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UK Gambling Commission announces package of changes which make online games safer by design

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The Gambling Commission has announced a package of strict measures which will strengthen the protections and controls for those who gamble through online slots games – including the introduction of limits on spin speeds, and the permanent ban on features that speed up play or celebrate losses as wins.

Following a consultation with the public and players, the gambling industry and other stakeholders, operators will need to implement tough new player protection measures which will make online casino games less intensive, safer by design and hand players more control over their gambling.

The Commission has focused on online slots because of its features which increase the intensity of play and the corresponding risks to players. Slot games have by far the highest average losses per player of online gambling products1.

The new rules include the outright ban of four key features of online slots games:

Features that speed up play or give the illusion of control over the outcome
Slot spin speeds faster than 2.5 seconds
Auto-play – which can lead to players losing track of their play, and;
Sounds or imagery which give the illusion of a win when the return is in fact equal to, or below, a stake
Other changes include:

Operators must clearly display to the player their total losses or wins and time played during any online slots session.
Alongside the changes for online slots the Commission has also introduced a permanent ban on reverse withdrawals for all online gambling – this function previously allowed consumers to re-gamble money they had previously requested to withdraw.
The enhanced protections that have been announced today will need to be fully implemented by online operators by 31 October 2021.

Since the publication of the Commission’s consultation in July 2020, further research has shown that using an auto-play feature has been linked to some players losing track of play, making it difficult for some to stop playing and in some cases gambling on other activities simultaneously.

Evidence shows that reverse withdrawal functions present a risk to players because of the temptation to continue gambling. In addition, the slot features being removed or more closely controlled have been associated with increased intensity of play, loss of player control, or binge play.

Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission chief executive, said: “To make online games safer we are introducing a ban on features that speed up play, or give the illusion of control over the outcome. We are also introducing a ban on auto-play, losses disguised as wins, and slot spin speeds faster than 2.5 seconds. The evidence shows that these features increase the risk of harm to customers.

“This is another important step in making gambling safer and where the evidence shows that there are other opportunities to do that we are determined to take them.”

Minister for Sports, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddleston said: “Today’s steps will help curb the intensity of online gambling, introducing greater protections that will reduce the risk of gambling related harm.

“I welcome the Gambling Commission’s tough measures as we continue our comprehensive review of gambling laws to make sure they’re fit for the digital age.”

The new rules are part of the Commission’s comprehensive programme to make gambling fairer and safer which has also seen the introduction of strengthened protections around online age and ID verification, improved customer interaction practices, and the banning of gambling on credit cards.

The announcement of the further consumer protection rules for online games and the design of those games follow the Commission’s announcement on 30 September that it was implementing new rules to stamp out irresponsible ‘VIP customer’ practices. Those rules came into force on 31 October 2020. A consultation on customer interaction was also launched last in November with the outcome expected later this year.

Readers can access the Commission’s online games design and reverse withdrawals response for more details.

1 Our Covid data shows the average spend per slots player is £67 per month, compared with £36 for casino products and £45 for real event betting.

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Press Box PR strengthens team with addition of ex-Betway and Stats Perform content editor Will Rook

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Fast-growing digital PR agency has offices in London and Manchester 

Digital PR agency Press Box PR has strengthened its content team with the appointment of Will Rook as Senior Creative Content Manager.

Rook spent seven and a half years at Betway Group in various editorial roles between 2016 and 2023. He later worked with Stats Perform as Project Manager and Content Editor to help manage the delivery of its sports betting editorial content for their clients and produce much of the English language content himself.

He joins the content team at Press Box to develop engaging sports campaigns that leverage global trending topics from ideation through to execution, to earn top-tier media coverage for clients across multiple sectors, including sports, betting and gaming.

Press Box is an earned-first digital PR and content agency, delivering B2C and B2B communications, with specialisms in sport, betting and gaming, finance, consumer lifestyle and hospitality and catering brands.

Founded in 2019 by former Ladbrokes PR manager Alex Donohue, Press Box PR now employs more than 40 people across its offices in London and Manchester.

Rook said: “I’m really grateful for the opportunity at this stage of my career and can’t wait to get started. I’m excited to be joining a team that is growing and am looking forward to contributing to the success of the agency and our clients.”

Greg Johnson, Head of Content at Press Box PR, said: “Brilliant content is at the heart of what we do at Press Box and Will’s arrival further strengthens our team. His deep knowledge of sport and betting, combined with his proven ability to come up with great ideas and produce relevant and newsworthy content will help us continue to exceed expectations for our clients.”

The post Press Box PR strengthens team with addition of ex-Betway and Stats Perform content editor Will Rook appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ELA Games Unveils ‘John’s Book’: An Epic Quest Through the Sands of Egypt

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Classic “Book of” theme meets the studio’s modern art and mechanics

ELA Games, a dynamic game development studio, announces the release of John’s Book, its modern take on timeless themes and mechanics.

The game invites players to join John the Explorer to hunt for ancient treasures buried in a Pharaoh’s tomb. Rich with iconic symbols and familiar mechanics, John’s Book is a tribute to the well-loved “Book Of…” format that’s prevalent in the industry while adding its twists. With high replayability, easy-to-understand features, and an immersive design, this title appeals to both veteran and casual players.

At the heart of the game is the Book symbol. Land 3 or more to enter the lucrative Free Spins round, where Special Expanding Symbols drop randomly to supercharge your wins. The Free Spins round can be retriggered by landing another 3 Book symbols during the bonus. Stack up to 9 expanding symbols for a big payday!

The  game showcases ELA Games’ art and design, featuring a lush environment, eye-catching symbols, attractive animations, and engaging sound design. John’s Book immerses players in a game where they can connect with the protagonist and enjoy action-packed gameplay.

Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the game’s release, “John’s Book is an homage to a format we know players love. ‘Book Of…’ games are wildly popular for a good reason, but we wanted to refine them with ELA Games’ signature high-quality art and technical development. The result is a game that feels familiar yet fresh as it pushes the boundaries of the format with revitalised mechanics. We’re excited to see our players enjoy our take on a timeless classic.”

John’s Book is the latest addition to ELA Games’ rapidly growing portfolio as the studio continues to innovate and evolve well-known themes and formats in the industry.

John’s Book features:

  • RTP: 94%
  • Volatility: Medium
  • Format: 5×3
  • Paylines: 10
  • Max win: 5,000x
  • Free Spins with Special Expanding Symbols
  • Retriggerable bonus rounds

The post ELA Games Unveils ‘John’s Book’: An Epic Quest Through the Sands of Egypt appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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QTech Games adds to its growing numbers with 77 Gaming

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Emerging-markets leader expands its offering with new games from rising star

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for emerging markets, has maintained the strong momentum in its deal-flow, thanks to its latest integration with rising star supplier, 77 Gaming.

Integrating content from one of the more innovative and creative online slots providers adds yet more muscle to QTech Games’ burgeoning platform, which is taking the widest range of online games to emerging territories with established names, such as Playtech and Aviator, sitting alongside the industry’s most exciting up-and-coming providers.

Recognised for its growing library of visually rich, mobile-first games, 77 Gaming is now layering daring narratives onto some cutting-edge mechanics, offering global operators varied content with which to captivate modern players. And by fusing unique maths modelling, which spans the volatility spectrum, with eye-catching storytelling, these games are fostering some truly engaging gameplay for a new cohort of QTech players.

77 Gaming’s portfolio of slots titles has been optimised for mobile, a cornerstone of QTech’s RNG model, which is founded on its fully-owned and customised technical platform, affording games providers and operators the fastest integration available. Through this leading platform, which has sealed its definitive status as a global gaming one-stop shop, clients enjoy the best performance and customer support available, localised to every region across both developing and more mature markets.

The deal organically broadens 77 Gaming’s international footprint, unlocking untapped jurisdictions for diversified growth from Asia to Africa and Eastern Europe to Latin America.

Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “77 Gaming create world-class slots provision for worldwide customers, opening up an expansive range of slots for every type of player and market. They are always looking to redefine the existing ecosystem and reimagine more traditional gaming experiences with every play.

“Similarly, we’re committed to rolling out first-class content that drives revenue for our partners. So, teaming up with 77 Gaming reflects our dedication to curating standout content from every niche of the industry. This deal extends our impressive sequential pipeline for 2025 – and we’ve thrilled to now have 77 Gaming aboard our dominant aggregation platform for emerging markets.”

Vicky Luo, Spokeswoman of 77 Gaming, added: “At 77 Gaming, we’re committed to raising the bar in the igaming sector and pushing the boundaries of how these games look and feel. With world-class mechanics, our games generate an unparalleled gaming experience, to our mind. Our unique design style and rapid production pace make them a strong fit for the leading aggregation models on the market, so this QTech integration is a real validation for us.”

“Furthermore, this collaboration with QTech Games represents a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our product distribution across emerging territories and deliver our great games to a range of top-tier partners.”

The post QTech Games adds to its growing numbers with 77 Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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