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Ygam host Parliamentary Reception to launch new strategy
Ygam launched their new strategy at a Parliamentary Reception earlier this week, attended by MPs, Peers and a broad range of stakeholders.
Around 90 guests attended the event in the Houses of Parliament including representatives from Government, regulators, academia, charities, trade associations, and local authorities.
The reception was hosted by Damian Collins MP, the minister responsible for gambling in 2022 and the Chair of the DCMS Select Committee for three years between 2016 and 2019. As a passionate proponent of the prevention of online harms, the Conservative MP opened the event with a speech that praised the charity for the important work it does to safeguard children and young people.
This was followed by a speech from Mike Wojcik, Chair of the Ygam board of trustees for the past six years and also Chief Executive of Queen Mary’s University London Student Union. He said: “I’ve seen the organisation grow and mature, and I couldn’t be prouder of where we are today. This year has been a transformative one for Ygam; we have defined our purpose, identified our unique remit and expertise, and worked to better understand the need so that we can offer the most effective programmes and services to those who have influence over the lives of young people, to enable them to safeguard against harm.”
MP’s and Peers from all political parties attended the reception to show their support for the charity, including Deputy Speaker Dame Rosie Winterton and Lord Clement-Jones. Organisations connected to the research, education and treatment of gaming and gambling harms were represented, as well as individuals with lived experience.
Ygam Chief Executive, Dr Jane Rigbye, addressed the reception outlining the charity’s new vision, mission, and ambitions. She said: “The digital world offers huge opportunities, but with those opportunities come risks, particularly for young people who live in an increasingly digitised world. We have a clear purpose, we deliver evidence-based programmes, and we are focused on understanding and continuously improving our impact.”
Dr Rigbye was clear on the important role of education saying “We want to ensure that universal education and prevention is seen as an essential part of the public health response to gambling and gaming, and that it is adequately funded over the long term. Ygam are here to demonstrate that delivering effective prevention education to all young people is achievable, worthwhile, and will save lives.”
Shadow DCMS Minister Jeff Smith MP closed the event with a keynote address, calling for the Government’s White Paper to support education and prevention. He said “It is absolutely vital that the White Paper gives a clear steer on funding for those in the sector, and we must also recognise that funding should not be limited to treatment provision alone. We need to be focused on preventing harm as well as tackling it when it has been able to develop. That is where charities like Ygam really come into their own, and part of the Government’s responsibilities in this White Paper is to address the concerns around the sustainability of their services and provisions.”
The new strategy reiterates Ygam’s focus on educating children and young people aged between 7 and 25. After appointing an independent facilitator to lead the strategic development process, Ygam has engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders and staff to develop a strategy which brings clarity and purpose to the future direction of the organisation.
The strategy outlines Ygam’s plans for the next three years and is a rolling strategy that will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis. This will enable the charity to adapt to the rapidly evolving context in which it operates, and to deliver its vision and mission beyond 2025. Ygam have committed to reporting on progress on a regular basis and intend to publish an annual impact report, and an annually refreshed strategic implementation plan.
Ygam also launched their new branding at the event which sees the charity change its logo, colours, and style. Daniel Bliss, Director of External Affairs at Ygam said: “The charity has evolved significantly since 2014 so we felt our branding should reflect where we are now. The new strategy was the perfect opportunity to refresh our look and we’re confident our new branding will to enable us to connect effectively with our audiences.”
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Jani Kontturi Head of Games at SkillOnNet
SkillOnNet and Playtech Strengthen Ties Through Multi-Market Games Expansion
Playtech’s casino and bingo offerings launch in various regulated markets.
SkillOnNet and Playtech have solidified their enduring collaboration with a multi-national launch of Playtech’s top-tier casino and bingo offerings.
The global entertainment brand SkillOnNet has successfully incorporated and unveiled the extensive game collection of the software giant in Portugal and Brazil, with Greece expected to go live soon. A launch in Peru is anticipated shortly as well.
Simultaneously, SkillOnNet has introduced Playtech Bingo through its well-known PlayOJO Bingo brand. Playtech’s advanced iBingo platform is renowned as one of the industry’s most robust and scalable options, providing shared network liquidity, improved player engagement features, and a comprehensive range of bingo variations and progressive jackpots.
The contract encompasses a range of customized, market-oriented marketing initiatives in each region, aimed at showcasing Playtech’s top-rated and most well-known games on SkillOnNet’s premier, TV-promoted brands, including PlayOJO, PlayUZU, and BacanaPlay.
The campaigns aim to boost player acquisition and engagement while enhancing the visibility of Playtech’s leading games in every regulated market. The agreement strengthens the already strong relationship between the two firms, highlighting their mutual emphasis on regulated expansion, high-quality player experiences, and sustainable market growth.
Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “Portugal, Brazil, Greece and Peru are all strategically important markets for SkillOnNet, and working with Playtech allows us to deliver premium content that resonates with local players while meeting each market’s regulatory requirements.”
Marat Koss, Chief Interactive Gaming Officer at Playtech, commented: “We’re excited to expand our longstanding collaboration with SkillOnNet into new markets and bring our next-gen iBingo platform to new players. The multi-market launch serves as both a strong testament to the quality of our technology and the trust placed in our long-term Bingo strategy. We look forward to continued shared success with a valued partner.”
The post SkillOnNet and Playtech Strengthen Ties Through Multi-Market Games Expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Adam Miles Director of Sales DEGEN Studios
Why the Slot Market Needs to Move Beyond the ‘Safe Middle’
Check out our latest Q&A w/ Adam Miles, Director of Sales, DEGEN Studios
You’ve joined DEGEN as Director of Sales at a key moment for the studio. What drew you to the role?
DEGEN has a very defined identity. It’s not trying to sit in the safe middle of the market, and it’s not trying to be everything to everyone. The games are high-volatility, identity-led and built with a specific player in mind. That makes the commercial proposition much stronger.
In a saturated industry, differentiation isn’t optional. Operators don’t need more generic content. They need studios that understand their audience and can deliver something with character and intent. DEGEN already had that direction, which made the opportunity compelling.
DEGEN positions itself as bold and disruptive. Does that make the sales conversation easier or more challenging?
It makes it clearer. When you have a defined identity, you’re not trying to convince every operator. You’re engaging with those who understand the value of differentiated content and who have player segments that respond to high-volatility, high-impact experiences.
Safe content will always have a place. But there is a significant audience looking for something more intense, more distinctive. Our job commercially is to ensure DEGEN’s portfolio is positioned where it will resonate most.
Transparency around who you are simplifies the conversation, shifting the focus from volume to value.
What are your immediate priorities in the role?
First, strengthening global distribution in a targeted way. It’s not about placing the portfolio everywhere. It’s about aligning with operators and aggregators who understand our positioning and can give the games the right context in their lobbies.
Second, deepening partnerships. We want operators to see DEGEN as a studio with a defined role in their content mix, particularly for high-volatility segments.
Internally, it’s also about feedback. Sales shouldn’t operate in isolation. Performance data, operator insight and market trends need to feed back into roadmap discussions. That loop between commercial and creative teams is essential if you want consistent growth.
DEGEN recently launched the DEGEN Powered initiative. How does that fit into your commercial strategy?
DEGEN Powered expands the conversation beyond individual releases. By partnering with studios like Spin Lab, who share a similar philosophy around player-first, identity-led design, we’re building a broader ecosystem.
It’s not a funding model or a traditional publishing structure; it is a strategic alignment. The studios maintain independence, but the DEGEN Powered banner signals shared values and a commitment to high-impact gameplay.
Commercially, that adds depth. It shows consistency in approach and reinforces the idea that this isn’t a one-off tone, it’s a growing segment of the market.
In such a competitive market, what gives DEGEN a genuine edge?
Most studios will aim for the broadest possible appeal, for DEGEN it’s about audience focus and being intentional. The portfolio is built around clearly defined player behaviours, particularly those who engage with higher volatility and stronger thematic identity.
When you understand who the game is for, your commercial message becomes sharper. Instead of promising universal appeal, you can demonstrate defined appeal backed by performance logic.
Operators are increasingly data-driven. They segment their player bases carefully. When a studio understands that segmentation and builds accordingly, the commercial discussion becomes more credible.
As your role develops, what does success look like for you?
Success is about expanding the brand sustainably. That means entering key markets with the right partners, strengthening our global footprint and ensuring the portfolio performs consistently across different territories.
It’s also about reputation. I want DEGEN to be recognised not just as a creative studio with attitude, but as a reliable commercial partner. A studio that delivers differentiated content and backs it with structured, strategic growth.
If operators associate DEGEN with bold, high-volatility experiences that perform for specific segments, and they trust us to support that with strong partnerships and execution, then we’re on the right path.
Ultimately for me, the role is about scaling the commercial side of the business while protecting what makes DEGEN different.
The post Why the Slot Market Needs to Move Beyond the ‘Safe Middle’ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Affiliate Succes
Affilka and Gamblers Connect announce media partnership
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, has announced an official partnership with Affilka, one of the industry’s most trusted affiliate management platforms.
Affilka powers the software behind some of the best-run operator programs in iGaming, offering near real-time tracking and automated reporting that help affiliates and operators operate efficiently and transparently.
Throughout 2026, the two companies will collaborate on a range of initiatives, including data-driven content and localized market insights, with the shared goal of helping players make informed decisions while supporting operators in building sustainable and trustworthy affiliate relationships.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said:
“Our partnership ensures that operators running on Affilka’s platform are recognised across our network for meeting higher operational standards. Prompt payouts, fair tracking, and robust anti-fraud measures aren’t optional extras — they are the baseline we expect from any brand we recommend to our community.”
The post Affilka and Gamblers Connect announce media partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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