gaming industry
The Critical Importance of On-Premise Software Installation in the Gaming Industry: Navigating Risks of Cloud Service Withdrawals
The gaming industry is at a pivotal crossroads where data security and operational reliability are more critical than ever. As casinos increasingly leverage advanced software to enhance operations and guest experiences, the decision between cloud-based and on-premise solutions becomes paramount. Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) advocates strongly for on-premise installations, not just for enhanced data protection but also to navigate the growing trend of cloud service providers and major businesses withdrawing support from gaming companies.
Many cloud providers and businesses, including major banks, have recently made decisions not to support gaming companies. This unsettling trend means that after substantial investments in cloud systems, the operators risk having these essential services abruptly withdrawn. Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, shares a personal experience: “One of our banks informed us they would not extend our business because we work with casinos. Fortunately, we had other banking options, but this highlights a significant risk for the industry.”
The inconsistency of support from cloud vendors poses a critical question: Is that the kind of vendor relationship gaming companies want? “I’ve sometimes heard of cloud vendors saying they will make an exception,” Cardno continues. “But will you get the best service? Will you have a dedicated team that understands your business, or will you constantly be educating people on why the gaming industry is different? More importantly, does this action help the industry?”
By choosing on-premise solutions, casinos retain full control over their data and operations, eliminating the risk of sudden service withdrawals. This control is vital in an industry where data breaches or service interruptions can lead to significant financial and reputational damage.
A representative from a leading casino, who wishes to remain anonymous, echoed this sentiment: “When evaluating the risks, it was clear that keeping our data on-premise offered the best protection and stability. We avoid the uncertainties associated with cloud providers who may not fully support our industry.”
QCI’s commitment to protecting the casino industry’s data ensures that its on-premise solutions provide unmatched security, reliability, and control. For any casino looking to prioritize security and minimize exposure to cloud-based risks—including the risk of service withdrawal—on-premise installation is the clear choice.
IGT announced that Mark Wadley has joined the company as IGT’s Incoming President of Land-Based Gaming, subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals.
Prior to joining IGT, Wadley served as chief marketing officer of one of IGT’s global competitors. He has a proven track record of driving growth by aligning product, customer, and commercial execution. As IGT Incoming President of Land-Based Gaming, Wadley will lead IGT’s end-to-end land-based Gaming business, including global sales, product management, field services, manufacturing, marketing, external communications, and government relations. He will report to IGT CEO Hector Fernandez.
“Mark is a proven leader with a deep understanding of how to connect product, customer insight and commercial execution to drive performance. As we continue to strengthen our Gaming business, bringing these capabilities together under one leader is a critical step in improving how we operate and deliver for our customers. Mark’s experience will help us accelerate that progress,” said Hector Fernandez, CEO of IGT.
“IGT has all the core elements of a winning gaming business, from differentiated content to global scale and long-standing customer relationships. The opportunity now is to operate with greater alignment and discipline, ensuring that how we develop, position, and deliver our products translates more consistently into performance for our customers. That focus on execution will define the next phase of growth,” said Mark Wadley, IGT Incoming President of Land-Based Gaming.
Drawing on a successful career spanning both the gaming and biotech industries, Mark Wadley is known for infusing teams with energy, fostering innovation, and delivering results in fast-paced markets. His unique cross-industry perspective enables him to build high-performing teams, balance core strengths with new growth opportunities, and implement strategies that drive both immediate impact and long-term success. A champion of collaboration and team achievement, Mark is dedicated to translating innovative strategies into winning outcomes while building the “go-to” place for talent and culture in the gaming industry.
The post IGT Appoints Mark Wadley Incoming President of Land-Based Gaming appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Behind The Gloves has formed an official Advisory Board as it moves from event-led activations to what it describes as a scalable, long-term business and community.
The board includes Michael Brady, Founder and Chairman of Bede Gaming and Chairman of Connexus Group; Rob Fell, CEO of RiskCherry; and Katie Byers, former SVP of People and Capability at Light & Wonder.
According to the organisation, the appointments are intended to support expansion into new verticals including corporate wellness programmes, brand partnerships and future digital products.
Behind The Gloves said it plans to continue operating as a “business for good” by reinvesting a portion of profits into community initiatives and charitable causes.
Lee McFarland, Founder of Behind The Gloves, said: “The foundation of our Advisory Board reflects Behind The Gloves’ commitment to building a strong business that can expand globally and reach more people than ever.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Katie, Rob and Michael to the Board and look forward to leveraging our industry’s unmistakable energy to support good causes and deliver accessible activities for all fitness levels on a larger scale.”
The post Behind The Gloves forms Advisory Board to scale beyond event activations appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The Esports Awards is set to return in 2026, bringing together the global esports community for its annual celebration of excellence.
Scheduled to take place in North America later this year, the awards will honor the top players, teams, creators, and innovators who defined the past year in competitive gaming. Exact dates and venues will be revealed in the coming months.
Last year marked a major milestone for the Esports Awards, celebrating 10 years of esports achievements at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony recognized industry icons such as Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut, iShowSpeed, and Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, while inducting six new members into the Lifetime Achievement in Esports: Class of 2025. Earlier in 2025, the Esports Awards hosted the one-off Decade Awards, which drew a global audience of 36.25 million live viewers.
For the 2026 edition, fan-favorite categories such as Esports Game of the Year, Esports Personality of the Year, Streamer of the Year, and Esports Team of the Year will return, giving fans a direct voice in recognizing the standout moments and figures in esports over the past year. Winners will be determined through a combination of community voting and input from the Esports Awards Panel, which includes seasoned industry veterans, broadcasters, creators, and professional players, ensuring both credibility and integrity.
In addition to the main ceremony, the Esports Awards Golf Invitational will make a comeback, offering a day of networking and friendly competition for industry leaders, creators, and esports competitors ahead of the awards.
Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards, said: “The Esports Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the very best in esports and gaming, and we’re pleased to return for 2026. Following the success of the Decade Awards and our 10th anniversary celebrations, we look forward to recognizing the individuals, teams, and moments that defined the past year in esports.”
Fans are encouraged to follow the Esports Awards’ official X account for updates on venues, dates, nominees, and voting.
The post Esports Awards 2026 Returns for Global Honors appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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