Latest News
bacta launch YGAM and Betknowmore UK Safer Gambling Training on portal
Bacta, the trade association which represents the amusement and gaming machine industry in the UK, has reiterated its commitment to raising standards by enabling access to the Safer Gambling Training programme through the bactaPortal.
Safer Gambling Training, developed and delivered by leading charities YGAM and Betknowmore UK, combines specialist knowledge, insight and research to raise standards in player protection. Informed by lived experience and relevant to the latest LCCP requirements, the initiative contains six programmes including key areas such as: understanding customer vulnerability; managing welfare; how to interact with customers and signposting to support services.’ The training will now be accessible via the new bactaPortal which went live in September 2021.
The bactaPortal allows gambling venues to maintain paperless records of all their customer interactions and self-exclusions, as well as hosting training modules and other valuable information. It is available to everyone, although bacta members benefit from a subsidised price.
John White, Chief Executive at bacta welcomed the announcement by saying: “YGAM and Betknowmore UK are renowned for their safer gambling training and we are proud that they have chosen to make it available via the bactaPortal. This initiative is the first of many that will make the bactaPortal indispensable to arcade businesses looking to remove paper from their operations. Not only will we populate the bactaPortal with additional training we will be providing a suite of tools from AV testing logs to crime alerts that will put the bactaPortal at the top of the must haves for the sector.”
The Safer Gambling Team will be attending the upcoming EAG conference in London to showcase their programme and talk to delegates about how they can access the training through the portal.
Ian Shanahan, Director of Business Development and Fundraising at YGAM, said: “We’re delighted with this commitment from bacta. It is encouraging to see an influential trade association support our work and I hope more sectors within the gambling industry continue to invest in our City & Guilds Assured Safer Gambling Training. All profits generated from our training are directed back into our charities to further support our social purpose.”
Frankie Graham, Chief Executive at Betknowmore UK, said: “We are delighted to see bacta support the Safer Gambling Training programme. Sector wide commitment to raising standards through training and enhanced learning is our best guard in the prevention of gambling harms.”
Since launching in April 2021, the charities have sold over 14,500 programmes. The bactaPortal training can be completed online, with each programme taking around 60-minutes to complete. The training can be easily accessed on PC, laptop, tablet or mobile at a time that suits the learner.
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Damjan Stamenkovic
Expanse Studios Announces Strategic Partnership with ESA Gaming
Expanse Studios, a leading B2B iGaming content provider and subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc. announced a strategic partnership with ESA Gaming, an established European aggregation platform specialising in mobile-first gaming content and multi-jurisdictional distribution.
The partnership marks a significant milestone in Expanse Studios’ European expansion and strengthens Golden Matrix Group’s broader B2B distribution objectives. The agreement positions Expanse’s proprietary content across ESA Gaming’s operator network.
ESA Gaming operates a comprehensive Game Aggregator System (GAS) serving over 90 content providers across multiple European markets, with established certifications in Malta, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Colombia and Brazil. The platform maintains a Malta Gaming Authority B2B license (MGA/B2B/650/2018) and specialises in content delivery through a single technical integration as well as custom content through its OpenSlots “no code” game builder.
“ESA Gaming represents an established European aggregator with proven multi-jurisdictional capabilities and strong operator relationships across our priority markets. This partnership provides immediate Malta market access while establishing the technical and regulatory framework for more EU market entries. Our focus remains on building systematic European distribution through partnerships with aggregators and operators demonstrating regional expertise and regulatory compliance capabilities,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios.
For Expanse Studios, the partnership with ESA Gaming creates multi-jurisdictional distribution infrastructure across Southern Europe’s most significant regulated markets. ESA Gaming’s top-performing markets—Italy, Portugal, Greece and Brazil—align strategically with Expanse’s priority expansion territories, where regulatory frameworks support sustainable B2B operations and certified content providers maintain competitive advantages.
The post Expanse Studios Announces Strategic Partnership with ESA Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
MiFinity Launches Premium Loyalty Programme “MiRewards”
MiFinity, the award-winning global payments provider, has launched MiRewards, a premium loyalty programme designed to celebrate and reward its customers. Seamlessly integrated into the MiFinity eWallet, MiRewards transforms everyday payments, top-ups and withdrawals into MiPoints that can be redeemed in-account for cash credits and other exclusive rewards.
Free to join and effortless to use, the programme recognises long-term engagement through four distinctive tiers: Classic, Exclusive, Signature and Elite – with Signature and Elite created especially for MiFinity’s VIP customers, offering enhanced earning rates, dedicated support and exclusive invitations.
Built entirely in-house and free of any third-party software or plugins, MiRewards gives MiFinity complete control over programme design, security and future innovation – from granular earn rules to partner integrations and country-specific experiences. The result is a flexible, data-driven programme designed to deepen engagement, improve retention and add tangible value for customers and merchants across MiFinity’s supported verticals.
Paul Kavanagh, CEO of MiFinity, said: “MiRewards is the next step in MiFinity’s product evolution – a simple, transparent way to give back to customers for the transactions they already make. It reflects our ongoing commitment to rewarding loyalty and strengthening long-term relationships with our customers. Because we built the MiRewards platform ourselves, we have the freedom to keep improving it; from expanding partner offers to introducing new benefits that deepen engagement and enhance retention.”
MiRewards goes beyond traditional loyalty models by rewarding both everyday activity and key milestones. Customers earn MiPoints automatically on eligible transactions and can also collect bonus points for completing actions such as their first deposit, KYC verification, IBAN setup or card verification. This gamified approach makes the experience more interactive and rewarding, giving customers multiple ways to grow their points balance and unlock higher tiers faster.
Key Highlights:
• Always-on earning – Earn MiPoints on eligible eWallet activity automatically.
• Simple redemption – Redeem MiPoints for cash credits in a few taps, with more benefits being added over time.
• Scaled rewards – Higher tiers unlock boosted earn rates and VIP-style perks.
• Bonus opportunities – Collect extra MiPoints for completing key actions, encouraging engagement and gamification.
• Future-ready – In-house platform enables rapid iteration, partner rewards and market-specific experiences.
MiRewards enhances the overall MiFinity experience by giving customers more reasons to engage with the platform and enjoy tangible rewards for their everyday activity. For merchants and partners, that means stronger customer satisfaction, deeper trust and greater loyalty; all within a seamless, secure payment ecosystem that adds value without adding friction.
“Launching MiRewards marks an exciting milestone for MiFinity, but it’s far from the finish line. We have an ambitious roadmap of new features and partnerships ahead that will keep adding value for customers and partners worldwide,” said Paul Kavanagh, CEO of MiFinity.
The post MiFinity Launches Premium Loyalty Programme “MiRewards” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
capital structure
Gentoo Media Secures EUR 18 Million Shareholder Loan Facility and Provides an Update on the Refinancing Process
Gentoo Media announced the largest shareholders have provided a committed loan facility of EUR 18 million to the Company as part of its ongoing efforts to optimise the Group’s capital structure and enhance financial flexibility. The term sheet has been signed on 26 February 2026.
The purpose of the loan is to reduce the outstanding amount under the Company’s existing revolving credit facility (RCF) to EUR 0 million.
The terms and conditions:
• A EUR 16 million pari passu facility (Maturing 31 December 2027), carrying interest terms in line with the Company’s existing bond terms and ranking pari passu with the Company’s existing bondholders and RCF provider, covenants will be similar to existing bond terms with the expectations to bring the facility down to EUR 14 million by the end of July, and
• A EUR 2 million unsecured facility (Maturing 30 April 2027), carrying interest on terms corresponding to the existing bond terms plus 3% and no covenants requirements.
The company expects the repayment of the current RCF to take place in early March after legal documents has been finalised and signed by all parties.
Management and the Board of Directors consider this solution to be an attractive and supportive financing arrangement that underlines the continued commitment from the Company’s largest shareholders which supports long-term value creation for Gentoo Media.
Bond refinancing
Following an evaluation of market conditions and the terms indicated by investors, Gentoo Media has decided not to proceed with the contemplated bond refinancing at this time. The Company will continue to assess various refinancing alternatives and other measures to address the upcoming bond maturities.
The post Gentoo Media Secures EUR 18 Million Shareholder Loan Facility and Provides an Update on the Refinancing Process appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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