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Gamblers Connect has been officially shortlisted in three categories at the International Gaming Awards 2026, one of the most respected global recognitions within the gaming and iGaming sectors.

This announcement marks an important milestone for the company, reflecting its continued growth, consistent industry presence and long-term commitment to responsible and high-quality affiliate operations.

Gamblers Connect has been shortlisted in three distinct categories: Affiliate (Company) of the Year, recognising its public-facing affiliate excellence; the Great Place to Work Award (Operator), highlighting the strength of its internal culture; and the Safer Gambling Award, which reflects the company’s commitment to responsibility standards across its operations.

The 19th annual International Gaming Awards will be held on 18th January during ICE Barcelona. It is regarded as one of the leading global recognitions for excellence across the gaming industry. Each year, the IGA highlights companies that show innovation, quality, responsibility and meaningful contribution to the sector.

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “Being shortlisted across three very different categories shows our strength on multiple levels. It recognises our public-facing work, the culture behind it and the responsibility standards that guide everything we do.”

The post Gamblers Connect Named Finalist in Three Categories at the International Gaming Awards 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Midnite’s Head of Trading Ben Cullen looks ahead to the 2025/26 Ashes series between Australia and England

This is England’s best chance of winning an Ashes Series in Australia since their last victory Down Under 15 years ago and bettors seem to be in agreement as we build up to Friday’s early morning opener in Perth.

This is England’s first trip to Australia since the dawn of ‘BazBall’ era but will be well followed as usual by the Barmy Army and we make them a boosted 5/2 to regain the Urn on Australian soil.

As we head into the first Test in Perth, Australia’s bowling attack is somewhat depleted with captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood both ruled out of the first Test and there remains question marks around the opening batsmen.

This combined with no new injury concerns for England, has been enough for punters to be tempted by the 29/20 on offer for Ben Stokes’ side to win the opening Test and take a 1-0 lead.

One concern of note is Joe Root’s lack of a Test century in Australian conditions. While being well on his way to surpass Sachin Tendulkar as the leading Test runscorer in history, his technique has left question marks over him being able to finally score a ton Down Under.

However, since the last tour in Australia the Yorkshireman has scored almost 4,000 Test runs at 57.14 – Midnite have boosted him to 3/1 to be England’s leading batter in the first Test and 5/1 to be the top batter across the series.

With the ball in hand, England appear to have a fully fit seam attack for now with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood both likely to feature together in the first Test.

Archer is 5/2 to be England’s top series bowler across the series whilst a fully fit Mark Wood wreak havoc on Australian decks with wicket-keeper Jamie Smith already mentioning that he “nearly took his head off” in the nets – we have Wood at 7/1 to be England’s top bowler.

Midnite have a range of pre-match markets available on site as the hours countdown to what is sure to be an explosive first Test in Perth as well as a plethora of Series Outrights and Boosted Prices.

We’ll be offering In-Play betting throughout the series, which could be of favour to punters when they wake up each morning of the day-night Test at ‘The Gabbatoir’ with the last two sessions being at a more reasonable time for UK viewers.

The post Midnite’s Ashes preview: Plenty of backing for England Down Under appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SkillOnNet Safer Gambling and AML Risk team manager Loizos Theodosiadis on using behavioural tracking systems and analytics to enable proactive risk management.

The future of safer gambling is rooted in predictive analytics and personalised protection. At SkillOnNet, we identify risks of gambling-related harm through both proprietary and third-party software. The third-party system, developed by Neccton and called the MENTOR player-tracking system, enables early detection of behavioural risk long before issues manifest.

These systems analyse vast amounts of data to identify subtle behavioural changes, enabling us to intervene proactively. As I often say, the most exciting developments are around predictive analytics and personalised protection. We’re working on better behavioural modelling to spot risks even earlier and guide players towards sustainable behaviour based on actual patterns, not fixed limits.

Our platform, incorporating Neccton’s system, exemplifies this approach. It continuously monitors player behaviour, flags higher-risk activities, and provides real-time alerts through popups, messages, and dashboards. This allows our teams to act swiftly, offering support or guidance precisely when it’s needed most. Automation supports us by supporting the players, delivering tailored messages about long sessions or risky spending habits.

This move towards personalised, behaviour-based interventions marks a significant shift from traditional, one-size-fits-all thresholds. The future of safer gambling tools lies in advanced monitoring systems and data-driven behavioural analysis profiling players.

Safer Gambling Week and the Role of Industry Collaboration

I believe that Safer Gambling Week is really important. It gives everyone in the industry a chance to pause and focus on the same priority, keeping players safe. We talk about safer gambling all year, but the week helps us amplify everything.

As well as just bringing together our own brands such as Slingo, the official site for Slingo games, and Spin Genie, a leading slots casino in the UK.

Throughout the year, our commitment doesn’t waver, but the week serves as a catalyst for greater awareness and collaboration. It’s an opportunity to reinforce that safer gambling should be a normal, embedded part of our operations and not just a regulatory checkbox. Creating an environment where players feel supported, informed, and empowered is fundamental.

Responsibility is at the core of everything we do. We believe that what sets us apart is how proactive we try to be. We don’t rely on generic thresholds; we focus on behaviour, spotting subtle changes, and acting early even before anything becomes obvious. This proactive stance involves significant investment in staff training, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of empathy and care.

Our teams are trained to recognise behavioral cues whether in retail or digital environments – such as agitation, long play sessions, or mood swings. With Genting Casino for example, we use algorithms to identify risky behaviours early. Both environments present risks; the key is awareness, communication, and a duty of care. GentingCasino.com offers a premier gaming experience with top-tier slots and we want to offer top-tier player safety.

This proactive approach ensures that support is delivered before problems escalate, emphasising early detection and compassionate intervention. Our strategy is built on the understanding that safer gambling is discussed at senior levels and built into our strategy, not just treated as an add-on, reinforcing a genuine cultural shift within our organisation.

Strengthening Governance and Industry Standards

As online gambling becomes more accessible, I advocate for stronger governance frameworks to protect players effectively. Online environments have more accessibility, so we need a stronger governance framework. Retail needs trained professionals who understand behavioural cues.

I support the implementation of industry-wide standards for affordability and financial risk checks. I support an industry-wide standard for affordability and financial risk checks – applied consistently across all operators. It requires government clarity, data sharing standards, and a balance between consumer rights and harm prevention. Consistent application of these standards, combined with data sharing and regulatory clarity, will ensure that safer gambling practices are effective, fair, and respectful of players’ privacy.

The Ongoing Journey for Operators

While our industry has made significant progress, I believe the journey is ongoing. The industry is on a journey. Many operators, including us, are genuinely committed to embedding safer gambling into their culture. While responses have been reactive in the past, that’s changing.

Today, safer gambling is recognised as a core business priority – about sustainable play, long-term loyalty, and safeguarding reputation. Safer gambling is now a core business priority – about sustainable play, long-term loyalty, and reputation. As we look to the future, I am confident that companies investing early and embracing transparency will set the standard, shaping a healthier and more responsible industry.

SkillOnNet is a leading casino operator that offers a diverse range of online gaming brands. They offer cutting-edge technology, premium content and solutions for some of the industry’s most recognisable names.

They operate a wide range of successful brands including premium online GentingCasino.com, Prime Casino who offer a diverse selection of games as well as Slingo who offer a premium Bingo experience.

Throughout its extensive game catalogue from top-tier developers, SkillOnNet ensures players enjoy a safe, engaging and entertaining environment. They continue to lead the market with its flexible platform, localise expertise and strategic partnerships to offer best-in-class casino entertainment.

The post The future of safer gambling: The power of advanced monitoring systems and data-driven strategies to monitor player safety appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.