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EPIC’s Education Programme Reaches 35,000 Students in 2021/22

Published

3 years ago

July 28, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Epic Risk Management’s betting education programme reached nearly 35,000 students from UK schools and colleges last financial year.

In 2021/22, the company said its curriculum was delivered to 34,759 students across all four home nations, a curriculum centred around responsible betting and funded independently of the gambling industry.

Sessions were delivered either face-to-face or via online resources, with 191 schools visited, including 84 state schools.

A total of 13,821 students at state schools received the programme for free as a result of the holistic Gambling Harm Education scheme, delivered in partnership with WHYSUP and Teen Tips.

Patrick Foster, head of delivery for education and CSR at EPIC Risk Management, said: “If that’s how many we’ve spoken to directly, goodness knows how many brothers, sisters and family members have heard it via that trickle effect – it’s probably far wider.

“For all of us who facilitate, the bit where it hits home the most is that pupil who comes up to you and says ‘I have somebody at home who really struggles with this and I now have an understanding of what they’re going through’ or ‘I’m struggling with this myself; this has made me think about my behaviours’ and we’re able to support them.

“That’s what we cherish the most, but I think what’s scary is how often that happens and emphasises the need and relevance for what we do.”

After a disrupted academic year 12 months ago, the 2021/22 term has provided a much safer platform for the delivery team to hit the road, with all but seven of the schools inviting the lived experience team to come and tell their powerful story in person – something that Foster believes is crucial in making the message hit home.

Foster said: “The impact of face-to-face delivery and having someone stood up in front of an audience has been so evident to us this year.

“Part of that is a legacy of Covid, with schools having had to digest so much material through online resources. As a result, we’re going to offer even more face-to-face sessions in future, but we understand that there is a place for digital dissemination too, because it offers so much additional reach and it’s instant.

“It also helps us to reach the parents because they need to be fully educated and informed on this; the onus is placed on the individual, but increased awareness for parents about the issue is huge.

“EPIC believe strongly that no one under the age of 18 should be able to gamble in any form, but regrettably this is not the case due to methods of gambling that sit outside the regulations. This needs addressing and makes education more important.”

An area in which EPIC hope to add even greater value to the programme in 2022/23 is to enhance the level of information provided on loot boxes within video games, which are undoubtedly the most accessible method for the 15 to 18-year-old audiences to interact with a form of gambling.

Foster added: “What we know from the work we do is that loot boxes are a huge issue; it’s providing a gateway to gambling and can’t be ignored. A lot of the pupils, parents and teachers that talk to us indicate that’s how it’s manifesting itself.

“It’s a message that we will continue to beat and look to incorporate more and more into our sessions, using lived experience. There is a real need for it and can’t be ignored – that’s the message that’s most pertinent to those age groups.

“The emergence of cryptocurrency trading and NFTs are new mediums in which young people are engaging with online risk-taking behaviours and the exposure and accessibility to them make them elements within the gambling landscape that cannot be ignored. The popularity of these types of gambling related activities are of huge concern to many parents and schools that we work with.

“People can have their opinions on whether they’re a form of gambling, but ultimately they can result in the same behaviours and carry the same dangers and pitfalls, so that’s something we’re particularly looking to keep adding into our delivery.”

Latest News

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

Published

3 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

3 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.

The post Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

bet365 Brings Popular ‘Over/Under’ F2P Game to UK Market with LOW6

Published

3 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The UK betting market is mature, but the appetite for US sports (NFL in particular) is growing rapidly. By porting this specific “Over/Under” prop format—which has already succeeded in North America—bet365 is engaging a specific sub-segment of UK bettors who prefer the player-prop style of betting common in the US, rather than the traditional match-winner markets. It’s a smart retention play that uses “free-to-play” fun to educate users on complex prop markets.

The Full Story

bet365, the world’s leading online betting brand, has announced the UK launch of its popular Over/Under free-to-play (F2P) game, developed in partnership with gamification specialist LOW6.

This rollout follows successful deployments of the title in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and multiple U.S. states, where it has already generated millions of prop picks. The move signals bet365’s intent to deepen engagement with UK-based fans of major American sports leagues.

How the Game Works Designed specifically for followers of the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, the Over/Under game offers a fast-paced, prop-based format.

The Mechanic: Users select “Over” or “Under” on specific player performance stats (e.g., passing yards, points scored).
The Strategy: Players can choose between 3 to 10 markets per entry. The more selections they combine, the higher the potential prize.
The Bridge to Betting: Once an entry is confirmed, the game features a one-click integration that allows players to instantly port their F2P selections into a real-money bet slip on the bet365 platform.

Management Commentary Jon Riley, PR Operations Lead at bet365, highlighted the rising popularity of US sports across the Atlantic:

“The growth of sports betting in the US has been remarkable – fans are engaging with their favourite leagues, teams and events like never before… That passion for the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL has grown globally, and at bet365 we’re delighted to launch such an exciting and entertaining free-to-play game this side of the Atlantic.”

Jamie Mitchell, CEO of LOW6, emphasized the data-backed success of the format:

“The feedback from users, as well as the player numbers and underlying player engagement data shows this game has been a perfect fit. To see bet365 now making it available in the UK is testament to the success of the partnership.”

Josh Turk, Chief Strategy Officer at LOW6, added that the “slick” user journey from free-to-play to real-money wagering is a key feature driving the product’s retention value.

This launch further solidifies the relationship between bet365 and LOW6, leveraging F2P mechanics not just for acquisition, but to increase “player lifetime value” (LTV) by educating casual fans on prop betting markets.

The post bet365 Brings Popular ‘Over/Under’ F2P Game to UK Market with LOW6 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.