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Leicester Riders announce Ygam as Charity of the Year in groundbreaking British Basketball partnership
- Leicester Riders announce partnership with Ygam, a charity with a mission to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms.
- Ygam has been appointed Leicester Riders ‘Charity of the Year’ for the forthcoming 24/25 season, alongside the Riders Foundation.
- This is the first partnership of its kind for any team in the history of professional British basketball.
- The partnership will involve key home games dedicated to Ygam and the charity’s work, with awareness raising and fundraising events throughout the season, alongside delivering Ygam’s City & Guilds Assured CPD training to all coaches and staff associated with the club.
Leicester Riders, the UK’s oldest professional basketball club, have announced a new partnership with Ygam, a charity with a mission to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms.
This collaboration, a first for any team in British basketball, signifies a major stride in the Riders’ commitment to the digital safeguarding of all children and young people associated with the Club.
Through its Foundation’s Academy and partnerships with Charnwood College and Loughborough University, the Riders organisation’s commitment to young people extends beyond the basketball court. Collaborating with Ygam further enhances the organisation’s capacity to safeguard and equip young people with essential skills and knowledge to thrive in later life.
Ygam has been appointed Leicester Riders ‘Charity of the Year’ for the forthcoming 24/25 season, alongside the Riders Foundation.
The latest report from the Gambling Commission revealed that 40% of 11- to 17-year-olds have had some experience of gambling over the last 12 months. 1 in 4 have spent their own money on gambling in the past 12 months and 35% of young people have encountered gambling advertisements at sports events. Research from the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms revealed that basketball has one of the highest gambling participation rates for young people aged 18-24 in the UK, compared to other popular betting sports like football, horse racing, and MMA.
A recent Mumsnet survey, commissioned by Ygam, revealed that children spend an average of 16.9 hours a week playing video games: more than half the amount of time they spend in school each week. Boys aged 11 to 17 are gaming the most with an average of almost a day a week (23.4 hours) spent playing video games.
Basketball is a growing sport at grass roots level in the UK, with nearly 1.25 million children and young people playing the sport at least once a week, and over 1200 licensed coaches nationwide. Popularity of professional basketball in the UK has also seen immense growth over recent years, where viewership of live and on-demand games across YouTube and Sky Sports has jumped from 1.4 million to over 20 million since the 2022/23 season.
This partnership aims to build greater awareness and educate more children and young people about the potential risks associated with gaming and gambling, both within a sporting context and beyond.
Simon Winfield, Interim CEO of Leicester Riders, said: “We’re excited to be working with Ygam. We have a deep admiration for their efforts in promoting gaming and gambling awareness among the youth of today.
“The Riders organisation takes seriously its responsibility to the young people who have entrusted us with their futures, both at Charnwood College and Loughborough University. A large part of that responsibility is ensuring that they are well set up for life beyond the Riders. Through Ygam’s education on the potential risks and dangers associated with gaming and gambling, we are fulfilling our commitment to ensuring their well-being and long-term success.
“We’re also excited at the prospect of helping to educate thousands of young people across Leicestershire, who we work closely with through the Leicester Riders Foundation. Through this partnership, we uphold the Club’s dedication to its local community, ensuring that we leave a lasting, positive influence on the lives of generations to come.”
Sacha Kent, Programme Lead for Education, Sports, and Youth at Ygam, said: “We are honoured to partner with Leicester Riders for the upcoming season and extend our reach within the sport of basketball. With gaming and gambling so heavily intertwined with professional sports, it is vital that we are doing all we can to safeguard all young people who participate in the sport they love.
“Leicester Riders do fantastic work in surrounding communities, including one of the country’s largest Basketball Apprentice schemes at Charnwood College, and a partnership with Loughborough University. The club’s community programmes also reach nearly 20,000 young people from across the city and wider county, and we are excited to use sport as a vehicle to make a real difference in the lives of young people, helping them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.”
The partnership will involve key home games dedicated to Ygam and the charity’s work, with awareness raising and fundraising events throughout the season, alongside delivering Ygam’s City & Guilds Assured CPD training to all coaches and staff associated with the club.
More details about the partnership and the initiatives planned for the upcoming season will be announced soon.
The post Leicester Riders announce Ygam as Charity of the Year in groundbreaking British Basketball partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AI
2026 Rewards AI Capability, Not AI Talk – HIPTHER Prague Summit Unveils the Next-Era HIPTHER Academy
HIPTHER Prague Summit proudly introduces the Hands-On HIPTHER Academy and next-gen career advancement. Because 2026 won’t reward AI Talk – It will reward AI Capability.
As the HIPTHER Prague Summit celebrates 10 years of impact across Gaming & Tech, the 2026 edition shifts the spotlight toward what truly defines the next era of professional growth: practical AI capability, personal authority, and reputational strength.
This year, HIPTHER places a powerful new emphasis on the HIPTHER Academy – the summit’s applied learning environment designed to move beyond theory and into real execution professionals can use immediately.
From AI Hype to Real-World Application
The message shaping 2026 is clear:
The future won’t reward those who talk about AI.
It will reward those who know how to use it.
Positioned as the practical layer of the summit, the HIPTHER Academy delivers:
- 80% hands-on, applied AI workshops
- Real operational use cases, including vibe coding, compliance automation, AI-driven workflows, and responsible implementation boundaries
- Immediate, role-ready takeaways professionals can implement the moment they return to work
This applied focus distinctly separates HIPTHER Prague Summit from generic “AI trend” events – emphasizing execution over theory and capability over buzzwords.
Authority, Reputation & the Human Edge
Technical skill alone is no longer enough.
In an AI-accelerated landscape, positioning, leadership presence, and trust define who stands out.
That’s why the HIPTHER Academy integrates human authority and reputational growth alongside AI capability.
Featured workshops include:
- From Profile to Authority: Positioning Your LinkedIn Presence for Trust – Marija Hammond
- Personality and High-Stakes Conversations in the Workplace – Maria Loumpourdi
- How to Build a Company’s Reputation – Magdalena Radomska-Trzaska
Together, these sessions shape a new professional equation:
HIPTHER Academy = AI capability + personal authority + reputational strength.
Inside the 10th Anniversary Edition of HIPTHER Prague Summit
Under the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact,” the 2026 summit marks its most ambitious edition yet.
Taking place at OREA Hotel Andels Praha on 24–25 March 2026, the event brings together a global audience across:
iGaming, eSports, Blockchain, AI, Fintech, Compliance, Regulation
Attendees can expect eight dedicated Academy workshops delivering applied knowledge.
HIPTHER’s Co-Founder & Head of Business Zoltan Tündik, stated about this year’s HIPTHER Academy in Prague: “While 2025 was dominated by conversations about AI, 2026 is the year we are witnessing real acceleration. New developments, real projects, and genuinely useful tools being created at unprecedented speed. I recently noticed this while recording a podcast: we no longer say ‘this wasn’t possible a few years ago.’ We now say ‘this wasn’t possible a few months ago.’ That shift in language says everything about the pace of AI-driven innovation.
The market will not reward AI commentary anymore. It will reward AI capability. That’s exactly why the HIPTHER Academy focuses on practical application, giving professionals the ability to execute, not just discuss. In 2026, competitive advantage belongs to those who can apply AI confidently, responsibly, and effectively in real business environments.”
More Academy Highlights
Insightful sessions expanding the Academy’s practical scope include:
- Branding in the Attention Economy – Marija Hammond, Brand Advisor & Speaker
- LinkedIn as a Dealflow Engine – Marie Zamecnikova, Personal Brand Strategist and Executive Advisor
- Communications & Growth Execution – Wojciech Trzaska, Chief Communications Officer at SB Software
- AI-Powered Marketing & PR – Uliana Korobeynikova, Head of Public Relations at iAffiliate
Alongside AI insights from The Playa, Murmur Intelligence, and further expert-led workshops to be announced.
The Career-Advancement Layer of Prague 2026
With the HIPTHER Academy, the Prague Summit evolves beyond a conference into a career acceleration environment — equipping professionals not just to understand the future, but to operate inside it with confidence, credibility, and authority.
Because in 2026, the real competitive edge isn’t access to AI.
It’s knowing how to apply it — and being trusted when you do.
Join the 10th Anniversary HIPTHER Prague Summit — invest in career-growth and personal authority. See you there!
The post 2026 Rewards AI Capability, Not AI Talk – HIPTHER Prague Summit Unveils the Next-Era HIPTHER Academy appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Argentine Basketball
FeedConstruct Secures Exclusive Rights to the Argentine Basketball Ecosystem
FeedConstruct has reached a major milestone in its Latin American expansion, securing exclusive worldwide streaming and data rights to all games across Argentina’s top basketball leagues, including:
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Liga Nacional (LNB)
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Liga Argentina
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Liga Federal
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Liga Femenina
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La Liga Próximo
This deal positions FeedConstruct as the primary global source for Argentine basketball, delivering over 2,400 games per season to partners worldwide.
Liga Nacional (LNB): South America’s Premier Basketball League
The Liga Nacional (LNB) is Argentina’s top-tier league and a recognized talent pipeline to the NBA, producing legends like Manu Ginóbili, Luis Scola, and Facundo Campazzo. Iconic teams such as Atenas de Córdoba, San Lorenzo, and Peñarol make the league a global attraction.
Liga Argentina: High-Stakes Competition and Rising Stars
Argentina’s second division, Liga Argentina, is defined by intense rivalries and promotion battles. Featuring historic clubs like Ferro Carril Oeste and Quilmes, it serves as a proving ground for emerging talent and offers passionate local fanbases.
Leadership Voices on the Deal
Narek Harutyunyan, CEO at FeedConstruct, said:
“Securing the exclusive rights to the Argentine basketball ecosystem is a landmark achievement. By consolidating these rights, we are creating an unparalleled offering for partners, delivering a high-quality experience across one of the world’s most exciting basketball nations.”
Eduardo Tassano, President of the Asociación de Clubes de Básquetbol, added:
“This agreement supports our goal of strengthening transparency, technological standards, and international projection. It adds significant value to the ecosystem and positions Argentine basketball on a global stage of professionalism.”
Liga Federal: Hyper-Local Coverage Across Argentina
The Liga Federal, the country’s largest professional competition with over 100 clubs, represents the heart of Argentine basketball. FeedConstruct’s coverage ensures fans and operators have full access to hyper-local content across every province.
Liga Femenina: Spotlight on Women’s Basketball
The Liga Femenina is Argentina’s premier women’s league, featuring stars like Melisa Gretter and top clubs such as Berazategui and Quimsa. This league is experiencing rapid growth, reflecting the rising global demand for women’s sports.
La Liga Próximo: Nurturing the Next Generation
La Liga Próximo is the elite developmental pipeline, showcasing youth squads from prestigious clubs including Boca Juniors, Quimsa, Obras Sanitarias, and Instituto de Córdoba. It acts as a scouting ground for future international stars, ensuring the continuity of Argentina’s basketball talent.
FeedConstruct: Strengthening Regional Leadership
This acquisition cements FeedConstruct’s leadership in Latin America, providing seamless access to the full spectrum of Argentine basketball for fans, operators, and betting platforms. With exclusive coverage across men’s, women’s, professional, and youth leagues, FeedConstruct now delivers the entire Argentine basketball ecosystem globally.
The post FeedConstruct Secures Exclusive Rights to the Argentine Basketball Ecosystem appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gen Z
How to Attract Gen Z Sports Bettors: Why Social, Swipe-Based UI Wins the Future
Gen Z isn’t here for your dad’s sportsbook. If your platform looks like a spreadsheet full of odds, they’re already swiping left. Raised on TikTok-speed content, mobile-first apps, and instant feedback loops, Gen Z expects experiences that feel more like games than gambling.
Most traditional operators miss the mark. They toss around buzzwords like “gamification” and “social engagement” without actually creating products that resonate. The result? Older audiences stay loyal while Gen Z scrolls right past.
Enter BetHero: a swipe-based, social-first sportsbook built for the next generation.
What Makes Gen Z Sports Bettors Different
1. Mobile Is Their Home Base
For Gen Z, smartphones aren’t optional — they’re default. Betting happens on the go, not on desktops. BetHero’s swipe interface is designed for thumb-driven, one-handed use, making it intuitive and fast. Every feature, from joining a lobby to placing picks, works seamlessly on mobile.
2. Social Proof Drives Engagement
Gen Z wants to be seen playing. Leaderboards, streaks, and shareable achievements turn betting into a social experience. Players post wins, climb ranks, and broadcast their progress — all without leaving the platform. Every screenshot and share becomes organic marketing.
3. Instant Gratification Is Key
Raised on TikTok and Instagram, Gen Z expects instant results. BetHero delivers with live updates, swipe-to-pick mechanics, and real-time rewards. The result? Fast, dynamic, and satisfying gameplay from the first interaction.
4. Community Beats Isolation
This generation values shared experiences. BetHero’s Lobbies turn betting into a group event: friends compete together, compare picks, and interact through leaderboards. Solo betting is out — social betting is in.
Why Traditional Sportsbooks Fail Gen Z
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Complex UI: Text-heavy odds tables intimidate casual users. ESRB reports highlight that younger audiences prefer simple, visual interfaces.
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No Social Interaction: Legacy sportsbooks are solitary. Gen Z thrives on community, which BetHero provides via Lobbies and live leaderboards.
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Low Engagement: Betting ends at the wager. BetHero keeps users hooked with ongoing updates, competitions, and progress tracking.
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Outdated Marketing: Generic offers don’t resonate with authenticity-driven Gen Z. Social-first design spreads excitement organically.
Traditional sportsbooks feel like spreadsheets. BetHero turns betting into a fast, visual, and social experience.
How BetHero Wins Gen Z Mindshare
Swipe-Based UI
Swipe-to-pick mechanics mirror the interactions Gen Z uses daily on apps and social media. Simple, fluid, and game-like, it transforms betting into a quick dopamine hit.
Lobbies: Betting as a Shared Event
Shared competitions keep friends connected. Lobbies let players join groups, compete together, and climb the same leaderboards. What was once a solo activity now spreads socially.
Leaderboards: Motivation Made Visible
Real-time leaderboards track every pick and game, creating natural loops of progression and reward. Players stay engaged and motivated to improve.
Shareability: Built-In Virality
Sharing achievements, invites, and leaderboard screenshots turns players into promoters. Peer-to-peer marketing drives awareness and acquisition without expensive ads.
Operator Benefits of Engaging Gen Z
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Lower CAC: Social sharing replaces costly ads.
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Higher Retention: Engaged players return more often.
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Broader Reach: Shareable mechanics spread through social channels.
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Future-Proof Growth: Early adaptation builds loyalty with the generation defining the next decade of betting.
The Future of Sportsbooks is Social
Gen Z isn’t the future — they’re already changing the rules. Fast, visual, social, mobile-first platforms will dominate. BetHero meets these expectations with swipe-based interfaces, social lobbies, live leaderboards, and built-in shareability.
Betting is no longer solitary — it’s interactive, communal, and social by design. Platforms that embrace this will capture the hearts (and wallets) of the next generation.
Internal Links for SEO:
High-Authority External Links:
If you want, I can also create a version with short, snappy subheadings and bullet points throughout, tailored for mobile-scanning readers — perfect for Gen Z attention spans. It would make the article even more engaging and shareable.
The post How to Attract Gen Z Sports Bettors: Why Social, Swipe-Based UI Wins the Future appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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