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Most controversial VAR decisions revealed ahead of Premier League

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  • Kurt Zouma’s cancelled strike against Manchester United was named the most controversial VAR incident.
  • 30.92% of all English Premier League matches have seen a VAR intervention.
  • The data also shows a 23.96% year-on-year decrease in average VAR controversy.
  • The Premier League appears to be tracking UEFA’s roll out, with changes made just 0.62% more frequently in the English top flight.
  • PGMOL has announced a string of new rule changes.

The Premier League is hoping a string of new rule changes can inject new life into VAR technology when the 30th Premier League season gets underway on 13th August.

From thicker offside lines to new handball rules, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has set out its stall for the 2021-2022 domestic campaign which is almost upon us.

Accidental handballs in the build-up to goals will no longer be deemed an offence, while thicker offside lines will be used in order to eliminate situations where a goal is ruled out due to a toenail being offside.

And following a string of ‘armpit offsides’ last season, FIFA has also clarified that the bottom of a players’ armpit is to be classed as part of a players’ body.

While the technology’s use in the English top-flight has courted more than its fair share of detractors, Credible or VAR-cical by William Hill, can reveal a good level of progress has already been made with average controversy dropping by 29.36% last season.

The controversy rating of an incident, of which there has been 235 in total over the last two seasons, now sits at 5.14 having been 6.76 during its turbulent debut season. That equates to a change made by VAR every 3.23 matches.

Across the 504 matches under UEFA’s jurisdiction, from February 2019 through to the 2021 Champions League Final, there were 157 changes made, or a change every 3.21 matches.

Kurt Zouma’s cancelled strike against Manchester United in February 2020, ruled out by VAR official Chris Kavanagh, is considered the most controversial VAR call in Premier League history, with a controversy score of 10.7.

William Hill’s Credible or VAR-cical analysis has been tracking Premier League VAR incidents ever since Gabriel Jesus was ruled offside by David Coote on August 10, 2019 (the first ever VAR review in EPL history – rated at 7.92).

The data shows that in total, there have been a total of 235 incidents, or interventions, logged, with reactionary metrics such as Tweet volume, sentiment, articles generated and associated levels of engagement, culminating in a bespoke controversy rating being assigned to each.

Across the last two domestic campaigns, Wolverhampton (6.91) are the club which has been embroiled in the most controversial VAR incidents. Chelsea (6.5), Liverpool (6.34), Everton (6.25), Manchester United (6.19) make up the top five.

Brentford-based official Chris Kavanagh, who was promoted to the Select Group of referees in 2017, lands himself the unenviable title of ‘most controversial video assistant referee’, averaging 6.8.

David Coote (6.67), Kevin Friend (6.59), Lee Mason (6.51) and Andre Marriner (6.35) make up the rest of the top 5.

 

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58% of respondents like the“warmy” archetype. Rocket Match by RocketPlay became “ Valentine’s Tinder in Gaming”.

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This Valentine’s, RocketPlay tested a playful idea: players who seek thrills in gaming don’t necessarily want intensity in everything — including relationships. Instead of asking users to pick a “perfect partner,” RocketPlay launched Rocket Match, a fast, flirty quiz that matches players with a vibe: Bold, Sunny, Dreamy, or Adventurous.

Early Results Flip the Stereotype

Around 58% of participants matched with the Sunny archetype — defined by warmth, charm, and easy-going fun. The experiment suggests that when it comes to Valentine’s, RocketPlay’s community prefers light-hearted connection over drama or high stakes.

What Rocket Match Is

Rocket Match is a Valentine’s matchmaking quiz built inside the RocketPlay Universe. Players answer five simple, no-wrong-answer questions and instantly discover their match vibe.

The goal: move away from typical Valentine’s content that swings between overly serious romance or clichéd tropes. Rocket Match keeps it flirty, playful, and moment-focused, letting players discover a vibe rather than a label.

The four vibes include:

  • Bold – confident, high-energy, loves bigger sparks

  • Sunny – easy-going, playful, social, effortlessly charming

  • Dreamy – soft, romantic, focused on atmosphere and emotion

  • Adventurous – playful risk-taker, spontaneous, curious

Community Insights from Rocket Match

The quiz quickly gained traction, with 7,000+ completions, revealing a strong preference: Sunny, the archetype defined by warmth, lightness, and charm.

Alex Martin, PR Lead at RocketPlay, said:

“What we liked most about Rocket Match is how clearly it captured the mood people actually want on Valentine’s. It wasn’t about labels or big statements — it was about light energy, easy chemistry, and a feel-good kind of connection. That’s the vibe we try to build across the brand: simple to join, fun in the moment, and positive without the drama.”

Why It Matters

Rocket Match was more than a Valentine’s gimmick. It offered a snapshot of what RocketPlay’s community enjoys most: light energy, playful interaction, and feel-good connections. By turning a pop-culture moment into a small experiment, RocketPlay gained insight into player preferences, informing how the brand continues to design engaging, fun, and positive experiences.

The post 58% of respondents like the“warmy” archetype. Rocket Match by RocketPlay became “ Valentine’s Tinder in Gaming”. appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Kaizen Gaming

Player Safety Tips and Tools For International Responsible Gaming Day by Kaizen Gaming

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To mark International Responsible Gaming Day on February 17, leading GameTech operator Kaizen Gaming is reaffirming its commitment to safe and responsible play. The company has shared 10 practical tips to help players stay in control, along with an overview of the responsible gaming tools available on its Betano platform.

Responsible gaming is a core pillar of Kaizen Gaming’s strategy, embedded in technology, product design, and customer support. The approach focuses on prevention, education, and early intervention, ensuring gaming remains enjoyable, transparent, and safe.

10 Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Play

Kaizen Gaming encourages players to follow these key principles:

  1. Play for fun, not to earn money

  2. Monitor the time spent playing and take regular breaks

  3. Set a budget and do not exceed it

  4. Stay social and maintain balance with other activities

  5. Play sober

  6. Protect minors and prevent underage access

  7. Do not chase losses

  8. Avoid gambling under stress or emotional distress

  9. When in doubt, stop playing

  10. Use the responsible gaming tools available to you

These guidelines aim to promote awareness and help players make conscious, informed decisions while gaming.

Leadership Insight

Ismini Nasaina, Head of Responsible Gaming at Kaizen Gaming, said:

“Gaming can only stay fun when our players stay in control. Responsible Gaming is not a platform feature for us, it’s a core operating principle that shapes how we design our products and how we support players. Our focus is to help players stay in control through clear information, practical tools, and timely interventions where needed.”

Responsible Gaming Tools on Betano

Kaizen Gaming offers a comprehensive suite of tools to support player safety:

  • Financial limits – deposit, loss, and wager limits, plus withdrawal cancellation and blocking

  • Time management – session timers and personal time limits

  • Self-exclusion – for longer breaks

  • Time-out features – short, immediate pauses

  • Access to helplines – for external support organisations

  • Rigorous age verification – to prevent underage access

  • Educational content – clear, localised guidance

  • Self-assessment tools – evaluate gaming behaviour

  • 24/7 specialised customer support – trained in responsible gaming

Ismini Nasaina added:

“Increasing awareness around responsible play and making safeguards easy to understand and use is essential. International Responsible Gaming Day is a good opportunity to reinforce these basics and remind players that protection tools and support are always available. Player awareness and control are what keep the gaming environment safe and sustainable.”

The post Player Safety Tips and Tools For International Responsible Gaming Day by Kaizen Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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BOS

BOS Lunch seminar with Minister for Financial Markets

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BOS – the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – welcomes you to a lunch seminar regarding the gambling policy of the Government and the Moderates.

Guest speaker: Minister of Financial Markets Niklas Wykman (M).

In what way do the government and the Moderates describe the impending conclusion of the term regarding gambling policy? What goals do they aim to accomplish in gambling policy during the next term, should they be re-elected in the fall elections?

Minister for Financial Markets Niklas Wykman (M) delivers a speech on the subject and will subsequently respond to audience questions.

Observe the somewhat unusual time for a BOS lunch seminar. You can choose to participate in both the lunch and the seminar or only the seminar.

The seminar will take place in Swedish. It will be interpreted into English at the same time, and it is completely acceptable to pose questions to the Minister in English.

The lunch seminar is complimentary and available to all who are interested.

When: March 18 at 1:00 PM. Lunch will be provided at 12:15 PM. The seminar will conclude by 2:00 PM at the latest.

Location: Convendum, Brahegatan 10, Stockholm

The post BOS Lunch seminar with Minister for Financial Markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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