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Gambling Minister leads tributes to Ygam on 10th anniversary milestone

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Ygam has celebrated the start of its milestone 10th anniversary year with an outpour of support from Parliamentarians, charity leaders and academics.

In the last decade, Ygam has solidified its position as a prominent leader in the gaming and gambling harm prevention sector. Since 2014, Ygam’s portfolio of evidence-based programmes, has reached over 3 million children and young people. Over 17,000 delegates have been trained by Ygam, including over 11,000 teachers. Throughout this period, the charity has maximised its impact and influence by collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders.

Gambling Minister, Rt Hon. Stuart Andrew MP, led the messages of support for Ygam, saying “Our gambling white paper proposes a number of significant steps to protect young people from gambling harm, including consulting on lower thresholds for financial risk checks and a lower online slot stake limit for 18-24-year-olds.

“These measures are on top of robust age verification controls for online gambling, and a ban on sportspeople and celebrities with strong appeal for children from appearing in gambling adverts.

“I congratulate Ygam on their 10th anniversary and we will continue to work closely together with them to prevent young people from gambling harm.”

Stephanie Peacock MP, Shadow Minister for Media, Gambling and Sport, also congratulated Ygam on its decade of impact, saying “Over the last decade, the landscape for gaming and gambling has changed dramatically. Gone are the days when you had to walk to the bookies to place a bet, casinos are now available in our pockets.

“Amidst this change, organisations like Ygam have been doing crucial, proactive work – raising awareness, conducting research, and educating young people – so that future generations can be better protected from gambling harm.

“I thank Ygam for their preventative work and look forward to working with them going forward in our shared commitment to address youth gambling harm.”

Rt Hon Dame Rosie Winterton DBE, MP for Doncaster Central, played pivotal role is supporting Ygam’s founders to establish the charity in 2014. The Deputy Speaker said, “It is remarkable to think that it was ten years ago when my constituents, Anne and Keith Evans, turned the tragedy of their son Alan Lockhart’s suicide following years of gambling addiction into a beacon of hope and avenue for change with the founding of Ygam. Over the past decade, I have seen Ygam grow and witnessed first-hand the fantastic work they do in order to reduce gambling harms through their various tailored programmes. The teaching materials Ygam provides for teachers and schools, for community and faith leaders, and for gambling operators, sees to it that more people are aware of the dangers of problem gambling, can more easily identify those who are at risk, and can therefore seek help in a timely fashion.

“Ygam have doubtlessly aided the lives of countless people, particularly young people, by allowing them to see the warning signs of gambling addiction and give them the tools to intervene. Ygam has grown and changed much over the intervening years, however those core values established in its founding in 2014 still shines through to this day.”

Beyond the walls of Parliament, a multitude of stakeholders and partners have demonstrated their support for this anniversary achievement.

“I am delighted to support Ygam celebrate its first decade as a charity. Like PAPYRUS, founded by parents who lost a young person to suicide, Ygam is justly proud of its achievements, turning tragedy to hope. I have attended some of the excellent training provided and hope that we can do more together in the years ahead to raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms and, more broadly, to prevent suicide. Congratulations to Ygam. Together we can help to save young lives.” Ged Flynn, Chief Executive Officer at PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide

“Congratulations to Ygam on reaching such an important milestone. Protecting young people from gambling related harms remains a critical priority for society that continues to require work.” Vicky Shotbolt, Chief Executive Officer, Parent Zone

“Gambling harms is a serious public health issue and Ygam plays a valuable role in working to protect young people and children from gambling harm. I congratulate them on their decade of hard work to address this important issue.” Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive Officer, GambleAware

“Over the past decade, Ygam has grown into a leader in the gaming and gambling harms sector. The team’s dedication to safeguarding children and young adults leaves a lasting impact on the lives they touch every single day. Your ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond will help Ygam reach even more young people in the ever-growing digital world.

“Gordon Moody is incredibly proud to work alongside Ygam and we send your team congratulations and best wishes for your tenth anniversary. 2024 will be a pivotal year for the gambling harms third sector and we look forward to working closely with the Ygam team on our shared commitment to preventing gambling harms as we navigate the changing landscape.” Monica Shafaq, Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Moody

“GamCare is proud to have been a partner with Ygam in their decade of growth and achievement – making a huge difference to gambling harms education and prevention. Their clear focus on safeguarding the next generation has ensured thousands of professionals and parents receive information to safeguard children and young people from gambling harm. We look forward to collaborating over the coming years in our shared mission to support anyone affected by gambling.” Margot Daly, Chair, GamCare

“Congratulations to Ygam in reaching their 10 year anniversary! As a long time collaborator – from start up to present day – we recognise the impact that the charity has brought to the gambling education and training space, always looking to provide high value and innovative services in the pursuit of prevention and reduction of gambling harms.” Frankie Graham, Chief Executive Officer, Betknowmore UK

“Congratulations to the team at Ygam for reaching this important milestone. We believe that Ygam’s work to educate young people about gaming and gambling is paramount to the reduction of gambling-related harm and the stigma attached to it. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Ygam over the years, with the university tour collaboration being a particular highlight. Congratulations on 10 years of much needed and truly impactful work.” Fiona Palmer, Chief Executive Officer, GAMSTOP

“Congratulations on 10 years of work helping to address gambling harms amongst children and young people. It has been a pleasure working with the team over the past few years. Wishing you well for the next 10 years.” Professor Agnes Nairn, Co-Director of Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research

The milestone year will be marked through a series of special events, campaigns, and announcements.

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From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

15 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

15 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

15 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: