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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.”

1spin4win

1spin4win partners with OdiBets to strengthen its presence in Africa

Published

22 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

1spin4win-partners-with-odibets-to-strengthen-its-presence-in-africa

For the studio, the collaboration marks another step in expanding across Africa. Between the end of 2024 and the end of 2025, 1spin4win increased the number of partnerships in the region by 1.7 times, significantly cementing its local position.

The deal comes at a time of strong growth for the African iGaming industry. According to H2 Gambling Capital, the region’s sports betting and iGaming market could reach $22bn in GGR by 2029, highlighting significant opportunities for operators and providers looking to scale their international reach.

Through the agreement, 1spin4win’s portfolio of more than 200 classic online slots will become available to OdiBets players. The provider’s content is well-suited to local audiences, combining simple gameplay, recognizable mechanics such as Hold and Win, and timeless fruit- and coin-based formats. Additionally, the studio’s titles are optimized for mobile devices, ensuring fast load times and uninterrupted gameplay even on weaker internet connections.

Founded in 2018, OdiBets has grown into a major name in East Africa, offering sports betting and casino entertainment through a clear, user-friendly platform. The operator is known for its focus on responsible gambling, accessible player experience, and strong customer support.

Jaime Carvajal, Business Development Manager at 1spin4win, shared, “Teaming with OdiBets is an exciting opportunity for 1spin4win to introduce our classic portfolio to broader audiences across African markets. We believe our straightforward, mobile-friendly slots are a strong match for players who value reliable, clear, and engaging gameplay.”

Benedict M, Country Marketing Manager at OdiBets added, “At OdiBets, we are always looking to bring our players the very best in gaming content, and partnering with 1spin4win is a natural step in that journey. Their dedication to crafting high-quality, immersive slot experiences aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver world-class entertainment to players across Africa. We are excited about what this partnership means for our platform and even more excited for our players to get their hands on what we are building together.”

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

The post 1spin4win partners with OdiBets to strengthen its presence in Africa appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Eastern Europe

Soft2Bet launches Zinx iGaming and sportsbook brand in Romania

Published

22 minutes ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

Soft2Bet has launched Zinx in Romania, rolling out a new digital platform that combines online casino content and sports betting for local players.

Soft2Bet said Zinx was built with localisation in mind, with product design and marketing tailored to Romanian player preferences. The company positioned the brand around “safe, transparent play,” but did not share launch timing beyond the announcement or provide performance targets.

The platform includes a retention mechanic called MEGA Round, a prize-wheel feature integrated into Soft2Bet’s MEGA gamification engine. Soft2Bet said players can earn spins through deposits, with prizes awarded at random.

Yoel Zuckerberg, CPO at Soft2Bet, stated, “With Zinx, we are bringing an incredibly competitive and relevant digital product to Romania, perfectly balancing thrilling, electric gameplay with safe and transparent operations. Our powerful dragon mascot and the innovative MEGA Round gamification engine help define the Zinx experience across both casino and sports betting. We are confident Zinx will set a new benchmark for Romanian players seeking a modern, diverse and secure entertainment platform.”

Soft2Bet said the Romania launch supports its broader strategy of building localised iGaming brands that combine product features with targeted local marketing.

The post Soft2Bet launches Zinx iGaming and sportsbook brand in Romania appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.