Amusnet Italy announced that it has again been recognised as Casino Content Supplier of the Year at the prestigious EGR Italy Awards. This consecutive win, presented to the team by Marco Castaldo, CEO at Microgame, highlights the company’s exceptional contributions and leadership within the iGaming industry, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier content provider in the European market. Demonstrating its support to the Italian gaming industry, Amusnet Italy served as a Headline Sponsor at the Gala event, where Polina Nedyalkova was honored to present two awards: Operator of the Year to Sisal and Casino Operator to 888casino.

“This consecutive recognition by EGR Italy Awards is a reflection of our team’s dedication to excellence and progress in every aspect of our business. We are honoured to receive this award and remain focused on driving the future of iGaming in the region with forward-thinking solutions that create exceptional value for operators and players,” said Polina Nedyalkova, Director at Amusnet Italy.

Amusnet Italy has recently achieved several notable milestones that enhance its presence in the country. Last November, in tough competition, the company was recognised as Casino Content Supplier of the Year at the EGR Italy Awards. According to iGaming Tracker, Amusnet Italy ranks as the fourth-best casino provider (results for June 2024), marking a significant leap of three positions in the rankings. Additionally, since January, Amusnet Italy has forged nine new long-term partnerships with operators, increasing its total to over 30. The company has released 15 new games since the beginning of the year, with more games planned for release by the end of 2024, such as 5 Power Hot, 10 Glossy Hot and a special Christmas slot collection, boasting a portfolio of more than 100 certified signature and top-performing casino games.

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The EGR Italy Awards is an esteemed annual event organised by EGR Global that recognises excellence in the Italian online gaming industry. Celebrating innovation and operational excellence, the awards cover a range of categories, including Best Casino and Best Sportsbook, with winners determined by a panel of industry experts. The event highlights the achievements of leading operators and suppliers. It serves as a vital networking platform for industry professionals to connect and collaborate, reinforcing the dynamic nature of the Italian gaming market.

The Dutch mental health service is calling for a total ban on online gambling advertisements in the Netherlands.

Although a ban on untargeted gambling advertisements and a ban on the use of role models has been in effect since 2023, a recent research by KRO-NCRV’s Pointer shows that (illegal) gambling companies and sports tipster platforms are still enticing young people via social media such as TikTok and Snapchat.

By using influencers and terms like “free money”, they try to attract a young audience and thus lower the threshold to start gambling. This concerns both legal online casinos and online casinos that do not have a license in the Netherlands. The Gaming Authority has started an investigation based on Pointer’s findings.

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Pointer’s research shows that part of the gambling industry deliberately targets young people who are often susceptible to promises such as “fast money” and the influence of role models. Ruth Peetoom, chair of the Dutch mental health service, compares this approach to that of the tobacco industry, where similar marketing strategies were used to get young people to smoke.

Despite the existing advertising ban, gambling companies continue to explore the boundaries of the law, according to Peetoom. The Dutch mental health and addiction care associations in the Netherlands therefore push for a total ban on online gambling advertising and stricter rules for the duty of care of gambling providers.

With the call for a total ban, the Dutch mental health care sector hopes to prevent further normalisation of gambling behaviour among young people and to protect them from the temptation and consequences of online gambling.

Xace has announced that Petra Maria Poola has joined the company as Group Commercial Director.

Petra brings a wealth of experience from the iGaming industry having formerly held roles at several iGaming companies such as Yolo, Relax Gaming and SiGMA. She will lead the commercial growth of Xace and its group companies, including crypto and iGaming focused xda.io, helping to drive strategic initiatives across banking, fintech and iGaming solutions.

In her new role, she will mainly oversee the growth of the group’s sales, marketing and account management functions, ensuring a cohesive strategy that supports Xace’s ambitious expansion plans.

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“I am incredibly excited to start this new chapter with Xace, and work alongside such a talented team and management. Transitioning into the fintech space, while still connected to iGaming, presents an exciting opportunity for growth and learning. I’m looking forward to applying my expertise to help Xace and its group companies achieve new heights commercially, while gaining deeper insights into the fast-evolving world of fintech,” said Petra Maria Poola.

Reuben Abel, CEO of Xace, said: “Petra’s extensive background in the iGaming sector, combined with her commercial acumen, makes her a valuable addition to the Xace team. She will play a crucial role in expanding Xace’s market presence and enhancing its suite of services tailored to the specific needs of the iGaming and fintech industries.”