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FACEIT’s AI admin tackling toxic behaviour learns to detect verbal toxicity and mic spam
FACEIT, the makers of Minerva, the first artificial intelligence powered admin, can reveal her upgraded capabilities in the fight against toxic behaviour in competitive games. Minerva can now hear and is able to understand voice messages in all languages. Detecting toxic behaviour on voice chat including verbal toxicity and mic spam.
- Last year FACEIT embarked on a journey to reduce toxic behaviour in online multiplayer games by releasing Minerva, an artificial intelligence powered admin, able to detect and take action against toxic messages at infinite scale. According to surveys of FACEIT users, anti-toxicity solutions were one of the most requested features.
- Since launch she has:
- Analysed more than 1.4bn chat messages
- Detected more than 1.9 million toxic messages and issues warnings
- Banned over 100k players
- As a result, the FACEIT platform has seen:
- 21% fewer toxic messages sent
- 62% reduction in seriously offensive messages being sent
- The first iteration of Minerva began by analysing thousands of text chat messages to detect abusive language and toxic behaviour, but there were other forms of toxicity relating to gameplay she was unable to detect including; players acting as obstacles for teammates, staying AFK, deliberate friendly fire, blocking, griefing and potential offensive and abusive language via voice channels
- To detect and take action against negative behaviours in gameplay, FACEIT launched Justice, a community-driven portal, that thanks to the endless effort of many members of the community, has managed to resolve more than 60,000 cases, issuing almost 30,000 punishments since it’s launch in April.
- The FACEIT community also fed back that text detection didn’t go far enough thus prompting the development in Minerva’s ability to listen. Now she is able to analyse audio sources of data and detect two different types of potential abuse: toxic verbal messages and microphone spamming.
- Minerva is able to analyse full conversations among players during a match. An important aspect that makes the overall process more reliable and less prone to misleading interpretations that could come out by analyzing single and isolated messages.
- In addition to detecting potential toxic voice messages Minerva is able to detect and sanction other forms of repetitive annoying user behaviours and sounds, which could worsen their teammates’ ability to concentrate and make the overall experience less enjoyable such as screaming or excessively loud music. To achieve this, Minerva reviews the audio file of the match and by applying a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) technology, she can recognise a series of negative behaviours and issue either a warning or a ban in case the player has been caught multiple times.
To find out more about Minerva please head to https://fce.gg/minerva-gets-ears
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Psiclone Games and Playtech-built title features three Free Spins modifiers, including expanding reels, sliding wilds and jackpots up to 500x bet.
PokerStars Casino has released Skullapalooza as the fifth game in its 2026 The Slotlist series, making the title the featured slot on the operator’s Casino tab for the month.
Skullapalooza is developed by Psiclone Games and Playtech. The game’s core hook is a Free Spins system built around three “Skull” features that can be triggered individually or in combination: expanding reels, jackpot accumulators and stacked sliding wilds.
According to the company, players can land different coloured gems to randomly trigger one or more Free Spins variants. Pink gems may trigger Free Games with Expanding Reels, blue gems may add Sliding Wilds, and purple gems may activate pots with a grand prize of up to 500x total bet. The company said all three variants can be active at once.
“The Slotlist is designed to spotlight games that deliver a well-rounded player experience, combining innovative features, striking visuals, and immersive gameplay”, said Ed Fogarty, Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial. “Skullapalooza embodies all these qualities, and we’re thrilled to feature it prominently in The Slotlist this month.”
Skullapalooza joins earlier 2026 Slotlist picks including Baozang Empire of Plenty, Magnificent Power Leprechaun, and 12 Burning Baseballs.
The post PokerStars Casino adds Skullapalooza as fifth 2026 Slotlist pick appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Governor Hobbs signs SB 1671; new budget sets $4M spend authority plus $500K a year from event wagering funds.
The Arizona Department of Gaming has secured a six-year continuation after Governor Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1671, following the 2026 legislative session that adjourned June 12, 2026. The continuation also covers the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission and the Arizona Racing Commission.
The Department said SB 1671 affirms its authority to regulate tribal gaming, event wagering and fantasy sports, horse racing and simulcast wagering, and boxing and mixed martial arts.
In parallel, the Department said Senate Bill 1847 and the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget expand expenditure authority for its Division of Problem Gambling. The budget authorizes $4,000,000 in total spending for the Division, which the agency said is a 20% increase from FY26.
The Department also said the legislature granted an annual $500,000 expenditure authority to use Event Wagering funds to support problem gambling, and that the Division will have grant oversight authority for the first time.
“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 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.”
The post Arizona extends Gaming Department for six years; problem gambling budget rises 20% appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Ed Fogarty Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial
Time to Fiesta with PokerStars Casino’s Latest The Slotlist Pick ‘Skullapalooza’ from Psiclone Games and Playtech
PokerStars Casino has unveiled the fifth game release in its 2026 The Slotlist series, Skullapalooza, a vibrant, high-energy slot game which brings a Mexican fiesta to life, combining bold visuals with layered mechanics.
Developed by Psiclone Games and Playtech, Skullapalooza offers classic slot action combined with a dynamic Free Spins system built around three distinct Skull features, allowing players to trigger and combine expanding reels, Jackpot accumulators, and stacked sliding wilds for enhanced gameplay depth and variety.
Players land different coloured gems on reels to randomly trigger one or more of the Free Spins Skulls. Pink gems might trigger Free Games with Expanding Reels; Blue gems might come with Sliding Wilds; and Purple gems might activate pots with a grand prize of up to 500x total bet. All three variants can be active at once for the ultimate Free Games experience.
The Slotlist curates a single headline slot game on the PokerStars Casino tab each month, hand-picked for its creativity, visual appeal, and engaging gameplay. PokerStars Casino continues to offer the broadest and most exciting selection of new slot releases every month.
“The Slotlist is designed to spotlight games that deliver a well-rounded player experience, combining innovative features, striking visuals, and immersive gameplay”, said Ed Fogarty, Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial. “Skullapalooza embodies all these qualities, and we’re thrilled to feature it prominently in The Slotlist this month.”
Skullapalooza is now available to play on PokerStars Casino, joining titles such as Baozang Empire of Plenty, Magnificent Power Leprechaun, and 12 Burning Baseballs as part of The Slotlist’s standout picks for 2026.
For more information about PokerStars Casino The Slotlist visit the website.
The post Time to Fiesta with PokerStars Casino’s Latest The Slotlist Pick ‘Skullapalooza’ from Psiclone Games and Playtech appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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