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PAPYRUS & YGAM unite in their missions to keep young people safe

Published

5 years ago

December 11, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As UK Charity Week (7-13 December) draws to a close, the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) is celebrating a unique partnership with suicide-prevention charity PAPYRUS, coming together to raise awareness of the harms affecting young people.

Both charities use educational workshops to help young people understand the potential risks and prevent future generations experiencing harm. YGAM specialise in gaming and gambling-related harm prevention whilst PAPYRUS’s mission is to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by shattering the stigma around suicide.

As well as aligning their missions to safeguard future generations, the two charities also have another poignant link. PAPYRUS was founded in 1997 by a mother, Jean Kerr, from Lancashire following the loss of her son to suicide. YGAM was founded by Anne Evans in response to her own son Alan tragically taking his own life following a long battle with a gambling addiction. These sad stories are at the heart of everything both charities do, and their foundations form a powerful social purpose informed by lived experience.

Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of PAPYRUS, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with YGAM and are looking at ways in which we can come together to support young people. We hear from young people every day on our helpline HOPELINEUK who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. Whilst there is never one sole reason that may lead a young person think suicide is an option, we know that gaming and gambling can be a contributory factor for some.”

“By working in partnership with YGAM we are able to better understand how gaming and gambling can impact on a young person’s mental health and offer the appropriate support. We know that this partnership will help to save lives.”

The team at YGAM have now received SP-ARK training from PAPYRUS. This enabled YGAM to reflect on their personal and organisational approach to discussing and reducing the stigma surrounding suicide in day-to-day life. It also highlighted and reaffirmed the importance of self-care, a key message that is included within YGAM’s own training where they seek to inform, educate, and safeguard young and vulnerable people.

Members of the PAPYRUS team has also undergone YGAM’s free training which covers information on gaming and gambling and provide the tools needed to protect people from the risks of gambling and gaming-related harm, including lesson plans, activities, signs to look out for and information on where to go for advice and support. All training sessions have been assured by City & Guilds and the resources have been approved by the PHSE Association.

Sandy Thompson, the YGAM Education Manager for Greater London, said: “It was fantastic to train more of our colleagues from PAPYRUS, working together to continue our shared commitment to improve young lives by increasing awareness around these crucial issues.”

She continued: “PAPYRUS provide vital support to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, whilst also engaging and building awareness in communities, and training organisations and groups. Working together in partnership is a crucial step in highlighting these important areas and continuing to provide the support and information that our young people desperately need.”

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK. Every year many thousands more attempt or contemplate suicide, harm themselves or suffer alone, afraid to speak openly about how they are feeling. PAPYRUS believes that many young suicides are preventable, and today the charity engages communities and volunteers in suicide prevention projects and delivers training programmes to individuals and groups.

UK Charity Week is a campaign designed to give the people of the United Kingdom an opportunity to place awareness and fundraising for charities high on the national agenda.

Ani Kobaldze

REEVO Announces New Partnership with Esoterica Games

Published

15 minutes ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

reevo-announces-new-partnership-with-esoterica-games

REEVO has announced a new partnership with Esoterica Games, a fast-growing provider of innovative casino content. This collaboration further strengthens REEVO’s aggregation ecosystem, expanding its offering with a diverse portfolio that includes slots, crash games, player-to-player experiences and instant games.

Through this partnership, Esoterica Games’ portfolio is now available on the REEVO aggregation platform, giving operators seamless access to a wide range of creative and flexible gaming experiences through a single integration. The addition of Esoterica Games reinforces REEVO’s commitment to building a platform that delivers both variety and performance across multiple player segments.

For REEVO, this partnership reflects its continued focus on expanding its aggregation platform with forward-thinking studios that bring creativity and innovation to the ecosystem.

Daniel Cuc, Head of Account Management at REEVO, said: “Partnering with Esoterica Games is an exciting step forward for REEVO as we continue to expand our aggregation platform with innovative and diverse content. Their ability to deliver multiple game formats, from slots to crash and P2P experiences, adds real depth to our ecosystem. At REEVO, we focus on giving operators access to content that stands out and performs, and this partnership strengthens our ability to deliver engaging and flexible experiences across different markets.”

Ani Kobaldze, Account Manager at Esoterica Games, said: “We are excited to partner with REEVO and bring our portfolio of innovative games to an even wider audience. This partnership represents an important step in expanding our global reach and delivering high-quality gaming experiences to more operators and players worldwide. By combining our unique portfolio with REEVO’s strong distribution network and commitment to quality, we look forward to creating even greater value for operators and players alike.”

The post REEVO Announces New Partnership with Esoterica Games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Betway

Betway Signs Real Madrid Legend Guti as Brand Ambassador

Published

15 minutes ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

Betway officially signed Real Madrid legend Jose María Gutiérrez ‘Guti’ as a new brand ambassador for their Spanish market operations.

A true Spanish football legend, Guti came through the Real Madrid youth academy before making his first-team debut in a 4-1 win over Sevilla at The Bernabéu in December 1995. He went on to represent ‘Los Blancos’ 542 times between 1995 & 2010, scoring 77 goals and helping the club to 15 major trophies. He received his first cap for Spain in May 1999 and went on to represent his country on 13 occasions between 1999 and 2005.

Guti left his beloved Real Madrid in 2010, playing one final season for Turkish side Besiktas, before hanging up his boots in 2012. Post-retirement, coaching positions at Real Madrid and Besiktas led to his appointment as manager of Segunda side Almeria in 2019. Since leaving the club the following year, he has gone on to work in TV punditry, becoming a highly respected figure within the Spanish football media.

“Guti joins Betway as one of the greatest legends in Real Madrid’s recent history. He represents loyalty to the colours, excellence, and the purest talent in world football, making him the perfect ambassador for Betway in Spain,” Ignacio Alonso, Marketing Manager for Betway Spain, said.

“I’m excited to join Betway Spain as an ambassador. My time in elite football showed me that quality and commitment are inseparable; today, I’m proud to represent those values with a market leader and share this path with all of you,” Guti said.

The post Betway Signs Real Madrid Legend Guti as Brand Ambassador appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

KSA Tightens Gambling Ad and Betting Rules Ahead of FIFA World Cup

Published

15 minutes ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

ksa-tightens-gambling-ad-and-betting-rules-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup

The Dutch Gaming Authority is intensifying its supervision of advertising and sports betting during the World Cup this summer. Prior to the World Cup, Dutch license holders were specifically reminded by letter of the applicable rules regarding advertising and betting offers.

In the letter, the KSA points out, among other things, the ban on untargeted advertising and sports sponsorship. The KSA also reminds providers that not all types of online betting are permitted in the Netherlands; for example, betting on who receives a yellow card or the first corner kick is not allowed. In the event of violations, the KSA takes immediate enforcement action.

During this period, the KSA is also extra vigilant regarding illegal providers and advertising for illegal offerings: immediate punitive action is being taken in these cases as well. Additionally, during the World Cup, attention is being paid to the risks of sports betting, particularly to raise awareness among young people.

Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the Board of the Gaming Authority, said: “We saw at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championship that gambling increased. This makes it attractive for companies to attract new players during that period. While I understand this, I strongly urge providers to remain mindful of the protection of young adults and other vulnerable groups, and to adhere to the applicable rules. If we observe that this is not happening, we will take immediate action.”

The post KSA Tightens Gambling Ad and Betting Rules Ahead of FIFA World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.