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EPIC Risk Management launch new holistic Gambling Harm Education Programme
With an ever-increasing spotlight on addiction and mental health issues shining on the UK’s schools as they return for the new term, a leading gambling harm minimisation consultancy is teaming up with new partners for a self-funded independent programme to reinforce the importance of education, awareness, and prevention surrounding gambling-related harm.
In a first-of-its-kind development, EPIC Risk Management have teamed up with addiction and mental health practitioners WHYSUP and one of the UK’s most respected independent providers of mental health training, Teen Tips, to create the holistic, fully evaluated, Gambling Harm Education Programme, which will be delivered to students aged 15 to 18 at 200 secondary schools and colleges during the 2021/22 academic year.
Around 500,000 children aged 11 to 16 are thought to gamble every week in this country and 87% of young people in the UK play online games every day, highlighting the importance of bringing a sensitive and often secret topic into open discussion. This is especially pertinent as a topic of concern for the new academic year in light of reports suggesting that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has increased levels of participation in online gambling and gaming, as well as creating a marked rise in mental health concerns among children.
Also catering to parents and teachers, this new programme will involve a combination of online webinars and video content alongside face-to-face delivery. It fuses the delivery of lived experience stories, in partnership with WHYSUP, for students in school years 10 to 13, Teen Tips online webinars for parents and teachers, online resources and information packs for all secondary school aged children, and access to the EPIC information app.
The impactful, market-leading sessions will be offered to state schools, with the aim of increasing awareness around gambling harm in order to identify and mitigate the risks that problem gambling can create. It will cover subject areas such as industry practice including advertising, differing product risk profiles, pathways of support and how to identify the signs of harm in yourself and your classmates.
EPIC will continue to also work with independent schools on a privately funded basis.
The sessions will be continuously adapted to incorporate the ever-changing nature of potential threats to young people, including live developments in esports, cryptocurrency trading and gaming issues, such as skins and loot boxes.
The worrying statistics about addiction and mental health among young people are a matter of huge concern to EPIC’s Director of UK and Rest of the World, Patrick Foster, who explains:
“The workshops we deliver to this sector are crucial in educating young people on the damage that gambling and gaming can cause because despite being a vulnerable demographic, most are oblivious to the potential consequences of their actions.
“Our work with young people continues to be the most important work that we do, and always will be.
“Bringing in the expertise of WHYSUP, who have lived the desperation of gambling harm and other addictions first-hand, and Teen Tips, who are already working in a high number of UK schools and having a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of young people, is a powerful combination. We know that bringing them in to enhance the crucial message around gambling harm minimisation that we already deliver at EPIC is going to prevent an immeasurable number of people from falling into the same difficulties as so many before them.”
Founder and CEO of EPIC Risk Management Paul Buck continues:
“The education of our next generation is crucial and EPIC have now worked directly with over 100,000 children aged 14+ directly since 2018. Sharing lived experience, in a professional and engaging manner, is the best way to raise awareness to the next generation of the potential harms of gambling, gaming and new threats such as cryptocurrency and esports. The same as drugs, alcohol, stranger danger and sex, we must educate our next generation around the risks they will encounter growing up.
“There is an undisputed link between mental health and addiction, so it makes perfect sense for us to provide a rounded offering explaining how the various elements affect one another. We are proud to partner with WHYSUP and Teen Tips to ensure that our education is holistic, covers a wider curriculum and raises awareness of the dangers rather than place all the responsibility at the individual’s door. Our programme will be fully, and independently, evaluated.
“By involving the care providers too – parents, guardians and teachers – we’re helping everyone to recognise the tell-tale signs of addiction or a mental health issue that could lead to problems down the line, allowing treatment or mental health services to be sourced before serious problems arise.
“We will be working hand in hand with the school wellbeing and safeguarding officers and we believe that this programme will prevent many families and individuals from being harmed in the future if they’re alerted to why this is such a vital temptation to avoid.”
Thoughts from our programme partners…
“We are extremely pleased to have been able to be part of the development of this ground-breaking education programme.
“Building on our existing relationship with EPIC and working in collaboration with Teen Tips allows us to utilise expertise and experience, which adds value to the programme.
“The outcome is a project that not only addresses gambling related harm, but also increases awareness around mental health and its impact. The sessions will also include information on warning signs and links to support.
“After the last 18 months, never could the timing of this project be more relevant.
“We feel the inclusion of all key stakeholders adds value and holding student, staff and parent sessions will make a huge impact.”
Mark Murray, Director, WHYSUP Ltd
“I am so pleased we are able to contribute to this important and timely project because we have seen first-hand, the devastating impact gambling addiction can have on the lives of young people and their families.
“It is a problem which often goes unseen until it is causing significant damage, and we believe young people need to be informed about how they might be unwittingly lured into gambling.
“Whilst educating pupils is vital, it is also important that those supporting them – i.e. parents and schools – know how to empower young people to manage the risks and avoid harm, how to identify those who are involved in problematic gambling and what we can do to help them.
“This is the first harm reduction programme which is truly independent and speaks to all stakeholders and we are extremely proud to be a part of it.”
Alicia Drummond, Founder, Teen Tips Ltd
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COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR ACR POKER’S MASSIVE DUAL VENOM TOURNEYS WITH $10 MILLION GUARANTEED AND HUGE BOUNTIES
$8 Million NLH and $2 Million PLO events start this weekend, with top bounty prizes of $500,000 and $200,000 respectively
ACR Poker is turning up the heat this Sunday with the return of its flagship Dual Venom tournaments, featuring a combined $10 million guaranteed and massive mystery bounties.
The action kicks off with the first of five Day 1 flights for the $8 million NLH and $2 million PLO Mystery Bounty Venoms, starting this Sunday at 12:05pm ET. Players can build momentum by combining their stacks ahead of Day 2 on Monday, August 25th at 1:05pm ET, where all remaining players will already be in the money. Those who make it to the Final Table will battle for the Venom titles on Tuesday, August 26th at 4:05pm ET.
Alongside massive guarantees, both events boast huge bounties. In the Venom NLH, knocking out just one opponent could unlock a top bounty of $500,000, with the tourney winner projected to take home around $600,000. The Venom PLO, which ties ACR Poker’s biggest Omaha tourney ever, offers a $200,000 top bounty and an estimated $200,000 top prize for the champion. Every knockout in both tourneys earns players a minimum bounty of $5,000.
“Big bounties, massive guarantees – the Dual Mystery Bounty Venom tourneys are coming in hot,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “The action kicks off this Sunday, so don’t miss out. Satellites start at just $0, so players of all bankrolls can take a shot. Let’s make it a big one – see you at the tables.”
While the buy-in for both tournaments is $2,650, players can still qualify for much less. Hundreds of low-cost qualifiers are up for grabs starting from $0 via Venom Fever Satellites. Plus, the Venom Vault and the Poison Path offer players more chances to unlock $2,650 Venom tickets.
Fans can tune in to watch the Venom NLH Day 1A action on ACR Poker’s Twitch channel this Sunday, featuring ACR Pros Chris Moneymaker, Rob Kuhn and Jon Pardy. The Final Table live stream follows on Tuesday, August 26th.
For more Mystery Bounty action, players can join ACR Poker’s new Daily Mystery Bounty tournaments for a shot at Mystery Bounty Chests packed with surprise rewards, with top bounties worth up to 10% of the prize pool.
For further details on the Dual Venom tournaments and other promotions, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR ACR POKER’S MASSIVE DUAL VENOM TOURNEYS WITH $10 MILLION GUARANTEED AND HUGE BOUNTIES appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
SBC has officially announced the shortlisted nominees for the 12th edition of the SBC Awards, set to take place at Lisbon’s MEO Arena on Thursday, 18 September, the final day of SBC Summit 2025.
Celebrating excellence across the global betting and gaming industry, the ceremony will spotlight standout achievements from operators, industry leaders, and suppliers across a broad spectrum of sectors, including payments, marketing, and platform innovation.
This year’s edition has already broken records, with the highest number of nominations ever received across its 37 diverse categories, reflecting the industry’s growing commitment to delivering exceptional performance.
Leading the shortlist are Pragmatic Play and Sportradar, each earning seven nominations. Close contenders include BetConstruct and Betsson Group with six nominations apiece. Other standout nominees include Bragg Gaming, Campeon Gaming, Novibet, Playtech, and Top Bet, each securing five nominations.
Returning to co-host the ceremony is football legend Peter Schmeichel, former Manchester United goalkeeper and UEFA European Championship winner, who previously brought his trademark charisma to the stage in 2024.
The 2025 edition of the SBC Awards will also mark the first year without dedicated affiliate categories. Instead, SBC will host a dedicated and expanded Affiliate Leaders Awards on Wednesday, 17th September, at the same venue.
Commenting on the upcoming SBC Awards ceremony, Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “This industry never stands still. New talent, ideas, and technologies are constantly changing the game. The SBC Awards are our way of recognising those who are making a real impact and giving the community a moment to celebrate together.”
In the operator categories, alongside Betsson Group’s notable six nominations, TotoGaming also stands out with four nominations, including Marketing Campaign of the Year and Innovation in Casino & Gaming Entertainment. Meanwhile, Kaizen Gaming and Campeón Gaming return to defend their titles in the Operator of the Year – Medium and Large categories, respectively.
The hotly contested Casino Operator of the Year category includes names such as LeoVegas, Bally’s, Codere Online, and Winbet. 1xBet, EstrelaBet, and Sportsbet.io are among the frontrunners for Sportsbook Operator of the Year.
In the operator and supplier categories, competition for Employer of the Year includes Alea, Flutter Entertainment, Parimatch, and Play’n GO, all aiming to take the crown from reigning champions SOFTSWISS. The Socially Responsible Initiative of the Year category features nominees such as Associação de Mulheres da Indústria do Gaming (AMIG), BGaming, EveryMatrix, and Pay4Fun.
The highly anticipated Leader of the Year award will be kept under wraps until the night, with nominees and the winner to be revealed live during the ceremony.
In the payments and compliance categories, Noda and payabl. lead the way with nominations in all three awards: Payment Solution of the Year, Payment Innovation of the Year, and Fraud & Compliance Solution of the Year. MiFinity, Monnet Payments, OKTO, Pay4Fun, Paysecure, and Trustly have also earned multiple nods across the categories.
The supplier categories, which will span 22 awards, will include several new additions this year, such as Aggregator of the Year and Crash Game of the Year.
Fast Track and BETBY will look to retain their titles in Acquisition & Retention Partner and Esports Supplier of the Year, respectively. Meanwhile, Delasport, Evolution, Evoplay, iGP, Optimove, and Spotlight Sports Group are among the fifteen companies competing for the Industry Innovation of the Year award.
Soft2Bet will return in pursuit of back-to-back wins for Innovation in Casino Entertainment and Innovation in Mobile, while Digitain will aim to defend its title as Sportsbook Supplier of the Year.
The sought-after Platform Provider of the Year award features a strong field of contenders, including EGT Digital, GiG, GR8 Tech, Sportingtech, and White Hat Gaming.
Continuing SBC’s commitment to shining a light on the future stars of the industry, the evening will once again feature four ‘Rising Star‘ awards: Rising Star in Casino, Rising Star in Sports Betting, Rising Star in Sports Betting Innovation / Software, and Rising Star in Casino Innovation / Software.
The post Peter Schmeichel Returns as SBC Awards 2025 Host as Finalists Are Announced appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
When it comes to online casino play, and indeed online gaming in general, there is no such thing as inertia. In fact, things change all the time as technology advances and consumers become ever more demanding and expectant.
The online gambling industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing norms, and shifting player preferences. With a global industry such as this, leading rather than following can be worth millions.
In 2025, online casinos and slot games are more innovative and accessible than ever before. This article explores the latest industry trends, recent news, and what players and operators can expect in this dynamic landscape.
Of the many evolutions, the ability to play both non-paying games and real money options has been hugely significant. This creates a much larger demographic, or pool of potential players – both those who play for fun and those who wish to place wagers and play against other enthusiasts.
The online casino real money USA market, for example, has grown exponentially, as has the overall number of consumers now accessing online casino sites both here and around the world. Put another way, the online casino real money markets have taken an already multi-billion dollar industry to another fiscal level, and for players, the range of options and choices can only be trending in their favor.
Rapid Technological Advancements Fuel Innovation
One of the most significant drivers of change in the online casino sector is technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are transforming the way players experience and engage with casino games.
Artificial Intelligence Enhances User Experience
AI-powered personalization is now standard in many online platforms. Casinos utilize AI algorithms to analyze player behavior, providing tailored game recommendations and customized promotions.
This not only increases engagement but also improves player retention.
Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies Boost Security and Transparency
Blockchain’s decentralized nature enhances transaction security and transparency.
Several operators now accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and emerging altcoins, allowing for faster deposits and withdrawals with reduced fees. This shift caters to a growing demographic seeking privacy and efficiency.
Industry News: Global Market Expansion Continues for Online Casino Companies
Asia-Pacific: Growth and Gaming
The Asia-Pacific region shows promising growth, especially in countries like Japan and South Korea. With such large populations, this potential player pool can only be positive for the online casino creating community, and for the players themselves.
Continued Rise of Mobile Gaming
Mobile continues to dominate the online casino playing scene.
With high-quality apps and optimized websites, players can access their favorite slots anywhere, anytime. Again, the almost limitless number of online casino choices is helping drive this growth.
As well as this, and as the online gaming stats attest, we’ve seen massively increased accessibility thanks to so many game-friendly devices hitting the market. In such circumstances, it is hard to see how this growth could not continue.
2025 Mobile Slot Innovations
Recent releases feature multi-screen gameplay, augmented reality (AR) integration, and 5G connectivity, leading to faster load times and seamless experiences. The convenience has driven increased engagement among younger audiences in particular.
Growing Popularity of Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games bridge the gap between online play and land-based casinos. High-quality streams, real-time interaction, and professional dealers make this sector one of the fastest-growing.
Online Gaming Creating Coherent Communities
Such is the growth of the online casino and overall game-playing arena that an increasing number of global, as well as local, online gaming communities are starting to emerge.
From playing to offering tips, or even just sharing comments during the game itself, millions now use the online casino as a way to forge new friendships, creating an online gaming culture all of their own. These games appeal to players seeking both thrill and social interaction, and we’re seeing the birth of forums, chat sites, and all things game and online casino-related as a result.
Looking at the creation of online casino communities shows that this is so much more than just a casual pastime for millions; it is a cultural activity that transcends age, demographics, and geography. Indeed, some people take online casino gameplay very seriously, and that’s not a bad thing…
@slotslv Just two legends, one jackpot in sight
Future Outlook: What’s Next for Online Casinos and Slots?
Looking ahead, several developments are set to shape the industry further:
- Integration of AI and Big Data: Personalized gaming experiences will become more sophisticated.
- Continued Adoption of Blockchain: Cryptocurrencies will facilitate cross-border transactions and global accessibility.
- Enhanced Player Security: Biometric authentication and anti-fraud measures will improve safety.
Conclusion
The online casino and slots industry in 2025 and beyond is likely to be driven and marked by innovation, growth, accessibility, and even inclusivity. As technology continues to advance and markets expand, both players and operators must stay informed about the latest trends and best practices.
Embracing these changes will ensure a safe, engaging, and enjoyable gaming experience for all.
Put another way, the online casino landscape looks hugely positive for all involved. From developers to creators, players to proprietors, the online casino world looks to be growing and gathering even more pace, and I’d bet on that continuing.
The post Future of Online Casinos and Slots: Navigating Industry Trends in 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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