Latest News

Barclays Introduces a Cooling Off Time Delay to Its Gambling Block Feature

Published

6 years ago

September 15, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Barclays has introduced a 72-hour ‘cooling off’ time delay to its gambling block feature, which will help the customers who are looking for additional control over their expenses in gambling websites, apps or in venues. The new feature will make the customers wait for 72 hours for making the next gambling-related payments. Any attempted gambling-related transaction will be automatically rejected.

Sian McIntyre, Managing Director at Barclays said: “We are always looking for new ways to support our customers and make it easier for them to manage their finances.

“Customer feedback on our gambling control showed us there was more we could do to help and we’ve worked closely with them to design the solution. Our customers have told us this 72 hour time delay gives them a real pause for thought and helps when they are tempted to return to gambling.”

Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive of GamCare, said: “The ability to block gambling transactions through your bank card or app is incredibly helpful to those struggling to control their gambling, and is ideally used together with other practical tools such as self-exclusion, blocking software, and specialist support and treatment around the issue.

A recent report from the University of Bristol Personal Finance Research Centre has also highlighted that ‘positive friction’ such as a cooling off period can be even more helpful for users, as this gives time for reflection. GamCare is pleased to see Barclays take this positive step to support their customers and we hope more of the financial sector follows suit.”

Katie Alpin, Interim Chief Executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said: “We’ve long campaigned for banks to offer customers gambling blocks with a ‘cooling off’ period, as this can make a huge difference in helping people stay in control of gambling and avoid serious financial problems. We’re delighted that Barclays has taken this step and hope that other banks will follow suit.”

Anthony Dalla-Giacoma Chief Commercial Officer at Swintt

Swintt launches Wild Chicken slot with roaming wilds and free spins

Published

57 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

swintt-launches-wild-chicken-slot-with-roaming-wilds-and-free-spins

Premium release features a 5×3 layout with 10 paylines, a Risk gamble option, and a stated max win of 10,000x.

Swintt has released Wild Chicken, a new Premium slot that introduces roaming wilds and a free spins feature, with the supplier stating a maximum win of up to 10,000x the bet.

The game runs on a 5×3 reel layout with 10 fixed paylines. Its key mechanic is a “roaming rooster wild” that remains on the reels and shifts one position to the left after each spin, potentially contributing to multiple wins.

Free spins are triggered by landing three or more grain sack scatter symbols in the base game. Players receive 10, 15 or 20 free spins depending on the number of triggering scatters, and any wilds on the reels add one extra free spin while they remain present. Swintt also says collecting four additional grain sacks increases the wild’s size from one to three symbol positions, before it becomes an expanding symbol that fills its reel when it appears. Three or more grain sacks can retrigger the feature.

Wild Chicken also includes an optional Risk feature, where players can attempt to double winnings by guessing the colour of a hidden playing card, up to the game’s maximum payout.

Anthony Dalla-Giacoma, Chief Commercial Officer at Swintt, said: “Combining classic visuals and sounds with a progressive prize mechanic, Wild Chicken is the Premium release that players have been waiting for. With unique rooster wilds roaming the reels during the base game and expanding in size during the main feature, there’s a ton of excitement to be had on every spin, and a maximum jackpot of 10,000x means its sure to be a popular entry in all operators’ line-ups.”

The post Swintt launches Wild Chicken slot with roaming wilds and free spins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Ronaldinho partners with CreedRoomz on football-themed live casino games

Published

13 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

ronaldinho-partners-with-creedroomz-on-football-themed-live-casino-games

The former Brazil star visited CreedRoomz’ Yerevan studio as the supplier prepares Kickoff Roulette and Marble Cup.

Ronaldinho Gaúcho has partnered with live casino supplier CreedRoomz to develop two football-themed live games, Kickoff Roulette and Marble Cup. The company said the collaboration was officially unveiled in Yerevan, where Ronaldinho visited CreedRoomz’ headquarters and filming studios.

CreedRoomz said Ronaldinho toured the studio floor, met development and production teams, and took part in filming activity intended to integrate his on-screen presence into the live product.

According to the company, Kickoff Roulette is a live roulette title built around a football-stadium presentation and includes Ronaldinho-themed elements such as voiceovers. Marble Cup is positioned as a live game show in a football-themed studio environment, with gameplay designed around fast-paced rounds and betting options.

“It is amazing to be here. The incredible Yerevan energy and the warm welcome at the office have been fantastic. Stepping onto this digital pitch is a thrill because these are totally unique games. I am proud to be the ambassador for these games.” said Ronaldinho during the interview.

CreedRoomz said the timing is designed to align with increased football audience attention around major tournaments, with a focus on engagement and retention. No launch date, operator rollout plan, or market availability details were disclosed.

The post Ronaldinho partners with CreedRoomz on football-themed live casino games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Esports Foundation sets Esports World Cup 2026 venue at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

Published

13 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-sets-esports-world-cup-2026-venue-at-paris-expo-porte-de-versailles

Tickets go on sale May 29 for the seven-week Paris event running July 6 to August 23, with a $75 million prize pool across 25 competitions.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has confirmed Paris Expo Porte de Versailles as the venue for the Esports World Cup 2026, scheduled for July 06 through August 23 in Paris, France.

Ticket sales open Friday, May 29, 2026 via esportsworldcup.com/tickets. EF said the event will run for seven weeks and span 25 competitions, with more than 2,000 players from over 200 Clubs and more than 100 countries competing for a $75 million prize pool.

EF said Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will host competition arenas, broadcast operations, fan activations, and festival experiences. The organiser also pointed to the venue’s track record as the home of Paris Games Week since 2010 and as a site used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Ticketing includes Regular Tournament Passes and Premium Tournament Passes, alongside Daily Regular Tournament Passes. For select championship matches across VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike 2, EF said “Final Day Seating Zones” will be split into Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers.

The published schedule lists Week 1 events including VALORANT (July 9–12), ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs for Apex Legends (July 7–11), Dota 2 (July 7–12), and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves (July 8–11), concluding in Week 7 with Counter-Strike 2 (August 19–23), Fortnite Reload Elite Series Championship (August 19–22), Trackmania (August 19–22), and CROSSFIRE (August 18–22).

The post Esports Foundation sets Esports World Cup 2026 venue at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.