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BGC Welcomes Appointment of Poppy Gustafsson OBE as Minister for Investment and Commits to Delivering on Government’s Growth Agenda

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

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Standards body the Betting and Gaming Council has congratulated Poppy Gustafsson OBE on her appointment as Minister for Investment and committed to working with Government to deliver their growth agenda.

The Former Darktrace CEO was appointed ahead of an inaugural International Investment Summit, to harness business expertise and drive economic growth across the UK.

BGC members already make huge economic investments across the nation, contributing £7.1bn to the economy, generating £4.2bn in tax, while supporting 110,000 jobs.

That economic footprint boosts growth around the UK, with nearly two thirds of industry supported jobs currently based outside London, including nearly 20,000 in the West Midlands alone.

BGC members have founded tech powerhouses in places like Stoke on Trent where bet365 are the biggest private sector employer, Flutter in Leeds and Sunderland, Ballys in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Entain in London and Nottingham, Evoke in Leeds and BetFred in Warrington, and support Britain’s hard pressed high streets through betting shops, as well as the hospitality and tourism sector, through casinos.

However, the sector is at a crossroads, as it seeks to implement the measures contained in last year’s White Paper, which will cost the sector around £1bn.

Further tax or regulatory changes now could undermine that investment and threaten jobs and growth in the UK, the BGC warned.

Meanwhile the BGC has previously called for the modest, but mission critical, modernisation plans contained in the White Paper for land-based casinos to be implemented without delay, unlocking significant investment across the UK.

They already boast cross-party support and include much needed reforms on cashless payments, gaming machine allocations and allowing all casinos to offer sports betting, which will strengthen the sector to better meet the needs and expectations of their customers.

BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said: “On behalf of our members, the 110,000 people whose jobs rely on the regulated betting and gaming industry, and the 22.5 million people who enjoy a bet each month, I’d like to congratulate Poppy Gustafsson OBE on her appointment as Minister for Investment.

“Poppy is an accomplished entrepreneur and brings a wealth of much needed business and financial experience to this new role. I’m also delighted to see that she will be a joint minister across the Department for Business and Trade and the Treasury, where I know her private sector expertise will make a huge contribution.

“From high streets to hospitality, from tourism to tech, our members generate £4.2bn in taxes for the Treasury and contribute £7.1bn to the wider economy. This is a sector ready to contribute on growth, jobs and investment across the economy.

“The BGC and our members remain committed to implementing changes outlined in the White Paper, ensuring those measures get the balance right between protecting the vulnerable, while allowing the vast majority of punters who enjoy betting responsibly to continue doing so without unnecessary intrusion.

“Our sector needs a solid and stable regulatory footing and tax environment to be able to unlock new investment and grow across the whole of the country. That is particularly true for our land-based casino members, where policy is already set, but needs to be implemented, to unlock vital new investment.”

On top of the sector’s wider economic contribution, BGC members also provide some of the country’s most popular sport with vital funding, from the grassroots to the elite level.

The Sky Bet sponsored English Football League and its clubs receive £40m, William Hill sponsors the Scottish Professional Football League, while a host of other BGC members from Betway to Kindred are supporting football and other sports.

Meanwhile, horseracing receives £350m, and snooker, darts and rugby league – which is currently sponsored by Betfred – receive more than £12.5m.

The post BGC Welcomes Appointment of Poppy Gustafsson OBE as Minister for Investment and Commits to Delivering on Government’s Growth Agenda appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

AI gaming platforms

BetConstruct AI Sets the Tone for 2026 iGaming with Harmony Choice Event in Barcelona

Published

10 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

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BetConstruct AI defines a new era of iGaming at Harmony Choice in Barcelona

On January 17, BetConstruct AI officially ushered in the 2026 iGaming season with Harmony Choice, an exclusive industry gathering held in Barcelona just days ahead of ICE Barcelona. Hosted at one of the city’s most iconic venues, the event brought together senior industry leaders for an evening of strategic dialogue, collaboration, and high-level networking.

Designed to set the tone for the year ahead, Harmony Choice became the stage for a series of major announcements that highlight BetConstruct AI’s ambition to reshape the iGaming ecosystem through artificial intelligence and scalable technology.

Choice Gaming officially launched

Taking center stage, Vigen Badalyan, Co-founder of BetConstruct AI, announced the official launch of Choice Gaming. The platform has already demonstrated rapid adoption, going live on more than 1,000 websites at launch.

Looking ahead, BetConstruct AI revealed an ambitious growth plan, projecting integration across 5,000+ websites by the end of February. To reward early adopters, the company announced that every 51st integrator will receive the entire Choice Gaming slot portfolio free for one year.

KISS AI Live Casino debuts

Harmony Choice also marked the unveiling of KISS AI Live Casino, a groundbreaking live casino solution powered entirely by advanced artificial intelligence. Positioned as a next-generation product, KISS AI Live Casino aims to redefine player interaction and operational efficiency within live gaming environments.

To accelerate adoption, BetConstruct AI introduced a limited-time incentive: partners integrating KISS AI Live Casino by February 25 will receive the platform free for one year.

Faster scaling with Open API integration

Further streamlining partner onboarding, BetConstruct AI announced that Open API integration would be available on both BetConstruct AI and Choice Gaming websites starting January 19. The updated system enables online contract sign-offs, allowing operators to integrate products and scale operations faster and more efficiently.

Leadership insights and new product reveals

The evening also featured strategic insights from senior leadership across the group:

Vahagn Badalyan, CEO of Badalyan Brothers, reviewed recent milestones and unveiled two new live casino games from Creedroomz, reinforcing the group’s live casino offering.
Leonid Kirakosyan, CEO of BetConstruct AI, introduced Betting Mate, an AI-powered recommendation engine designed to enhance sportsbook engagement through personalized, data-driven betting suggestions.

Setting the benchmark for 2026

More than a networking event, Harmony Choice served as a clear statement of intent. By blending human creativity with artificial intelligence, BetConstruct AI demonstrated its commitment to equipping operators with flexible tools, advanced AI solutions, and diverse gaming portfolios.

As the industry turns its attention to ICE Barcelona 2026, BetConstruct AI has set a high benchmark for innovation, scalability, and strategic vision — positioning Harmony Choice as one of the defining moments at the start of the iGaming year.

The post BetConstruct AI Sets the Tone for 2026 iGaming with Harmony Choice Event in Barcelona appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Casino Technology

Danny Wu Wins Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament Featuring Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjällby

Published

10 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Danny Wu triumphs at Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament

Cubeia, the Sweden-based iGaming software solutions provider, has announced Danny Wu as the winner of its inaugural ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament, held in partnership with QTech Games. The standout event featured a special table that included Swedish football icons Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjällby, drawing significant attention from ICE attendees.

A high-profile showdown at ICE Barcelona

Hosted on Day 2 at Cubeia’s eye-catching stand, the VIP poker tournament quickly became a focal point of the exhibition floor. Danny Wu emerged victorious after an entertaining and competitive session, taking home the top prize of €1,500.

The table combined serious poker action with relaxed conversation, as players swapped hands and shared football stories, creating an atmosphere that resonated with both poker enthusiasts and industry professionals.

A premium VIP experience

Cubeia elevated the experience with a curated VIP setting, complete with champagne and beer, reinforcing the social and celebratory tone of the event. The lively ambience helped generate buzz throughout the day and showcased Cubeia’s ability to deliver memorable, community-driven activations at major industry events.

Spotlight on Cubeia Originals

Alongside the tournament, visitors explored Cubeia’s Originals portfolio, including upcoming titles such as Chicken Cross Tower, Multiplier Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, and Snakes. The showcase highlighted Cubeia’s commitment to innovative content and engaging game mechanics.

Industry praise

Tove Nilsson, Marketing & Event Coordinator at Cubeia, commented:

“The VIP Poker Tournament exceeded all expectations and was a major highlight of ICE Barcelona. Working with our partners, QTech Games, we delivered a truly premium experience. The atmosphere around the table was exactly what we hoped for — competitive, social, and genuinely fun. Congratulations to Danny on a deserved win, and huge thanks to Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjällby for being such great sports.”

Bringing the industry together

The success of the ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament underlines Cubeia’s strength in creating unique, high-impact experiences that connect partners, players, and visitors. By blending celebrity appeal, quality gameplay, and premium hospitality, Cubeia reinforced its position as a brand that values community and innovation within the iGaming industry.

The post Danny Wu Wins Cubeia’s ICE Barcelona VIP Poker Tournament Featuring Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjällby appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

affiliate marketing

N1 Partners Takes Flight in Barcelona: Helicopter Awarded at iGB Affiliate 2026 Finale

Published

16 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

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The curtains have closed on iGB Affiliate 2026, but the echoes of N1 Partners’ massive presence are still vibrating through the halls of the Fira de Barcelona. After two days of high-stakes networking and over 500 business meetings, the company concluded the event by awarding a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter to the grand winner of the N1 Puzzle Promo.

A Hub of Industry Activity

From January 20 to 21, the N1 Partners stand (80-C80) served as a primary nervous system for the expo floor. The team maintained a relentless pace, facilitating hundreds of discussions regarding traffic strategies and custom deals.

Beyond the boardroom-style meetings, the stand offered a more interactive “Plinko” activity and distributed over 300 branded merchandise packs, ensuring the N1 brand remained visible across the entire conference.

Media Spotlight and Thought Leadership

The company’s influence extended beyond the booth, with leadership participating in more than 10 interviews and podcasts. These sessions focused on sustainable growth within the iGaming sector and evolving affiliate expectations, further solidifying N1 Partners’ reputation as a transparent and performance-driven program.

The Grand Finale: A Night to Remember

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the N1 Puzzle Promo Party, an exclusive, closed-format celebration that saw over 2,000 registrations. While only 600 guests could be accommodated, the venue was packed with the industry’s top decision-makers and affiliates.

The atmosphere reached a fever pitch as the winners of the N1 Puzzle Promo leaderboard were announced:

Rank	Partner Name
1st Place (Helicopter Winner)	Cash Splash
2nd Place	Advertise
3rd Place	Traffic Squad
4th Place	Seven Group
5th Place	Alfaleads Network

The evening concluded with a live performance from a surprise headline guest and high-energy DJ sets, marking the successful end of a campaign that was recently named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards.