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European Casino Association Launches Strategic Supplier Partnership
During the ECA Casino Industry Forum, hosted by HIT universe of fun in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, the European Casino Association (ECA) announced the establishment of the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership, an initiative to foster collaboration between the association and select partners supplying the land-based casino sector. This exclusive partnership aims to enhance industry cooperation and facilitate dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders on matters of mutual interest.
The ECA welcomed four major suppliers as its inaugural Strategic Supplier Partners: Aristocrat, IGT, Light & Wonder and Novomatic. This partnership marks a new era of cooperation within the European gaming landscape.
The partnership aims to advance responsible practices within the licensed gaming sector while fostering a collaborative environment for industry stakeholders. By facilitating dialogue with European authorities, the members seek to address crucial issues and promote fair regulatory frameworks.
This initiative will explore various aspects of the industry, including equipment standardisation, enhanced security measures, and strategies to combat illegal gambling. Additionally, the partnership will serve as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, connecting suppliers with operators and promoting responsible gaming practices alongside compliance. Through these efforts, the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership strives to contribute to the sustainable growth and integrity of the European casino landscape.
Erwin van Lambaart, Chairman of the European Casino Association, said: “We are pleased to welcome Aristocrat Gaming, IGT, Light & Wonder and Novomatic as the founding members of the ECA’s Strategic Supplier Partnership. This collaboration allows us to share diverse perspectives and work towards solutions that benefit the entire gaming community, while respecting the distinct roles of operators and suppliers.”
“Light and Wonder are honoured to be collaborating with the ECA on this strategic partnership. We have long considered that casino operators, trade bodies and suppliers need to work closely together on issues that impact the future of our industry and this partnership represents a great opportunity to actively address those challenges together,” said Jon Lancaster, Vice President of Sales, EMEA.
“As Europe´s largest gaming technology group, NOVOMATIC is pleased to join other major suppliers in laying the foundation for the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership. In this exclusive collaboration, we look forward to shaping the future of European gaming in a responsible and sustainable way, fostering collaboration across the industry and upholding the highest standards of compliance and player protection. We are excited to partner with the European Casino Association and firmly believe that together we can promote the long-term success of the industry,” Stefan Krenn, Member of the Executive Board NOVOMATIC AG.
“Aristocrat Gaming is pleased to be a part of the newly formed ECA partnership. Our aim is to work alongside the ECA and other suppliers to expand our collective influence in the region when it comes to regulatory reform and the evolution of gaming in EMEA,” said Marcel Heutmekers, vice president of sales and operations EMEA for Aristocrat Gaming.
“IGT is pleased to join the European Casino Association’s Strategic Partnership Alliance and collaborate with other global gaming suppliers to help drive growth opportunities for our customers and to shape a positive framework for the future of casino gaming across Europe,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP EMEA, Canada and LatAm Gaming Sales.
The post European Casino Association Launches Strategic Supplier Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ACR Poker is igniting the spring poker season with the Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms Special High Five Edition, offering an astonishing $10 million in guaranteed prize pools alongside the return of its celebrated High Five Series.
From April 12 to April 28, 2026, the special edition will feature two marquee events running simultaneously — an $8 million GTD No‑Limit Hold’em (NLH) and a $2 million GTD Pot‑Limit Omaha (PLO) tournament — promising some of the most thrilling online poker action of the year.
Players buy in for $2,650 and compete for massive mystery bounties, with the NLH event offering up to $500,000 for a single knockout and the PLO event featuring a top bounty of $200,000. Every knockout on Day 2 guarantees at least $5,000 in bounty rewards.
With five Day 1 flights, participants can enter multiple times and build competitive stacks for Day 2’s showdown. Qualifiers begin April 7th through Venom Fever satellites, providing hundreds of seats — some even free — via Direct, Mega, or Beast satellite events.
All players who make it to Day 2 on April 27th at 1:05 pm ET are already in the money. The climactic final table to crown this special edition’s champions will take place on April 28th at 4:05 pm ET.
ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker says the High Five edition builds on the momentum of earlier high‑stakes events like the $50 Million OSS XL, combining huge guarantees with broad access and big bounty potential for players of all bankrolls.
Featured Reference
For a similar take on this major online poker series and its prize pools, check out this article from Poker.org on ACR Poker’s dual mystery bounty events and their massive guaranteed prizes:
ACR Venom $10M GTD Tournaments – Poker.org
The post ACR Poker $10M Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Sweden has seen a long‑term decline in gambling addiction over the past 25 years, despite rapid growth in online gambling availability, advertising, and mobile gaming.
Economist Ola Nevander’s research for the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling (BOS) shows that the prevalence of problem gambling has steadily fallen since the early 2000s, even as the market expanded. This trend emerged even with the widespread adoption of digital gaming products and 24/7 access on smartphones.
According to the findings, the proportion of Swedes classified as problem gamblers (based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index) dropped from about 2.2 % in 2008–09 to around 1.3 % by 2021, marking a significant reduction in overall gambling harm.
Gustaf Hoffstedt, Secretary General of BOS, emphasizes that this decline suggests Sweden’s regulatory and industry efforts are moving in the right direction. While the transformation from traditional physical gambling venues to digital platforms has raised concerns, online tools such as responsible gaming technologies and AI‑assisted safeguards are helping reduce problem gambling rates.
However, Hoffstedt cautions that much work remains, because expanded game offerings and persistent advertising mean ongoing responsibility is crucial to maintain and deepen the downward trend.
Report available in full at: Problem Gambling_ENG_20260327[2]
For a similar perspective on gambling addiction prevalence trends in Sweden, see this article: Sweden problem gambling falls but still ‘scope for improvement’ — iGamingBusiness.com Sweden problem gambling trend report (IgamingBusiness)
The post BOS releases report on the prevalence of gambling addiction in Sweden appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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ACR POKER’S DUAL MYSTERY BOUNTY VENOMS – SPECIAL HIGH FIVE EDITION HITS WITH $10 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS
Celebrate the return of the High Five Series with a special edition of the iconic Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms and hundreds of seats from just $0 in Venom Fever satellites
ACR Poker is turning up the excitement this spring with the Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms Special High Five Edition, featuring $10 million in total guaranteed prize pools. Alongside the return of its popular High Five series, this special edition of the Dual Venoms will run from Sunday, April 12th through Tuesday, April 28th, delivering side-by-side action in the $8 million GTD NLH and $2 million GTD PLO, offering some of the biggest online poker action of the year.
Following the success of previous editions, the $2,650 buy-in Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms return with massive guarantees and mystery bounties that reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the $8 million GTD NLH, a single knockout could earn a player the top bounty prize of $500,000, while the $2 million PLO, which ties as ACR Poker’s biggest Omaha event ever, offers a $200,000 top bounty. Every knockout starting on Day 2 guarantees at least $5,000 in both events.
With five Day 1 flights, players can enter multiple times and combine their stacks to hit Day 2 with some serious firepower. All players reaching Day 2 on Monday, April 27th at 1:05pm ET are already in the money, with the Final Table showdown for the coveted Venom crowns scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th at 4:05pm ET.
Qualifying begins Tuesday, April 7th through a packed Venom Fever satellite schedule, offering hundreds of guaranteed seats at low cost, or even for free, through Direct Satellites, Mega Satellites, and Beast Satellites.
“After the incredible turnout and massive payouts in March’s $50 Million OSS XL, Spring 2026 is shaping up to be epic with the return of our High Five Series and this special Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms edition,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “With huge guarantees, mystery bounties, and accessible satellites for every bankroll, players have double the excitement and double the chance to hit massive prizes!”
The latest Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms delivered massive fields and payouts, with both events exceeding their guarantees. The NLH drew 3,673 entries for a $9,182,500 prize pool, paying over $700,000 to the winner. Runner-up ‘BALDOUS’ from the UK scored the biggest payday of the tournament, claiming the top $500,000 bounty and $730,000 in total bounties, pocketing a whopping $1,240,310 in total. The PLO tournament attracted 837 entrants and generated $2,092,500, with the champion earning more than $300,000.
For more information, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER’S DUAL MYSTERY BOUNTY VENOMS – SPECIAL HIGH FIVE EDITION HITS WITH $10 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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