Latest News

GamCare Launches Safer Gambling Toolkit

Published

4 years ago

October 1, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

GamCare has launched a new toolkit for financial institutions, gambling businesses and debt advice agencies across the UK to offer further support for customers experiencing gambling-related harms.

The toolkit contains core customer messaging, referral pathway guidelines tailored to each sector, and guidance on training staff to give them the confidence to support customers who are impacted by gambling harms. Together, these resources can help frontline staff in key industries to provide effective, sensitive support to customers and ensure they receive the help they need.

The toolkit is available for free on GamCare’s website via gamcare.org.uk/gambling-related-financial-harm.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Anna Hemmings, CEO at GamCare, says: “People struggling with gambling present in different ways and often opportunities are missed to provide the support they need. Ensuring that frontline staff are equipped to help and refer to appropriate support is a huge step in improving the outcomes these customers experience. This toolkit, with the support of businesses, charities and gambling operators themselves, is vital to putting those pathways in place.”

Dorothy Liviabella, Head of Vulnerable Customer Strategy at Santander, says: “It has been great to be part of this collaboration on a topic as important as gambling-related financial harm. This toolkit will really help across the industry, to improve understanding of the issue and to shape the support available to those who may be impacted.”

Emma Gibbons, Vulnerable Client Manager at PayPlan, says: “It has been a privilege working on this toolkit with GamCare, to help open up important conversations around gambling and debt. This project has allowed us to develop important guidance and communications for the benefit of vulnerable clients and the organisations that support them. Our experience of clients disclosing a gambling addiction as a cause of problem debt has enabled our team to offer policies, procedures and conversational techniques for the toolkit and we look forward to seeing the results of this new initiative and helping to break the stigma when it comes to talking about gambling and debt.”

Frankie Graham, CEO at Betknowmore UK, says: “Gambling-related financial harms have serious consequences for the gambler as well as those with a financial connection to them. The mismanagement of finances can trigger a cluster of problematic issues; from prevention of everyday functions, such as paying bills, to onset of mental health challenges, such as stress and anxiety. We can start to address these harms through cross sector collaboration and sharing our expertise. Betknowmore UK is delighted to support this programme, and recommend the accompanying resources as essential tools in achieving our mutual goal, which is to keep people safe and free from gambling harms.”

Lauren Iannarone, Director of Sustainability at Playtech, says: “The launch of this toolkit signals a significant milestone in our efforts to foster collaboration across sectors to prevent and address gambling related financial harm. The toolkit published today will help ensure that organisations – across the financial services, treatment, gambling and banking industries – deliver timely, consistent advice, support, interactions and signposting to those who need it most.”

Elyn Corfield, Managing Director – Consumer Finance at Lloyds Banking Group, says: “At Lloyds Banking Group we understand the impacts that gambling related harm can have on customers. We are proud to have collaborated with GamCare and other organisations on the creation of this free toolkit which will be available for businesses to develop how they support customers.”

Maxine Pritchard, HSBC UK’s Head of Financial Inclusion and Vulnerability, says: “We know this is a challenging time for many of our customers, with those who are struggling with gambling being particularly vulnerable. We are proud to have collaborated across multiple industries to develop this toolkit which will help ensure we can use it as part of the training we provide our colleagues, as well as building it into our internal procedures. We have already put in place a number of measures to help those affected by gambling, and this toolkit is another positive step to supporting those at risk of financial harm from gambling. We will continue to look at ways in which we can support customers with gambling addictions.”

GamCare launched the Gambling Related Financial Harms Programme in 2019 to bring together the banking, gambling and debt relief sectors to tackle the everyday financial difficulties that can be caused by gambling through the promotion of best practice support, better identification and more effective customer support.

BMM Testlabs

BMM Testlabs Earns Accreditation in Maranhão, Brazil To Test Fixed Odds Betting Systems and Lottery Platforms

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

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BMM Testlabs, the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and testing services, today announced its official accreditation to test systems and games for the Brazilian state of Maranhão.

This new accreditation allows BMM Testlabs to test fixed-odds betting systems and lottery platforms for the Maranhão market. The Company is now authorized in every Brazilian jurisdiction that has regulated at state-level online fixed-odds betting.

The Maranhão accreditation, issued by Maranhão Parcerias SA (MAPA/LOTEMA), authorizes BMM Testlabs to work with lottery operators in the state to ensure compliance and quality standards for the gaming and lottery industry through end-to-end product compliance testing for Maranhão’s standards.

Additionally, Brazil’s Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas has federally authorized BMM Testlabs to test betting systems, live gaming studios, and online games used by fixed-odds betting operators.

BMM Testlabs’ Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, said, “We are excited and deeply honored that the State of Maranhão’s official lottery has entrusted BMM Testlabs with the responsibility of testing products for their new online fixed odds betting program, knowing that we’ll do so with the highest levels of impartiality, technical expertise, transparency, efficiency, and, most of all, integrity.”

With the Maranhão accreditation, BMM Testlabs solidifies its position as the leading independent test lab in Brazil. BMM Testlabs is accredited in all jurisdictions that have authorized fixed-odds betting for online gaming and sports betting.

BMM Testlabs brings 44 years of global leadership in product compliance across regulated markets and is trusted by games, systems, and lottery manufacturers, suppliers, developers, and regulators worldwide.

In addition to product compliance testing, BMM Testlabs provides end-to-end cybersecurity protection solutions. Through its sister company, RG24seven Virtual Training, BMM also offers compliance-grade virtual training on responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and other important topics – presented by industry experts and available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

The post BMM Testlabs Earns Accreditation in Maranhão, Brazil To Test Fixed Odds Betting Systems and Lottery Platforms appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

eSports

Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2025

George Miller

shaping-the-future-of-esports:-ice-esports-arena-provides-essential-insights

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The ICE Esports Arena at ICE Barcelona 2025 plays a key role in educating people about esports and how to access, integrate and regulate this growing vertical, says Clarion Gaming’s leader in Emerging Technology and Esports.

“Part of the role of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference is explaining exactly what esports is,” said Will Harding. “There is still work to be done in helping regulators to better understand esports. That’s why showcasing esports here at ICE is so important – we’re empowering people who are at the forefront of shaping regulatory policy.”

The ICE Esports Arena continues to grow year-on-year, with four world-ranked professional Counter-Strike 2 teams competing live at ICE 2025 for a US$25,000 prize pool. This year’s winners were 500 (Bulgaria: World ranking: 47).

“In terms of attendees, we have a whole spectrum of people here, from those that are still shocked that computer games have anything to do with sports betting to those that have built incredible businesses around esports,” Harding continued.

“There are also a number of visitors who realise that esports is significant for their business in terms of revenue but don’t necessarily know how to access this vertical, and we’re here to guide them toward unlocking its full potential.

“But the one thing which is absolutely certain is that esports betting is here to stay and it’s going to continue to grow”

He also praised headline partners, esports betting experts Oddin.gg, for their contribution in helping explain why esports is such a commercially important vertical for operators.

“Oddin.gg has been an excellent partner in realising the Esports Arena. Holding a professional esports tournament is a big endeavour. As our headline sponsor, Oddin.gg has played a key role in showcasing how the data and the odds work. They have helped complete the education journey,” he affirmed.

Commenting on ICE’s move to Barcelona, Harding highlighted that both the city and the show’s new venue Fira Barcelona Gran Via have extensive experience with esports, providing a perfect location for the ICE Esports Arena’s continuing expansion.

“It’s very established here. You can walk around Barcelona and see large-scale internet cafes catering for esports fans,” he added. “This represents an ideal foundation for the continued growth of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference in the years ahead.”

The post Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Conferences

Meridianbet CEO Showcases GMGI’s $163M FY2024 Revenue, USA & Brazil Entry at ICR 2025 Conference

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

meridianbet-ceo-showcases-gmgi’s-$163m-fy2024-revenue,-usa-&-brazil-entry-at-icr-2025-conference

In a packed room at the prestigious ICR 2025 Conference held in Orlando, FL, Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, captivated the audience of elite investors with GMGI’s remarkable growth story and series of strategic market entries that position the company for significant value creation in 2025 and beyond. The company also led the conference with the highest number of one-on-one investor meetings, signaling strong interest in its growth trajectory.

The world-class event, also known as the financial market Super Bowl, is recognized as the planet’s premier small and medium-cap conference for US listed companies. It brought together over 3,000 attendees, including institutional investors, sell-side analysts, investment bankers, and private equity professionals.

This builds on the success at the 2024 Citi Global TMT Conference, when the company shared insights alongside industry giants like DraftKings, FanDuel, and IBM.

61% Year-Over-Year Growth Positions GMGI as Gaming Industry Leader

The world’s elite investment audience found out a compelling history of growth: GMGI’s preliminary FY 2024 revenue surged 61% year-over-year to $150 million, with pro forma consolidated revenue reaching $163 million.

This exceptional growth trajectory, driven by strategic market expansions and technological innovation, showcases GMGI’s emerging dominance in the global gaming landscape.

Brazil: A Game-Changing Market Entry

In what could prove to be a transformative catalyst, Meridianbet secured a coveted federal license in Brazil – a market projected to reach $2.5-4 billion annually. With instant access to over 100 million potential customers across all 26 states, this strategic move positions GMGI to capture substantial market share in one of the world’s most lucrative gaming opportunities.

North American Expansion Accelerates

The Group’s momentum in North America exemplifies its multi-market growth strategy:

Strategic entry into the rapidly expanding U.S. sweepstakes gaming market, leveraging proprietary content from Expanse Studios
Pending gaming license in Ontario, Canada’s largest regulated market
Deployment of AI-driven gaming solutions to maximize player engagement and retention

GMGI’s Unified Ecosystem: A Competitive Moat

Meridianbet CEO showcased how the Group’s six synergistic companies create a formidable competitive advantage, presenting to investors a unique ecosystem:

Meridianbet’s presence in 18 regulated jurisdictions, powered by 1,200+ employees including 100 software engineers
Expanse Studios’ proprietary game development driving high-margin revenue lowering the reliance on third-party content
Strategic assets across key growth markets: Mexplay in South America, Rkings in the UK, and Classics for a Cause in Australia

2025: Multiple Growth Catalysts Ahead

The confluence of strategic initiatives positions GMGI for accelerated growth:

Brazil market ramp-up expected to drive substantial revenue expansion
Proprietary AI technology deployment enhancing player monetization
First-mover advantages in newly regulated markets
Continued margin expansion through operational efficiencies

For investors seeking exposure to the explosive growth in global gaming, GMGI represents a unique opportunity: a proven operator with proprietary technology, multiple growth vectors, and strategic positioning in the world’s most promising gaming markets.

The post Meridianbet CEO Showcases GMGI’s $163M FY2024 Revenue, USA & Brazil Entry at ICR 2025 Conference appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.