Latest News

YGAM announce new Board members

Published

5 years ago

May 14, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) has welcomed three new Trustees to its Board as part of a commitment to diversify leadership at the charity.

The Charity Commission has confirmed the appointments of Christina Okorocha, Anne Casey and Kwaku Owusu-Ansah. The additions are the result of a targeted recruitment drive with the objective of attracting education specialists as well as young professionals from ethnic minority communities.

Christina Okorocha, 27, is a successful entrepreneur who founded VAMP, the first agency to solely focus on the representation and development of black digital talent in the UK. Christina also launched TAG, a network for young black professional, creative and entrepreneurial women. She is an ambassador for the ‘Mayor’s Fund for London’.

Christina said: “I am honoured and excited to join YGAM as a trustee. I look forward to using my digital marketing experience and network to support YGAM in engaging and reaching vulnerable people and those from diverse communities.”

Anne Casey joins the YGAM board after over 30 years of education experience as a teacher, principal, local authority officer and senior civil servant. From 2013-2016, Anne was the Founding Principal for the UTC in Media City UK in Manchester, taking it from vision to reality. Anne is now a director of her own company, ACE Limited, an educational solutions company supporting MATs, free schools, universities and school boards. She is also a part-time Department for Education Adviser.

Anne said: “We have seen the power of technology in education, especially over the last year, and want to ensure that all young people understand their digital footprint and the lifelong impact of the choices they make. Every child should be entitled to live a healthy, safe, secure and well-educated life and I want YGAM to make a major contribution to that.”

Kwaku Owusu-Ansah is a recent Mechanical Engineering (MEng) graduate From University College London and he is currently working as an analyst in the Structured Finance, Investment Banking Division of Japanese bank, MUFG. Kwaku is a keen gamer and former footballer having played for Millwall FC, Leyton Orient FC and Colchester United FC.

Kwaku said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the board and being part of the YGAM journey. What YGAM has accomplished so far is fantastic. I think it’s important to continue to tackle the issues faced by young people caused by gambling and gaming. I’m a big gamer myself and I definitely believe more can be done to safeguard young people online and address issues such as excessive spending on loot boxes and gaming addiction.”

YGAM’s Chair, Mike Wojcik, welcomed the new board members saying: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have such talent joining the Board at such a pivotal time for YGAM. As we ambitiously look towards the future and develop our new strategic plan, it’s critical the make-up of our Board and team has greater representation and insight of our society. They all bring something different to the Board, which goes beyond the typical skills and experience, and we are already benefitting from their energised perspective.”

All members of the YGAM Board are independent from both the gaming and gambling industry and offer their time voluntarily. The new board will lead the charity through its continued growth and build the organisations strategy for the coming years.

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

9 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

16 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

16 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.