section 134 of the Gambling Act 2003.
SkyCity Chief Executive Officer, Jason Walbridge, said: “We’re delighted with this outcome. We look forward to continuing to play our part in Queenstown’s fantastic range of entertainment for both locals and visitors.”
The post SkyCity Announces Renewal of Queenstown Casino Licence appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Central Europe5 days agoEsportSpot Announces Launch of Online Casino Review Website in Poland
-
Central Europe6 days ago
CT Interactive strengthens presence in Slovakia with launch of new games on Tipos.sk
-
David Mann Chief Commercial Officer at Swintt6 days ago
Swintt bring players four times the fun in Lucky Fortune Door Wild
-
ADM5 days ago
Swintt games go live in Italy after receiving ADM certification
-
Booming Games6 days ago
Booming Games Takes Players Sky-High with Thunder Eagle Hold and Win Extreme 10,000
-
Evoplay6 days ago
Evoplay answers the call of the wild in festive Young Deer Song
-
18Peaches5 days ago
Week 45/2025 slot games releases
-
Bragg Gaming Group5 days ago
Bragg Rolls Out Premium Content Suite with Napoleon Romania
