Latest News
GambleAware Commits £4M for Britain’s First Academic Research Hub Specialising in Gambling Harms

GambleAware has begun an eight-month grant award process to establish the first Academic Research Hub in Great Britain specialising in gambling harms research.
The ambition is for the Academic Research Hub to have a significant impact on the whole gambling research landscape, both within Great Britain and across the globe, through the inclusion of new and diverse areas of research. The Hub will contribute to GambleAware’s overarching vision of creating a society safe from gambling harms and help deliver the charity’s strategic objective to actively build academic research capacity. To ensure longevity, it is also expected the successful institution will secure alternative funding to allow continued growth and development beyond the initial grant award.
In Great Britain at present, most gambling research is from a social science perspective and is delivered by a small number of academics. However, the new Hub seeks to broaden out the range of academic disciplines engaged with gambling harms research in Great Britain. With the application of a public health lens, the successful institution will dictate its own research focus and will support and inform the wider system of treatment providers, organisations and agencies working to prevent and reduce gambling harms.
A select number of universities have been invited to apply for the grant and were chosen based on multiple university rankings, including those rated highly for research areas relevant to gambling behaviour and harms prevention. Whilst the grant will be awarded to a single university, it is expected the successful institution will take a highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach both within its own institution and externally with other academics and partners, including internationally.
GambleAware is encouraging applications from those with a strong academic track record in adjacent disciplines, including but not limited to public health, mental health, health inequalities, health economics, epidemiology, clinical health and/or psychology.
Alison Clare, Research Director (Interim) at GambleAware, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a British university to develop and innovate in a relatively under-researched field, bringing to bear a much wider range of academic disciplines than are currently engaged in gambling harms research. With this significant investment, a British university and its partners will have the chance to create a step change in building knowledge in an area which links and overlaps with many other subjects and fields.
“It’s a different type of grant award to the smaller projects and programmes in our current research portfolio, with GambleAware taking a much more arm’s length approach in guiding the area of research focus. Our main criteria is that universities apply a multi-disciplinary, public health lens in setting out the rationale for their chosen research area. From our early discussions with selected universities, we’re expecting some very creative and innovative proposals at the initial Expression of Interest stage.”
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Industry Awards
Soft2Bet’s Quickcasino Wins at EGR Europe Awards 2025

Soft2Bet’s Quickcasino has been awarded “The Nordics and Baltics – Rising Star” at the prestigious EGR Europe Awards, reinforcing its status as one of the region’s most innovative and fast-growing online gaming brands.
This recognition is a testament to Soft2Bet’s commitment to market-leading technology, data-driven gamification, and player-first experiences. By combining cutting-edge mechanics with a highly localised approach, Quickcasino has established itself as a force in Sweden’s competitive iGaming landscape.
A Market Leader in Innovation and Gamification
Quickcasino.se has redefined the Nordic and Baltic iGaming experience, blending seamless UX, high-speed transactions, and a unique gamification ecosystem to keep players engaged. Powered by Soft2Bet’s proprietary MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gamification Application) solution, the platform delivers dynamic challenges, real-time progression, and personalised incentives, creating an experience that is both immersive and rewarding.
Beyond gamification, Quickcasino’s commitment to top-tier security, lightning-fast payments, and market-driven customisation has resonated strongly with Swedish players. Its ability to merge high-performance technology with a player-centric approach, via MEGA, has driven remarkable growth, reinforcing its status as a market leader.
Uri Poliavich, Founder and CEO of Soft2Bet, commented: “Receiving European recognition from one of the leading industry awards is a proud moment for Quickcasino and Soft2Bet. This achievement not only recognises Quickcasino’s rapid success but also highlights how our B2C experience acts as a proof of concept for B2B partners. As we investigate new ways to enhance our offerings, the results we achieve with our brands showcase the power of our technology and help operators elevate player engagement, retention, and performance in highly competitive markets. This award reinforces our ability to drive success for our brands and partners.”
A Future Focused on Growth and Innovation
Quickcasino’s latest accolade adds to Soft2Bet’s growing list of industry recognitions. Looking ahead to 2025, the company is preparing for major market expansions, new strategic partnerships, and continuous advancements in gamification technology. With innovation at its core, Soft2Bet remains committed to pushing boundaries and delivering industry-leading solutions that shape the future of iGaming.
The post Soft2Bet’s Quickcasino Wins at EGR Europe Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Baltics
The Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority (LPT) has completed its inspection: Olympic Casino has been fined almost 8.4 million euros

The company Olympic Casino Group Baltija (OCGB) did not take sufficient steps to identify the origin of Šarūnas Stepukonis’ losing funds, and the monitoring of his financial transactions was only formal and ineffective. Such violations were identified by the Gaming Supervisory Authority, which conducted an inspection of OCGB’s activities in Lithuania. The company was fined almost 8.4 million euros.
The Gaming Supervisory Authority (LPT) investigated the actions taken by OCGB in response to Š. Stepukonis’ transactions on the company’s gaming website from December 2016 to the end of June 2021. The law obliges gaming operators to ensure that customer funds are not obtained from criminal activities or through participation in such activities. It is also mandatory to verify the origin of the funds. LPT found that the measures applied by OCGB were poor and insufficient, and the monitoring of Š. Stepukonis’ transactions was formal.
Gambling organizers must report suspicious transactions to the FNTT. Š. Stepukonis’ transactions had obvious signs that should have raised suspicions for the gambling organizer. However, the FNTT was not informed about this.
During the inspection, evidence was also collected that Š. Stepukonis’ gambling was irresponsible. The gambling company should have noticed this, especially since the client was assigned a personal manager who saw all of his transactions.
“Instead of finding out whether Š. Stepukonis had a gambling problem or informing the supervisory authority, Olympic Casino encouraged him to gamble even more. An individual incentive package was prepared for him. A total of 1.3 million euros was allocated for this. This “bonus” could only be spent on gambling. Other incentives were also allocated,” – comments on the results of the inspection by LPT Director Virginijus Daukšys.
Since mid-2021, gambling companies in Lithuania have no longer been allowed to offer incentives to their customers that they would later lose. Just before this tightening came into effect, Š. Stepukonis’ virtual gambling was moved from Lithuania to Estonia, where it was still allowed to encourage gamblers.
In this way, it was possible not only to maintain incentives for gambling, but also to avoid supervision by the LPT. If an ordinary gambler from Lithuania tried to go and register on the Estonian Olympic Casino website, he would be redirected to the Lithuanian website. However, in the case of Š. Stepukonis, the redirection was not carried out. These circumstances are part of the pre-trial investigation.
During the inspection, a total of five violations of the provisions of the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and the Law on Gambling were identified.
The law allows for a fine of up to twice the amount of damage caused. The damage was determined to be 6.4 million euros – the amount Š. Stepukonis lost at the Olympic Casino in Lithuania. When calculating the fine, an aggravating circumstance was taken into account – the company did not cooperate during the inspection.
According to V. Daukšys, after this story came to light, steps were taken to prevent similar cases from recurring. The most important change is the law, proposed by the LPT, which obliges gambling companies to take action upon noticing irresponsible gambling and to provide information about it to the LPT.
“Until now, there was no such obligation. Therefore, the LPT did not have information that would allow it to take preventive actions in advance,” says V. Daukšys.
The new Gambling Law will come into force in November this year. Its aim is to reduce the accessibility, attractiveness and potential harm to personal health of gambling.
LPT also reviewed its procedures, adjusted internal procedures, allowing for more frequent scheduled inspections of the activities of gambling companies. In addition, the Ministry of Finance conducted an audit of LPT’s activities. No significant operational deficiencies were identified during the audit. LPT took into account the audit recommendations and allocated more human resources to money laundering prevention functions.
Source: Gambling Supervisory Authority under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
The post The Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority (LPT) has completed its inspection: Olympic Casino has been fined almost 8.4 million euros appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
Forging Strong Partnerships: SYNOT Games on Market Growth & Client Success

HIPTHER, organizer of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, is proud to present SYNOT Games, our Lanyards Sponsor, and a leading force in the iGaming industry. SYNOT Games has built a reputation for innovative, high-quality slot content, boasting a portfolio of 180+ certified games and “unleashing digital delights” across over 40 jurisdictions.
In this exclusive Sponsors Spotlight interview, we sit down with Dagmar Cvrckova, Head of Strategic Partnership, to discuss their expansion across global markets, business-oriented approach to clients, and what’s next for their growing portfolio.
SYNOT Games has successfully expanded into multiple regulated jurisdictions, from Europe to emerging markets. What factors drive your decision-making when entering new territories, and what challenges do you see in the current regulatory landscape?
Our expansion strategy rests on three core pillars: market potential, regulatory stability, and demand for unique content we develop. Before entering a new jurisdiction, we conduct comprehensive research to assess the player base, competitive landscape, regulatory requirements and operator demands.
Navigating compliance is one of the biggest challenges in the iGaming industry, as regulations are constantly evolving and changing. We take proactive steps by working closely with regulators, ensuring our games meet all certification standards, and staying ahead of legal changes. This approach ensures robust compliance and keeps us well positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in new markets.
With a portfolio of over 180 certified games, how does SYNOT adapt its content to meet the preferences of diverse player demographics across various regions?
Player preferences vary widely across regions, and our game development strategy is deeply rooted in data-driven decision-making. For example, while European players often favor classic slot mechanics and high-volatility games, Latin American markets prefer vibrant themes and engaging bonus features.
We analyze player behavior, session data, and engagement rates to fine-tune our content. Our localization goes well beyond language translation; it encompasses a complete adaptation of the gaming experience, including themes, payout structures, and bonus mechanics – to align with regional trends. But we’re not afraid to experiment either.
This approach allows us to deliver games that resonate with a global audience while staying true to the distinctive SYNOT Games style.
Strategic partnerships are a key focus for SYNOT Games. How do you approach collaborations with operators to ensure mutual success and long-term growth?
Strong and strategic partnerships are built on flexibility, customization, and shared goals. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, we work closely with our partners to deliver customized offerings – including exclusive games and tailored promotional tools – that drive player engagement and retention.
The key to our success is our ability to adapt, whether through customized game offerings, innovation, marketing support or technical solutions. This collaborative approach ensures sustainable growth for both parties.
SYNOT Games prides itself on “unleashing digital delights”: delivering original content adaptable to any operation configuration and needs. How do you balance innovation with maintaining a consistent and engaging player experience?
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do, but our approach is always player-first. We continuously experiment with new mechanics, themes, and features, but we also maintain the core elements that players love – intuitive gameplay, engaging graphics, and rewarding experiences. However, it is essential to strike a balance between innovations and solutions that are both effective and engaging for players, whether they are directly part of the games or retention tools.
The PEAK (Player Engagement & Acquisition Kit) is a prime example of a powerful retention tool that unlocks exciting new reward options and simplifies promotion management. It allows operators to set promotions according to their needs. And the best part? We’re continuously enhancing it with new features to keep engagement at its peak.
Of course, every innovation must be developed with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance while delivering an exceptional gaming experience across different markets.
As a Lanyards Sponsor and key participant in this year’s Summit, what insights will SYNOT Games bring to the discussion, and what makes this event an essential platform for industry collaboration?
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do, but our approach is always player-first. We continuously experiment with new mechanics, themes, and features, but we also maintain the core elements that players love – intuitive gameplay, engaging graphics, and rewarding experiences. However, it is essential to strike a balance between innovations and solutions that are both effective and engaging for players, whether they are directly part of the games or retention tools.
The PEAK (Player Engagement & Acquisition Kit) is a prime example of a powerful retention tool that unlocks exciting new reward options and simplifies promotion management. It allows operators to set promotions according to their needs. And the best part? We’re continuously enhancing it with new features to keep engagement at its peak.
Of course, every innovation must be developed with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance while delivering an exceptional gaming experience across different markets.
With SYNOT Games leading the way in market expansion and client partnerships, the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 is set to offer exclusive insights into the evolving iGaming landscape. Don’t miss the chance to connect with top industry professionals, explore the latest trends, and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
Join us on 25-26 March 2025 in Prague – Register now and explore the full agenda!
The post Forging Strong Partnerships: SYNOT Games on Market Growth & Client Success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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