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We must be guided by the education sector to deliver effective prevention programmes to young people

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5 years ago

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YGAM Chief Executive Lee Willows reflects on some of the key topics to emerge from three reports published last week and highlights the valuable contribution the charity is making.

Last week was a significant week for everyone connected the gambling industry. Reading the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) annual progress report; The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report and the Lords Select Committee report, it was pleasing to read these reports all featured insight from people with direct experience of the tragic harm that gambling can cause some individuals, such as the YGAM Founders. As Chief Executive of the YGAM charity and personally as someone who lost everything to a gambling addiction, I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute my insight and experiences. Such inclusion would have been unheard of five-years ago. Having three incredibly helpful reports published in quick succession over a period of five days is in many ways helpful and timely as YGAM continues to evolve our strategy. I congratulate everyone involved in producing three fascinating reports that will inform the debate moving forward.

At YGAM, we strongly believe that prevention, including education is an essential component to reduce gambling-related harms. We engage with the education sector daily and we are constantly listening to the needs of teachers, practitioners and young people. It is very clear from these conversations that teachers and practitioners need and appreciate our resources more than ever. The feedback we get from teachers, practitioners and young people and the insight from external evaluations is overwhelmingly positive and there is an enormous demand for information on gambling and gaming. Whilst it was pleasing to see education feature in all three reports, the voices of the professionals working in that sector should also be taken into consideration. We must continue to be guided by professionals working in the education sector to deliver effective prevention programmes to young people.

The focus on the blurred lines between gaming and gambling is welcomed. The YGAM workshops help build digital resilience and educate people on the different types of games accessible to children. We agree with the DCMS Select Committee and the Children’s Commissioner that loot boxes that contain the element of chance should not be sold to children under 18. The concern about allowing children to access loot boxes is that it is conditioning them to gambling behaviour from an early age. Building on our discussions with DCMS we look forward to contributing to the government’s call to action on loot boxes which will hopefully lead to consideration of an appropriate regulatory intervention.

The debate around gambling advertising and the impact it has on younger generations is imperative. You do not have to work in this sector to notice that gambling adverts dominate the promotional spaces at most sporting events. The YGAM resources tackle this topic head on as we continue to raise awareness of the potential harms and the support available. We believe concerns about marketing and sponsorship should be addressed by evidence-based analysis that puts the safety of young people first and we look forward to contributing to this debate.

When the Gambling Commission launched the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling-Related Harms, there was real hope for change and there has been some positive change; yes more can be done and some actions need to move in a more expedient manner, but change does take time. I also worry that in the desire to affect structural change, or radically change strategic direction part way through a national strategy may result in valuable insight being lost. I do see many people and organisations coming together to deliver the strategy which is superb and that is where we will continue to have a relentless focus.

Certainly in my time in YGAM I have seen Safer Gambling teams within operators increase from one employee, who led Safer Gambling work on a part-time bases, to now large Safer Gambling teams with twenty plus employees working full-time in this area of work. In that time, I have also seen and been fortunate to work alongside others who have been affected by gambling-harms set up their own organisations and I have witnessed the rise of passionate campaigners who demand change, often following tragic circumstances. At the heart of all this work is a shared commitment to reduce-harms and it would be so oxygenating if more time can be spent finding common goals and delivering the national strategy.

As a prevention charity we will continue to focus on the delivery of education, building and sharing insight and demonstrating impact. This is a crucial period for the future of this sector and everyone at YGAM looks forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholder groups to ensure all young and vulnerable people are safe from gaming and gambling related harms.

Finally, YGAM has published its strategic plan 2019 – 2021 and within our annual review filed with the Charity Commission and Companies House we share progress against our strategic goals and insight. However next week, we will have a dedicated page on our website which will also show this progress, insight, and our impact in a succinct manner. I am incredibly proud of the YGAM team and many colleagues from all parts of the sector (inc charities, trade bodies, operators, regulators, ABSG, DCMS, teachers, young people, EbEs); working hard to make a difference in this space.

Lee Willows
Chief Executive, YGAM

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Dr. Ralph Thomas

Wyoming Horse Racing Selects Quick Custom Intelligence Enterprise Platform

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4 hours ago

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September 4, 2025

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Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) and Wyoming Horse Racing are thrilled to announce their strategic partnership that is set to transform the gaming and hospitality landscape in the Wyoming market. This dynamic collaboration represents an exciting fusion of advanced technology and exceptional guest experiences. By leveraging QCI’s cutting-edge data analytics platform, the partnership aims to redefine how casinos operate, providing unparalleled insights into player behavior, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering personalized guest experiences like never before. This bold move positions Wyoming Horse Racing at the forefront of innovation, setting a new standard in how technology can drive the future of gaming and hospitality.

This partnership marks the beginning of a new era, where the seamless integration of artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and world-class service will create an unmatched environment for entertainment and hospitality in the region.

Steven Jimenez, Executive General Manager of Wyoming Horse Racing, shared his excitement about this partnership, stating, “We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with QCI. The QCI platform is truly a game-changer for our host and marketing departments, and we’re confident it will not only optimize our operations but also enhance the quality of service and entertainment we provide to our valued guests. With QCI’s innovative solutions, we’re poised to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience in the Wyoming market. This partnership perfectly aligns with our commitment to excellence and innovation.”

Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, expressed his satisfaction with this newly established partnership, stating, “we place immense value on partnerships that are built on mutual respect, a shared vision, and a strong commitment to innovation. Our collaboration with Wyoming Horse Racing exemplifies this kind of relationship. From the very beginning, we have been deeply impressed by the Wyoming Horse Racing team’s dedication, their passion for excellence, and their relentless focus on delivering extraordinary guest experiences. I am incredibly proud of what we have already achieved together and even more excited for the future. This partnership represents a unique opportunity to set new benchmarks in the Wyoming market, and I am confident that together, we will redefine what’s possible in the gaming and hospitality industry.”

The post Wyoming Horse Racing Selects Quick Custom Intelligence Enterprise Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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VIP Play Appoints Dr. Robert Rippee as Interim CMO

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4 hours ago

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September 4, 2025

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VIP Play, a rapidly expanding mobile sports betting and interactive gaming company, has announced the appointment of Robert Rippee, Ph.D., as Interim Chief Marketing Officer. With decades of leadership experience in gaming, marketing, and innovation, Dr. Rippee will be instrumental in advancing VIP Play’s market growth strategy through its collaboration with UNLV’s Black Fire Innovation hub.

“I see a tremendous opportunity to elevate VIP Play into one of the most innovative and customer-centric platforms in the sports betting and gaming industry. Using the model developed at UNLV’s Black Fire Innovation, we will accelerate product development and deliver experiences that increase engagement, loyalty, and long-term revenue growth. This is exactly the kind of forward-looking strategy investors should be excited about,” said Dr. Robert Rippee, Interim CMO at VIP Play.

Dr. Rippee brings an unmatched blend of executive industry experience and academic expertise. As former Senior Vice President of Marketing at Las Vegas Sands Corporation, he oversaw global brand growth and large-scale customer acquisition strategies that drove billions in revenue. His academic research at UNLV focuses on gaming convergence, esports, and consumer behavior, aligning directly with VIP Play’s goal of building highly engaging, revenue-generating gaming platforms.

Dr. Rippee recently retired after a decade as the Executive Director of UNLV’s Black Fire Innovation, where he led one of the most advanced gaming and hospitality technology innovation ecosystems in the world. By combining his innovation leadership at UNLV with his new role at VIP Play, the company gains a direct pipeline to breakthrough innovation, commercialization opportunities, and next-generation customer engagement strategies.

“Dr. Rippee’s proven ability to bridge cutting-edge academic research, innovation ecosystems, and gaming industry leadership makes him a powerful addition to VIP Play. His appointment signals to the market that VIP Play is not only competing—but leading—at the intersection of technology, gaming, and fan engagement. We expect this partnership with Black Fire to translate into meaningful shareholder value and accelerated growth,” said Les Ottolenghi, CEO at VIP Play.

The post VIP Play Appoints Dr. Robert Rippee as Interim CMO appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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RLX Gaming partners with Hard Rock Bet Casino to deliver leading content in New Jersey

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4 hours ago

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September 4, 2025

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RLX Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, will supply its portfolio of games to Hard Rock Bet Casino in New Jersey.

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*RLX Gaming is the U.S. brand of Relax Gaming.

The post RLX Gaming partners with Hard Rock Bet Casino to deliver leading content in New Jersey appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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