Latest News

bacta launch YGAM and Betknowmore UK Safer Gambling Training on portal

Published

4 years ago

March 2, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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.

BetMGM

BetMGM lands first-to-market exclusivity for new AGS Rakin’ Bacon! slots

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

betmgm-lands-first-to-market-exclusivity-for-new-ags-rakin’-bacon!-slots

Three-game rollout starts April 20 on BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino, with launches set for May 12 and July 2.

BetMGM has secured exclusive first-to-market rights to upcoming online slot titles from AGS’ Rakin’ Bacon!® franchise, with releases set to roll out across BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino, the company said April 20.

The first title, Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink Soda Fountain Fortunes, is available now. Two additional games are scheduled: Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink San Shen Zhu on May 12 and Rakin’ Bacon! Fu Zhu Bao Bao on July 2.

“The Rakin’ Bacon! franchise is a proven mainstay on casino floors and online,” said Oliver Bartlett, Senior Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM. “Securing first-to-market rights is a natural extension of the strong relationship we’ve built with top-tier game suppliers like AGS. As a premier online casino destination, it is our commitment to offer players first access to the most anticipated titles.”

BetMGM said Rakin’ Bacon! games have been among its top-performing content, noting that two slot titles from the franchise placed among the platform’s top 15 iGaming offerings in 2025.

Zoe Ebling, Vice President of Interactive at AGS, said, “AGS is focused on bringing the energy of land-based favorites into the digital world in ways that drive real engagement. Our continued partnership with BetMGM and bringing even more Rakin’ Bacon! titles online cements AGS’ commitment to offering standout gaming experiences to players across both platforms.”

More data as follows:

BetMGM newsroom (original release): https://casino.betmgm.com/en/blog/press/ Primary source for the announcement and any follow-up details.
AGS newsroom: https://newsroom.playags.com/ Company source for product and partnership updates on AGS’ interactive content.
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement: https://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/ Regulatory context for online casino operations referenced in Jersey City, NJ.

The post BetMGM lands first-to-market exclusivity for new AGS Rakin’ Bacon! slots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

asia-pacific

PokerOrg named official media partner of Asian Poker Tour

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

pokerorg-named-official-media-partner-of-asian-poker-tour

Exclusive global deal covers APT Taipei, Incheon, Jeju and the APT Championship in Taipei through the rest of 2026.

PokerOrg has been appointed the Official Media Partner of the Asian Poker Tour (APT) under an exclusive global partnership announced April 20, 2026 in Douglas, Isle of Man.

The agreement makes PokerOrg APT’s global storytelling and audience development partner for the tour’s remaining 2026 stops: APT Taipei (April/May), APT Incheon (August), APT Jeju (September/October), and the APT Championship (November), which will again be held in Taipei.

APT said it has been the fastest growing poker tour in the world since the “APT New Era” began in 2023. The company also pointed to the debut APT Championship, which it said generated more than $34 million in prize money.

“APT has been one of the most important stories in poker for several years, but much of the global audience hasn’t experienced it yet,” said Eric Hollreiser, CEO of PokerOrg parent company Triple Barrel Media. “This partnership changes that, not by reporting on APT from the outside, but by bringing players inside it and making it matter to a global audience.”

“PokerOrg is the gold standard in poker media, so bringing them on as our Official Media Partner is a natural fit. Their values around integrity and how they approach the game are fully aligned with APT.” said Fred Leung, CEO of the Asian Poker Tour.

PokerOrg said its coverage will include creator-led content, social-first formats and integrated event reporting across its platforms. The company also plans to launch a dedicated APT hub on Poker.org and extend its Pick 3 fan format to the APT Championship, with winners receiving a package to an APT event in 2027.

Relevant data as follows:

Asian Poker Tour (APT): https://theasianpokertour.com/ Official tour site to verify schedule, destinations and announcements referenced in the partnership.
PokerOrg: https://www.poker.org/ Official PokerOrg site for details on coverage formats, the APT hub and Pick 3 product references.
Triple Barrel Media: https://triplebarrelmedia.com/ Parent company site for corporate context around PokerOrg and executive attribution.

The post PokerOrg named official media partner of Asian Poker Tour appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

BetMGM Secures Exclusive First-To-Market Rights For Upcoming AGS Rakin’ Bacon! Titles

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

betmgm-secures-exclusive-first-to-market-rights-for-upcoming-ags-rakin’-bacon!-titles

BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, announced a continuing partnership with AGS, a leading supplier of high-performing slot, table, and online gaming products, to debut new titles from the Rakin’ Bacon!® franchise. BetMGM will have a period of exclusivity for the new games, available at BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino.

Upcoming release schedule:

Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink Soda Fountain Fortunes – Available Now
Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink San Shen Zhu – Available May 12
Rakin’ Bacon! Fu Zhu Bao Bao – Available July 2

“The Rakin’ Bacon! franchise is a proven mainstay on casino floors and online,” said Oliver Bartlett, Senior Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM. “Securing first-to-market rights is a natural extension of the strong relationship we’ve built with top-tier game suppliers like AGS. As a premier online casino destination, it is our commitment to offer players first access to the most anticipated titles.”

Led by Cornsquealius, the recognizable golden piggy bank character, Rakin’ Bacon! games have consistently ranked among BetMGM’s top performers, with two slot titles from the franchise placing among the platform’s top 15 iGaming offerings in 2025. What began with a traditional pot-collection bonus and five-of-a-kind pays has grown into a suite of styles and features that reflect both player trends and the brand’s creative evolution.

Zoe Ebling, Vice President of Interactive at AGS, said, “AGS is focused on bringing the energy of land-based favorites into the digital world in ways that drive real engagement. Our continued partnership with BetMGM and bringing even more Rakin’ Bacon! titles online cements AGS’ commitment to offering standout gaming experiences to players across both platforms.”

BetMGM’s award-winning online casino is home to over 7,000 titles across North American markets and one of the largest state-by-state exclusive progressive jackpot networks. BetMGM’s jackpot network currently consists of over 25 games including titles such as MGM Grand Millions, Bison Fury, and 15 Lanterns. Players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits by playing at BetMGM Casino. BetMGM Rewards points can be redeemed for digital bonuses, MGM Rewards Points, and Marriott Bonvoy Points.

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gambling remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

For more information on BetMGM, follow @BetMGM on X.
For more information on AGS, visit newsroom.playags.com.

The post BetMGM Secures Exclusive First-To-Market Rights For Upcoming AGS Rakin’ Bacon! Titles appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.