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GamCare Highlights the Potential Harm Loot Boxes and Skins Betting can have on Young People

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GamCare has said that the financial harm caused by loot boxes and skins betting is “a growing concern for many families and professionals working with young people”.

The comments come as the charity’s financial harm manager Raminta Diliso examines the relationship between the financial harms of online gambling and gaming with young people, and how it can be addressed.

Gaming-related products are growing in popularity but currently fall outside the jurisdiction of the Gambling Commission. The financial harm caused by these platforms is a growing concern for many families and professionals working with young people. While GamCare does not currently receive calls to their helpline regarding gaming, this may change in the future as the UK government is examining whether loot boxes could be classed as gambling, has launched a call for evidence earlier in the year.

The two most prominent products in games are loot boxes and skin betting. Loot boxes are “mystery items” embedded within games that can be purchased for randomised rewards, including “skins”. “Mystery items” are mostly made up of content that can give the player a significant in-game advantage over their peers, whereas “skins” are entirely cosmetic items that can be used by the player to customise their avatars and stand out. Young people can end up spending significant sums of their parent’s money in the hope of uncovering something of value. Valuable skins can then be traded in for real money on third-party websites.

GamCare recently facilitated a workshop to take a closer look at the issue of gambling amongst children and young people. The event brought together over 60 representatives from different sectors including financial services (banks, building societies, electronic money institutions), debt advice, gambling businesses and gambling support services as well as those who have been harmed by gambling from a young age.

The Gambling Related Financial Harm Project Steering Group, which includes organisations such as Santander, NatWest, Betting and Gaming Council and PayPlan, has called for a cross-sector response to drive these changes forward. The Group believes that all sectors could take an active role in preventing gambling-related financial harms for children and young people.

Recommendations from Gambling Related Financial Harm Steering Group:

  1. Gambling blocks on all under-18 bank cards

Financial services providers could ensure that every financial product aimed at under-18s has a mandatory gambling block. They could also continue raising awareness of gambling blocks amongst young people and students as they are at heightened risk of developing gambling problems.

  1. Gambling and financial education

Financial services firms and financial education charities could help raise awareness of gambling harms as part of their education programmes. They could work in partnership with gambling education charities, who can provide concise information to inform content development.

  1. Limits on gambling spend for young people

More gambling businesses could apply more stringent monitoring and checks on under-25s accounts to ensure that young people are spending within their means. They could also consider a blanket spending limit for all under-25s to further protect young people from gambling-related financial harm (as Flutter has already done).

  1. Preventing the use of credit use for gambling

Banks could consider what measures can be put in place to prevent students and young people from using their overdraft to gamble. The Department of Education could also work with financial services firms and student finance providers to prevent young people from using student loans and grants for gambling.

  1. Separate gambling within games

Gaming companies could separate gambling-like activities (such as loot boxes) within games and review the appropriate merchant category coding (MCC) for these transactions, which may allow banks to block these transactions as part of voluntary gambling blocks.

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Amusnet

Amusnet Releases its Latest Crash Game “Hot Racing”

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Amusnet has released its latest crash game, Hot Racing. This high-energy game throws players straight onto the track, where every second matters and every decision can boost the win.

Place the bet and watch the race unfold. The multiplier starts climbing the second the cars hit the track, and every moment the player stay in pushes the potential win higher. Want to play it smart? Use the 50% Cash Out to secure part of your winnings while keeping the rest in the race. Push too far, though, and a car can drop out – taking your bet with it. It’s all about timing.

Every round brings a fresh shot of adrenaline. Ready to level up? Place an additional side bet and pick the car you think will surge ahead and win the race. It’s your chance to add more excitement and boost your strategy.

Prefer a more laid-back approach? Turn on Autoplay. Set your number of rounds and your target multiplier, and let the game do the work. Once your target hits, your win locks in automatically – smooth, simple, and stress-free.

The tension builds in seconds. The stakes keep rising. Every race puts you right on the edge – go bigger or cash out now? That’s where the real thrill kicks in.

Hot Racing brings speed, excitement and sharp decision-making into every round. Jump in, trust your instincts and grab your win before the race leaves you behind.

Gamble

Play the game and multiply the winnings through the Gambling feature.

Multipliers

The game starts with a multiplier set at 1x and rises gradually and can go up to a max coefficient of 1,000,000. Multiplier can potentially crash at 1x, ending the game round.

50% Cash Out

Players can cash out 50% of their bet during the game round and continue playing with the remaining 50%.

Side Bet

Add extra excitement with the Side Bet! Pick the car you think will be the faster in the race and increase the potential payout.

Jackpot Cards

The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.

The post Amusnet Releases its Latest Crash Game “Hot Racing” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Diamond Coins

Wazdan enhances Hot Slot™ series with Hot Slot™: Diamond Coins

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Wazdan, the gain-focused game developer, has bolstered its high-performing Hot Slot™ portfolio with the launch of Hot Slot™: Diamond Coins, a vibrant new title that merges the series’ retro charm with mechanics from its flagship Coins™ collection.

Staying true to the Hot Slot™ format, the game spans 15 reels and features fan-favourite mechanics including Cash Infinity™ and Hold the Jackpot™, alongside specially designed Bonus symbols to boost engagement.

In the Hold the Jackpot™ Bonus Game, players compete for a Grand Jackpot of up to 3,000x their stake. Standard Hot Slot™ symbols also remain active on any reel without a Bonus symbol, using two paylines to deliver consistent base-game wins.

The Chance Level™ feature adds an extra layer of strategy and excitement, increasing the likelihood of triggering the Hold the Jackpot™ Bonus Round and offering players a more personalised gameplay experience.

Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wazdan, said:
“Hot Slot™: Diamond Coins marks an exciting milestone in the evolution of the Hot Slot™ series. By combining the retro aesthetics players love with the proven performance of our Coins™ mechanics, and layering in Cash Infinity™, Hold the Jackpot™, and Chance Level™, we’ve created a dynamic experience that immediately captures attention and delivers engaging, high-energy gameplay from the very first spin.”

Hot Slot™: Diamond Coins is now available for integration, designed to perform across global markets and appeal to a broad player base.

The post Wazdan enhances Hot Slot™ series with Hot Slot™: Diamond Coins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Gaming

PopOK Gaming Launches “Matatu Juu”: A Fast-Paced Journey to 10,000x Multipliers

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PopOK Gaming has launched its latest title, Matatu Juu, a fast-paced crash game that brings the vibrant energy of urban commutes to the gaming world. Inspired by the lively “Matatu” culture, the game challenges players to chase escalating multipliers, with the potential for wins of up to 10,000x.

High-Stakes, Player-Controlled Action
At the heart of Matatu Juu is the intuitive Cashout mechanic, giving players full control to decide the perfect moment to secure their rewards before the inevitable crash. Timing and strategy define the thrill, creating a tense, adrenaline-filled experience with every spin.

Key Features:

  • Massive Multiplier Potential: Chase multipliers soaring up to 10,000x for life-changing wins.
  • Player-Centric Control: Cash out at your own pace—play safe or go all-in for the ultimate payout.
  • Seamless Gameplay: A clean, engaging interface that’s easy for newcomers but addictive for experienced players.
  • Vibrant Urban Theme: A colorful, energetic design that blends cultural flair with modern gaming mechanics.

“With Matatu Juu, we wanted to capture the thrill of a fast-paced commute and turn it into a rewarding gaming journey,” said Luiza Melikyan, Head of Business Development at PopOK Gaming. “Combining simple crash mechanics with huge win potential keeps players on the edge of their seats from start to finish.”

Matatu Juu is now available for integration, offering operators a high-engagement title perfectly suited for players seeking instant-win, social-style gaming experiences.

The post PopOK Gaming Launches “Matatu Juu”: A Fast-Paced Journey to 10,000x Multipliers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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