Latest News

Danske Spil Sells Majority Stake in Swush. com to Ekstra Bladet

Published

2 years ago

January 17, 2024

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Danish state-owned gaming operator Danske Spil has agreed a deal to sell its majority stake in fantasy sports platform Swush to Danish newspaper brand Ekstra Bladet.

The sale includes the popular fantasy sports game Holdet.dk, which has around 190,000 users across Denmark, with the agreement subject to approval at Danske Spil’s extraordinary general meeting later this month.

“Holdet.dk has a completely unique market position, and we are delighted that they will now become part of Ekstra Bladet. Just under nine months ago, we bought Denmark’s largest and strongest football media site, bold.dk, and now we are supplementing it with Holdet.dk. That combination delivers on our razor-sharp strategic ambitions, where sport is absolutely essential,” said Ekstra Bladet editor-in-chief Anders Borup Sørensen.

Ekstra Bladet commercial director Signe Skarequist commented: “Holdet.dk, bold.dk and Ekstra Bladet are, in short, a perfect match. We see great potential in further developing Holdet.dk’s strong position and business together.

“The purchase of Holdet.dk is a clear underlining of Ekstra Bladet’s ambition to create strong digital media that delivers appealing and relevant content to a large audience.”

Holdet.dk will continue to operate as an independent brand and business, and will be further developed in close cooperation with its two founders, Ole Christensen and Jesper Bjørn Carstensen.

“Jesper and I launched Holdet.dk in 2009, and we are incredibly proud to have created such a large and popular game universe that thousands of committed couch managers use daily. We look forward to working closely with Ekstra Bladet and bold.dk to make sports more fun for even more sports fans,” said Christensen, who serves as managing director of Swush.

Danske Spil had acquired a 60 percent stake in Swush in July 2015 through its Danske Licens Spil subsidiary.

“We have greatly appreciated the co-ownership, and we are proud of recent years’ progress in Swush and for Holdet.dk. At the same time, we are happy that we have now found a good, new home for Holdet.dk,” said Danske Spil CEO Nikolas Lyhne-Knudsen, who is also chairman of Danske Licens Spil.

“We look forward to following the further development under Ekstra Bladet, where the game platform matches better with the company’s strategic ambitions, and that they can thus help lift Holdet.dk further.”

Latest News

Filippo Anzalone Joins Gamblers Connect Contributors Program

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Monday 12 January: Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, has announced Filippo Anzalone, Head of Sales at Odds Scanner Group, as its first official Contributor for the 2026 Gamblers Connect Contributors Program.

Anzalone is the first of 12 industry experts to join the programme, a curated selection of practitioners with true “skin in the game.” At Odds Scanner Group, Anzalone is responsible for scaling and leading a high-performing organisation of more than 10 professionals. His reputation is built on his ability to combine strong legal and analytical expertise to close complex, high-value agreements — skills that move the needle in a saturated market.

As the first of the 12 contributors, Anzalone will offer the community a behind-the-scenes perspective on building lasting partnerships and expanding across borders, drawing on his hands-on experience in international growth. Gamblers Connect readers can expect Anzalone’s first analysis piece to be published soon, setting the tone for a year of knowledge-driven content.

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “One of the key reasons we selected Filippo Anzalone as the inaugural contributor is his global versatility. Fluent in Italian, English, Spanish and Portuguese, he brings a multi-jurisdictional perspective that is rare in the sector. He is already a recognised industry voice, frequently appearing at conferences and panels to discuss sustainable revenue growth.”

The post Filippo Anzalone Joins Gamblers Connect Contributors Program appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

Isle of Man Government reaffirms commitment to iGaming sector

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

isle-of-man-government-reaffirms-commitment-to-igaming-sector

With more than 20 years’ experience as a leading iGaming jurisdiction, the Isle of Man has built a strong international reputation based on robust regulation, political and economic stability, and a partnership-led approach between Government, regulators and industry.

That reputation continues to underpin confidence in the Island as a premier jurisdiction for high-quality iGaming businesses.

The Chief Minister has reaffirmed Government’s continued commitment to the iGaming sector ahead of attendance at ICE 2026, commenting:

‘For more than two decades, iGaming has been an important and successful sector for the Isle of Man’s economy and community, offering a robust, transparent and responsive regulatory environment. iGaming remains just as important today as it will be in the future.

‘In the face of a more complex and challenging global environment in recent years, Government has invested significantly in strengthening our understanding of risk and ensuring we have the right resources and frameworks in place to recognise and respond effectively to emerging threats.

‘As we look ahead to ICE 2026 and other major industry events over the next 12 months, we will continue to work across industry and all agencies to ensure the Isle of Man remains a secure, stable and trusted jurisdiction for high quality and well-regulated iGaming businesses.’

Attendance at ICE 2026 will mark the start of a coordinated programme of engagement, with Digital Isle of Man due to attend a number of key events alongside industry over the coming year to continue to promote the Island as an internationally respected jurisdiction for iGaming.

The Isle of Man Government remains committed to working in partnership with industry to support sustainable growth, meet international standards, and ensure the long-term success of the iGaming sector.

The post Isle of Man Government reaffirms commitment to iGaming sector appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Arizona Department of Gaming Awards Its First Peer Support and Recovery Contract Designed to Further Problem Gambling Assistance

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

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Investment in new, no-cost services to facilitate problem gambling recovery across the state

The Arizona Department of Gaming’s Division of Problem Gambling (Division) announced today that it has awarded its first peer support and recovery services program contract to Dezerve Counseling LLC, which was selected following a competitive Request for Proposal to develop, launch, and manage the State of Arizona’s first problem gambling peer support and recovery program. The award marks a significant public investment in problem gambling recovery in Arizona, where peer support services will be provided free of charge and confidentially.

“Creating an additional pathway to recovery for Arizona community members negatively impacted by problem gambling – via the peer support and recovery services program – is exciting for our agency and the people we serve,” said Elise Mikkelsen, Director, Division of Problem Gambling. “We are proud of our track record of offering timely and effective assistance to Arizonans, and we look forward to adding peer support and recovery services to enhance the comprehensive options available through the Division of Problem Gambling.”

Each client participating in the program will be paired with a Peer Support and Recovery Specialist who has deep, lived experience with problem gambling; entered the problem gambling recovery community themself or supported a loved one doing so; and has been rigorously trained in peer support practice, including through applicable professional certifications. With first-hand, lived experience in addiction, specialists can provide a non-clinician point of view with real-time, confidential advice and support.

“We at Dezerve Counseling are honored and excited to partner with the Division of Problem Gambling to launch a dedicated peer support and recovery program for problem gambling,” said Darfetta Muhammad, Chief Administrative Officer at Dezerve Counseling. “We believe, just as the Division does, that recovery begins with a single step forward. We are proud that Dezerve Counseling can now offer that vital next step to individuals and families navigating problem gambling.”

For convenience and maximum impact, peer support will be available statewide and offered in-person, virtually, and over the phone, and will be provided in one-on-one settings as well as in group settings led by a specialist. Importantly, Arizonans may access the peer support program at any stage of their problem gambling journey – this includes individuals experiencing problem gambling and reaching out for assistance for the first time, as well as individuals already seeing a doctor or clinician. There will be no fee for participants and no requirement that the participant have an insurance plan.

To drive workforce capacity to meet the demand for problem gambling support, the program will recruit and train Peer Support and Recovery Specialists who will be ready to make an immediate impact on their clients’ recovery. This workforce component is consistent with the Division’s focus on ensuring gambling treatment programs can meet future community needs while increasing system capacity. Dezerve Counseling and the Division expect the program to launch Spring 2026.

To learn more about the Division of Problem Gambling and its work providing a sustainable continuum of services that reduces the impact of problem gambling across Arizona, please visit problemgambling.az.gov. Always 24/7, free, and confidential, Arizonans who want to inquire about problem gambling services are encouraged to text NEXTSTEP to 53342 or call 1-800-NEXT-STEP.

The post Arizona Department of Gaming Awards Its First Peer Support and Recovery Contract Designed to Further Problem Gambling Assistance appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.