Latest News
Sportech Announces Key Changes to its Bump 50:50 Team

Sportech PLC is pleased to announce key changes to its Bump 50:50 team, including the promotion of Dave Kurland to the position of President, to create the charitable raffle industry’s most experienced and innovative leadership team.
Bump 50:50 (“Bump”) is a leading provider of digital fundraising raffle solutions to philanthropic organizations with clients across the US and Canada, many affiliated with professional sports franchises. Bump also enjoys a rapidly-growing list of nonprofit clients in healthcare, the arts and human services.
Dave Kurland joined Bump in 2011 as its first Director of Business Development. Dave’s deep roots in professional sports, philanthropy and fundraising raffles greatly informed the design and execution of Bump’s successful growth strategy, helping the company grow from just one client in 2011 to over 120 today. For 22 years prior to joining Bump, Dave led the Community Relations Department and team foundation for the Chicago Bulls and in 1995 helped develop the first 50/50 raffle for a professional US sports team, raising tens of millions to support charitable causes in the Chicago area.
The Company also announced the elevation of key commercial team members to senior roles to align with Bump’s growth and online raffle expansion strategy.
Dennis Sampier has been named Vice President, Bump Nonprofit Division to spearhead the continued growth of Bump’s non-sports related charity clients. Bump has recorded significant growth in its nonprofit client base, delivering solutions to over twenty additional nonprofit clients for Bump’s online 50/50 and progressive raffle platforms in the last few months.
Dennis spent 20 years with the Detroit Pistons, where he oversaw their social responsibility platform. He led community programming and fundraising, collaborating with nonprofits in metro Detroit and across Michigan to develop innovative partnerships in support of health, education, basic needs, and volunteerism. To help generate additional funding and awareness for nonprofits, he was pivotal in introducing the electronic 50/50 raffle concept to the broader Detroit sports market, including the Tigers, Red Wings, Lions and Michigan International Speedway, all of which are now Bump clients. Dennis has been with Bump since 2015.
Jeff Schultz has been named Vice President, Bump Sports Division. In this role, Jeff will maintain the company’s focus on delivering innovative platforms and unmatched services for in-stadia and web-based 50/50 raffles that have produced record-setting jackpots for clients. Jeff is an experienced and talented sports industry veteran who, prior to joining Bump in 2015, spent 17 years with the Chicago Bulls, playing a key role in driving their successful raffle platform.
Rounding out the commercial team, Bump welcomes Chris Mallory as Director of Business Development and Activation. Chris brings 17 years’ experience working in the professional sports industry; 14 years with the NBA® Phoenix Suns and three with the NFL® Las Vegas Raiders.
The changes to Bump’s commercial team complement enhancements made on the technology side with the 2019 appointment of Bump CTO Matt Annis. Matt is one of the original architects of the GLI-31 Electronic Raffle Systems Technical Standard and his years of experience in raffle technology, including 20 years in software development and 7 years in 50/50 raffles, along with his track record of innovation and strategic planning, have placed Bump on a strong technological footing.
Richard McGuire, Chief Executive Officer of Sportech PLC, stated, “We are delighted to strengthen our Bump 50:50 team with an unmatched group of specialists who, combined, bring decades of direct experience in the sports, raffle and nonprofit fundraising sector. This team have been pivotal to the growth of Bump. Their dedication to client service and product innovation aligned with the highest level of integrity continues to deliver impressive results and stronger relationships.”
“Sportech continues to invest in Bump’s talent, technology and infrastructure and as a result the division is recording unparalleled client growth, particularly online and with nonprofit organizations. I can think of no stronger professional than Dave Kurland to lead the division and of no greater commercial and technical team of dedicated professionals to propel Bump 50:50 forward.”
Latest News
SlotMatrix unleashes the wild riches of 20 Armadillos

SlotMatrix, the world’s largest casino content aggregator, proudly announces the launch of 20 Armadillos, a thrilling new slot adventure set deep in a jungle where fortunes roll wild.
In this untamed land, the Armadillos and their fierce animal allies guard treasures waiting to be uncovered. Players spin the reels as claws of luck and paws of fortune guide them towards potential big wins, daring them to crack the shell of jungle secrets and claim the rewards within.
20 Armadillos is a 5-reel, 4-row slot with 20 lines, medium-high volatility and RTP options of 94.16% and 96.96%. With a maximum multiplier of 30,000x and a responsive, mobile-first design, the game blends rich visuals with high win potential.
The game’s feature set is as wild as its setting. Landing Wild Symbols triggers Wild Respins, extending the action and paving the way to the Bonus Game, where Wilds transform into Armadillo Credits with random cash values.
Prizepot mechanics give players the chance to collect Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega wins, while filling the board unlocks the ultimate Grand Prizepot.
Pick Enhancement Accumulation allows players to build up powerful modifiers over time, unlocking even more rewards when Free Spins begin.
In the Pre-Free Spins Picks phase, collected enhancements such as global multipliers, payout boosts, extra credits, and sticky animals create a truly personalised bonus round.
The Free Spins bonus doubles down on excitement with Both Ways Pay and Animals Double Feature, combining sticky animals, extra spins, and double-win mechanics for massive payouts.
20 Armadillos is exclusively available through SlotMatrix. As with all SlotMatrix titles, the game is enhanced by EveryMatrix’s proprietary gamification features, including free spins and leaderboards, and can be integrated with EngageSuite, the all-in-one player loyalty solution.
Bjorn Sjoberg, COO, SlotMatrix, said: “With 20 Armadillos, we’re showcasing how layered gameplay, vibrant storytelling, and innovative mechanics can captivate players.
“From the jungle-themed prizepots to double-paying animal features, 20 Armadillos delivers an experience to remember for players worldwide.”
Gaming
Best Game Server Hosting (2025): Nitrado Ranked Top Across Leading Games by Software Experts

Software Experts has recognized Nitrado as the leading choice in its 2025 feature on the best game server hosting platforms. Nitrado was ranked highly across major titles such as Minecraft, ARK: Survival Ascended, and DayZ.
Nitrado delivers scalable and reliable server hosting solutions for a wide range of online multiplayer games. The demand for high-quality game server hosting has increased as online multiplayer games have grown in scale and complexity. Expansions, downloadable content (DLC), and frequent updates have placed pressure on server infrastructure, requiring providers to deliver stability, fast updates, and community integration. For players of ARK, Minecraft, or DayZ, server downtime can result in lost progress, interruptions to group play, and diminished gaming experiences.
This trend underscores why a strong hosting partner is essential. Servers are not only responsible for keeping games online but also for supporting the evolving needs of large player communities. Nitrado has consistently aligned its platform with these expectations, offering infrastructure that adapts to both technical requirements and user demand.
Recognition Across Key Games
Software Experts noted that Nitrado has demonstrated consistent support for popular titles through timely hosting updates and tools designed for specific gameplay environments.
Minecraft hosting: With the release of the Minecraft 1.21 Tricky Trials update, Nitrado provided immediate server support, allowing players to explore new dungeons and mechanics without interruption.
ARK hosting: Nitrado servers were prepared for the Ragnarok Map in ARK: Survival Ascended and are optimized for the upcoming Aquatica DLC, ensuring survival experiences remain stable even with expansive maps and mods.
DayZ hosting: Survival titles demand persistence and uptime. Expansions such as Frostline and the upcoming Badlands were supported rapidly on Nitrado servers, enabling players to adapt to environmental changes without server disruption.
Expansion to Broader Multiplayer Titles
The recognition also emphasized Nitrado’s versatility beyond the most popular titles. In 7 Days to Die, the recent Storms Brewing update was supported on Nitrado servers at launch, giving players stable access to new weather and survival mechanics. For Conan Exiles, the platform has offered guidance on server setups such as best base locations, combined with reliable performance during intensive multiplayer sessions. In Enshrouded, Nitrado integrated the Melodies of the Mire update directly into its hosting framework, ensuring smooth adoption of new classes and gameplay features.
By covering a range of genres, Nitrado provides infrastructure that extends beyond traditional survival titles, positioning itself as a multi-game hosting solution.
Tools and Community Integrations
Software Experts also highlighted Nitrado’s focus on server management tools and community features. The platform’s web interface and mobile applications allow administrators to adjust settings with minimal technical complexity, from rolling back Minecraft worlds to tuning difficulty levels in ARK.
Support for mods and plugins further enhances gameplay. Communities can integrate texture packs, maps, and total conversions without complicated manual setups. This has proven especially useful in titles with active modding cultures, including ARK and Minecraft.
Nitrado also integrates with platforms such as Discord, creating a unified environment where players can coordinate matches, share updates, and stay connected. These integrations have become increasingly important as multiplayer gaming extends beyond gameplay into community interaction.
Performance and Reliability
Reliability remains a core measure of success in server hosting. Software Experts reported that Nitrado’s global infrastructure of data centers reduces latency for players across regions. Built-in protections such as DDoS mitigation ensure that servers remain stable against external threats.
Performance is measured in player experiences rather than technical specifications. Large Minecraft builds, ARK raids with high player counts, or DayZ survival sessions all require servers capable of managing demand without lag or interruption. Nitrado has consistently met these requirements, providing stability for both small private groups and larger multiplayer communities.
The recognition comes at a time when server hosting has become critical to the success of modern games. The rise of live-service models, frequent DLC releases, and growing player bases has made infrastructure a competitive differentiator. Hosting platforms that can update quickly, manage new expansions, and support community tools are essential for maintaining engagement.
For players, this translates into uninterrupted sessions and reliable access to content. For developers, it ensures that game updates are supported with minimal disruption. Software Experts’ analysis noted that Nitrado’s approach positions it well within this broader industry context.
Nitrado’s recognition by Software Experts as the leader in best game server hosting reflects its consistent performance across multiple titles, timely integration of expansions and updates, and investment in tools that support both administrators and communities.
As online communities expand and games evolve, the importance of reliability, performance, and community integration will only increase. Nitrado’s ability to address these needs underscores why it was recognized as a top choice for 2025.
Compliance Updates
Arizona Department of Gaming Issues Cease-and-Desists on “Phoenix Dream Home Sweepstakes”

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) issued cease-and-desist orders to Raffall, a company based in the UK, and to an Arizona resident using the platform to promote the “Phoenix Dream Home Sweepstakes,” currently advertised online and through a separate website, winthisazhome.com, which is marketing the chance to “Win a Luxury $1.3M Arizona Mountainside Home”.
According to the Department’s investigation, the promotion required participants to purchase entries for a prize to be awarded and promised either a home transfer or a cash payout, depending on sales volume. The investigation further determined that the organizers intended to profit from ticket sales. Based on these findings, the Department alleges the activity constitutes an illegal gambling operation under Arizona law.
As part of the enforcement action, Raffall has been directed to remove all gambling-related drawings or giveaways targeting Arizona residents, and the Arizona resident has also been ordered to cease promoting or conducting any unlawful gambling activity.
“Illegal gambling can take many forms and it does not matter if it is labeled a sweepstakes, raffle, giveaway, or drawing. Unregulated operations put Arizonans at risk because there is no oversight, and therefore no accountability or safeguards in place. The Department will continue to take enforcement action to protect consumers, and we urge the public to learn what is legal before participating in or hosting any gambling activity,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming.
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