Press Releases

GVC Holdings and EPIC Risk Management Form Unique New Partnership

Published

6 years ago

March 12, 2020

Two organizations to deliver sports and education programs in 14 locations throughout the US

EPIC Risk Management, the world’s leading independent gambling harm minimization consultancy, and GVC Holdings, one of the world’s largest sports-betting and gaming groups, have formed a partnership which aims to minimize gambling related harm throughout the U.S.

The partnership, funded by GVC Foundation US, GVC’s unique non-profit subsidiary which is dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, will replicate EPIC’s successful European sports and education model. Programs will run in 14 locations across the U.S. in 2020 and 2021, covering New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, North Carolina, Colorado, DC, and the New England region.

It is estimated that 7 million U.S. adults suffer from gambling problems.

“As the leading provider of advisory and education in problem gambling, EPIC Risk Management has done extraordinary work in Europe,” said Martin Lycka, trustee for GVC Foundation US and director of regulatory affairs at GVC Holdings. “Our partnership with EPIC in locations throughout the U.S. will continue that impactful mission.”

The educational sessions will be provided to up-and-coming and professional athletes and focus on lived experiences with problem gambling and the promotion of betting integrity. The program is fully funded by GVC Foundation US, who will provide $2.5 million in financing over the course of two years.

“For most people, gambling is entertainment – but for a small percentage of people it becomes uncontrolled, leading to devastating effects to both individuals and organizations,” said Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC Risk Management. “EPIC is excited to partner with GVC Foundation US to work in the hardest-to-reach sectors to prevent gambling-related harm.”

“There’s no better way to address problem gambling than by combining hard-hitting, lived experience with industry research and expertise,” said William J. Pascrell, III, trustee at GVC Foundation US and partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group. “By addressing athletes and other at-risk groups throughout the country, we’ll aim to implement the cultural change needed for the protection of at-risk gamblers and growth of the industry as a whole.”

“Athletes, especially African American athletes, are at a higher risk of becoming problem gamblers than the average person,” said Amani Toomer, trustee at GVC Foundation US and former New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl XLII winner. “I view EPIC’s program as crucial for maintaining integrity in sports.”

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Octoplay Goes Live in Michigan

Published

7 hours ago

January 29, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

Octoplay is now live in Michigan across BetMGM, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Rush Street Interactive, marking the company’s second U.S. state and largest coordinated market entry to date. The simultaneous go-live with four tier-one operators arrives less than six months after Octoplay’s United States debut in New Jersey.

Since its founding in October 2022, Octoplay has secured active licenses across thirteen regulated jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, New Jersey, Ontario, Michigan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Malta, Italy, Greece, Romania, and Slovakia. Michigan extends that momentum into the U.S. As one of the top three states by iGaming revenue, it represents a significant market, and Octoplay enters it with four tier-one operators live from day one.

“Just months after our New Jersey debut, Michigan represents the next phase of our U.S. expansion,” says Ralitsa Georgieva, Director of Business Development at Octoplay. “Launching simultaneously with four leading operators shows the confidence the market has in our content. We expect to carry this momentum into additional states throughout 2025.”

Earlier this year, Octoplay ranked first among U.S. rising suppliers by overall index in H1 according to Eilers & Krejcik, underscoring the company’s accelerating trajectory. With Michigan now live and additional state applications in progress, Octoplay is positioned to extend its North American footprint throughout 2025 and beyond.

The post Octoplay Goes Live in Michigan appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Latest News

MGA Games Launches Poseidon’s Orb Slot Featuring Sticky Wilds and Free Spins

Published

1 day ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

mga-games-launches-poseidon’s-orb-slot-featuring-sticky-wilds-and-free-spins

MGA Games, a prominent Spanish firm specializing in content creation for international casino operators, will debut Poseidon’s Orb on January 28, its latest video slot for the .com markets. This title encourages players to join an explorer on an epic quest to find the legendary city of Atlantis.

The game is a Video Slot with 5 reels and 3 rows, offering 10 paylines, and includes Wild and Scatter symbols that activate Free Spins. A remarkable aspect is the Sticky Wilds mechanic in the Free Spins round—an inventive element that boosts thrill and raises winning possibilities. It additionally includes an optional purchase of Free Spins, adjustable for each operator.

The theme of Poseidon’s Orb, drawn from global myths and legends, aims to attract a diverse audience of players. Its stunning visuals and film-inspired score further guarantee an engaging experience brimming with thrills and rewards.

Classified under popular themes like “Adventure,” “Mythology,” “Treasures,” and “Fantasy,” this latest MGA Games Video Slot serves as a valuable enhancement to any operator’s collection, improving player retention and profits, while the Free Spins purchase feature offers an extra revenue opportunity.

The post MGA Games Launches Poseidon’s Orb Slot Featuring Sticky Wilds and Free Spins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gambling Studio

Ludus Games Debuts PvP-First Gambling Studio and Unveils Flagship Title “Battle Fury”

Published

1 day ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

ludus-games-debuts-pvp-first-gambling-studio-and-unveils-flagship-title-“battle-fury”

Ludus Games, a new studio dedicated to next-generation PvP gambling content, officially launches today and introduces its flagship real-money title, Battle Fury, built specifically for iGaming operators.

Uniting veterans from mobile free-to-play, esports, and real-money gaming, Ludus Games creates competitive multiplayer formats that play like real games while integrating seamlessly into casino and sportsbook ecosystems. The studio focuses on PvP-by-design experiences, lightweight high-performance clients, and analytics-ready backends that boost engagement, session depth, and long-term value.

“Most gambling content still looks like single-player math models wearing a casino skin,” said Dmytro Paliants, Founder of Ludus Games. “We created Ludus to bring true competitive gameplay — short, intense real-time duels — into the iGaming world, while preserving the predictability, compliance, and margin operators require.”

Battle Fury: Real-Time PvP Engineered for iGaming

Battle Fury is a real-time, session-based PvP title where players enter compact arenas, outmaneuver opponents, and time abilities to win the pot. Designed with mobile-first performance and seamless cross-platform input, it offers:

Short, intense matches that maximize bet cadence and repeat play
Head-to-head duels with real-time competitive outcomes
Lightweight Unity client optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop

“Our goal is to make PvP as easy to operate as a slot,” added Paliants. “Operators get a stable, portfolio-level RTP around 90%, built-in competitive formats, and a client that feels like a top-tier mobile game. Players get skill-influenced competition — operators get predictable performance.”

Built for Operators: From Integration to Retention

Ludus Games provides a technology stack tailored for casino and sportsbook environments, including:

PvP-first formats that drive social stickiness and repeat sessions
High conversion & retention via competitive loops, streak mechanics, and ladders designed by mobile gaming veterans
Stable and responsible margin, with portfolio RTP configured at ~90%
Multi-platform reach with responsive UX for mobile, tablet, and desktop
Rapid go-to-market through fast skinning, localization, and lightweight API integration

Demo builds are available to qualified partners upon request.

The post Ludus Games Debuts PvP-First Gambling Studio and Unveils Flagship Title “Battle Fury” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.