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Summary of bacta’s Spring Budget submission
Bacta is the voice of the amusement machine industry and its supply chain. The sector is a key driver of economic activity in our communities, our high streets and towns, employing approaching 40,000 people and contributing £2bn to the national economy.
The amusement machine industry has been particularly badly hit by the dual shocks of the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis and the cost of doing business. This has been driven by high levels of inflation and soaring energy bills. This has been acutely felt by our members who are particularly energy intensive by their very nature, and unable to pass on costs to customers to offset these additional expenses.
In addition, those costs associated with the provision of games of chance are unable to reclaim VAT, adding 20% to already sky-high costs. That our members are forced to pay these extra costs, alongside the increase in energy bills, with no room for recompense, is fundamentally wrong and must be addressed if the sector is to thrive.
Despite these challenges, the sector remains a key vehicle for unlocking growth and driving the economic recovery, particularly at the coast and in our hard-pressed High Streets. We help to keep pubs and clubs afloat. Our policy proposals are cost-effective solutions, which set out how some small adjustments to existing regulations could unlock considerable capital which could be reinvested back into the business.
For example, enabling businesses that pay Machine Games Duty (MGD) to reclaim VAT would unlock an additional £150 – £200 million which could be reinvested in their business. Moreover, a simple tweak to the existing MGD thresholds, increasing the base rate to include machines costing 25p to play would unlock £5 to £10 million which again could be reinvested back into the wider economy and stimulate a small part of the manufacturing sector.
Finally, the Super Deduction has been a considerable success in achieving its goal of unlocking additional business investment at a time in which it was most needed. With this investment still key to unlocking long term growth, we would like to see the scheme extended, or replaced with a similar scheme, and with the eligibility criteria extended to include leased assets such as pool tables, juke boxes, and fruit machines hired to pubs and clubs.
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Gambling in the USA
Inspired and bet365 Launch Next-Gen Virtual Sports: V-Play NHL, NBA Re-Play, and Re-Play eSports
Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (“Inspired” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, technology, hardware, and services, is proud to announce the launch of three groundbreaking Virtual Sports titles – V-Play NHL, NBA Re-Play, and Re-Play eSports – available through bet365, one of the world’s premier online gambling brands.
These new products represent the next generation of Inspired’s award-winning Virtual Sports portfolio, featuring cutting-edge motion capture, ultra-realistic animation, and non-stop action to deliver an engaging player experience.
V-Play NHL is an officially licensed product that brings the speed and intensity of professional hockey into the virtual arena. Featuring real NHL teams and logos, the game delivers an authentic sports betting experience with broadcast-quality graphics and dynamic gameplay.
NBA Re-Play, officially licensed by the NBA and the NBPA, uses iconic archive footage and advanced rendering technology to recreate unforgettable basketball moments. Fans can engage with the action in innovative ways, thanks to new betting formats and cinematic presentation.
Re-Play eSports
offers fast, always-on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) virtual gameplay and betting opportunities for one of the most popular competitive video games globally and its captive audience of digitally native fans. The product utilizes official tournament archive footage from the Champion of Champions Tour, a top CS:GO event, with official in-game data and video feeds provided by data and technology company GRID.
These new titles are part of Inspired’s growing suite of officially licensed North American Virtual Sports products available through bet365, further reinforcing the companies’ shared leadership in the space.
“We’re excited to expand our partnership with bet365 through the launch of these groundbreaking products,” said Brooks Pierce, President & CEO of Inspired. “With V-Play NHL, NBA Re-Play, and Re-Play eSports, we continue to redefine what’s possible in Virtual Sports, delivering high-quality, immersive content that resonates with both fans and bettors.”
“Inspired continues to lead the way in Virtual Sports innovation,” said a bet365 spokesperson. “With compelling visuals, official league integrations, and thrilling gameplay, these titles are set to be a major hit with our global audience.”
The launch highlights the ongoing collaboration between Inspired and bet365 and their joint commitment to innovation and player-first entertainment.
All three products are now live on bet365’s global platform, fully optimized for desktop and mobile.
18+, GambleAware.org, Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.
The post Inspired and bet365 Launch Next-Gen Virtual Sports: V-Play NHL, NBA Re-Play, and Re-Play eSports appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
155.io, the live content studio built for a mobile-first world, has appointed Raúl Cué as Head of Integration to accelerate its mission of bringing chaos-fueled content to the next-gen of players.
With extensive iGaming experience, Cué joins the 155.io team to help operators and aggregators seamlessly connect with the studio’s 24/7 live portfolio, featuring Marbles.io, Stairpon
Raúl Cué, Head of Integration at 155.io, said: “It’s rare you see a company in this space do something truly unique and that instantly drew me to Sam and 155.io. They’ve quickly curated a revolutionary portfolio of titles where my goal is elevating the integration experience for operators and aggregators. I’m looking forward to being in Lisbon for the SBC Summit where we’re bringing our live chaos to the show – watch this space!”
He will also support partners in quickly making these cutting-edge titles live, whether through Hub88.io or via simple direct integrations. Cué’s role extends to working with providers to identify and implement practical solutions, ensuring integrations are efficient as well as impactful, sustainable, and future-ready.
Cué joins 155.io from Live Casino provider EEZE, bringing an impressive track record across Live Casino, Slots, and the sweeps market.
Sam Jones, CEO of 155.io, commented: “Welcoming Raúl to the 155.io set-up adds real momentum to the significant progress we’ve made. His expertise will help us bring even more chaos, flipping the tables on real-world, awesome content that the new wave of players love. He’s exactly who we need to drive the next growth stage.”
The post 155.io names Raúl Cué as Head of Integration to unleash chaos content worldwide appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
First Look Games and Zillion Games Partner to Bring 50+ Award-Winning Titles to Global Affiliate Network
First Look Games, the London-based B2B marketing platform empowering iGaming game studios, has announced a new partnership with Zillion Games, the award-winning Cyprus-based game developer known for high-performing HTML5 slots and custom casino solutions. The partnership takes effect immediately.
Founded in 2018, First Look Games enables game studios to distribute certified marketing assets, demo games, and game information to a network of over 1000 approved affiliated publishers who collectively reach more than 40 million players worldwide. The platform offers advanced reporting tools, including Accuracy Management and Sentiment Analysis, which are set up to bring unique insights to game studios to support their growth.
Zillion Games, established in 2021, has quickly built a reputation for innovation and quality in online slots, with a portfolio of more than 50 titles, including popular releases such as Candy Stash Deluxe, Gems Sky, and Golden Dragon Deluxe. RNG-certified by iTech Labs, Zillion supports 190+ currencies, including fiat and crypto, and delivers its games to 900+ operators worldwide. Its content is available across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, USA, Brazil and other key markets, with notable growth marked by multiple EGR award wins, including EGR Europe Awards 2025 “European casino content supplier. Under 5 years” and EGR Italy Awards 2024 “Rising Star.”
Through this partnership, Zillion Games’ complete catalogue is now available to First Look Games’ affiliate network. Affiliates gain instant access to promotional materials, demo links, and game information to deliver accurate, engaging & compliant content. The collaboration aims to expand Zillion’s market reach, support growth in new jurisdictions, and set higher standards for compliance and review quality.
Partnership Benefits
Faster time to market for Zillion Games releases
Access to high-quality visuals, game sheets, and demo tools
Enhanced compliance and Accuracy Management features
Support for expansion into new regulated markets
The partnership meets the rising demand for streamlined content distribution. Affiliates will have instant access to accurate marketing materials and compliance documentation, enabling them to serve their audiences more effectively while maintaining regulatory standards.
“Partnering with First Look Games is a powerful step forward for Zillion Games,” said Tasha Sokolova, Head of Marketing at Zillion Games. “Our mission has always been to deliver unlimited excitement and massive winning opportunities to players worldwide, and now we can extend that reach through a network of trusted affiliates who share our passion for quality and innovation. With First Look Games’ advanced tools, we’re able to launch games faster, maintain the highest standards of compliance, and connect with millions of players in new and exciting ways.”
Tom Galanis, Co-Founder and CEO at First Look Games said: “We’re delighted to welcome Zillion Games to the First Look Games platform. Their recent titles have hit the mark with players and partners alike, combining standout gameplay with innovative features that set new standards in the market. We’re excited to support them on their journey by connecting them with our global network of affiliate publishers and provide them new data insights to support their growth.”
The post First Look Games and Zillion Games Partner to Bring 50+ Award-Winning Titles to Global Affiliate Network appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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