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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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The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, the largest content hub in the iGaming industry, has secured Brazilian certification, becoming one of the first in the market to achieve this milestone.
Regulatory rules for iGaming come into effect in Brazil on 1 January 2025. According to them, platforms, aggregators, sportsbooks, and providers must undergo certification. Companies aiming to provide their services in Brazil in 2025 and beyond have been preparing for this transition throughout the year.
The SOFTSWISS team announces that its Game Aggregator is the first to fully comply with regulations, completing all necessary preparations and receiving the certificate to ensure smooth and efficient operations for its clients.
SOFTSWISS has also obtained certification for integration with the world’s largest game providers – Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and Playtech. These providers offer a diverse range of games tailored to suit the preferences of Brazilian players, from immersive live dealer experiences to engaging slots and table games, ensuring entertainment for every type of player.
According to recent Kantar research conducted in November 2024, the overall satisfaction index for the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is 8.1 out of 10. Remarkably, half of the respondents rated the product a 10 or 9. Customer support service satisfaction scored even higher, at 8.4 out of 10.
The Game Aggregator also boasts a key advantage: consistent 99.999% uptime, which is crucial for the iGaming business.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, notes: “According to our information, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is the first aggregator fully prepared, both technically and legally, to work in Brazil when the new regulations take effect. This is a significant achievement that the team has worked on diligently and systematically. Our work doesn’t stop here – we are actively adding new providers to help our clients expand their presence in this promising Brazilian market, which is no longer ‘the sleeping giant’. It has awakened, and SOFTSWISS is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.”
To support this high level of performance, earlier this year SOFTSWISS appointed Rubens Barrichello, the Brazilian Formula 1 legend, as a Non-Executive Director, demonstrating its strong commitment to the local market. To ensure efficient operations and promptly address ongoing matters, SOFTSWISS also has a dedicated team of local business development managers in Brazil.
SOFTSWISS team will be available to discuss partnership in Brazil and other markets at the first major iGaming event of 2025 – ICE Barcelona, taking place on 20–22 January, at stand 2G42.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator: Largest Content Hub Certified in Brazil appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Digitain, the leading provider of sportsbook and casino platform solutions, announced today that Edmond Ghulyan, the Group Chief Strategy Officer, has been promoted to CEO of Relum, the casino engine solution provider that is part of the Digitain Group of Companies.
Edmond has held several key leadership positions within the Digitain Group over the past seven years, including Chief of Centrivo Products and Group Chief Strategy Officer. He brings extensive experience in the iGaming industry, along with expertise in digital strategy, product innovation, operations, and market-product fit strategies. His comprehensive understanding of both B2B and B2C iGaming supply chains will be invaluable in further scaling Relum’s product offerings, including casino aggregation services and market expansion.
Digitain’s Group Founder, Mr. Vardges Vardanyan, commented on the promotion: “I am delighted to have Edmond lead the Relum team. With his extensive experience in product and commercial development at Digitain over the years, Edmond will support and facilitate comprehensive solutions as Relum expands its services to B2C partner operators in high-growth markets.”
Edmond Ghulyan, CEO of Relum, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “I am truly excited to have played my part of Digitain’s growth journey, and now Relum, a company that has consistently expanded its business solutions within the global regulated iGaming supply chain. The company’s customer-centric approach and commitment to its people in delivering complex solutions for today’s multi-jurisdictional regulated operators have always impressed me. I eagerly look forward to scaling the Relum business with new and existing partners and leading the product and sales team in the coming months.”
The post Digitain has promoted Group Chief Strategy Officer to CEO of Relum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Zitro, a leading global gaming company, has announced the successful launch of its first Wide Area Progressive (WAP) in Argentina, with over 45 slot cabinets initially installed in five gaming halls located at the Hipódromo de Palermo. The product selected for this project is the successful game “Mighty Hammer Ultimate” on Zitro’s premium cabinet, “Altius Glare.”
This system represents the first WAP in South America. A shared jackpot called “Mega Pozo Mighty Hammer” starts at 50 million Pesos and grows progressively, making it the largest accumulated prize in the region. The official inauguration was held on December 19th during the exclusive “Noche de Palermo” event, including a live performance by the renowned Argentinian band Los Totora.
Company Directors commented: “We are very pleased to introduce Argentina’s first WAP at the Hipódromo de Palermo. This project – for which we partnered with Zitro – reiterates Casino Club’s commitment to innovation, always under the premise of offering our customers an entertainment experience that exceeds all their expectations.”
For her part, Alejandra Burato, Regional Director of Zitro for LatAm, commented: “The launch of our first WAP in Argentina is a very important milestone for Zitro, as it confirms our company as a supplier of machines for WAPs. Attending the inauguration event and seeing firsthand how our products connect with players has been a pleasure, providing a unique and different entertainment experience in the region. Additionally, I want to highlight the excellent marketing surrounding the launch, contributing to its success. Finally, I would like to thank Casino Club for their trust and collaboration, which has allowed us to present this innovative proposal in such a renowned and emblematic place as the Hipódromo de Palermo.”
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