The Aston Villa Foundation is pleased to partner with the Kaizen Foundation on the development of the ‘Play it Forward’ project.

The project, previously known as the ‘Playzones Programme’, will tackle inequalities in physical activity and access to facilities by funding community-led spaces.

With additional support and funding provided by the Football Foundation, the Premier League, the Professional Footballers Association, and Birmingham City Council, Kaizen Foundation will support 350 additional hours of activity to take place on outdoor mini pitches in lower socio-economic areas across Birmingham.

Kaizen Foundation funding will also contribute to the long-term sustainability of seven custodian organisations working in the heart of these areas. These organisations can apply for small grants, managed by the Aston Villa Foundation, to cover equipment costs and provide relevant training and qualification opportunities for staff and volunteers.

The Aston Villa Foundation will offer the expertise of highly skilled professionals and experts from within their team around grants and fundraising, marketing and communications, governance, monitoring, evaluation and impact, health and safety, safeguarding, and risk management. In addition to off-site spaces, the development of the Warehouse space will see two multi-use games areas, managed by the Aston Villa Foundation, built on the current broadcaster’s area of the North Stand, acting as a functioning community space on non-matchdays.

The project aligns with the Aston Villa Foundation’s commitment to their work with children, young people, and young adults, both within the immediate areas around Villa Park and the wider Birmingham population, providing a holistic landscape of opportunities to support them on their life journey.

Guy Rippon, Head of Foundation and Community at the Aston Villa Foundation, said: “We at the Aston Villa Foundation are proud to be working with an internationally recognised organisation such as the Kaizen Foundation, to continue to positively impact the lives of young people in the local vicinity of Villa Park.

“The ‘Play it Forward’ project aligns with the Kaizen Foundation’s vision and mission and the connecting and supporting pillars of our own strategy. The community and charitable sectors in Birmingham are going through their toughest period in recent history, with vast funding cuts and community need at its highest. The ‘Play it Forward’ project will empower the voluntary and community sector with their own ambitions to grow as self-sustained organisations, as well as reduce the gap in young people’s access to physical activity spaces in urban environments.”

The Kaizen Foundation is a Social Purpose Organisation, funded exclusively by Kaizen Gaming, one of the biggest GameTech companies in the world. Its vision is to serve as a catalyst for positive change on a global scale in partnership with local communities, NGOs, and private and public institutions.

The Kaizen Foundation’s goal is to foster innovation and improve all aspects of people’s lives with a focus on Society, Education, and the Environment.

Panos Konstantopoulos, President of the Kaizen Foundation, said, “Play it Forward is about creating real opportunities where they are most needed. By investing in local organisations and young people, we are not just funding projects, we are helping build stronger, self-sustaining communities. As an international foundation, it is a privilege to combine our global perspective with the Aston Villa Foundation’s local expertise to deliver meaningful impact here in Birmingham and exactly where it is needed the most.”

HEROIC, a top-tier esports organization, has announced a significant sponsorship agreement with Razed.com, a major global operator in the sports and esports betting sector.

This partnership positions Razed as an official sponsor of HEROIC’s Counter-Strike 2 roster. The collaboration is founded on a shared commitment to performance and market innovation.

Razed stood out to us as a great partner in an industry of many operators. At their core, their values align with ours — entertainment, responsibility, and a true love for esports. Our partnership will allow us to create more fun content and some amazing experiences for our fans. We couldn’t be happier to welcome Razed as a partner.— Krystian Jaroszynski, Chief Commercial Officer, HEROIC

The agreement encompasses key brand activations, including Razed.com branding on HEROIC’s official jerseys and across all digital platforms. Additionally, the partnership will facilitate the development of exclusive co-branded content and behind-the-scenes access, aimed at enhancing fan engagement and commercial outreach.

HEROIC has firmly established itself as one of the world’s premier Counter-Strike teams, and we are proud to support their continued rise. Esports is one of the fastest-growing verticals in betting, and we believe this partnership with HEROIC represents the perfect synergy of  creativity, ambition, and a shared vision for success.— Marty, Head of Marketing, Razed.com.

This alliance further strengthens HEROIC’s market position and its continued focus on commercial growth and on-server excellence. Together, both entities aim to set new benchmarks within the esports industry.

Link to the video. x.com/heroicgg/status/1961458827804774534

Surf On the Waves to Success: N1 Partners at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025

From September 16 to 18, the N1 Partners team will take part in SBC Summit 2025 in Lisbon — one of the largest events in the iGaming industry. Thousands of professionals from around the world will gather at Feira Internacional de Lisboa & MEO Arena to discuss trends, exchange insights, and build new partnerships. N1 Partners is known for preparing something special for every event, and this time the team will bring a vibrant surf-inspired atmosphere to booth F84.

Surfing the Wave of Opportunities with N1 Partners

At every conference, meeting the N1 Partners team is a chance for affiliates to advance in the N1 Puzzle Promo and get closer to the grand prize of the year — the Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter. In Lisbon, this journey takes on a fresh theme — surfing, as a symbol of freedom, energy, and moving forward.

At the N1 Partners booth, the team will recreate the vibe of a real surf camp, giving partners the chance to discuss business opportunities and take part in activities designed to help them “catch the wave” of success.

What Visitors Will Find at Booth F84

• Surf Bar serving signature bubble teas and retro-surf–style cocktails
• Surf Balance Board Challenge: test your balance, claim guaranteed prizes, and get the chance to win an all-inclusive surf trip
• Meeting zones designed for productive negotiations and top-tier deals in a comfortable setting

A Dream Trip for the Winner

N1 Partners will raffle off a certificate for an all-inclusive surf camp trip, which includes flights, villa accommodation, training with a professional coach, and a branded surfboard delivered directly to the winner.

How to participate:

1. Visit booth F84
2. Register for the giveaway
3. Be present at the raffle (stay tuned for the exact time on N1 Partners’ social media)

Full terms and conditions will be available at the booth.

See You in Lisbon

SBC Summit Lisbon is the perfect opportunity to meet the N1 Partners team, explore new projects, learn about the latest brand launches, and discuss exclusive partnership opportunities. At booth F84, visitors will find live business conversations, branded merch, and additional puzzles to bring them closer to the grand prize of the N1 Puzzle Promo.

Why N1 Partners

Working directly with an advertiser, partners of N1 Partners benefit from:

• 14+ licensed casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep up to 70%
• top deals across 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
• CPA up to €650, RevShare up to 45% + NNCO, and hybrid models

At booth F84, the N1 Partners team will be focused on real business. Whether you run SEO, PPC, FB, or other traffic sources, you’ll discover how to turn them into even greater profit with N1 Partners’ offers.

Don’t wait: book your meetings with N1 Partners’ affiliate managers now and make your SBC Lisbon experience as productive as possible.