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LaunchPad finalists announced for iGB L!VE

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2024

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iGB L!VE organisers have confirmed the five trailblazing start-up businesses who will be showcasing their ground-breaking ideas to a panel of industry entrepreneurs in the final of LaunchPad which is taking place in the Pulse Theatre 16:30 – 18:00 on 18 July.

The visionary enterprises who will be pitching to the judging panel are Match Hype, Swap Profit, AMARIX, SavageTech GmbH and Lucky Lady Games.

Confirming the shortlist which was handpicked by the iGB L!VE team, Clarion Gaming’s Jamie Coles who is leading the exciting new initiative said: “These businesses will not only gain invaluable exposure, but they will also compete for substantial cash prizes and receive expert guidance from our judging panel of industry titans comprising Michael Caselli, Non-Executive Chairman – Clarion Events; David Sargeant, Investor, Advisor, Consultant – iGaming Ideas; Vladimir Malakchi, CEO and Managing Partner – Xanada Investments; Tony Pearce, CEO and co-founder – Reality+ and Justin Anastasi, CEO, VentureMax Group.

“We are also extremely grateful to Becky Liggero Fontana, Reporter, Producer and Host of Coingeek for agreeing to chair this first edition of LaunchPad @ iGB L!VE.”

He continued: “LaunchPad is not simply a competition; it’s a platform to showcase ground-breaking ideas, pitch to a panel of influential leaders, and secure the support required to take start-ups to the next level. Our vision is to discover those scalable solutions which have the potential to revolutionise the market.”

LaunchPad judge Michael Caselli who also serves as Non-Executive Chairman at Clarion Events highlighted iGB L!VE’s status as a hub for innovation in the industry. He explained: “With Launchpad we are highlighting the latest innovations in the industry and providing a formal platform for innovating businesses to attract the funding or partners they need to make their visions a reality. That is very much the ethos and the DNA of the show.

“Bank finance is a difficult issue as some banks and funds are excluded from backing gaming companies. iGB L!VE is totally different in that we have individual and institutional investors that are actively looking to invest in this space and have the knowledge and experience in the sector to know what projects fit their portfolios.”

“We don’t see supporting entrepreneurs as a responsibility as much as a pillar of what we do and what we stand for. The core value of iGB L!VE is to bring all elements of the industry together to foster collaboration and partnerships in order to drive the iGaming industry forward. Supporting iGaming entrepreneurs is fundamental to that formula.”

Part Dragons Den part Shark Tank, LaunchPad has been curated to add to the onsite experience. Finalists will be limited to a 10-minute on-stage presentation followed by a scrutiny session by the judging panel. The top three will receive a cash prize comprising €6,000 for first place, €3,000 for second and €1,200 for third.

A projected 10,000 delegates are expected at iGB L!VE 2024 which will feature 300+ exhibitors and sponsors occupying 21,000+ square metres of gross space, a figure which is 35% higher than in 2023.

The post LaunchPad finalists announced for iGB L!VE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Tony Bellew signs as PartyPoker brand ambassador through 2026

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

Former WBC cruiserweight champion to appear at PartyPoker Tour UK stops and take part in online activations.

PartyPoker has appointed former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Tony Bellew as a brand ambassador for the remainder of 2026, with appearances tied to the operator’s live PartyPoker Tour and online poker offering.

The company said Bellew will be “a regular face” at its remaining UK tour stops this season following an earlier appearance at the PartyPoker Tour Birmingham. Bellew will also take part in online activity linked to the PartyPoker schedule.

“I had such a great time at the PartyPoker Tour Birmingham. The atmosphere, the people and the passion for the game were incredible. I’m really excited to be joining the PartyPoker team for the rest of the year, getting involved at the live events, meeting players and seeing where the cards take me,” Bellew said.

PartyPoker said Bellew is scheduled to attend each remaining UK stop on the 2026 PartyPoker Tour: London in July, Glasgow in August, Cork in November, and London in December. The operator also referenced a series of exclusive online events running alongside the live calendar.

The post Tony Bellew signs as PartyPoker brand ambassador through 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Arizona

Arizona regulator orders five operators to stop alleged illegal gambling activity

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Cease-and-desist letters cite alleged felonies and underage access tied to BetOpenly, Bookmaker, Club WPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., and Raffle Creator.

The Arizona Department of Gaming said it has issued cease-and-desist orders to five online platforms—BetOpenly, Bookmaker, Club WPT Online Poker, Kutt Inc., and Raffle Creator—after investigations that the Department says involved alleged illegal gambling activity and underage access in Arizona.

In its announcement, the Department said each enforcement action alleges conduct giving rise to three felonies under Arizona law: promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise, and money laundering. The agency cited Arizona’s prohibition on gambling unless specifically authorized (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Tit. 13, Ch. 33) and said the legal gambling age in the state is 21.

“Arizona is taking decisive action against illegal gambling operators that put Arizonans at risk,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “Our top priority is protecting Arizonans and I’m grateful for the efforts of our intelligence unit led by Chief Law Enforcement Officer Doug Jensen to do just that. Through these cease-and-desist orders we are putting operators on notice: their conduct runs contrary to Arizona law and they must stop promoting illegal gambling.”

The Department’s letters describe different alleged violations by operator. For BetOpenly, the Department said peer-to-peer gambling rules prohibit third-party benefit, and alleged the platform benefited via a commission structure while enabling event wagering and daily fantasy sports contests without the required state licenses, including availability to underage Arizonans. For Bookmaker, the Department said its investigation found wagering on horse racing, casino games, and sports betting without an event wagering license or an advanced deposit wagering provider license, adding that online casino games are not legal in Arizona.

For Club WPT Online Poker, the Department alleged the platform enabled individuals under 21 in Arizona to enter pay-to-play online poker tournaments for prizes while using deceptive “no purchase necessary” language; the Department said online poker is illegal in Arizona. For Kutt Inc., the Department said Arizona “social” gambling prohibits third-party benefit and directed the operator to stop allowing Arizona users to deposit money and wager on sports, politics, pop culture, and casino-style games. For Raffle Creator, the Department said the operator did not meet requirements that allow Arizona nonprofits to conduct lawful raffles and alleged it allowed people under 21 to purchase tickets for prize chances.

The Department said the notified entities are directed to immediately stop all gambling operations and activities in Arizona “whether through mobile applications, online, or otherwise,” and to cease any future illegal gambling in the state. It added that future actions may include criminal charges or civil action against entities, principals, and employees, and that operators “may be subject to a potential award of restitution” and forfeiture of monies acquired due to the alleged conduct.

The post Arizona regulator orders five operators to stop alleged illegal gambling activity appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Former WBC World Champion Tony Bellew Joins PartyPoker as Brand Ambassador

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

Tony Bellew has officially joined the PartyPoker Brand Ambassador team for the remainder of 2026, strengthening the brand’s growing roster of ambassadors and reinforcing its commitment to bringing poker to a wider audience.

A former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion and one of Britain’s most recognisable sporting personalities, Bellew will play an active role across both PartyPoker’s live tour and online offering throughout the rest of the year.

Speaking about joining the team, Tony Bellew said: “I had such a great time at the PartyPoker Tour Birmingham. The atmosphere, the people and the passion for the game were incredible. I’m really excited to be joining the PartyPoker team for the rest of the year, getting involved at the live events, meeting players and seeing where the cards take me.”

His return follows a hugely successful appearance at the PartyPoker Tour Birmingham earlier this year, where he embraced the atmosphere, spent time with players and immersed himself in the event. After thoroughly enjoying the experience, Bellew will now become a regular face at the remaining UK stops on the PartyPoker Tour throughout the rest of the 2026 season.

As part of his ambassadorial role, Bellew will attend every remaining UK stop PartyPoker Tour in 2026:

London – July
Glasgow – August
Cork – November
London – December

With four live festival stops and a series of exclusive online events still to come, players will have plenty of opportunities to meet Bellew at the tables throughout the remainder of the 2026 PartyPoker calendar. Look out for opportunities to take him on online, and at the PartyPoker Tour in Glasgow, Cork and London.

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