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Dr Matt Gaskell Awarded MBE in King’s Birthday Honours for Services to People Experiencing Gambling Harm

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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.

Canada

CasinoCanada announces partnership with Slota Casino

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CasinoCanada.com has entered into a partnership with Slota Casino aimed at increasing the platform’s visibility and directing traffic from non-regulated Canadian markets.

As part of the collaboration, CasinoCanada will prepare and publish informational materials describing Slota Casino’s features and game offerings.

The partnership includes ongoing content development, efforts to increase platform visibility and user acquisition activities across CasinoCanada’s media channels.

CasinoCanada is an online casino guide focused on the Canadian market, operated by SEOBROTHERS.

Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, commented:

“We focus on delivering accurate information about the Slota Casino platform while maintaining consistent content updates and supporting steady traffic growth across our channels.”

Slota Casino was launched in 2024 by GBL Solutions N.V. under a Curacao licence.

Slota Casino is operated by the Slota Partners affiliate program.

The platform provides access to more than 12,000 online casino games from 130 providers, including Play’n GO, Endorphina and Games Global.

A representative of Slota Casino said:

“We’re genuinely excited about teaming up with CasinoCanada. This is a major step forward for us.

The Canadian market has enormous potential, and partnering with a portal as respected as CasinoCanada gives our brand the visibility and credibility it deserves in this region.”

The post CasinoCanada announces partnership with Slota Casino appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Brazil

Esportes da Sorte has renewed its official sponsorship of the Parintins Folklore Festival for the 2026 edition

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Esportes da Sorte has renewed its official sponsorship of the Parintins Folklore Festival for the 2026 edition.

The brand reinforces its strategy of promoting Brazilian culture after fostering an exchange between the North and Northeast regions during the Pernambuco Carnival.

Esportes da Sorte announced the renewal of its official sponsorship of the Parintins Folklore Festival for the 2026 edition.

Scheduled to take place from June 26 to 28, the event is part of the brand’s strategy to strengthen Brazilian cultural expressions and support the regional creative economy.

The continuation of the partnership follows a cycle of cultural integration promoted by the company over the past year.

In 2026, the group brought artistic references from the Parintins Festival to Recife Carnival by inviting Amazonian visual artist Iran Martins to design the brand’s parade float at Galo da Madrugada.

The project incorporated movement mechanisms and aesthetic elements inspired by the “bumbás” universe into the visual language of frevo.

Beyond brand exposure, the investment in Parintins is part of a positioning strategy focused on valuing Brazilian cultural identity and strengthening initiatives with strong regional ties.

“Our presence in Parintins goes beyond a branding action. It is a commitment to valuing Brazilian culture and the professionals who drive this creative ecosystem.

By bringing together references from the Parintins Festival and Recife Carnival, we show how different cultural expressions in the country can dialogue and create new connections.

We want to continue expanding this impact and contribute to keeping the bumbá tradition strong,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil, owner of Esportes da Sorte.

Economic growth and new Bumbódromo

The Parintins Festival 2026 is expected to generate around R$193.2 million, a projected 5% increase compared to the previous edition. The forecast also includes approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, as well as the arrival of around 126,000 tourists.

The audience will be welcomed in the new Bumbódromo, a structure with capacity for up to 25,000 people per day, which will become part of the festival’s expansion in the coming years.

Esportes da Sorte

Esportes da Sorte is one of Brazil’s leading sports betting platforms, with 100% national operations and a license granted by the Ministry of Finance (SPA/MF) to Esportes Gaming Brasil — the group that also owns the Onabet and Lottu brands.

The company is part of a Great Place to Work certified group and generates around 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. Its pillars include innovation, commitment to responsible gaming, and support for sector regulation.

It maintains strategic partnerships with institutions such as ANJL, IBIA, Sportradar, EBAC, and IAA, strengthening control practices, problem gambling prevention, and user protection.

In addition to sports betting, Esportes da Sorte invests consistently in sports, culture, and social projects. It is a master sponsor of clubs such as Corinthians, Ceará, Ferroviária, and Náutico, as well as supporting major cultural events like Galo da Madrugada, Carnival celebrations in cities such as Recife, Olinda, Salvador, Maceió, Natal, Caicó, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, and the Parintins Festival. The brand also expands its digital presence through creative campaigns and influencer partnerships, strengthening its connection with audiences across online platforms.

The post Esportes da Sorte has renewed its official sponsorship of the Parintins Folklore Festival for the 2026 edition appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Canada

Digicode to showcase Diger Suite at SBC Summit Canada 2026

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Digicode will showcase its Diger Suite at SBC Summit Canada, taking place in Toronto from May 19–21, 2026.

At the event, the company will highlight how its product suite addresses evolving technical and partnership demands in Canada’s regulated iGaming market.

As the market moves beyond initial entry and into a phase defined by performance, scalability, and compliance, operators are re-evaluating their technology foundations.

Digicode’s Diger Suite is built to support this shift, offering a modular architecture that enables faster adaptation to regulatory changes, improved system reliability, and more efficient operations.

Aligned with the summit’s 2026 theme, “Partnerships, Performance, and Market Reality,” Digicode will demonstrate how its technology supports sustainable growth.

The Diger Suite equips operators with tools to manage complex integrations, streamline localized payment processing, and ensure compliance with responsible gaming requirements.

Its AI-driven framework automates backend workflows while maintaining strict standards for security and uptime.

“The Canadian market has entered the phase of operational maturity where the focus is no longer on expansion alone but on improving efficiency and long-term profitability,” said Elkhan Shabanov, CEO of Digicode Americas.

Operators are looking for solutions that not only meet regulatory demands but also enable them to scale efficiently and maintain control over their platforms.”  

During the summit, Digicode’s team will engage with industry stakeholders on topics including AI adoption in product development, modernization of legacy systems, and the transition away from traditional SaaS and revenue-share models toward full platform ownership.

The company aims to help operators regain control of their technology stack, reduce dependency on third-party vendors, and build scalable, compliant solutions tailored to their business needs. 

About Digicode

Digicode is a full-cycle AI-enabled product development company that designs and delivers enterprise digital solutions for organizations in complex, regulated environments.

Digicode supports clients with enterprise systems, integrations, and long-term software development. The company operates internationally and prioritizes projects where ownership and technical responsibility remain with the client.

The post Digicode to showcase Diger Suite at SBC Summit Canada 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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