Latest News
BGC Warns Permanent Industry Damage Following Delay in Casino Reopening
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that the UK Government’s last-minute reversal of plans to allow casinos to reopen on August 1 has dealt a wrecking ball to the industry, from which it may never recover.
The casino sector employs more than 14,000 people across the UK in 125 casinos and a further 4000 in the supply chain. Casinos also paid over £300 million each year in tax before the lockdown.
With casinos across England forced to remain shuttered, the BGC warns that up to 6000 jobs may be permanently lost.
In a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP on July 31, BGC described the decision to keep casinos closed as “highly illogical, inconsistent and deeply damaging to those businesses and the thousands of staff they employ.”
BGC has also rejected the Prime Minister’s categorisation of casinos as “higher risk” during his Downing Street briefing. Casinos have spent weeks and invested millions of pounds to ensure their premises are covid-secure, with measures such as perspex screens, sanitisation equipment and sophisticated track and trace systems, as well as introducing strict social distancing measures and hygiene protocols.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “The Government are swinging a wrecking ball right through the middle of our industry and large scale job losses, which ought to be unnecessary and avoidable, now look inevitable unless ministers act fast.”
“Casinos are a small but fundamental part of our leisure, hospitality, entertainment and tourism industry. They employ over 14,000 people across the UK and indirectly support another 4,000 jobs in the supply sector, and last year casinos paid over £5.7 million in tax per week.
“The ongoing cost of remaining in a holding pattern to reopen is clearly not sustainable, with more jobs and livelihoods being put at risk with every last minute change and delay to reopening.
“The Job Retention Scheme has helped but our members will now be forced to pay National Insurance and pension contributions on top of salaries in August while they remain closed. As furlough payments are phased out, there will be no flexibility for casinos to adapt to the new working and leisure environment and I now fear that many thousands of jobs could be lost.
“We made the all necessary preparations for safe reopening and we were given the green light by Public Health England on the basis of the significant investment made by operators, and having been told by the Government themselves that casinos posed a ‘negligible’ risk compared with the tens of thousands of other places that they have been reopened.”
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Awards
Esportes Gaming Brasil lands three brand nominations at Reclame Aqui Awards 2026
Esportes Gaming Brasil (EGB) says all three of its brands—Esportes da Sorte, Onabet and Lottu—have been shortlisted for the Reclame Aqui Awards 2026, a Brazilian awards programme focused on corporate reputation and customer relationships. The group announced the nominations on Thursday 16th July.
EGB said it is the first time the three brands have been nominated simultaneously. Esportes da Sorte is shortlisted in the Ultra Sports Betting Operators (Mega Operations) category, while Onabet and Lottu are in the Sports Betting Operators (Mega Operations) category.
“Receiving nominations for all three Group brands at the Reclame Aqui Awards for the first time is incredibly meaningful recognition of the work we carry out every day. More than simply an achievement, it reflects our consistent strategy of putting the customer at the centre of every decision by investing in technology, operational efficiency and personalised customer service to build long-term relationships based on trust,” said Maria Neves, Director of Customer Experience, Customer Support and Reputation Channels at Esportes Gaming Brasil.
The company attributed the nominations to ongoing investment in customer service processes, technology integration, employee training and changes to the user journey across its brands. EGB also said it reduced average response time for human customer support from 30 minutes to two minutes.
Reclame Aqui Awards winners are decided by consumer voting, according to the company. Public voting for the 2026 edition is scheduled to run from 2 September to 5 November.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil lands three brand nominations at Reclame Aqui Awards 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alberta
Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on regulated market day one
Deal expands bet365 casino rollout in Spain and Ontario, with 50+ Gaming Corps titles certified for Alberta from 13 July 2026.
Gaming Corps has launched with bet365 in Alberta on the first day of the province’s regulated iGaming market opening (13 July 2026), while also expanding its content footprint with the operator in Spain and Ontario.
The Sweden-based, publicly listed game developer said it is among the first wave of studios certified for Alberta, supporting bet365’s entry with more than 50 games available at launch. The day-one portfolio spans Slots, Table, Plinko, Mine Games and Instant Blitz.
Gaming Corps said the expanded partnership includes its football-themed titles, including Penalty Champion: Goals to Glory, plus the 3 Pigs series (3 Pigs of Olympus, 3 Pigs of Olympus 2: Rise of the DemiHog and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean).
The rollout also brings Gaming Corps’ new Low RTP Blackjack titles to bet365, which the supplier said are designed around 93.57% RTP and approximately 6% operator hold, with side-bet mechanics and flexible branding options.
Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Extending our partnership with bet365 across Spain, Ontario and Alberta is a major moment for Gaming Corps, but Alberta is the real statement here. Going live with bet365 from day one reflects the work our teams have put into certification, onboarding and ensuring we can move quickly and confidently with major operator partners.
“As one of the earliest studios ready for Alberta, we’ll be bringing more than 50 titles to the province. That breadth matters, because it gives operators like bet365 a single partner across multiple verticals, with content designed to support acquisition, engagement and retention across different player segments. Spain and Ontario are also important regulated markets for us and expanding with a global operator of this scale highlights how far Gaming Corps has come in a short period of time.”
Richard Graham, Associate VP of Gaming at bet365 at said: “Gaming Corps has become a valuable content partner, combining recognisable game identities with formats that add variety across our casino offering. We are pleased to extend the partnership into Spain, Ontario and Alberta, with the Alberta launch particularly important as part of our day-one commitment to the market.
“Expanding the relationship across multiple territories in a relatively short period reflects the strength of the collaboration, as well as the Gaming Corps team’s clear product direction, commitment and continued development as a game vendor. We look forward to giving players access to a wide-ranging portfolio from the moment the market opens.”
The post Gaming Corps goes live with bet365 in Alberta on regulated market day one appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
data-monetization
NODWIN Gaming names Teemu Koski CEO of its MENA unit
NODWIN Gaming has appointed Teemu Koski as Chief Executive Officer of NODWIN Gaming MENA, effective 1 July 2026. The company said Koski will lead strategy, operations, business development and market expansion across the Middle East and North Africa.
Koski reports to Merlin Wiedeking, CEO of NODWIN Gaming International. NODWIN said Koski will also continue to oversee its global data monetization business alongside running the MENA operation.
Koski joined NODWIN Gaming in August 2025 as Chief Business Officer, MENA. In that role, the company said he helped expand its commercial footprint in the region through strategic partnerships, commercial growth initiatives and the development of NODWIN’s data business, working with publishers, media rights holders and technology partners.
Prior to NODWIN, Koski spent more than 15 years at Elisa Corporation, where he founded and led Elisa Esports, according to the company.
Teemu Koski, CEO, NODWIN Gaming MENA, said: “The MENA region is entering a defining period for gaming, esports and youth entertainment, and the opportunity ahead is enormous. Over the past year, I’ve had the chance to work with an incredible team and partners across the region, and that has only strengthened my belief in what we can build together.
As we look ahead, my focus is on growing a business that’s deeply rooted in the region while bringing together publishers, brands, creators, governments and technology partners to unlock new opportunities. Alongside leading our MENA business, I’m also looking forward to continuing our work around global data monetization and helping create even greater value across NODWIN’s international ecosystem.”
Merlin Wiedeking, CEO, NODWIN Gaming International, said: “One of the things that stands out about Teemu is his ability to build businesses through strong relationships and a deep understanding of the market. As NODWIN continues to grow across international markets, we’re focused on empowering local leadership that understands the people, the culture and the opportunities within each region. MENA is one of our most important growth markets, and I’m looking forward to working closely with Teemu as we deepen our presence, build new partnerships and create long-term value across the region.”
The post NODWIN Gaming names Teemu Koski CEO of its MENA unit appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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