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TIGA reveals shortlist for UK Games Education Awards 2023

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TIGA, the trade association representing the UK’s video games industry, has revealed the shortlist for the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023.

These awards recognise outstanding students, education providers and best practice.

The winners of the 12 categories will be announced in a virtual ceremony on Friday September 29th 2023, together with the winner of a special award that will be revealed during the programme.

Creative Assembly, the studio behind the Total War series and new FPS title Hyenas, is the headline sponsor of the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023. As a multi-award winner for their education work, Creative Assembly utilises the skills and passions of 850 employees to provide industry outreach to students across the globe.

The Awards are further supported by: Gold sponsor Sumo Group, the award winning international family of game development studios; and Bronze sponsor, Lockwood Publishing.

Dr Richard Wilson OBE, TIGA CEO, said: “The TIGA Education Awards shortlist highlights leaders in games education: outstanding students, excellent providers and good practice in education. Thank you to Creative Assembly, our headline sponsor, Sumo Group, our Gold Sponsor and Lockwood Publishing, our Bronze Sponsor, for supporting excellence in skills and learning, and for making the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023 possible. We look forward to revealing the crème de la crème when we announce the winners of the Awards on September 29th.”

Sophie Bryan, Head of HR, Creative Assembly, said: “We are pleased to sponsor yet another year of the TIGA UK Games Education Awards and to present the Creative Assembly Best Student Game Award. It is an opportunity to support and promote excellence in games education which is a priority for our Legacy Project education outreach work. Each year, through the awards, we see an incredible calibre of students and educational practice and this year is no different; congratulations to all shortlisted.”

Christina Haralambous, Group Director of Communications & Marketing, Sumo Group, said: “Sumo Group is delighted to be sponsoring the TIGA UK Games Education Awards for 2023. Nurturing, supporting and celebrating future talent, and those that help educate that talent, is important to continue to move our industry forward. Congratulations to all those on the shortlist for these prestigious awards.”

Halli Bjornsson, CEO of Lockwood Publishing, said: “The TIGA Games Education Awards recognise achievements and spur further progress in education and skills. Congratulations to all of our finalists and I look forward to seeing the winners.”

TIGA’s charity partner for the Games Education Awards 2023 is The Passage. The Passage’s vision is of a society where street homelessness no longer exists and where everyone has a place to call home.  Founded in 1980, The Passage provides practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness.  Guided by their Vincentian values, The Passage offers their clients resources and solutions to prevent or end their homelessness for good. The charity runs a modern Resource Centre in London, helping people to find routes to employment, benefits and stable accommodation; four residential projects, outreach and health services and homelessness prevention schemes.

TIGA GAMES EDUCATION AWARDS 2023 SHORTLIST

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: ARTIST

  1. Abertay University: Daniel Tolland
  2. Birmingham City University: Joseph Gordon
  3. Norwich University of the Arts: George Kee
  4. Norwich University of the Arts: Salene Tarling
  5. Staffordshire University: Megan-Louise Morris
  6. Staffordshire University: Aaron Burnhope
  7. University of Gloucestershire: Sam Carrier
  8. University of Hertfordshire: Maxine Lugg
  9. University of Hertfordshire: Diana Karakushyan
  10. University of Portsmouth: Victoria Primmer

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: AUDIO

  1. Birmingham City University: Zih-Syuan Yang
  2. Norwich University of the Arts: Rhys Anthony
  3. Staffordshire University: Felype Goncalves Fernandes
  4. University of Portsmouth: Antti Liakka 

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: COMPUTER GAMES TECHNOLOGY

  1. Abertay University: Rhys Duff
  2. Abertay University: Justin Syfrig
  3. Birmingham City University: Nadia Nadeem
  4. Bournemouth University: Annie Holliday
  5. Staffordshire University: Davide Pelino
  6. Staffordshire University: Conner Pittaway
  7. University of Portsmouth: Siddhesh Swamy
  8. University of Portsmouth: Victoria Primmer
  9. University of the West of England: William Whitehouse
  10. University of the West of England: Zac Collins

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: DESIGNER

  1. Abertay University: Dominik Gawron
  2. Brunel University: Rui Silva
  3. Bournemouth University: Archie McGrath
  4. Bournemouth University: Ethan Shellard
  5. City, University of London: Ayotunde Norman-Williams
  6. Norwich University of the Arts: Szymon Garczynski
  7. Staffordshire University:  Jade Staines
  8. Staffordshire University: Olivia Cross
  9. Staffordshire University: Tyler Timlin
  10. University of Portsmouth: Liam Peachey

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: PROGRAMMER

  1. Abertay University: Bridget Casey
  2. Birmingham City University: Ryan Westwood
  3. Bournemouth University: Ethan Shellard
  4. Sheffield Hallam University: Chae Taylor
  5. Sheffield Hallam University: Benjamin Kimberley
  6. Staffordshire University: Arnav Mehta
  7. University of Gloucestershire: Pheobe Pudge
  8. University of the West of England: William Whitehouse
  9. University of Portsmouth: Kian Bennett
  10. University of Portsmouth: Ethan Crooks

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: PRODUCTION/ENTERPRISE

  1. Abertay University: Lyes Oussaiden
  2. Bournemouth University: Anita Oyebola
  3. Bournemouth University: Dario Splendido
  4. Bournemouth University: Giorgos Karambasis-Rodriguez
  5. University of Hertfordshire: Zuzana Remenarova
  6. University of Hertfordshire: Darina Koycheva
  7. University of Portsmouth: Joshua Hammond
  8. University of Portsmouth: Zane Oliver
  9. University of Portsmouth: Patrick Rotzetter

OUTSTANDING TIGA POST-GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

  1. Sheffield Hallam University: Benjamin Kimberley
  2. Sheffield Hallam University: Chae Taylor
  3. Staffordshire University: Jamie Linnell
  4. University of Hertfordshire: Muthuramalingam Ponnilavan
  5. University of Hertfordshire: Reshu Shrestha
  6. University of Hertfordshire: Safwan Sadik
  7. University of Portsmouth: Adam Jerrett

DIVERSITY AWARD

  1. London College of Communication, University of the Arts, London
  2. University of Greenwich
  3. University of Hertfordshire
  4. University of Portsmouth

EXCELLENCE IN UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE – INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

  1. Abertay University
  2. Birmingham City University
  3. Staffordshire University
  4. University of Hertfordshire
  5. University of Portsmouth 

INNOVATIVE TEACHING

  1. Abertay University
  2. Birmingham City University
  3. University of Hertfordshire
  4. University of Portsmouth

EXCELLENCE IN GAMES RESEARCH

  1. Abertay University
  2. Birmingham City University
  3. Bournemouth University
  4. EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence (IGGI)
  5. Sheffield Hallam
  6. Staffordshire University
  7. University of Greenwich

CREATIVE ASSEMBLY BEST STUDENT GAME

  1. Abertay University: Slipways
  2. Birmingham City University: Checkmate Evolution
  3. Bournemouth University: Rum Runner’s Revenge
  4. City, University of London: WAFFLE
  5. London College of Communication, University of the Arts London: Letter Wars
  6. Norwich University of the Arts: Dog Walking Simulator
  7. Sheffield Hallam University: Death Rebuke
  8. Staffordshire University: Prepare to Dine
  9. University of Gloucestershire: Burger Zombies
  10. University of Greenwich: Void Edge
  11. University of Hertfordshire: My Shadow
  12. University of Portsmouth: Malltopia
  13. University of the West of Scotland: Project Retro Museum

TIGA has also today unveiled its Graduates of the Year, listing 89 outstanding graduates and post-graduates in games. 

Aglaja Geta

“Stories”, a new feature design to elevate sportsbook engagement and promotional visibility from BETBY

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BETBY, the leading sportsbook provider, has announced the launch of Stories, a new feature designed to transform how operators present promotions and key events to their players.

Inspired by the widely adopted Stories format seen across social media platforms, the feature introduces a familiar, intuitive way for bettors to discover and engage with content directly within the sportsbook interface.

As competition for user attention continues to intensify, operators face the ongoing challenge of delivering promotions and updates in a way that cuts through the noise without overwhelming the user experience.

Stories addresses this by offering a dynamic, swipeable format that brings key content — such as bonuses, tournaments, major sporting events, and boosted odds — into a more engaging and accessible space.

Fully integrated into BETBY’s sportsbook environment, Stories enables bettors to seamlessly browse through short, interactive content cards, mirroring the mechanics they already use daily on social platforms.

This familiarity plays a key role in driving immediate interaction, lowering the barrier to engagement, and creating additional touchpoints between operators and their users.

By introducing a format that naturally encourages exploration, Stories helps increase visibility across promotional campaigns while supporting higher engagement rates.

Each new Story acts as a trigger for curiosity, prompting users to click through and discover new offers or events, ultimately contributing to improved promo turnover.

The feature feels particularly intuitive to younger demographics, who are already accustomed to this style of interaction.

By aligning sportsbook UX with established digital behaviors, BETBY allows operators to connect with these audiences in a more organic and impactful way.

Stories is about meeting users where they already are, in terms of how they consume content,” said Aglaja Geta, Head of UX & Analytics at BETBY.

We wanted to introduce a format that feels instantly familiar, while giving operators a powerful new way to highlight their most important promotions and events.

It creates a smoother, more engaging experience that encourages interaction without adding complexity to the platform.

From an operational perspective, Stories offers a streamlined way to enhance the front-end experience without requiring structural changes to the sportsbook.

The feature integrates seamlessly, allowing operators to enrich their content strategy while maintaining a clean and intuitive interface.

About BETBY

BETBY is a leading B2B provider of top-tier sports betting services, renowned for its groundbreaking technology and dedication to excellence.

BETBY’s team of industry veterans tap into their knowledge and expertise to deliver a premium, adaptable, and scalable sportsbook platform tailored to meet the varied demands of operators across the globe.

From dynamic in-play betting options to robust risk management tools and ground-breaking AI tools, BETBY is committed to propelling the success of its partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of online sports betting.

For more information visit betby.com

The post “Stories”, a new feature design to elevate sportsbook engagement and promotional visibility from BETBY appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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BC Brothers

Why BC Brothers is Betting on “Affiliate-as-a-Product”

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The iGaming affiliate industry has a problem, and it begins with the “Top 10” list. For years, the business has relied on a foundation of simple review pages. Walls of text that often prioritize commission rates over user experience. But as players are becoming tired of biased endorsements, the traditional review site is entering its twilight years.

“Look, the industry is at a crossroads,” says Borja Imbergamo, CEO of BC Brothers. “The old playbook, where you rank operators based on who writes the biggest check and then dress it up as expert advice, is just broken. It’s a short-term hustle in a world that’s demanding long-term transparency.”

Imbergamo isn’t just criticizing the status quo. Instead, he is pivoting away from it. He’s pushing BC Brothers toward this ‘Affiliate-as-a-Product’ model, which honestly isn’t just some clever rebranding. It’s a total shift in architecture. Rethinking the whole way an affiliate actually connects a player to an operator from the ground up.

Breaking Free from the Template

For most affiliates, WordPress is the default setting. It’s easy, it’s fast, and it’s predictable. However, late last year, BC Brothers began a quiet migration away from standard content management systems toward self-built platforms. While still in the pilot phase in several territories, the move represents a declaration of independence from the limitations of templated solutions.

“WordPress is fine, but it’s a bottleneck for innovation,” Imbergamo explains. “Moving to our own infrastructure allows us to be a lot more flexible. We can develop features that a standard plugin simply can’t handle. These are still pilots, but we have very high hopes for these platforms to become our future. It definitely requires more SEO checks, resources and dedication, but surely will pay off in long term”

This technical shift allows BC Brothers to move beyond the bridge model, where a site is just a transition point for a player, and toward a destination model.

Building an Ecosystem

The pivot isn’t just about how the sites are built, but what they offer. While conversion remains a goal, BC Brothers is investing heavily in products that prioritize utility over the immediate click. These projects are less about a direct sales funnel and more about becoming an essential part of the sports content ecosystem.

One example is BetBrothers.football, a site designed to deliver all the real-time football data and stats a fan could want. Alongside it sits BBSportNews, an editorial project covering the “beautiful game” from every angle – from breaking transfer news and defining stories to deep-dive tactical analysis.

“We are building an ecosystem, not a funnel,” says Imbergamo. “If we provide a player with real-time match stats they can’t find elsewhere, or analysis that actually informs their perspective, we’ve earned their time. By the time they do decide to play, they don’t have to head back to Google to find some random review site. They’re already inside our brand’s ecosystem. It’s about giving them that full 360-degree value so they never feel the need to look elsewhere.”

By focusing on these utility tools, BC Brothers is actually playing a much smarter game with lead quality. Think about it – a person who spends twenty minutes studying data on a platform you built is a way more valuable player for an operator than someone who just clicks a “Play Now” button because they saw a shiny banner. One is an engaged user making an informed choice. The other is just a random click that probably won’t stick around.

Playing by the Rules

This approach is particularly vital in regulated markets, where BC Brothers exclusively operates. The company maintains a strict policy of working only in regulated jurisdictions and exclusively with licensed operators. Getting their Greek affiliate license this past March was simply the next logical step in that process. For Borja, ignoring grey markets isn’t some moral crusade. It’s just the right way to make sure sports betting stays entertaining and safe for everyone.

“We really believe that working only with licensed operators is the right way to keep sports betting fun and sustainable,” Borja says. “We’re committed to staying compliant and actually helping the industry grow in every market we’re in. Sometimes that means taking the harder path. But for us, it’s a long-term investment in a safe environment that protects the players and makes the whole industry healthier.”

The Future of the “Brothers”

The transition from a content house to a product studio is a high-stakes bet. It requires more capital and a willingness to walk away from the easy wins of the grey market. At the end of the day, it requires more developers too. But as the iGaming affiliate landscape becomes more crowded with much more pressure from all sides, the “middle man” who offers nothing but a link is losing their place.

“The era of the disposable affiliate site is over,” Imbergamo concludes. “The next big leaders in this space will be the ones who treat it like a serious tech company, more like the SaaS world. Players want tools, interaction, personalization, and they want value for their time. We’re basically building the infrastructure for a future where the product does the talking, and you don’t have to ask for trust because it’s already built into the code.”

The post Why BC Brothers is Betting on “Affiliate-as-a-Product” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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1spin4win

1spin4win & Blask report 7 out of 10 top games in Africa are slots

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The study analyzes key markets across both regions, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Using real-time data on game placement and player demand, the research provides a clear view of what content operators prioritize and what resonates most with players. The report also features insights from operators such as BetPawa and MSport, adding industry perspective to the data-driven analysis.

One key finding is that slots continue to dominate across both regions. In Africa, they account for 71% of the Top 30 games featured in casino lobbies, while in Latin America, they make up 67% of the Top 30 games analyzed — outperforming both crash and live formats.

At the same time, the data shows that what operators place in lobbies does not always match what players are actually looking for. Some of the most searched-for games are not prominently featured or are missing from lobbies altogether.

For 1spin4win, this report is part of their broader expansion strategy across Africa and Latin America. The provider began actively extending its presence in these markets in 2025, strengthening partnerships with local aggregators and refining its product strategy to better align with regional player preferences. These include mobile optimization and fast loading and smooth performance even on weak internet connections. In Africa, these efforts led to a 9.2x increase in the number of bets.

Olga Hlukhovskaya, Business Development Director at 1spin4win, “At 1spin4win, we place strong emphasis on working with data. It’s at the core of how we approach product development. We focus on understanding player preferences and making informed decisions that help us deliver experiences that truly resonate with our audience.”

Ilya Batcherikov, Blask CPO, commented, “By aggregating non-branded search data at scale, we help teams understand what players are actually looking for in each market — often before those trends become visible inside the product. This allows operators to move from reactive content strategies to proactive ones, aligning supply with real-time demand and capturing value that would otherwise be missed.”

Full insights from the research are available in the report “What’s hot in LATAM and Africa” on the Blask website.

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

The post 1spin4win & Blask report 7 out of 10 top games in Africa are slots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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