BGaming has secured certification to enter Brazil’s iGaming market
BGaming is officially set to launch in Brazil after receiving full certification for its gaming software and portfolio. The company has secured approvals from Gaming Associates Labs (GA Lab) and Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), confirming compliance with strict industry standards.
This certification allows BGaming to collaborate with licensed operators in Brazil, bringing its innovative games to local players. Expanding into Brazil marks a major step in BGaming’s global strategy, with Latin America as a key focus. The company also gained supplier certification for Peru and Colombia in late 2024, reinforcing its commitment to growth in the region.
Antonina Ivanova, Head of Legal & Compliance at BGaming, commented: “Brazil is one of the most dynamic iGaming markets right now. Securing this certification is a huge achievement and reflects our team’s dedication.”
She added: “Latin America is central to our global expansion. This approval shows our ambition to make a real impact in 2025. We are eager to introduce our games to Brazilian players and grow our presence in the region.”
Earlier, BGaming secured a partnership with SpinOro to bring its gaming portfolio to a broader European audience.
Yggdrasil has expanded reach with iGP partnership
Yggdrasil has teamed up with iGP, bringing a selection of its top titles to the iGaming Deck aggregation platform. This move gives iGP’s operator clients and their players access to Yggdrasil’s growing portfolio. The platform now offers over 10,000 games, alongside promotional tools and advanced analytics for operator partners.
Jose Simon, CCO at Yggdrasil, said: “iGP offers us incredible reach through its vast network of operator clients. This partnership allows us to engage a significantly larger player base, and working with the iGP team has been a pleasure from the start.”
Jovana Popovic Canaki, CEO of iGP, added: “Yggdrasil is one of the most recognised brands in iGaming. Integrating such a diverse range of slots strengthens our offering and enhances the experience for our partners and their players.”
Yggdrasil is making big moves early in 2025. In January, it secured a B2B gaming licence in Denmark from Spillemyndigheden.
UK report reveals key motivations for gambling across various games
The British Gambling Commission has released a new report on gambling motivations, based on data from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). The study explores why people gamble across different verticals, revealing key insights into player behaviour.
The survey, conducted between July 2023 and February 2024, included 9,742 adults who had gambled in the past year. It used the British Reasons for Gambling Questionnaire (RGQ) to assess motivations. While 86% of respondents said they gambled for a chance to win big, this was not always the primary reason. Fun (70%), making money (58%), and excitement (55%) were also strong motivators. Socialising (24%), competition (9%), and impressing others (8%) ranked lower.
The report found that big wins were the top motivator only for National Lottery players. Other forms of gambling had different driving factors. Younger players (18–24) prioritised fun over money, with 83% stating it was their main reason for gambling. Among those who had gambled in the past four weeks, only 39% sought big wins, while 22% played to make money, and 15% for enjoyment.
Using principal component analysis (PCA), the study grouped gambling motivations into five categories: social, enhancement, monetary, recreational, and coping (escaping daily life). Online gambling was most linked to enhancement, while online sports betting was often used as an escape. Retail sports bettors, however, were driven by the challenge.
Casino gambling showed similar trends. Online players sought escapism, while land-based casino visitors focused more on the social aspect. Bingo and in-person gaming also had strong social motivations.
The Gambling Commission noted that understanding these motivations is crucial. The findings provide deeper insights into gambling behaviour and its potential consequences. By recognising why people gamble, regulators and policymakers can make more informed decisions about responsible gaming initiatives.
Playtech has partnered with PMU to enhance poker offerings in France
Playtech has entered into a strategic partnership with French gaming operator Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU). The focus of this collaboration is Playtech’s poker capabilities, with PMU joining the iPoker.EU network. Playtech will provide PMU with its poker network services, content, and a suite of tools designed to enhance player engagement and gamification.
This partnership will also include Playtech’s poker games and tournaments, offering PMU’s players a complete poker experience.
Marat Koss, Playtech’s VP of Interactive Gaming, said: “We are excited to partner with PMU, a leading player in the French gaming market. France remains a key market for Playtech, and this collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering innovative poker solutions tailored to our licensees’ needs.”
Stéphane Auffret, PMU’s Product, Service and Innovation Director, commented: “This partnership with Playtech and our integration into the iPoker network marks a significant step for PMU’s growth. It will enable us to offer our players a world-class poker experience and enhance our offerings through Turf and Sports applications. We are confident this collaboration will strengthen our position in the French market and drive growth.”
NeoGames Studio partnered with Hungary’s Szerencsejáték Zrt to launch eInstant games
NeoGames Studio, the iLottery content studio of Aristocrat Interactive, has signed a five-year agreement with Hungary’s National Lottery, Szerencsejáték Zrt (SzZrt). The partnership will see the launch of NeoGames Studio’s eInstant games in the Hungarian market.
Initially, eight eInstant game titles will be available to Hungarian players, with an additional five titles set to launch soon.
NeoGames Studio now holds 31 lottery partnerships globally, with 18 in Europe. A notable recent deal was struck in December 2024, when the studio agreed to supply eInstant games to the Kentucky Lottery through a partnership with IGT.
Sándor Uszkay-Boiskó, Director of Strategy at SzZrt, commented: “We are dedicated to offering our players a diverse and high-quality portfolio. NeoGames Studio’s strong reputation for developing premium eInstant games aligns perfectly with our goals. Their localised content and innovative approach will help us expand our offerings and engage players in fresh, exciting ways, all while upholding responsible gaming standards.”
Chris Shaban, Managing Director of Aristocrat Interactive iLottery, said: “We are excited to continue driving the growth of iLottery globally. Through this deal, we will introduce Hungarian players to NeoGames Studio’s innovative eInstant games, bringing fresh, engaging experiences to the country’s largest gambling operator.”
