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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.
GR8 Tech has successfully closed the year – a 25% year-on-year increase in turnover, dozens of new clients signed, and a significant boost in client revenue. Throughout the year, the company developed nearly 200 new features and improvements, continually enhancing the functionality of its platform. With over 12.4 billion bets placed in 2024 (a 125% increase year-on-year), GR8 Tech has proven its ability to scale and deliver consistent performance, even during the busiest events.
“Our primary focus in 2024 was to empower operators with tools for seamless platform customization and streamlined management. We introduced geo-specific solutions that enable faster market launches, adapting platforms to meet local demands—whether through bonus mechanics, payment methods, or tailored content for sportsbook and casino. At the same time, we strengthened our offerings with enhanced sportsbook features, new games in the casino vertical, and innovative gamification mechanics to drive player engagement,” said Denys Parkhomenko, Chief Product Officer at GR8 Tech.
GR8 Tech demonstrated its robust scalability by handling 21.5 million bets during the IPL 2024 alone. With the capacity to process 20,000 bets and 54,000 wallet transactions per second, the platform consistently performs even during high-traffic periods.
In 2024, GR8 Tech signed numerous long-term partnerships, bringing its total number of projects worldwide to 45+ and proving the growing demand for customizable iGaming solutions. The company also received industry-wide acclaim, securing multiple prestigious awards, such as Silver as the Best Platform Provider of the Year at SBC Awards, “Best Online Sportsbook Provider” at SiGMA Eurasia, “Best Workplace” at SiGMA Americas, and “Rising Star Provider of the Year” at the Affpapa iGaming Awards 2024.
Building on its achievements, GR8 Tech is set for another successful year, continuing to deliver industry-leading solutions for operators around the world.
“Improvement and excellence are about consistently staying ahead. A trend might emerge and then disappear tomorrow, but improving your product – making it better than the competition – has lasting value. Whether it’s through better personalization, risk management, recommendations, or any other aspect, improvement is essential. And in this industry, you don’t really have a choice. It’s so fast-paced that if something new and valuable appears, you need to adopt it immediately. The mindset of constant improvement is what keeps a product relevant and competitive,” said Sergey Ghazaryan, CRO at GR8 Tech.
GR8 Tech heads into 2025 with a continued commitment to driving high-performance results, leading industry trends, and challenging the norm.
The post The Power of High Performance: GR8 Tech Achieves 25% Turnover Growth in 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Expanding into new markets and unveiling innovative products, SOFTSWISS, a leading tech company with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, looks back on the milestones of its anniversary year.
Tech Achievements
This year, SOFTSWISS enriched its portfolio with three new products: the Lotto Software, the Retail Betting Solution, and a Horse Racing module integrated into the Sportsbook. These new products give operators flexible and secure tools to expand their lottery and betting services.
With over 23,500 games from more than 280 providers, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator has become the largest game hub in the industry. Equipped with unique player engagement tools, it supports over 1,200 iGaming brands, setting a benchmark for innovation and scale.
Uniting Expertise and Efforts for Global Impact
By acquiring a majority stake in South Africa’s Turfsport, SOFTSWISS is combining the expertise of both companies to provide top-tier iGaming solutions in the African region. Securing a significant share in Germany’s Ously Games, the driving force behind the rapidly growing European social casino SpinArena.net, has opened a new niche for SOFTSWISS in the promising social entertainment market.
SOFTSWISS welcomed Formula 1 legend Rubens Barrichello as its Non-Executive Director for LatAm, bolstering the company’s presence in the Brazilian market. By merging expertise from two dynamic industries – iGaming and racing – SOFTSWISS delivers unparalleled insights to drive boundless business growth for its clients.
Amid the devastating floods in Brazil, SOFTSWISS launched the ‘Help Brazil’ campaign, rallying industry players to support those in need. The initiative gained widespread backing from the iGaming media and was honoured as the Socially Responsible Initiative of the Year at the SBC Latinoamérica Awards.
Celebrating 15 Years of Excellence
Marking its 15th year in the iGaming industry with significant achievements, SOFTSWISS honoured this milestone with the Grand Anniversary party. The event took place in Lisbon and united around 600 guests.
SOFTSWISS team also celebrated gaining 22 industry accolades in 2024. Software Supplier, Best Platform Provider, Aggregator of the Year, Crypto Company of the Year, Affiliate Software Supplier, Innovation in iGaming Technology, and Responsible Gaming Award – to name just a few in product categories.
Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, summarises: “New Year’s Eve is a time-honoured moment for reflecting, celebrating achievements, and learning from challenges. At this moment, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, clients, and our incredible team, whose dedication and hard work made this year truly remarkable.”
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post Biggest Game Portfolio and 3 New Products: SOFTSWISS 2024 Overview appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
PopOK Gaming announced the launch of Papai Noel da Fortuna, the latest holiday-themed slot game. Just in time for the season of joy, this exciting release captures the magic of Christmas and New Year with festive fun, dazzling rewards, and immersive gameplay.
Step into a winter wonderland where Santa Claus himself takes center stage, filling the reels with sparkling ornaments, golden bells, and overflowing gift bags. With Papai Noel da Fortuna, every spin is a celebration of holiday cheer and fortune.
Game Highlights That Deliver the Festive Spirit:
Respin Until Win: Triggered randomly, this feature locks matching symbols on the first and third reels to guarantee a win.
x10 Multiplier: Achieve identical symbols or Wilds across a reel to boost your win by 10 times.
Enchanting Visuals & Festive Soundtrack: Dive into a magical holiday atmosphere led by Santa himself.
Max Win Potential: Unwrap rewards of up to 2000x your total bet!
Crafted with stunning graphics, cheerful holiday music, and engaging mechanics, Papai Noel da Fortuna ensures an unforgettable gaming experience for players, making it the ultimate slot game for the festive season.
Celebrate the holidays in style with PopOK Gaming’s Papai Noel da Fortuna. Unwrap the fun, spin the reels, and let the season of giving bring you spectacular rewards.
Stay tuned for more updates from PopOK Gaming, and don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of Papai Noel da Fortuna.
The holiday adventure starts now!
The post PopOK Gaming Brings Festive Cheer with the Release of “Papai Noel da Fortuna” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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