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96% of SPFL players know where to find support for gambling issues after EPIC and William Hill sessions

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A survey of SPFL players that attended the competition’s new gambling harm prevention education programme has shown that 96% of players are now confident that they know where to seek support if they are worried about their gambling behaviour, thanks to the knowledge provided to them as part of William Hill’s first season as title sponsors.

With the intention of ensuring that players and staff across all four divisions understand the importance of safer gambling, the programme has reached nearly 800 players and a further 160 staff members, as 37 clubs hosted talks during the 2024/25 season from two former professional footballers with their own past issues of gambling-related harm to share.

The two ex-pros – former Wales U21 and Wrexham striker Marc Williams and Scotland-capped former Liverpool defender Dominic Matteo – were seconded to clubs by EPIC Global Solutions; leaders in gambling harm prevention whose client base includes all 72 EFL clubs, MLB teams and the vast NCAA college sports network.

As a result of the sessions, alongside virtually every player now knowing where to seek support if they are worried about their gambling behaviour, 93% confirmed they now have a good or excellent level of awareness of professional athletes’ vulnerability to harmful gambling – an increase from 70% having that level of knowledge before the session.

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The same post-session figure – 93% – also believed they had a good or excellent level of awareness around gambling and professional integrity, which rose from 74% before the session.

Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, said: “These figures show the real impact that EPIC’s gambling harm awareness programme has had with SPFL clubs and its players, which is great to see.

“We’ve had extremely positive feedback from our members on how informative the sessions have been and it’s excellent it has reached so many players and staff members across our game in its first season.

“We’re proud to continue to support this partnership alongside William Hill and look forward to seeing it develop further in the seasons ahead.”

Among the players to take part in the series of talks was Hibernian’s Kieron Bowie, who made his Scotland debut in Monday’s 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. Speaking after hearing how Marc Williams’ professional career was affected by issues with problem gambling, he admitted:

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“In this industry, obviously you have a lot of free time; you’re in hotels overnight or you’re away on international duty and you’re left to your own devices, doing whatever on your phone. It’s easy to get roped into that, especially in this environment where there’s a lot of gambling, like cards on the buses and all that sort of stuff, so it’s easily done.  

“I think seeing what he went through just reassures that that’s not the path you want to go down.”

The education programme will continue for a second season in 2025/26, with a focus on extending the audience to include SPFL clubs’ academies and women’s squads, as well as engaging with community trusts and supporter groups to ensure the message is also accessible to fans of all 42 clubs.

Per Widerstrom, CEO of evoke, the parent group of William Hill, said: “The education programme is a fundamental element of our sponsorship. It’s really important that we balance the passion of players and fans with gambling responsibly, and I am delighted to see such good progress made during our first year of sponsorship. 

“We now look forward to next season and extending the programme to academies, women’s squads and supporters”

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More Patient Transport Vehicles donated to military units, LGU

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) turned over five Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to select military units and a local government unit on Tuesday, July 16, in line with the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enhance emergency medical services in underserved and high-risk areas.

The newest PTV recipients were the Municipality of Liliw in Laguna; the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, Light Reaction Regiment and Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital, all based in Nueva Ecija; and the Headquarters Force Reconnaissance Group of the Philippine Marines in Ternate, Cavite.

The turnover ceremony was held at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City and was led by PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.

“These donations are part of our ongoing commitment to boost the government’s emergency response efforts, especially in areas where every second can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.

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“It also reflects PAGCOR’s commitment to national service beyond gaming as ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.”

The donated vehicles are expected to boost the recipients’ capacity for medical evacuation and transport during military operations, natural disasters, and other emergencies in remote or conflict-prone areas.

Lt. Col. Arsen Boy D. De Guzman, the 7thID’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, thanked PAGCOR for the support and cited the critical role of PTVs during calamities and rescue missions.

“Taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa ibinigay ninyong Patient Transport Vehicle. Rest assured po na ito ay pangangalagaan namin at gagamitin sa tamang layunin,” he said.

To date, PAGCOR has donated a total of 40 PTVs to LGUs, public hospitals, and frontline agencies nationwide as part of its socio-civic programs.

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InnoGames Unveils Cozy Coast, a Heartwarming Beach Adventure Featuring Relaxed Gameplay and a Captivating Story

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InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, is announcing Cozy Coast, an adventure game that combines an emotional storyline, richly developed characters, and engaging puzzle mechanics based on the popular Merge-2 system. The game will launch later this year on iOS and Android. Pre-registration is already available in selected regions.

With Cozy Coast, the studio highlights its versatility by introducing a new genre to its portfolio, which includes internationally acclaimed strategy games like Forge of EmpiresTribal Wars, and Heroes of History. The game combines a sunny, feel-good atmosphere with diverse entertainment, targeting discerning casual gamers who appreciate relaxing gameplay just as much as an engaging story.

Adventures Featuring Building Mechanics and Puzzle Challenges

In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island holds treasured memories of a carefree childhood, yet the once idyllic place has somehow lost its charm. Together, the two young women set out on a mission to restore the original beauty of Calista.

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Merging items is the central gameplay mechanic in Cozy Coast. By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents while gathering resources to repair buildings and unlock new areas. Along the way, Mia and Elara encounter other characters and gradually uncover the island’s secrets. With its lovingly crafted environments, Cozy Coast invites players to explore every hidden corner of Calista.

“With Cozy Coast, we’re creating an inviting game world that offers players a break from everyday life while delivering challenging gameplay. For the first time in InnoGames’ history, we’re introducing a title that combines emotional storytelling with strategic merge mechanics. We look forward to welcoming players from around the world to Cozy Coast very soon,” says Christian Reshöft, Chief Product Officer at InnoGames.

Key Features of Cozy Coast

  • Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
  • Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
  • Adventure in paradise: Discover hidden places together with your best friend and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
  • Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
  • Fresh challenges every day: Participate in daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
  • Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
  • Free to play without restrictions: Launching soon worldwide on iOS and Android

Cozy Coast was already launched in selected regions on iOS and Android, with players giving it an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Pre-registration on the App Store and Google Play is now available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More regions to follow soon.

The post InnoGames Unveils Cozy Coast, a Heartwarming Beach Adventure Featuring Relaxed Gameplay and a Captivating Story appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Charlie Cowdrey Appointed CEO of JioBLAST, Esports Joint Venture

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Global competitive entertainment company BLAST has announced the appointment of Charlie Cowdrey as Chief Executive Officer of JioBLAST, the recently announced joint venture between BLAST and RISE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited.

As part of the appointment, Cowdrey will relocate from London to Mumbai this September to lead the joint venture’s Indian operations, marking a major milestone in the company’s global expansion into India.

Cowdrey has been a pivotal figure within BLAST over the last four years, holding multiple senior leadership roles across the business ranging from Chief of Staff to most recently, Programme Director for Epic Games, where he played a key role in managing one of BLAST’s most high-profile publisher relationships and competitive titles in Rocket League esports (RLCS) and Fortnite Competitive (FNCS).

Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, said: “Charlie has been a key figure behind BLAST’s growth  and publisher operations over the past few years. He is a trusted leader who understands our culture, our partners and our ambitions. India represents an enormous opportunity for BLAST, and we believe Charlie is the perfect person to take this vision forward. We’re proud to have someone of his calibre opening this important new chapter for us alongside our partners at Reliance and RISE.”

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Charlie Cowdrey, CEO of JioBLAST, said: “I’m incredibly honoured and excited to take this role in spearheading JioBLAST. We will be focussed on bringing together Jio’s unrivalled reach, RISE’s commercial prowess and BLAST’s esports expertise and global publisher relationships. Bringing this all together, there is no doubt that JioBLAST will supercharge the Indian esports industry. India is one of the most vibrant and promising gaming markets in the world, and working alongside Jio offers us a unique opportunity to build something extraordinary. We can’t wait to get started and bring BLAST’s unique approach to creating next level entertainment to India.”

The announcement follows the formation of the JioBLAST, a joint venture between BLAST and RISE, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, aimed at supercharging the Indian esports market. With India now home to over 600 million gamers, accounting for 18% of the global gaming audience, JioBLAST will focus on creating new esports IP, establishing a state-of-the-art production studio, and delivering tournament experiences built for India’s dynamic gaming community.

The joint venture will bring BLAST’s award-winning production expertise and international tournament IPs to India while building localized formats, mobile esports offerings, and digital-first fan engagement initiatives through JioGames. Under Cowdrey’s leadership, the Joint Venture will deliver end-to-end tournament management, publisher services, and broadcast-ready content – ensuring India becomes a central pillar in BLAST’s global footprint.

As the joint venture ramps up its operations, last month JioBLAST opened recruitment for its first six foundational roles, all based in Mumbai. The new hires will join Cowdrey in building the future of esports and competitive entertainment in India. These roles represent the first wave of local leadership and talent being brought in to shape a new chapter in Indian esports.

The post Charlie Cowdrey Appointed CEO of JioBLAST, Esports Joint Venture appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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