Latest News

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

Published

6 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.

Latest News

Microgaming launches football games StrikerX and SoccerX aimed at acquisition

Published

23 minutes ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Crash and instant win formats target fast onboarding, mobile play and low-friction mechanics, with RTP and max win figures disclosed for SoccerX.

Microgaming has launched two football-themed games, StrikerX and SoccerX, positioning them as “gateway” titles designed to support player acquisition for operators.

The supplier said the releases are built around quick-result gameplay and low-friction entry, with mechanics intended to be easy to pick up. StrikerX is a Crash game, while SoccerX is an Instant Win title, with both designed for fast loading and mobile performance, according to the company.

SoccerX is built around a penalty shootout format where players pick a shot and attempt to beat the keeper while progressing up a prize ladder. Microgaming said the ladder can be cashed out at any point or pushed further. The company lists the game’s RTP at 96.00% and a top win potential of up to 12,500x, and says players can choose their own volatility.

StrikerX allows players to place up to two bets in a single round, using different strategies at the same time, while “dynamic game events” increase the multiplier as play progresses, according to Microgaming. Its Ultimate Shot feature triggers at 100x and introduces bonus multipliers ranging from x1 to x100, with win potential of up to 10,000x.

A Microgaming spokesperson said: “Acquisition is not just about visibility, it is about removing friction. With SoccerX and StrikerX, the aim was to create games that are quick to load, quick to understand and easy to get into, which makes them very effective at opening the door to a wider portfolio. Football gives both titles an immediate hook, but the bigger value is in having formats that can bring in new audiences and still give them a reason to stay.”

The post Microgaming launches football games StrikerX and SoccerX aimed at acquisition appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Conferences

Gaming in Germany Conference sets Nov 10, 2026 date in Berlin, names first speakers

Published

23 minutes ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-in-germany-conference-sets-nov-10,-2026-date-in-berlin,-names-first-speakers

The 2026 Gaming in Germany Conference will take place on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the DoubleTree Hilton Ku’damm in Berlin. The organisers have also announced the first confirmed speakers for the annual regulated iGaming-focused event.

Conference topics will include the ongoing evaluation of the 2021 State Gambling Treaty (GlüStv 2021), the “current & future permissibility of new products” including prediction betting, sweepstakes and eSports betting, and the future of remaining gambling monopolies in Germany and Austria. The programme also flags market re-regulation in Austria and “strategies for countering offshore offerings and to #ReclaimTheMarket for licensed operators.”

Confirmed speakers listed by the organiser include a senior GGL representative, Dr. Damir Boehm (CEO, Tipwin), Dr. Christian Piska (Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Vienna), Dr. Joerg Hofmann (Senior Partner, Melchers Law Firm), Vasiliki Panousi (Regulatory Affairs Senior Manager, Kaizen), Josh Hodgson (COO, H2 Gambling Capital), and Mohamed Messaoudi (Director, Digital Vault Product, Trust & Sign, Docaposte), among others.

Gaming in Germany founder Willem van Oort said: “I am extremely pleased with this year’s speaker lineup. We are undeniably bringing an impressive amount of expertise to the stage – including, of course, a significant amount of business and regulatory experience. Since we will be discussing, among other things, the outcome of the evaluation of the GlüStv 2021 – something that is highly relevant to the entire sector – I am very glad about the amount of thought leadership that we have managed to bring together so far.”

The organiser said registration is open and issued a call for additional speakers, specifically seeking expertise on business topics including media and marketing, affiliation, compliance and operations.

The post Gaming in Germany Conference sets Nov 10, 2026 date in Berlin, names first speakers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Highlight Games’ platform clears Italy’s ADM collaudo certification

Published

9 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

highlight-games’-platform-clears-italy’s-adm-collaudo-certification

Company plans to roll out SOCCERBET with LALIGA archive footage on its own platform in Italian retail after the World Cup.

Highlight Games Limited said its proprietary platform has passed Italy’s ADM collaudo process, the technical certification required for gaming platforms. The company announced the approval on 14 July 2026 from London.

Following the conclusion of the World Cup, Highlight said it will launch its Spanish SOCCERBET product featuring archive LALIGA footage on its own platform across Italian retail channels. The company added that operators will transfer to Highlight’s platform over the months that follow.

The supplier said the certification allows it to deliver its content via its own “zero-cost streaming technology” in Italy and gives it control over its product roadmap in what it called its most important market.

Steven Holmes, CEO, Highlight Games said: ‘This is a huge moment for Highlight as we bring our video-based technology stack to the Italian market and join a select few who are able to offer an officially ADM certified platform. Italy is where SOCCERBET has proven itself time and again and passing the ADM collaudo means we can now deliver that content on our own platform, with our zero-cost streaming solution, exactly as it was designed to be experienced.

‘Owning the technology end to end means we control our own roadmap, resulting in faster launches, smoother integrations for our operator partners and a richer experience for players. Our products consistently perform at the top of the market wherever they are live, and with our platform now officially certified in Italy, we have everything in place to build on that momentum.’

The post Highlight Games’ platform clears Italy’s ADM collaudo certification appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.