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We must be guided by the education sector to deliver effective prevention programmes to young people

Published

6 years ago

July 8, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

YGAM Chief Executive Lee Willows reflects on some of the key topics to emerge from three reports published last week and highlights the valuable contribution the charity is making.

Last week was a significant week for everyone connected the gambling industry. Reading the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) annual progress report; The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report and the Lords Select Committee report, it was pleasing to read these reports all featured insight from people with direct experience of the tragic harm that gambling can cause some individuals, such as the YGAM Founders. As Chief Executive of the YGAM charity and personally as someone who lost everything to a gambling addiction, I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute my insight and experiences. Such inclusion would have been unheard of five-years ago. Having three incredibly helpful reports published in quick succession over a period of five days is in many ways helpful and timely as YGAM continues to evolve our strategy. I congratulate everyone involved in producing three fascinating reports that will inform the debate moving forward.

At YGAM, we strongly believe that prevention, including education is an essential component to reduce gambling-related harms. We engage with the education sector daily and we are constantly listening to the needs of teachers, practitioners and young people. It is very clear from these conversations that teachers and practitioners need and appreciate our resources more than ever. The feedback we get from teachers, practitioners and young people and the insight from external evaluations is overwhelmingly positive and there is an enormous demand for information on gambling and gaming. Whilst it was pleasing to see education feature in all three reports, the voices of the professionals working in that sector should also be taken into consideration. We must continue to be guided by professionals working in the education sector to deliver effective prevention programmes to young people.

The focus on the blurred lines between gaming and gambling is welcomed. The YGAM workshops help build digital resilience and educate people on the different types of games accessible to children. We agree with the DCMS Select Committee and the Children’s Commissioner that loot boxes that contain the element of chance should not be sold to children under 18. The concern about allowing children to access loot boxes is that it is conditioning them to gambling behaviour from an early age. Building on our discussions with DCMS we look forward to contributing to the government’s call to action on loot boxes which will hopefully lead to consideration of an appropriate regulatory intervention.

The debate around gambling advertising and the impact it has on younger generations is imperative. You do not have to work in this sector to notice that gambling adverts dominate the promotional spaces at most sporting events. The YGAM resources tackle this topic head on as we continue to raise awareness of the potential harms and the support available. We believe concerns about marketing and sponsorship should be addressed by evidence-based analysis that puts the safety of young people first and we look forward to contributing to this debate.

When the Gambling Commission launched the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling-Related Harms, there was real hope for change and there has been some positive change; yes more can be done and some actions need to move in a more expedient manner, but change does take time. I also worry that in the desire to affect structural change, or radically change strategic direction part way through a national strategy may result in valuable insight being lost. I do see many people and organisations coming together to deliver the strategy which is superb and that is where we will continue to have a relentless focus.

Certainly in my time in YGAM I have seen Safer Gambling teams within operators increase from one employee, who led Safer Gambling work on a part-time bases, to now large Safer Gambling teams with twenty plus employees working full-time in this area of work. In that time, I have also seen and been fortunate to work alongside others who have been affected by gambling-harms set up their own organisations and I have witnessed the rise of passionate campaigners who demand change, often following tragic circumstances. At the heart of all this work is a shared commitment to reduce-harms and it would be so oxygenating if more time can be spent finding common goals and delivering the national strategy.

As a prevention charity we will continue to focus on the delivery of education, building and sharing insight and demonstrating impact. This is a crucial period for the future of this sector and everyone at YGAM looks forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholder groups to ensure all young and vulnerable people are safe from gaming and gambling related harms.

Finally, YGAM has published its strategic plan 2019 – 2021 and within our annual review filed with the Charity Commission and Companies House we share progress against our strategic goals and insight. However next week, we will have a dedicated page on our website which will also show this progress, insight, and our impact in a succinct manner. I am incredibly proud of the YGAM team and many colleagues from all parts of the sector (inc charities, trade bodies, operators, regulators, ABSG, DCMS, teachers, young people, EbEs); working hard to make a difference in this space.

Lee Willows
Chief Executive, YGAM

Gems of Ra 3 Pots

Evoplay Opens the Portal to Wealth in Gems of Ra 3 Pots

Published

33 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

evoplay-opens-the-portal-to-wealth-in-gems-of-ra-3-pots

Evoplay, the acclaimed game development studio, has unveiled a sunlit Egyptian tale with the launch of Gems of Ra 3 Pots, its newest slot game where holy riches and celestial enhancements influence every spin.

Nestled among majestic pyramids, Gems of Ra 3 Pots crafts a realm overseen by the deities Anubis, Horus, and Isis, each bestowing distinct abilities that alter the Bonus Game.

Wilds show up on reels two to five, replacing all standard symbols to form winning combinations. They can appear as individual icons or in complete stacks, boosting the likelihood of triggering payouts in the base game.

Central to the experience are four kinds of Bonus symbols: Blue, Red, Green, and Money, each with random values and the chance to activate Mini, Mega, and Super jackpots.

Activating the Bonus Game occurs when landing Blue, Red, or Green symbols with a matching booster. The Extra Wealth enhancer boosts the worth of as many as four Bonus symbols, while Extra Reels introduces a separate independent bonus area, with both grids merging their rewards at the conclusion of the round. The Extra Spins booster enhances the feature to four spins, prolonging the pursuit of treasure even more.

The Bonus Game can be activated with one, two, or all three boosters at the same time. In this feature, only Money Bonus symbols are present, and gathering all 15 spots grants access to the Grand Jackpot.

Featuring win potential exceeding 6,000x, the game combines a traditional Egyptian slot ambiance with a contemporary feature design centered on strategy-focused bonus upgrades.

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Gems of Ra 3 Pots is all about discovery and escalation. We wanted to create a slot that captures the grandeur of Egyptian mythology while giving players meaningful ways to influence the Bonus Game through the different god-powered boosters.

“It’s a title that combines atmosphere, clarity, and strong win potential, offering a fresh take on a theme players continue to love.”

The post Evoplay Opens the Portal to Wealth in Gems of Ra 3 Pots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

bet365

Peter & Sons Joins bet365 in Strategic Multi‑Market Collaboration

Published

33 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

peter-&-sons-joins-bet365-in-strategic-multi‑market-collaboration

Maverick game studio Peter & Sons has revealed a significant new collaboration with bet365, a top online gambling operator globally, enhancing its foothold in essential regulated markets around the world.

Peter & Sons’ unique portfolio has now launched with bet365 in the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and various other regulated markets, providing fully localized and compliant experiences customized for players in each region. The launch signifies an important achievement for the studio, emphasizing its dedication to controlled expansion and enduring strategic alliances.

Established in 2019 with a goal to represent the “anti-boring,” Peter & Sons has gained acclaim for striking art direction, engaging narratives, and creative mechanics. Through the integration of exceptional artistry, mathematics, and sound creation, the studio consistently produces top-performing games that shine in competitive markets.

bet365 is internationally acknowledged for its technology-focused platform, strict regulatory adherence, and exceptional player experience. Catering to millions of clients in regulated regions, the operator is recognized for collaborating with top suppliers to improve its varied gaming portfolio.

The partnership is expected to grow further in the upcoming months, with Italy, Brazil, Ontario, Greece, and Sweden already confirmed as new launch markets. This gradual implementation will greatly expand the worldwide availability of Peter & Sons’ content, presenting its distinctive collection to a wider global audience.

Yann Bautista, Commercial Director and Founder at Peter & Sons commented: “Partnering with bet365 represents an important step in our regulated market strategy. bet365’s reputation for technological excellence and compliance aligns perfectly with our long-term vision. We are proud to see our games live across several major jurisdictions and look forward to expanding this collaboration even further.”

Clement Le Scanff, bet365 Head of Gaming Commercial and Operations, said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Peter & Sons. This collaboration is testament to our commitment to providing cutting-edge content that enhances the customer experience and delivers engaging, entertaining gameplay.”

The post Peter & Sons Joins bet365 in Strategic Multi‑Market Collaboration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alina Mihaela Popa Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21

ICONIC21 Boosts Romania Operations Through VivaBet Alliance

Published

33 minutes ago

February 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-boosts-romania-operations-through-vivabet-alliance

ICONIC21 advances its strategic growth in regulated markets through a new collaboration with VivaBet, a rapidly expanding online casino operator in Romania.

By means of this agreement, sought-after supplier ICONIC21 provides a collection of more than 15 live casino games, enhancing VivaBet’s selection with content focused on performance.

VivaBet established a solid presence in the Romanian market by emphasizing a varied casino selection and a user-friendly platform designed for local users. Functioning within Romanian regulations, the brand persists in investing to broaden its content library to stay pertinent in a fiercely competitive landscape.

The inclusion of ICONIC21’s live casino collection helps achieve this goal by presenting contemporary studios, rapid gameplay, and multiplier-driven features that enhance player involvement.

Among the games going live with VivaBet are some of ICONIC21’s strongest performers:

· Gravity Blackjack

· Gravity Roulette

· Multiple variations of Baccarat

The Gravity Series, recognized for its multiplier mechanics integrated into classic formats, introduces an additional dimension to conventional table games. This strategy has reliably produced high engagement metrics in various markets.

Merging traditional casino elements with improved payout opportunities and refined studio aesthetics, the collection meets the desires of Romanian players who are progressively pursuing both recognition and extra thrill.

Commenting on the partnership, Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, said: “Romania is a key regulated market for us, and partnering with VivaBet marks another important step in strengthening our footprint locally. We see strong demand for live content that blends classic gameplay with modern mechanics, particularly within our Gravity Series. Collaborating with an operator that understands its audience and is focused on continuous growth allows us to deliver real value.”

From VivaBet’s side, Matei Secaci, Head of Casino, added: “We are pleased to integrate ICONIC21’s live portfolio into our platform. Expanding our array of games with a provider that is growing quickly and investing in high quality production enables us to further enhance the experience we offer our players. The addition of titles such as Gravity Blackjack and Gravity Roulette brings fresh energy to our live casino section.”

The partnership with VivaBet is a key element of ICONIC21’s wider growth plan in regulated European markets. Through providing adaptable integration, a varied live portfolio, and studio-led innovation, the company remains a dependable partner for operators in search of unique live casino content.

With the increasing demand for interactive, enhanced live games, collaborations like this one strengthen ICONIC21’s dedication to providing scalable, performance-oriented solutions customized to the requirements of each market.

The post ICONIC21 Boosts Romania Operations Through VivaBet Alliance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.