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YGAM founders say the Experts By Experience strategy could achieve more with a diverse spread of perspectives

Published

6 years ago

July 31, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Lee Willows, Chief Executive and co-founder of YGAM, the charity which works to inform, educate and safeguard young people against gaming and gambling-related harm, has proposed that Experts by Experience initiatives might warrant a range of different voices that are representative of the totality of the gambling experience in order to be fully-inclusive in their insight and decision making.

Acknowledging the important role that initiatives based on personal insight, knowledge and understanding can play, he said: “It is pleasing to see more contributions made from people with direct experience of the tragic harm that gambling can cause some individuals, such as the YGAM Founders. Lived Experience or what the Commission is terming ‘Experts by Experience’ is a really important part of the conversation. My position is that Lived Experience must include a chorus of different voices and not just those who have experienced gambling disorder, but who represent the wider player spectrum. Personally, as someone who lost everything to a gambling addiction, I am always grateful for the opportunity to contribute my insight and experiences as such a level of inclusion would have been unheard of five-years ago.”

He continued: “Surely it’s important to understand how and why the vast majority of people who gamble can do so without experiencing a problem, as well as the reasons why some will develop significant and profound gambling related problems? If we accept the vast majority of people gamble within their means and with no adverse consequences, then understanding why this happens is just as useful as understanding why people like I cannot. By taking this much broader approach it would be amazing if different people within the debate can find some common themes to focus on and move forward in a progressive and non-judgemental way.”

Anne Evans, YGAM founder said recently: “I believe we are moving in the right direction and there are some extremely talented people working hard to make a difference. There will always be a wide spectrum of opinions on what needs to be done to reduce gambling harms and all these views should be welcomed. There is no perfect solution. We need a diverse spread of perspectives to engage in the debate. We must respect all the different views and always be kind.”

Free spins

OnlyPlay Releases Pub Fruits

Published

32 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

OnlyPlay has released Pub Fruits, a bright and lively 5×3 video slot with a classic fruit theme and a fun pub atmosphere. The reels are filled with juicy fruits, lucky sevens, shiny coins and warm golden colours. The retro design feels familiar, but the animations make it fresh and modern. Every spin looks colourful and smooth, and the game is easy to understand from the first second. It feels like stepping into a friendly pub where the lights are warm and the mood is always upbeat.

The real excitement starts with the Hold and Win feature. Players can chase four jackpot levels – Mini (x25), Minor (x50), Major (x100) and Grand (x500). Each coin you collect increases your chances and builds tension on the screen. The feeling of risk grows with every spin, and the moment before the result lands is full of anticipation. It is simple to play, but the adrenaline and excitement make it hard to stop.

Free Spins bring even more action to the game. Land 3, 4 or 5 Scatters to unlock up to 15 Free Spins, and retrigger them to keep the fun going. Wild symbols help create more winning combinations, while Jackpot symbols can appear in both the base game and Free Spins.

With 96.93% RTP, a 21.38% HIT rate and medium volatility, the gameplay feels balanced – steady wins with the chance for something much bigger. It is a mix of comfort and thrill that keeps every session interesting. Pub Fruits combines classic style, modern features and real excitement.

The post OnlyPlay Releases Pub Fruits appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Andrew Cardno

QCI Launches its Data Community Platform in Australia

Published

32 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

qci-launches-its-data-community-platform-in-australia

Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has launched its Data Community platform in Australia, bringing unified consumer intelligence to the rapidly expanding $13 trillion global Fun Economy. By connecting venues, retailers and destination districts into a single interoperable ecosystem, the platform enables real-time insights, personalised engagement and seamless digital-to-physical experiences.

The Data Community platform enables smarter staffing, stronger tenant collaboration and more personalised engagement, helping operators manage increasingly complex, high-traffic environments. The global “Fun Economy” — spanning leisure, hospitality, retail and entertainment — is valued at over $13 trillion, according to joint research from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Zero Labs.

Tony Toohey, Director of TT Management welcomed the platform’s availability in Australia: “The Australian market is increasingly focused on connected, experience-led destinations,” said Toohey.

“Operators here understand the importance of breaking down data silos and collaborating across venues and partners. QCI’s Data Community platform arrives at the right time, enabling a more coordinated and commercially intelligent approach to managing entertainment and hospitality environments.”

Andrew Cardno, Co-Founder and CTO of QCI, said: “Australia represents a sophisticated and forward-looking market for experience-driven destinations,” said Cardno.

“By bringing Data Community to the region, we are equipping operators with the tools to unify their data, understand guest journeys more deeply and curate experiences — not just transactions.”

QCI’s technology is deployed in more than 1000 sites globally, including over 300 casino resorts across North America, Australia and Europe. The company’s platform supports leading brands across gaming, hospitality and mixed-use entertainment districts, helping operators align marketing, operations and guest engagement within a single intelligence framework.

With the launch of Data Community in Australia, QCI continues to expand its role as the intelligence layer powering connected destinations across the evolving Fun Economy.

The post QCI Launches its Data Community Platform in Australia appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alina Mihaela Popa Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21

ICONIC21 Expands into Romania, Securing Launch Agreements with Fortuna and Casa Pariurilor

Published

32 minutes ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-expands-into-romania,-securing-launch-agreements-with-fortuna-and-casa-pariurilor

The provider increased its presence in Romania by launching with two of the market’s leading operators, Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna.

Popular iGaming content provider ICONIC21 launches with Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna. The integrations represent a further strategic move in the provider’s swift expansion within regulated markets.

Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna rank among the most well-known brands in Romania, possessing a robust retail and online presence, relied upon by a large player community. Collaborating with both operators strengthens ICONIC21’s dedication to providing top-notch, tailored content for prominent brands in competitive markets.

A broad range of ICONIC21’s live casino games is now accessible to its players, featuring prominent titles from the Gravity Series like Gravity Roulette and Gravity Blackjack. The Gravity Series incorporates multiplier mechanics into traditional casino formats, enhancing engagement while maintaining a sense of familiarity. The collection additionally features various roulette versions and well-liked Asian games like Sic Bo and Baccarat, guaranteeing wide player attraction.

The growth emphasizes ICONIC21’s rapidly advancing roadmap, covering live casino, slots, virtual and instant games, dedicated studios, and proprietary promotional tools. Every vertical is created to enable flexible integration, customized environments, and expandable growth for operators.

Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, commented: “Romania is a key regulated market for us, and going live with Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna confirms the strong demand for our portfolio. We are growing quickly across regulated jurisdictions, and Romania is a clear example of how our products resonate with established operators who prioritise quality, performance, and flexibility.”

Michael Foster, Group Head of Commercial Gaming Operations, added: “Integrating ICONIC21’s portfolio allows us to enhance our live casino offering with strong, performance driven titles. The Gravity Series in particular brings an extra engagement layer to classic games, which aligns well with our strategy of delivering differentiated experiences to our players.”

The post ICONIC21 Expands into Romania, Securing Launch Agreements with Fortuna and Casa Pariurilor appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.