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Martin Lycka to Welcome Former Liverpool and Leeds Star to Safe Bet Show at SBC Summit 2025
Safer gambling expert Martin Lycka will welcome former Liverpool and Leeds defender Dominic Matteo to SBC Summit 2025 for a live edition of The Safe Bet Show in collaboration with EPIC Global Solutions.
Matteo made 155 appearances for Liverpool between 1992 and 2000 before moving to Leeds United. During his time at the club, he played a key role in their run to the Champions League semi-finals and later went on to captain the side. He also enjoyed spells at Sunderland, Stoke City, and Blackburn Rovers, and represented Scotland at international level.
Since retiring at the end of the 2008/09 season, Matteo has become a leading voice in the safer gambling space, drawing on his own experience of struggling with gambling addiction. He now works with EPIC alongside his wife, Jess Matteo, where they serve as Lived Experience Facilitators to help raise awareness of gambling-related harm among professional athletes.
Matteoâs gambling addiction began towards the end of his career while playing for Blackburn. At its worst, he placed a ÂŁ500,000 bet on a single horse race and accumulated debts of more than ÂŁ1 million. His recovery began with the unwavering support of his wife Jess, whose role he describes as instrumental in helping him rebuild his life.
That support proved vital once again in 2019, when Matteo was diagnosed with a brain tumour that required life-saving surgery and radiotherapy. Remarkably, the tumour had been dormant since childhood â leading Matteo to reflect that he had unknowingly played his entire professional career with it.
The couple have since dedicated themselves to educating players across the EFL, Scottish Premiership and PREM Rugby on safer gambling measures. Their work focuses on building awareness, helping players spot early signs of harm, and connecting them to the right support.
Matteoâs story brings a powerful perspective to SBC Summitâs Player Protection Stage, where he and his wife Jess will join Lycka for a live conversation on Tuesday, 16 September, from 16:30 to 17:00. Jess will share her insights on what it means to support a loved one through gambling addiction, including how families can find the right advice and access meaningful support.
Their session comes as SBC Summit 2025 prepares to host its first-ever Legends Charity Game, featuring football icons such as Kaka, LuĂs Figo, Cafu, Alessandro Del Piero, Patrice Evra, and more. Against that backdrop, Matteoâs appearance offers a timely reminder of the need to educate both current and former players on the risks of gambling harm.
Ahead of the live show, Lycka said: âDominicâs journey is one of incredible resilience. His willingness to speak openly about his struggles and his fantastic educational work with athletes is deeply impactful.
âHaving him and Jess join me for this live edition of The Safe Bet Show brings an essential human perspective to the wider conversation on player protection. Iâm honoured that Iâll be able to share the stage with them both in Lisbon.â
The Player Protection Stage will run across all three days of SBC Summit, from 16 to 18 September. Day one will focus on regulation, day two will explore the role of technology in player protection, and day three will be dedicated to research.
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The post Martin Lycka to Welcome Former Liverpool and Leeds Star to Safe Bet Show at SBC Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Monday committed Php50 million in financial assistance to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to strengthen operations against illegal gaming, including the banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The support was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City by PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco and NBI Director Jaime Santiago.
An initial Php25 million was immediately turned over by PAGCOR to the NBI, representing the first tranche of the total assistance, during the MOA signing.
In his message during the ceremony, Tengco said the partnership with the NBI underscores PAGCORâs mission not only to regulate gaming and generate revenues for nation-building but also to protect the integrity of the industry.
âThis morning, we are signing a Memorandum of Agreement that underscores the shared responsibility of PAGCOR and the NBI in promoting lawful, fair, and responsible gaming in the Philippines,â he said.
âThis assistance will defray the cost of food and expenses for POGO detainees, as well as support the Bureauâs legitimate operations against illegal gaming activities.â
Mr. Tengco said the agreement likewise demonstrates PAGCORâs resolve to safeguard the gaming industry and ensure that revenues from legal gaming truly benefit the Filipino people.
âIllegal gambling operators undermine our laws, exploit our people, and put our communities at risk. By working hand in hand with the NBI, we are sending a strong message that we will not allow unlawful gaming practices to persist,â he said.
For his part, NBI Director Santiago said PAGCORâs assistance would boost the Bureauâs capabilities to pursue its mandate.
âThe NBI welcomes PAGCORâs assistance as it will enable us to step up our operations against illegal POGOs and other unlawful gaming activities. This partnership affirms our shared duty to uphold the law and protect the Filipino people,â he said.
The post Fight vs. illegal gambling gets boost with Php50M PAGCOR grant to NBI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Big Fishing Net Fortune
INSPIRED EXPANDS ITS iGAMING PORTFOLIO WITH THREE NEW SLOT LAUNCHES: PHARAOHâS BIGGER BIG MONEY, BIG FISHING NET FORTUNE & COPS âNâ ROBBERS GRAND CHANCE
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Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems, and solutions, is delighted to announce the launch of three new online and mobile slot titles across the UK and Malta iGaming jurisdictions: Pharaohâs Bigger Big Money, Big Fishing Net Fortune and Cops ânâ Robbers Grand Chance. With distinctive themes and proven mechanics, each game is built to engage players and maximize performance for operators.
Pharaohâs Bigger Big Money transports players to the mystical world of Ancient Egypt. Featuring colorful cartoon-style visuals, this 5Ă3 reel, 10 win-line slot is a bold new take on Inspiredâs hugely successful Cops ânâ Robbers Bigger Big Money. Players can unlock the iconic Big Money Bonus by landing three or more bonus symbols, with up to six upgrades and a progressive multiplier trail boosting win potential. Flexible features including Fortune Spins, Fortune Bet, Gamble, and Bonus Buy make the game highly customizable, offering operators a versatile product with broad player appeal.
Big Fishing Net Fortune is Inspiredâs latest evolution of the popular Big Fishing series. Big Fishing Net Fortune introduces the new Triple Hit Combo mechanic where three pseudo-persistent nets sit above reels one, three and five. The bonus can strike whenever a net is filled, with the sticky Big Fish value set to the combined total of all fish added to the nets on the triggering spin. Players dive straight into the unlimited Free Spins Bonus until the Big Fish is caught, alongside smaller fish for extra wins. Packed with player-favorite features such as Fortune Bet, Bonus Buy, Gamble, and Fortune Spins, this title combines strategy, excitement, and reward into one fun-filled catch.
Cops ânâ Robbers Grand Chance builds on the success of Inspiredâs high performing hit, Golden Winner Grand Chance. This action-packed 5Ă3 reel slot brings the iconic Cops ânâ Robbers theme to life with fast-paced gameplay, colourful graphics, and high-stakes fun. Players collect bonus symbols to trigger the golden bullion features and exciting Free Spins rounds, where Collector symbols unlock progressive cash multipliers and pot prizes via the Grand Chance Swag feature. With reel modifiers, surprise wins, and a host of gameplay options, including Fortune Spins, Fortune Bet, Gamble, and Bonus Buy, this game offers a thrilling ride where every spin could be the heist of the century.
Claire Osborne, Vice President of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, said: âWeâre excited to bring these three fantastic new slots to the market. Each title reflects Inspiredâs commitment to delivering engaging gameplay, fun mechanics, and standout visuals. From the mystical charm of Pharaohâs Bigger Big Mone to the rewarding strategy of Big Fishing Net Fortune, and the action-packed excitement of Cops ânâ Robbers Grand Chance, these games showcase the variety and quality that both players and operators have come to expect from Inspired. Weâre confident they will perform strongly and will no doubt add real value to our operator partnersâ portfolios.â
The post INSPIRED EXPANDS ITS iGAMING PORTFOLIO WITH THREE NEW SLOT LAUNCHES: PHARAOHâS BIGGER BIG MONEY, BIG FISHING NET FORTUNE & COPS âNâ ROBBERS GRAND CHANCE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Zitro has increased ESG-oriented training (Environmental, Social, and Governance) by 1,300 hours in 2024, compared to 2023. This significant growth reflects the companyâs ongoing commitment to safety, health, the environment, and governance at its offices in Spain.
The ratio of ESG training hours per employee rose from 2,31 hours in 2023 to 3,12 hours in 2024, significantly exceeding the target set for this year. This improvement has been made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Sustainability and Learning departments, which have driven the expansion and strengthening of internal ESG training.
Through these initiatives, Zitro reaffirms its commitment to employee training and awareness, advancing towards a more sustainable and responsible management approach.
The post ZITRO STRENGTHENS ESG TRAINING WITH AN INCREASE OF 1,300 HOURS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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