Latest News
YGAM Student Hub goes LIVE for Freshers Week
The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) has launched its new Student Hub website (www.students.ygam.org), a unique resource developed by students for students to raise awareness of gaming and gambling-related harm.
As students return to university this month, the launch of this new digital platform aims to help prevent students from experiencing harm by providing them with expert information and support. Research published by YGAM in 2019 showed that 264,000 students are at some risk of gambling-related harm in the UK with around 88,000 already defined as problem gamblers.
The new Student Hub website features advice for students on how to make the most of their life at university while avoiding the risks of gaming and gambling-related harm. The website includes interactive elements along with lived experience case studies to further highlight the concerning issue of gambling and gaming addiction on university campuses.
Mike Wojcik, CEO of Queen Mary University of London Studentsâ Union and Chair of Trustees for YGAM said: âYGAM has developed an accessible, interactive resource with excellent content. Itâs a superb digital platform which delivers what the charity was set up to do: inform, educate and safeguard young and potentially vulnerable young people.â
There is concern that this year poses a particular risk for students, with research indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with higher levels of stress, depression, and feelings of isolation within the 18-24 age group. According to YGAMâs research, these conditions are associated with increased gambling and problem gaming behaviour among university students.
The new Student Hub resource is a key component of YGAMâs response to this situation. The website builds on YGAMâs existing student engagement programme, which recruits students on a part-time basis to deliver awareness campaigns on campus.
Pete Woodward, Head of Delivery for University and Student Engagement at YGAM, said: âStudent life has changed dramatically this year, and we knew YGAM had to respond accordingly. Our Student Hub is the first of its kind: a resource created for and with students, ensuring they get the information and education to make informed choices. We will be gathering insights from this online portal and sharing what we find with our partners at other universities and studentsâ unions. Together, we can work towards a higher education environment free from gaming and gambling related harm.â
Latest News
ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona
The news that Januaryâs ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gamingâs most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.
Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.
Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: âOur members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.
“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientationâconnecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”
Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: âWe represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.â
Januaryâs editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.
Industry Awards
Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards
Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.
Award Recognition
The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.
The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask
Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.
Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.
Latest News
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