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BGC Calls on UK Government to Put Child Protection “Front and Centre” of Gambling White Paper
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has called on the UK Government to make child protection a priority in its forthcoming Gambling White Paper.
Chief executive Michael Dugher made the call as the BGC highlighted the work already done by the regulated industry to keep young people safe.
He said the measures were in “stark contrast” to the unsafe unregulated black market online, which has none of the safer gambling measures offered by BGC members, like strict age verification checks.
In all, 15 child protection measures have been introduced since 2019, when the BGC was established, with further measures planned in the months ahead.
They include the £10m Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme, which is delivered to children, teachers and youth workers across the UK by leading safer gambling charities YGAM and GamCare.
Earlier this year, BGC members introduced new rules aimed at ensuring that children cannot view gambling ads on football clubs’ official social media accounts.
BGC members also introduced new age gating rules on advertising on social platforms, restricting the ads to those aged 25 and over for most sites.
Early results from one operator showed a 96% drop in views of social media advertisements by those aged 18–24 in the final three months of 2020, compared to the same period the year before.
The whistle to whistle ban on TV betting commercials during live sport before the watershed has led to a 97% reduction in the number of young people viewing such ads at that time.
As a further example of our members’ commitment to child protection, figures released by independent analysts Serve Legal revealed that betting shops’ record on age verification checks are better than those of supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol forecourts.
Ninety per cent of betting shops have passed “secret shopper” checks in 2021 so far, compared to 83% of convenience stores, 77% of supermarkets and 76% of petrol forecourts.
The BGC is also working with social media platforms and search companies to look at ways of allowing individuals to unsubscribe from betting ads.
The BGC is also calling on others in the regulated betting and gaming industry, and those selling products such as scratch cards in convenience stores and fruit machines in pubs, to follow the lead of betting shops in their success with independent age verification checks
In a sign that the work the BGC has done is having an impact a recent report by the Gambling Commission showed that the rate of problem gambling for 16 to 24-year-olds had fallen from 0.8% to 0.4%.
According to separate Gambling Commission data, the proportion of young people saying they had gambled in the previous seven days fell from 23% in 2011 to 11% in 2019. The regulator also found that the main forms of gambling by 11 to 16-year-olds are playing cards, private bets with friends, scratchcards and fruit machines, not with BGC members.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “We strongly support the Government’s Gambling Review, which highlighted the protection of children and vulnerable people in a fair and open gambling economy as one of the Government’s main priorities. We therefore hope that child protection will be front and centre of the forthcoming white paper.
“It is clear that the steps BGC members have taken over the previous two years are now providing results.
“Nevertheless, we are not complacent, and protecting young people remains our top priority as we continue raising standards across the regulated industry.
“The BGC and our members will continue drive further changes to prevent under-18s and other vulnerable groups from being exposed to gambling advertising online.
“The regulated betting and gaming industry is determined to promote safer gambling, which is in stark contrast to the unsafe and growing online black market, which has none of the safeguards which are commonplace among BGC members.”
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Spinomenal Welcomes Majestic Joker into Its Classics Series
Spinomenal, a top iGaming content provider, has introduced Majestic Joker within its renowned Spinomenal Classics series.
Majestic Joker draws influence from the elegance of a traditional casino setting, infused with a fun, contemporary twist. Against a vibrant, dramatic setting of red and gold, Spinomenal’s newest launch features traditional fruit symbols like grapes, lemons, cherries, and watermelons.
An upbeat, dynamic soundtrack enhances the experience, elevating the gameplay and making players sense that each spin is crucial to the performance. The impressive Joker emblem signifies the Wild and can substitute for any symbol except for Double symbols, Free Spins, and Bonus symbols. Five Wilds appearing on a winning line reward players with x200.
Players who hit three Free Spins icons will activate the Free Spins feature. Prior to accessing the feature, players need to spin the Wheel of Fortune to find out the number of free spins they receive – between 10 and 40 – and the symbol that will double during the round.
A golden Star emblem signifies the Bonus feature, where three Stars activate the Bonus game. Players start with three spins, aiming to fill the meter by gathering dispersed winning symbols. For every five collected symbols, one cell in the metre is filled. Obtaining a +1 symbol grants an additional spin, and after the spins conclude, the ultimate payout is based on the highest filled meter cell.
Majestic Joker includes the Stacked Wilds feature, allowing Wild symbols to show up on the reels while spinning to boost winning opportunities. Throughout the base game, only Double Symbols can be triggered, converting all visible symbols into their double versions.
Spinomenal CO-CEO, Omer Henya commented: “Majestic Joker encapsulates everything that players love about classic slots experiences, reimagined with a modern touch and proven mechanics. Our newest addition to our Classics series is a modern tribute to classic slot entertainment.”
The post Spinomenal Welcomes Majestic Joker into Its Classics Series appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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Thunderkick Unveils Pan’s Arcadia, a Utopian Wilderness
Independent slots developer Thunderkick has infused the age-old concept of harmony into Pan’s Arcadia, where the deity of nature combines a serene environment with a Sticky Respins feature and a complex progressive bonus game.
Pan is surrounded by elemental nymphs on the 6×3 grid, set against a picturesque background filled with wildlife. The core game is enhanced by the Sticky Respin feature, which can be triggered on any winning spin, fixing symbols in position and re-spinning the other icons to prolong the gameplay.
Landing three magical scatters activates the bonus round, in which three dice are cast to grant up to 18 free spins. During the feature, more scatters are gathered, and every third one provides three extra spins. These sets propel advancement through the bonus stages, as finished groups of three dice have their values multiplied and summed to the Cube collection meter.
The initial four levels, activated by gathering 36 to 179 Cube points, turn the different nymphs into wilds for the rest of the round. Level five, achieved with 180 points, eliminates all mid-value symbols and brings in the valuable Dark Pandora symbol. At this point, the Sticky Respin feature stays active, and one wild is added to the grid prior to each spin.
The conclusion is unveiled with 216 points, changing Dark Pandora into the mighty Pandora of Light, which features solely Pan symbols and wilds. Every spin features a 2×2 wild positioned on reels three and four, with each filled spot applying a 2x multiplier to wins that intersect. In this feature, Sticky Respins keep symbols fixed in position regardless of winning, allowing for a maximum win potential of 4,320x.
Pan’s Arcadia reflects Thunderkick’s ongoing commitment to crafting immersive game worlds, combining premium production with thoughtfully layered feature sets designed to maximise replay value and deliver operators sustained commercial impact.
Viktor Johansson, Slot Game Creator at Thunderkick, said: “Patience and progression sit at the heart of Pan’s Arcadia. It is a journey designed to evolve over time, where each step forward feels meaningful and persistence levels up potential.
“Arcadia represents a utopic vision, a balance between nature and spirit, and it was essential for that tone to carry through the entire game. The art team has created a serene world, which, when paired with the depth of the bonus game, delivers a cohesive and engaging experience.”
The post Thunderkick Unveils Pan’s Arcadia, a Utopian Wilderness appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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Meridianbet Completes Fairbet Acquisition, Expanding Malta Retail Gaming Network Under Golden Matrix Group
Meridianbet, a leading global sports betting and gaming operator and a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has completed the acquisition of Fairbet Ltd., a licensed retail gaming operator in Malta.
The transaction significantly expands Meridianbet’s physical retail footprint in one of Europe’s most tightly regulated gaming jurisdictions.
Fairbet operates under Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license B2C/195/2011, and the acquisition grants Meridianbet 100% ownership of Fairbet’s retail operations across Malta and Gozo, the archipelago’s second-largest island. The deal expands Meridianbet’s presence beyond its existing locations and further consolidates its position within the Maltese retail gaming market.
As part of the transaction, nine additional retail locations will be integrated into the Meridianbet network, increasing the company’s total number of storefronts in Malta to 20. The enlarged retail estate is expected to operate more than 60 sports betting terminals and over 120 slot machines, significantly boosting Meridianbet’s land-based gaming capacity.
The companies’ previous technology partnership will now transition into full operational integration, with Meridianbet assuming complete operational control of Fairbet’s retail network. All locations will be rebranded under the Meridianbet name, ensuring unified technology, compliance, and customer experience across the portfolio.
Malta’s retail gaming sector is governed by one of the most restrictive regulatory frameworks in Europe, with only three licensed operators permitted to operate retail betting locations: Meridianbet, Izibet (the National Lottery operator), and Fairbet. With Fairbet now wholly owned by Meridianbet, the company effectively controls two of the three retail gaming licenses in the jurisdiction.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) enforces strict licensing criteria, substantial capital requirements, and rigorous compliance standards that create significant barriers to market entry. These conditions limit competition and create long-term scarcity value for licensed operators that meet the regulatory threshold.
“Completing the acquisition of Fairbet strengthens our position in a market where regulatory barriers create inherent scarcity value,” said Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet. “This transaction allows us to expand our retail infrastructure in Malta, while our technology now supports the majority of licensed retail gaming in the country. It reflects our disciplined M&A strategy, targeting high-barrier markets where limited licensing creates durable competitive advantages.”
The Fairbet acquisition aligns with Meridianbet’s broader growth strategy, which combines organic expansion with selective mergers and acquisitions in jurisdictions where regulation encourages consolidation. Malta has been a core operational hub for Meridianbet since 2008, with the company ranking among the country’s originally licensed gaming operators during the early development of the MGA framework.
Malta’s gaming industry benefits from a regulatory regime widely regarded as one of Europe’s most credible. The MGA’s oversight framework emphasizes investor protection, technical compliance, and financial stability, positioning Malta-licensed operators for trust and recognition across international markets.
Meridianbet’s expanded retail footprint across Malta and Gozo enhances its ability to serve both local customers and the island nation’s strong tourism sector. According to Malta’s National Statistics Office, tourist arrivals exceeded three million visitors in 2024, reinforcing the strategic value of a broad, well-positioned retail gaming network
The post Meridianbet Completes Fairbet Acquisition, Expanding Malta Retail Gaming Network Under Golden Matrix Group appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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