Latest News

Praesepe, Blueprint and Bacta move quickly to answer charity SOS

Published

6 years ago

April 16, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Gauselmann owned brands, Praesepe and Blueprint have joined forces with UK trade association, Bacta to donate £12,000 to fund 100 Amazon Fire tablets and care packages to industry charity, Rays of Sunshine (ROS). The tablets, described as a ‘god send’ by ROS chief executive Laura Barnett, will be distributed to children who, due to restrictions introduced to help stem the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, find themselves isolated from friends and family in hospital.

Explaining the impact and the importance of the donation, Laura Barnett said: “We’re so thankful to Gauselmann and Bacta for their incredibly generous donation of £12,000 which will enable us to continue brightening the lives of seriously ill children during this incredibly challenging time. The money donated will fund Amazon Fire tablets and care packages for hospitals, who we know have an immediate need due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. For children who are currently isolated in hospital receiving treatment, the tablets will help to alleviate their anxiety and distract them from the uncertainty related to their condition by enabling them to access virtual entertainment and, most crucially, keep connected with their friends and family.”

Praesepe Chief Operating Officer, Mark Schertle explained: “We have a close relationship with the Bacta Charitable Trust donating some £45,000 over the last nine months, so we know of the fantastic work undertaken by Rays of Sunshine in terms of granting wishes to children with serious or life-limiting illness. When we were made aware of how the pandemic was impacting the ability to continue their work, we thought there must be a way of doing a little bit more at this important time. We then spoke with our colleagues at Blueprint and John White at Bacta and I’m delighted that we have been able to move quickly and to be of some practical use. Laura and her team are budgeting for a seven figure loss of income this year, which is a massive blow for everyone connected to the charity, especially the children and their families.”

David Purvis, Managing Director of Blueprint Operations added: “We are all currently facing challenging impacts to our lives and businesses. Sadly, we have all borne witness to how this insidious virus is impacting our families, our communities and our very way of life. We hope that our donation of 100 Amazon Fire Tablets to the children of Rays of Sunshine will make a positive difference to their lives and the challenges they have at this time. Although these are trying times for us all, we remain optimistic that the UK will thrive again soon.”

John White believes this latest contribution to good causes shows the industry at its very best. He said: “The Bacta Charitable Trust was contacted by Praesepe/Blueprint to see if we would be able to jointly fund the 100 tablets and the answer was an unequivocal yes. In less than a week we’ve moved from reading about the issues faced by Rays of Sunshine to doing something really positive and helping to brighten the lives of children who have been cut-off from their loved ones. Not only does the industry have a massive heart but it also has a remarkable ‘can do’ attitude and the ability to make things happen – irrespective of the circumstances. I think the industry should be extremely proud.”

anti-quit challenge

HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January

Published

5 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

hipther-movement-launches-the-2026-run-challenge-to-help-runners-stay-committed-beyond-january

With the new year in full swing, HIPTHER Movement is kicking off its 2026 season with a fresh twist on its community-powered running challenges. From January 26 to April 5, the HIPTHER Movement: Anti-Quit Running Challenge will push runners to stay active and consistent well past the typical drop-off period in February.

Why This Challenge Matters

Every year, millions of runners lace up in January, but by early February, many resolutions fade. According to global fitness statistics, over 70% of runners abandon their goals before spring.

HIPTHER is taking a different approach — by creating a challenge designed specifically for this dropout window, promoting long-term consistency and fun competition in a supportive, global community.

A Two-Tier Challenge to Make It Fair and Fun

To make things even more exciting and inclusive, the 2026 running challenge introduces two separate leaderboards:

1. Tier 1 – “The Titans”

This is where the top 10 runners from previous editions will battle it out. These are the athletes who consistently top the weekly charts and push the boundaries of mileage. It’s a high-stakes leaderboard for elite-level fun and endurance.

2. Tier 2 – “The Momentum Makers”

The rest of the community – from weekend joggers to returning runners – will compete in their own leaderboard. This tier is about building momentum, staying motivated, and celebrating personal bests – no matter the distance.

“We’ve seen the same five to ten names dominate the top spots, which is amazing – but we wanted to give everyone else a space to thrive, especially newer members or those coming back from injury or burnout,” says Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder of HIPTHER.

Challenge Period: January 26 – April 5, 2026

Participants can log their runs via Strava and automatically appear in the weekly leaderboard updates published across HIPTHER’s channels.

How to Join

Already a member of the HIPTHER Run Club on Strava? You’re automatically enrolled.
Not yet in the club? Join here – it’s free and open to all.

Weekly Highlights, Spotlights & Prizes

Weekly shout-outs for standout performances
Surprise giveaways for participation, not just podiums
Social media badges & stickers for personal sharing
Featured runners in the HIPTHER Talks Podcast and newsletters

No Dropouts This Time

The mission? To create a habit, not a spike. Runners who complete at least 8 weeks of the challenge will receive a virtual certificate and earn a chance to be featured in HIPTHER’s growing digital health and wellness community.

Don’t Worry, Cyclists: Your Time Comes This Summer

While this first 2026 challenge focuses on running, the HIPTHER Summer Ride-Off Challenge will return in June 2026, covering both road cycling and indoor sessions.

Final Word

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting back into running, this is your chance to be part of something bigger. The HIPTHER Movement isn’t just about leaderboards – it’s about consistency, community, and crushing that February slump.

Follow HIPTHER Movement on:

Let’s start strong — and stay strong. See you on the leaderboard!

The post HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Zoltan Tundik

Online casino brand WinSpirit has received Special Recognition in the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator category at the European iGaming Awards, held on January 19 — a respected industry event celebrating excellence and innovation across the global iGaming sector.

Since launching in 2022, WinSpirit has rapidly gained attention for its dynamic approach to product development, player engagement, and platform growth. The brand blends innovative tools with entertainment-driven experiences, earning recognition from both users and the wider industry.

Over the past year, WinSpirit has introduced interactive formats like WinSpirit Stories and Threads, expanded its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, and continued to invest in smart personalisation features. This has contributed to significant growth across key areas, including retention, session frequency, and VIP activity.

The award adds to the brand’s growing list of accolades, which already includes Rising Star (SBC Awards), Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards), and World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards). WinSpirit also maintains top-tier player ratings across major review platforms, including 4.6/5 on Trustpilot and 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.

With this Special Recognition from the European iGaming Awards, WinSpirit further reinforces its position as one of the most innovative and dynamic brands in modern online gaming — driven by rapid evolution and a clear player-first vision.

Casino Industry News

WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

winspirit-receives-special-recognition-as-most-innovative-online-casino-operator

WinSpirit, the rapidly ascending online casino brand, has been awarded Special Recognition as the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator at the prestigious European iGaming Awards. The ceremony, held on January 19 in Barcelona, brought together the global iGaming elite to celebrate excellence, technical evolution, and industry-leading innovation.

Since its market debut in 2022, WinSpirit has carved out a distinct identity by prioritizing dynamic product development and immersive player engagement. This latest recognition highlights the brand’s successful efforts to merge cutting-edge technology with entertainment-driven user experiences.

Redefining Player Interaction

The award specifically acknowledges WinSpirit’s aggressive roadmap over the past twelve months. Key milestones that caught the judges’ attention include:

Interactive Content Formats: The launch of WinSpirit Stories and Threads, which bring a social-media-inspired engagement layer to the gaming platform.
Loyalty Evolution: The expansion of its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, rewarding players with tangible value in a seamless, instant-access format.
Smart Personalization: Continued investment in AI-driven personalization features that tailor the gaming environment to individual player preferences.

These innovations have driven measurable success for the brand, with WinSpirit reporting significant growth in player retention, session frequency, and activity within its VIP tiers.

A Growing Legacy of Excellence

This Special Recognition is the latest addition to a mounting trophy cabinet for the brand. WinSpirit’s previous accolades include:

Rising Star (SBC Awards)
Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards)
World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards)

Beyond industry awards, the brand maintains exceptional standing with the players themselves, boasting a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and an 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.

As WinSpirit moves into the remainder of 2026, the company reaffirms its “player-first” vision, positioning itself as a primary driver of the next generation of digital gaming.

The post WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.