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BGC spokesperson Wes Himes shares insights on the gambling industry under the current national lockdown in exclusive interview with Online Bingo


Wes Himes at the BGC praises the success of the measures ensuring gambling remains safe and responsible, throughout this lockdown and beyond.
- Bingo comparison site Online Bingo releases exclusive interview with Wes Himes of the BGC
- Himes speaks of the successes of the BGC regarding its safer gambling tools
- He asserts that casino venues were safe for reopening during the tier system put in place late last year
- The BCG will continue to work with the government to ensure that land-based venues can reopen when possible
- Himes expresses confidence in the regulations venues have in place to protect players from over gambling during the pandemic
In a two part series, Hannah Timoney of Online Bingo interviewed Wes Himes, Executive Director of Standards and Innovation of the BGC, to discuss the successes of the BGC and its continued mission to raise awareness for gambling harm.
In the first of the two interviews, https://onlinebingo.co.uk/news/interview-with-wes-himes-bgc, Himes discussed the success of the BGC since its foundation, and how the aims of the standards body have changed since the effects of coronavirus and lockdown shook the industry.
He talked about the BGC’s “extraordinarily positive feedback” over the year and praised the BGC’s implementation of new safer gambling tools, such as the whistle-to-whistle ban and the ad-tech code which increased the sensitivity level for access to age-related products on social media. He also hints that “there will be a number of other measures coming out around bonuses”, though did not share what that could entail.
The second interview focused on the national lockdowns. https://onlinebingo.co.uk/news/interview-with-wes-himes-part-2 Most notably, Himes spoke on the BGC’s call for land-based casinos to reopen during the tier system late last year, which he justified by insisting that casinos had “invested a tremendous amount of time and resources” into putting precautionary measures in place which were sufficient enough to mitigate infection risks.
He assures us these measures will continue if and when land-based venues are allowed to reopen, which he is eager to happen, saying “We are committed to continuing to explore with the government, as and when the time comes, what we can do to ensure that those premises can open.“
He went on to express confidence in the regulations venues have in place to protect players from over gambling, whether that behaviour is caused by the stresses of the pandemic or not. He says “these are the types of measures that we continue to raise standards on, these do help provide a very safe environment of play to the customers.”
Editor of Online Bingo, Max Wright, says “We’re thrilled to be able to speak to important members of the industry like Wes, and offer our readers some deeper context into issues like tackling problem gambling and improving legislation, which can sometimes be portrayed in an entirely negative light by the wider media.”
Online Bingo will continue to provide our audience of bingo and slots fans with informed insights from important gambling industry figureheads in order to shine a light on the decision making that affects gameplay and protects players from harm.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: BGC spokesperson Wes Himes shares insights on the gambling industry under the current national lockdown in exclusive interview with Online Bingo

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AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico
iGaming operators can now access CRM automation, hyper-personalisation, and engagement tools to maximise player lifetime value. Platform provider Vegangster has partnered with Smartico, a multi-channel engagement marketing platform, to integrate AI-powered gamification and CRM technology across its ecosystem.
The partnership equips Vegangster’s operator clients with a complete suite of retention tools, including missions, leaderboards, loyalty funnels and mini-games. Powered by AI-driven automation and segmentation, these tools enable operators to deliver personalised campaigns in real-time and build stronger player loyalty across casino and sportsbook brands.
“We build our platform to give operators the sharpest tools to launch quickly and scale with confidence. Partnering with Smartico takes that further, as our clients can now set a new standard for retention with AI-powered automation and gamification,” said Michael Oziransky, Chief Product Officer at Vegangster.
Smartico’s integration with Vegangster enables operators to run engagement campaigns seamlessly. Predictive analytics, personalised messaging, and gamified features provide direct control of the player journey and deliver measurable impact on lifetime value.
“Vegangster’s forward-looking approach makes them an ideal partner,” said Yuval Mechoullam, Co-Founder at Smartico. “Together, we’re equipping operators with solutions that elevate engagement and translate it into lasting business growth.”
About Vegangster
Vegangster provides a full-stack iGaming platform engineered for speed, scalability, and operator control. Its turnkey, white-label, and sweepstakes solutions integrate casino and sportsbook content, payments, CRM, compliance, and social features into a single mobile-first system. With Vegangster, operators can launch quickly and scale with confidence.
About Smartico
Smartico is a multi-channel engagement marketing solution redefining CRM automation and gamification for iGaming operators. By combining real-time automation, gamified mechanics, and AI-driven insights, it enables brands to personalise every stage of the player journey. With a global client base and dedicated team of experts, Smartico helps operators boost engagement, improve retention, and drive sustainable growth.
The post AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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1spin4win unveils Beersburg Fest Hold and Win slot inspired by Oktoberfest
Beersburg Fest Hold and Win recreates the joyful energy of Europe’s most iconic beer festival with bright symbols, playful animations, and upbeat music. From smiling waitresses with frothy mugs to sizzling bratwurst and vibrant Bavarian decoration, every detail adds to the immersion.
On the gameplay side, the online slot features a 3×3 grid with 27 paylines, optimized for smooth play on any device. Beer mugs act as Wilds, while lining up nine identical symbols instantly doubles the payout. Landing three or more Coins triggers the Hold and Win round with three respins and a chance to collect jackpots — the x100 Mini and the x1,000 Mega.
As with all 1spin4win releases, the game is built around fair balance, fine-tuned volatility, and user-focused design. The clean interface, subtle sound, and carefully calibrated RTP create an irritation-free experience for players and strong retention potential for operators.
Olga Bogdanova, the Art Director at 1spin4win, commented, “Festivals have a special kind of spirit. They bring people together and celebrate tradition. We designed Beersburg Fest Hold and Win to capture that feeling, letting players step into the Oktoberfest festival, enjoy its sights and sounds, and experience the joy of the Bonus round.”
About 1spin4win
1spin4win is a fast-growing game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 150 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2025 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.
The post 1spin4win unveils Beersburg Fest Hold and Win slot inspired by Oktoberfest appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Mancala Gaming Revolutionizes iGaming with Diego’s Spicy Truck
Mancala Gaming proudly announces the launch of Diego’s Spicy Truck, a bold new game with innovative features. It’s designed to captivate both players and operators, pushing boundaries in interactive gaming.
In a recent interview with Jekaterina Dubnicka – Head of Marketing and Communications at Slotsjudge, Pantelis Spyrou – Head of Game Studio at Mancala Gaming revealed how Diego’s Spicy Truck redefines engagement. Players run a food truck business, collecting spicy rewards while navigating a fast-paced environment. The game’s dynamic rewards and quirky storyline keep players engaged. Operators will see strong performance with a multi-layered gameplay experience that appeals to both seasoned and casual gamers.
Diego’s Spicy Truck is set to be a key player in the iGaming world. Mancala Gaming invites operators to explore its potential and take part in this exciting journey.
The post Mancala Gaming Revolutionizes iGaming with Diego’s Spicy Truck appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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