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Belgium’s Flanders is Second European Government to Integrate Video Games Into Mainstream Education
The Flemish Department of Education and Training has become the second European government ministry (after Poland) to recognise the value of integrating video games into the classroom, by commissioning the Game.Learn.Grow toolbox, developed by Arteveldehogeschool and Mediawijs.
The toolbox serves as a practical guide for both elementary and high school teachers with over 30 ready-to-use activities for different age groups, including exploring ancient Greece in “Assassin’s Creed”, rebuilding their school in “Minecraft”, lesson sheets and tools for teachers to create their own video-game-based activities.
Spokesman for the Flemish/Belgian video game sector David Verbruggen said: “We’re delighted with the Game.Learn.Grow toolbox and want to thank the Flemish Department of Education and Training, Arteveldehogeschool, and Mediawijs for making this possible. Here’s hoping the tools lead to an ever-expanding database of quality, game-driven content that prove that games in the classroom are here to stay.”
ISFE CEO Simon Little said: “It is extremely exciting to see another European government recognise the value of video games to education in this way. We know from our Games in Schools project that video games have an exciting role to play in the classroom, inspiring an interest in STEM, equipping students with digital skills, increasing student engagement and learning outcomes, developing team-building, problem-solving and mental agility.”
ISFE’s Games in Schools teachers’ handbook has now been added to Klascement, the official teachers’ platform in Flanders.
The Flemish Government has also just announced a €100,000 fund to support the Flemish video games sector during the pandemic. Whilst the sales of video games already on the market skyrocketed during lockdown – used by players for education, fitness, entertainment and to stay connected with friends and family – companies with games still in development have been impacted by remote working, employee sickness and much-delayed launches. Flemish Media Minister Benjamin Dalle referred to the thriving and innovative games sector in Flanders and the importance of investing in its video games companies.
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OLYBET PARTNERS WITH WST
OlyBet is excited to announce an agreement with World Snooker Tour (WST), the home of the world’s best snooker players and tournaments, and part of the Matchroom Sport group.
OlyBet will now be the Official European Betting Partner of WST, as well as the Official Partner of one of the tour’s premium events in The Masters, held in January next year at London’s famed Alexandra Palace, OlyBet will collaborate with WST to showcase the best of professional competition, passionate snooker fans and its world-class players.
“Partnering with WST will bring the excitement, history, and personality of world-class snooker closer to OlyBet’s communities. OlyBet is known for grand activations, up close access and delivering memorable moments through sports. The WST captivates its traditional base and inspires a new generation of fans with the world’s best professionals and personalities. This will be an exciting partnership”, said Corey Plummer Chairman and CEO of OlyBet Group.
The partnership also sees one of WST’s most charismatic and skilful competitors, Jack Lisowski, become OlyBet’s brand ambassador, and will see the former Rookie Of The Year be the face of the partnership on OlyBet’s channels as well as feature in several content projects in conjunction with the tour.
WST’s Chief Commercial Officer Peter Wright said: “It’s exciting to team up for the first time with OlyBet, an inventive brand which has some fantastic partnerships in sports including football and golf. We look forward to collaborating with the OlyBet team and their new ambassador Jack Lisowski, known for his flamboyant style which will fit perfectly with their content strategy.”
Compliance Updates
CT Interactive announces certification of new games for the Italian market
CT Interactive is thrilled to announce that new titles have officially received certification for the Italian market, ready to bring a fresh wave of entertainment to players across the country. This certification ensures that the games adhere to Italy’s stringent regulatory standards for fairness, security, and quality, reinforcing CT Interactive’s dedication to providing top-tier gaming experiences.
The newly certified games include: 5x Cherry Party, Christmas Storm, Jester Jack, Lucky Kiwi, Mega Gnome, Piggy Crash, Star Girl, The Big Chilli, The New Queen of Fruits, Treasure Chase.
These exciting games offer a diverse range of themes, from the festive charm of Christmas Storm to the whimsical adventures of Piggy Crash and Mega Gnome. Whether players are in the mood for the nostalgic appeal of a classic fruit slot like The New Queen of Fruits, or looking for thrilling treasure hunts in Treasure Chase, there’s something for every type of player.
Each game has been developed with a focus on delivering engaging features, rewarding bonuses, and immersive gameplay. With unique mechanics and visually striking graphics, these releases are designed to captivate Italian players and keep them returning for more.
CT Interactive remains committed to enhancing the Italian gaming landscape by consistently providing fresh, exciting content and introducing new ways to play.
Cryptocurrency
SOFTSWISS Survey Q3’24: 58% Cite Crypto as Key Driver in New Markets
SOFTSWISS, a tech company and pioneer in crypto gaming with over 15 years of experience, conducted a survey revealing that the majority view crypto as a key driver for growth in new markets. Experts also analysed this year’s crypto bets to share the latest insights.
Bitcoin recently reached a historic high, getting closer to 90,000 euro per coin. However, during the third quarter of 2024, it faced its sharpest drop in several years. SOFTSWISS experts examine how these market shifts have influenced iGaming performance in the quarterly ‘State of Crypto’ analytics.
A Quarter of the World’s Population Engages in iGaming
Global iGaming statistics indicate that approximately 26% of the world’s population were ever engaged in iGaming. By 2028, the iGaming market is projected to reach 243.2 million users, with a market volume nearing 130 billion euro, a substantial portion of which is expected to involve cryptocurrency.
SOFTSWISS data shows that during the 9 months of 2024, the Total Bet Sum, including both fiat and crypto, increased by 43.1% compared to the same period of 2023. Simultaneously, the Total Bet Count showed even more impressive growth, surpassing 44.5%.
An in-depth comparison analysis since 2022 demonstrates fiat bets are rising much more rapidly than crypto. A comparison between the first nine months of 2024 and the same period of the previous year revealed that the Fiat Bet Sum achieved a 50.4% boost. The conservative approach toward payment methods has resulted in Crypto Bet Sum growing at a slower pace compared to fiat and has led to a modest 4-percentage-points (p.p.) decline in the crypto share in 2024.
[1] Based on data from ongoing projects[
Potential of Crypto in iGaming 2025
According to the SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends 2025 Report, cryptocurrency is set to remain one of the preferred payment methods within the sector. Based on the company’s survey, 58% of respondents identified crypto as the primary driver of growth in new markets, underscoring its essential role in shaping the industry’s future.
Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS, reflects on the possibilities of crypto: “Integrating crypto payments allows iGaming businesses to operate globally, delivering greater speed and convenience. With iGaming’s naturally borderless reach, this expands platforms’ access to a wider international audience, boosting their global growth potential.”
“What is more, crypto transaction fees can be almost three times lower compared to traditional fiat gateways, allowing iGaming businesses to save on processing costs and reinvest that capital”, adds Max Krupyshev, CEO of CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid.
SOFTSWISS data confirms stable interest in crypto. In the first nine months of 2024, the Crypto Bet Sum increased by 15.2% compared to the same period the previous year. A long-term quarter-by-quarter analysis reveals a consistent growth pattern, though the third quarter of 2024 saw a 9 p.p. decline from the previous quarter. The drop aligns with the decline in the exchange rates of major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, which occurred in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the Crypto Bet Count rose by 16.2% in Q3 2024, indicating stable interest in crypto gaming. This combination reveals that while engagement in crypto betting remains steady, the total wagered sum is closely correlated to fluctuations in cryptocurrency exchange rates.
Altcoins Share Growth
The top five most popular cryptos in iGaming have remained stable over the years, with some shifts in the ranking order. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and Dogecoin are the most popular among crypto players. While altcoins accounted for only 25.1% of bets over the first nine months of last year, their share increased significantly to over 47% during the same period in 2024.
Bitcoin’s share dropped by 22 p.p. during the nine months of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023. At the same time, Tether and Litecoin saw the most impressive share growth, with over 8 p.p. and 7.8 p.p., respectively. Ethereum strengthened by 4.9 p.p.
Another impactful trend reveals some casinos, like Rollbit and Shuffle, utilise their own iGaming tokens to boost player engagement. Tokens designed specifically for gaming offer enhanced compatibility across platforms, lower volatility, and exclusive perks for users. Crypto drives the development of new payment methods and business growth.
Vitali Matsukevich summarises: “Crypto offers iGaming operators key advantages beyond lower costs and global reach. Blockchain enhances safety and fairness through transparency and traceability, with each transaction and game result permanently recorded and tamper-proof. Partnering with trusted crypto experts allows operators to harness these benefits, positioning themselves for growth and effectively navigating market shifts.”
The new SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends 2025 Report offers more insights about crypto in the ever-evolving iGaming sector. The visionary report is free to download via the link.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
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