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UK NHS Warns Rise in Gambling Addiction Rates

Published

6 years ago

April 10, 2020

Reading Time: < 1 minute

An NHS clinic in Leeds has warned that gamblers could struggle during the coronavirus crisis as isolation could push them to addiction and debt.

The clinic expects a rise in problem gambling rates during the pandemic as people have more time on their hands, coupled with financial and job insecurity. Following the cancellation and postponement of all major sports events, it is feared gamblers are turning to addictive online casinos.

“There are a range of risk factors in place at the moment: social isolation, boredom, stress, financial and job insecurity and the opportunity to gamble online. While a lot of sports betting has stopped, we are expecting a rise in referrals further down the line. It takes time for gambling harm to spread across someone’s life and for them to realise they have a problem. We are concerned that the next wave of gambling addiction will happen under these circumstances and that customers are not being adequately protected,” Clinical lead Matthew Gaskell said.

Chris Murphy, from Leeds, said his gambling addiction got to the stage where he tried to take his own life.

Mr Murphy, who has not placed a bet for about 16 months, said: “Isolation is a big risk factor. As with many addictions, gambling can be an isolated act; particularly online gambling. You can effectively be sat in a casino in your own house. Certainly the insecurities people are feeling now, financially and emotionally, can be played on. I would just urge anyone thinking of solving these insecurities by gambling to take a step back…”

The NHS Northern Gambling Service is offering video support amid the crisis.

Armenia

Totogaming.am Adds SPRIBE’s Aviator in Long-Awaited Release

Published

29 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

totogaming.am-adds-spribe’s-aviator-in-long-awaited-release

Aviator is SPRIBE’s top crash game, launched in 2019. In this rapid and vibrant setup, the payout multiplier rises as the plane ascends, with players individually choosing when to cash out by pressing the “Cashout” button.

To enhance the launch of this already iconic game in the Armenian market, Totogaming kicked off an innovative teaser campaign, allowing 10 users to win a private flight for three.

“We wanted our users to experience the emotions, dynamics, and uniqueness of the Aviator game not only on the platform, but also in real life. This idea became the foundation of the teaser campaign, which resulted in a successful launch and strong interest from players,” said Victorya Harutyunyan, Head of Product Marketing at Totogaming.

“Launching Aviator on Totogaming is an important milestone for SPRIBE in the Armenian market. This partnership allows us to bring our flagship crash game to a highly engaged local audience, while ensuring the premium level of experience that players worldwide expect from Aviator. We value Totogaming’s commitment to innovation and are delighted to see such a strong reception from players from day one,” said Taras Kozovit, Head of Business Development at SPRIBE.

SPRIBE’s Aviator is solely offered on Totogaming in the Armenian market, underscoring the company’s commitment to broadening its selection with internationally acclaimed games while providing unique experiences to its local players.

The post Totogaming.am Adds SPRIBE’s Aviator in Long-Awaited Release appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Etienne Azzopardi new Interim Managing Director at Swintt

Etienne Azzopardi Takes the Helm as Interim Managing Director at Swintt

Published

29 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

etienne-azzopardi-takes-the-helm-as-interim-managing-director-at-swintt

Fast-growing software provider Swintt has revealed this week that Etienne Azzopardi has stepped into the position of Interim Managing Director as the company persists in reorganizing its C-Level team after the exit of former CEO, David Mann.

Etienne joined Swintt as Director of Operations in August 2021 and advanced to Chief Operating Officer in February 2022. Over the past four-and-a-half years, he has managed operational oversight, product roadmap enhancement, market licensing, and game certification for the provider, positioning him perfectly for the interim role.

Throughout that period, Etienne has overseen the management, coordination, and optimization of numerous product deliveries and new client launches, while also leading a significant geographical expansion for the company, as Swintt entered its 13th regulated market in Italy last summer – an impressive milestone for a provider that just started in 2019.

In his new role as Interim Managing Director, Etienne will still oversee operations for Swintt in all these crucial areas, while also steering the direction of Swintt’s future product strategy, continuous market expansion efforts, and team growth strategies moving ahead.

Given that this aligns closely with Etienne’s established area of expertise, Swintt believes that the former COO will eagerly embrace the extra duties associated with the new position and offer reliable guidance to navigate the company through its upcoming growth phase.

Etienne Azzopardi, new Interim Managing Director at Swintt, said: “I’m very excited to be appointed as the Interim Managing Director at Swintt and hope I can repay the trust the company has shown in me by continuing the excellent work we’ve done over the past few years.

“Under David Mann, Swintt grew from an innovative start-up to a software provider sought after for its portfolio of high-quality games with a far-reaching distribution across 13 regulated markets globally. In my new role, I fully intend to build on these strong foundations by helping the company expand its portfolio, grow our reach with new commercial partnerships, and make our content available in additional key markets – cementing our legacy in the industry as we enter the next phase of our evolution.”

The post Etienne Azzopardi Takes the Helm as Interim Managing Director at Swintt appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Aardvark Technologies

CT Interactive Enters into Strategic Partnership with Aardvark Technologies

Published

29 minutes ago

January 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

ct-interactive-enters-into-strategic-partnership-with-aardvark-technologies

CT Interactive has expanded its presence in the African iGaming market through a new strategic partnership with Aardvark Technologies. The partnership marks an important step in the company’s regional growth strategy, with 20 of CT Interactive’s top-performing slot titles now live and available to South African players.

The launched portfolio features a selection of popular player favourites, including Wild Clover, Win Storm, Chilli Madness, 40 Treasures, Lucky Clover and Duck of Luck.

“Partnering with Aardvark Technologies to enter the South African market is an exciting step forward for CT Interactive. Their strong local presence and in-depth market knowledge make them the ideal partner to showcase our portfolio and deliver fresh, high-quality gaming experiences to players across the region,” said Antonio Donov, Head of Business Development EMEA and Asia at CT Interactive.

“This partnership with Aardvark Technologies represents an important achievement in our African expansion strategy. South Africa is a key regulated market with significant growth potential, and collaborating with a trusted local operator enables us to deliver our content in full alignment with both player expectations and regulatory requirements,” Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive, said.

“Adding CT Interactive’s games to our South African offering is an exciting step in strengthening our content strategy in the region. CT Interactive is a well-established provider with a strong global presence, and this partnership allows us to deliver a balanced and engaging portfolio aligned with local player demand,” said Arijus Denisovas, Commercial Director at Aardvark Technologies.

The post CT Interactive Enters into Strategic Partnership with Aardvark Technologies appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.