Latest News

Marc Etches to step down as CEO of GambleAware

Published

5 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.”

Finnish market

Veikkaus Renews its Betting and Online Casino Operations

Published

25 minutes ago

October 24, 2025

Niji Narayan

veikkaus-renews-its-betting-and-online-casino-operations

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Veikkaus’ active preparation towards the new gambling system, which will launch in 2027, continues.

As part of the new strategy, Veikkaus held change negotiations in the Betting and Online Casino operations in the autumn. The change negotiation process has now been completed. Following the change negotiations, 14 employment relationships ended and 19 Veikkaus employees underwent significant changes in their employment relationships.

“We had to make decisions that were painful from a human perspective, but they are necessary for the future of the company. I would like to thank those who will no longer be with us for their hard work,” said Business Director Jarkko Nordlund.

According to Nordlund, Veikkaus is now creating a new organizational structure that will prepare the company for the coming years.

“Digitalization is also strongly driving our industry. International competition and the pace of development are really fierce. Veikkaus has decades of fine traditions and a lot of good expertise as a company. Alongside these, we now need the kind of professionalism that will enable us to serve our customers even better and more individually.”

The company is recruiting dozens of new digital channel and betting professionals over the coming year.

“We need more expertise for Veikkaus that will make us even stronger and more competitive in the new market situation. We are also looking beyond Finland’s borders. According to current estimates, more than 30 new positions will open by next summer. We want to be strong, growing and profitable in the future,” Nordlund said.

The Parliament intends to have the new Gambling Act passed by the end of 2025. When the law comes into force, it will open up the opportunity for other gambling companies, in addition to Veikkaus, to apply for, for example, sports betting and online casino licenses in the Finnish market. According to the current estimate, other gambling companies could also start operating with a license in Finland during 2027.

Lottery games, cardboard tickets and physical slot machines will remain exclusive to Veikkaus in the future.

The post Veikkaus Renews its Betting and Online Casino Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

Kansspelautoriteit Sees Increasing Risk Analyses of Sports Betting

Published

25 minutes ago

October 24, 2025

Niji Narayan

kansspelautoriteit-sees-increasing-risk-analyses-of-sports-betting

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has conducted research into the risk analyses that online gambling providers must conduct regarding their sports betting offerings. The study examined the implementation of the identification, analysis and evaluation of risks to the integrity of the relevant matches at four providers. Based on this risk analysis, providers must identify and mitigate match-fixing risks.

Following reports to the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU), an investigation has been launched into a possible match-fixing. By examining the providers’ risk analyses, it will become clear whether providers have their analyses properly in place and are adequately assessing, assessing and ultimately mitigating the risks. While the KSA sees room for improvement in areas such as the specification of certain risks, the measures taken and the implementation of the reporting obligation, it is generally positive about the implementation of the providers’ risk analyses. This represents an upward trend compared to a year ago. The KSA continues to randomly audit risk analyses.

Source: kansspelautoriteit.nl

The post Kansspelautoriteit Sees Increasing Risk Analyses of Sports Betting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Amusnet

Amusnet Releases Vampire Dice

Published

25 minutes ago

October 24, 2025

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Amusnet invites players into a realm of mystery and midnight thrills with Vampire Dice, its latest Online Casino portfolio addition. This captivating dice-themed game combines gothic elegance, thrilling features and an immersive atmosphere where every roll reveals secrets of the night.

As the moon rises, Vampire Dice comes alive with its hauntingly beautiful design and dark, enticing energy. Step into a world ruled by immortals and hidden treasures, where every moment is filled with anticipation and every roll could awaken the riches buried within the shadows.

At the heart of the excitement lies the Expanding Wild, a powerful feature that stretches across the dice, transforming ordinary rolls into extraordinary wins.

Dare to roll the dice and embrace the allure of the unknown – fortune awaits beneath the crimson moon.

Expanding Wild

The Wild symbol expands across the dice, enhancing your chances for thrilling and rewarding combinations.

Gamble

Play the game and multiply the winnings through the Gambling feature

Jackpot Cards

The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.

The post Amusnet Releases Vampire Dice appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.