Connect with us
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Latest News

Casino Guru Awards introduces judges for Responsible Gambling Tools category

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

Casino Guru Awards has revealed the names of the judges for the Responsible Gambling Tools category. 

After the announcement of the Casino Guru Awards last week, Casino Guru News is excited to outline one of the most important categories for the upcoming ceremony and the people who will decide what the best companies in it are.  The Casino Guru Awards category for “The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools” is set in a way to make sure that all entries are judged objectively and fairly, we have secured the services of industry specialists with proven track record and extensive understanding of the subject matter.

Casino Guru Awards is thrilled to introduce Gordon Moody CEO Matthew Hickey, Responsible Gaming Foundation General Manager Kevin O’Neill, Responsible Gambling Council Director, Standards and Accreditation Tracy Parker, Gamban VP of Strategic Partnerships Stephen Aupy, Entain SVP for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling Martin Lycka, Kindred Head of Responsible Gaming & Research Maris Catania from, and Genius Gaming Consult – Senior Consultant Regulatory Frameworks James Mpiirwe, Betknowmore Head of External Affairs Matt Smith, Gambling Addiction Expert Jody Bechtold, and Pieter Remmers, Founder Assissa Consultancy Europe as the judges for this crucial category which is a focal point of everything Casino Guru Awards is about.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
  • Matthew Hickey is an industry veteran with 20 years of experience under his belt. Gordon Moody is focused on providing treatment to people who are severely addicted to gambling.
  • Kevin O’Neill’s position as General Manager for the Responsible Gambling Foundation gives him the opportunity to drive industry standards and resonates with his genuine interest in promulgating responsibility during gambling activity to both player and operator.
  • Tracy Parker primary interest is on collaborating with organizations through her position at the Responsible Gambling Council and foster meaningful industry-wide change. Parker is determined to help organizations introduce safer gambling experiences by tapping into best practice research, employee training policies, and more.
  • Stephen Aupy from Gamban is working on helping key stakeholders in the industry achieve commercial sustainability while ensuring high player protection standards. Aupy comes from a philosophy of “lived experience” in approaching responsible gambling tools and initiatives.
  • Martin Lycka has more than 12 years of experience working on various responsible gambling initiatives in listed gambling companies. He is currently with Entain. Lycka is also part of the Entain Foundation, the Entain Foundation US and the American Gaming Association’s boards and has a deep understanding of the RG aspect of the industry.
  • Maris Catania is specializing in understanding the early symptoms and signs of gambling addiction, and she has been working hard to expand the industry’s understanding of what early signs should be addressed and what responsible gambling tools need to be used to achieve that. Her work with Kindred Group has been crucial to this end.
  • James Mpiirwe is a legal practitioner with 13 years of experience. He pioneered the National Responsible Gaming Policy of Uganda, and he has used his more than a decade of experience to drive impactful and meaningful change in the industry.
  • Matt Smith has been with Betknowmore as Head of External Affairs for years now. He has lived experience of gambling and he is passionate about providing support and training services to prevent and address personal and societal harms caused by gambling.
  • Jody Bechtold is an esteemed problem gambling specialist and co-author of “The Gambling Disorder Treatment Handbook: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals” Her experience spans multiple organizations and institutions that are studying and looking to help tackle problem gambling.
  • Pieter Remmers is the Founder of Assissa Consultancy Europe, a household organization that provides responsible gambling training to the industry. Under his leadership, Assissa has worked and brought around impactful changes in a number of regulated markets across Europe and his own track record with gambling goes back to 1989.

Casino Guru will also bring its own judges to the process as well with Head of Content Maros Gasparik and Sustainable & Safer Gambling Lead Simon Vincze also weighing in. Vincze brings a unique insight into the online gambling industry and how it can become safer for everyone at attested by his work on the Global Self-Exclusion Scheme and Casino Guru Academy. 

Each of the judges of the panel has a deeper understanding of problem gambling and the problems that the industry faces, and how important responsible gambling tools can be. This is why Casino Guru Awards has seen it fit to only invite people who truly understand that. 

All of these judges have had different although similar experience with understanding, fostering, and even developing Responsible Gambling Tools. Because of this, Casino Guru Awards feel strongly that the panel of judges will be able to distinguish the most accomplished companies in this field. 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Uncategorized

BetMGM Offers Interstate Online Poker, Merges New Jersey and Michigan Markets

Published

on

betmgm-offers-interstate-online-poker,-merges-new-jersey-and-michigan-markets

 

BetMGM Poker has become the third US operator to offer multi-state online poker. The company has merged its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey. Both states are a part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which allows online poker networks to share liquidity and players in participating markets. The two-state network went live Wednesday afternoon after morning maintenance.

BetMGM VP of Gaming, Angust Nisbet, said: “This is a landmark day for our poker product as we combine player pools in select markets. With the introduction of shared liquidity, we’ve listened to players’ desire for more games and larger prize pools. By showcasing our best-in-class omnichannel experience – spanning property, sports betting and online casino – we’re committed to providing an unparalleled poker experience for our players.”

Michigan is the newest operational online poker market, passing legislation in 2020 and launching in early 2021. This was more than seven years after New Jersey online poker went live in November 2013.

New Jersey joined MSIGA in 2017, two years after Nevada and Delaware entered into the agreement. Michigan joined in 2022, a relatively short timeframe compared to the states preceding it.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Michigan’s entrance has fast-tracked interstate online poker compared to the slow progress made before.

Its first multi-state venture came on Jan. 1, 2023, when PokerStars Michigan combined its New Jersey and Michigan markets. WSOP Michigan became part of a three-state agreement with New Jersey and Nevada in May 2024, and BetMGM marks the state’s third major operator joining forces across state lines.

BetMGM Poker will create a more prominent player pool for New Jersey and Michigan online poker players. By nature, this will result in larger tournament prize pools for both states. It will also add extra competition for the other two multi-state sites in the two markets.

Continue Reading

Bruce Smith Enterprise

Petersburg, Virginia Residents Vote Yes! for Live! Casino Resort

Published

on

petersburg,-virginia-residents-vote-yes!-for-live!-casino-resort

 

The citizens of Petersburg have spoken, and the historic casino referendum has passed with overwhelming support of over 80% of Petersburg residents voting in favor of the $1.4 billion Live! Casino Resort project, marking the highest support for a casino referendum in Virginia history. This marks a monumental step forward for the Petersburg community, as the approval paves the way for the development of a world-class casino and entertainment destination that promises to revitalize the local economy, create jobs, and invest in much-needed community services.

Live! Casino Resort, which will be codeveloped by The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise, is projected to bring significant economic benefits to the region. This development will include not only gaming and entertainment options but also restaurants, hotels, and event spaces, making Petersburg a destination for tourism and entertainment in Virginia. Construction will commence after the vote is certified and all required approvals are received, with an anticipated opening date of the initial first phase casino in 2026.

“We are deeply gratified by the community’s affirmation of this project and very hopeful about the meaningful impact it will have on the city’s future. The casino will not only create good-paying jobs for our residents but will also attract visitors statewide and beyond, stimulating local businesses and in turn producing an overall ripple effect of economic growth. Now that the voters have spoken, we look forward to working with the City of Petersburg and the Virginia Lottery to secure all of the necessary permitting, licensing and regulatory approvals for this project to move forward,” said Bruce Smith, Owner of Bruce Smith Enterprise, Pro Football Hall of Fame Member, Developer and Community Leader, and codeveloper of the planned Live! Casino Resort in Petersburg.

The casino project is part of a larger revitalization plan for Petersburg, which has faced economic challenges in recent years. This initiative, alongside other investments in infrastructure and local businesses, will position the city for long-term growth and success.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“The approval of the destination resort and casino in Petersburg marks a significant milestone for our City. Voter approval follows a three-year journey on this transformative project that will bring positive change to Petersburg for generations. This destination resort, casino, retail, and residential development will be the largest economic and tourism project in Petersburg’s history. City Council and administration look forward to working with The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise to positively impact our community and its prosperity,” said Mayor Sam Parham, City of Petersburg, VA.

Live! Casino Resort will be a catalyst for change and significant urban development, transforming the City through the creation of a thriving entertainment and hospitality destination. The project will set a new standard for gaming, hotels, and entertainment in the Commonwealth, and serve as a new world-class attraction for Petersburg and the greater Central Virginia region. The project site, ideally situated at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95, has easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate.

“Today is a new day for residents of Petersburg. This community has waited a long time for an economic development project of this size and scale, which will provide a huge boost for the City and the entire region. We cannot wait to start hiring local residents and partnering with local businesses and entrepreneurs. Thank you, Petersburg, for placing your trust and confidence in our team. We look forward to delivering results for you and being a part of this great community for decades to come,” said Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer of The Cordish Companies.

Continue Reading

Balkan's

Endorphina Partners with Volcanobet

Published

on

endorphina-partners-with-volcanobet
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

The leading online slot provider Endorphina has recently partnered with Volcanobet, the largest concessionaire in the field of gambling in Montenegro.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Volcanobet, bringing our top-quality slot games to Montenegro and fueling their dynamic expansion into the Serbian and Bosnian markets. This collaboration strengthens our regional footprint while offering Volcanobet’s players an exciting and diverse gaming experience with our portfolio of thrilling slots,” Lohith Chittajallu, Partnerships Manager at Endorphina, said.

“The newly formed partnership between Vezuv – Volcano (Volcano BET) and Endorphina is set to elevate the gaming experience for the users and bring a new and exciting level of entertainment,” Lena Bošković, Director of Corporate Communications at Volcanobet, said.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Volcanobet is the largest iGaming brand in Montenegro, offering an impeccable supply of online entertainment and quality services. Committed to responsibly contributing to the environment and society, Volcano builds trust and takes care of its people and capital.

The post Endorphina Partners with Volcanobet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending