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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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ACR Poker
MONSTER VENOM TOURNAMENTS ON ACR POKER AWARD OVER $11 MILLION IN PRIZE POOLS TO PLAYERS AND DELIVER BIG POKER ACTION
ACR Poker has wrapped up its flagship Dual Mystery Bounty Venom tournaments, delivering more than two weeks of high-octane online poker action and awarding over $11 million in total prize pools to players from around the world.
The hugely popular series once again surpassed expectations, smashing guaranteed prize pools and cementing the Venom brand as one of the biggest and most exciting events on the online poker calendar.
The Venom No-Limit Hold’em (NLH) event comfortably exceeded its $8 million guarantee, generating a massive $9,182,500 prize pool, with $4,591,250 allocated to mystery bounties. Meanwhile, the Venom Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) tournament surpassed its $2 million guarantee, creating a $2,092,500 total prize pool, including $1,046,250 in bounties.
In the NLH event, 28-year-old Portuguese poker professional Pedro “MatasSembolas” Neves emerged victorious after outlasting a formidable field of 3,673 entrants. Following a three-way deal with ‘BALDOUS’ and ‘basaboy’, Neves captured the Venom title and secured a total payout of $728,281, made up of $630,327 in prize money and $97,953 in bounties.
Reflecting on his victory, Neves said:
“It feels great to win such a big tournament. The Venom is one of the most well-known events on the schedule, so finishing in first place is very satisfying and something I’m really happy about.”
Despite finishing runner-up, UK player ‘BALDOUS’ claimed the largest overall payday of the tournament. By landing the top $500,000 and $150,000 mystery bounties, ‘BALDOUS’ walked away with $510,378 in prize money and an incredible $729,931 in bounties, totaling $1,240,310.
In the PLO Venom, ‘StickyMinaj’ topped an 837-player field, earning the $209,860 first-place prize along with $104,062 in bounties to cap off an impressive performance.
ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker praised the series, saying:
“The Mystery Bounty Venoms had it all — huge fields, nonstop action, and unforgettable moments — and showed why it’s one of the most exciting formats in online poker. Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who landed those incredible bounties — now bring on the next one!”
Fans looking to relive the action can catch a full recap of the NLH final table on ACR Poker’s Twitch channel, featuring commentary from ACR Pros Chris Moneymaker and Jon Pardy, alongside ACR Team Online member Svitlana Dryha.
While the Dual Venom tournaments have concluded, the action on ACR Poker continues. Players can now take part in the $1 million guaranteed Moneymaker Mystery Million, the popular weekly high-stakes tournament Phil’s Thrill, and a packed schedule of additional events.
The post MONSTER VENOM TOURNAMENTS ON ACR POKER AWARD OVER $11 MILLION IN PRIZE POOLS TO PLAYERS AND DELIVER BIG POKER ACTION appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
DBET
Immense Group appoints Marcus Adler as Nordic Director for DBET
Immense Group has appointed Marcus Adler as Nordic Director for DBET, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its sports betting footprint across Sweden and other regulated European markets.
DBET is Immense Group’s first dedicated sports betting brand. Launched in August 2024, the brand has quickly established itself in the Swedish market by delivering a sports betting experience focused on popular sporting events, international pools and jackpots. DBET is available online and on mobile devices, while also boasting a strong retail presence through an extensive nationwide network of betting shop terminals.
Over the past year, DBET has significantly increased its brand visibility by forming strategic partnerships with key Swedish sports organisations, including the Swedish Bandy Association and the Swedish Basketball Association. These collaborations have strengthened DBET’s ties to local sport and helped position the brand as a trusted and recognisable name in a highly competitive landscape.
Based in Sweden, Marcus Adler brings extensive experience in commercial leadership, digital growth and sports gaming. He most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at RoninSport.io, a Swedish sports TV data and digital engagement provider working with media companies, iGaming operators and sports platforms to deliver real-time sports content solutions. Prior to that, Adler led Online Acquisition at LeoVegas and held several senior commercial roles across the sports media and digital entertainment sectors.
Adler’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Immense Group as it continues to invest heavily in its sports betting capabilities. In 2025, the company selected Altenar as its global sportsbook partner, enabling scalable, localised and compliant sports betting operations across its portfolio of brands in regulated markets.
Commenting on his new role, Marcus Adler said:
“I am very pleased to join Immense Group at a time when the company is making significant investments in sports betting and DBET is gaining real traction in Sweden. The brand already has strong foundations, from its product offering to its partnerships within local sport. My focus will be to provide clear strategic direction for the Nordics, prepare DBET for its next phase of growth, and ensure we deliver a sports betting experience that feels trusted, intuitive and genuinely competitive for players in Sweden and across the wider region.”
The post Immense Group appoints Marcus Adler as Nordic Director for DBET appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Animo
Elantil and Animo Unite to Redefine Live Casino Gaming
Innovative platform solutions provider collaborates with specialized Live Casino supplier to offer clients real-time games featuring a pop culture flair.
Transforming the industry for operators through its cutting-edge technology and adaptable multi-currency choices, leading platform solutions provider, Elantil, has revealed the integration of a revolutionary studio into its online marketplace with Animo.
Centered on the commitment to employ actual dealers and genuine equipment to provide extraordinary experiences, Animo has revolutionized live entertainment by merging real-time table games with virtual broadcast production, resulting in an immersive format that harmoniously blends pop culture and iGaming.
Animo is presently providing various roulette versions and will expand into additional live gaming formats over the year, utilizing professional dealers in high-quality casino environments and applying its innovative technology to convert them into customizable virtual avatars that meet operators’ needs.
This opens the door to thrilling commercial collaborations that can enhance engagement; Animo’s product is anticipated to attract crypto operators, making the integration especially pertinent as Elantil will showcase at SiGMA Eurasia this month.
Due to the new collaboration, all Animo games will be highlighted in Elantil’s Marketplace, allowing customers to reach out to the supplier directly to establish their own tailored agreements; this eliminates any intermediary expenses and guarantees they receive the ideal package for their requirements.
After terms are settled, they will receive login credentials to access their games directly from Elantil’s Marketplace, while the company manages all technical aspects to ensure they are operational.
John Debono, Chief Technical Officer at Elantil, said: “As anyone who’s visited an Elantil stand at ICE will know, we’re a company that embraces the unconventional and loves to get creative. With this in mind, Animo is the perfect addition to our marketplace, and we believe their unique approach to Live Casino will prove incredibly popular with partners – especially those in the crypto space.”
Harley Fresh, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Animo, said: “Like Elantil, Animo has forged its own path in the iGaming industry, the interactive experiences we provide are unlike anything else. By blending the real world and the virtual, we create a new level of engagement that supports both player acquisition and market penetration. We can’t wait to hear how our line-up can be tailored to Elantil’s customers’ needs and are excited to bring more brand IP to life.”
The post Elantil and Animo Unite to Redefine Live Casino Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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