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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Plaza Hotel & Casino debuts the only live streaming service in Las Vegas to broadcast the excitement of its smoke free gaming area

Published

2 hours ago

February 25, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

plaza-hotel-&-casino-debuts-the-only-live-streaming-service-in-las-vegas-to-broadcast-the-excitement-of-its-smoke-free-gaming-area

Three table games also added to the first and only smoke free gaming space in downtown Las Vegas

To highlight the excitement of its smoke free gaming area, the first and only one in downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino has partnered with Vegas Live Casino Network to launch the only live streaming channel dedicated to broadcasting casino play in Las Vegas, seven days a week.

The Plaza has long promoted social media posting by guests and created the smoke free gaming area as a social media friendly space with vibrant backdrops and copyright free music. Now, the Plaza is partnering with Vegas Live Casino Network to be the first Las Vegas property with its own dedicated YouTube channel to broadcast the excitement players are having in its smoke free gaming space at https://www.youtube.com/@VegasLiveCasinoNetwork.

Thanks to the new broadcast stream from Vegas Live Casino Network, guests will be able to subscribe and share the video stream of themselves playing the slots machines or the new table games with friends and family to show the fun they are having at the Plaza.

The broadcast will stream live Sunday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight. To learn more about the live streaming service, watch the launch video for the Vegas Live Casino Network at the Plaza at: youtube.com/watch?v=PfboeigVH_c.

The smoke free gaming space is home to dozens of the industry’s most popular slot machines, and now, the Plaza also added three table games, including blackjack, baccarat, and European roulette. Blackjack will offer bets starting at $25 to $2,000; baccarat will start bets at $25 up to $3,000; and European roulette will be a $200 progressive table. Outside bets: even money is $3,000 maximum and 2-1 is $1,500 maximum bet. The table games will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight daily.

To learn more about the new offerings in the Plaza’s smoke free gaming area visit: plazahotelcasino.com/casino/smoke-free-slots/.

The post Plaza Hotel & Casino debuts the only live streaming service in Las Vegas to broadcast the excitement of its smoke free gaming area appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

CasinoCanada enters partnership with Beef Casino

Published

2 hours ago

February 25, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

casinocanada-enters-partnership-with-beef-casino

CasinoCanada has partnered with Beef Casino, an online gaming platform operated by Royal Partners. The partnership will enhance Beef Casino’s brand visibility in Canada through editorial coverage and targeted digital promotion.

CasinoCanada will produce in-depth reviews, analytical comparisons, and SEO-focused content for Canadian audiences and also generate SEO-based traffic to Beef Casino. This content will offer players accurate, transparent insights into Beef Casino’s offerings and support its regional growth.

CasinoCanada is an online casino information portal run by SEOBROTHERS.

Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, commented: “Our cooperation with Beef Casino reflects our strategy of working with established operators that prioritize compliance, security, and user experience. Backed by Royal Partners’ extensive portfolio and operational expertise, Beef Casino brings strong value to the Canadian market. Through CasinoCanada.com, we aim to deliver clear, research-based content and sustainable traffic growth, building a partnership grounded in consistency and measurable results.”

Beef Casino operates under a licence from the Curaçao Gaming Authority. Managed by Royal Partners, one of the leading direct advertisers in the gambling sector, the brand benefits from a network of 17 proprietary products and over 1 million active users worldwide, according to the Royal Partners website.

The platform features thousands of premium gaming titles, including popular slots and a comprehensive Live Casino experience. Beef Casino uses advanced encryption technologies and operates under a trusted international licence to protect personal and financial data. 24/7 support is available via Live Chat, email, and hotline.

Lena Patrubeika, Head of EU-department at Royal Partners, stated: “The collaboration between Beef Casino, managed by Royal Partners, and CasinoCanada.com is built on a professional and disciplined approach. We find their team to be responsive to our brand’s requirements and consistent in their communication. The primary benefit of this partnership is the transparency they maintain throughout the workflow. Looking ahead, we aim to maintain this steady cooperation and continue fulfilling our mutual objectives.”

The agreement highlights both parties’ commitment to transparency, operational efficiency, and long-term growth in the competitive Canadian iGaming market.

The post CasinoCanada enters partnership with Beef Casino appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

blask

When Africa gambles: seasonality patterns across five countries revealed by Blask

Published

11 hours ago

February 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

when-africa-gambles:-seasonality-patterns-across-five-countries-revealed-by-blask

When Africa Gambles: Seasonality Patterns Across Five Markets Revealed by Blask , Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Egypt operate under diverse regulatory regimes and follow different domestic sports calendars — Egypt also observes a Friday–Saturday weekend. Yet, across these markets, gambling activity exhibits a shared rhythm: engagement climbs into Q4 and remains elevated through the year-end, with softer periods either mid-year (Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo) or late winter (Egypt). Peaks broadly coincide with the European club season, while in some markets domestic leagues run in parallel.

Blask’s Seasonality feature, drawing on data from January 2016 to February 2026, allows mapping engagement by month, day, and hour, revealing nuanced patterns in each market:

Nigeria: The Long Saturday

Annual curve accelerates into Q4: October is the top month, followed closely by September, November, and December. June marks the low point, with a modest rebound in July before the late-summer climb.

Weekly cycle is weekend-led: Saturday dominates, Sunday and Friday show smaller peaks, weekdays are quieter.
Hourly pattern forms a broad plateau on Saturday, with elevated activity from early morning to late evening (5am–9pm Lagos time). Weekday engagement is lower, concentrating in the late afternoon and evening.

Tanzania: Saturday as a Corridor

Annual rhythm mirrors Nigeria: softening in June–July, rising from August into a Q4 plateau. Top months are November–December, with October close behind.

Weekly cycle hierarchy is clearer: Saturday is strongest, Sunday elevated but lower, Friday leads weekday peaks.
Saturday functions as a corridor rather than a sharp spike: activity stays high from 7am–11pm Dar es Salaam time, peaking mid-afternoon to early evening (3pm–7pm). Weekday activity tilts toward evening post-work.

Kenya: Two Clocks in One Market

Annual curve rises from August into Q4, with December at the peak, October and November following. Low points in June–July.

Weekly peaks favor the weekend: Saturday #1, Sunday #2.
Hourly pattern shows dual peaks: a primary late-afternoon to evening spike (3pm–9pm Nairobi time) and a secondary pre-dawn rise (3am–7am), particularly visible on weekends.

DR Congo: The Morning Market

January remains unusually strong alongside December, which is the top month.

Weekly cycle follows the familiar weekend pattern: Saturday leads, weekend days generally brighter.
Hourly peak occurs in the morning, roughly 5am–9am Kinshasa time, shifting an hour later in eastern regions. Weekdays maintain the morning lift, with Saturday adding extra intensity.

Egypt: Friday Leadership and After-Midnight Play

Annual curve climbs steadily to year-end: December tops, followed by November and October. Softest periods are February and March.

Weekly cycle differs: Friday peaks, Thursday and Saturday slightly behind, reflecting Egypt’s Friday–Saturday weekend.
Nighttime engagement is strongest in the group, concentrating after midnight (2am–5am Cairo time), consistently across all days of the week.

The Bigger Picture

Q4 is peak season across all five markets. Nigeria peaks earliest (October), while Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo, and Egypt maintain high engagement through November–December. Four markets soften mid-year, Egypt peaks late winter.
Weekend structures explain weekly splits: Saturday for Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo; Friday for Egypt.
Hourly patterns diverge: Nigeria and Tanzania show broad Saturday blocks, Kenya focuses on prime time with pre-dawn tails, DR Congo peaks in the morning, Egypt peaks after midnight. Cross-market scheduling without these insights risks missing most demand.

The post When Africa gambles: seasonality patterns across five countries revealed by Blask appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.