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Dr Matt Gaskell Awarded MBE in King’s Birthday Honours for Services to People Experiencing Gambling Harm
Dr Matt Gaskell, Clinical Lead and Consultant Psychologist at the NHS Northern Gambling Service has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for “Services to People Experiencing Gambling Harm” in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
In his response statement (below) he dedicates the award “. . . to all those affected by preventable gambling-related harm, to the brilliant people who advocate for new gambling legislation, and to many amazing colleagues with whom I have worked over the years treating addictive behaviour.”
For over 25 years Matt has dedicated himself to the treatment and recovery of addictive behaviour and to developing and overseeing high quality evidence-based and compassionate services for those harmed by it.
Matt was born in Chorley, Lancashire, before moving to Ilkley in West Yorkshire aged 10. He joined the NHS in 2007 from the Home Office where he was Head of Addiction Treatment for the directorate of High Security Prisons. He became Clinical Lead for Addictions at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) in 2014 and started specialising in gambling treatment from 2018.
Matt then founded the NHS Northern Gambling Service, the first of its kind in the north of England, which opened its first clinic in September 2019. The Service has since expanded with six regional clinics in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Preston. Matt’s teams have treated and supported thousands of individuals and their families since the first clinic opened its doors.
In addition to leading a successful clinical service, he has provided expert knowledge and advice to the UK Government on gambling related harm and has become an influential advocate for the overhaul of our gambling laws and regulations. His views on gambling harm, treatment and policy are in demand across the UK and internationally. He regularly appears in the media raising awareness that policies and commercial practices hazardous to health should be the priority for action, rather than problematising individuals who are impacted by their exposure.
He was employed as topic advisor for the recently implemented national clinical guidelines on harmful gambling, which ensure that identification and support for gambling harm will become part of routine clinical practice across the country. He is heavily involved in the current transformation to a joined-up evidence-based national treatment and support system for gambling related harm, ensuring a better deal for those harmed, including their families. He is also a lecturer in addiction at several universities at doctorate level, an expert witness, author, researcher, consultant and public voice for those affected by gambling-related harm.
Matt, who currently lives in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with wife Judith and son Teddy, said: “I have been privileged to be connected to the courageous and moving recovery of so many people and families harmed by gambling and other addictive behaviour over the years.
“I’ve learned so much from their stories. They have inspired me to improve public services treating addiction, and to be a voice for their experience in calling for change. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to learn from, and work with, some of the best minds in addictive behaviour and public health. I’m very grateful to the NHS who have supported and trusted me to do my work.
“This award recognises that gambling harm is a public health crisis of our time. I will continue to strive to prioritise population health over the pursuit of profit, and to create healthier environments for our citizens to thrive in.
“I dedicate this award to all those affected by preventable gambling-related harm, to the brilliant people who advocate for new gambling legislation, and to many amazing colleagues with whom I have worked over the years treating addictive behaviour.
“Like so many others, I have experienced addiction in my family, which served to inspire my commitment to public service in this area. So, it’s an enormously proud moment for my family, and I look forward to sharing it with them and with my colleagues.”
Dr Sara Munro, Chief Executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I’m so proud to see Matt receive this honour. He spearheaded the creation of the NHS Northern Gambling Service and has successfully expanded it from one clinic to several operating across the North of England today in five years.
“The NHS Northern Gambling Service saves people’s lives, supporting thousands of people, as well as their loved ones, to regain their lives after the harm caused by gambling addiction.
“Using his expertise and insights from the gambling service Matt also plays an important role in advising government and positively influencing national policy and legislation to reduce gambling harms. We are immensely grateful for all he does and his steadfast commitment to make meaningful change to protect vulnerable people in society.”
The post Dr Matt Gaskell Awarded MBE in King’s Birthday Honours for Services to People Experiencing Gambling Harm appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Symplify, the Stockholm-based market leader in CRM and AI cloud solutions, has officially unveiled its brand-new user interface, designed to deliver a smoother, smarter workspace experience.
Symplify is refining and rebuilding its UI following an in-depth user research project to understand where the company can help its partners achieve more, more efficiently. The new interface improves visibility across campaigns, greater clarity in reporting, and a cleaner, more intuitive navigation experience.
The new UI allows customers to move seamlessly between modules with the new always-on side menu. A revamped dashboard presents all recent drafts and segments when logging in. Reporting has improved too as they are now all stored in one location with sharper visuals for deeper insights. Symplify has also introduced a better monitoring hub for campaigns and simplified Account Settings that is smoother and more efficient.
Symplify’s Chief Sales Officer Christoffer Feldt-Sørensen said: “Our UI redesign has been led by those who matter most, our users. It’s been an important process listening to our partners to truly understand where we can save time and boost performance. With our own expertise and the feedback, we’ve delivered a super-smart workspace built for smoother workflows.”
The post Symplify releases enhanced User Interface for smarter workflows appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, is gearing up for a landmark appearance at SiGMA Central Europe Summit 2025, taking place in Rome on 3–6 November. During the event, SOFTSWISS will present the highly anticipated 2026 iGaming Trends Report – a release poised to become one of the year’s defining milestones for the global iGaming community.
Participation in this year’s SiGMA Summit underscores SOFTSWISS’ commitment to global growth in regulated markets. In the first half of 2025, the company achieved significant certifications across Latin America, Africa, and Europe, reinforcing its position as a trusted international partner dedicated to advancing responsible, secure, and innovative gaming experiences.
2026 iGaming Trends Report: The Year’s Most Anticipated Release by SOFTSWISS
Among the most important events in the iGaming industry this year will be the release of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report. The launch will take place on 5 November at Stage 2: People, Partners & Performance, as part of the 2026 iGaming Trends Marathon – a four-hour programme of keynotes and panel discussions. The report delivers an in-depth look at the technologies, regulations, and market dynamics shaping the future of iGaming.
This year’s edition, prepared by SOFTSWISS in collaboration with Next.io, will not only provide expert perspectives but also give participants the opportunity to be among the very first to access the report directly and hear exclusive insights from its creators and industry leaders.
Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, shares: “The 2026 iGaming Trends Report is more than just data – it’s a roadmap for the industry. By presenting it at SiGMA Central Europe Summit 2025, we aim to give our partners first-hand access to insights that will shape strategies and decisions across regulated markets worldwide.”
Car Assembly Show: Alfa Romeo 4C Built Step by Step
At Stand 4016 G, SOFTSWISS will host a spectacular pit-stop style live show: the step-by-step assembly of an Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition. Throughout the process, experts will show how racing technologies like sensors, AI, telemetry, and automation mirror the principles behind SOFTSWISS products – from real-time analytics to scalable platforms.
Partners and visitors are welcome to the SOFTSWISS Stand 4016 G to take part in the live car assembly experience, explore innovative solutions, and discuss the key findings of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Sets the Stage for 2026 iGaming Trends at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Clarion gaming
‘The voice of Spain’s gaming community will be at the very heart of ICE Barcelona 2026’ states Clarion Gaming’s Ewa Bakun
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ICE Barcelona has demonstrated its commitment to the Spanish industry following a highly successful engagement program at the Expo Congreso de Juego Luis Escribano in Torremolinos.
Recognised for being one of the most established and respected gatherings in the Spanish gaming calendar, the event provided a powerful platform for the ICE team to connect with industry leaders, regional representatives, and national stakeholders, as momentum builds towards the second edition of ICE Barcelona taking place January 2026.
The ICE Barcelona delegation engaged with more than a dozen of Spain’s most influential trade associations, including Asociación de Operadores de Juego de la Comunidad de Madrid, Asociación de Operadores de Asturias, Asaebin Andalucía, Ageo Galicia, Andemar Comunidad Valenciana, Anesar, Aemexa Extremadura, Club de Convergentes, CEJUEGO, Femara and Aspromares to share the exciting development plans for January’s event.
Reviewing the programme of meetings Ewa Bakun, Director of Industry Insight and Engagement at Clarion Gaming said: “Our aim in Torremolinos was clear: to listen, to connect, and to demonstrate our commitment to the Spanish industry. The conversations that we had were without exception forward-looking and constructive focussing on how we can work hand in hand with associations to shape and deliver a Spain-focused agenda at ICE 2026.”
She added: “Topics ranged from regional market opportunities to association-led content creation, as well as new ways to maximise knowledge sharing, showcase innovation, and elevate Spain’s presence on the global gaming stage.”
“A central pillar of our discussions was the La Plaza —a dedicated hub on the ICE show floor. More than simply a meeting point, La Plaza will host an industry-led programme co-curated with the Spanish associations, featuring bespoke content sessions, networking events, and collaborative initiatives that put the voice of Spain’s gaming community at the very heart of ICE Barcelona.
“We warmly invite all associations, including those we could not meet in person at the Expo Congreso, to join us on the journey to Barcelona and play a central role in shaping ICE 2026. The response from delegates to both the debut of ICE Barcelona in 2025 and the 2026 roadmap was overwhelmingly positive.
“Attendees expressed strong enthusiasm for the opportunity to showcase Spain’s strength and dynamism on a global stage, while also embracing the chance to contribute to the broader strategic conversations impacting the future of the industry.”
The post ‘The voice of Spain’s gaming community will be at the very heart of ICE Barcelona 2026’ states Clarion Gaming’s Ewa Bakun appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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