Press Releases
UK’s Betting and Gaming Council announced that Kevin Schofield has been appointed as Director of Communications and Digital
Kevin will be joining the Betting and Gaming Council in summer, from his current role as editor of PoliticsHome.
The Betting and Gaming Council is the new standards body committed to setting the highest industry standards and to building consumer and public trust in the betting and gaming industry.
Kevin Schofield joins the BGC with an outstanding career in journalism. For more than 25 years, he has worked for a range of newspapers across the UK, including The Scotsman, The Herald, Daily Record and The Sun. Since 2015 he has been editor of PoliticsHome.
In nearly two decades covering politics, he has reported on six general elections as well as the Scottish independence and EU referendums.
Membership of the Betting and Gaming Council is open to all gambling operators with a UK licence. It comprises members from the online and retail sectors, representing over 90% of the betting and gaming sector (excluding lotteries). All members are required to adhere to a new Code of Conduct setting the highest standards for membership.
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive, Betting and Gaming Council commenting said:
âThe BGC is a new standards body committed to delivering big changes across the industry. To do that, we need top people. Kevin Schofield is one of the very best media professionals of his generation, he commands massive respect across journalism and politics, and he is an outstanding hire for the BGC.
âKevin is joining an already top class and growing team at the BGC. This shows that we are building something exciting at the BGC as we strive to become the very best in the business.â
Kevin Schofield, newly appointed Director of Communications and Digital said:
âI am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Betting and Gaming Council and canât wait to get started. I know that they have big ambitions for the years ahead and Iâm looking forward to working with the team to help drive up standards in the industry.â
In addition, Wes Himes, former CEO of the RGA has been appointed Executive Director, Standards and Innovation responsible for safer gambling, policy, research and regulation and Gary Follis, former interim CEO of the ABB and Director of Communications at the BGC has been appointed Executive Director for Corporate Affairs responsible for communications, government relations and membership.
AI Casino Recommender
Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks âŹ455m Market Segment
Editorâs Take
Why this matters: This is a classic âCross-Sellâ play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.
The Full Story
Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.
The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platformâfeaturing slots, table games, and automated live gamesâstarting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operatorâs capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.
Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated âŹ455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.
By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of âŹ944.6 million last year.
Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.
Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europeâs strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbetâs operational standards and deepens its foothold in a âmatureâ market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.
The post Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks âŹ455m Market Segment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
B2B Marketing
LinkDataMedia Drops âStartupâ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand
Editorâs Take
Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMediaâs decision to rebrand now is a classic âgraduationâ signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, âblue-chipâ aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.
The Full Story
LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.
The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its âstartup rootsâ and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.
Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent âstability and forward momentum.â The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the companyâs matured operational capabilities.
Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:
âSurviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.â
Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMediaâs social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.
The post LinkDataMedia Drops âStartupâ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
B2B Gaming Event
Win Systems to Debut New âGold Club Colorsâ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona
Editorâs Take
Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their âA-gameâ to the larger venue. The focus here isnât just on cabinets; itâs the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).
The Full Story
Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sectorâs most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.
Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floorâfrom management systems to the gaming floor itself.
Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the companyâs flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.
Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.
Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the companyâs portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the âColorsâ iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.
Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the companyâs extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.
Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to âcontinuous innovation,â inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.
The post Win Systems to Debut New âGold Club Colorsâ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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