Latest News

YGAM’s Student Hub website receives NUS endorsement as universities return

Published

6 years ago

October 2, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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.

BetMGM

BetMGM lands first-to-market exclusivity for new AGS Rakin’ Bacon! slots

Published

4 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

betmgm-lands-first-to-market-exclusivity-for-new-ags-rakin’-bacon!-slots

Three-game rollout starts April 20 on BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino, with launches set for May 12 and July 2.

BetMGM has secured exclusive first-to-market rights to upcoming online slot titles from AGS’ Rakin’ Bacon!® franchise, with releases set to roll out across BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino, the company said April 20.

The first title, Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink Soda Fountain Fortunes, is available now. Two additional games are scheduled: Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink San Shen Zhu on May 12 and Rakin’ Bacon! Fu Zhu Bao Bao on July 2.

“The Rakin’ Bacon! franchise is a proven mainstay on casino floors and online,” said Oliver Bartlett, Senior Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM. “Securing first-to-market rights is a natural extension of the strong relationship we’ve built with top-tier game suppliers like AGS. As a premier online casino destination, it is our commitment to offer players first access to the most anticipated titles.”

BetMGM said Rakin’ Bacon! games have been among its top-performing content, noting that two slot titles from the franchise placed among the platform’s top 15 iGaming offerings in 2025.

Zoe Ebling, Vice President of Interactive at AGS, said, “AGS is focused on bringing the energy of land-based favorites into the digital world in ways that drive real engagement. Our continued partnership with BetMGM and bringing even more Rakin’ Bacon! titles online cements AGS’ commitment to offering standout gaming experiences to players across both platforms.”

More data as follows:

BetMGM newsroom (original release): https://casino.betmgm.com/en/blog/press/ Primary source for the announcement and any follow-up details.
AGS newsroom: https://newsroom.playags.com/ Company source for product and partnership updates on AGS’ interactive content.
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement: https://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/ Regulatory context for online casino operations referenced in Jersey City, NJ.

The post BetMGM lands first-to-market exclusivity for new AGS Rakin’ Bacon! slots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

asia-pacific

PokerOrg named official media partner of Asian Poker Tour

Published

4 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

pokerorg-named-official-media-partner-of-asian-poker-tour

Exclusive global deal covers APT Taipei, Incheon, Jeju and the APT Championship in Taipei through the rest of 2026.

PokerOrg has been appointed the Official Media Partner of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) under an exclusive global partnership announced April 20, 2026 in Douglas, Isle of Man.

The agreement makes PokerOrg APT’s global storytelling and audience development partner for the tour’s remaining 2026 stops: APT Taipei (April/May), APT Incheon (August), APT Jeju (September/October), and the APT Championship (November), which will again be held in Taipei.

APT said it has been the fastest growing poker tour in the world since the “APT New Era” began in 2023. The company also pointed to the debut APT Championship, which it said generated more than $34 million in prize money.

“APT has been one of the most important stories in poker for several years, but much of the global audience hasn’t experienced it yet,” said Eric Hollreiser, CEO of PokerOrg parent company Triple Barrel Media. “This partnership changes that, not by reporting on APT from the outside, but by bringing players inside it and making it matter to a global audience.”

“PokerOrg is the gold standard in poker media, so bringing them on as our Official Media Partner is a natural fit. Their values around integrity and how they approach the game are fully aligned with APT.” said Fred Leung, CEO of the Asian Poker Tour.

PokerOrg said its coverage will include creator-led content, social-first formats and integrated event reporting across its platforms. The company also plans to launch a dedicated APT hub on Poker.org and extend its Pick 3 fan format to the APT Championship, with winners receiving a package to an APT event in 2027.

Relevant data as follows:

Asian Poker Tour (APT): https://theasianpokertour.com/ Official tour site to verify schedule, destinations and announcements referenced in the partnership.
PokerOrg: https://www.poker.org/ Official PokerOrg site for details on coverage formats, the APT hub and Pick 3 product references.
Triple Barrel Media: https://triplebarrelmedia.com/ Parent company site for corporate context around PokerOrg and executive attribution.

The post PokerOrg named official media partner of Asian Poker Tour appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

BetMGM Secures Exclusive First-To-Market Rights For Upcoming AGS Rakin’ Bacon! Titles

Published

4 hours ago

April 20, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

betmgm-secures-exclusive-first-to-market-rights-for-upcoming-ags-rakin’-bacon!-titles

BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, announced a continuing partnership with AGS, a leading supplier of high-performing slot, table, and online gaming products, to debut new titles from the Rakin’ Bacon!® franchise. BetMGM will have a period of exclusivity for the new games, available at BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino.

Upcoming release schedule:

Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink Soda Fountain Fortunes – Available Now
Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink San Shen Zhu – Available May 12
Rakin’ Bacon! Fu Zhu Bao Bao – Available July 2

“The Rakin’ Bacon! franchise is a proven mainstay on casino floors and online,” said Oliver Bartlett, Senior Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM. “Securing first-to-market rights is a natural extension of the strong relationship we’ve built with top-tier game suppliers like AGS. As a premier online casino destination, it is our commitment to offer players first access to the most anticipated titles.”

Led by Cornsquealius, the recognizable golden piggy bank character, Rakin’ Bacon! games have consistently ranked among BetMGM’s top performers, with two slot titles from the franchise placing among the platform’s top 15 iGaming offerings in 2025. What began with a traditional pot-collection bonus and five-of-a-kind pays has grown into a suite of styles and features that reflect both player trends and the brand’s creative evolution.

Zoe Ebling, Vice President of Interactive at AGS, said, “AGS is focused on bringing the energy of land-based favorites into the digital world in ways that drive real engagement. Our continued partnership with BetMGM and bringing even more Rakin’ Bacon! titles online cements AGS’ commitment to offering standout gaming experiences to players across both platforms.”

BetMGM’s award-winning online casino is home to over 7,000 titles across North American markets and one of the largest state-by-state exclusive progressive jackpot networks. BetMGM’s jackpot network currently consists of over 25 games including titles such as MGM Grand Millions, Bison Fury, and 15 Lanterns. Players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits by playing at BetMGM Casino. BetMGM Rewards points can be redeemed for digital bonuses, MGM Rewards Points, and Marriott Bonvoy Points.

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gambling remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

For more information on BetMGM, follow @BetMGM on X.
For more information on AGS, visit newsroom.playags.com.

The post BetMGM Secures Exclusive First-To-Market Rights For Upcoming AGS Rakin’ Bacon! Titles appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.