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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.”

Amusnet

Amusnet Officially Enters the Philippine Market

Published

1 hour ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-officially-enters-the-philippine-market

Amusnet has announced its official entry into the Philippine market. In a double milestone for the company’s expansion strategy, Amusnet has successfully gone live with its first local operator, 747Live, and is now officially featured on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) List of EGLD-Approved Electronic Games. The list currently includes a total of 214 approved titles, representing a significant achievement and reinforcing Amusnet’s position as a trusted B2B partner in the country.

“These are two major achievements for us: a strong PAGCOR-approved portfolio and going live with our first partner in the Philippines, 747Live – both laying the foundation for accelerated growth and a stronger market presence,” said Kalin Angelov, Business Development Manager at Amusnet.

“We are very pleased to welcome Amusnet to our platform, as their reputation for premium content perfectly aligns with our mission to offer the best gaming experience in the Philippines. As Amusnet’s first partner in the region, we are excited to introduce such an extensive selection of approved titles to our audience,” said Enrico Menghini, CEO at 747Live.

The initial integration with 747Live allows local players to experience Amusnet’s world-renowned gaming mechanics, immersive graphics and signature jackpot features. To celebrate this market entry, Amusnet is highlighting a selection of top-performing titles, such as the dynamic 100 Golden Coins: Reel Fishing, the fan-favourite Extra Crown and the high-energy 100 Golden Coins.

This expansion into the Philippines marks a new chapter for Amusnet. The supplier continues to set new standards in the iGaming industry, providing operators with a robust and diversified portfolio of high-quality content. By entering the Philippine market with such a strong lineup, the company establishes itself as a premier partner for local operators, dedicated to bringing premium gaming experiences to a new and growing audience.

The post Amusnet Officially Enters the Philippine Market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Betting and Gaming Council

Betting and Gaming Council Appoints Kane Purdy as New Chair

Published

1 hour ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

betting-and-gaming-council-appoints-kane-purdy-as-new-chair

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has appointed Kane Purdy, Managing Director at Gamesys Operations Limited, as the new non-executive Chair with immediate effect.

Kane takes on the role after 20 years in the betting and gaming industry, bringing extensive operational experience, deep sector knowledge and a strong track record of leadership across the regulated sector.

In addition to his role at Gamesys Operations Limited – part of Bally’s Intralot – Kane has played an active role in driving industry collaboration, including as Chair of GamProtect, the single customer view initiative designed to enhance player protection and raise standards across the industry.

The Chair position will be filled on a rotating basis by BGC members, with each term lasting 12 months.

Kane succeeds Executive Chair Michael Dugher, who stepped down earlier this year after six years at the BGC.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive Officer of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Kane brings a huge amount of experience, expertise and talent to this role, built over two decades in the industry.

“He is a highly respected leader with a deep understanding of both the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with operating in a regulated environment. He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration, helping to drive forward initiatives that strengthen standards and protections across the sector.

“I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to champion our members, raise standards and support a well-regulated industry that delivers for customers, the economy and communities across the country.”

Kane Purdy, Managing Director at Gamesys Operations Limited and non-executive Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “I am honoured and delighted to take on the role of Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council.

“After 20 years in the industry, I understand the importance of working collectively to meet challenges, raise standards and ensure the regulated sector continues to thrive.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with Grainne and the team, as well as with members from across the industry, to build on the strong progress already made and help shape the future direction of the BGC.”

The post Betting and Gaming Council Appoints Kane Purdy as New Chair appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

TaDa Strengthens its Presence in South Africa Through New Partnership with Sunbet

Published

1 hour ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

tada-strengthens-its-presence-in-south-africa-through-new-partnership-with-sunbet

TaDa has strengthened its presence in the South African iGaming market through its new partnership with Sunbet, one of the country’s premier online gaming and sports betting operators.

The new collaboration supports TaDa Gaming’s continued growth in regulated markets and further strengthens its presence in South Africa’s rapidly evolving online gaming sector.

Winner of the SiGMA Africa Slot Newcomer of the Year 2025 award, TaDa’s mobile first, player-centric and expertly localised games stand out through their dynamic features and mechanics, immersive themes and easy onboarding that aligns with local preferences.

Sunbet customers will have immediate access to TaDa’s leading Fortune Gems series, including Fortune Gems 500 which is currently the top slot across African jurisdictions; while the retro slot machine design of Rapid Gems 777 has seen it quickly become a player favourite. Distribution is through Light & Wonder Inc.

Ray Lee, Director of Business Development, TaDa Gaming, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sunbet. Their strong customer focus and reputation for being ahead of the curve for innovative content gives us opportunities to increase our know-how, improve our localisation and continue to deliver great gaming experiences to more players across South Africa.”

Tyler Gentle, Casino Product Manager at Sunbet, said: “Great games are games that people come back to. They strike the right balance between simplicity, reward and engagement. TaDa’s games do that, and then some. They’re accessible, engaging and importantly, built to be played. And that’s why we’re so excited they are now part of Sunbet’s line up.”

The post TaDa Strengthens its Presence in South Africa Through New Partnership with Sunbet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.