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FIA and IESF announce partnership in coalition against online abuse in sport

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The Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA) is proud to announce its latest partnership with the International Esports Federation (IESF) in the fight against online abuse in sport. The agreement ceremony occurred at the 8th World Esports Summit in Busan, Republic of Korea, between General Secretary Boban Totovski and UAOA Campaign Leader Erin Bourke on behalf of FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

As the digital world becomes increasingly ubiquitous, the IESF is central to this movement; uniting technology and competitive sports under one banner. Since its inception, the IESF has expanded to represent over 140 nations. It consistently promotes Esports as an actual sport beyond language, race, and cultural barriers, culminating in eight world Esports summits and several world championship events.

The collaboration between the FIA and IESF signifies a commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all stakeholders engaged in competitive sports. By leveraging their collective expertise and resources, both federations have pledged to:

  • Support the development of scientific research and promote the organization of knowledge sharing.
  • To establish effective frameworks in the response to online abuse including clear guidelines for stakeholders.
  • To develop and implement educational programs aimed at competitors, officials, entourages, and fans to raise awareness about online abuse and best practices.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President said:

“We deeply appreciate the IESF’s support as we advance our mission to drive out online abuse in sport. The IESF stands as a crucial partner, epitomizing connectivity and inclusivity through Esports and the digital realm. Together, through collaboration and commitment to action, we remain dedicated to paving the way for a safer, more respectful online environment for all.”

Boban Totovski, IESF General Secretary said:

“The process of building and developing the Esports ecosystem requires continual commitment and devoted Partners, and I’d like to use this opportunity to announce our new partnership with FIA, an organization sharing the same values as IESF, willing to participate and contribute to the long process of establishing a sustainable Esports platform.”

The IESF and FIA invite fellow federations and stakeholders passionate about preserving the integrity of the sporting ecosystem to join them in this coalition.

About the FIA United Against Online Abuse campaign

The ‘United Against Online Abuse’ campaign (UAOA), pioneered by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is a collective stance against the growing epidemic of online abuse and hate speech in sports within the sporting ecosystem. The campaign is supported by the FIA Foundation. By uniting fellow Sports Federations, National Governments, Regulatory Institutions, and Technological Platforms, the coalition aims to bring about regulatory and behavioral change. We are research-led in our approach, and we are committed to action for the protection of our competitors, officials, fans, volunteers, and entourages. To date, the UAOA coalition has welcomed endorsement from the Governments of France, Greece, and Slovenia, alongside extensive discussions with the Governments of Belgium, Brazil, Malaysia, Spain, Mexico, Monaco, Singapore, China, Japan, Jamaica, and the UK. In academic, technological, and institutional relations, our lead research partner is Dublin City University, with ongoing discussions between UNESCO, the Council of Europe, Mozilla Firefox, and TikTok. In sporting relations, FIM, the International Esports Federation, ASETEK Sim Sports and Peace and Sport Monaco have signed the campaign’s Charter. Whilst a further 17 federations, including FIFA, the IOC, the ITF, World Athletics, World Netball and World Squash are expected to be welcomed into the coalition in due course.

 

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Slotsoo Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence Across Casinos and Game Providers

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Summer is here and it is time for Slotsoo’s signature celebration of the iGaming industry. The Slotsoo Casino Awards return for its third edition, continuing the tradition of highlighting operators who excel in delivering a top-tier player experience. This year also marks an exciting expansion with the inaugural Slotsoo Game Provider Awards, giving long-overdue recognition to the creators of great slots.

The New Game Provider Awards and the Winners

Game providers are sometimes overshadowed by casinos, but in reality, both are equally important to the online casino experience. That’s why Slotsoo is proud to shine a spotlight on the studios behind the reels. The winners of Slotsoo’s first provider-focused awards were announced on 24 July 2025, and the honors went to:

  • The Machine MVP – Pragmatic Play
  • Bonus Buyer – Bullshark Games
  • Volatility Virtuoso – Wazdan
  • Jackpot Jumbo – Mancala Gaming
  • Symphony Spinner – Gamzix
  • Reel Renegade – Nolimit City
  • Promising Prodigy – Slammer Studios

Please visit the Slotsoo Game Provider Awards page for detailed descriptions of each trophy and the motivations behind the winners.

The Anatomy of Slotsoo’s Trophies: Where Fun Meets Serious Recognition

At Slotsoo, each trophy is whimsical by design but grounded in real player values, making the Slotsoo Awards both entertaining and insightful. Every category has a clear purpose, recognizing what truly matters in iGaming today.

At the core of each awards lineup is a main trophy: The Gambling GOAT honors the top-performing casino operator, while The Machine MVP celebrates the best overall game provider. Surrounding these main awards are a collection of supporting trophies, spotlighting specific areas of excellence, from fast withdrawals and fun bonuses to volatility and winning potential.

These award categories offer a chance for actors who crush it in a certain area to be recognized, even if they don’t dominate across the board. Just like other iGaming awards, Slotsoo includes a category for newcomers, encouraging fresh talent and pushing established names to keep innovating.

The timing of the awards is also a deliberate choice. Markus Björk, head writer at Slotsoo, explains the team’s reasoning:

“After a hectic Winter and Spring packed with iGaming events, June and July offer a rare chance for the industry to slow down and reflect on the year so far. Let’s enjoy the cucumber season and appreciate what’s been achieved. This is when you can harvest the rewards of your hard work before autumn arrives with new challenges and opportunities.”

The Winning Casino Operators 2025

The Slotsoo Casino Awards 2025 took place in June, and these were the seven winners:

  • The Gambling GOAT – Betizy
  • The Bonus Buff – Sugarino
  • The Loyalty Lord – Wisho
  • The Withdrawal Wizard – Vauhdikas
  • The Gamification Guru – Arctic Casino
  • The Payout Professor – Wolfy Casino
  • The Noisy Newcomer – Lunar Spins

This was the third time Slotsoo held the casino awards for its English-language site targeting the EU market in general. During the same period, the dedicated awards for the Finnish market, Slotsoo Kasinogaala 2025, celebrated its second year. These awards consist of seven trophies equivalent to the English ones, plus an eighth trophy dedicated to the casino operator with the best slot streaming offering.

The Nordic country is undergoing big changes, with a new gambling legislation and a licensing system planned to be introduced by 1 January 2027. The future will tell how this will affect the structure and categories of the awards.

The post Slotsoo Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence Across Casinos and Game Providers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SOFTSWISS Launches First South African Project with Mzansibet

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SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, proudly announces the launch of its major South African project with Mzansibet. It marks the first project in the country to utilise both the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook and the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.

According to the recently released South Africa: iGaming Market Overview 2025 by SOFTSWISS, the country’s iGaming sector is growing at an impressive annual rate of 20–25%, driven by increasing mobile penetration. In line with this trend and evolving player needs, SOFTSWISS strongly focuses on mobile optimisation across its platforms, enabling seamless and enjoyable gaming experiences for Mzansibet players.

The launch in South Africa, ensuring full compliance with local technical standards, required meticulous preparation. SOFTSWISS products – including its sports betting software and online casino platform – underwent rigorous certification with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), one of the most reputable and globally recognised independent testing laboratories in the iGaming industry. Following this process, the solutions were officially approved for local operation by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board – a respected and influential regulator in the region – affirming the high quality and compliance of SOFTSWISS software.

Max Trafimovich, International Non-Executive Director at SOFTSWISS, shares: “Mzansibet entered the market with a bold ambition to become a top-tier brand – and we are not only proud to support that vision from day one, but also well-equipped to ensure its sustainable growth. Leveraging our global and local expertise, we provide the technical, business, and service tools necessary for a smooth launch and scalable development. This is made possible thanks to our robust and stable architecture with 99.999% uptime and a flexible platform ecosystem. In addition, the brand launched a nationwide TV advertising campaign and has already attracted tens of thousands of players across the country – a powerful testament to its growing presence and trust.”

In addition to backend certification, the SOFTSWISS team invested heavily in frontend localisation to align with the partner’s vision and market requirements. The Mzansibet project has been fully adapted to meet South African player behaviour and betting patterns.

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Launches First South African Project with Mzansibet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Lee Hills Joins the International Association of Gaming Advisors

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SolutionsHub is proud to announce that its CEO, Lee Hills, has officially joined the International Association of Gaming Advisors (“IAGA”), the globally respected organization connecting the world’s leading legal, financial, and regulatory advisors through shared experiences and education to influence the advancement of global gaming.

As Director of SolutionsHub, he has been instrumental in establishing the company as a leading authority in licensing and regulatory compliance for innovative and emerging tech businesses. Under his leadership, SolutionsHub has become renowned for its deep understanding of complex regulatory and operational matters affecting gaming business.

“I am delighted to be joining IAGA, an organization I’ve long admired,” said Lee Hills. “This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with some of the most respected minds in the field, and to contribute insight from our work at the cutting edge of iGaming and blockchain regulation.”

The International Association of Gaming Advisors includes prominent executives, attorneys, financial experts, regulators, and consultants. Membership provides access to high-level dialogue on gaming policy, regulatory challenges, and market evolution.

With Lee joining its ranks, IAGA gains a unique perspective from the Isle of Man, one of the world’s most forward-thinking regulatory environments, as well as specialist insight into Web3, tokenized economies, and esports betting.

The post Lee Hills Joins the International Association of Gaming Advisors appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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