Connect with us
ukgc-publishes-2023-young-people-and-gambling-report ukgc-publishes-2023-young-people-and-gambling-report

Latest News

UKGC Publishes 2023 Young People and Gambling Report

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published its 2023 Young People and Gambling Report – an annual study which helps understand children’s and young people’s exposure to, and involvement in, all types of gambling.

The research was conducted in schools, with pupils completing online self-completion surveys in class. The study collected data from a sample of 3453 11 to 16 year olds as in previous years and, for the first time 17 year olds, attending academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales.

This year:

  • 26% of respondents spent their own money on some form of gambling in the last 12 months, compared with 31% in 2022
  • excluding arcade gaming machines which young people can play legally 4% of respondents spent their own money on regulated gambling (age restricted products), compared with 5% in 2022
  • 7% of respondents were identified as problem gamblers by the youth adapted DSM-IV-MR-J screen compared with 0.9% in 2022
  • 5% of respondents were identified as at-risk gamblers compared with 2.4% in 2022
  • 55% had seen gambling adverts offline, compared to 66% in 2022, and 53% had seen adverts online, compared to 63% in 2022.

The Commission requires gambling operators to have strong protections in place to prevent children from accessing products illegally. This means the most common types of gambling activity that young people spent their own money on were legal or did not feature age restricted products:

  • playing arcade gaming machines such as penny pusher or claw grab machines (19%)
  • placing a bet for money between friends or family (11%)
  • playing cards with friends or family for money (5%).
  • Protecting children and young people from harm remains a priority for the Commission and it is working hard to implement relevant proposals by Government in its Gambling Act Review White Paper.

This includes examining strengthening age verification in premises by considering responses to proposals to:

  • remove the current exemption from carrying out age verification test purchasing for the smallest gambling premises
  • changing the good practice code to say that licensees should have procedures that require their staff to check the age of any customer who appears to be under 25 years of age, rather than under 21 years of age.

As part of the White Paper, the Commission is also examining staff supervision in some premises. The Commission will explore through consultation the evidence around premises where there is not normally direct staff supervision (such as Adult Gaming Centres in service stations) and consider whether existing requirements effectively prevent underage gambling.

gaming

Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens”

Published

on

take-aim-at-mega-wins:-ela-games-unleashes-chaos-with-new-shooter-game-“shoot-happens”
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

A chaotic jungle journey with big, bad foes and insane riches.

Welcome to the jungle, where Shoot Happens! Face your opponent, take aim, and fire your way to riches.

ELA Games unveils its boldest title to date, a combination of decision-making and narrative progression where every shot counts.

In Shoot Happens, you’re not just a player. You’re the main character who has to fend off waves of increasingly dangerous (and valuable) monsters. Armed with 3 shots per round, you’ll need precision and calm nerves to take down the reward and add it to your Winpot. Hit the target for riches. Miss… and it’s back to the beginning.

The Choice Is Yours

Each round is in the hands of the player. Do you cash out now? Or keep slashing through the jungle for bigger and better rewards? Decision-making, timing, and a whole load of guts go a long way.

Expect the Unexpected

Random projectile bonuses can appear in any round, boosting your rewards massively. And just when you thought your journey through the treacherous jungle was over, the final boss appears. While the other monsters may have been a piece of cake, he doesn’t stay down. Each time you defeat him, he respawns for juicier and recurring payouts. Keep going as long as you can handle it, and you might walk out as the top dog of the jungle.

Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the game’s release, “With Shoot Happens, the team ventured outside of conventional game formats, and we wanted to give players a super engaging experience where they’re in control. This title is a bold approach to game design in this industry, as we’re empowering players with choice and enriching the gameplay experience with strong visuals, narratives, and plenty of replayability.”

Play how you want. The Winpot is yours

Shoot Happens is the perfect blend of fast-paced action, bold decision-making, and interactive gameplay. Whether you’re a cautious player or a complete daredevil, the game is an enticing experience for all.

How deep into the jungle are you willing to go?

The post Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

American Gaming Association

AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling

Published

on

aga-research-reveals-consumers-know-sweepstakes-casinos-are-gambling

 

As gaming regulators, state Attorneys General, and state legislatures continue to scrutinize the business practices of online “sweepstakes” casinos, new research shows that consumers overwhelmingly use these platforms to gamble – and that sweepstakes operators are heavily targeting players in key states. By exploiting loopholes in the law, these operations undermine the integrity of the legal, regulated gaming marketplace.

According to Sensor Tower data compiled by the American Gaming Association (AGA), half of all online, real-money casino advertisements seen by consumers in early 2025 promoted offshore “sweepstakes” casinos. The data shows these unregulated operators concentrate their advertising in populous states.

“These operators present themselves like legal, regulated platforms – but they operate outside the law and regulation. There are few if any responsible gaming tools, no regulatory oversight, and no consumer protections. It’s a dangerous subterfuge that puts players at real risk,” said AGA Vice President of Government Relations, Tres York.

Despite operating outside the regulated gaming market, “sweepstakes” casinos are widely perceived by players as gambling platforms, with 68% of users saying their primary reason for playing is to win real money. This confusion is no accident – many of these sites mimic the look, feel, and language of legal operators, blurring the line for consumers and reinforcing the need for clearer enforcement and public education.

Key findings include:

• 90% of sweepstakes casino users consider the activity to be gambling.

• 69% describe sweepstakes casinos as places to wager real money.

• 80% of sweepstakes players spend monthly, and nearly half spend weekly, without the safety nets offered by regulated operators.

The number of monthly sweepstakes casino players is twice as high in states lacking sweepstakes prohibitions.

“Sweepstakes” casinos aggressively market on popular digital platforms throughout the country. Legal, regulated gaming operators, by contrast, advertise responsibly in legal states where consumer protections and regulatory oversight are in place.

“The data is clear. Consumers see right through the ‘sweepstakes’ casino facade and they’re calling it what it is: gambling. We look forward to policymakers continuing to enforce their laws and create clarity through new policy measures to protect their residents,” added York.

The post AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Compliance Updates

MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Gambling Sites Targeting Michigan Players

Published

on

mgcb-issues-cease-and-desist-orders-to-six-illegal-gambling-sites-targeting-michigan-players

 

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist letters to six unlicensed online gambling platforms attempting to target Michigan residents without state authorization. The action underscores the MGCB’s relentless, ongoing efforts to shut down illegal gambling operations and protect Michigan consumers from financial risk, identity theft, and unfair play.

The targeted sites—Crypto Slots, NitroBetting, NewVegas, Las Vegas USA Casino, Grand Rush Casino, and Slotgard Casino—were found to be operating in violation of Michigan laws that require licensure for internet gaming and sports betting.

“These sites were attempting to exploit Michigan players while operating outside the law. We take this seriously. When unauthorized operators offer games without regulation, Michigan players are left exposed—and we will not tolerate it,” said Henry Williams, MGCB Executive Director.

This enforcement action is part of the MGCB’s larger crackdown on illegal online gambling platforms. In recent months, the agency has issued numerous cease-and-desist letters, with additional investigations currently underway.

The MGCB continues to monitor online gaming activity and urges the public to be cautious when engaging with gambling content on social media or through digital advertisements.

The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Gambling Sites Targeting Michigan Players appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Trending