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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Latest News
GGPoker Announces Ocean Rewards – A New Industry-Leading Loyalty Program Launching January 30
GGPoker players to earn up to 80% cashback
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of Ocean Rewards, a brand-new player loyalty program set to premiere on January 30, 2026. Ocean Rewards will replace the existing Fish Buffet program, ushering in a new era of rewards with a focus on simplicity, long-term stability, and significantly higher value for players.
Designed to be the most rewarding loyalty scheme in the online poker industry, Ocean Rewards offers players the chance to earn up to 80% cashback, a substantial increase from the previous 60% cap. The new program is built to streamline the player experience, moving away from complex short-term goals to a model that rewards consistent play over the long term.
Key Benefits of Ocean Rewards
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Higher Cashback: Players can now receive up to 80% cashback, with improved rates available across all tiers
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Guaranteed Yearly Status: Unlike the previous program, which focused on shorter timeframes, Ocean Rewards allows players to lock in their tier status until the end of the following year, providing greater peace of mind and stability
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Simplified Earning: Players earn Tide Points and Gems through play. As players reach higher tiers – ranging from Fish to Shark – the rate at which Gems are earned increases, following the simple motto: “Collect more, Earn more”
Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker, commented on the upcoming launch: “With Ocean Rewards, we are taking our commitment to players to the next level. We wanted to move away from the short-term grind and create a program that truly honors loyalty with long-term security. By offering guaranteed yearly status and raising the cashback ceiling to an industry-leading 80%, we ensure that every player – whether a casual enthusiast or a dedicated professional – gets more value than ever before. This is the evolution of rewards our community deserves.”
Transition for Existing Players
The transition on January 30 will be automatic. Players do not need to take any action to opt in. Existing Fish Buffet rewards will be automatically cashed out to player balances, and accounts will be instantly upgraded to their new Ocean Rewards tier.
To learn more about Ocean Rewards, please visit: ggpoker.com/monthly-rewards/ocean-rewards/
The post GGPoker Announces Ocean Rewards – A New Industry-Leading Loyalty Program Launching January 30 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling in the USA
MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive from Galaxy Gaming debuts at the Plaza Hotel & Casino
MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive brings the beloved classic to life in the casino pit, transforming every round into a dynamic and rewarding experience. Mr. Monopoly is the star of the show, randomly selecting hands and providing exciting multipliers up to 10x, keeping players engaged and on the edge of their seats.
Details
Designed to deliver high energy and volatility without compromising house edge, the MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive is unlike anything the industry has seen. With nostalgic animations and familiar visuals, this theme adds a fresh layer of excitement to the table—and best of all, it’s compatible with nearly any Galaxy Gaming progressive.
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The post MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive from Galaxy Gaming debuts at the Plaza Hotel & Casino appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Latest News
Welsh great-grandfather wins £291,000 with The Pools
Liverpool fan Peter celebrating bumper payout thanks to Man Utd’s late 4-4 draw with Bournemouth
A Welsh great-grandfather is celebrating a life-changing £291,000 win with The Pools, after selecting eight score draws, including Manchester United’s 4-4 Premier League December classic with Bournemouth.
Peter, 77 from Pontypridd, has played The Pools for over 40 years and enjoyed a magical Christmas and New Year to remember after securing the lucrative jackpot via his Classic Pools selections last month.
Seven correct selections from a rollercoaster weekend of European football in December saw Peter go into the Monday evening fixture at Old Trafford needing a score draw to land a life-changing sum. A topsy-turvy affair saw eight goals scored, including Eli Junior Kroupi’s 84th-minute equaliser, which brought home the eight-fold coupon.
Peter’s win was the biggest on Classic Pools since September 2024 when a lucky player took home £318,292.
Peter said: “I had selected the eight fixtures, but wasn’t watching the Manchester United game – it wasn’t until I received the phone call the next morning that I realised I’d won! I was shocked, happy, crying – all those emotions at once!
“I’m actually a Liverpool fan, so it’s fair to say we had a good 2025 – lifting the Premier League trophy and then winning on The Pools the week before Christmas. There was certainly plenty of celebrating across the festive period!
“This would be special at any time of year, but especially around Christmas and New Year, it was amazing, it couldn’t be better.”

‘This money means security and happiness for my family’
Peter was diagnosed with a rare spinal disability around 20 years ago, meaning most of his time is spent at his home in South Wales. But having always looked forward to playing The Pools each week, his win now offers his family a bright future.
He added: “The Pools has always been a hobby for me and I look forward to playing every weekend. I was diagnosed with syringomyelia in my 50s, a neurological disorder of the spine, so spend most of my time at home.
“I haven’t been able to travel for a long time, we haven’t been on holiday for a number of years, but I’m hoping we can maybe now book a trip to Spain with all the family.
“I’ve won small amounts with The Pools before, but nothing quite like this! It’s an amazing amount of money for my wife Janet, the children, the grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren too.
“We live in a house, but we can now hope to move into a bungalow, all on one floor, which will help me a lot. This money means happiness and security for my family, which will allow us to plan for the future.”
James Arnold, CEO of The Pools, said: “We’re all about celebrating all wins at The Pools, both big and small, but it’s fair to say one of our customers in Wales pulled off quite the coup with this Classic Pools selection last month.
“Landing eight correct score draws, ending in Manchester United’s memorable 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, has given Peter a life-changing sum, and we’re delighted to see the positive impact the winnings can have both for Peter, his wife Janet and all his family.
“Peter has played with The Pools for more than 40 years, so to see his success one week before Christmas, the same year his beloved Liverpool won the Premier League… it’s fair to say you couldn’t write the script for this one!”
Peter’s winning coupon
Saturday 13th December
- Telstar v NEC – 2-2
- Waregem v RAAL La Louviere – 2-2
Sunday 14th December
- AC Milan v Sassuolo – 2-2
- Bayern Munich v Mainz – 2-2
- Freiburg v Borussia Dortmund – 1-1
- NAC Breda v Utrecht – 1-1
- Genk v Westerlo – 1-1
Monday 15th December
- Man Utd v Bournemouth – 4-4
The post Welsh great-grandfather wins £291,000 with The Pools appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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