Latest News
s your island the best in show? Win a Google Mini with e2save’s Animal Crossing competition
A new competition has launched to find the best Animal Crossing island designs, following on from the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons earlier this year.
The competition, run by online smartphone retailer, e2save, is challenging avid Animal Crossing fans across the country to showcase their islands in a bid to win a Google Home Mini.
With more than 13 million copies of the New Horizons edition sold within the first six weeks of the release2, e2save is asking gamers to show off their islands in a photo competition. The competition is open now and will end on 4th September. To enter, you’ll need to visit e2save’s Facebook page here and submit a picture of your island to be in with a chance of winning.
The competition comes as searches for ‘Animal Crossing’ have increased by a staggering 1,010% in the last 12 months1, with 165,000 average monthly searches in the UK, according to research conducted by e2save. The searches peaked in April this year, with a whopping 3,131,860 searches after the game’s release in March1.
The Animal Crossing series has been loved by fans across the world since its initial release in 2001, due to its iconic characters such as Tom Nook and its adorable game play. The addition of New Horizons to the series sees gamers move to a deserted island, rather than the rural village featured in previous games.
With the option of designing and creating your own home and surroundings, the series attracts gamers with a creative flair. Searches for ‘Animal Crossing design’ increased by 7,614% in the last year1 and ‘Animal Crossing custom designs’ also rose by a huge 80,900%1, showing that players are keen for their village to look the part.
Karl Middleton, Mobile Expert at e2save, said: “We’re big gamers at e2save and we were all excited with the launch of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons earlier this year.
“With the ability to design and create your own island, as well as incorporating custom designs, New Horizons is a great addition to the Animal Crossing collection and has provided many of us with hours of fun. With so many users searching for tips on island designs, it’s easy to see that gamers are taking real pride in their island and wanting it to look the better than their friends’.
“We wish all those who take part in our competition good luck and may the best island win.”
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Dublin
SolutionsHub opens Dublin office to support iGaming clients entering new €8bn market
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Expansion comes as Ireland rolls out new gambling regulatory framework, with industry valued at over €8 billion annually
SolutionsHub, a trusted provider of regulatory and operational solutions for the iGaming sector, has announced the opening of a new office in Dublin to support clients entering the Irish market as the country implements its new gambling regime.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which established the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) earlier this year, represents the most significant change to gambling oversight in the country in decades. Full licensing enforcement is scheduled for mid-2026, transforming a market currently valued at more than €8 billion annually and positioning Ireland as one of Europe’s most closely watched iGaming jurisdictions.
SolutionsHub’s new Dublin office provides a local base to assist existing clients and international operators seeking Irish or wider EU licences, positioning the firm at the centre of one of the world’s most dynamic technology and financial services hubs.
As part of the application process, the GRAI will conduct a risk-based review of the applicant’s suitability. Applicants must demonstrate sound governance practices, financial health, and compliance frameworks, such as anti-money laundering, responsible gambling, and risk management. Additional requirements include disclosures of beneficial ownership, tax clearance, any criminal history and/or previous regulatory action. SolutionHub’s presence will bolster all operator applications with in-the-market guidance and support.
“With the Gambling Regulation Act now in effect and enforcement deadlines approaching, demand for expert support is at an all-time high,” said Lee Hills, CEO of SolutionsHub.
“Several of our clients are already preparing to apply for Irish licences, and our new Dublin office ensures they have direct, on-the-ground guidance to meet the requirements and enter the market with confidence.”
SolutionsHub is recognised for securing first-of-their-kind approvals in iGaming, fintech, and blockchain, and for guiding companies through complex regulatory lifecycles in multiple jurisdictions. Unlike traditional consultants, the firm supports clients from initial licence applications through to long-term compliance and operational success.
“Dublin is already a global centre for technology and financial services, and Ireland is now set to become one of Europe’s most important regulated iGaming markets,” said James O’Kelly, Head of Corporate Development at SolutionsHub. “By establishing a permanent base here, we can work more closely with clients and partners, while also building our local team to support long-term growth, innovation and job creation under Ireland’s new gambling framework.”
SolutionsHub continues to be a trusted authority in licensing, compliance, and operational support. The firm’s Irish office positions it at the forefront of a new era for the country’s gambling sector, helping operators capitalise on growth opportunities while ensuring robust compliance.
The post SolutionsHub opens Dublin office to support iGaming clients entering new €8bn market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Andrew Humphreys Chief Product Engineering Officer
C-Suite Product Engineering Appointment at Bede Gaming
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Bede Gaming has announced a new leader in its Executive team with the appointment of Andrew Humphreys as Chief Product Engineering Officer.
Humphreys brings 16 years of experience in software engineering, with specialised expertise in end-to-end solutions and player experience. With a valuable customer-minded technical perspective, this addition to the platform provider’s seniormost team demonstrates a dedication to innovative UX in Bede’s product strategy.
An internal promotion, Humphreys climbed the ranks at Bede from a front-end developer and solution architect, progressing on through several positions of leadership and making a significant contribution to many of Bede’s key achievements along the way. As one of its longstanding employees, Humphreys has grown professionally with Bede, influencing its long-term strategic direction and witnessing firsthand the company’s transformational growth from start-up to a market-leading, international full-service platform provider.
Most recently, as Head of Product Engineering and a core member of the company’s senior leadership, Humphreys has led on product and technical solutions for customer projects, forward-thinking roadmap development, and introducing a performance-focused development culture throughout Bede’s product engineering teams.
This experience and tenure within Bede’s engineering department have positioned Humphreys for the newly created C-level position, in which he will retain responsibility for the continued delivery of high-quality products and features for the platform, including player account management, player engagement and front-end web & app.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Andrew to the Executive team. He has already demonstrated exemplary leadership and strategic thinking in managing our product development workstreams,” said Colin Cole-Johnson, Bede Chief Executive Officer. “Andrew has a keen eye for measurement, optimisation and continuous improvement that I’m sure will take our product engineering functions from strength to strength.”
“This promotion is an exciting step forward in my career, and one of many highlights that I have enjoyed during my time at Bede. As an engineering leader, I aspire to bridge the gap between our customers and our development teams. By fostering these relationships, we have delivered cross-functional, end-to-end solutions to an exceptional standard. I’m passionate about what we’ve built so far at Bede, and I’m excited to continue innovating with such a talented, dedicated team. I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else.” Humphreys said.
The introduction of the new Product Engineering C-Suite position comes as Bede’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Dinning announces his retirement at the end of 2025, after 9 years with the company.
The post C-Suite Product Engineering Appointment at Bede Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Affluck
iGaming Wise Officially Rebrands to Wise Connections
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Following two years operating as iGaming Wise, and more than three years previously as Affluck, the company is entering a new chapter under its new name: Wise Connections.
The rebrand reflects the company’s continued evolution and its commitment to delivering clear value, stronger matchmaking, and more direct, effective connections for partners across the iGaming sector.
Wise Connections is built on a simple idea: quality beats quantity. Instead of pushing generic introductions or relying on outdated directories, the platform focuses on personal, vetted, and direct connections. Every introduction is made manually through trusted channels like Telegram, LinkedIn, or email, ensuring that both sides meet with full context, purpose, and confidence.
The core services remain the same: Marketing & PR, Consulting, Affiliate Management, but they are now tied together under a stronger single identity. And the biggest focus moving forward is the B2B Matchmaking, which has already proven to be one of the most effective ways to help operators, providers, affiliates, and service companies expand into the right markets.
Founder & CEO Gjorgje Ristikj describes the change as a natural step in the company’s growth: “We wanted a name that reflects what we really do. We connect companies with people who matter, and we do it the right way, personally, transparently, and with purpose.”
Wise Connections is not just a new name, it’s a clearer direction. A more structured approach. And a stronger commitment to building long-term partnerships that actually move businesses forward.
The post iGaming Wise Officially Rebrands to Wise Connections appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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