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Majority of gamblers hit with affordability checks have handed over info, but wider betting population unwilling
- Most bettors asked to undergo financial checks agree
- Higher spending players more willing than lower spenders
- Most who’ve not yet faced affordability checks say they will refuse
The majority of bettors who have been asked for proof they can afford to gamble have provided it, but there are big questions over how things will play out if checks become mandatory or more common, the results of a new study by sports betting community OLBG show.
A survey of bettors carried out online by YouGov for OLBG found that the majority of those who had been asked by gambling operators to provide documents such as payslips, bank statements or other documents had complied with the request.
The survey, which polled 1,007 bettors, found that 21.8% of bettors had already been asked for documents by at least one bookmaker. Of these, 74.3% had provided them, but 17.9% had refused and started playing with a different licensed operator instead. Of the remainder, 4.1% refused and moved to an unlicensed operator, while 3.7% stopped betting entirely.
The willingness to provide documentation was less widespread among those who had not yet been asked to do so, however.
Of the 78.2% of punters who had not yet faced affordability checks, 37.3% said they would refuse and simply stop betting, 35.0% said they would move to a different licensed operator and 4.1% said they’d go to an unlicensed company. Only 23.5% indicated they would be willing to provide the documents.
“Most bettors who have been asked to provide documents have done so. More importantly, very few of those who were asked stopped gambling or went to the black market, the latter being the worst unintended consequence of measures aimed at making gambling more responsible,” said Richard Moffat, CEO at OLBG.
“However, there is a stark difference between those who have been asked and those who haven’t in terms of willingness.”
As the below table shows, overall 65% of bettors reported not being willing to comply with affordability checks. Those betting lower monthly amounts were the least open to handing over financial documents, with more than three in four (75.4%) of those betting less than £5 a month and 72% of those betting £6-15 a month unwilling to undergo affordability checks.
“Few people who are spending at this level are likely to think it is proportionate for a bookie to ask for proof they can afford it and it’s quite surprising how many lower spending players report already having been asked. From the rumours about what level mandatory checks might come in, it seems unlikely checks will be forced on players at levels under £100 per month,” said Moffat.
Players spending less than £100 per month
| Have you been asked by a gambling company to provide payslips, bank statements or similar documents as part of an affordability or proof of funds check? | All bettors | Less than £5 | £6-15 | £16-25 | £26-50 | £51-100 |
| Unweighted base | 1,007 | 235 | 224 | 147 | 154 | 93 |
| Yes, I have and I provided the required documents | 16.16% | 6.00% | 10.08% | 20.86% | 16.55% | 14.27% |
| No, I have not but I would provide the documents if asked | 18.45% | 18.20% | 18.06% | 23.14% | 20.31% | 21.62% |
| Yes, I have, but I didn’t provide the documents and bet with a different licensed company instead | 3.92% | 0.40% | 1.77% | 4.22% | 4.53% | 6.57% |
| Yes, I have but I didn’t provide the documents and bet with a different unlicensed company instead | 0.90% | 0.00% | 0.47% | 0.71% | 1.29% | 1.08% |
| Yes, I have but I didn’t provide the documents and stopped betting | 0.79% | 0.00% | 0.43% | 0.70% | 1.94% | 1.10% |
| No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t provide the documents and would bet with a different licensed company instead | 27.40% | 20.40% | 31.52% | 24.80% | 35.25% | 38.36% |
| No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t provide the documents and would bet with an unlicensed company instead | 3.20% | 1.30% | 3.57% | 4.17% | 3.27% | 1.11% |
| No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t bet | 29.18% | 53.60% | 34.10% | 21.40% | 16.86% | 15.88% |
| Total willing to provide documents | 34.61% | 24.20% | 28.14% | 44.00% | 36.86% | 35.89% |
| Total unwilling to provide documents | 65.39% | 75.70% | 71.86% | 56.00% | 63.14% | 64.10% |
Players spending more than £100 per month
| Have you been asked by a gambling company to provide payslips, bank statements or similar documents as part of an affordability or proof of funds check? | All bettors | £101-200 | £201-300 | £301-500 | £501-1000 |
| Unweighted Base | 1,007 | 57 | 16 | 16 | 20 |
| Yes, I have and I provided the required documents | 16.16% | 30.04% | 31.87% | 50.63% | 40.65% |
| No, I have not but I would provide the documents if asked | 18.45% | 19.41% | 12.94% | 0.00% | 4.79% |
| Yes, I have, but I didn’t provide the documents and bet with a different licensed company instead | 3.92% | 12.40% | 6.73% | 0.00% | 15.35% |
| Yes, I have but I didn’t provide the documents and bet with a different unlicensed company instead | 0.90% | 1.77% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Yes, I have but I didn’t provide the documents and stopped betting | 0.79% | 1.70% | 0.00% | 6.45% | 0.00% |
| No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t provide the documents and would bet with a different licensed company instead | 27.40% | 24.19% | 36.36% | 30.49% | 28.90% |
| No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t provide the documents and would bet with an unlicensed company instead | 3.20% | 5.19% | 12.10% | 6.45% | 5.12% |
| No, I have not and if asked I wouldn’t bet | 29.18% | 5.31% | 0.00% | 5.98% | 5.20% |
| Total willing to provide documents | 34.61% | 49.45% | 44.81% | 50.63% | 45.44% |
| Total unwilling to provide documents | 65.39% | 50.56% | 55.19% | 49.37% | 54.57% |
* Players spending more than £1,000 per month were excluded as numbers were too small to be statistically significant.
However, while willingness to undergo affordability checks does seem to increase among players who spend more on a monthly basis, even among those spending £100-plus per month, less than half were open to affordability checks.
One big difference between players at lower spend levels and those spending more than £100 was the likelihood of players stopping gambling if asked to undergo checks. While 53.6% of those betting less than £5 said they wouldn’t gamble if faced with affordability checks, just 5.31% said the same in the £101-200 per month category.
Higher spending players were more likely to have moved to a different licensed company rather than provide documents, but across all spending amounts a significant proportion of players reported plans to do so if asked to provide documents.
“Many players reported either having already moved to a different licensed operator or being willing to do so over affordability checks. Therefore, there is now a big question mark over what might happen if affordability checks become mandatory and all licensed operators have to impose them at certain levels,” said Moffat.
The survey also found that younger players were more willing to submit to financial checks. About one-third (33.34%) of those aged 18-24 said they had been asked for and provided documents, while 22.86% said they hadn’t been asked but would do so. In the 55-plus age group, the percentage of players reporting the same fell to 6.40% and 15.37%, respectively.
More details on this breakdown can be found in the full survey report, along with various other findings on the UK’s gambling habits.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Tom Horn Gaming is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest Hold & Win slot game, Majestic Coins. This high-volatility 3×3 slot takes players on a winning quest, where shimmering coins, respins, and grand jackpots lead to massive wins. Set against a sleek black 3×3 reel grid with 5 win lines, Majestic Coins offers classic slot excitement with a modern twist.
Candy Links Bonanza 2 is the newest slot game from Stakelogic, inviting you to wander through magical realms filled with delightfully sweet treats. Amidst this charming backdrop, two 5×5 grids are placed side by side. The grid on the right is where all the gameplay unfolds, while the other grid collects coins. Forming lines of coins wins their values and activates the powerful Wheels of Fortune!
Step into a world where opulence meets nature in Zillion’s latest release, Royal Crown Fruits – a dazzling slot experience filled with vibrant fruit symbols, golden crowns, and thrilling rewards. With 20 winning lines, the game blends classic charm with modern excitement, offering players a chance to strike royal-sized wins.
Big Time Gaming is back with its most exhilarating instalment yet. Max Megaways III invites players to gear up and embark on a high-stakes Arctic mission that’s shaken, stirred, and loaded with epic rewards. In this 6-reel Megaways™ slot, players get up to 117,649 ways to win, and that’s just the start of the action. Armed with MegaDozer™ mechanics, Free Spins, and a treasure trove of bonuses, Max Megaways III is set to deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement like never before.
Play’n GO delves into the mysteries of ancient Egypt with the release of Myth of Dead, a visually stunning slot that combines engaging gameplay with the allure of legendary treasures. This 5-reel, 3-row game with 10 paylines offers a captivating journey into a world ruled by powerful deities and golden riches.
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has released Blast the Bass, a brand new title that immerses players into an adventure on the open seas. Set out in the deep ocean, Blast the Bass brings together engaging mechanics, big bonus features and fun graphics that entertain players on every spin. A salty old skipper acts as the Wild symbol and will substitute for all regular symbols to combine for winning lines.
Push Gaming has launched Mad Blast, a volatile, multiplier-focused, pay-anywhere game that builds crazy robots along with wild winnings. Set in the workshop of the Mad Tinkerer, quirky, colourful bomb symbols populate the reels, with eight or more required to award a win. Winning symbols are removed from play, and the cascade of replacement icons allows subsequent wins to be formed.
Relax Gaming has revealed Glyph of Gods, an Egyptian-themed slot where hieroglyphs hold the key to wins. Bringing a fresh take on the much-loved Egyptian theme, this game features Glyph Positions which allow for Wild, Bonus, and Glyph symbols to land in dedicated spots, opening up multiple opportunities for big winning moments.
Blueprint Gaming returns in style with Big Catch Even Bigger Bass, offering a plethora of modifiers to maximise players’ winning potential. After years of success with its iconic Fishin’ Frenzy™ series, Blueprint has moved from the ocean to a picturesque lake where a bait box of aquatic symbols take their place on the 6×4, 4,096 win matrix, nestled in a mountainous landscape.
Amusnet announces the exclusive launch of 20 Wild Goals at Betano in Romania from February 20th to March 24th, 2025. 20 Wild Goals is a 5-reel video slot set in a stadium environment, offering 20 paylines. The Wild symbol, represented by a ball, expands to cover the entire reel, boosting the potential for higher wins. The tumbling reel feature adds a layer of excitement by removing winning combinations and increasing multipliers with each subsequent spin.
The post Week 8/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
International Game Technology PLC announced that it has achieved an environmental, social and governance (ESG) Score of 4.3 out of 5.0 from FTSE Russell, positioning IGT in the 97th percentile within the Travel and Leisure sector of FTSE Russell’s ESG Scores. This was an improvement from IGT’s previous ESG Score of 4.2 out of 5.0 in 2023, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to enhancing ESG performance.
“As a company committed to continually elevating our sustainability practices and leadership, IGT is proud to once again achieve an improved ESG score from FTSE Russell. Through our global Sustainable Play program, we execute sustainable practices and policies throughout our company and this improved score validates our ongoing efforts,” Wendy Montgomery, SVP of Marketing, Communications and Sustainability at IGT, said.
FTSE Russell’s ESG Scores and data model allows investors to understand a company’s exposure to, and management of, ESG issues in multiple dimensions. The ESG Scores are comprises an overall rating that breaks down into underlying pillar and theme exposures. Scores built on over 300 individual indicator assessments are applied to each company’s unique circumstances. The ESG Scores align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all of which are reflected in FTSE Russell’s ESG framework.
The post IGT Achieves Improved ESG Score from FTSE Russell appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Playtech’s Bingo Technology Powers Buzz Bingo’s Launch of Innovative Omni-channel Experience
Playtech announced the launch of Buzz Bingo’s groundbreaking omni-channel bingo game, Big Money Live.
Big Money Live sets a new standard in the bingo proposition by seamlessly combining online and land-based players across all Buzz Bingo clubs into a shared and exciting experience, powered by a low latency video stream with an engaging live presenter.
Officially launched at the end of 2024, Big Money Live debuted with a record-breaking £100,000 prize pool, the largest omni-channel bingo prize in the UK. Players nationwide participated in the exciting new chapter of bingo history, enjoying the game from both the vibrant atmosphere of bingo halls and the comfort of their own homes, showcasing the flexibility of this bingo offering.
Big Money Live is broadcasted from Buzz Bingo’s state-of-the-art studio in Derby and streamed live twice daily, seven days a week. Playtech, in collaboration with its ECM Systems platform, has worked closely with Buzz Bingo to develop a cutting-edge offering that caters to both digital and retail bingo enthusiasts. The seamless delivery of bingo games alongside live video enables entertaining and engaging features to be created around the core games, creating opportunities to attract new and younger audiences to play bingo together online and in-venue.
Marat Koss, VP of Interactive Gaming at Playtech, said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Buzz Bingo on this project. Big Money Live represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the gaming industry. This collaboration showcases our ability to deliver top-tier technology solutions, such as the ECM handheld machines, that enhance player experiences across multiple channels, including online and retail. We’ve already received great feedback from the industry over this offering and functionality.”
Dave Evans, Chief Product Officer at Buzz Bingo, said: “The launch of Big Money Live marks an exciting new phase for bingo in the UK. Our partnership with Playtech has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and we are confident that this game will attract more players and offer bigger prizes than ever before.”
Richard Kearns, Head of Bingo at Buzz Bingo, said: “This new concept is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between our teams and Playtech. We are dedicated to providing innovative and engaging bingo experiences, and Big Money Live is a perfect example of this commitment.”
The post Playtech’s Bingo Technology Powers Buzz Bingo’s Launch of Innovative Omni-channel Experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Week 8/2025 slot games releases
IGT Achieves Improved ESG Score from FTSE Russell
Playtech’s Bingo Technology Powers Buzz Bingo’s Launch of Innovative Omni-channel Experience
Amusnet Deepens Collaboration with Betano for Exclusive Launch of 20 Wild Goals
BETER names Juliana Querino as LatAm Business Development Manager
Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched
Bragg Gaming Announces Preliminary Unaudited Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 and 2025 Strategic Initiatives and Guidance
DNSFilter Data Reveals Dangers to Fake Gambling Sites and Illegal Streaming in Lead Up to Super Bowl LIX
Skillhub Online Games Federation and Global Esports Federation Unite to Bring Global Esports Tour 2025 to India
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