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YGAM’s Student Hub website receives NUS endorsement as universities return
The National Union of Students (NUS) which represents 7 million individuals engaged in higher and further education has welcomed the launch of YGAM’s new Student Hub website which has been developed to raise awareness of the risk of students experiencing gaming and gambling-related harm while at university/college. The NUS described the YGAM initiative as ‘vital for students and crucial in helping to provide advice on how to make the most of university life while avoiding the risks.’
Created with input from current students, the website features bespoke advice and guidance to help students make the most out of university while avoiding the risks of gaming and gambling-related harm. It features interactive elements along with lived-experience case studies to further highlight the real issues of gambling and gaming harms on university campuses.
Pete Woodward, Head of Delivery for University and Student Engagement at YGAM, said: “Research commissioned by YGAM and undertaken by Red Brick Research found that 264,000 students are at some risk of gambling-related harm in the UK, while around 88,000 may already be problem gamblers. Student life has changed dramatically this year due to Covid-19, and this could have a detrimental impact on student wellbeing and increase the risks associated with gaming and gambling at university. Our Student Hub is the first of its kind; supporting students to enjoy a university experience free from gaming and gambling-related harm. We will use this online portal to gather insights and share findings with our partners at other universities and students’ unions.”
He added: “Research published by The Lancet in July suggests that the mental health of young people aged 18-24 has deteriorated this year, likely due to the ongoing pandemic. This is a concerning development, as YGAM’s research on the topic suggests that students often turn to gambling and gaming when they are depressed, as a desire to feel more ‘in control’ of their day-to-day activities. One third of students said their gambling habits have had a negative effect on their wellbeing.”
Karen Rowlingson, Professor of Social Policy at the University of Birmingham said: “Students are under huge pressures, more so than ever this year. Gambling and gaming problems can sometimes be a consequence of those pressures and sometimes a further cause. YGAM’s new student hub provides an incredibly important resource to help students avoid the risks of gaming and gambling-related harm at this time.”
To support the Student Hub and its additional university projects, YGAM has also announced the appointment of part-time student positions to drive their programme and to ensure the voice of students is consistently used in their work. YGAM will also be training staff at 25 different universities across the UK, enabling an unprecedented number of young people to benefit from the additional safeguarding this will allow.The Student Hub will sit alongside other tools such as GAMSTOP the free, independent, self-exclusion tool which enables people to exclude from all UK-based online gambling operators for a period of six months, twelve months, or five years.
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Pragmatic Play Sweetens Slots with Sugar Rush Super Scatter and Massive 50,000x Wins
Pragmatic Play, a leading provider of iGaming content, has launched Sugar Rush Super Scatter, the latest installment in its multi-award-winning candy-themed slots series.
This exciting new release offers players the chance to win up to 50,000x their stake, adding even more sweetness to the beloved franchise.
Following the success of the original Sugar Rush and Sugar Rush 1000, this newest release introduces the Super Scatter feature, adding high-volatility thrills to the popular 7×7 grid. Players collect clusters of 5–15+ matching sweet symbols to score base game wins up to 150x, while the tumbling feature and multiplier spots return, applying multipliers from 2x up to a staggering 1,024x on consecutive tumbles.
The Super Scatter bonus game is the highlight, awarding instant cash prizes when one to four special symbols land on a triggering spin. Sticky marked spots and multipliers remain active during the feature, with 3–7 additional scatters retriggering 10–30 extra spins, significantly boosting winning potential.
Select markets also enjoy three ante bet options and two bonus buys, which guarantee multipliers across the grid, ensuring players can maximize their chances of landing massive wins.
Sugar Rush Super Scatter follows Pragmatic Play’s proven formula for fan-favorite slots enhanced with Super Scatter mechanics, joining previous hits such as Gates of Olympus Super Scatter, Sweet Bonanza Super Scatter, and Starlight Princess Super Scatter.
Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Sugar Rush Super Scatter takes one of our most successful titles and sweetens it further with a 50,000x max win. The release highlights our commitment to creating diverse games designed for long-term player engagement and strong commercial impact.”
With its colorful candy graphics, high-energy gameplay, and record-breaking multipliers, Sugar Rush Super Scatter is poised to be one of the hottest Pragmatic Play slots of 2026.
The post Pragmatic Play Sweetens Slots with Sugar Rush Super Scatter and Massive 50,000x Wins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Affiliate Succes
Free Bets Appoints The Racing Blogger as Exclusive Horse Racing Brand Ambassador for 2026
Freebets.com, the leading U.K. sports betting affiliate, has announced an exclusive partnership with Stephen ‘The Racing Blogger’ Power, the renowned horse racing influencer.
This collaboration will run throughout 2026, positioning Stephen as the official brand ambassador for Free Bets and delivering expert insights across the National Hunt calendar.
The partnership will see Stephen cover all major racing events, including the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, sharing his unique, energetic analysis with fans via Free Bets’ digital platforms and social media channels. Known to his 300,000+ followers as Blogger or Bloggsy, Stephen will provide betting previews, tips, and expert commentary on both horse racing and football.
Additionally, Stephen will promote Free Bets’ soon-to-launch free-to-play games, offering users a dynamic and engaging betting experience on the Freebets.com website.
Dominic Celica, Head of PR at Free Bets, said: “The Racing Blogger has built an incredible following across X and Instagram and is a leading voice in horse racing content. We’re thrilled to collaborate with him and have an exciting pipeline of content planned for racing fans in 2026.”
Stephen Power added: “I’m delighted to work with Free Bets to bring engaging, insightful content during the biggest race meetings of the year. Together, we’ll provide racing enthusiasts with expert tips, exclusive offers, and a deeper connection to the sport.”
With this partnership, Free Bets aims to strengthen its position as a go-to destination for horse racing fans in the U.K., combining expert insights, exclusive content, and interactive betting experiences.
The post Free Bets Appoints The Racing Blogger as Exclusive Horse Racing Brand Ambassador for 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
casino floor management
Win Systems Showcases Cutting-Edge WIGOS Casino Management System Upgrades at ICE Barcelona 2026
Win Systems, a global leader in casino technology solutions, is set to showcase its latest innovations at ICE Barcelona 2026, one of the premier international gaming industry events, held from January 19 to 21 at Fira Barcelona – Gran Via.
Visitors can explore Win Systems’ groundbreaking solutions at booth 3M30, where the company will highlight the newest enhancements to its WIGOS casino management system (CMS).
Installed in over 660 casinos worldwide, WIGOS CMS empowers operators to manage gaming floors in real time, optimize slot and table performance, improve operational efficiency, and enhance player loyalty. By delivering strategic insights, WIGOS helps casinos maximize profitability while maintaining a superior gaming experience.
At ICE Barcelona 2026, Win Systems will introduce several key upgrades to WIGOS, designed to elevate casino operations and player engagement:
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Advanced Table Games Player Development Tools – These new features track and analyze player activity in real time, enabling operators to strengthen relationships, increase loyalty, and tailor experiences for high-value players.
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Multi-Vault Management – A flexible solution for interconnected vaults, allowing casinos to efficiently manage cash operations, scale according to operational needs, and streamline workflows.
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InTouch Pro Communication Platform – This innovative tool facilitates direct interaction with players via gaming machines, offering personalized promotions, enhanced engagement, and loyalty-building opportunities.
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Player Rewards Enhancements – Featuring new Bonusing game themes and real-time Fun Play promotions, this feature instantly refunds bets, encouraging interaction and creating a more engaging and rewarding experience for players.
“ICE Barcelona is the ideal platform to demonstrate our commitment to innovation in casino management technology,” said Eric Benchimol, CEO of Win Systems. “Our WIGOS CMS solutions simplify operations while generating measurable value for operators, tailored to the unique demands of each market. We invite all industry professionals to visit booth 3M30 and discover how our technology continues to set new standards in efficiency, engagement, and profitability.”
For more information on Win Systems’ participation in ICE Barcelona 2026 and its comprehensive solutions for casino operators, visit winsysgroup.com.
The post Win Systems Showcases Cutting-Edge WIGOS Casino Management System Upgrades at ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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