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

Published

1 year ago

June 18, 2025

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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.

content distribution

Pascal Gaming signs EGT Digital deal to distribute games via X-Nave

Published

14 minutes ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Integration puts Pascal’s slots, crash, instant and table titles in front of EGT Digital’s operator network across Europe, South America and Africa.

Pascal Gaming has signed a distribution agreement with EGT Digital, making its portfolio available through the X-Nave Gaming Aggregator. The deal was announced July 14, 2026.

Under the integration, operators across EGT Digital’s network will be able to access Pascal Gaming’s full range of slots, crash, instant and table games. EGT Digital said its Gaming Aggregator currently offers more than 20,000 games from over 200 studios.

Titles named in the agreement include Avinho R10 and Fortune Ronaldinho, developed in collaboration with football legend Ronaldinho, alongside Golden Tree Buy Bonus, Sugar Balloon and Juicy Storm.

Pascal Gaming said the partnership will expand distribution across Europe, South America and Africa, as it continues certifying titles for regulated markets. The supplier noted it has recently secured certifications for a number of its games in Brazil as part of its expansion in the market.

The post Pascal Gaming signs EGT Digital deal to distribute games via X-Nave appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

David Murray Head of Risk and Trading at AK Bets

AK Bets trading chief says VAR forces more in-play market suspensions

Published

1 hour ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

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David Murray tells OLBG video reviews have cut live betting uptime and increased split-second risk decisions for traders.

VAR is reshaping how football is traded in-play, according to David Murray, Head of Risk & Trading at AK Bets, who says video reviews have increased uncertainty and reduced the time live betting markets can stay open.

Speaking to OLBG, Murray said traders now have to suspend markets more often because potential penalties, red cards and offsides can quickly swing outcomes. “Years ago you would only suspend betting for a handful of major incidents,” he said. “Now there are so many situations where something might happen that you’re constantly making judgement calls.”

Murray added that VAR has changed the experience of watching matches for both fans and trading teams. “It’s completely ruined the enjoyment of watching football,” he said. “We’re exactly the same as everybody else. Whether you’ve had a bet yourself or you’re trading the game, you’re afraid to celebrate a goal because you’re immediately wondering whether there’s going to be a VAR check.”

He said the operational impact is stark compared with a decade ago. “If you compare now with 10 years ago, it’s night and day,” Murray said. “The amount of time even the biggest football matches are actually available to bet on has changed because there are simply far more incidents that require markets to be suspended.”

Murray also pointed to scheduled stoppages at this summer’s World Cup, saying hydration breaks can create additional betting moments rather than interrupting activity. “It almost becomes like a mini half-time,” he said. “Customers have a few minutes to think about what they’ve watched, look at the updated prices and decide whether they want to get involved.”

The post AK Bets trading chief says VAR forces more in-play market suspensions appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

N1 Sport Promo: Earn More with Sports Traffic

Published

2 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

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With less than two weeks remaining until N1 Sport Promo by N1 Partners comes to an end, the biggest sporting events of July are still ahead: the decisive matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Wimbledon Final, the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, and the closing stages of the Tour de France.

During this period, every additional FTD not only increases your overall payout but also boosts your CPA rate.

SEO & PPC — +€50 CPA for every 10 FTDs, with no cap on CPA increases.
Facebook, In-App, UAC, ASO, Email & SMS — +€10 CPA for every 30 FTDs, up to +€100 above your base CPA.

The full promotion terms are available via the link below.

The N1 Partners affiliate team has shared practical recommendations to help affiliates make the most of the final stage of the promotion.

Strengthen Campaigns That Already Deliver Results

The final weeks of N1 Sport Promo are the best time to increase the volume of successful campaigns and take full advantage of the promotion’s progressive CPA mechanics.

Focus on traffic sources and creatives that are already delivering consistent results. Their growth can be supported by expanding into additional GEOs, regularly refreshing creatives, keeping offers up to date, and reacting quickly to major sporting events.

Even a moderate increase in high-quality traffic can significantly improve your final payout: the more FTDs you generate before the promotion ends, the higher your CPA rate becomes.

Speed Is a Competitive Advantage

The strongest results typically come from campaigns launched ahead of key matches and kept relevant throughout the tournament. Preparing campaigns before kickoff and responding quickly to shifts in audience interest helps affiliates capitalize on peaks in sports traffic and generate more high-quality FTDs.

Mobile users deserve particular attention during this period, as a significant share of the audience engages with sports content while matches are taking place.

Player Activity Peaks in the Final Hours Before Kickoff

During major sporting events, many users register just a few hours before a match begins. That’s why timely creative updates and a strong focus on the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures are essential for maintaining campaign performance.

Key Sporting Events Before the Promo Ends

The sports calendar remains packed over the coming weeks:

July 9 — France vs Morocco (FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final);
July 10 — Spain vs Belgium (FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final);
July 11 — Norway vs England (FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final);
July 14–15 — FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-finals;
July 19 — FIFA World Cup 2026 Final;
July 12 — Wimbledon Final;
July 19 — Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix;
Through July 26 — Closing stages of the Tour de France.

Each of these events traditionally drives spikes in search demand, social media engagement, and player interest. As a rule, the best-performing campaigns are those that are already delivering results. The final weeks of the promotion are the ideal time to strengthen them through continuous, data-driven optimization.

Looking for even more scaling opportunities? The N1 Partners team has also prepared a comprehensive July guide featuring the month’s biggest sporting events and practical recommendations to help affiliates plan campaigns more effectively and drive additional Tier-1 traffic.

If you haven’t joined N1 Sport Promo yet, contact your affiliate manager or reach out to LeadGen Chris and make the most of the final weeks of the promotion.

Why choose N1 Partners?