EPIC Restart Foundation is excited to announce its new partnership with the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), commissioned by GambleAware, as it begins 2025. The NGSN is a collaborative network of organisations offering free, confidential treatment and support for anyone affected by gambling-related harm, available across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The NGSN has seen an increase in demand for its services, with nearly 11,000 people supported between April 2023 and March 2024 – a 12% rise from the previous year. By joining the NGSN, EPIC Restart will enhance the network’s ability to reach even more individuals, offering a seamless pathway into treatment, through to recovery, ensuring people have the ongoing support they need to rebuild a positive life.

EPIC Restart provides free support through Recovery Coaching, group sessions, online and in-person events, and a vibrant online community. Their team, made up of people with lived experience, creates a welcoming, non-judgmental space where individuals can connect, share, and feel supported – helping to break down the shame and stigma often associated with gambling harm.

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The NGSN now includes 13 providers, with Reframe Coaching also joining the network, further strengthening the support available nationwide. With EPIC Restart’s addition, the network’s collective approach to recovery is more comprehensive than ever before, offering a well-rounded range of services to meet the needs of those affected by gambling harm.

Richie Paxton, EPIC Restart Foundation Interim CEO and Head of Programmes said: “We’re excited to join the National Gambling Support Network and continue to work with other providers to offer a seamless and supportive recovery path to those experiencing gambling harm. At EPIC Restart, we are dedicated to offering compassionate guidance and coaching, grounded in lived experience. Our mission is not only to help individuals navigate their recovery, but also to empower them to rebuild their lives with renewed hope and a brighter future.”

Anna Hargrave, GambleAware Deputy CEO and Chief Commissioning & Strategy Officer, said: “The GambleAware commissioned National Gambling Support Network continues to be a staple within local communities across the country and is recognised for the vital support it offers to those affected by gambling harms across Great Britain.

“It has always been the intention for the NGSN to expand and build on the services it offers since it was commissioned almost two years ago, and EPIC Restart Foundation continues that expansion and adds valuable experience and expertise to the network.

“Gambling harms can affect anyone, and it is vital that there is a service for everyone that needs support, regardless of whether they are at the start, or nearing the end, of their journey to recovery.”

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Following the publication of the Gambling White Paper last year, GambleAware has called on the Government to ensure the expertise within the NGSN and wider third sector is recognised and protected within the future gambling harm treatment system. This includes ensuring organisations with a long-term recovery focus are factored into future funding plans.

Play’n GO takes players on a cosmic collision course with Invading Vegas Revenge on Mars, the highly anticipated sequel to Invading Vegas. This intergalactic slot promises high-octane entertainment as Earth’s favourite city collides with Martian mayhem.

Invading Vegas Revenge on Mars reimagines the chaos of its predecessor, introducing a Martian twist to Sin City’s neon chaos in the form of the alien’s very own version of Vegas on Mars. From Space Cowboys to walking Wilds, the game is packed with out-of-this-world features, making it a must-play for fans of quirky, story-driven slots.

Players can expect a five-reel, 20-payline slot filled with thematic symbols and an immersive soundtrack. And while the stakes are high, the thrills are even higher, with the potential to win up to 2,500x your bet.

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Key to the game’s unique appeal is its Walking Wilds, activated when full symbol stacks appear on reels one and two, or four and five, without a winning payline. These wilds traverse the reels, leaving Mystery Symbols in their wake, transforming spins into nail-biting experiences as multipliers of up to x10 stack the rewards.

Twelve Free Spins await players who land three Space Car Scatters, and these can be retriggered for up to 120 spins – a feature perfectly suited for players chasing high volatility and big wins. The interplay between Mystery Symbols and Walking Wilds ensures that every spin builds suspense, with multipliers combining for explosive payouts.

Fans of Invading Vegas will love this intergalactic evolution, which takes the cheeky charm of the original and amplifies it with Martian visuals and dynamic gameplay. With stacked high-paying symbols and colourful animations, Invading Vegas Revenge on Mars is a feast for the senses .

Head of Game Retention at Play’n GO, George Olekszy, said: “Invading Vegas Revenge on Mars is the ultimate mash-up of chaos and charm. Players will love the Walking Wild feature and the adrenaline-fuelled re-spins that bring big-win potential. It’s Play’n GO doing what we do best – innovating to entertain.”

Play’n GO continues to raise the bar in creative slot design, delivering an intergalactic adventure that’s sure to delight fans of the original and newcomers alike. Strap in and join the invasion – Mars has never been this much fun!

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• 31% increase in 16-24-olds registering with national online self-exclusion scheme
• GAMSTOP heat map reveals UK postcodes with highest percentages of registration

GAMSTOP, the national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, has reported a 31% year-on-year increase in under-25s registering with the service in the second half of 2024.

Consumers aged 16-24 now account for nearly one in four (24%) of new GAMSTOP registrants, a significant trend in a record year for the self-exclusion service, which featured major global sporting events including the Euros and the Olympics.

With a 14% year-on-year increase, the second half of 2024 saw record volumes, as well as bucking the usual trend of higher registrations in the first half of the year.

In total, 532,484 people have registered with GAMSTOP between its launch in April 2018 and December 31^st, 2024, which equates to over 1% of the adult UK population.

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GAMSTOP has for the first time analysed detailed data to provide a regional breakdown of registration, which will help local authorities to target their services. The postcode area with the highest proportion of GAMSTOP registrants is Hull (HU), equating to 1.5% of the local population, followed by Teesside (TS) and Sunderland (SR) on 1.4%, with Doncaster and Blackpool also in the top five for self-exclusions.

In the second half of 2024, nearly half of GAMSTOP registrants (48%) signed up for a five-year exclusion – the longest timeframe available. Consumers can also choose to self-exclude for shorter periods of six months or one year.

Last month, GAMSTOP introduced a new ‘5 years with auto-renewal’ exclusion, for vulnerable consumers looking to extend their exclusion from gambling websites and apps. The new 5 -year auto-renewal option was developed in direct response to feedback from users.

Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, said: “The increase in the number of under-25s registering for GAMSTOP has become an accelerating trend, with a 31% year-on-year increase in the second half of 2024, following a 12% increase in the first half of the year. There is a clear need for targeted education and support aimed at this group which is why we continue to put so much emphasis on collaborating with Ygam and Gamcare reaching out to students. We go to where they are to ensure they are aware of tools, such as self-exclusion, which can help to prevent gambling harm.

GAMSTOP allows vulnerable consumers to take a break from gambling and we want to raise awareness of the service amongst those who need it most. Our detailed regional data has highlighted the postcodes where self-exclusion has been most widely adopted, and we hope this will help local authorities and other bodies to target appropriate support in the areas where the need is greatest”.

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