Latest News
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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Con Raso CEO of Tuned Global
Realize Music: Sing Launches on Meta Quest With Broad Catalog From Universal, Warner, Sony and Beggars, Delivered by Tuned Global’s Music Technology
Groundbreaking singing game for wellness and creativity expands beyond VR with a PC Gaming release planned for 2026, with the support of Tuned Global’s backend music platform enabling scalable catalogue delivery and lyric integration.
Realize Music, in collaboration with leading music and media technology platform Tuned Global, announces the launch of Realize Music: Sing, now available on the Meta Quest Store. Co-founded by veteran publisher Mike Wilson, best known as the co-founder of Devolver Digital and Gathering of Developers, the company is positioning Sing as Wilson’s final major venture in the gaming industry; a project that bridges music, wellness, and play across both VR and traditional platforms. Known for championing creativity and emotional depth in gaming, Wilson’s work has consistently challenged the boundaries of what interactive experiences can express.
To support this vision, Realize Music recently selected Tuned Global to power the music backend that enables Sing’s extensive licensed catalogue across platforms.
Launching first on Meta Quest, with plans to expand to additional platforms later in 2026, Sing marks one of the largest music collaborations ever seen in gaming. At release, the app features over one million of the most iconic popular songs officially licensed from Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Beggars Group, covering an unparalleled range of genres and decades, with new songs to be added regularly. It transforms singing into a hands-on, interactive experience where players can explore, express, and unwind through sound.
Announcing the launch on Meta Quest, Realize Music: Sing also marks the start of its next phase. A Steam PC gaming version and additional platforms are planned for 2026, expanding Sing beyond virtual reality and into new spaces for interactive music and wellness.
“We’ve always believed that games can help people feel better, not just entertained,” said Meta Quest, Realize Music: Sing Co-Founder, Mike Wilson. “Sing is about rediscovering joy without judgment or pressure, through the simple act of raising your own voice and watching the world respond. It’s the kind of project I’ve always hoped to finish my career on, and I hope it inspires other creators to focus their energies on beneficial media.”
“Realize Music: Sing is a breakthrough moment for music-driven wellbeing,” said Con Raso, CEO of Tuned Global. “We’re proud to support the Realize Music team with innovative music technology that empowers their vision and brings it to life in such an exciting way. From licensed catalogue delivery to lyrics and reporting, Sing shows what becomes possible when creativity, wellness, and responsible music innovation come together.”
Players can preview songs for free, purchase individual tracks or albums à la carte, or subscribe for unlimited access. Subscriptions launch at an introductory price of $9.99 per month for the first two months, before moving to $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year.
Realize Music: Sing is available now on the Meta Quest Store.
The post Realize Music: Sing Launches on Meta Quest With Broad Catalog From Universal, Warner, Sony and Beggars, Delivered by Tuned Global’s Music Technology appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Hub88
Hub88 strikes Playzia deal to deliver branded content and proprietary mechanics
Popular TV-based IPs such as Love Island
: Love in a Spin and the other iconic themes made available via aggregator’s platform
Hub88 has boosted its award-winning aggregation platform by entering a strategic agreement with online casino content provider Playzia.
Playzia’s popular games, including Love Island
: Love in a Spin – released under licence from ITV Studios – as well as Tale of the Red Dragon, Crazy Chilli Party, The Great Fishing Adventure, Billionaire Wolf and Sweet Candy Fortune, are now available to Hub88’s licensed global operator network.
The agreement brings Playzia’s titles to Hub88’s platform, spanning slots, instant win content and crash and table games, with a focus on regulated market compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Additionally, Playzia’s proprietary Cubicways
mechanic offers players dynamic rotating reel configurations that reveal new progression paths and gameplay environments, a trademarked feature in titles such as Knights 2: The Dragon Cubicways
.
The deal further reinforces Hub88’s commitment to offering diverse gaming content from studios that successfully blend entertainment and iGaming, while sharing their regulated-first approach.
Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “Playzia has built an impressive portfolio that balances innovation with broad player appeal. Their Cubicways
mechanic brings something different to the market, while their branded titles create compelling experiences that attract new player segments.
“As operators look to differentiate their content offering and engage new demographics, partnerships like this become increasingly important.”
Joe Caetano, Commercial Director at Playzia, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Hub88, a platform that shares our commitment to seamless integration and delivering engaging gaming experiences.
“This collaboration enables us to reach new regulated markets and connect with operators looking for vibrant, high-quality content that resonates with diverse player audiences.”
The post Hub88 strikes Playzia deal to deliver branded content and proprietary mechanics appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Betandyou
Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards
Despite the cold winter, the iGaming industry is entering its hottest season — awards season. This is the time when international experts evaluate the most innovative products, technologies, and services, highlighting the companies that set the standards for the year ahead. This season, Betandyou is kicking off with a strong start, making it onto the shortlist of several prestigious international awards.
Betandyou has been named a finalist at the European iGaming Awards in the category Sports Betting Platform of the Year, which recognizes brands delivering exceptional innovation, operational excellence, and user experience. At the same time, the brand has been shortlisted in the same category at the International Gaming Awards, one of the most influential global iGaming awards, where judging focuses on technology, UX, responsible gaming, and platform reliability.
Additionally, Betandyou has made it to the finals of the LCB Awards, earning recognition in three separate categories. This award is particularly meaningful because it combines expert evaluation with feedback from the real user community, reflecting both industry acknowledgment and players’ trust.
The Betandyou team commented on these nominations:
“This is an important milestone for us and a sign that our approach to product and service resonates with both the professional community and our users. We are grateful to the experts, partners, and players for their trust. Being shortlisted is already an achievement, and the wins are just the next step.”.
The team would like to thank partners, industry experts, and users for their support and high evaluation of the project. Awards season is just beginning, but Betandyou is already gaining international recognition as a strong player in the sports betting market.
Betandyou is a next-generation sports betting platform offering a seamless and secure experience for players worldwide. With a focus on innovation, fast payouts, and user-friendly design, Betandyou continues to set new standards for the online betting industry.
The post Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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