Latest News
“Dream big and respect other people”: the French football star and UEFA ambassador Eric Abidal gives Football for Friendship Young Journalist an exclusive interview

The former French international and two-time winner of the Champions League with FC Barcelona supports the Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship (F4F) in his capacity as a UEFA ambassador. As part of the Good News Show, he answered the questions of the 15-year-old F4F Young Journalist Irintsoa Rakotomamonjy from Madagascar.
Today, Eric Abidal is a football manager. He told the Young Journalist that the most emotional moment of his career had been his return to his team after an operation following a cancer diagnosis in March 2011. With his children’s cancer charity, which he founded in 2015, he wanted to make a contribution to the fight against this illness. And it was his dream to conquer cancer completely. He added that during the corona pandemic his charity – and also that of his wife – had tried, in spite of the lockdown, to stay in touch with the children it supports, and had visited them in hospital and brought them small gifts.
When Irintsoa told him that boys and girls in the F4F programme played in a team with equal rights, Eric Abidal replied that women’s football had already made enormous progress and was continuing to grow. He was convinced that women are showing the world that they can develop similar abilities to those of men. He predicted that women’s football would have become a global sport in 10 years’ time.
For him, it was very important to experience the emotionality of football on the playing field. But in sport too digitisation was gaining ground. He thought that in 10 years’ time e-sport would be the number one sport. Irintsoa explained that, in the case of F4F, the Championships in 2020 and 2021 were contested in a digital format.
The Young Journalist went on to tell her famous interview partner that the participants in F4F shared the programme’s Nine Values: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour. When asked which value was the most important for him, Eric Abidal said it was friendship. For him, this included a good relationship with everyone, teamwork, and respect for others.
As a successful footballer, his advice to young people who are striving for a career in sport was, above all, to respect other people, their parents, their teachers, their trainers and their friends. And they should have big dreams, which of course they would have to work hard to achieve. To see the interview, please click on the following link: https://youtu.be/GhLvsy_tQbQ.
Following the ZOOM-interview with the Young Journalist from the F4F Press Centre, Eric Abidal held a short football training session with the 13-year-old F4F 2021 participant from Belgium Elias Ali Mohamad. After a short warm-up phase, Abidal showed his young training partner a few tricks and encouraged him to practise them with him. This episode can be viewed by clicking on the following video link: https://youtu.be/bsK04TU0ZV8.
Before Eric Abidal, the UEFA ambassadors Luis Garcia from Spain, Kelly Smith from England and Robert Pirès from France had already taken part in #STADIUMISWHEREIAM and had spoken on the Good News Show with the Young Journalist about Football for Friendship, their life and their career.
As part of #STADIUMISWHEREIAM, the following sports stars also showed what they can do: Anton Pawlinow, two-time freestyle world champion from Russia, Andreas Cetkovic, French freestyle football champion with the S3 Freestyle Crew, and the six-time freestyle world champion Mélody Donchet.
Powered by WPeMatico
Eberhard Dürrschmid CEO at Golden Whale
Golden Whale to broaden horizons with Logrand partnership

Pioneering data-driven service provider teams up with fast-growing Mexico-focused online casino group to extend its operations into Latin America for the first time
With Golden Whale’s mission to extend its innovative data-driven services to every corner of the globe continuing to pick up pace, the company has announced it has formed a new partnership with Logrand Entertainment Group that will see it enter Mexico in 2025.
Rightfully recognised as one of the fastest growing markets in the Latin American region, over the coming months Golden Whale will work with Logrand’s Strendus.mx online casino brand to implement a number of AI and ML-backed solutions that will enhance the platform’s operations.
Already one of the country’s best-loved online gambling destinations, Strendus.mx was the first Mexican site launched by Logrand and currently offers customers a market-leading selection of over 4,000 slots, table games and live casino options as well as a dedicated sports betting hub.
Active since 2017, Strendus.mx has steadily built up a loyal following among Mexican players thanks to its generous promotions, popular loyalty scheme and engaging gamification mechanics – all of which are major areas where Golden Whale’s solutions can add further value.
In addition to its commitment to innovation and customer engagement, Strendus.mx also maintains a strong focus on corporate social responsibility. This year, the brand has further strengthened its efforts by supporting a variety of charitable initiatives, including programs that promote donations to institutions dedicated to helping children affected by catastrophic illnesses. These activities reflect Strendus’ broader vision of not only delivering top-tier entertainment but also contributing positively to the communities in which it operates.
Given the wealth of player data the site has accumulated since its launch, there will be plenty of information that can be run through Golden Whale’s advanced AI and ML modules to optimise Strendus.mx’s operations, and both companies are excited about the opportunities ahead.
Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale, said: “Many iGaming companies have already woken up to the benefits that Golden Whale’s powerful AI and ML-backed technology can bring, so the next step for us is making sure our solutions are available in as many markets as possible. This new partnership with Logrand will enable us to breach new frontiers in Latin America via the Strendus.mx casino brand and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact we can make there.”
Eduardo Pelaez, COO Online at Logrand Entertainment Group, said: “Launched in 2017, Strendus.mx is already one of Mexico’s flagship online casino brands – but we want to push this legacy further. By partnering with Golden Whale, we’ll be able to harness the power of AI and ML to deliver an even more personalised experience to Strendus.mx’s customers, helping us cement our position as both a genuine innovator and a true market leader in the LatAm region.”
The post Golden Whale to broaden horizons with Logrand partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Latest News
Soft2Bet to Unveil MEGA-Powered Engagement Workshops and Turnkey Platform at iGB Live 2025

Soft2Bet, a leading turnkey iGaming provider that delivers high-quality products and services for online gambling operators, will exhibit at iGB Live 2025 in London on 2–3 July. Known for its data-driven iGaming solutions for player retention, which drive brand performance across the Nordic, European, and North American markets, the company will host One-on-One Workshop Sessions at Stand N46 and participate in key discussions where major market developments are explored. Attendees can explore its full-service platform alongside MEGA, the gamification layer behind recent revenue growth across its operator portfolio.
Over the past six months since ICE 2025 Barcelona, Soft2Bet has launched new brands, secured new deals, and formed strategic partnerships across key markets. During this period, the company continues to track strong operator results, with measurable gains across core performance indicators. Brands using Soft2Bet’s platform have seen a 65% increase in net gaming revenue and a 45% rise in average revenue per user. Player screen time has quadrupled. Deposit values are up 50%, with deposit frequency increasing by 30%.
These results are driven by MEGA’s real-time missions, challenges, and loyalty features, along with integrated player account management, a proprietary CMS, access to over 12,500 casino games through a single integration, a full sportsbook, a flexible payments hub, and adaptive operating models backed by no-code tools and analytics.
This momentum is reflected in the performance of Soft2Bet’s brands, including Betinia, CampoBet, ToonieBet, QuickCasino, and Don.ro. These have been recognised by major industry awards and approved by reputable regulators. Their success is further supported by a strong focus on UX and UI innovation, helping each brand to implement effective localised strategies. As a result, they have achieved leading positions in app stores, resonating strongly with local users and fans.
“iGB Live is a valuable moment to show how our technology moves beyond traditional methods of player engagement,” stated Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer of Soft2Bet. “We’ll be sharing real examples of how MEGA and the wider Soft2Bet platform work as a unified ecosystem where design, personalisation, and gamification come together to support stronger engagement and long-term results.”
To help prospective partners apply these results to their own operations, Soft2Bet will offer one-to-one MEGA workshops during the show. These 30-minute sessions, led by Sales Director Nicolas Campano and Senior Sales Managers Ross Main and Slobodan Georgijevski will run across both exhibition days and offer a hands-on look at how MEGA drives engagement, retention, and player value. Slots are limited and can be booked in advance at https://www.soft2bet.com/mega.
The post Soft2Bet to Unveil MEGA-Powered Engagement Workshops and Turnkey Platform at iGB Live 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Push Gaming sinks its teeth into mystery in Fang City

B2B gaming supplier Push Gaming has launched Fang City, a sleek and suspenseful slot that combines ever-popular Push Gaming features.
Set in a futuristic world, this game sees wolves with pointy teeth engaging in activities reminiscent of humans while featuring popular mechanics such as scatter pays, multiplier symbols, and cascading combos.
Developed with a clear focus on enhancing player engagement, Fang City combines suspense-driven features with a bold aesthetic to deliver a memorable gaming experience. The game reintroduces some of Push Gaming’s most popular mechanics in fresh and innovative ways, ensuring both familiarity and a new perspective.
A standout element is the revitalised Reveal Feature, previously seen in titles such as Big Bamboo and Razor Returns. In Fang City, this mechanic returns with added depth, enabling players to uncover collectors, converters, multipliers, and the high-stakes max win coin, a symbol that awards the top prize instantly when triggered.
The free spins feature adds an extra dimension, incorporating a persistent multiplier that builds throughout the round. This structure has been designed to foster anticipation and provide a strong sense of progression, aligning with Push Gaming’s commitment to creating immersive, volatile gameplay that holds player attention.
Fang City reflects Push Gaming’s continued commitment to delivering innovative, player-first design. By blending proven features with fresh presentation, it caters to evolving player preferences while offering operators a compelling new addition to their portfolios.
Mike Engan, Game Producer at Push Gaming, said: “With Fang City, we wanted to create something that felt recognisable but still full of surprises. The reveal feature has always been one of our most exciting mechanics, and giving it a new edge, especially with the max win coin, takes the thrill to the next level.”
“This is a game built around excitement and anticipation, from the pay anywhere layout to the growing multiplier in free spins. It’s dark, it’s stylish, and it packs plenty of bite.”
The post Push Gaming sinks its teeth into mystery in Fang City appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Africa6 days ago
Uganda: National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and Uganda Police- Rwizi Region Deepen Ties in Enforcing the Gaming Law
-
Conferences7 days ago
Win Systems will showcase its new range of Gold Club Colors electronic roulettes at PGS.
-
BMM Innovation Group6 days ago
BMM Innovation Group to Participate in Peru Gaming Show 2025
-
betting transaction fee7 days ago
Flutter Response to Illinois Transaction Fee
-
Latest News6 days ago
Light Up the Reels with Explosive Wins in Liberty & Freedom Hold and Win Extreme 10,000
-
Amusnet6 days ago
Amusnet Strengthens Commitment to Latin America at Peru Gaming Show
-
Darwin Filho6 days ago
Onabet marks its second anniversary with digital expansion and a sharpened focus on the casino segment
-
Balkans5 days ago
SYNOT Group Showcased its Latest Products at Belgrade Future Gaming 2025