Press Releases

YGAM welcomes former Gambling Commission executive as Head of External Affairs

Published

6 years ago

April 16, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

YGAM, the national charity that works to inform, educate and safeguard young people against problematic gambling and social gaming, has confirmed the appointment of Daniel Bliss as the organisation’s new Head of External Affairs. Daniel joins YGAM from the Gambling Commission where he worked for three years in a number of roles within the communications team. During his time at the Commission, Daniel was involved in key projects including major policy announcements and the launch of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms. He previously held roles in politics and in regional media.

YGAM co-founder and chief executive Lee Willows said: “I am delighted to welcome Daniel to what is an agile, inspirational and committed team. He joins at a key point in the charity’s development as we scale to deliver the UK’s first national education programme with GamCare and supported by members of the Betting & Gaming Council which will see us collectively reach 7m young people over the next four years. Daniel brings valuable expertise to this dynamic role specialising in communications, marketing, public affairs and stakeholder engagement.

“His role at YGAM is to advance the organisation’s marketing and communications across all channels, help drive the successful workshops and programmes as supporting partnerships with commercial organisations operating in the gaming and gambling space. I am confident that in his role as part of the Senior Leadership team, he will play a crucial role in helping YGAM achieve its objectives.”

Reflecting on his new position, Daniel said: “I have worked closely with a range of stakeholders connected to the gambling industry over the last three years and I am thrilled to be joining YGAM at this exciting time in their journey. YGAM has an impressive track record for creating and delivering exceptional accredited education programmes to minimise gambling-related harm among young people. As gambling continues to climb up the news and political agenda, I am looking forward to working with a talented and committed team as they continue to make a positive impact on such an important issue.”

In collaboration with GamCare and supported by the Betting and Gaming Council, YGAM has announced a target of jointly delivering at least one session of gambling awareness to all 11-19 year olds in the country by 2024. To help achieve its short, mid and long-term objectives the organisation is developing its team from its January 2020 headcount of 26 to 42 by the end of Q1.

Compliance Updates

Stake joins ESIC as official anti-corruption partner

Published

7 hours ago

November 25, 2025

George Miller

stake-joins-esic-as-official-anti-corruption-partner

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) is pleased to announce that Stake has joined as an Official Tier 1 Anti-Corruption Partner.

As a global entertainment and technology brand, Stake’s collaboration with ESIC underscores a shared commitment to strengthening integrity frameworks and supporting fair competition across the esports ecosystem.

ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter program brings together key industry stakeholders who contribute directly to the detection, analysis, and investigation of suspicious betting activity. Through data sharing, operational cooperation, and collaborative monitoring, the program enhances ESIC’s capacity to identify and address potential issues in real time.

As part of Stake’s Anti-Corruption Partner role, Stake will contribute to ESIC’s integrity monitoring network, helping advance the Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainability within the global esports industry. This collaboration reinforces both organisations’ commitment to safeguarding the credibility and long-term development of competitive gaming worldwide.

Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC, commented: “The addition of Stake to ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter network reinforces the sentiment that integrity is a shared responsibility. ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter program relies on the active collaboration of partners like Stake, whose operational insights contribute directly to our ability to identify and mitigate integrity threats. Together, we are building a stronger foundation of trust and accountability that supports the sustainable growth of esports worldwide.”

Jarrod Febbraio, Director of Stake, commented: “This partnership formalizes Stake’s commitment to protecting integrity and transparency across the global esports ecosystem. As the world’s leading online-first betting operator, supporting the industry is central to our strategy and our scale makes this collaboration with ESIC essential to safeguarding its integrity. Together, we’re ensuring the ecosystem remains fair, transparent, and trusted by fans and participants worldwide.”

The post Stake joins ESIC as official anti-corruption partner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Peter & Sons Strengthens Its Nordic Footprint Through Partnership with Nordplay Group

Published

8 hours ago

November 25, 2025

George Miller

peter-&-sons-strengthens-its-nordic-footprint-through-partnership-with-nordplay-group

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Award-winning game studio Peter & Sons has expanded its presence in the Nordic region through a new partnership with Nordplay Group, the acclaimed iGaming operator behind some of Sweden’s most celebrated online casino brands, including Frank & Fred, Pop Casino, Klirr, Jubla, and Onerush, which also serves players in Estonia and Finland.

Nordplay Group has established itself as a dynamic force in European iGaming — proudly global yet lean in operation, with a curated catalogue of premium entertainment enriched by its distinctive Nordic flair. Guided by its ethos, “We scale impact, not size,” the group continues to build a loyal player base across multiple regulated markets.

Through this collaboration, players across Nordplay Group’s platforms will also be among the first to experience Peter & Sons’ newest December releases — Bad Santa and Barbarossa: Dragon Empire. These fresh additions showcase the studio’s evolving creative direction, blending bold visual identity, heightened storytelling, and high-engagement mechanics. Alongside these launches, Nordplay Group’s audience will gain access to a curated selection of Peter & Sons titles featuring the studio’s signature offbeat characters, distinctive artistry, and immersive game worlds.

The Nordics remain one of Europe’s most competitive and innovation-driven iGaming regions. Partnering with Nordplay Group marks a significant milestone for Peter & Sons as the studio continues its expansion across key regulated European markets.

Yann Bautista, Commercial Director & Founder at Peter & Sons, said: “Partnering with Nordplay Group is a thrilling step in our Nordic journey. Their commitment to premium entertainment, modern player experiences, and smart, scalable growth aligns perfectly with our creative philosophy. We’re excited to bring our unique worlds, quirky characters, and next-gen mechanics to even more players across the region.”

Linda Guranova, Head of Games at Nordplay Group added: “Peter & Sons has carved out a distinctive identity in the industry — their imaginative slots, bold visual style, and narrative-driven gameplay truly stand out. We’re delighted to welcome their games to our brands and deliver even more memorable entertainment to our players in Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and beyond.”

This partnership highlights another important chapter in Peter & Sons’ European expansion, following recent market entries across the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, and other regulated jurisdictions.

The post Peter & Sons Strengthens Its Nordic Footprint Through Partnership with Nordplay Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Banana Rush

Banana Rush brings a cheeky jungle caper

Published

10 hours ago

November 25, 2025

George Miller

banana-rush-brings-a-cheeky-jungle-caper

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Play’n GO unveils Banana Rush, a character-first slot where a banana-fixated Gorilla rallies his misfit crew in a lush, bouncy rainforest.

Banana Rush sets a playful pace from the off. The bamboo-framed reels host our Gorilla and his merry band – a smirking monkey, a wise blue parrot, a toothy gator and a day-dreaming hippo – with baskets bulging with fruit dotted around the canopy. It’s a bright, cartoon-rich world that builds momentum as the team hustles to stack those golden snacks. Players who enjoy light-hearted, character-driven slots will feel right at home here.

Beneath the humour sits a clear, pick-up-and-play structure designed for easy entry and steady rhythm. Banana Rush is a 5×3 video slot with 10 fixed paylines that pay left to right – simple to understand, quick to follow, and ideal for anyone who prefers action led by theme and characters rather than complexity.

Narratively, Banana Rush is all about cause-and-effect chaos. Bananas tumble in, the Gorilla swoops to scoop them up, and the jungle perks up as the crew joins the forage. The more fruit they corral, the livelier the scene becomes – a neat comedic loop that mirrors the game’s pace without needing heavy jargon. It’s playful, it’s snack-obsessed, and it never loses sight of the cast’s personality.

Fans of Play’n GO’s brighter animal-led comedies will recognise the studio’s knack for expressive frames, crisp UI and family-friendly humour. Banana Rush leans into that signature style, offering a colourful escape where the goal is simple: keep the fruit flowing and enjoy the Gorilla’s antics with his jungle pals.

Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, said: “Banana Rush is our love letter to character-driven fun – a feel-good slice of jungle slapstick where a banana-hungry Gorilla steals the show while the whole crew cheers him on.”

Banana Rush is here – a bright, breezy crowd-pleaser for players who like their slots brimming with personality and colour.

The post Banana Rush brings a cheeky jungle caper appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.