Latest News
UK BGC Calls for “Level Playing Field” as Government Considers Roadmap Out of Lockdown

Reading Time: 2 minutes
The UK Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has called for a level playing field as the Government considers the roadmap out of lockdown. BGC urged that betting shops and casinos must be allowed to reopen at the same time as other similar businesses once the country is given the green light to safely emerge from lockdown.
BGC members and their employees have been supporting the national effort against Covid-19 and are continuing to do so, with members offering their venues as test and vaccination centres and employees volunteering to support the vaccine rollout.
The BGC has said that its members – which employ 44,000 people in betting shops and casinos – are ready to support the economic recovery and must be given the same opportunities to reopen as other parts of the economy. For betting shops, that means reopening in line with other non-essential retailers; and for casinos, hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of BGC, said: “The pace at which the vaccine is being rolled out across the UK has been hugely impressive. Britain is at the forefront of this global effort thanks to the hard work of NHS teams and volunteers up and down the country. UK Government Ministers also deserve credit for the success of this roll out and for the support it has given to businesses throughout the pandemic. The past year has been a torrid time for businesses and government support has been a lifeline for many.
“As the vaccine roll out continues and the country begins to emerge from lockdown, it is important that businesses are able to plan effectively for reopening. Ministers must be clear from the outset what the next few months will look like and there should be a consistent approach across the sectors.
“Betting shops must be allowed to reopen alongside other non-essential retail. Last summer, when most betting shops were able to open, they showed that they have best-in-class anti-covid measures compared to any other part of the high street to protect customers and staff. It is vital that ministers allow them to play their part in stimulating the high street, along with other non-essential retailers.
“Likewise, casinos are eager to help Britain get back on its feet. The night-time economy has taken a hammering during the pandemic and draconian restrictions, including the 10pm curfew, have made a difficult situation more desperate for many businesses. Ministers must allow casinos to reopen at the same time as other hospitality businesses including pubs and they must scrap the curfew. It didn’t work last summer and it won’t work now.
“There will be no let-up in our commitment to safety, but we need the economy to open up again – not least if we are to revive the country’s tax take and fund vital public services like the NHS. But the thousands of people employed in betting shops and casinos deserve nothing less than a level playing field, so that everyone gets the same opportunities to recover.”
Latest News
SlotMatrix unearths ancient tomes with Shadow Summoner Egypt release
Reading Time: < 1 minute
SlotMatrix, the world’s largest casino content aggregator, invites players to step into the shadowed tombs of ancient Egypt with Shadow Summoner Egypt, an atmospheric slot adventure filled with mystical power and great win potential.
This striking new release is the second title in the Shadow Summoner series, with players tasked with awakening the plagues of Egypt through four magical tomes: the Tome of Locusts, Blood, Sacrifice and Firestorm.
Every tome unleashes a unique feature and transforms the reel in a distinct way, from spreading wilds and explosive symbol upgrades to powerful multipliers that can reach up to 100x. Collecting Golden Scarabs upgrades the tomes into multipliers, adding even greater depth and potential to each spin.
The game’s dual bonus rounds, Sun Free Spins and Moon Free Spins, invite players to gaze into the Eyes of Ra and choose their destiny, with semi-persistent multipliers that can build up to significant wins.
Exclusively available through SlotMatrix, Shadow Summoner Egypt is enhanced by EveryMatrix’s proprietary gamification tools, including free spins and leaderboards, and can be seamlessly integrated with EngageSuite, the all-in-one player loyalty solution.
Carl Gatt Baldacchino, Head of Account Management, SlotMatrix, said: “Shadow Summoner Egypt builds beautifully on the foundations laid by the previous title in this series.
“We’ve created a world where every spin feels meaningful thanks to the evolving tomes, growing multipliers, and dual bonus paths, making this a premium addition to our exclusive portfolio and a great continuation of a series with huge long-term potential.”
The post SlotMatrix unearths ancient tomes with Shadow Summoner Egypt release appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Thunderkick swaps maracas for mistletoe in festive franchise addition Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Independent slots studio Thunderkick has given its popular Day of the Dead series a Christmas makeover in Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead, fusing the spirit of two holidays in a vibrant festive fiesta.
Following the release of standout seasonal titles such as Hot Turkey and Midas Golden Touch Christmas Edition, the launch of Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead signifies the supplier’s commitment to creating bespoke, holiday-themed content that drives engagement around global celebrations.
Engineered to feel familiar yet fresh, the skulls are decked with holly and the streets lined with gifts in the 5×5 cluster pays slot, brought to life by the iconic mariachi band, which has replaced Latin American-inspired rancheras for Christmas jingles.
Symbols from winning combinations explode to leave behind wilds or exploding wilds for the following tumble, doubling the Mucho Multiplier up to a maximum of 1,024x. During the bonus round, triggered by three scatters, exploding wilds are collected, with every third awarding three extra spins and removing the lowest base multiplier, unwrapping 7,500x win potential.
Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead elevates a fan-favourite with festive flair, underscoring Thunderkick’s dedication to meeting its partners’ requests and delivering timely, culturally resonant products.
Mike Collins, Game Product Owner at Thunderkick, said: “Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead represents another evolution of the game brand, designed specifically for maximum appeal throughout the holidays.
“We strive to support operators with custom-built content, and by blending one of our most successful IPs with Christmas-themed audiovisual elements, we have given the franchise a new lease of life and produced a slot that is sure to stand out this festive season.”
The post Thunderkick swaps maracas for mistletoe in festive franchise addition Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
PopOK Gaming Shortlisted for Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2026
Reading Time: < 1 minute
PopOK Gaming has been shortlisted for the Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2026 in the following two categories: “Product Launch of the Year” and “Crash Game of the Year.”
This recognition reflects the company’s continuous dedication to excellence and its growing influence within the international gaming landscape. Over the past year, PopOK Gaming has introduced a number of successful new titles and innovative features that have strengthened its position as a trusted and creative force in the industry.
The Global Gaming Awards celebrate companies that have shown strong performance, innovation and impact across the EMEA region over the past year. The shortlist is the result of a thorough selection process that highlights those setting high standards in the field.
Final winners will be chosen by a panel of senior industry executives, with KPMG monitoring the voting process to ensure transparency and fairness. The award ceremony will take place on 19 January 2026, during the opening day of ICE at Fira Barcelona Gran Via.
The post PopOK Gaming Shortlisted for Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News3 months ago
Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition.
-
Latest News2 months ago
Announcement: 25th September 2025
-
Latest News3 months ago
Flamez – A Fiery New Online Casino Contender from Ganadu
-
Latest News2 months ago
GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Wraps Season 1 with Stephen Crystal—From Las Vegas Legends to Global Gaming Leadership
-
Latest News2 months ago
AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico
-
Latest News2 months ago
The Countdown is On: Less Than 3 Months to Go Until The Games of The Future 2025 Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi
-
Latest News3 weeks ago
JioBLAST Launches All Stars vs India powered by Campa Energy: A New Era of Creator-Driven Esports Entertainment
-
Latest News2 months ago
Adidas Arena Set to Welcome the 2026 Six Invitational




You must be logged in to post a comment Login