Latest News
Ygam CEO outlines vision for new levy at Conservative Party Conference
It is essential that any new levy system provides a stronger focus on upstream education and prevention of gambling harms, the Chief Executive Officer of Ygam has said.
Speaking on a panel at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester earlier this week, Dr Jane Rigbye said preventative education must not be disregarded in the new system. She called for universal education to be adequately funded over the long term as an essential part of the public health response to gambling harms.
Dr Rigbye said “All too often we see preventative education being overlooked in the debate, or in some cases and more worryingly, work to increase awareness of treatment availability being used to demonstrate investment in prevention. Ygam argues that investment would be better off made upstream, so that less people need those treatment services in the first place.”
The panel included DCMS Minister Rt Hon. Stuart Andrew MP, Matthew Hickey, Chief Executive of Gordon Moody, Graham England, Chief Executive of ARA and Sarah Forshaw, Head of Service Development at Gordon Moody.
The panel agreed that the new levy must present equal opportunities for funding to avoid losing an experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled workforce in the third sector. On this, Dr Rigbye said: “There appears to be a perception from some that organisations working in the current system are not independent from industry funders. This misguided narrative must not influence the new infrastructure and processes. All organisations seeking funding should be measured on the quality, scalability, and impact of their services.”
In addition to this, Dr Rigbye said the levy should be ‘smart’, based on product risk. She insisted the new levy must recognise the distinction between research, education and treatment programmes and services, and therefore the distinct types of expertise and stakeholder networks required to deliver them.
Dr Rigbye also raised concerns about the instability that the ongoing consultation process is causing for charities in this sector. She said ‘Charities are discovering that the publication of the white paper has stemmed uncertainty. The lack of clarity around the levy means many donors are now reluctant to commit to funding until the consultation period is clearer, and the new system is established. During this period, there is a risk that services provided by organisations who rely on the current system could be disrupted or discontinued.”
Dr Rigbye will be participating in the next panel in the series organised by Gordon Moody at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool next week.
Asia
Nazara announces five investments totalling INR 196 Crores to drive growth across Gaming and Entertainment
Nazara Technologies Limited (BSE: 543280 | NSE: NAZARA), India’s only listed diversified gaming and sports media company, has unveiled a series of strategic investments aimed at solidifying its position in the gaming and entertainment ecosystems.
Nazara has announced new Investments in Funky Monkeys & Learntube.ai
Nazara has expanded into physical entertainment with the acquisition of a 60% stake in Funky Monkeys Play Centers Private Limited, a leader in indoor soft play centers for children, for INR 43.7 crores. Funky Monkeys operates 11 centers across India, offering interactive play experiences for children.
Co-founders of Funky Monkeys, Binita Putcha and Sanjay Ghadiali, said: “We are excited to join hands with Nazara, whose vision for digital and hybrid entertainment aligns closely with ours. With Nazara’s expertise and resources, we are confident we can scale Funky Monkeys and bring even more joy to children and families across India. We also see synergies with digital IP’s owned by Nazara such as Kiddopia and will work to maximise these opportunities”
Nazara will also invest INR 4.2 crores for a 4.7% stake in Learntube.ai, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing education with 1:1 interactive and gamified learning. Catering to over 20 lakh learners, LearnTube is the world largest personalised learning platform that offers affordable, interactive gamified learning experiences for professional skilling.
“LearnTube’s collaboration with Nazara is a bold step forward in reshaping professional learning and interactive media. We are excited to combine forces to lead innovation on a global scale,” said Shronit Ladhani, Co-founder, LearnTube.
Nazara has Increased its shareholding of existing companies
Nazara will invest INR 148 crores in its existing subsidiaries including Sportskeeda, Nodwin Gaming, and Datawrkz to increase its ownership in them and support their growth.
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Nodwin Gaming: Nazara will invest INR 64 crores through subscription of Optionally Convertible Preference Shares to bolster Nodwin’s growth. The funds will support Nodwins expansion, enhance its intellectual properties (IPs), and strengthen its footprint in emerging markets.
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Absolute Sports (Sportskeeda): Nazara will invest INR 69 crores to purchase shares arising from exercise of ESOPs from the Sportskeeda management to increase its stake to 100% in the company making it a wholly owned subsidiary.
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Datawrkz: Nazara granted in-principle approval for an investment of INR 15 crores in Datawrkz through the subscription of Compulsorily Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares to support ongoing growth of Datawrkz
Speaking on these investments, Nitish Mittersain said: “Nazara is committed to building the largest diversified gaming and entertainment platform out of India and many of our initiatives announced today are geared towards propelling profitable growth in these strategic areas of our interest.”
Latest News
ProgressPlay Shortlisted in Two Prestigious Categories at The International Gaming Awards 2025
ProgressPlay, a leading platform in the iGaming industry, is thrilled to announce its selection as a finalist in the Safer Gambling Award and Innovator of the Year Award (Operator) categories at the upcoming International Gaming Awards (IGA) 2025. This recognition underscores ProgressPlay’s dedication to innovation, player protection, and excellence in iGaming operations.
The Safer Gambling Award nomination celebrates ProgressPlay’s proactive approach to promoting responsible gambling. The company has continually advanced its proprietary automated safer gambling tools, integrating cutting-edge AI-driven features to ensure operators and players remain in control and mitigate risks effectively. ProgressPlay has positioned itself as a trailblazer by prioritising player well-being in building trust and fostering a healthier gambling ecosystem while reducing compliance risks for operators.
Being shortlisted for Innovator of the Year (Operator) reflects ProgressPlay’s relentless pursuit of technological advancement as a B2B specialist within the iGaming industry. With a portfolio of groundbreaking solutions and an emphasis on user-centric design, the company has revolutionised how operators engage with their players. This category highlights ProgressPlay’s unmatched ability to combine technology, creativity, and market insights to deliver exceptional gambling experiences.
Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay, expressed her delight: “Being recognised as finalists in two categories by such a prestigious organisation is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to innovation and responsible gambling. At ProgressPlay, we don’t just follow trends; we set them while ensuring the safety and satisfaction of our operator cluster and their players remain paramount.”
The International Gaming Awards, known for spotlighting excellence and leadership across the global gambling industry, will host its gala event in London on February 5, 2025. This ceremony is set to welcome the brightest minds and most influential companies in the iGaming sector, celebrating innovation, responsibility, and operational success.
ProgressPlay is a leading iGaming platform provider, delivering fully managed services alongside white-label and standalone solutions. With an emphasis on innovative technology, player engagement, and responsible gambling, the company powers over 200 brands worldwide, offering a suite of premium gambling products and tools that drive sustainable growth.
ProgressPlay’s CEO Itai Lowenstein said: “ProgressPlay is honoured to be in the company of other industry leaders and looks forward to the opportunity to showcase its continued commitment to excellence at this globally renowned platform and at ICE Barcelona in January.”
Latest News
MGA Games presents Wild Snow Spin, a slot game with variable Free Spins set in the snowy mountains of Central Asia
This new release from MGA Games, a leading provider of casino games in Spain, is a thrilling new game that beautifully combines excitement and nature. The game’s main character is the snow leopard, a majestic creature that serves as an Expanding Wild symbol. When the snow leopard appears, it not only captivates players but also enhances their chances of winning, adding to the excitement with every spin of the reels.
Wild Snow Spin is a 5×3 slot game featuring a Scatter symbol and the opportunity to access a variable Free Spins screen, depending on the number of accumulated counters. This enhances the player’s chances of winning big prizes and provides a unique, immersive experience—a virtual escape to the Asian mountains, all from the comfort of their mobile screen.
The game features a minimum bet of €0.10 and a maximum bet of €20, offering a maximum prize of €42,000. With its realistic graphics and an epic soundtrack, meticulously designed to capture the essence of the winter season, this game is sure to appeal to both slot game enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
This new release features a rich collection of Asian wildlife-themed symbols: wolves, brown bears, and giant pandas all of which promise an untamed experience. Wild Snow Spin will be available at major online casinos in Spain and .com Markets from November 28th.
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