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Marc Etches to step down as CEO of GambleAware

Published

6 years ago

August 14, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

After almost a decade as Chief Executive, Marc Etches has announced he will step down from his role as Chief Executive of GambleAware at the end of March 2021.

Under Marc Etches’ leadership, GambleAware has evolved to become the primary commissioner and convenor of services dedicated to reducing and preventing gambling harms in Great Britain. Formerly known as the Responsible Gambling Trust, the charity is now guided by a public health approach, overseen by a wholly independent and expert Board of Trustees, and works collaboratively with those in the public health sector, including the NHS, public health agencies, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations.

Marc Etches has led a substantial increase in funding and donations during his time as CEO and leading members of the Betting and Gaming Council have recently committed further funding of £100 million for the next four years. The charity now has £40m of grant funding under active management and the additional pledged funding will help GambleAware to continue to develop the National Gambling Treatment Service with its partners across England, Scotland and Wales.

The process to select a new Chief Executive will be led and overseen by GambleAware’s Board of Trustees. As GambleAware enters into the next stage of its evolution, the independent Board will look to appoint someone with appropriate expertise, including in commissioning healthcare services, who will be able to continue to ensure gambling harms are understood and tackled as a matter of public and individual health and wellbeing.

Commenting on Marc Etches’ departure, Kate Lampard CBE, Chair of GambleAware said:

“It has been a pleasure working with Marc over the past four years and he has taken the charity from strength to strength. As a result of his hard work, GambleAware has developed the expertise and sustainability to continue to deliver and work with partners across the healthcare spectrum to prevent and protect against gambling harms. I look forward to continuing this important work with a new Chief Executive next year.”

Marc Etches also commented: “It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as CEO for nearly a decade and I am enormously proud of the charity’s development and the contribution it makes, in partnerships with others, to keeping people safe from gambling harms.

With the prospect of a new era of increased funding and wider commissioning responsibilities, it is the right time for the charity to find someone with the skills and expertise necessary to take it into the next stage of its evolution.

I want to thank the Board of trustees and the entire staff team at GambleAware for their hard work and commitment to the charity’s purpose as well as for their magnificent personal support of me.”

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Alea adds FAZI games via single API aggregation deal

Published

5 minutes ago

May 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Nearly 300 FAZI titles will roll into Alea’s operator network as the aggregator targets regulated growth in Latin America, Africa and Europe.

Alea has signed a content partnership with casino game provider FAZI that will see FAZI’s portfolio of nearly 300 games distributed to Alea’s global operator network via a single API integration.

Alea said the agreement supports its expansion across regulated markets in Latin America, Africa, and Europe. The integration adds FAZI content to Alea’s aggregation platform, allowing operators to access the games through the same connection they use for other suppliers.

Titles highlighted in the launch line-up include Wild Hot 40, Golden Crown, Wild Hot 40 Free Spins, Very Hot 5, and Wild Hot 40 Blow.

“We’re happy to welcome FAZI to the Alea platform,” said Eduard Verdaguer, Partnerships Manager at Alea. “They have a strong portfolio with games that already perform well in different markets, and we’re looking forward to making their content available to our operators.”

“Alea’s strong operator network makes them a valuable partner in scaling our distribution globally,” said Bojan Mitic, CEO of FAZI. “This collaboration allows us to reach new markets more efficiently and strengthen our position across key regions.”

The post Alea adds FAZI games via single API aggregation deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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BetConstruct AI confirms SiGMA Asia 2026 presence in Manila

Published

9 hours ago

May 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Supplier plans to pitch a World Cup 2026 sportsbook bundle and its AI Suite at Stand 2572 on June 2–3.

BetConstruct AI will exhibit at SiGMA Asia 2026 in Manila, Philippines, on June 2–3, the company said, appearing at Stand 2572.

At the show, BetConstruct AI said it will highlight a “Best Sportsbook for the World Cup 2026” bundle built around “Special Bets, Powerfull, and Bet on League.” The company positioned the package as ready for operator activation without development work.

BetConstruct AI also said it will showcase its AI Suite, including “CRM AI, Umbrella AI, AI Game Recommendation System, and Betting Mate AI,” aimed at use cases such as churn prediction, risk consolidation, personalised casino experiences, and conversational sportsbook engagement.

As product context, the company cited its sportsbook and casino platforms, including “140,000+ pre-match events and 90,000+ live matches monthly” and “45,000+ games from 350+ providers via a single API.” It also highlighted its “Affigates Affiliate Ecosystem” with “7,000+ vetted affiliates and AI-based scoring.”

The company said new partners signing via the show can access commercial incentives, including “a 50% platform setup discount from day one,” “100% Core Suite Access free for the first 3 months (50% off for months 4–12), and third-party tools at 51% off for the first 3 months.”

The post BetConstruct AI confirms SiGMA Asia 2026 presence in Manila appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Pascal Gaming signs Ronaldinho for football-themed crash and slot titles

Published

11 hours ago

May 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

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First release is Avinho R10, followed by June launch Fortune Ronaldinho as the studio lines up more titles ahead of the World Cup season.

Pascal Gaming has partnered with Brazilian football player Ronaldinho to launch a dedicated portfolio of games inspired by the athlete, the company said on 26 May, 2026.

The planned pipeline includes crash games, slots and additional titles set to roll out through the year. Pascal Gaming said the initiative is aimed at both Brazil and international markets, and will be supported by tournaments, promotional activity and special events tied to the Ronaldinho-branded portfolio.

The first game confirmed is Avinho R10, described as a crash-style title featuring Ronaldinho “above Brazil” in an aviation-themed experience. A second game, Fortune Ronaldinho, is scheduled for release in June and is positioned as a slot-inspired title.

“Ronaldinho is one of the most recognisable and loved football personalities in the world, so for us this collaboration is much more than a game launch. It is a global entertainment project that combines football culture, emotionally engaging gameplay and strong promotional activities ahead of the World Cup,” said Armen Mnaskanian, Head of Sales at SoftConstruct Gaming Content.

Pascal Gaming said it has been expanding its crash game portfolio during 2026 and investing in localised, character-driven content across Latin America, Africa and Asia. The company added that more Ronaldinho-themed titles and marketing campaigns will be revealed in the coming months.

The post Pascal Gaming signs Ronaldinho for football-themed crash and slot titles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.