Latest News

bacta launch YGAM and Betknowmore UK Safer Gambling Training on portal

Published

3 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.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

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.

Casino Guru

Casino Guru enriches its portfolio with a dedicated sweepstakes casino database and updated safety index

Published

18 hours ago

May 7, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

Casino Guru, the global authority on online casino transparency and player safety, is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of a dedicated sweepstakes casino overview tailored to the rapidly evolving U.S. market.

Following months of in-depth research and development, the company has unveiled a new initiative focused on social sweepstakes casinos — a unique and increasingly popular segment of the online gaming space. As part of this expansion, Casino Guru has adapted its trusted Safety Index to reflect the specific characteristics of sweepstakes casino models.

“We’ve been hearing about sweepstakes casinos for quite some time, from social media buzz to community discussions and expert panels,” said Jozef Krucay, Branch Operations Lead at Casino Guru. “It became clear this wasn’t just a passing trend, but a notable shift in how people engage with online entertainment.”

Unlike traditional online casinos, sweepstakes casinos use virtual currencies such as Gold Coins, Sweeps Cash, or Vegas Gems. Players can enjoy games for free or use purchasable coins to enhance their experience. With some luck, they may receive a special sweepstakes currency, which can be redeemed for real-world prizes — presenting both exciting opportunities and important considerations for player protection.

Casino Guru’s newly launched content includes:

Listings for 11 published sweepstakes casinos, with over 60 more identified and currently in development
An adapted Safety Index that reflects the distinct risks and rules of sweepstakes platforms
Educational materials and player resources, including complaint-handling tools
Planned detailed reviews to provide deeper insights into each platform

“Our goal is to help players navigate this growing space with the same clarity and confidence we’ve brought to traditional online casinos,” Jozef added. “As always, our focus remains on transparency, safety, and informed decision-making.”

This new direction positions Casino Guru at the forefront of player advocacy in emerging casino formats — with a clear path toward future expansion in the broader world of social and sweepstakes gaming.

The post Casino Guru enriches its portfolio with a dedicated sweepstakes casino database and updated safety index appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Gaming

Physics-Based Strategy Meets Mixed Reality: Battle Orb Redefines Competitive Gaming

Published

19 hours ago

May 7, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

MixRift unveils brand new strategic PvP arena gaming experience

MixRift, an innovative mixed reality (MR) gaming developer, today announced the official launch of Battle Orb, a competitive strategy game which invites players to challenge each other and transform their physical surroundings into dynamic battlefields. Available now for Meta Quest platforms, Battle Orb represents the next evolution in mutli-player MR gaming.

A first PvP game for MixRift, Battle Orb allows players to step into immersive arenas where physical and digital worlds collide. Skill meets chaos in this fast-paced multiplayer strategy game, which challenges players to aim, shoot, and dominate with speed and precision across customized battlefields, combining tactical thinking with physics-based gameplay. Every hit counts as players collide, strategise and outplay opponents from around the world, from the comfort of their own homes. Players can compete in 2-player or 4-player battles, earn trophies, unlock and upgrade powerful units, and master unique arenas to climb the leaderboard.

“With Battle Orb, we’re not just launching a game, we’re basically turning your living room into a fantasy battleground.” said Bobby Voicu, CEO of MixRift. “We wanted to create something where anyone can jump in and start having fun in seconds, but that you could also master and keep replaying. I think this is what the future of gaming looks like, and it’s a blast!”

Key Features:

HD Graphics: Cutting-edge MR design technology creates a truly immersive gaming experience
Creative Character Options: Choose from tens of monsters, creatures, and cartoons to play with – each one zanier than the last
Real-Time PvP Action: Face-off in 2-player or 4-player matches full of high-stakes action
Physics Meets Strategy: Master the perfect angle, power, and timing to outmaneuver opponents, and perfect your shots to climb through the ranks
Unique Units & Powers: Earn wins and open loot chests to unlock and upgrade special characters and abilities
Environmental Integration: Scale your battlefield to fit any space, turning living rooms into competitive arenas
Competitive Progression: Climb global leaderboards through a rewarding rank system and prove you’re the righteous winner

The game’s intuitive controls ensure players of all skill levels can jump in immediately, while the strategic elements provide long-term engagement for competitive gamers. Battle Orb’s intuitive and quick matchmaking system means players are matched with others in similar ranks within seconds.

Battle Orb has been designed with comfort and safety in mind, earning a “Comfortable” rating and PEGI 3 classification, making it appropriate for players of all ages while still delivering compelling gameplay for serious competitors.

“We’ve created Battle Orb to be a really special mixed-reality competitive experience,” said Voicu. “The way it transforms your physical environment into a strategic battlefield creates moments of gaming magic that simply aren’t possible in traditional formats.”

Availability:
Battle Orb is available now on the Meta Quest Store for Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest 2 platforms. The game requires an internet connection for its online features.

For more information, visit https://mixrift.com/ or follow MixRift on social media for updates, tournaments, and community highlights.

The post Physics-Based Strategy Meets Mixed Reality: Battle Orb Redefines Competitive Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Conferences

Fast Track showcases AI-driven CRM, gamification and bonus abuse prevention at SBC Americas 2025

Published

19 hours ago

May 7, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

fast-track-showcases-ai-driven-crm,-gamification-and-bonus-abuse-prevention-at-sbc-americas-2025

Fast Track announces its participation at the upcoming SBC Summit Americas 2025, taking place between May 13-15 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event is one of the most significant gatherings for the Latin American and North American iGaming markets, and will bring together operators and suppliers from across the region, offering a unique platform for innovation and collaboration.

As Fast Track continues to strengthen its’ market regional presence, the tech supplier will showcase its full lineup of solutions that set it apart in the iGaming industry: CRM, AI-driven gamification, and bonus abuse prevention. These core three pillars work together to help operators across Latin America and North America to enhance player engagement, manage risks, and drive sustainable growth.

“Fast Track has established a solid presence across several North and Latin American markets, and the SBC Summit Americas is the perfect platform for us to connect with both existing partners and new operators,” said Simon Lidzén, Co-Founder and CEO of Fast Track. “We’re excited to showcase how our AI-driven ecosystem is helping operators transform player engagement and achieve exponential growth.”

Visitors to Fast Track’s stands D430 and D440 will have the opportunity to explore the company’s complete product offering, including:

CRM: Built around the innovative concept of Singularity, Fast Track’s CRM enables operators to deliver highly personalised, dynamic player experiences that boost retention and loyalty.
Rewards: An AI-driven gamification ecosystem designed to seamlessly integrate with CRM operations, turning every player visit into a rewarding experience.
Greco: The only Gameplay Risk Engine offering operators real-time insights and advanced risk management capabilities by providing detailed insights into player activity.

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