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iGaming payments and identity firm Yaspa opens Leeds tech hub to serve as engine room for global growth

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  • Fast-growing fintech plans to recruit 20 software engineers

  • Teams to be led by former William Hill Head of Development David Turner

  • Yaspa last month received $12m investment to fuel expansion 

Yaspa, a hyper-growth UK fintech specialising in iGaming payments and identity, has announced the opening of a new tech hub in Leeds.

The award-winning company plans to build an initial squad of 10 senior software engineers in the next few weeks to fuel its global growth into new markets, in particular the US.

Yaspa already has an office in Shoreditch, London, and is now recruiting staff for its team based in Platform by Bruntwood in Leeds city centre. The ambition is to grow the team of backend Java developers to 20 before the end of 2025.

Teams at the Leeds office will be led by David Turner, who has joined Yaspa as Head of Engineering. Turner spent more than seven years at William Hill and played an instrumental role in introducing automated sports trading, eventually becoming Head of Retail Development. Turner was also previously Chief Technical Officer at Glean, where he built a cross-functional delivery team based in Leeds, growing the headcount from five to 40.

Yaspa leverages open banking technology and AI to help regulated businesses elevate customer intelligence – and cash flow – via its proprietary real-time payments solution, Intelligent Payments. Its products are particularly suited to online gambling companies, which are able to use the technology to meet compliance requirements, facilitate responsible gambling and optimise their customers’ payments experience.

Yaspa, which last month announced an investment of $12m led by Discerning Capital,  currently serves partners in the UK and Europe and has now incorporated a US entity in Atlanta, Georgia, with plans to open an office there.

Yaspa is led by CEO James Neville, who co-founded the company in 2017 after having previously served as a CTO at Worldpay. The company has grown from 15 to 70 people in the past 18 months.

Leeds is home to several major gambling companies, including Flutter Entertainment’s Sky Betting & Gaming, Paddy Power and Betfair, and Evoke’s William Hill brands – a factor in Yaspa’s decision to open an office in the city.

Yaspa’s Chief People Officer Chris Watkins said: “We see Leeds as the ideal location to open our second UK office, with access to a strong pool of software engineering talent. It also has a strong reputation for talent with experience in iGaming, thanks to the companies that are also located there.

“Our office is at a premium address, just a few metres from Leeds train station. It’s a serviced office, with stunning views across Leeds centre from our sixth-floor office, coupled with amazing services to ensure Yaspa employees have the best experience possible when working onsite.

“We’re growing quickly but we’ll walk before we can run. The immediate goal is to get a squad of mid to senior level engineers on board. They will focus on building the US product for us. As soon as that squad is at full capacity, we’ll hire for a second squad, taking us up to 20 within the year.

“Although we’re open to remote working, we’ve noticed a hybrid working model offers the best collaboration for success and employee growth. At Yaspa, we’re really big on culture, collaboration and transparency, so we want people regularly working together in-person.”

Yaspa’s Head of Engineering David Turner said: “When I heard about the opportunity to join Yaspa, it felt like the perfect role for me. I am passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where engineers can do their best work and this role allows me to do exactly that – building a talented team in Leeds while delivering the technology to support Yaspa’s next stage of growth.

“What excites me most is that Yaspa has already done the hard part. It has found its value proposition, proved it works and is now scaling. My focus will be on growing the engineering team rapidly, with the aim of having two strong squads in place by the end of the year, initially dedicated to the US proposition, while making the most of the chance to apply best practice from the start.

“Yaspa has the momentum, the vision and the team culture to make a real impact, and I am looking forward to helping take that even further.”

The post iGaming payments and identity firm Yaspa opens Leeds tech hub to serve as engine room for global growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Con Raso CEO of Tuned Global

Realize Music: Sing Launches on Meta Quest With Broad Catalog From Universal, Warner, Sony and Beggars, Delivered by Tuned Global’s Music Technology

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Groundbreaking singing game for wellness and creativity expands beyond VR with a PC Gaming release planned for 2026, with the support of Tuned Global’s backend music platform enabling scalable catalogue delivery and lyric integration.

 Realize Music, in collaboration with leading music and media technology platform Tuned Global, announces the launch of Realize Music: Sing, now available on the Meta Quest Store. Co-founded by veteran publisher Mike Wilson, best known as the co-founder of Devolver Digital and Gathering of Developers, the company is positioning Sing as Wilson’s final major venture in the gaming industry; a project that bridges music, wellness, and play across both VR and traditional platforms. Known for championing creativity and emotional depth in gaming, Wilson’s work has consistently challenged the boundaries of what interactive experiences can express.

To support this vision, Realize Music recently selected Tuned Global to power the music backend that enables Sing’s extensive licensed catalogue across platforms.

Launching first on Meta Quest, with plans to expand to additional platforms later in 2026, Sing marks one of the largest music collaborations ever seen in gaming. At release, the app features over one million of the most iconic popular songs officially licensed from Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Beggars Group, covering an unparalleled range of genres and decades, with new songs to be added regularly. It transforms singing into a hands-on, interactive experience where players can explore, express, and unwind through sound.

Announcing the launch on Meta Quest, Realize Music: Sing also marks the start of its next phase. A Steam PC gaming version and additional platforms are planned for 2026, expanding Sing beyond virtual reality and into new spaces for interactive music and wellness.

“We’ve always believed that games can help people feel better, not just entertained,” said Meta Quest, Realize Music: Sing Co-Founder, Mike Wilson. “Sing is about rediscovering joy without judgment or pressure, through the simple act of raising your own voice and watching the world respond. It’s the kind of project I’ve always hoped to finish my career on, and I hope it inspires other creators to focus their energies on beneficial media.”

“Realize Music: Sing is a breakthrough moment for music-driven wellbeing,” said Con Raso, CEO of Tuned Global. “We’re proud to support the Realize Music team with innovative music technology that empowers their vision and brings it to life in such an exciting way. From licensed catalogue delivery to lyrics and reporting, Sing shows what becomes possible when creativity, wellness, and responsible music innovation come together.”

Players can preview songs for free, purchase individual tracks or albums à la carte, or subscribe for unlimited access. Subscriptions launch at an introductory price of $9.99 per month for the first two months, before moving to $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year.

Realize Music: Sing is available now on the Meta Quest Store.

The post Realize Music: Sing Launches on Meta Quest With Broad Catalog From Universal, Warner, Sony and Beggars, Delivered by Tuned Global’s Music Technology appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Hub88 strikes Playzia deal to deliver branded content and proprietary mechanics

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Popular TV-based IPs such as Love Island™: Love in a Spin and the other iconic themes made available via aggregator’s platform

Hub88 has boosted its award-winning aggregation platform by entering a strategic agreement with online casino content provider Playzia.

Playzia’s popular games, including Love Island™: Love in a Spin – released under licence from ITV Studios – as well as Tale of the Red Dragon, Crazy Chilli Party, The Great Fishing Adventure, Billionaire Wolf and Sweet Candy Fortune, are now available to Hub88’s licensed global operator network.

The agreement brings Playzia’s titles to Hub88’s platform, spanning slots, instant win content and crash and table games, with a focus on regulated market compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Additionally, Playzia’s proprietary Cubicways™ mechanic offers players dynamic rotating reel configurations that reveal new progression paths and gameplay environments, a trademarked feature in titles such as Knights 2: The Dragon Cubicways™.

The deal further reinforces Hub88’s commitment to offering diverse gaming content from studios that successfully blend entertainment and iGaming, while sharing their regulated-first approach.

Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “Playzia has built an impressive portfolio that balances innovation with broad player appeal. Their Cubicways™ mechanic brings something different to the market, while their branded titles create compelling experiences that attract new player segments.

“As operators look to differentiate their content offering and engage new demographics, partnerships like this become increasingly important.”

Joe Caetano, Commercial Director at Playzia, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Hub88, a platform that shares our commitment to seamless integration and delivering engaging gaming experiences.

“This collaboration enables us to reach new regulated markets and connect with operators looking for vibrant, high-quality content that resonates with diverse player audiences.”

The post Hub88 strikes Playzia deal to deliver branded content and proprietary mechanics appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Betandyou

Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards

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Despite the cold winter, the iGaming industry is entering its hottest season — awards season. This is the time when international experts evaluate the most innovative products, technologies, and services, highlighting the companies that set the standards for the year ahead. This season, Betandyou is kicking off with a strong start, making it onto the shortlist of several prestigious international awards.

Betandyou has been named a finalist at the European iGaming Awards in the category Sports Betting Platform of the Year, which recognizes brands delivering exceptional innovation, operational excellence, and user experience. At the same time, the brand has been shortlisted in the same category at the International Gaming Awards, one of the most influential global iGaming awards, where judging focuses on technology, UX, responsible gaming, and platform reliability.

Additionally, Betandyou has made it to the finals of the LCB Awards, earning recognition in three separate categories. This award is particularly meaningful because it combines expert evaluation with feedback from the real user community, reflecting both industry acknowledgment and players’ trust.

The Betandyou team commented on these nominations:

“This is an important milestone for us and a sign that our approach to product and service resonates with both the professional community and our users. We are grateful to the experts, partners, and players for their trust. Being shortlisted is already an achievement, and the wins are just the next step.”.

The team would like to thank partners, industry experts, and users for their support and high evaluation of the project. Awards season is just beginning, but Betandyou is already gaining international recognition as a strong player in the sports betting market.

Betandyou is a next-generation sports betting platform offering a seamless and secure experience for players worldwide. With a focus on innovation, fast payouts, and user-friendly design, Betandyou continues to set new standards for the online betting industry.

The post Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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