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UK Gambling Commission guidance in light of COVID-19 outbreak

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As the situation with COVID-19 continues to impact daily life in Great Britain, like many of you, the Commission is following Public Health England guidance and we have told all staff to work from home until further notice.

We recognise these unprecedented circumstances will be having a significant impact on businesses and many will be facing uncertain and unsettling times. The Commission has a well-practised and comprehensive Business Continuity Plan, which we have invoked with the intention of minimising the impact on our regulatory work and the advice and services we provide.

A number of operators have already contacted us to alert us to the challenges they face and seek our advice about how to respond.  We realise that the unprecedented changes to daily life, and in some cases, financial uncertainty, will create challenges for your business.  The changes will also increase the risks to some individuals, which means that despite the fact that these are challenging times we must all continue to protect consumers.

Here you can find information about how the Commission will be operating during this time, along with important reminders about how you should continue to protect consumers.

COVID -19 – A reminder to operators

First and foremost, we expect all our licensees to follow the applicable Public Health guidance. Where facilities for gambling are being offered we expect all our licensees to ensure that they have sufficient management, staffing and oversight in place to maintain compliance with the LCCP that apply to their licences.

Fees and applications 

Our expectation remains that licensees ensure the maintenance of sufficient management, staffing and oversight in order to uphold the licensing objectives. Licensees should assess their ability to maintain compliance with the LCCP and consider voluntary partial or full suspension of their offerings should compliance not be achievable and until such time that a fully compliant service can be offered.

Unfortunately, due to the way that our fee system is structured we don’t have the ability to reduce fees.

We are also unable to fast track applications. We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any changes to our expectations accordingly.

A reminder specifically for online operators

The social distancing measures that are being put in place will mean that more people will be at home and we would like to remind online operators that they must continue to act responsibly, especially in regards to individual customer affordability and increased social responsibility interactions.

As a reminder, we expect licensees to:

  • Assess individual affordability on an ongoing basis – customers may be experiencing disrupted income. (Social Responsibility code 3.4 refers to our guidance –  ‘Customer interaction- formal guidance for remote gambling operators’ )
  • Increase social responsibility interactions and intervene where customers are showing signs of gambling related harm
  • Onboard new customers in a socially responsible way and not exploit the current situation for marketing purposes
  • Refresh the information they have on customers regularly
  • Review the levels which trigger interaction for AML and SR
  • Ensure that your gambling products have been tested by a test house before they are released to the market.

 

Source: UKGC

Blueprint Gaming

Blueprint Gaming launches Yogi Bear™ – a picnic-packed adventure smarter than the average slot

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Blueprint Gaming has unveiled its latest branded release, Yogi Bear™, marking another milestone in the studio’s proven track record of delivering high-performing IP-led content.

Following the strong success of The Flintstones™, this new title brings the much-loved Hanna-Barbera character to the reels in a feature-packed slot that captures the charm and mischief of Jellystone Park’s smartest resident.

The launch further strengthens Blueprint’s position as a leader in branded slot experiences, demonstrating its ability to combine recognisable entertainment properties with the studio’s signature gameplay style.

Yogi Bear™ takes players on a light-hearted journey alongside Boo-Boo, Cindy Bear and Ranger Smith, with a focus on Money Collect and progressive rewards.

Cash prize symbols can be gathered through the Collect symbol mechanic, moving players along the picnic trail that unlocks new features and bonus rounds. The free spins mode adds even greater potential with increasing multipliers, while completing the trail grants access to the Power Play game for additional cash prizes. The action culminates with the Pic-A-Nic Payday feature, offering respins and multiple opportunities to accumulate further wins.

Yogi Bear™ continues Blueprint’s recent momentum in developing nostalgic, IP-driven titles that appeal to both long-time fans and new audiences. The game follows a line of successful collaborations with globally recognised brands, reinforcing the studio’s creative partnership strategy and expertise in licensed game production.

Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events, said:Yogi Bear™ is another brilliant example of how we breathe new life into cherished characters and worlds.

“The game captures everything players love about Yogi and the gang — the cheeky fun, the classic charm, and that sense of adventure — while delivering the engaging mechanics and feature depth Blueprint is known for. It’s a slot that’s truly smarter than the average bear.”

The post Blueprint Gaming launches Yogi Bear™ – a picnic-packed adventure smarter than the average slot appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Static Nightmare Abyssways™ tunes fear into wins

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Play’n GO pulls a signal from the void with Static Nightmare Abyssways™, a 6-reel video slot where the TV snow crackles, cables creep, and a quiet cul-de-sac hums with bad intent. ABYSSWAYS™ Free Spins and an expanding reel window bring a creeping sense of discovery to every moment.

Something’s wrong in suburbia. CRTs hiss, floppy disks lie, and the kids are the only ones who notice. Static Nightmare Abyssways™ builds that retro-tech unease into its mechanics: Scatters stretch the screen and can trigger ABYSSWAYS™ Free Spins, while Wilds expand, shuffle and hold to keep the grid shifting. The result is gameplay that rewards tuning in and staying sharp.

Scatters aren’t just signals – they act as surge points, expanding reels up to six rows tall and unlocking more ways to connect. In Free Spins, marked symbols at the bottom drop away while a fresh row rises on top, mimicking interference clearing as the transmission strengthens. Base-game Wilds can grow when Scatters appear, while in Free Spins they stick, compress, and slide horizontally between spins – slipping into new positions to keep the signal strong.

The look of the game is just as distinctive as its features. A neon-soaked cul-de-sac under a sickly green glow sets the scene, with cassette players, glitch-rimmed terminals, and the town’s teen sleuths pulsing on screen. The aesthetic pulls players deep into its eerie fiction, making every reel change feel like part of the story.

Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, said: “Static Nightmare Abyssways™ taps into that late-night channel-surfing dread, then turns it into momentum. Expanding reels, ABYSSWAYS™ Free Spins and those restless Wilds keep the signal alive – once you lock on, it’s hard to look away.”

With atmosphere thick as static and mechanics that move with purpose, Static Nightmare Abyssways™ delivers a slot that players won’t soon forget.

The post Static Nightmare Abyssways™ tunes fear into wins appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Casino Guru

Nominations now open for Casino Guru Awards 2026: Celebrating fairness, responsibility, and innovation in iGaming

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Casino Guru is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the 4th annual Casino Guru Awards 2026, recognizing fairness, transparency, social responsibility, and innovation that push the iGaming industry forward.

After three successful editions, the Casino Guru Awards continue to honor organizations and individuals making a meaningful difference in online gambling. The 2026 edition will culminate in an exclusive live ceremony on May 25, 2026, at the stunning The Xara Lodge in Malta, held in partnership with NEXT.io during NEXT Valletta (May 27–28).

New Categories for 2026

Reflecting Casino Guru’s ongoing mission to promote integrity, innovation, and responsible growth, this year’s awards introduce four new categories:

Woman Leader of the Year

Honoring an exceptional female leader whose vision and influence have meaningfully shaped her company and the wider industry.

Rising Star in Responsible Gambling

Recognizing organizations that show outstanding early progress in promoting safer gambling practices.

Young Changemaker Award

Celebrating a professional under 30 whose forward-thinking ideas and ethical innovation have already made a visible impact in 2025, setting new standards for iGaming integrity and progress.

Industry Culture Shaper

Acknowledging companies that foster positive, transparent, and growth-oriented workplaces.

Alongside the new additions, the 2026 Awards continue to celebrate excellence across established categories that reflect Casino Guru’s core values of fairness, transparency, and responsibility:

  • The Fairest Bonus Policy
  • The Fairest General Terms & Conditions
  • The Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative
  • The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools
  • The Most Transparent Casino
  • The Most Effective Handling of Complaints
  • Players’ Choice
  • iGaming Changemaker of the Year
  • Voice of the People

Key Dates: Casino Guru Awards 2026 Timeline

  • Nominations open: October 2025
  • Nominations close: February 15, 2026
  • Shortlisted nominees announced: March 1, 2026
  • Public voting begins: March 1, 2026
  • Judges’ evaluations: April 30 – May 7, 2026
  • Public voting ends: May 7, 2026
  • Winners announced: May 25, 2026 — The Xara Lodge, Malta

A Celebration of Integrity and Innovation

The Casino Guru Awards 2026 Ceremony will once again bring together shortlisted nominees, esteemed judges, sponsors and media partners, and industry leaders for an unforgettable evening of recognition and connection.

This invite-only live event will celebrate not only the winners but also the spirit of collaboration and innovation driving positive change in iGaming. The evening at The Xara Lodge, surrounded by the charm of the Maltese countryside, will be followed by the NEXT Summit Valletta 2026 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and leader of the Awards project, shared her excitement: “Each year, the Casino Guru Awards grow stronger, not just in scale, but in purpose. The 2026 edition expands our mission to celebrate those who challenge the industry to be better through innovation, transparency, and responsible practices. Hosting the ceremony at The Xara Lodge in partnership with NEXT.io is the perfect way to honor the people and companies shaping a fairer, safer iGaming world.”

The post Nominations now open for Casino Guru Awards 2026: Celebrating fairness, responsibility, and innovation in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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