Industry News
Containment and risk of gambling addiction: ARJEL’s advice to retain control over your game
In this period of containment, the offer of sports and horse betting is extremely limited. As a result, ARJEL notes that players tend to refer massively to poker, which even attracts new players. Other players might be tempted to play on the illegal offer which continues to offer some bets but mainly casino games (slot machines). Echoing operators’ initiatives in the area of responsible gambling, ARJEL remains particularly attentive to the risks of excessive gambling and advices players to keep control of their gambling so that it remains a recreational leisure activity.
ONLINE POKER
For several weeks now, ARJEL has observed that poker is attracting more players and in particular new players, a more intensive practice and a GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) which has increased significantly in recent weeks.
This significant increase of online poker has led ARJEL to call on operators to be very vigilant. As such, operators should not multiply incentives to gambling by bonuses. Moreover, they must be particularly vigilant with players whose behaviour could reveal a loss of control and approach them to provide them with prevention advice. Licensed online poker operators offer poker players ways to stay in a recreational game.
The player can do this on the online poker website:
➢ Set his limits in terms of deposit on his account and the limit in terms of stake for each gambling action
➢ Set a limit on his playing time with some online poker operators. This option will soon be extended to all poker operators
➢ Exclude themselves for a limited period of time when they feel they are losing control of their game.
ARJEL’S TIPS FOR KEEPING THE GAME AS A LEISURE ACTIVITY
To control your game, you have to:
➢ Set a budget and stick to it
➢ Set a time limit
➢ Alternate leisure activities
➢ Accepting losses and knowing when to stop. Don’t try to “make it up”
➢ Don’t overestimate your expertise
➢ Take regular breaks to take a step back
➢ Know how to stop playing when you no longer enjoy it
Remember that :
➢ You don’t make a living from gambling
➢ It is not because you won at the beginning that you are stronger than chance. Gambling is always based on chance
➢ Chance is present in sports competitions, poker and even more so in lotteries.
EXISTING TOOLS AND SUPPORT RESOURCES
In order to evaluate its gambling practice, ARJEL offers on EVALUJEU site an anonymous test and adapted advice.
http://www.evalujeu.fr/static/
Help organizations
If gamblers feel that they are in difficulty with gambling or if they have questions about their practice, there are specialized organizations to answer their questions or those of their entourage, and to accompany them if necessary.
Joueurs Info Service, the national information and prevention service on drugs and addictions, answers by chat, by telephone.
SOS joueurs, a non-profit association that offers psychological, legal and social support to players and their families.
ILLEGAL OFFER
The feeling of boredom caused by the containment and the suspension of the majority of sports competitions could encourage some players to turn to the illegal offer.
ARJEL recalls that no site offering casino games and slot machines is legal in France. Many players who visit these illegal websites never get their winnings paid and are not protected if they lose control of their game. It is also possible that some of the sports competitions offered for betting may in fact be fake competitions.
The greatest caution is needed with online slot machines, which are among the most addictive games available.
To be protected, players must play on ARJEL-approved websites, a list of which can be found here:
Gaming Laboratories International
GLI Promotes Patrick Cottingham to Director of Client Services, North America
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has promoted Patrick Cottingham to Director of Client Services, North America. Previously, he served as Senior Manager of Client Services. Prior to commencing his career as an engineer with GLI, he served with the US Air Force.
Cottingham’s dedication to his clients was clearly evident both inside and outside of GLI. He transitioned to the Client Services team where he progressed and built a team laser focused on providing the very best customer service where his and his team’s clients have benefited from his engineering and gaming experience.
Ian Hughes, GLI Chief Revenue Officer, said: “We are thrilled to announce Patrick’s well-deserved promotion to Director of Client Services for North America. Patrick leads a team of dedicated and committed client services representatives who ensure our clients receive the best service during their compliance journey with GLI.”
The post GLI Promotes Patrick Cottingham to Director of Client Services, North America appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Blueprintx
Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” Nostalgia Series Featuring Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp
Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” – A Social-First Nostalgia Series for 2026
Zingo Bingo has officially unveiled Your Era, a new short-form social media content series celebrating iconic throwbacks, shared nostalgia and the cultural moments that defined generations. The series launches in February 2026 and will roll out weekly across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Designed to strengthen Zingo Bingo’s identity as a home of nostalgic fun, Your Era focuses on authentic conversation rather than traditional promotional content. The format highlights music, fashion, technology and pop culture milestones that shaped each guest’s personal journey.
Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp Headline Series One
The first confirmed guests include Kerry Katona, singer and media personality best known from Atomic Kitten, and Pat Sharp, the iconic radio and TV presenter associated with classic UK entertainment shows. Additional celebrity names will be revealed throughout the year.
Each episode features five themed nostalgia segments crafted to spark memories, conversation and emotional connections among viewers.
What to Expect from “Your Era”
Every guest takes part in recurring throwback features designed to boost engagement and relatability:
- The Memory Bag – Guests reveal five nostalgic items and share the stories behind them
- Flashback Files – A rapid-fire interview covering music, fashion, tech and cultural trends
- Mixtape Memories – Guests curate throwback tracks for the official Your Era playlist
- Taste of the Past – Sampling retro sweets and snacks while rating nostalgia levels
- Yesterday’s News – A humorous headline-guessing game using real throwback media stories
The series aims to tap into the growing popularity of nostalgia-driven digital content while positioning Zingo Bingo as a community-led entertainment brand.
Built by Kinetic Digital and Blueprintx
Your Era has been developed by Zingo Bingo’s operators, Kinetic Digital, in collaboration with long-term creative partner Blueprintx. Blueprintx has previously supported digital and television campaigns for Kinetic Digital brands including Prime Casino and Slingo.
The production strategy prioritises shareable, short-form content optimised for social discovery and influencer amplification, with episodes distributed across dedicated platform pages as well as guest channels.
A Strategic Play for Community Engagement
Jack Watson, Brand Manager at Zingo Bingo, said the series reflects the brand’s commitment to fun, familiarity and connection.
“Your Era is about celebrating the music we replayed, the fads we cringe at and the memories that still make us smile. It’s designed to bring people together through shared nostalgia while reminding audiences that bingo is about enjoying those moments collectively.”
Series one will feature six guests throughout 2026, with new weekly segments designed to drive audience engagement and repeat viewership.
The post Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” Nostalgia Series Featuring Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Industry News
Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth
Yaspa, the renowned fintech focusing on instant payments and identity solutions, today reveals the appointment of Justin Fraser as its Chief Revenue Officer.
Fraser becomes part of Yaspa’s executive team during a crucial period of global growth. He has more than 20 years of commercial leadership experience in the payments ecosystem, having occupied senior leadership positions at notable industry companies like Cybersource, Visa, and Paysafe.
Having a career centered on maneuvering through intricate payment environments, he offers knowledge in rapidly expanding, regulated sectors such as iGaming, cryptocurrency, and financial technology.
As the new CRO, Fraser will manage Yaspa’s worldwide commercial strategy, concentrating on expanding the company’s Intelligent Payment platform, which integrates open banking with AI-powered customer insights, throughout the UK, Europe, and North America.
Yaspa CEO James Neville said: “We are thrilled to welcome Justin to the team during this period of rapid acceleration. His deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and his proven track record in scaling payment solutions are invaluable assets as we expand our footprint in the US and beyond. Justin’s appointment further strengthens our leadership as we continue to help businesses lower costs, grow revenues, and enhance financial compliance through open banking.”
Justin Fraser said: “Yaspa is at the forefront of the shift toward real-time payments. The company’s unique blend of open banking and AI-verified insights solves genuine friction for merchants, particularly in industries like iGaming. I am excited to join such an innovative team and look forward to driving the next phase of our commercial growth globally.”
Fraser will collaborate closely with the recently strengthened US team, which includes the newly appointed US Sales Lead, Peter Kula, and US Senior Solutions Manager, Jackson Esoda.
This statement comes after a year of significant growth for Yaspa, highlighted by increasing its workforce from 15 to 75 employees and successfully securing a $12 million investment round spearheaded by Discerning Capital. In this timeframe, the firm broadened its international presence with new ventures in Atlanta and Leeds, while winning esteemed honors such as the 2025 Payments Award for Real-Time Payments Innovation and a spot on the CB Insights Top 100 Fintech list.
The post Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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