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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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Continent 8 Technologies
Continent 8 and CEO Michael Tobin claim number one spot in GamblingIQ’s global ‘Security 10’ rankings
Continent 8 Technologies, a leading provider of cutting-edge managed IT solutions designed for the global iGaming and online sports betting industry, has been named number one in GamblingIQ’s prestigious ‘Security 10’ global rankings. CEO Michael Tobin is recognised as the top industry leader in security, trust and data integrity.
This accolade reinforces Continent 8’s position as the trusted provider of data centre services, cloud hosting, private connectivity, and cybersecurity solutions, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding operators, suppliers, and players in an increasingly complex and regulated digital landscape.
Continent 8 is the partner of choice for hundreds of leading operators, suppliers, and platform providers worldwide. From tier-one brands to emerging innovators, these companies depend on Continent 8’s secure, compliant, and resilient infrastructure to power their businesses and protect their players. Customers include FanDuel, Kambi, Sportingtech, Playtech, DraftKings, Alea, BetMGM, and more.
GamblingIQ stated: ‘Michael Tobin is one of gambling’s rare figures who combines respect with genuine popularity: a feat almost impossible in an industry as volatile and scrutinised as ours. His reputation isn’t built on flash or hype, but on steady, practical leadership, curiosity about technology, and an ability to make complex challenges seem manageable. Operators, regulators, suppliers and colleagues value his clarity, his evidence-backed thinking, and his long-term approach to partnerships. After nearly 30 years, his standing signals more than success: it reflects consistency of character, reliability and a human touch in a sector that often forgets both.’
Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder of Continent 8 Technologies, commented: “Security and trust are the cornerstones of iGaming – they are the principles on which I founded Continent 8. This recognition from GamblingIQ is a testament to our team’s relentless focus on safeguarding the industry and enabling our customers to innovate with confidence. Congratulations to all the other companies listed in the Security 10.”
The post Continent 8 and CEO Michael Tobin claim number one spot in GamblingIQ’s global ‘Security 10’ rankings appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Barcelona
PRAGMATIC PLAY TO SHOWCASE STAR-STUDDED 2026 LINEUP AT ICE BARCELONA
Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, is set to unveil its 2026 multi-vertical product roadmap at ICE Barcelona, spotlighting major new slot releases and live casino launches alongside the latest season of its industry-leading Drops & Wins promotional tool.
The exhibition will mark the start of what promises to be another standout year for Pragmatic Play, following a record-breaking 2025 in which the provider launched more than 100 network slots, expanded its dynamic game show portfolio, and entered a new vertical with its arcade collection.
A show-stopping stand designed to deliver a fully integrated experience, spanning more than 1,750m² and featuring 100 screens powered by over 150 million pixels, including two giant displays, will bring Pragmatic Play’s characters to life. The centrepiece will be a striking candy cascade featuring more than one tonne of sweet treats, alongside a dedicated Pragmatic Play Sports zone, housing famous football memorabilia.
Over the past 12 months, Pragmatic Play has reinforced its localisation strategy by rolling out more than 150 new live dealer tables, 55 of which are localised for specific markets, supported by the opening of new studios in Serbia and Colombia. This has been complemented by the first-class Smart Studio technology, which has delivered over 800 bespoke tables for prominent operators.
Live Casino remains a major focus for the business, and following recent studio openings in Serbia and Colombia, there are plans to open additional Live Casino studios in 2026, including one in Brazil.
Pragmatic Play’s expansive portfolio will be on full display across stands 2P30, 2P50, and 2P70, featuring headline slots Jelly Express and Sugar Rush Super Scatter, which further strengthen its sweet-themed collection, Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin, the latest iteration of its timeless franchise, and Zeus vs Hades – Gods of War 250, a sequel to its hugely successful 2023 title.
The provider will also debut the upcoming Gates of Olympus Roulette, taking the popular Greek mythology IP into a new vertical and building on the momentum of numerous high-profile game show releases in 2025, including Fortune Roulette, Money Time, and Mega Roulette 3000. This will feature amongst a stellar live casino lineup that includes Color Game Bonanza, Crystal Roulette, and the provider’s all new Flow Blackjack tables, which aim to redefine the blackjack experience by reimagining the classic game through contemporary design.
Alongside its core verticals, Pragmatic Play will also spotlight additions to its arcade portfolio, including Plinko+ and Chicken+, a fast-paced, retro-style title built around simple gameplay and risk-reward cash-out mechanics.
Further supplementing its portfolio, Pragmatic Play will spotlight the latest season of Drops & Wins. Offering up to €25,000,000 in Weekly Wheel Drops and Daily Tournaments – the largest provider-funded prize pool in the industry – Drops & Wins underscores the supplier’s ongoing drive to deliver tangible value to its global partners and their players.
Pragmatic Play Sports will also be in attendance, shining a light on its rapidly expanding sportsbook offering. The brand is promising a hive of activity throughout the conference, including an intimate Q&A with football legend Clarence Seedorf on Monday 19th at 2pm, hosted by Sky Sports presenter Polly James.
Pragmatic Play’s showstopping presence at ICE Barcelona outlines its 2026 ambitions, as it continues to push boundaries in betting and gaming innovation, setting new benchmarks for industry service.
Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “2025 was a landmark year for Pragmatic Play, with our strength across multiple product verticals reflected in record player activity and the receipt of 39 industry awards.
“2026 is shaping up to be another exceptional year, and it all starts at ICE Barcelona. We’re looking forward to showcasing our newest games, including Chicken+, Jelly Express, Color Game, and Fortune of Olympus Roulette, and demonstrating how we plan to deliver bigger, bolder, and more exciting experiences for our partners and their players.”
The post PRAGMATIC PLAY TO SHOWCASE STAR-STUDDED 2026 LINEUP AT ICE BARCELONA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
Frogo at ICE Barcelona: Driving the Next Wave of Risk Prevention
Participants are encouraged to connect with the Frogo team and discover how real-time automation and personalized tools can improve fraud prevention and foster business growth. Frogo will be located at booth #1G30.
Frogo will showcase its platform at ICE Barcelona, integrating device fingerprinting, a versatile scoring engine, AI-driven analytics, and graph-based investigative tools. The platform allows businesses to identify fraud instantly, adjust to emerging threats, and transform risk management into a strategic benefit. Frogo caters to sectors where speed and reliability are essential, such as iGaming, e-commerce, fintech, and payment solutions.
In its inaugural year, Frogo has swiftly established itself as a reliable ally for businesses aiming to enhance fraud prevention. Created by the global business organization RedCore and introduced as a standalone entity, Frogo consolidates resources for anti-fraud teams within a single, user-friendly platform. Features consist of automated scoring, dynamic rule administration, immediate alerts, and visual analysis tools.
“Fraud is constantly evolving, and businesses need to respond quickly,” said Volodymyr Todurov, CEO at Frogo. “Frogo helps companies move from manual processes to predictive risk management. ICE Barcelona is the ideal place to show how Frogo supports smarter, faster decision-making.”
Frogo’s approach focuses on reducing false positives, automating routine processes and improving the experience for trusted users. This allows businesses to minimize losses, protect revenue and strengthen customer trust.
The post Frogo at ICE Barcelona: Driving the Next Wave of Risk Prevention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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