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Flutter UKI Invests Nearly £7M into Community Sports

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Former England heroes Alan Shearer and Peter Crouch are urging community sports clubs to take advantage of a £500,000 funding lifeline – as polling shows more than 40% (43%) of grassroots organisations are having to cancel services because of a lack of funding.

Clubs offering vital sports and fitness activities blame rising day-to-day costs, insurance bills and a difficulty in finding staff and other volunteers – with almost a quarter (22%) fearing they will be financially unsustainable within the next year.

The warning comes as Flutter launches Cash4Clubs 2026 – offering £500,000 to sports clubs across the UK and Ireland. Two hundred and fifty clubs will be able to bid for grants of £2000 a time to help buy new equipment, hire coaches, run training programmes or simply boost their marketing to bring in new members.

The polling, commissioned to coincide with the launch of Cash4Clubs 2026, shows grassroots sports funding has never been so important. Only 45% of clubs believe they can fully meet their members’ needs.

This year’s Cash4Clubs programme is backed by a host of sporting celebrities who are calling on clubs to apply for the money from Flutter UKI.

Paddy Power ambassador and former England and Liverpool striker, Peter Crouch, said: “An additional £2000 can make all the difference to local clubs – it can keep the lights on, keep facilities open and accessible and provide much needed funds to invest in equipment or training volunteers.

“These clubs aren’t just about sport – they’re giving people a place to belong, to build confidence and stay active. It’s why Cash4Clubs is so important, and I would urge people to apply.”

Alan Shearer, Betfair ambassador, said: “Throughout my career, on and off the field, I’ve witnessed the incredible power of sport to transform lives. Local grassroots clubs and organisations aren’t nice to have; they are essential community assets. These grants can provide a vital helping hand and the impact, particularly in deprived areas, can be profound.”

Acting on its commitment to Do More for Communities, Flutter UKI has invested nearly £7 million into community sports since Cash4Clubs launched in 2008. Earlier this year, almost 32,000 people from 200 different clubs benefited from this fund. Seventy-six percent worked with lower socio-economic groups, and 86% of clubs polled by leading UK charity Sported, who deliver the Cash4Clubs programme, reported they had grown their membership in the months since receiving funding.

Winners in 2025 included the Swindon Storm American Football Club, the Sunderland Deaf Darts Society and Wigan-based Parkinson’s Ninja – a pioneering club using the power of taekwondo, rock-steady boxing and mixed martial arts to tackle Parkinson’s disease.

Paul Williams, Parkinson’s Ninja says: “The grants from Cash4Clubs have allowed us to expand our offering to meet this need, including fulfilling the cost of additional coaching fees as well as maintaining the existing classes. As such we can continue helping people with Parkinsons by giving them the physical and social activity they vitally need.”

Sport England earlier this year showed significant growth in the number of adults and disabled people playing sport but said more work was needed in the most deprived areas. The UK Government has vowed to put tackling inactivity at the heart of its preventative health agenda.

Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, added: “I’ve seen first-hand the difference Cash4Clubs can make to the local community, and I would urge clubs to apply for the funding that Flutter is making available. Physical activity is vital for fitness and well-being and it’s always great to see the wide range of community organisations that benefit from Cash4Clubs. I hope this year’s programme is a huge success.”

Flutter UKI chief executive Kevin Harrington said: “Grassroots sports clubs are the beating heart of communities, but rising costs mean too many are now fighting to survive. That’s why we’ve committed £500,000 through our Cash4Clubs programme this year – to give local organisations the support they need to keep doors open, inspire participation and provide opportunities for adults to stay active and engaged with sports and all of the additional benefits that brings with it.”

Community clubs have until 8 December to apply for a grant through the Cash4Clubs website. This year’s programme is putting a particular emphasis on clubs that want to increase participation in sport in their local community, with the most recent round of grants attracting over 2500 new adults to recipient clubs in 2025.

The post Flutter UKI Invests Nearly £7M into Community Sports 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 Aspromareto 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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Compliance Updates

Former Playtech Director of Internal Audit & Risk Joins eGaming Integrity

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eGaming Integrity is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Penfold as Head of Internal Audit, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support Isle of Man licence holders in responding to increasing regulatory scrutiny and upholding the island’s reputation for integrity.

Robert brings with him more than two decades of high-level experience in governance, risk, audit, and compliance across global gaming and financial services organisations. Most notably, Robert spent over eight years as Director of Internal Audit & Risk at Playtech plc, the world’s largest online gaming software and services supplier listed on the London Stock Exchange. In this role, he was a member of Playtech’s Audit, Risk and Governance Committees, overseeing global audit programmes and supporting the business in meeting complex regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

Robert has also held senior positions at bwin.party digital entertainment plc, where he led global risk management across regulated markets including Spain, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, France, and Gibraltar. More recently, he was engaged as Governance, Risk & Compliance Manager at the Isle of Man Government’s Attorney General Chambers, where he implemented new risk frameworks and data governance processes across multiple divisions.

Emma Shilling, Director at eGaming Integrity, commented: “This is a landmark appointment for us. Robert’s depth of experience, particularly his years at the helm of audit and risk at Playtech, represents a real step change for eGaming Integrity and our clients. His appointment evidences our commitment to providing heavyweight, board-level expertise to Isle of Man licence holders at a time when regulatory scrutiny has never been higher.”

Robert Penfold added: “I’m thrilled to be joining eGaming Integrity at such a pivotal time for the sector. I’ve spent much of my career working to ensure organisations not only meet regulatory requirements but build strong, resilient frameworks that protect their businesses and customers. I look forward to working with Emma and the team to help our clients strengthen their compliance and governance cultures.”

Robert’s appointment adds further depth to eGaming Integrity’s team of industry experts and former regulators, reinforcing its position as the Isle of Man’s leading provider of mock audits, remediation, and internal audit services for the island’s eGaming licence holders.

The post Former Playtech Director of Internal Audit & Risk Joins eGaming Integrity appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Anastasia Rimskaya Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix

Aviatrix live with Wildz following Wildz Group integration

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Innovative crash game Aviatrix has integrated with leading operator Wildz Group, in a partnership that sees it launch with flagship casino Wildz and a selection of other, high-performing brands.

The launch is made possible via a Relax Gaming integration, giving Wildz Group players access to Aviatrix’s award-winning gameplay. In addition to Wildz, the title is now available at Spinz, Caxino, Tuplaus, Chipz and Wheelz.

Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “Wildz Group has built an outstanding reputation for delivering player-first entertainment, and we’re delighted that Aviatrix is joining that journey. We’re certain Aviatrix’s unique take on the crash genre will engage the full Wildz Group network, and we’d like to thank Relax Gaming for a swift and seamless integration.”

Jani Koskinen, Chief Marketing Officer at Wildz Group, said: “We’re always looking to add content that brings something new to our players, and Aviatrix fits the bill perfectly. Its blend of innovation and engagement is a great match for our casinos, and we’re excited to roll it out across our portfolio following a successful launch at Wildz.”

Since its debut a little over two years ago, Aviatrix has rapidly grown in popularity, thanks to a relentless focus on innovation and a commitment to keeping gameplay exciting for an expanding global audience.

The post Aviatrix live with Wildz following Wildz Group integration appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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