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GamCare highlights sharp rise in gambling-related issues this Christmas, new research reveals
People with gambling issues are more likely to be turning to the activity this festive period than last year, according to new research from the gambling support charity, GamCare.
In a recent survey from YouGov of over 4,000 UK adults, commissioned by the charity, three-fifths (59%) of those who experience problems due to their gambling** say they are more likely to gamble at Christmas than other times of the year – up from 37% last year.
Advisers on GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline are highlighting how the festive period can be a testing time for those struggling with their gambling, as well as family and friends affected.
Last December, the Helpline saw a 39% increase in calls and online chats compared to the same month in the previous year, making it the busiest Christmas period on record.
Additionally, the survey highlights:
- Over half (53%) of people gambling at harmful levels say they have spent money intended for presents, food, or other seasonal expenses on gambling.
- Nearly three in five people gambling at harmful levels (59%) are more likely to gamble during the festive season compared to just 6% of people who gamble without issues.
- For those gambling at harmful levels more than half (53%) reporting increased feelings of stress or anxiety due to gambling and 56% said that gambling made them feel more isolated.
- Two in three (65%) people gambling at harmful levels have concerns someone in their family or household might overspend on gambling during the festive period. This compares to one in 25 (4%) of those who are not.
Mark Weiss, Deputy Chief Executive, at GamCare said: “The festive period can be a difficult time for those struggling with gambling, but it can also provide a good opportunity to open up about the issues you’re facing. Our new research shows that there has been an increase in people who already have gambling issues saying they are more likely to gamble over the festive period than at other times of the year.
“GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline provides free confidential support 24/7, 365 days of the year – including Christmas Day and the whole of the festive season. There are many ways you can get support, whether it’s calling an Adviser or using our live chat and WhatsApp features in case you are concerned about privacy while family and friends are around.”
GamCare Helpline Advisers often hear about the financial strain caused by early December paydays. One Helpline Adviser said: “An extra temptation to gamble can stem from most people having an early December payday. This, alongside the added financial pressures associated with Christmas, the influence of alcohol, changes in routine, and high-profile sporting events, can conflate the struggles someone with gambling harms may already be going through.”
Another Helpline Adviser said: “There’s a lot of image consciousness around Christmas and people feel the pressure to go further than they can financially afford. Whether it’s presents, food, or family spending, all of these things can lead to debt.
“The anxieties and pressures of Christmas creates a drive to find additional funds. Therefore, some people may be thinking about using gambling to fund the financial pressures that Christmas brings.”
GamCare’s Helpline Advisers are available one-to-one over the phone or on live chat 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133. People can also get free one-to-one support sessions through the National Gambling Support Network, wherever they are in Great Britain.
The post GamCare highlights sharp rise in gambling-related issues this Christmas, new research reveals appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has announced its latest partnership with leading Baltic operator Optibet, part of Entain, marking a strategic expansion in Lithuania and Estonia.
Through the agreement, Optibet now offers over 70 of Evoplay’s premium slot titles to its customers in both markets, including popular games such as The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy, Elven Princesses, and Fruit Super Nova.
Optibet, part of global gaming giant Entain, is a trusted operator across the Baltics, providing Evoplay with a solid foundation to grow its presence in the region.
This exclusive partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences and increasing engagement within these key markets.
Ihor Zarechnyi, CBDO at Evoplay, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Optibet, a trusted name across the Baltics, to bring our games to players in Lithuania and Estonia.”
“This collaboration marks an important step in our commitment to expanding in regulated markets and offering tailored experiences that resonate with local audiences.”
Janis Bariss, Entain Head of Gaming Baltics & Nordics, said: “Optibet is dedicated to providing our players with the best in gaming entertainment and partnering with Evoplay allows us to deliver an exciting range of content that adds real value to our portfolio.”
“Evoplay’s innovative approach and diverse game selection will be a fantastic addition to our online casinos in Lithuania and Estonia, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact it has on our audience.”
The post Evoplay expands Baltic presence with new Optibet collaboration appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Revolver Gaming is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Hammon as its new Board Advisor.
With an illustrious career in the gaming and iGaming sectors, Simon brings an exceptional depth of expertise to support Revolver Gaming’s growth ambitions in the online gaming sector.
Simon Hammon is a seasoned leader in the gaming industry, having previously served as CEO of Relax Gaming, where he played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and cementing its position as a leading content aggregator and developer. Prior to his tenure at Relax Gaming, Simon held the role of Chief Product Officer (CPO) at NetEnt, where he oversaw the development of an award-winning portfolio of games and spearheaded major innovations in the sector.
“We are thrilled to welcome Simon to the Revolver Gaming team,” said Ryan Lazarus, CEO at Revolver Gaming. “His extensive experience at the helm of industry-leading organisations like Relax Gaming and NetEnt makes him uniquely qualified to help us strengthen our position in the iGaming landscape. Simon’s insights and strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue to push the boundaries of game design and expand our global presence.”
As Board Advisor, Simon Hammon will work closely with Revolver Gaming’s leadership team to refine the company’s strategic direction and expend its position in the fast-evolving iGaming industry. Under Simon’s guidance, Revolver Gaming aims to broaden its market reach, enhance its product portfolio and delivery service, and solidify its collaborations with operators across the globe.
“Revolver Gaming has established a strong foundation for growth and is a hidden gem on the verge of breaking through to the next level,” said Simon Hammon. “The company has a well-earned reputation for creating innovative and highly engaging games, and I’m thrilled to join at such an exciting tipping point. The talent and vision within Revolver Gaming are exceptional, and I look forward to helping the team realise its ambitions and achieve its full potential.”
The post Revolver Gaming Welcomes Simon Hammon as Board Advisor appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Innovative indie developer invites players to stack up towering wins in an all-new cyber punk-themed slot released via the SwinttStudios partnership programme
Get ready to hit the neon streets of a space age city in Babel Builder Accumulator – the new cyber punk-themed slot from up-and-coming software provider, Samurai Studio, where scaling towering megastructures can lead to colossal wins of up to 8,082x the bet.
The third Samurai Studio game to be released via the pioneering SwinttStudios programme, Babel Builder Accumulator is a five-reel, 20-payline slot set in a gritty, urban landscape. Featuring a pulse-racing, techno-inspired soundtrack and high-tech cast of androids and augmented humans as its symbols, the game really does an outstanding job of conveying a dystopian future.
Of course, this rampant advancement of technology is not without its perks – and Babel Builder Accumulator boasts a couple of standout features to help players stay ahead of the game. First of all, on any given spin Mirror Reels can trigger to turn two or more columns into identical copies of each other, significantly boosting the odds of landing multiple matching payout combinations.
Secondly, landing three or more scatter symbols in any position will activate the Accumulator Bonus. Whenever this happens, players will be granted three free re-spins with an initial in-game multiplier of 1x, 3x or 5x depending on the number of triggering scatters. With the reels now only displaying prize symbols worth between 1x and 50x the selected bet, whenever players land a prize, not only will the re-spin counter reset, but they’ll also fill one section of the progress metre.
Once six sections have been completed, a random multiplier of 1x, 3x or 5x will be added to the accumulator total – which can reach a maximum of 30x – with this process repeating until no new prizes arrive and the re-spin counter hits zero. In this manner, the feature can be prolonged indefinitely for truly epic wins, and players can also enter the bonus directly for an additional bet.
David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “We’ve already been treated to some incredible releases from Samurai Studio – and Babel Builder Accumulator might be the best yet!
“Featuring an eye-catching cyber punk aesthetic, atmospheric soundtrack and an incomparable Accumulator Bonus where players can scale their way to maximum wins of 8,082x their bet, the game really does have all the makings of a modern slot and we’re delighted to be able to use our existing network of casino partners to help Samurai Studio reach new audiences worldwide.”
The post Samurai Studio shoots for the stars in Babel Builder Accumulator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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