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Independent Evaluation Reveals Impact of Pilot Training for Health Professionals

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Health professionals feel more confident supporting young people after completing Ygam’s training on gaming and gambling harms, an independent evaluation has revealed.

An evaluation undertaken by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) revealed 91% of survey respondents rated the Mindful Resilience workshops as “good” or “very good”, with two-thirds already implementing their learnings into their day-to day practices. Those trained saw their level of knowledge on gaming and gambling harms almost double as a result of partaking in the programme.

The “Mindful Resilience” programme was developed in collaboration with Bournemouth University. It enables health professionals, including GPs and nurses, to have access to City and Guilds assured training on the harms and health risks associated with gaming and gambling harms. The full pilot phase of the programme ran from 2021 to 2022.

Ratings of confidence in ability amongst delegates almost doubled for each area of enquiry, including signposting to information sources, approaching children and young people about the subject, and assessing participation in gambling and gaming, knowing how to intervene and when to respond.

Linda Scollins Smith, Director of Programmes at Ygam, said: “The findings of this evaluation are encouraging and a positive step in addressing the need for better understanding of gaming and gambling harms within the health care sector. The programme has already supported over 1000 health professionals and garnered very positive responses from participants regarding content, resources, and ongoing support.

“As with every pilot, there are areas of the programme that we can effectively improve. As an evidence-led organisation, these evaluations are vital to ensure that we continue to develop our educational offering, and that we continue to be a figurehead of good practice within the sector.”

Shelley White, CEO at RGC, said: “RGC’s Research and Advisory Services team is pleased to deliver this independent evaluation of the Mindful Resilience programme, which has shown very promising results for health care professionals during its pilot phase. We know that young people are at risk of experiencing gaming and gambling harms, therefore it is essential to educate and train those who work with young people on the practical ways to assess and respond to these risks. We are confident that our findings and recommendations will support Ygam in their commitment to delivering and refining this innovative programme, which will ultimately help to ensure the improved safety and care for young people.”

Dr. Melissa Salmon, Senior Researcher at the RGC found that within three months of completing the training, 64% of trained delegates reported that they had implemented their learning into their work with children and young people. 73% of participants reported that the implementation of knowledge and learnings from the training had been a positive process and easy to apply, with few obstacles.

The majority (84%) of participants said that they would not make any changes to the programme content covered or resources available, with 91% of participants rating the workshop as either “good” (14%) or “very good” (77%).

Jani Kontturi Head of Games at SkillOnNet

SkillOnNet and Playtech Strengthen Ties Through Multi-Market Games Expansion

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Playtech’s casino and bingo offerings launch in various regulated markets.

SkillOnNet and Playtech have solidified their enduring collaboration with a multi-national launch of Playtech’s top-tier casino and bingo offerings.

The global entertainment brand SkillOnNet has successfully incorporated and unveiled the extensive game collection of the software giant in Portugal and Brazil, with Greece expected to go live soon. A launch in Peru is anticipated shortly as well.

Simultaneously, SkillOnNet has introduced Playtech Bingo through its well-known PlayOJO Bingo brand. Playtech’s advanced iBingo platform is renowned as one of the industry’s most robust and scalable options, providing shared network liquidity, improved player engagement features, and a comprehensive range of bingo variations and progressive jackpots.

The contract encompasses a range of customized, market-oriented marketing initiatives in each region, aimed at showcasing Playtech’s top-rated and most well-known games on SkillOnNet’s premier, TV-promoted brands, including PlayOJO, PlayUZU, and BacanaPlay.

The campaigns aim to boost player acquisition and engagement while enhancing the visibility of Playtech’s leading games in every regulated market. The agreement strengthens the already strong relationship between the two firms, highlighting their mutual emphasis on regulated expansion, high-quality player experiences, and sustainable market growth.

Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “Portugal, Brazil, Greece and Peru are all strategically important markets for SkillOnNet, and working with Playtech allows us to deliver premium content that resonates with local players while meeting each market’s regulatory requirements.”

Marat Koss, Chief Interactive Gaming Officer at Playtech, commented: “We’re excited to expand our longstanding collaboration with SkillOnNet into new markets and bring our next-gen iBingo platform to new players. The multi-market launch serves as both a strong testament to the quality of our technology and the trust placed in our long-term Bingo strategy. We look forward to continued shared success with a valued partner.”

The post SkillOnNet and Playtech Strengthen Ties Through Multi-Market Games Expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Adam Miles Director of Sales DEGEN Studios

Why the Slot Market Needs to Move Beyond the ‘Safe Middle’

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Check out our latest Q&A w/ Adam Miles, Director of Sales, DEGEN Studios

You’ve joined DEGEN as Director of Sales at a key moment for the studio. What drew you to the role?

DEGEN has a very defined identity. It’s not trying to sit in the safe middle of the market, and it’s not trying to be everything to everyone. The games are high-volatility, identity-led and built with a specific player in mind. That makes the commercial proposition much stronger.

In a saturated industry, differentiation isn’t optional. Operators don’t need more generic content. They need studios that understand their audience and can deliver something with character and intent. DEGEN already had that direction, which made the opportunity compelling.

DEGEN positions itself as bold and disruptive. Does that make the sales conversation easier or more challenging?

It makes it clearer. When you have a defined identity, you’re not trying to convince every operator. You’re engaging with those who understand the value of differentiated content and who have player segments that respond to high-volatility, high-impact experiences.

Safe content will always have a place. But there is a significant audience looking for something more intense, more distinctive. Our job commercially is to ensure DEGEN’s portfolio is positioned where it will resonate most.

Transparency around who you are simplifies the conversation, shifting the focus from volume to value.

What are your immediate priorities in the role?

First, strengthening global distribution in a targeted way. It’s not about placing the portfolio everywhere. It’s about aligning with operators and aggregators who understand our positioning and can give the games the right context in their lobbies.

Second, deepening partnerships. We want operators to see DEGEN as a studio with a defined role in their content mix, particularly for high-volatility segments.

Internally, it’s also about feedback. Sales shouldn’t operate in isolation. Performance data, operator insight and market trends need to feed back into roadmap discussions. That loop between commercial and creative teams is essential if you want consistent growth.

DEGEN recently launched the DEGEN Powered initiative. How does that fit into your commercial strategy?

DEGEN Powered expands the conversation beyond individual releases. By partnering with studios like Spin Lab, who share a similar philosophy around player-first, identity-led design, we’re building a broader ecosystem.

It’s not a funding model or a traditional publishing structure; it is a strategic alignment. The studios maintain independence, but the DEGEN Powered banner signals shared values and a commitment to high-impact gameplay.

Commercially, that adds depth. It shows consistency in approach and reinforces the idea that this isn’t a one-off tone, it’s a growing segment of the market.

In such a competitive market, what gives DEGEN a genuine edge?

Most studios will aim for the broadest possible appeal, for DEGEN it’s about audience focus and being intentional. The portfolio is built around clearly defined player behaviours, particularly those who engage with higher volatility and stronger thematic identity.

When you understand who the game is for, your commercial message becomes sharper. Instead of promising universal appeal, you can demonstrate defined appeal backed by performance logic.

Operators are increasingly data-driven. They segment their player bases carefully. When a studio understands that segmentation and builds accordingly, the commercial discussion becomes more credible.

As your role develops, what does success look like for you?

Success is about expanding the brand sustainably. That means entering key markets with the right partners, strengthening our global footprint and ensuring the portfolio performs consistently across different territories.

It’s also about reputation. I want DEGEN to be recognised not just as a creative studio with attitude, but as a reliable commercial partner. A studio that delivers differentiated content and backs it with structured, strategic growth.

If operators associate DEGEN with bold, high-volatility experiences that perform for specific segments, and they trust us to support that with strong partnerships and execution, then we’re on the right path.

Ultimately for me, the role is about scaling the commercial side of the business while protecting what makes DEGEN different.

The post Why the Slot Market Needs to Move Beyond the ‘Safe Middle’ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Affiliate Succes

Affilka and Gamblers Connect announce media partnership

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Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, has announced an official partnership with Affilka, one of the industry’s most trusted affiliate management platforms.

Affilka powers the software behind some of the best-run operator programs in iGaming, offering near real-time tracking and automated reporting that help affiliates and operators operate efficiently and transparently.

Throughout 2026, the two companies will collaborate on a range of initiatives, including data-driven content and localized market insights, with the shared goal of helping players make informed decisions while supporting operators in building sustainable and trustworthy affiliate relationships.

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said:

“Our partnership ensures that operators running on Affilka’s platform are recognised across our network for meeting higher operational standards. Prompt payouts, fair tracking, and robust anti-fraud measures aren’t optional extras — they are the baseline we expect from any brand we recommend to our community.”

The post Affilka and Gamblers Connect announce media partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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