Industry News
European Lotteries And ENGSO Commit To Enhancing The Role Of Grassroots Sport In 2020–2021
The European Lotteries (EL) and ENGSO, the European Sports NGO are further extending their partnership with a new two-year agreement (2020-21).
Aiming at strengthening the natural link between the members of EL and ENGSO – national lotteries and not-for-profit sports umbrella organisations – the agreement highlights the mutually beneficial collaboration in different areas in line with each organisation’s strategy, striving for responsibility, society, sustainability and integrity.
EL President, Hansjörg Höltkemeier: “I strongly welcome the renewed partnership between EL and ENGSO over the next two years. As both Associations share similar core values, I am convinced that we will achieve much more together, taking our cooperation to the next level, in the highest interest of society and a credible and values-driven grassroots sport in Europe”.
ENGSO President Stefan Bergh: “Today, the role of sport in society is more and more recognised, also raising the expectations for grassroots sport. In such a time, the support of EL members for grassroots sport cannot be underestimated. The partnership between ENGSO and EL is essential for further enhancing the societal role of sport at a European level. We are thrilled about the continued mutual commitment and ready to explore further activities to reach our joint goals.”
EL and ENGSO have been cooperating for over 11 years. Most recently, 2019 saw the second successful edition of the European Sport Platform in Rome, the conclusion of the ASPIRE project on the inclusion of refugees through sport, and the successful submission of the SPIRIT project on sport and mental health, supported by the Erasmus+ Programme and EL. Since its conception, the two Association have also actively supported, as official Partners, the European Week of Sport, an annual European Commission led initiative. One particular highlight was a joint event to raise awareness about the importance of equality and ethics in sport.
Both Associations look forward to continuing their partnership and collaboration over the next two years for the benefit of society and grassroots sport in Europe.
About the European Lotteries:
The European Lotteries Association (EL) is the European umbrella organisation of national lotteries operating games of chance for the public benefit. EL has members from more than 40 European countries including all EU Member States. The association’s EU members contribute more than 20 billion EUR p.a. to the state budgets and the funding of sport, culture, social projects, research and other causes of general interest. Unlike many commercial online gambling operators, EL members only offer gambling and betting services in the jurisdictions in which they are licensed by the respective national government. Website: www.european-lotteries.org, Twitter @EuropeLotteries, LinkedIn
About ENGSO:
ENGSO is the European Sports NGO and the leading voice for voluntary-based grassroots sport in Europe. Together with our 38 members – National Sports Confederations, National Olympic Committees and other sports organisations from 34 European countries – we form a network that brings together people of different ages and backgrounds that share a passion for sport. We aspire to grassroots sport that promotes stronger communities, with the mission to represent, develop and advocate for voluntary-based sport in Europe – guided by our values: democracy, equality, inclusion, sustainability, integrity and education. Website: http://www.engso.eu
ESG
Play’n GO publishes 2025 Sustainability Report with emissions and governance updates
Play’n GO has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, framing the year as a milestone as the supplier marks 20 years in the gaming industry. The report covers performance across four pillars—Players, Partners, People and Planet—and positions sustainability as tied to product design, operations, and partner expectations.
On climate reporting, the company said it has “achieved and exceeded” its long-term 90% reduction target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and reported a 69% absolute reduction in Scope 3 emissions versus its 2023 base year. Play’n GO also said its total material emissions for 2025 were kept below 500 MTCO2e.
The report also points to a move into land-based delivery. In 2025, Play’n GO said it launched its first land-based gaming solution in partnership with Genting UK, positioning the rollout as part of a “player-first, low-footprint approach” for regulated venues.
On responsible entertainment, the company said it continues to reject game mechanics it believes “compromise player trust or wellbeing,” and highlighted participation in discussions on digital wellbeing and cognitive health, including at the United Nations and G7. “We have always believed that great entertainment should be fun, safe and fair,” said Vanessa Björkbacka, Director of CSR at Play’n GO.
The report also outlines internal development and reporting infrastructure. Play’n GO said 43% of employees engaged in AI-related learning during 2025 and that average training time exceeded seven hours per employee globally. It added that reporting was further aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and World Economic Forum Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, alongside investment in “secure, AI-supported carbon data management.” “As expectations on transparency and accountability continue to rise, we see it as our responsibility to lead,” Björkbacka added.
The post Play’n GO publishes 2025 Sustainability Report with emissions and governance updates appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
complaint resolution
Casino Guru CRC returns $5.3m to players in Q1 2026
Casino Guru’s Complaint Resolution Center (CRC) published 3,986 complaints in Q1 2026 and says it resolved 1,321 cases, returning $5,304,894 to players during the quarter.
Casino Guru said March was one of the CRC’s most active months on record, with the second-highest number of published complaints to date. The company added that ongoing cases exceeded 1,300, pointing to rising demand for third-party dispute mediation.
By volume, the most active complaint markets were Germany (657), the United Kingdom (270), Canada (240), Italy (207) and Australia (194), according to the CRC update.
Delayed payments remained the most common player-reported issue. Casino Guru also reported a March shift in complaint mix, with self-exclusion-related complaints rising to the second most frequent category for the first time in CRC history. KYC-related issues and blocked accounts were also among the most common complaint types, often linked to withdrawal delays.
Casino Guru said the quarter’s results reflect the increasing role of independent mediation as players look to third-party platforms to resolve disputes.
The post Casino Guru CRC returns $5.3m to players in Q1 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
branded content
RubyPlay launches Firerose studio for operator-specific casino games
RubyPlay has launched Firerose, a new studio aimed at building operator-specific casino game experiences, as suppliers and operators push for more branded content to stand out in crowded markets.
The company said Firerose is designed to let operators combine RubyPlay’s existing game catalogue with the studio’s technology and creative resources, using operator-led insight to shape games around an operator’s brand identity rather than standardised supplier content.
RubyPlay said Superbet is among the first operators to launch Firerose-powered titles. The supplier did not disclose game names or specific performance figures, but said early results showed “strong engagement metrics”.
Firerose becomes part of RubyPlay’s multi-studio structure alongside Koala Games, Mad Hat Games, Ruby Studio, and Xslots, which the company said share technology, infrastructure and distribution.
Dima Reiderman , Chief Commercial Officer at RubyPlay, said: ”Firerose represents a deliberate shift in how we think about content creation and partnership. The market is no longer driven solely by volume, but by identity. Operators want experiences that feel native to their brand and help them clearly differentiate in increasingly competitive casino environments.”
Dr. Eyal Loz, CPO at RubyPlay, added: “Firerose was created to put the operator’s voice at the centre of the creative process. Every game starts with their brand, their audience and their story, and our role is to bring that to life through the full weight of RubyPlay’s creative capabilities.
“We’re shaping experiences that players immediately associate with the operator itself. That level of ownership is what allows operators to stand out in increasingly crowded casino environments.”
The post RubyPlay launches Firerose studio for operator-specific casino games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Amazons’ Wonders6 days agoSYNOT Games Enters into Partnership with Bulgarian Operator BETVAM
-
Asia7 days agoS8UL signs Team Question Mark roster for PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS ahead of EWC 2026
-
bingo6 days agoThe Swedish Bingo Association Receives a Reprimand for Lack of Information in Bingo Halls
-
Argentina6 days agoSame providers, different games: Blask uncovers hidden patterns in LATAM casino lobbies
-
AI7 days ago“‘The Wall’ is just a mental hurdle”: FGN founder Fernando Saffores shares his core business values
-
Argentina6 days agoBlask data shows LATAM casino lobbies diverge beyond Pragmatic Play’s baseline
-
Latest News7 days agoBoomerang Partners brought TIME TO WIN to a close with 57 teams having competed for exclusive AC Milan-related rewards
-
Latest News7 days agoTyga Enters 1win VIP Program, as Platform Blends Crypto and Entertainment



