Bacta is at the forefront of initiatives to encourage responsible gambling with the leading trade association for the land-based low-stake sector joining the Betting and Gaming Council, the Lotteries Council and the Bingo Association as organisers and supporters of the 2024 edition of Safer Gambling Week (SGW) which runs 18–24 November.

With a core objective of encouraging people to talk and take action to gamble responsibly, the initiative which is running for its eighth year, will feature what the official SGW web site refers to as a “blitz” of safer gambling messages online and in land-based venues in order to spark a nationwide conversation about responsible gambling and the safeguards that have been put in place by the regulated industry.

George McGregor, Bacta’s Executive Director (Government Relations), believes the initiative continues to make a significant contribution to the industry’s endeavours to reduce further the incidence of problem gambling.

He stated: “The first point to make is that Safer Gambling Week draws attention to what Bacta members are practicing every week and every day of the year. This commitment and culture is something that every Bacta member should be extremely proud of.

“The consumer-facing Safer Gambling website poses a series of questions to consider and outlines how to use safer gambling tools such as setting time and deposit limits and how to self-exclude from gambling.”

He added: “As an awareness raising initiative Safer Gambling Week has demonstrated its value. Safer Gambling Week 2023 smashed previous social media records, generating over 50 million impressions across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

“The website received half a million visits and the campaign engaged with a large number of cross-party MPs and peers who gave their backing as did Premier League clubs West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion.

“Safer Gambling Week demonstrates that Bacta, its members and the industry at large is fully committed to delivering a safe, responsible and enjoyable gambling entertainment experience for all of its customers.”

This collaboration will combine mkodo’s market-leading product suite with Amplifier AI to deliver real-time, player-centric innovation

mkodo, the leading provider of mobile apps, websites, front-end UX and geolocation technology to the regulated iGaming, Sports Betting and Lottery markets, has announced a strategic partnership with Future Anthem, the pioneering AI and data science powerhouse. Together, the companies will explore AI-driven real-time personalisation across every stage of the player journey.

This partnership brings together Amplifier AI, Future Anthem’s all-in-one personalisation product, with mkodo’s renowned product suite, aiming to elevate player experiences and expand both companies’ presence in the regulated Canadian market and the global WLA (World Lottery Association) landscape.

Leigh Nissim, CEO of Future Anthem, commented, “This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to deliver unmatched, AI-powered personalisation for the gaming industry. Both companies bring complementary skills and technologies combined with deep industry knowledge, creating a powerful opportunity to generate meaningful experiences for our clients and their players.”

Will Whitehead, Commercial Director at mkodo, added, “This collaboration reflects mkodo’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation. Our shared proactive approach enables us to make rapid improvements that deliver immediate value to our clients, enhancing player engagement and delighting players with personalised experiences.”

The collaboration is set to bring best-in-class technology to meet the rising demand for AI-driven, player-focused experiences, helping operators win the race to real-time personalisation.

Relax Gaming, the leading iGaming aggregator and content provider, is taking players on an exhilarating snowy adventure with the launch of Winter Champions, a sports-themed slot that propels players through the mountain tops in pursuit of golden victories.

At the heart of Winter Champions is the innovative Sliding Respins mechanic, ensuring the reels remain active as long as winning combinations continue to land, adding a layer of non-stop excitement to the gameplay.

With a maximum win potential of 6,000x the player’s bet, this dynamic slot is designed to captivate both sports fans and slot enthusiasts alike.

The game’s standout features are its three thrilling bonus rounds—Ski Jumping, Ice Hockey, and Curling—triggered when three Wild symbols are on the reels at the same time.

In the Ski Jumping Bonus, each Rolling Respin brings players closer to the top prize, with Wilds boosting rewards by up to 5x. The Ice Hockey Bonus sees players collect pucks and score goals to multiply their values, while the Curling Bonus offers the challenge of stacking stones to unlock reel-filling multipliers.

Designed with stunning visuals and a festive atmosphere, Winter Champions is set to become a go-to for players looking for dynamic gameplay and the potential for big wins.

Shelley Hannah, CPO at Relax Gaming, said: “We are excited to introduce Winter Champions, a slot that truly captures the excitement and competitive spirit of winter sports. The Sliding Respins mechanic adds dynamic gameplay, while the three unique bonus games ensure there’s something for everyone.”

“We believe this game will deliver hours of fun and plenty of big-win potential for players that will continue beyond the winter season.”

Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 was named the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.

Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.