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Bacta unveils sponsors for 2022 flagship events

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Bacta has unveiled its supporting sponsors for its three flagship events of 2022. The organisations’ invaluable support will help make bacta’s Social Responsibility Exchange (22 November), Annual Convention (23 November) and Parliamentary Reception (23 November) possible.

Social Responsibility Exchange – sponsor Claratus Commercial Finance

Bacta will host its annual Social Responsibility Exchange at the County Hall in London on Thursday 22nd November. The event will provide members with an opportunity to share best practice tactics and strategies around Social Responsibility.

The event will be introduced by Elizabeth Speech, chair of bacta’s Social Responsibility Committee. YGAM and GamCare will also be speaking at the event alongside Social Responsibility updates from the Gambling Commission.

Claratus Commercial Finance provides clear, fair and effective finance to small and medium businesses in the UK and are specialists in the Gaming, Amusement & Leisure sectors.

Claratus can assist with the purchases of new and used machines on finance to spread the cost and protect cash-flow. Claratus can also review existing facilities, refinance higher-cost debt or provide working capital for various purposes as well as business loans all at competitive rates.

Simon Clarke, Director of Claratus, said: “As a fair and responsible finance provider with a long term commitment to the industry, we are delighted to support bacta’s Social Responsibility Exchange, which will prove to be a vital event in the industry’s calendar and one which addresses such an important issue.”

Bacta’s Annual Convention – sponsor Novomatic

Bacta will hold its Annual Convention at County Hall, London. In a programme packed with top drawer speakers from politics, business and the wider tourism and gambling sectors, the event provides the focus of industry discussion around the gambling White Paper, tourism, and the future of pubs and clubs. Following an address from the Gambling Minister, a panel of MPs will debate the future of the industry. The day concludes with a keynote speech from serial entrepreneur, Luke Johnson.

Kevin Temple, Director of Sales, Novomatic, said: “As a long-term supporter and member of bacta we are pleased to be backing bacta’s annual convention this year. It has a relevant and exciting programme for the whole industry.”

Bacta’s Parliamentary Reception – sponsor Blueprint Operations

Following the Convention in the Houses of Parliament on 23 November. Bacta will also announce the winner of its 2022 awards, which celebrate the very best of the sector. The awards recognise those who have made a unique impact in the industry during the past 12 months, with categories including High Street Hero, Seaside Saviour, Supply Chain Champion, Green Giants and Rising Star.

The judges of the awards include MPs, and the leaders of the Betting and Gaming Council, Brigid Simmonds OBE, UK Hospitality, Kate Nicholls OBE, and bacta CEO John White as well as bacta President, Greg Wood. Potential entrants can apply for the awards on bacta’s website and entries will close next Monday 31^st October.

The Event allows the industry to showcase to MPs just some of the entertainment provided by the sector to millions of their constituents each year. The winner of bacta’s MP seaside selfie competition winner will also be announced.

David Purvis, Managing Director of Blueprint Operations, said: “As a bacta member and supporter, we are delighted to be supporting bacta’s parliamentary reception. Engagement with parliamentarians is at the core of bacta’s mission and we expect the reception to be a great success.”

Bacta CEO, John White thanked all the sponsors of the November events: “I want to say a massive thank you to Claratus, Novomatic and Blueprint for the extremally generous support they have provided. It is testament both to them and to the industry of which they are part that we have members who recognise the value of what we do and were quick to support us.”

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Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment

Published

16 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

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.

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LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand

Published

20 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

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.

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Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona

Published

20 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

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.

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