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Gambling Business Group, CEO, Peter Hannibal: ‘Every great gaming innovation has been seen if not launched at ICE London.’
Peter Hannibal, Chief Executive of the strategic body the Gambling Business Group, has described ICE, which takes place next week at ExCeL London (12th/13th/14th April), as being an ‘unbeliveable source of inspiration and an unparalleled shop window for the international gambling industry.‘
Hannibal, who will be attending his 40th edition of ICE and its predecessor ATEI, explained: “The gambling industry is one of the fastest adopters of new technology and ICE is the event at which innovators unashamedly choose to launch their newest and most progressive products and services safe in the knowledge that they will be able to engage with a truly international audience of gambling industry buyers. As a consequence I think it’s fair to say that the majority of great gambling innovations have been seen if not launched at ICE London.”
However, the importance of ICE goes beyond just the launch of innovative new gambling products and services: “From my first show back in the early 1980’s ATEI, as it was then, was the place where the industry met, networked and educated themselves as to what else was going on” stated Peter Hannibal. “Much of the discussions surrounded pending legislation changes and I’m certain that will be the case next week when there is sure to be intense speculation on the forthcoming UK Government Whitepaper on gambling reform.”
“Initiatives such as The Consumer Protection Zone, that Clarion introduced to the ICE show floor in 2018, are great examples of how the industry is working in partnership with safer gambling and treatment charities – a progressive partnership which helps explain why problem gambling rates in the UK as calculated by the Gambling Commission sit at their record low of 0.3%. This industry is at its best when it is able to meet face-to-face and discuss products, consumers, trends and the future direction of travel for gambling. I believe the bounce-back for the land-based gambling sector begins at ICE London.”
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Digitain Announces New Slogan and Vision Ahead of ICE Barcelona
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North Star Network acquires Soccernet.ng to strengthen Nigerian presence
North Star Network (NSN) has announced its acquisition of Soccernet.ng, a prominent Nigerian sports media platform, marking a significant expansion into the Nigerian sports scene and underscoring its ambition to solidify its footprint in the African media landscape.
Founded in 2014, Soccernet.ng has become a trusted authority on Nigerian football, providing in-depth daily coverage of local football alongside trending stories from the global soccer world. Known for its quality journalism and passionate team of football enthusiasts, the platform has achieved significant recognition, including the Sport Blog of the Year award at the Nigerian Blog Awards.
A Strategic Move into Africa
The acquisition of Soccernet.ng is part of North Star Network’s strategy to expand its portfolio in Africa. The platform joins NSN’s roster of over 30 respected sports media brands, which includes Afrik-Foot, Top Mercato, Football Whispers, Sportsmole, and Vringe.
Julien Josset, Co-founder of North Star Network, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:
“We’re excited to welcome Soccernet.ng into the North Star Network family. Their passion for Nigerian football and commitment to quality journalism align perfectly with our global vision of bringing fans closer to the game they love.”
Preserving Soccernet.ng’s Legacy
Soccernet.ng will retain its original team of dedicated journalists, ensuring the platform’s authenticity and unique voice remain intact. The website currently engages readers not only in Nigeria but also across over 150 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Spain.
Biyi Akangbe, Founder of Soccernet.ng, reflected on the platform’s journey:
“We started as a small website 10 years ago with a passion to deliver news about Nigerian footballers to readers. We’ve since grown into a globally recognized source for Nigerian football news. This acquisition by North Star marks an exciting new chapter for our brand.”
Co-founder Lolade Adewuyi will continue to contribute to the site as a columnist, maintaining the brand’s strong connection with its loyal readership.
Expanding Global Reach
The acquisition of Soccernet.ng reinforces North Star Network’s dedication to amplifying local voices in key regions while offering unparalleled sports coverage. With its innovative strategies and growing portfolio, the group is poised to drive sustainable growth across its media brands.
North Star Network is a leading global sports media group, operating in over thirty countries and committed to delivering world-class sports content to fans worldwide.
This acquisition sets the stage for a new era in Nigerian sports journalism and highlights North Star Network’s continued efforts to connect fans to the heart of the game.
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GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year – according to the charity’s Annual Report.
In a year marked by uncertainty over the future shape and structure of the gambling harms treatment sector following the previous government’s white paper on gambling reform, the charity continued to prioritise those at-risk of, or currently experiencing, gambling harm.
Of all calls and online chats that were responded to on GamCare’s Helpline in 2023/24, 41,070 (74%) were classed as supportive interventions. This includes supporting people with initial guidance and advice as well as delivering a seamless entry point into structured treatment services, with individuals completing treatment reporting a significant reduction in gambling-related distress and financial harm.
In March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an assessment of the gambling treatment system, highlighting that 57% of individuals engaging in treatment were referred by the National Gambling Helpline. This underscores the Helpline’s critical role in connecting people to the support they need. Over 9,100 free treatment sessions were delivered in the year to April 2024, with an average of just 2.1 days’ wait from point of referral.
GamCare’s targeted programmes aimed at young people, women, and the criminal justice system provided training on how to spot the signs of harms and where to signpost into support for 10,344 professionals, and education for 53,324 young people, children and parents. The Women’s Programme, in partnership with organisations such as Refuge, trained 3,813 professionals to recognise and address gambling-related harm among women.
Margot Daly, Executive Chair of GamCare’s Board, says: “Throughout a challenging year and with heightened demand for our services, GamCare’s staff have got on with the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary. While we expect important changes in the gambling harms landscape, we have been determined not to let this uncertainty affect our relentless focus on the people who really matter – those at-risk of or currently experiencing gambling harms.
“I would like to thank and pay tribute to our frontline staff who provide 24/7 support for all those at risk or in distress. I also want to thank GamCare’s senior executive team who have steered GamCare through a period of sustained change, and to my fellow trustees for their guidance, unwavering support and the time each has dedicated to ensuring that the charity stays on course and on mission.
“As we look ahead to how the future of the gambling harms sector is shaped, we are committed to working proactively with the NHS and other partners and commissioners to ensure that people are continually able to receive the right support at the right time.”
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