Latest News

GambleAware Appoints Four New Trustees to its Board

Published

5 years ago

November 5, 2021

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

GambleAware has appointed four new trustees to its Board.

The appointments focus on building public health, governance and commissioning expertise at GambleAware, to guide the delivery of the charity’s five-year organisational strategy and its vision of a society safe from gambling harm.

The trustees were selected following an extensive recruitment process. The new trustees joining the Board are:

Baroness Hilary Armstrong, Labour member of the House of Lords, who has extensive experience in non-executive leadership roles including her role as a Board Member for Durham and Darlington Hospital Foundation Trust; Chair of Tony Blair Sports Foundation, and Trustee of Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. Baroness Armstrong was, until 2018, also Chair of the charity Changing Lives, which supports people with complex needs, and continues to work with the organisation advising on their work with women.

Marina Gibbs, Policy Director within Ofcom’s Networks and Communications group who currently oversees Ofcom’s work in the postal sector and directs policy projects across Ofcom’s regulatory sectors. Marina brings over 20 years’ experience in operating at Board level in both executive and non-executive roles. Marina has served as Lay Non-Executive member on the Legal Services Board, the legal sector’s oversight regulator, and as Co-Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications Remedies expert working group. Prior to moving to Ofcom, Marina was a Partner with Spectrum Strategy consultants.

Mubin Haq, Chief Executive of Standard Life Foundation, which funds and commissions research, policy work and advocacy activities focused on improving living standards and addressing financial problems of low-to-middle income earners, which will bring valuable insight, knowledge, and perspective to GambleAware. Mubin also has extensive Board-level experience, having served as Director at several organisations including London Strategic Migration Partnership, London Funders and serving on a committee of London & Quadrant Housing Association. He was also recently Director of Policy & Grants for Trust For London.

Dr. Koravangattu Valsraj, is a consultant psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Senior Clinical Lecturer at Kings College London. He is on the specialist register of the General Medical Council with dual accreditation in Psychiatry of Learning Disability and General Adult Psychiatry with specialty endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry. Valsraj has substantial experience in clinical leadership roles in different boroughs in London, has provided leadership services for two mental health trusts, and has been part of a senior leadership board for a leading University Hospital in India. He is currently serving as a Trustee at mental health charity Careif and will be instrumental in GambleAware’s efforts to increase access and support for gambling harms amongst minority communities and networks.

GambleAware’s Chair of trustees, Kate Lampard CBE, said: “We are very pleased to announce the appointment of four new trustees, each of whom bring with them skills and experience which will help guide and support GambleAware as it works to deliver its new five-year strategy.

“Our current Board composition is strong on health and public health, but we recognised there was a clear need to increase the diversity of the Board and extend the skill base of trustees. With these new appointments, we look forward to building and expanding the Board’s expertise that will support the charity in the years ahead.”

Blueprint Gaming

Blueprint Gaming releases Wolf Fury Fire Blitz slot

Published

24 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

blueprint-gaming-releases-wolf-fury-fire-blitz-slot

New title adds Fire Spins and Blitz Spins bonuses plus Standard, Super and Ultra Power Play modes at 5x, 10x and 20x stake.

Blueprint Gaming has released a new slot, Wolf Fury Fire Blitz, built around an “evolving Fire Blitz mechanic” and two bonus paths: Fire Spins and Blitz Spins.

The game uses a Fire Blitz logo above the reels as a meter. In the base game and Power Play, the supplier said every Cash and Wolf symbol contributes to the meter, with boosts able to add extra symbols and “guarantees either Fire Spins or Blitz Spins.”

Fire Spins triggers when six or more Cash symbols land in view. Each reel position spins independently to add more Cash or Wolf symbols, with new symbols resetting a three-spin counter and locking in place. Blueprint said the Wolf can land on the centre reel to collect all Cash symbols in view, then collect additional prizes that land for the remainder of the feature.

Blitz Spins activates when a Wolf symbol lands on reel three alongside Cash symbols on two adjacent reels. During the bonus, the Wolf collects every Cash symbol that lands before the reels respin, and additional Wolf symbols can lock in place, with up to three collectors active at once.

The title also includes Blueprint Gaming’s multi-level Power Play, offering Standard, Super or Ultra modes at 5x, 10x or 20x the base stake. In these modes, the company said only Cash and Wolf symbols appear on the reels.

Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events at Blueprint Gaming, said: “Wolf Fury Fire Blitz combines several of our most engaging mechanics into a fast-paced experience that offers players frequent feature opportunities and exciting collection gameplay. The Fire Blitz mechanic creates anticipation throughout every session, while the dual bonus structure ensures plenty of variety.

“The addition of our multi-level Power Play further enhances the experience by giving players greater control over how they engage with the game, reinforcing our commitment to delivering innovative, feature-rich content that performs across regulated markets worldwide.”

The post Blueprint Gaming releases Wolf Fury Fire Blitz slot appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

4 Chili Pots: Hold and Win

Playson releases 4 Chili Pots: Hold and Win with dual bonus modes

Published

24 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

playson-releases-4-chili-pots:-hold-and-win-with-dual-bonus-modes

Playson has launched 4 Chili Pots: Hold and Win, a new slot built around Hold and Win and Pots mechanics with two bonus modes and jackpots reaching 10,000x.

The game runs on a 5×3 grid and triggers a Hold and Win Bonus Game with Chili Features when red, orange or green Chili Bonus symbols land, combining with enlarged matching chilis above the reels. The chilli colour determines the feature in play: red triggers a Multi Feature that adds multipliers up to 5x; orange triggers a Mystery Feature that can award Mini, Minor or Major jackpot values or a coin value up to 75x; and green triggers a Collect Feature that gathers the value of all symbols in play, including any attached multipliers.

A golden Super Chili Bonus symbol can trigger a Super Bonus Game on an expanded 5×5 grid, with random Multi, Mystery or Collect features, including combinations. During the round, the active Super Chili Feature lands random Chili Bonus symbols until six are present, which then activates a new feature or enhances the current one.

Playson said jackpots can be triggered in both bonus modes. Filling all 15 cells in the classic bonus awards the Grand Jackpot at 3,000x, while filling all 25 cells in the Super Bonus Game awards the Super Jackpot at 10,000x. Skull-themed symbols can also appear in bonus play and transform into red, orange or green Chili Bonus symbols. The title includes two Buy Bonus levels, allowing players to trigger the Bonus Game or Super Bonus Game with one, two or three Chili Features.

Anton Ivannikov, CPO at Playson, said: “Our fiery new title showcases our continued focus on evolving proven mechanics in fresh and exciting ways. By combining two player-favourite features with layered bonus progression, dynamic Chili Features and a Super Bonus Game offering even greater rewards, we have created a title that delivers excitement throughout every stage of play.

“Complemented by its vibrant Mexican fiesta theme and engaging gameplay, we are confident 4 Chili Pots: Hold and Win will prove to be another valuable addition to our partners’ casino offerings.”

The post Playson releases 4 Chili Pots: Hold and Win with dual bonus modes appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

Merkur Group Strengthens Global Compliance Strategy

Published

1 hour ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

merkur-group-strengthens-global-compliance-strategy

Under the theme “Perspectives,” a total of 43 compliance staff members from the Merkur Group across various countries gathered from 30 June to 1 July to further develop compliance processes in a sustainable manner. Colleagues from Germany, Spain, England, Malta, Australia and the US traveled to the two-day meeting at Benkhausen Castle, the in-house training centre of the Merkur Group. The workshop set the stage with expert presentations on global and digital topics such as cybersecurity, risk management and artificial intelligence. A panel discussion featuring representatives from various international companies within the Merkur Group, as well as a digital quiz, rounded out the programme.

In keeping with its guiding principle, the workshop focused on sharing experiences, fostering global networking and providing impetus for the further development of compliance processes. Because informal exchanges are also key to close cooperation, the evening programme created a relaxed atmosphere and gave participants the opportunity to continue their conversations, make new connections, and further strengthen team spirit across company and national boundaries.

“The ideas and diverse perspectives gained during the workshop will now be incorporated into our day-to-day work and help us to continuously improve collaboration and existing processes,” said Ludwig Beckmann, Chief Compliance Officer of the Merkur Group.

The concluding feedback session also highlighted just how valuable the international exchange is. The term “collaboration” came up particularly often, a clear indication of how highly the participants value working closely together within the international compliance network.

The post Merkur Group Strengthens Global Compliance Strategy appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.