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Children’s sports to defeat pandemic: 2020 Football for Friendship Forum presents most successful projects to support children’s football
Over 25 successful projects to adapt children’s football to the 2020 pandemic were presented during the Eighth International Forum, which was held on November 30 – December 3 as part of the Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship.
The International Football for Friendship Forum was held for the 8th year in a row, for the first time in the online format. The Forum is a unique platform for exchanging views on the development of children’s football in various countries around the world. At the Forum, coaches, athletes, public figures, and heads of sports organisations identify the best practices for supporting children’s sports and discuss the most effective ways to promote the key values of Football for Friendship in the world. The best practices are published with open access and become the basis for the free courses of the Football for Friendship Coaches Academy.
“Football is a social game that teaches important values. These include respect, honesty, fairness and devotion to a set task”, pointed out Frank Ludolph, UEFA Head of Football Education Services, Head of the Expert Council of the 2020 International Football for Friendship Award. “The idea behind Football for Friendship is to promote innovation in online learning, emphasize the social role of football and promote local community building to inspire more children around the world”.
In 2020, projects include successful application of organising online classes using video communication services, messengers, and social media. The SLSFA Sri Lanka Schools Football Association and the Sri Lanka Ministry of Education presented an online concept of competitions and contests for children of all age groups. The Brazilian Football Confederation launched several social projects, including those aimed at training goalkeepers, providing social services, and supporting a highly active lifestyle during the pandemic-related period of self-isolation. In total, over 100 football academies and federations submitted applications to participate in the Football for Friendship Forum. Projects were presented in the following nominations:
- Changing the World: Educational Activities
- Stadium Is Where I Am: Improving Football Skills
- Earth is a Ball: Providing Football to Everyone
- Driving the Planet: Building Football Community
All the projects were evaluated by the International Expert Council, which included world experts in the field of football education: Frank Ludolph, Germany, UEFA Head of Football Education Services, Head of the Expert Council of the 2020 International Football for Friendship Award; Pablo Cesar Torres, Uruguay, President of Youth Football and Scouting at Club Atlético Peñarol, Mike Puig, Spain, CEO of the Soccer Barcelona Youth Academy; and three Football for Friendship Young Ambassadors: Ananya Kamboj, India, Mohammad Yusuf Moazzam, Pakistan, and Sheqayli Ascencion, Aruba.
For the first time in the history of the world football movement, children assessed “adult” projects on equal terms.
“All the projects followed the values of Football for Friendship. And each of them has benefited children in uncertain conditions due to the coronavirus pandemic”, noted 15-year-old football player Yusuf Moazzam, a member of the jury, Young Ambassador from Pakistan. “Judging several projects at the international level was amazing, I really enjoyed it!”
All the projects presented at the International Football for Friendship Forum are open to the public on the programme’s official website https://footballforfriendship.com/experts-forum/. Those who initiated the projects hope that the best practices will be replicated in different countries, benefiting as many children around the world as possible.
On December 9, during the live broadcast of the 2020 Football for Friendship Season final, the best projects in the four nominations will be announced and given the Football for Friendship Award.
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Arizona Department of Gaming
Arizona Department of Gaming Concludes Legislative Session with Approved Agency Continuation and Enhanced Spending Authority for Problem Gambling
Department is continued for six years to regulate an extensive portfolio: tribal gaming, event wagering and fantasy sports, horse racing and simulcast wagering, and boxing and mixed martial arts
State budget includes a 20 percent increase in problem gambling treatment and prevention appropriations
The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) announced today that with Governor Hobbs’ signature on Senate Bill 1671, the Department has received continuation approval by the Arizona State Legislature, which periodically reviews state agencies for performance and authority. Additionally, through Senate Bill 1847 and the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, the Department’s Division of Problem Gambling received expanded expenditure authority, enabling additional investments in problem gambling prevention, education, treatment, and recovery services across Arizona.
“Arizona first established the Department of Gaming in 1995 – and more than thirty years later, we remain excited about world-class regulation benefiting the entire state,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “I’m grateful to Governor Hobbs and leaders in the state legislature, particularly continuation bill sponsor State Senator Shawnna Bolick, who thoroughly reviewed our agency with a deep commitment to public service, and I am pleased that the Department secured its continuation, which will allow us to strengthen our focus points in robust consumer protection and integrity.”
The Department, the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission, and the Arizona Racing Commission are continued by the legislature for six years, per the enactment of Senate Bill 1671, sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick, in the 2026 legislative session that adjourned on June 12, 2026. This continuation affirms the Department’s and both Commissions’ authority to carry out the roles and responsibilities delegated by the legislature.
The Department’s Division of Problem Gambling marked the legislative session with the passage of a new state budget that grants $4,000,000 in total authorized spending for the Division. The $4,000,000 authority represents a 20 percent increase from the FY26 budget. Additionally, the legislature granted an annual $500,000 expenditure authority for the agency to use Event Wagering funds to support problem gambling. Finally, the Division will have grant oversight authority for the first time– allowing the Division to expand programs to assist those in need.
“The new state budget will strengthen longstanding investments in problem gambling assistance made possible through partnerships with Arizona’s Tribal Nations and the Arizona Lottery,” said Elise Mikkelsen. “We continue to see strong demand from individuals and families seeking information, resources, and treatment for gambling-related harm. This increased funding will help us expand the continuum of care and ensure more Arizonans have access to effective, inclusive, and timely support.”
In addition to supporting the Division in state-wide access to problem gambling prevention and treatment, the Department is actively engaged in responsible gaming and safer play initiatives. Now in its first year of the campaign, the Department’s Take Back the Game initiative in partnership with the Arizona Media Association is raising awareness of gambling self-exclusion options available through the agency. The campaign, which runs in English and Spanish across Arizona media outlets, lets viewers know that if gambling is no longer fun, they can Take Back the Game and self-exclude from Arizona casinos, sportsbooks, and fantasy sports operators. Also in 2026, the Department’s Too Young to Bet campaign emphasizes the risks associated with youth gambling.
To learn more about the Arizona Department of Gaming, visit gaming.az.gov. To learn more about problem gambling prevention and treatment, visit problemgambling.az.gov.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming Concludes Legislative Session with Approved Agency Continuation and Enhanced Spending Authority for Problem Gambling appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Alchemy of Passion
WinSpirit Launches Alchemy of Passion: A Birthday Campaign Combining Gamification, Rewards, and Player Engagement
This summer, WinSpirit celebrates its birthday with Alchemy of Passion, a large-scale promotional campaign designed to create deeper player engagement through gamification, storytelling, and immersive rewards.
Built around the concept of discovering the legendary Elixir of Passion, the campaign transforms traditional promotional mechanics into an interactive journey. Players are invited to collect ingredients, complete quests, unlock rewards, and explore new experiences — turning every spin and action into part of a larger adventure.
Throughout the campaign, players can access multiple engagement features, including the Gift Portal, Gift Shop, Mystery Elixirs, quests, tournaments, and exclusive bonuses created specifically for the celebration.
From a product perspective, Alchemy of Passion highlights WinSpirit’s approach to developing creative promotional solutions that help operators increase player interaction, strengthen loyalty, and deliver memorable brand experiences. By combining narrative-driven mechanics with rewarding gameplay elements, the campaign provides partners with a flexible engagement tool designed to support retention and long-term player relationships.
The campaign also reflects WinSpirit’s continued investment in innovation, exploring new ways to connect entertainment, technology, and player-focused experiences within the iGaming ecosystem.
This birthday celebration is WinSpirit’s way of thanking the community that continues to shape the brand. Instead of simply marking another milestone, the company is creating new opportunities for players to interact, discover rewards, and celebrate together.
While Alchemy of Passion is already live, another major experience is being prepared behind the scenes. Soon, players and partners will get their first look at Euphoria Lab — a brand-new concept designed to bring an entirely new level of engagement.
The celebration has begun. The formula continues to evolve, and the next chapter is about to unfold.
The post WinSpirit Launches Alchemy of Passion: A Birthday Campaign Combining Gamification, Rewards, and Player Engagement appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
SpringbokCasino.co.za has launched a July promotion offering players 25 free spins on SpinLogic slot title Seahorse Surge, using coupon code MINIONS. The operator said the offer is valid throughout July on its South Africa-facing site.
The campaign is positioned around a “Minions in the Wild – Nature’s Greatest Helpers” theme, timed to coincide with the release window of a new Minions film. SpringbokCasino’s creative frames the promotion through five animal “archetypes” — meerkats, hyenas, dassies, warthogs and elephants — as analogies for different styles of play.
“Every ecosystem needs its helpers, and every winning session needs the right mix of patience, timing, and a little bit of glorious chaos,” said Daniel Van Wyke, Casino Manager at SpringbokCasino. “This July, we celebrate South Africa’s wildest ‘Minions’—and give our players 25 free spins to cause some fun trouble of their own.”
SpringbokCasino described Seahorse Surge as featuring “cascading wins and rising multipliers.”
The press release also links to a video version of the story hosted at https://lyceum.video/casinonews/260701/260701.mp4.
The post SpringbokCasino ties July free spins to ‘Minions in the Wild’ campaign appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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