Gaming

Azerion and Fortuna Sittard join forces to create the future of digital football

Published

4 years ago

May 13, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Azerion will become minority shareholder from the club

This partnership will deliver a high-quality fan experience by integrating offline and online services

International gaming company Azerion and Dutch football club Fortuna Sittard are set to write the future of gaming together.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The Amsterdam-based internet company, specialising in online gaming and advertising technology, has become the co-owner of the Limburg Eredivision ist by acquiring a minority stake of 20 per cent.

This investment made by Azerion – a company best known to the general public for its flagship games Habbo Hotel, Governor of Poker and Hotel Hideaway – will give the Limburg popular club the means to meet its sporting and corporate ambitions.

The football club will also benefit from the deployment of Azerion’s extensive digital and advertising capabilities to expand its strategic position. This partnership will help bring Fortuna Sittard fans together ever closer through the strategic use of digital, social, and interactive communication tools – exactly like when creating entertainment through games and exclusive content.

Joining forces with high expectations

“We are very happy and excited to join forces with Azerion,” said Isitan Gün, chairman of Fortuna Sittard. “Azerion is a fast-growing company with global impact and unprecedented expertise in the field of gaming and advertising technology. After we started talking to each other, we quickly noticed that there were many similarities between the two parties and that we matched well in terms of organisational culture. We both have an out-of-the-box mentality and are dedicated to realising our ambitious and creative ideas. We see a very bright future with Azerion at our side.”

Atilla Aytekin, founder and CEO of Azerion, agreed: “From the very first moment, the collaboration with Fortuna Sittard went incredibly well”. “We were welcomed to the stadium with enormous warmth, which made us feel at home right away. We are football fans and see many similarities between this fantastic club and Azerion. Fortuna Sittard is – just like us – one big family and with games from our portfolio such as Habbo Hotel and Hotel Hideaway, we know that a strong and close relationship with the community is very important and valuable. It was therefore logical for us to invest in this beautiful club.”

More than just capital

Azerion brings not only capital to Fortuna Sittard, but a wealth of valuable expertise. The successful Dutch gaming and advertising technology organisation wants to achieve a healthy and successful growth through the partnership with the Limburg professional football club in the organisational areas, commerce and fan base growth. The objective is to help Fortuna Sittard become a stable mid-table player in the Eredivisie. “Helping organisations grow is in our DNA,” explained Azerion CEO Atilla Aytekin. “Azerion has already invested in more than fifty organisations and helped them grow their business. We are determined to do the same for Fortuna Sittard. We know how we can achieve digital interaction with people and want to support Fortuna Sittard with this. We also want to strengthen the strong family relationship between the fans and the club by introducing new forms of exclusive and entertaining content, games and interactive means of communication to the club”. Fortuna chairman Isitan Gün also sees the advantages of this: “In the football world, technology and innovative and interactive ways of communication are becoming increasingly important and I, therefore, believe that this collaboration is a good example of how these domains reinforce each other.”

FreezeNova

10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)

Published

6 days ago

December 20, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

10-15%-of-gamers-in-florida-show-signs-of-gaming-addiction:-here-are-10-signs-your-kid-is-suffering-from-it-(and-how-you-can-help)

Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.

Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.

Recognizing Early Signs

“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:

Exhaustion and Irritability

Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.

Gaming Obsession

If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.

Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests

A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.

Emotional Volatility

Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.

Physical Strain

Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.

Neglecting Basic Needs

If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.

Creating a Supportive Environment

While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.

Teamwork and Setting Boundaries

“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.

Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.

Open Communication

Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”

Compliance Updates

SYNOT Games Officially Certifies Over 140 Games in Brazil

Published

1 week ago

December 17, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

synot-games-officially-certifies-over-140-games-in-brazil

SYNOT Games has announced that more than 140 of its games have now been officially certified in Brazil.

“We are delighted to announce that more than 140 of our games have now been officially certified in Brazil. This significant achievement allows us to expand our reach and introduce a diverse selection of games to this dynamic market. Brazil represents a key opportunity for growth, and we are committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the Brazilian audience,” the Company said.

“We are thrilled to introduce our portfolio in Brazil, offering innovative and engaging gameplay that promises to captivate and entertain players,” Martina Krajci, CCO at SYNOT Games, said.

Gaming

SPGA Introduces Code of Conduct to Highlight Member Commitment to Compliance and Safety in Social and Promotional Gaming

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

spga-introduces-code-of-conduct-to-highlight-member-commitment-to-compliance-and-safety-in-social-and-promotional-gaming

The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), an organization dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social games offering promotional sweepstakes prizes, today announced the implementation of a Code of Conduct for its operator members.

The Code of Conduct is designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos offering promotional sweepstakes, also referred to as social sweeps games.

Social sweeps games combine the established social casino model, on which Americans have spent over $40 billion in the last decade, and add promotional prizes. No purchase is necessary to win prizes, and the vast majority of users play for free.

The foundational pillars of the Code of Conduct include the application of regulation-grade suppliers, technology, or policies to ensure:

Age verification to limit real money play to users 18 and older
Proper identity verification (Know Your Customer or KYC)
Location verification of customers
AML policies to ensure proper transaction monitoring

“The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment,” said Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications, a spokesperson for the SPGA.

“The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos.”

In the months ahead, the SPGA will release more details on the Code of Conduct, introduce additional pillars, and engage an external firm to certify member compliance with the Code.

“We look forward to continuing to develop the Code of Conduct to further strengthen the commitment of SPGA members to compliance and player protection while providing consumers with a highly social and engaging experience that is always free to play,” said Wright.