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APPLY NOW! Submissions open for the first ever Scottish Game Awards: Be part of something special
Entries are now open for the first ever Scottish Game Awards, highlighting the outstanding achievements of those involved in the games ecosystem across Scotland.
Open to every individual and organisation involved in the games ecosystem in Scotland, the Award ceremony, which takes place at Malmaison, Dundee, on October 27 2022 will be the epic culmination of the first-ever Scottish Games Week.
Given the disruption caused by Covid-related lockdowns and the cancellations of many major events since early 2020, the entry criteria for the 2022 Scottish Games Awards have been designed to encourage as many entries as possible. Therefore entries are encouraged that focus on work undertaken or games released from January 1st 2020 to August 31st 2022.
All entries for the Scottish Games Awards are free.
Entries are open until 17:00 on 12 September 2022, so get your applications in now.
The 12 categories within the Scottish Game Awards will recognise and champion talent across the games ecosystem in Scotland.
The full list of awards includes:
Craft Awards
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Art & Animation – The creative use of art or animated context within a game, or using games technology
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Technical Achievement – the outstanding use of new, innovative or creative technology within a games context
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Audio – The best use of audio within a games context
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Creativity Award – The greatest, most innovative or unusual application of creativity within a games context
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Best Tools/Tech – The best provision of technology or tools within a games context (can be for design, creation, publishing, distribution, monetisation, etc.)
Education Awards
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Best Educational Programme – The most valuable educational programme offering games-related skills within Scotland
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Best Educator – The most valuable individual involved in the provision of games-related skills in Scotland
Scottish Game of the Year
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Small Budget – Games with a budget from £0 – £10,000
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Big Budget – Games with a budget from £10,000 upwards
Personal Awards
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Diversity Champion – The person who has actively pushed for greater inclusion, equality and diversity within the Scottish games ecosystem
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The Stewart Gilray Award (Community Spirit) – The person who has helped, supported, nurtured and mentored others across the Scottish games ecosystem
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Lifetime Achievement – The person who has achieved ongoing success across their career within the Scottish games ecosystem
The Community Spirit Award has been named in memory of Scottish games creator, Stewart Gilray. Stewart, who was sadly lost to COVID-19 at the beginning of 2022, was the founder of development studio Just Add Water, which produced some truly seminal games including Gravity Crash and the Oddworld series.
A range of experts from across the UK games ecosystem and the Scottish business community have generously volunteered their time to act as judges for the Scottish Games Awards. For the 2022 competition the judges are:
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Louise Blain (Chair): Freelance writer and broadcaster at BBC Radio 3, BBC Scotland, and NME
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Brian Baird: Technical Director at Bethesda Games Studios Austin
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Joe Donnelly: Feature Writer at GamesRadar+
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Alisdair Gunn: Director at Glasgow City Innovation District
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Evelyn McDonald: CEO at Scottish Edge and Board Member of Scottish Design Exchange
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Keza MacDonald: Video Games Editor at The Guardian
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Jim Trinca: Games journalist and video producer
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Jo Twist: CEO of UKIE
Louise Blain, the Chair of the judges, said: “I’m so thrilled that we are getting a chance to celebrate the vibrancy of the Scottish games industry and can’t wait to see what the judging panel will be diving into.”
Apply here by 17:00 on 12 September 2022. Scotland has a wealth of talent in this industry and now is the time to show the world the outstanding work being undertaken by developers, animators, sound designers and more.
The Scottish Game Awards is the climactic event of Scottish Games Week, taking place between 24 and 28 October. Hosting a wide variety of events across the country including More Than Games, an Educational Symposium and a two-day long SGW Industry Conference. Scottish Games Week was created to show the world that Scotland has a vibrant, pioneering, and thriving gaming sector – that is a key area of the country’s digital and creative economies. The week-long event has been spearheaded by industry leader Brian Baglow, formerly of DMA Design and the founder of the Scottish Games Network. Early-bird tickets are available now through Citizen Ticket until Friday 2 September.
To find out more about Scottish Games Week, visit gamesweek.scot
Latest News
Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: This is a classic “Cross-Sell” play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.
The Full Story
Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.
The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platform—featuring slots, table games, and automated live games—starting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operator’s capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.
Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated €455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.
By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of €944.6 million last year.
Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.
Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europe’s strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbet’s operational standards and deepens its foothold in a “mature” market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.
The post Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMedia’s decision to rebrand now is a classic “graduation” signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, “blue-chip” aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.
The Full Story
LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.
The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its “startup roots” and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.
Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent “stability and forward momentum.” The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the company’s matured operational capabilities.
Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:
“Surviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.”
Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMedia’s social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.
The post LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their “A-game” to the larger venue. The focus here isn’t just on cabinets; it’s the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).
The Full Story
Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sector’s most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.
Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floor—from management systems to the gaming floor itself.
Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the company’s flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.
Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.
Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the company’s portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the “Colors” iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.
Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the company’s extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.
Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to “continuous innovation,” inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.
The post Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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