Connect with us

Latest News

GamCare highlights sharp rise in gambling-related issues this Christmas, new research reveals

Published

on

gamcare-highlights-sharp-rise-in-gambling-related-issues-this-christmas,-new-research-reveals
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

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.

Claire Osborne Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment

Two new slots from Inspired — Coin Inferno Step ‘N’ Stack™ and Mummy It Up™

Published

on

two-new-slots-from-inspired-—-coin-inferno-step-‘n’-stack-and-mummy-it-up

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. is thrilled to unveil the release of two entertaining online and mobile slots: Coin Inferno Step ‘N’ Stack™ and Mummy It Up™, in the UK and Maltese iGaming markets.

Inspired is excited to unveil the release of their new two slot games, broadening the popular Cash Bank series.

Coin Inferno Step ’N’ Stack introduces a fiery twist to traditional slot gameplay with a 3×3 reel setup, five heated win-lines, and casino-themed symbols amidst a background of a raging sea of flames. Central to the base game are Cash Collector symbols that gather visible cash values, generating excitement and forming a pseudo-progressive coin stack that remains on the reels, amplifying the thrill with each spin. The thrill intensifies with the Win & Spin Bonus, where locked collectors, expanding reel rows, and resettable spins merge to form an exhilarating, continually escalating chase for hot cash prizes. For gamers seeking greater control and increased volatility, Fortune Spins, Fortune Bet, Gamble, and Bonus Buy choices offer exciting opportunities to intensify the action and pursue potentially larger payouts.

Mummy It Up with Cash Bank immerses players in a realm of ancient Egyptian magnificence, showcasing glimmering gold and timeless enigma. Nestled within opulent palaces embellished with scarabs, favorable beings, and treasures fit for Pharaohs, each spin ignites a spirit of exploration and the quest for exhilarating Cash Bank victories. The game expands its well-liked Cash Collection features through Cash Bank Free Spins, pseudo-persistence Scarab collections, and a Wheel Bonus Game that can grant free spins, bonus entry, or access to one of four shining Prize Pots: Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand. The game is additionally improved with enjoyable character reel modifiers and customizable gameplay features like Fortune Spins, Fortune Bet, Bonus Buy, and Gamble choices.

Claire Osborne, Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, said: “Inspired is starting 2026 with strong momentum, and these two launches set the tone for the year ahead. Coin Inferno Step ’N’ Stack and Mummy It Up both deliver fun and big win excitement for players, while supporting sustained player engagement and strong performance for operators. With a roadmap packed full of exciting new content, Inspired is well positioned to drive continued growth across the iGaming landscape.”

The post Two new slots from Inspired — Coin Inferno Step ‘N’ Stack™ and Mummy It Up™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

ELA Games

Following ICE 2026 Triumph, ELA Games Officially Releases “Wealth of the East”

Published

on

following-ice-2026-triumph,-ela-games-officially-releases-“wealth-of-the-east”

ELA Games is excited to announce the official B2B launch of Wealth of the East. The game, now accessible to partners, was initially introduced to the industry as the studio’s highlight during the three-day event in Barcelona, where it attracted the attention of numerous operators and aggregators because of its unique combination of slot mechanics and tabletop gaming.

The unique unveiling at ICE turned out to be a significant triumph, paving the way for the complete rollout. The ELA Games exhibit gathered industry representatives to engage with the game’s distinctive selling proposition: a twenty-sided Dice (D20) element that adds a tactile, physical sensation to digital slot gaming.

A Festivity of Wealth

The reels of Wealth of the East sparkle with the vibrant essence of an Eastern celebration. The gameplay is centered around the charming figure God Fu, a god of wealth serving as the Wild symbol in the game. He may arrive at any moment, and when he shows up, all Dice on the display spring to life, uncovering multipliers that enhance every coin visible or activate instant Jackpots. These empowered coins provide instant payouts, rewarding players as soon as they appear.

Sparking the Hold & Win Safe

The game showcases a visually impressive progression system crafted to uphold the festive theme and decorated with vibrant reds and golds. Every gathered coin also flies upward into the Golden Pot located above the reels, gradually enriching it with festive treasure that players can see and experience.

As the pot overflows, the screen bursts into red and gold as the Hold & Win game starts. Players receive 3 respins and a setup prepared to collect gold. In this intense feature, the elusive Imperial Lotus can appear, boosting multiple rewards simultaneously and elevating the entire round to new levels.

Game Stats:

● Reels: 5×3
● Lines: 10
● Max Win: x5,000
● Max Exposure: €250,000
● Buy Bonus: Yes
● Volatility: Mid
● RTP: 93.97% / 96.06%

Marharyta Yerina, Managing Director of ELA Games, commented: “Wealth of the East was the perfect title for us to showcase at ICE 2026. We took the classic t’Eastern Celebration’ theme and gave it a distinct twist with the God Fu character and his twenty-sided dice. It adds an original, tactile layer of excitement that players really respond to. The ‘Rising Pot’ visualizes the journey toward the bonus, keeping the excitement building spin after spin. We can’t wait for the industry to see the celebration in action.”

The post Following ICE 2026 Triumph, ELA Games Officially Releases “Wealth of the East” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Latest News

QTech Games add more content muscle with Reflex Gaming portfolio

Published

on

qtech-games-add-more-content-muscle-with-reflex-gaming-portfolio

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for all emerging markets, has signed its latest supplier partnership with Reflex Gaming, the UK’s largest independently owned omnichannel game supplier, enabling its platform customers to access the studio’s expansive slots catalogue.

Established in 2004, Reflex Gaming’s prolific production line run of legendary games has catapulted the supplier to igaming prominence and recognition, offering a diverse array of gaming experiences across both digital and analogue markets, and driving through new innovations in gaming, including the creation of entirely new gaming categories.

Reflex Gaming creates the highest quality digital gaming content for license to many of the world’s leading casino operators, as evidenced by its steady stream of recent hit titles, including Candy Crazed Pandas DoubleMax, Big Game Fishing Christmas Catch, The Cursed Idol, and 8 Balls of Fire Blazing Bounty. All of these games and more are now available via QTech’s premier platform, which is taking the widest range of online games to international markets, with established names sitting alongside the industry’s most exciting up-and-coming providers.

This collaboration naturally broadens Reflex Gaming’s international scope, unlocking untapped regions for diversified growth, above all in Africa and Latin America.

QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We’re dedicated to constantly launching more and more first-class content and product innovation that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Reflex Gaming extends our impressive sequential pipeline into 2026 – and we’ve so much more to come this year! In today’s marketplace, only premium games of the highest standard separate you from the crowd. So, we look forward to sharing their wide spectrum of games with both leading and challenger operator brands in emerging markets worldwide.”

Mat Ingram, Chief Product Officer at Reflex Gaming, added: “At Reflex Gaming, we pride ourselves on working with the sector’s biggest and most commercially recognised partners, and QTech Games fits our growth plan perfectly, as we continue to expand our horizons into new territories, leveraging our brand’s values which . QTech’s platform is a gateway to global audiences, so we can’t wait to see how our highly engaging games perform across a greenfield landscape of emerging markets.”

The post QTech Games add more content muscle with Reflex Gaming portfolio appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania