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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Golf
Soft2Bet Gathering: An Elite Golf & Padel Experience
Soft2Bet, a leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider, recently brought together industry connections for an exclusive two-day golf and padel experience at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland. The event brought Soft2Bet’s friends and connections together to enjoy a relaxed day of golf and padel, meaningful conversations, and shared moments in an inspiring setting, celebrating the spirit of connection and community that defines the company’s approach.
Set against the backdrop of one of Scotland’s best-known sporting estates, the day paired competitive play with the camaraderie and shared spirit that are such a valued part of the game. Attendees enjoyed access to Gleneagles’ most exclusive Ryder Cup & Solheim courses, where the relaxed setting encouraged genuine connection and reflected the supportive atmosphere that made the gathering especially memorable.
Gleneagles was a fitting venue for the occasion. With more than a century of golfing history, three championship courses and a reputation built on world-class hospitality, it remains one of Scotland’s standout golf destinations. Its PGA Centenary Course hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup and the 2019 Solheim Cup, making Gleneagles the only golfing destination in Europe to have staged both events.
The event reflects Soft2Bet’s belief that strong connections are built through shared goals, trust and collaboration. Creating space for in-person connection allows the company to deepen those relationships and support long-term success.
Harrison Barrett, VP of Business Development at Soft2Bet, commented: “Bringing the industry together in a setting like Gleneagles allows us to go beyond day-to-day operations and focus on what truly drives success, while playing golf and padel. Events like this are an opportunity to align on vision, exchange ideas and celebrate the momentum.”
Stuart Trigwell, Director of Business Development at Play’n GO said: “The time spent at Gleneagles, enjoying the incredible courses and engaging in genuine, strategic conversations, was an absolute highlight. It is events like these that reinforce the trust and collaborative spirit at the core of our relations.”
The gathering reflects Soft2Bet’s wider approach to the iGaming community engagement, creating opportunities for stronger collaboration and supporting growth across key markets.
The post Soft2Bet Gathering: An Elite Golf & Padel Experience appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Booming Games
Booming Games releases Ultra Buffalo Hold and Win
Booming Games, a leading provider of premium gaming content, has launched Ultra Buffalo Hold and Win, an electrifying new slot that brings the energy of the plains straight to the reels. Featuring a classic 5×3 grid with 20 fixed paylines, the game offers a maximum win potential of 5,000x. Set against a striking desert backdrop, players encounter iconic wildlife symbols, including buffalo, eagles, and wolves.
The slot delivers a high-stakes experience with a suite of thrilling bonus features. Landing three Bonus symbols on reels one, three, and five triggers the Buffalo Bonus Wheel, offering Grand, Major, Minor, and Mini prize pots, as well as the enhanced Ultra Mode, which adds two extra rows to the grid.
Randomly, the Wild Buffalo Herd feature may activate to transform symbols into wilds and upgrade existing wilds to Wild x2, ratcheting up the excitement. Meanwhile, landing five or more coins triggers the Ultra Hold and Win feature, expanding the grid to 5×8 and raising the potential for massive payouts. Players who fill the extended grid capture the Grand Prize Pot, worth 2,000x their bet.
The intensity ramps up further with the Ultra Reel, unlocked by stacking a full 1×8 reel during Ultra Hold and Win. This dramatic addition multiplies or adds coin values to the rows below, pushing the game’s payout potential to a staggering 5,000x.
April will see Booming Games continue its high-octane release schedule with six new titles, including Fly On! and Fish Tales Monster Bass 10,000, boasting innovative features and maximum wins of 5,000x and 10,000x, respectively. These releases reinforce the studio’s focus on high-quality, high-volatility experiences designed for thrill-seeking players.
Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said:
“Ultra Hold and Win is an exciting evolution of our classic Hold and Win mechanic. Every spin holds the promise of big rewards, and with features like the Ultra Reel and Buffalo Bonus Wheel, we’ve created a modern, pulse-pounding experience that players are going to love. Step into the herd and feel the charge!”
The post Booming Games releases Ultra Buffalo Hold and Win appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
R. Franco Digital to showcase next-generation solutions at SiGMA South America 2026
R. Franco Digital, the Spanish iGaming provider, is set to exhibit at the SiGMA South America 2026, following a landmark year of commercial expansion.
The company will return to São Paulo from April 6-9 to present its latest suite of highly engaging games and services, tailored specifically for the evolving Latin American landscape.
R. Franco Digital enters this year’s exhibition having solidified its market presence across Portugal, Italy, and Peru, and is focused on leveraging that international expertise to support operators within Brazil’s maturing regulated framework.
Central to the showcase at Booth P105 will be the provider’s most popular games, including recent standouts such as Strange Spins, Genie Triple Bonanza, Diamond King Gorilla, Luxury Blast, Zorro: Final Duel and The Phantom.
These titles are designed to deliver localised, highly engaging player experiences, setting new standards for content in regulated and emerging markets.
In addition, R. Franco Digital will highlight the latest evolution of its IRIS platform. As a comprehensive, GLI-certified solution for casino, sports betting, and retail operators, IRIS is certified in key markets including Portugal, Spain, Colombia and Puerto Rico.
Javier Sacristán Franco, International Business Director of R. Franco Digital, said: “Brazil continues to be a primary focus for our global strategy, and SiGMA South America is the perfect stage to showcase how our games and technology can drive operational success. Our content portfolio and IRIS platform have evolved to meet the specific demands of players across the LatAm region.”
The post R. Franco Digital to showcase next-generation solutions at SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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