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PlayOJO Launches Latest Campaign to Raise Awareness of the Signs of Problem Gambling

Published

6 years ago

November 23, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

PlayOJO, the fair online casino powered by SkillOnNet, announces its latest campaign in partnership with Gemma Collins to encourage responsible gambling.

The TOWIE star and online Casino have partnered on a spoof fragrance launch to highlight that problem gambling is the ‘addiction with no smell’ and to help people recognise some of the early signs that someone they love, may be developing an issue.

The fragrance itself was named Compulsion, to hint at the behaviours that are often displayed by those who are struggling, such as lying about their finances and exhibiting extreme mood swings.

To raise awareness of the hard-to-spot, tell-tale early signs of potential gambling issues, PlayOJO and Gambling organisation, Breakeven have developed a new acronym to help concerned players, or those close to someone whom they suspect might be hiding an issue.

The SMELL acronym is designed to encapsulate the five signs of gambling issues that might be easiest to spot and are:

S – Sleep – is your loved one struggling to sleep at night?
M – Money – is your loved one inexplicably losing money or struggling financially?
E – Extreme – is your loved one exhibiting extreme mood swings?
L – Losing – is your loved one losing interest in the pursuits they have historically enjoyed?
L – Lying – have you caught out your loved one for not telling the truth recently?

Peter Bennett, Head of Marketing at PlayOJO, comments, ‘Our business is built upon the principle of fairness and transparency. We are committed to doing what we can to provide people with the information they need to help identify potential problem behaviours, and offer access to those in need of help to ensure Play Ojo is a safe place for people t have fun and gamble responsibly.

As part of the campaign we have launched a dedicated hub offering expert guidance and insight from our partners at Breakeven which is an extension of our ongoing strategy and commitment to providing advice and support aound the clock.

Our hope is that by working with Gemma and Breakeven, we will raise awareness of this issue and help encourage people to access support services if they spot the signs highlighted by the Compulsion campaign in themselves or a loved one.”

As part of the campaign, Gemma carried out an interview with Ian Semel, CEO of Breakeven, a charity that offers free counselling to individuals who are struggling with gambling behaviours issues, to better understand the early signs and minimise gambling related harm, as well as educating on strategies that can be deployed to overcome it.

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

5 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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