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UK: Funding Boost for Nationwide Programme on Gambling and the Criminal Justice System

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Gambling harms are currently under-recognised across the UK Criminal Justice System (CJS), and support for those affected has been underfunded to date. GamCare will now receive two years’ funding to scale up the delivery of its programme to raise awareness and develop pathways to support people experiencing gambling harms across the CJS.

There are evidenced links between harmful gambling and crime, whether crime is committed to support gambling or to pay off gambling-related debts. Gambling-related offending may include fraud, theft, domestic and financial abuse, and links into wider criminality. However, there is a lack of funding, awareness, training, and pathways to support and treatment for people in the CJS experiencing gambling harms.

GamCare recently delivered a two-year pilot project funded by the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner to introduce screening for gambling harms at key points across the CJS there, and identify the best mechanisms to deliver support for those affected. The charity will now be funded to deliver a larger programme of engagement and awareness raising, designed to raise the profile of gambling and offending, and to improve services for those in contact with the CJS. GamCare has secured funding, approved by the UK Gambling Commission, towards delivery of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, through a dedicated programme focused on gambling and the criminal justice system.

Recently awarded Organisation of the Year at the Howard League for Penal Reform Community Awards, GamCare is working to raise awareness of gambling harms amongst professionals across the CJS as well as developing and testing interventions that work best for clients across police, prison and probation services. The charity will facilitate thought leadership across the sector, as well as consult on and test new approaches, providing training to staff in all areas so they can best support their service users.

Anna Hemmings, CEO at GamCare, says: “As outlined in our recent submission to the Howard League Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling, our work focuses on a ‘whole systems’ approach – with initiatives to screen people at arrest and the early stages of the CJS, and responding to needs at various stages in their journey, be it through police, prison, or probation services as well as the courts.

Through our work in Hertfordshire, we’ve demonstrated that this work is scalable and can have positive impacts for those harmed by gambling across the CJS. I look forward to seeing this work develop across England, Scotland and Wales, to reduce the impact of gambling harms for individual offenders, victims, and their families.”

Julia Fazackerley, Head of Development at GamCare, says: “Existing data from our Helpline and treatment services shows us that around 5% of referrals across Great Britain are from people in touch with the CJS, but we know that criminality often goes unreported or undisclosed. Our work in this area indicates similar prevalence of gambling harm to recent data from the Forward Trust’s survey of prisoners, and we know that there is both a desire for knowledge and awareness, plus greater support for those experiencing harm.

The next phase of our programme will mean we can continue to provide a proactive and comprehensive programme of training for CJS professionals as well as developing and testing a range of support interventions specifically for this cohort. We will provide strategic direction for specialist gambling support and provide real value to all areas of the CJS.”

Tim Miller, Executive Director for the Gambling Commission, says: “We welcome the extension of this significant project, including the collaborative approach GamCare has taken to support a wide range of organisations working in the criminal justice sector. Together, these programmes of work have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to reducing harms as part of the National Strategy. We are pleased to be able to approve the funding, which was agreed through regulatory settlements.”

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Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates

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Xpoint, a leading geolocation and compliance technology company, has officially secured a vendor license to enter the regulated sports betting market in Massachusetts. The approval marks another strategic milestone in the company’s accelerating North American expansion, reinforcing its role as a core provider of gaming infrastructure.

Xpoint’s geolocation solution is now available to operators across the Bay State, delivering high-precision tools designed to ensure player activity remains fully compliant with the strict regulatory framework established by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

With Massachusetts added to its portfolio, Xpoint is now authorized to support regulated online sports wagering across 28 states and territories, as well as Ontario in Canada.

The license follows a period of sustained global expansion, including recent market entries in Missouri, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.

Built specifically for the gaming industry, Xpoint’s platform uses advanced geofencing technology to deliver precise location verification. By leveraging multiple data points, the system helps prevent wagers from unauthorized jurisdictions while identifying suspicious activity in real time.

The company’s platform development has also been supported by a recent investment round aimed at accelerating growth and enhancing product capabilities.

Manu Gambhir, CEO of Xpoint, said: “Securing our license in Massachusetts is a vital step as we continue to make strides in the geolocation space. Massachusetts has a passionate sports culture and a sophisticated regulatory framework, and we are excited to provide the precision technology necessary to maintain the integrity of the state’s sports betting ecosystem.

“Our growth into the Bay State demonstrates our team’s ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes quickly and efficiently. This expansion underscores the global demand for more innovative and adaptable compliance solutions, and we remain committed to being the most reliable partner for regulated operators worldwide.”

The post Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4

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With registrations entering their final phase, NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with Riot Games, is set to kick off the broadcast phase of VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026, marking the start of another high-stakes competitive season in the region.

The official VCSA 2026 broadcast will stream live on the NODWIN Gaming and Valorant Esports South Asia YouTube channels, bringing fans across South Asia closer to the region’s top VALORANT talent as teams begin their Split 1 campaigns.

Registrations for Split 1 remain open until March 4, 2026, inviting eligible teams across South Asia to compete in the region’s premier VALORANT circuit—the official pathway for teams aiming to reach the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

Register here: https://bit.ly/VCSA2026

Season Overview

The 2026 season introduces a refined multi-stage competitive structure, featuring Open Qualifiers, two Splits, Promotion & Relegation, and a culminating Grand Final to crown the regional champions.

Key Dates – Split 1

  • Registration Window: Till March 4, 2026

  • Open Qualifiers: March 7 – March 11, 2026

  • Split 1 Broadcast Begins: March 16, 2026

  • Split 1 Playoffs: April 8 – 9, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum Rank: Immortal 1 and above (V25 Act 6)

  • Regions: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan & Maldives

  • Premier Team Seeding: Based on V25 Acts 4, 5 & 6

Tournament Structure Overview

Open Qualifiers & Playoffs

The competition begins with an open circuit designed to spotlight emerging talent across South Asia.

Open Qualifiers

  • Single Elimination

  • Best-of-Three (Bo3)

  • Top 10 teams advance to OQ Playoffs

OQ Playoffs

  • Double Elimination

  • Bo3

  • Top 5 teams qualify for Split 1

The top three teams from VCSA 2025 receive direct invitations to Split 1.

Split 1

Team Composition

  • 5 teams from OQ Playoffs

  • 3 direct invite teams

  • Total: 8 teams

Format

  • Single Round Robin

  • Bo3

  • 28 matches across 14 match days

Advancement

  • Top 6 teams advance to Split 2

  • Bottom 2 teams move to Promotion & Relegation

Split 2 & Grand Finals

Split 2 will feature eight teams competing in a single round robin format. The top four will advance to the Playoff Stage, where a single-elimination bracket (Bo3, Bo5 Grand Final) will determine the VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 champions.

Game Changers South Asia 2026

Running alongside the main circuit, Game Changers South Asia 2026 will feature two competitive splits with open qualifiers, reinforcing inclusive growth within the region’s VALORANT ecosystem. The winner of Split 2 will advance to the Game Changers Pacific Stage.

Building on a Landmark 2025 Season

VCSA 2026 follows a record-breaking 2025 edition, where Velocity Gaming secured the VCT Ascension Pacific slot after a dominant 3–1 Grand Final victory over S8UL at the Ascension Qualifiers LAN.

The 2025 season recorded over 12 million views and peaked at 50,000+ concurrent viewers, cementing VCSA’s position as one of South Asia’s most-watched VALORANT tournaments.

With viewership at an all-time high and competitive standards rising, the 2026 season promises even greater intensity.

From the Organizers

Gautam Virk, Co-Founder & CEO, NODWIN Gaming, said:
“As we head into the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, the excitement across the ecosystem is palpable. This circuit represents the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT in South Asia, and our structured pathway ensures that every team from open qualifiers to grand finalists earns their position through performance. After the incredible momentum of last season, we are confident that 2026 will further elevate the region’s competitive standard.”

Sukamal Pegu, Head of Esports India and South Asia, Riot Games, added:
“Competing in VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams in South Asia. The level of competition, the scale of production, and the passion of the community make this circuit truly special. With the new season underway and the clear path connecting Tier-2 to Tier-1 already announced, we’re excited to see both established rosters and emerging contenders raise the bar even higher.”

With broadcasts set to begin and registrations closing soon, the road to VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 is officially underway. Teams across the region are invited to step forward and shape the next chapter of South Asian VALORANT.

The post NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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DEGEN Studios adds commercial firepower with Adam Miles

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DEGEN Studios has appointed Adam Miles as Director of Sales, accelerating its commercial engine as the studio pushes further into global markets.

Adam joins DEGEN with extensive experience across the iGaming industry, specialising in business development, account management and strategic partnership growth. Most recently, he served as Head of Sales at BetGames, where he led commercial strategy, built high-performing teams and strengthened operator relationships across key territories. Prior to that, he held a senior Business Development role at ARRISE, a global leader in software development and services for the iGaming industry.

In his new role, Adam will lead DEGEN’s global sales strategy, focusing on expanding distribution, deepening operator partnerships and ensuring the studio’s high-volatility, identity-led portfolio reaches the right audiences.

Adam joins at a time of momentum for DEGEN, with new titles launching and the recently unveiled DEGEN Powered initiative broadening the studio’s collaborative ecosystem.

Adam Miles, Director of Sales at DEGEN Studios, said: “What drew me to DEGEN is that it doesn’t try to fit into the safe middle ground. That makes the commercial conversation stronger, not harder. Operators want content that cuts through, and my job is to make sure we’re building the right strategic relationships to support that ambition.”

Danny Gordon, Head of Studio at DEGEN Studios, said: “As we continue to scale, it’s important that our commercial strategy matches the ambition of our roadmap. We have strong momentum behind the product, and now it’s about accelerating that growth in the right markets with the right partners. Adam brings the experience and commercial focus needed to expand our reach while staying true to what makes DEGEN distinct.”

The post DEGEN Studios adds commercial firepower with Adam Miles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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