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GambleAware Research Finds People from West Midlands up to 25% More Likely to Experience Gambling Harm Compared to National Average

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A recent research conducted by GambleAware has shed light on the West Midlands region, revealing that it faces a higher risk of problem gambling compared to the rest of the country.

GambleAware’s latest report highlights the West Midlands as the region most exposed to gambling harms. According to the research, approximately 168,000 adults in the West Midlands, equivalent to 3.9% of the local population, are experiencing problem gambling. This figure is 25% higher than the national average, indicating a significant concern within the region.

The data serves as a wake-up call, emphasising the urgent need for proactive measures and support systems to address problem gambling in the West Midlands. By shining a light on this issue, GambleAware aims to encourage public discourse and reduce the stigma associated with problem gambling.

Stigma plays a significant role in preventing individuals from seeking help for problem gambling. GambleAware’s research reveals that 75% of those experiencing problem gambling do not feel comfortable discussing their struggles with family and friends. Moreover, feedback suggests that three in five individuals often choose not to engage with those facing gambling harms due to the associated stigma.

Dr. Joanne Lloyd, an Associate Professor and gambling harms expert at the University of Wolverhampton, emphasises the impact of stigma on seeking treatment. She states, “Stigma is a massive issue in relation to gambling harms as it is one of the biggest barriers to people seeking treatment.” Dr. Lloyd underscores the importance of understanding and addressing stigma to facilitate individuals’ access to the help they need.

Recognising the significance of stigma in preventing individuals from seeking support, GambleAware has launched a comprehensive stigma campaign. This campaign aims to encourage people to open up about their experiences with gambling and to seek the free help and support available.

The initiative has garnered support from various stakeholders, including Andrew Rhodes, the Chief Executive Officer of the UK Gambling Commission. He commends the GambleAware stigma campaign, stating, “Acknowledging the courage it takes to initiate conversations about gambling, any efforts to dismantle barriers to addressing gambling harms are truly appreciated.”

GambleAware emphasises the importance of ensuring that individuals impacted by problem gambling in the West Midlands and across Great Britain are aware of the wide range of support services available to them. By increasing awareness and reducing stigma, they aim to create an environment where people feel safe to come forward and seek help.

Zoe Osmond, the Chief Executive of GambleAware, emphasises this point, stating, “This is why our stigma campaign is working to encourage people to open up about their experiences of gambling and seek the free help and support that is available.” Osmond recognises the vital role of support services in assisting individuals affected by problem gambling.

The government is also taking steps to protect those at risk of gambling harm in the West Midlands and throughout the country. Stuart Andrew, the Minister for Gambling, recognises the role of stigma as a barrier to seeking help. He highlights the benefits of opening up about gambling struggles and the importance of informing others when facing difficulties.

The government’s commitment to addressing problem gambling is evident in their gambling white paper, which includes measures to tackle gambling harms. Recent initiatives, such as stake limits for online slot games, demonstrate their determination to protect vulnerable individuals.

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Global Esports Federation confirms program for Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games

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The Global Esports Federation at its 16th Board Meeting approved the draft program for the Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games, to be held in December 2026. This follows the earlier announcement of Los Angeles as host city at a major ceremony hosted by Los Angeles Times Media Group Executive Chairman & CEO Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel—now marking a significant milestone on the road to GEF’s flagship event in the United States.

The GEF Board also unanimously elected Paul J. Foster as President of the Global Esports Federation. Paul, who is GEF Chief Executive Officer, was appointed President ad interim following the resignation of founding President Chris Chan in July, and now assumes the role of President & CEO through December 2027.

“I’m honored to be elected President of the Global Esports Federation at today’s Board Meeting. Together with our Member Federations and partners, we will champion inclusion, innovation, and sustainability—empowering athletes, embracing digital transformation, and strengthening the global credibility and prestige of esports for generations to come.” –Paul J. Foster, GEF President & CEO.

In addition, the GEF Board approved the establishment of frameworks to develop the esports ecosystem in the United States, anchored in Los Angeles. This initiative will strengthen the GEF’s connections with stakeholders worldwide and reinforce its mission to elevate esports for all.

The outcomes of GEF 16th Board Meeting reaffirm the GEF’s role as a convening platform, uniting athletes, publishers, Member Federations, and partners to power the future of esports globally.

The post Global Esports Federation confirms program for Los Angeles 2026 Global Esports Games appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Playtech successfully launches Retail Sports Betting on MSC Cruise Ships

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Playtech announced the successful launch of its retail sports betting rollout across the MSC Cruises fleet. The deployment builds on a recently established partnership between the two companies earlier this year, marking Playtech’s entry into the cruise leisure sector and extends its innovative technology to a new frontier in entertainment.

As the world’s third largest cruise line and the market leader in Europe with a strong and growing presence in North America, MSC Cruises offers a powerful platform for Playtech’s global expansion into new verticals. This strategic collaboration introduces Playtech’s cutting-edge sports betting solutions to the cruise sector, enhancing the onboard entertainment experience for guests.

MSC Cruises’ onboard casinos are designed to deliver a dynamic mix of entertainment, featuring reel, video, and video poker slot machines, alongside timeless table games such as Roulette, Blackjack, Three Card Poker, and Texas Hold’em. With the addition of sports betting, guests now have even more ways to engage and enjoy their time at sea. Guests can place bets on a wide range of sports events through Self-Service Betting Terminals and Playtech’s newly developed mobile tills, all seamlessly integrated with guests’ onboard accounts for a smooth and secure experience.

Yori Arami, VP Sports at Playtech commented; “We are excited to partner with MSC Cruises and bring our retail sports betting solutions to their impressive fleet. This partnership represents a significant milestone for Playtech as we continue to expand our offerings and provide unique, engaging experiences for players around the world on land and sea.”

Mara Friso, Head of Casino at MSC Cruises said, “We are very proud to be able to deliver the excitement and engagement of sports gaming to our guests through our partnership with Playtech. Our fleet of modern cruise ships will provide our customers a wide array of immersive digital content as a complement to our state-of-the-art cruise casinos.”

The initial phase of the rollout is now live across seven MSC Cruises vessels, with additional deployments scheduled over the coming months. The integration leverages Playtech’s advanced retail sports betting technology, delivering a seamless and engaging experience for guests onboard.

The post Playtech successfully launches Retail Sports Betting on MSC Cruise Ships appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Kristina Dimoski Account Manager at Meridianbet

SYNOT Games expands Latin American footprint with Meridianbet partnership in Peru

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SYNOT Games, a leading international iGaming content provider, is proud to announce the extension of its strategic partnership with Meridianbet on the Peruvian market. This alliance marks a major step forward in SYNOT’s strategy to expand across Latin America, one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for online gaming.   

Through this collaboration, Meridianbet will integrate SYNOT’s full portfolio of premium online slots into its next platform. Players in Peru will gain access to top-performing titles, including Money Vaults, 100 Stunning Fruits, and 7even Max – all designed with immersive gameplay, mobile-first performance, and full regulatory compliance.

SYNOT Games is extending its collaboration with the well-known Meridianbet brand, which operates across multiple jurisdictions. The partnership in Peru positions both companies for long-term growth in the LatAm region and beyond.

Following successful launches in Serbia, Bosnia, and Montenegro, the partnership will soon expand to fast-growing Brazilian iGaming landscape. Through this alliance, SYNOT Games will strengthen its brand visibility also in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking markets by delivering localized, high-quality content tailored to regional player preferences. Meanwhile, Meridianbet will enhance its global gaming offer with a wide range of certified HTML5 titles and proven retention tools used in other regulated markets.

Latin America is at the heart of our international growth strategy,” said Martina Krajčí, CCO at SYNOT Games.

We are excited to partner with Meridianbet  in Peru, a trusted and dynamic operator, to bring our games to new audiences across the region. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation, quality, and long-term market development.”

Kristina Dimoski, Account Manager at Meridianbet shares operator’s perspective:  “At Meridianbet, we are always looking for partners who can deliver value not only through outstanding games, but also through a clear understanding of local markets. SYNOT Games brings both. Their portfolio is diverse, engaging, and built with quality in mind, making it a perfect fit for our rapidly growing player base in Peru.

By combining SYNOT’s strong creative production with Meridianbet deep global iGaming market knowledge, the collaboration aims to boost player engagement, session time, and retention across the continent.

The post SYNOT Games expands Latin American footprint with Meridianbet partnership in Peru appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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