Interblock Enters into New Partnership with Luckia

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Groove, a leading platform and aggregator in the iGaming industry, has announced that it has been shortlisted for the prestigious SBC Awards 2024 in the “Employer of the Year” category. This recognition highlights Groove’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and employee-centric workplace culture.

The SBC Awards, a benchmark of excellence in the betting and gaming industry, honour the achievements of operators, affiliates, and suppliers from all the major disciplines in the sector. Being shortlisted for “Employer of the Year” is a testament to Groove’s efforts in building a dynamic work environment that attracts, retains, and nurtures top talent.

The winners of the SBC Awards 2024 will be announced at a ceremony later this year, where Groove will join other industry leaders in celebrating excellence across the sector.

Groove’s shortlisting for the SBC Awards 2024 in the Employer of the Year category, emphasises the company’s dedication to creating an exceptional work environment and its ongoing commitment to innovation and employee satisfaction.

Groove has consistently prioritised the well-being and professional growth of its team members. With a diverse and inclusive workforce, the company offers a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and innovation. The company’s people-first approach is reflected in its flexible working policies, continuous learning and development programs, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

The past year has been transformative for Groove, marked by significant growth and expansion. The company has launched several innovative products and services, all while maintaining a strong focus on employee satisfaction and engagement. From remote working initiatives to team-building events and wellness programs, Groove has implemented a range of strategies designed to support its employees and enhance their overall experience.

Groove is a leading iGaming platform and aggregator, providing a wide range of solutions to operators across the globe. Known for its robust technology infrastructure and innovative approach, Groove offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services that empower clients to thrive in a competitive marketplace. The company’s commitment to excellence extends beyond its product offerings to include a deep focus on creating a supportive and inspiring work environment for its employees.

As Groove Technologies continues to grow and evolve, the company remains committed to investing in its people and nurturing a positive workplace culture. The SBC Awards nomination serves as a significant milestone in the company’s journey, reinforcing its status as an employer of choice in the iGaming industry.

“We are thrilled to be recognised as a finalist for Employer of the Year at the SBC Awards 2024,” said Yahale Meltzer, founder and COO of Groove. “This nomination is a reflection of our dedication to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, empowered, and motivated to reach their full potential. Our employees are the backbone of our success, and we are committed to fostering a culture that supports their growth and well-being.”

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BAGO, the Belgian federation of private gambling operators, is pleased with the latest figures from the Flemish Expertise Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs on the gambling behaviour of young people. In 2023, 12.4% of young people reported having bet on sports at some point, which is a slight decrease compared to the previous year (12.5%). For casino games, we can see a similar slight decrease to 5.3% in 2023 who had ever played (5.5% in 2022).

These figures show a clear stabilisation and even a decrease in the number of young people under 18 who participate in gambling for some games, despite the fact that the survey took place before the introduction of stricter rules on advertising and the increase in the minimum age. BAGO has always advocated an increase in the minimum age to 21 and strongly supports measures to better protect young people.

Despite the ban on gambling for under-18s that has been in place for years – which has been extended to 21 since 1 September – the participation of young people in certain games of chance is still too high. Because recognised providers apply strict age checks and have invested heavily in player protection in recent years, minors mainly gamble on illegal websites or via physical products from the National Lottery. Recent figures, published in L’Echo , show that 60% of the Belgian gambling market consists of unlicensed providers. BAGO therefore advocates stricter controls to ensure that young people under the legal minimum age do not have access to games of chance.

BAGO emphasises that the Gaming Commission must be sufficiently effective to tackle the illegal gambling circuit effectively. In this circuit, minors can still gamble, without any form of protection and there is no age limit. In addition, BAGO finds it illogical that the increase in the minimum age to 21 years does not apply to all National Lottery products and therefore calls for equal protection for young people. In addition to control and equal treatment, prevention is an essential part of keeping young people away from gambling.

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The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) and MOONTON Games, the publisher behind the popular mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, have entered into a strategic partnership to bolster integrity within the esports ecosystem. This collaboration marks a significant step towards ensuring fair play and ethical standards across mobile esports, a rapidly growing sector of the global gaming industry.

Through this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ESIC and MOONTON Games will work together on a range of initiatives aimed at safeguarding the integrity of esports. The partnership encompasses activities such as information sharing, educational campaigns, policy development, risk management and the identification of emerging threats in the esports environment. MOONTON Games will also join ESIC’s Publisher Committee, actively participating in shaping integrity policies and providing industry insight.

“MOONTON Games has long been the leader in the global mobile esports space, and we are excited to welcome them as a partner in our ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of esports. Through this partnership, we aim to promote a fair and secure competitive environment, ensuring that mobile esports can continue to thrive,” said Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC.

Lucas Mao, Managing Director of Global Esports at MOONTON Games, said: “Professionalism and integrity have always been cornerstones of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competitive esports. By working together with ESIC, we are setting a new standard for fairness in esports and reaffirming our commitment to building a transparent and ethical gaming environment where excellence and integrity go hand in hand.”

Additionally, both ESIC and MOONTON Games will explore joint opportunities to develop policies that address the unique challenges of mobile esports. This includes identifying potential risks in the growing mobile esports ecosystem and working collaboratively to mitigate them through industry-leading practices.

This collaboration reflects the growing importance of mobile gaming in the esports world and reaffirms both organisations’ commitment to fostering transparency, fair competition and ethical behaviour.