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LOUISE ULRICK WINS POKERSTARS x POKER POWER WOMEN’S BOOTCAMP SHOWDOWN IN CYPRUS
There was a thrilling conclusion to the PokerStars x Poker Power Women’s Bootcamp Showdown at European Poker Tour (EPT) Cyprus with British player Louise Ulrick emerging victorious, winning a full package to EPT Prague this December.
The 55-year-old former maths teacher, turned licensee consultant, had never played a hand of poker until a few months ago but came out on top defeating American Katie Hopkins heads-up.
“I can’t believe it,” Ulrick told the PokerStars Blog after her victory. “Obviously winning was the objective of coming, but you never quite think it’s going to happen. I didn’t feel confident when we were practicing live. I felt clumsy with all the cards and the chips and everything, but today came together.
PokerStars x Poker Power Women’s Bootcamp Showdown Results
- Louise Ulrick – Former maths teacher
- Katie Hopkins – Associate General Counsel at Nasdaq, focusing on securities law
- Laura Lebailly – French student studying Luxury Marketing
- Sabrina Chevannes – Women’s international chess master who runs a London-based creative agency
- Katerena Nowosad – Accountant for a financial services company
- Drea Renee – TV reporter and massage therapist
- Yvonne Mai – Actress
- Jenny Larson – Charity Associate Executive Director
- Patrice Gordon – Leadership Development consultant specialising in reverse mentoring
- Ines Lafosse – Photographer, content creator and hotelier
Ulrick was one of 40 women who took part in an eight-week female-only poker bootcamp hosted by PokerStars and Poker Power, which saw women from around the world – who had no previous poker experience – learn and hone their skills.
“Anybody who is thinking about learning poker, it is such a good game to play,” continued Ulrick. “You can learn so much about yourself. There are online resources that are great to have a go at. And have a go!”
Following the intense programme which included weekly practice games and mentoring from PokerStars Team Pro Jen Shahade, the 40 recruits battled it out in Home Games Tournaments with ten awarded the chance to travel to EPT Cyprus to compete in the Ultimate Showdown.
Rebecca McAdam Willetts, Director of Partnerships, PR and Consumer Engagement said, “We are thrilled to be celebrating Louise as this year’s Women’s Bootcamp Champion and can’t wait to see how she gets on at EPT Prague. It has also been incredibly inspiring and rewarding to watch this group of women, and the community of women in poker around them, supporting each other and shining a light. The response from women around the world to this year’s bootcamp has been wonderful, with the number of participants increasing by over 400%. This, and the research we conducted earlier in the year, shows how vital it is to continue supporting women and activating our long-term plans to see more women take part, have fun and above all feel safe and comfortable at the poker table.”
Erin Lydon, President of Poker Power said, “Our innovative bootcamp program with PokerStars provides women with the platform and opportunity to go from zero to hero in an inclusive and supportive environment. All participants worked diligently during the Bootcamp and we hope that they each take away the strategies and skills developed through playing poker and apply them to their everyday lives. We are excited to congratulate Louise as the winner of the Showdown and very proud of all women who have taken their seats and begun their poker journey with us. Louise is proof that anyone can devote time, effort and study to this great game and triumph.”
Research conducted by PokerStars earlier this year, revealed that 55 per cent of women did not feel poker was inclusive to them, despite almost half (42 per cent) of women who play believing it helped improve their focus, concentration and decision-making ability.
In response, PokerStars teamed up with Poker Power to launch their second female-focused bootcamp to help women build their confidence and skills in poker, as well as provide a safe space for them to learn and play. Each recruit was taught game-play skills over eight weeks, that can translate to real world success including negotiation, strategic decision-making, and capital allocation.
ADM
Peter & Sons says it now reaches 70% of Italy’s ADM-licensed operator market
Studio cites integrations with Sisal, SNAI, PokerStars, Eurobet, Betsson Italy, Lottomatica, Goldbet and Diecimilauno via Octavian and Light & Wonder.
Peter & Sons said it has expanded its distribution in Italy and is now live with approximately 70% of the country’s leading operators under the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) license.
The studio attributed the milestone to operator partnerships including Sisal, SNAI, PokerStars, Eurobet, Betsson Italy, Lottomatica, and Goldbet and Diecimilauno, with distribution supported by aggregators Octavian and Light & Wonder. Peter & Sons said the network is expected to grow further.
Italy remains one of Europe’s most established regulated iGaming markets, with concentrated operator share and extensive go-live requirements. Peter & Sons said Italian players can access titles including Barbarossa Dragon Empire, Barbarossa Revenge, and Thunderhawk.
Lauryn Duncan, Head of Sales at Peter & Sons, said: “Italy has become one of our most important markets, not because it was new to us, but because of how quickly it has evolved into a key part of our distribution network. Reaching 70% of the market is a strong validation of the partnerships we’ve built with leading operators and aggregators. It’s a market that demands quality, structure, and consistency, and we’re proud to see our games resonate so well within that environment.”
The post Peter & Sons says it now reaches 70% of Italy’s ADM-licensed operator market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Blue Bird Bonus
EdgeLabs Signs Content Partnership with Stake
EdgeLabs has signed a new content partnership with Stake that will bring more than 50 games from the EdgeLabs portfolio to the platform, including Blue Bird Bonus, Diamond 10x and Mark of Z, alongside casino-style titles such as Emily’s Treasure and Kandy Land Keno. The agreement expands EdgeLabs’ reach with a major global operator while giving Stake access to additional multilingual content and promotional tools across key markets.
In addition to its slot titles, Stake will also leverage EdgeLabs’ casino-style games, including the fish-shooting title Emily’s Treasure and keno game Kandy Land Keno, enhancing the overall player experience within its ecosystem.
Founded in 2017, Stake has rapidly become one of the world’s largest online casino and sportsbook. With a major focus on community engagement, the platform also offers a sweepstakes casino model, providing free-to-play experiences to its users.
Similarly, EdgeLabs’ team brings decades of industry experience, building a high-quality game portfolio supported across 35 languages and 95 currencies, with reach across North America, Europe and Asia. The studio focuses on optimizing partnerships through offering bespoke content, pre-release exclusives and a fully integrated suite of promotional tools.
By combining efforts, both companies aim to accelerate their respective commercial growth objectives and further establish themselves as key players for online free-to-play entertainment.
Marina Rodov, CEO of EdgeLabs, said: “We’re delighted to take our relationship with Stake to the next level. We will now be able to work closely and mutually boost our business by providing our best-in-class games, promotional tools, and account management. We are confident that with our games and Stake’s volumes, this will be a fruitful partnership for both companies.”
Caelum Ferrarese of Stake said: “We’re very excited to begin our partnership with Edgelabs. With Edgelabs’ catalogue of top-quality slots content, combined with a close, working relationship, the sky is the limit for what we can achieve together across a wide range of markets.”
The post EdgeLabs Signs Content Partnership with Stake appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
IGS Awarded 15-Year Electronic Gaming Machine Monitoring Licence in Victoria
Bally’s Intralot S.A. (Bally’s Intralot) has announced that its Australian subsidiary, Intralot Gaming Services (IGS) has been awarded a new 15-year Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Monitoring Licence for the State of Victoria, effective 16 August 2027.
This landmark award positions Bally’s Intralot to deliver a new generation of technology, transparency and collaboration to one of the world’s most mature and highly regulated gaming markets.
Approximately 26,300 EGMs will be connected to the Monitoring System which will provide a vital role in ensuring the ongoing integrity of EGM transactions in gaming venues. It will also provide data and information on EGMs for regulatory, harm minimisation, taxation and research purposes.
Under the licence, IGS will also be responsible for the delivery, operation and maintenance of the statewide Pre-commitment System for all EGMs in Victoria, including 2628 EGMs at the Melbourne casino.
A New Technology Era for Victoria
IGS will deploy a next-generation, cloud-enabled monitoring platform designed to deliver:
• Real-time monitoring and reporting
• Advanced data analytics capabilities
• Best-in-class cybersecurity protections
• Scalable architecture to support evolving regulatory requirements
• Future-ready integration enabling seamless connectivity with venues, manufacturers and regulatory systems
“This award represents a major milestone for Bally’s Intralot and IGS and is a significant investment in the future of Victoria’s gaming technology infrastructure. We look forward to working with the Victorian Government, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, and industry stakeholders to deliver a secure and transparent monitoring system that supports integrity and player protection,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of the Bally’s Intralot Group.
IGS and Bally’s Intralot will commence planning and stakeholder engagement in the coming months to support a carefully managed, smooth and seamless transition.
The post IGS Awarded 15-Year Electronic Gaming Machine Monitoring Licence in Victoria appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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