Technology

Gambling: Help and Referral turns 30

Published

5 months ago

August 13, 2024

Service records a 21% increase in requests for help

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 13, 2024 /CNW/ – Gambling: Help and Referral has just completed its 2023–2024 annual report and recorded a 21% increase in requests for help over the previous year; 6,848 people contacted the service to obtain a listening ear, support, information and referrals to address excessive gaming, whether for video games, internet addiction or gambling. Gambling: Help and Referral, which also provides support to those close to gamblers and gamers, is launching a fundraising campaign with a $100,000 target, its first in 30 years.

Of this 21% increase in requests for help, the majority came from the gamblers themselves (+35%). The proportion of women in these statistics is also up sharply (+17%). Among the most frequently mentioned addictions are online gambling—on the rise since the pandemic—slot machines, internet addiction (online video games, excessive use of video platforms such as YouTube or social media) and lotteries. People close to gamblers and gamers account for almost 20% of requests for help.

Gambling addiction is still little known and poorly understood, so it’s important to note that in over a third of cases (36%), counsellors respond to crisis or distress calls. Service users are mainly looking for resources such as counseling or telecounseling, support groups or addiction rehabilitation centres. Another noteworthy fact is that the average length of a call has doubled between 2020 and 2024, a striking and concrete consequence of a significant increase in crisis calls and the need for active listening. “I’m very proud of Gambling: Help and Referral’s evolution and of our team’s constant motivation to remain relevant, up-to-date and accessible to as many people as possible. I encourage anyone to feel free to contact us.” Nancy Rocha, Director of the Specialized Addiction Helplines and the TeleCounseling Programme for Excessive Gamblers.

At a time when cyberaddiction and healthy screen management are occupying an ever-increasing place in the media, Gambling: Help and Referral reminds us that it is a provincial resource that is remotely accessible 24/7, for anyone who is concerned about their gambling habits or screen time and who is experiencing their negative effects, such as major debts or even bankruptcy, mood disorders, mental health issues, domestic or family conflicts and isolation. It is also a useful service for friends, spouses or relatives who often feel powerless in the face of a loved one’s addiction. Accessible from anywhere in Quebec, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, counsellors can be reached by phone at 1-800-461-0140 or by chat at gamblinghelp.quebec. The service is confidential, free and bilingual.

The service would like to be able to expand the team, but also give counsellors the time and budget they need to pursue training, particularly in dealing with people in crisis, but also in the different game-industry tactics, which are evolving rapidly. There is increasing talk of video game hybridization: adding aspects of gambling to video games, including in-game purchases in games played by children, or games that have no practical ending to keep the player online as long as possible, sometimes for days on end.

To keep the service accessible and waiting times below a minute in order to avoid discouraging those seeking help, Gambling: Help and Referral is launching its first fundraising campaign, which will run until the end of March 2025, with a $100,000 target. Thanks to a benefit event held on May 29, 2024, and generous donors such as Jean Fortin, Unisson Formations, Dunton Rainville and many other supporters, nearly $40,000 has already been raised—more than a third of the target!

“The Gambling: Help and Referral team is working miracles with limited resources to deal with this increase in requests for help. Although we are fortunate to be able to count on recurrent funding from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, for which we are very grateful, the fact that we need more resources can’t be ignored. Our team is motivated to help even more people affected by gambling addiction.” Heather Johnston, Executive Director, Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montréal.

To support Gambling: Help and Referral, go to gamblinghelp.quebec and click on Donate.

About Gambling: Help and Referral

Gambling: Help and Referral is a provincial service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone and chat. It offers listening, support, information and referrals for people concerned about their gambling habits or addicted to gambling, video games and the Internet. Founded in 1993, the service has been managed by the Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montréal for 30 years and, to date, has been fully funded by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. For further information: gamblinghelp.quebec

SOURCE Gambling: Help and Referral

Technology

Ganzin Unveils Revolutionary AURORA IIS Eye-Tracking Solution at CES 2025

Published

21 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

Ganzin will announce AURORA IIS solution in CES 2025, which is a new NPU eye-tracking solution, that only composed of one NPU, two eye sensors, and two IR LEDs. The host could receive eye-tracking results from the NPU directly without any computational burden. It is an ideal eye-tracking solution for AR and AI smartglasses.The NPU’s dimension is just 2.3 x 5.6 mm, the eye sensor’s dimension is 1.6 x 1.6 x 2.3mm, and the IR LED’s dimension is 1 x 0.5 x 0.45mm.DPVR, a leading Chinese VR brand, is set to announce its new standalone VR model, the P2 Vision. The device features advanced eye-tracking technology, powered by the Ganzin AURORA IIS solution.P2 Vision is orderable since CES 2025. You are welcome to visit DPVR booth to experience P2 Vision and Ganzin eye tracking performance at LVCC, Central Hall – 15945.

TAIPEI, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ganzin, a pioneer in glint-free wearable eye-tracking technology provider, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking AURORA IIS solution at CES 2025. This cutting-edge system redefines simplicity and performance in eye-tracking, requiring only one compact NPU, two eye sensors, and two IR LEDs to deliver real-time eye-tracking results to the host device without any computational burden. It is an ideal eye-tracking solution for AR and AI smartglasses.

The NPU, with an ultra-compact size of just 2.3 x 5.6 mm, is purpose-built for AI/AR glasses, and VR headsets. The accompanying eye sensors measure a mere 1.6 x 1.6 x 2.3 mm, while the IR LEDs are 1 x 0.5 x 0.45 mm. The entire AURORA IIS solution weighs less than 1 gram and consumes under 100 mW of power, delivering exceptional efficiency for next-generation wearable devices.

In a major collaboration, DPVR, one of China’s most prominent VR brands, will debut its latest standalone VR model, the P2 Vision, at CES 2025. The P2 Vision incorporates Ganzin’s AURORA IIS solution, enabling precise, real-time eye-tracking capabilities that enhance user interaction, gaze-based control, and immersive experiences.

Visitors to CES 2025 are invited to experience the P2 Vision and Ganzin’s innovative eye-tracking technology in action. Live demonstrations will be held at the DPVR booth (LVCC, Central Hall – 15945), where attendees can get a hands-on look at the future of VR interaction. The P2 Vision will also be available for order starting at CES 2025, marking a new era for VR accessibility and functionality.

“The AURORA IIS marks a major breakthrough in eye-tracking technology,” said Dr. Shao-Yi Chien, CEO of Ganzin. “Our ultra-compact, energy-efficient solution is tailored to meet the demands of VR, AR, and wearable device manufacturers. We also offer flexible customization of eye camera placement to integrate with our clients’ industrial design (ID) requirements.”

Ganzin will have a private suite at the Westgate Hotel during CES 2025. To learn more about our AURORA IIS solution or to schedule a private demonstration, please reach out to our contact listed below.

Media Contact: Martin Lin
Business Development Manager
Ganzin Technology Co., Ltd.
Email: martin.lin@gnainz.com.tw

About Ganzin

Ganzin is a global leader in eye-tracking technology, delivering advanced, compact, and energy-efficient solutions for next-generation wearable and immersive devices. The company’s vision is to make human-machine interaction more intuitive and accessible to everyone, enabling smarter and more responsive user experiences for consumers.

About DPVR

DPVR is a leading virtual reality technology company based in China, renowned for its development of user-friendly, high-performance VR headsets. Committed to bringing immersive experiences to the masses, DPVR continues to push the boundaries of VR technology and innovation.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ganzin-unveils-revolutionary-aurora-iis-eye-tracking-solution-at-ces-2025-302339520.html

SOURCE Ganzin Technology

Technology

Eddid Financial Partners with HKBU for the Third Consecutive Year to Establish 10th Anniversary Scholarship

Published

21 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

HONG KONG, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Building on successful collaborations with the School of Oriental and African Studies (“SOAS”) at the University of London, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and City University of Hong Kong, Eddid Financial (the “Group”) announces its partnership with Hong Kong Baptist University (“HKBU”). The Group and HKBU have, together, established the “Eddid Financial 10th Anniversary Scholarship” for the 2024/25 academic year to recognize students who excel academically and contribute outstandingly to social service.

Over the past three years, the Group has engaged in various initiatives with HKBU, including the establishment of social service scholarships, fintech research projects, and internship programs. As Edidd Financial approaches its 10th anniversary in 2025, this new scholarship underscores their commitment to deepening collaboration. This “Eddid Financial 10th Anniversary Scholarship” will reward third-year undergraduate students from the business school who demonstrate academic excellence and a dedication to community service, inspiring more students to strive for success while giving back to society.

The Group is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of talent and looks forward to supporting those who pursue excellence and are passionate about serving the community in the future academic year. Eddid Financial will also maintain close communication and collaboration with HKBU to support its teaching and research efforts, contributing to sustainable development in society.

About Eddid Financial

Anchored in Hong Kong, Eddid Financial is an all-encompassing financial group centered around fintech and dedicated to integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies and other latest technologies into its enterprise DNA. The diversified businesses of Eddid Financial range from retail to institutional and include but are not limited to fintech, internet finance, wealth management, asset management, investment banking, and virtual assets. Eddid Financial is committed to providing one-stop financial services and products to customers through high-quality investment solutions.

Members of the Group hold a variety of licenses and memberships across key financial markets. These include Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) regulated activities (“RA”) licenses for types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9; SEHK and HKCC participant (OTP-C broker number: 0974 and 0977), Insurance Broker Company license; Trust or Company Service Provider License in Hong Kong. Additionally, our fully owned U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary, Eddid Securities USA Inc., maintains approved membership with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the National Futures Association (NFA), and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), and the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (NQX), and is a registered broker dealer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the United States.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/eddid-financial-partners-with-hkbu-for-the-third-consecutive-year-to-establish-10th-anniversary-scholarship-302339531.html

SOURCE Eddid Financial

Technology

JinkoSolar Announces Results of 2024 Annual General Meeting

Published

1 hour ago

December 27, 2024

SHANGRAO, China, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company”) (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, today announced that all shareholders resolutions proposed at the Company’s 2024 annual general meeting held today were duly passed. Specifically, the Company’s shareholders passed the following resolutions approving:

The re-election of Mr. Xianhua Li as a director of the Company;The re-election of Mr. Steven Markscheid as a director of the Company;The ratification of the appointment of Mr. Gang Chu as an independent director of the Company and the re-election of him as an independent director of the Company;The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP as auditors of the Company for the fiscal year of 2024;The authorization of the directors of the Company to determine the remuneration of the auditors of the Company; andThe authorization of each of the directors of the Company be authorized to take any and all action that might be necessary to effect the foregoing resolutions 1 to 5 as such director, in his or her absolute discretion, thinks fit.

About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world. JinkoSolar distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and other countries and regions.

JinkoSolar had over 10 productions facilities globally, over 20 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Indonesia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and a global sales network with sales teams in China, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Vietnam and India, as of September 30, 2024. To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com