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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Balkan Gaming Market
Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg
Yggdrasil, the leading global iGaming publisher, has officially boosted its reach in the regulated Bulgarian market by taking its premium content live with regional operator bet.bg.
This partnership marks another significant milestone in Yggdrasil’s European expansion strategy. Following a landmark commercial year in 2025—where the studio saw rapid growth across Spain, Brazil, and the Balkan markets—this new deal ensures a steady stream of high-quality entertainment for Bulgarian players.
A Portfolio of Blockbuster Hits
As part of the initial rollout, bet.bg has integrated over 20 of Yggdrasil’s top-performing titles. The selection features a mix of “all-time classics” and modern hits, including:
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The Vikings Series: Specifically the fan-favorite Vikings go Berzerk.
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Legendary Quests: The high-adventure Valley of the Gods.
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GEM-Powered Slots: Innovative titles like Raptor DoubleMax, Hades GigaBlox, and Golden Fish Tank 2.
These games leverage Yggdrasil’s signature Game Engagement Mechanics (GEMs), which have proven to be major drivers of player retention and engagement in the Eastern European region.
Strategic Growth in the Balkans
Bulgaria has emerged as a flourishing hub for iGaming, supported by a clear regulatory framework and a growing demand for premium casino content. For Yggdrasil, partnering with an established local brand like bet.bg is a “statement of intent” to dominate the Balkan territory.
“Partnering with bet.bg is a real statement of intent for us as we further boost our footprint in the Balkan region,” said Jose Kadala, Chief Commercial Officer at Yggdrasil. “Our titles have already proven to be incredibly popular in the region, and we’re confident that bet.bg customers will love the gaming experiences we will provide for them.”
A spokesperson for bet.bg echoed this enthusiasm, stating: “We are extremely pleased to offer Yggdrasil’s wide-ranging product portfolio to our players. Yggdrasil brings a combination of fan-favorite games and cutting-edge mechanics to our collection, and we can’t wait to grow in tandem with them.”
The post Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
B2B gaming software
Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, has officially entered into a strategic partnership with BetOxygen, a software development company specializing in agile B2B gaming solutions.
The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between high-end infrastructure and operators seeking reliable, omnichannel systems. As the boundary between land-based and online gaming continues to blur, the partnership highlights BetOxygen’s role as a key architect in the modern iGaming landscape.
A Unified IT Ecosystem for Modern Operators
BetOxygen has distinguished itself by offering a complete IT ecosystem that supports a wide range of verticals, including:
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Sports Betting Software
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Internet Casinos
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Virtual Slot Games
At the heart of their offering is a comprehensive omnichannel platform. This system integrates retail, mobile, and online operations into a single, unified back office. This allows operators to manage their entire business from one dashboard, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience for players regardless of how they choose to bet.
Efficiency and “Boutique” Support
BetOxygen differentiates itself from traditional technology vendors through a proactive, “boutique” approach to client management. Key highlights of their service model include:
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Rapid Technical Support: Boasting a two-minute response time for technical inquiries.
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Fast Integration: A clear roadmap that promises full platform customization and integration within 60 days of signing.
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Risk Management: Continuous monitoring to protect partners from operational challenges.
Currently holding a strong presence in regulated markets across Europe and Africa, BetOxygen is focused on democratizing access to high-end gaming technology for ambitious operators.
“What sets BetOxygen apart and makes this partnership so exciting for us is their unique full package philosophy,” said Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect. “This partnership underscores our dedication to showcasing providers who prioritize speed, customization, and unwavering support.”
The post Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
B2B iGaming
Groove Technologies to Showcase Future of Scalable iGaming Growth at ICE Barcelona 2026
Groove Technologies, the award-winning B2B iGaming solutions provider, has announced its high-profile participation in ICE Barcelona 2026. Taking place from January 19–21 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the event marks a significant milestone as the world’s premier gaming trade fair moves to its new Spanish home.
Groove Technologies will join over 600 exhibitors and 65,000 industry professionals to demonstrate how its “plug-and-play” growth ecosystem is helping operators navigate the complexities of a maturing global market.
Mastering the Next Wave of iGaming Trends
As the industry looks toward 2026, the focus has shifted from mere content volume to sustainable, data-driven growth. Groove’s platform is designed to address this shift, offering a single, powerful engine that consolidates:
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Massive Content Library: Access to over 15,000 games from 150+ top-tier providers.
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Streamlined Integration: A single API that reduces technical debt and speeds up time-to-market.
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Growth-Focused Tools: Built-in analytics, marketing automation, and localization features to engage players in diverse regulatory environments.
Leadership Insights: Partnership as a Catalyst for Growth
The Groove leadership team will be on-site to discuss strategic scaling and market entry.
“The industry is moving beyond just offering games; it’s about delivering the right localized content with the right tools,” said Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove Technologies. “ICE is the definitive venue to connect face-to-face with partners who are serious about scaling their business intelligently.”
Giusy Campo, Business Development Director, emphasized the importance of networking: “Our entire platform is built to be a growth catalyst. I’m looking forward to discussing the specific mechanics of success with current and future partners. Let’s transform potential into performance.”
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO, added that the platform serves as a “comprehensive growth ecosystem,” allowing operators to launch fast and adapt to local player preferences with minimal friction.
Key Trends to Watch in 2026
Groove’s participation is informed by the critical trends set to dominate the iGaming landscape in 2026, including:
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Hyper-Personalization: Real-time tailoring of the player experience.
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Safer Gambling & Compliance: Automated, proactive player protection tools.
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Social & Mobile Integration: Features that build community and leverage mobile-first habits.
Operators and prospective partners can visit the newly launched domain at www.groovetech.com to book a meeting with the team in Barcelona.
The post Groove Technologies to Showcase Future of Scalable iGaming Growth at ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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