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UK: Funding Boost for Nationwide Programme on Gambling and the Criminal Justice System

Published

5 years ago

April 12, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Gambling harms are currently under-recognised across the UK Criminal Justice System (CJS), and support for those affected has been underfunded to date. GamCare will now receive two years’ funding to scale up the delivery of its programme to raise awareness and develop pathways to support people experiencing gambling harms across the CJS.

There are evidenced links between harmful gambling and crime, whether crime is committed to support gambling or to pay off gambling-related debts. Gambling-related offending may include fraud, theft, domestic and financial abuse, and links into wider criminality. However, there is a lack of funding, awareness, training, and pathways to support and treatment for people in the CJS experiencing gambling harms.

GamCare recently delivered a two-year pilot project funded by the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner to introduce screening for gambling harms at key points across the CJS there, and identify the best mechanisms to deliver support for those affected. The charity will now be funded to deliver a larger programme of engagement and awareness raising, designed to raise the profile of gambling and offending, and to improve services for those in contact with the CJS. GamCare has secured funding, approved by the UK Gambling Commission, towards delivery of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, through a dedicated programme focused on gambling and the criminal justice system.

Recently awarded Organisation of the Year at the Howard League for Penal Reform Community Awards, GamCare is working to raise awareness of gambling harms amongst professionals across the CJS as well as developing and testing interventions that work best for clients across police, prison and probation services. The charity will facilitate thought leadership across the sector, as well as consult on and test new approaches, providing training to staff in all areas so they can best support their service users.

Anna Hemmings, CEO at GamCare, says: “As outlined in our recent submission to the Howard League Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling, our work focuses on a ‘whole systems’ approach – with initiatives to screen people at arrest and the early stages of the CJS, and responding to needs at various stages in their journey, be it through police, prison, or probation services as well as the courts.

Through our work in Hertfordshire, we’ve demonstrated that this work is scalable and can have positive impacts for those harmed by gambling across the CJS. I look forward to seeing this work develop across England, Scotland and Wales, to reduce the impact of gambling harms for individual offenders, victims, and their families.”

Julia Fazackerley, Head of Development at GamCare, says: “Existing data from our Helpline and treatment services shows us that around 5% of referrals across Great Britain are from people in touch with the CJS, but we know that criminality often goes unreported or undisclosed. Our work in this area indicates similar prevalence of gambling harm to recent data from the Forward Trust’s survey of prisoners, and we know that there is both a desire for knowledge and awareness, plus greater support for those experiencing harm.

The next phase of our programme will mean we can continue to provide a proactive and comprehensive programme of training for CJS professionals as well as developing and testing a range of support interventions specifically for this cohort. We will provide strategic direction for specialist gambling support and provide real value to all areas of the CJS.”

Tim Miller, Executive Director for the Gambling Commission, says: “We welcome the extension of this significant project, including the collaborative approach GamCare has taken to support a wide range of organisations working in the criminal justice sector. Together, these programmes of work have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to reducing harms as part of the National Strategy. We are pleased to be able to approve the funding, which was agreed through regulatory settlements.”

Latest News

Secure Some Sweet Treats With BGaming’s Sugar Merge Up™

Published

44 minutes ago

March 31, 2026

Wladimir P.

secure-some-sweet-treats-with-bgaming’s-sugar-merge-up

BGaming, the popular iGaming content provider, is serving up a sugary treat with the launch of Sugar Merge Up, the latest addition to its #Entertainment slot portfolio.

Players are invited into a candy-coloured world guided by a playful jelly bear mascot. Set on a 6×6 cluster-pay grid, the game is packed with brightly coloured sweets and candy, offering a vibrant and fun-filled experience.

Returning from BGaming’s previous hit, Merge Up, the cascade-style Merge Up mechanic allows winning symbols to merge and upgrade to the next highest-paying symbol, creating opportunities for even bigger wins on subsequent cascades.

Building on the gameplay of Merge Up 2, Sugar Merge Up introduces exciting new ways to form combos. The standout addition is the Bubblegum symbol, which explodes to destroy up to eight surrounding symbols, boosts multipliers in those cells, and then transforms into a Scatter.

Landing Scatters is key to triggering the Free Spins bonus, with up to 30 free spins available. Players can extend the feature by landing three or more Scatters during the bonus round.

For those eager to jump straight into the action, Sugar Merge Up offers six Buy Bonus options, including:

Chance ×2 – doubles the multiplier for ×1.2 the stake
Random Booster – applies random multipliers up to ×128 on each spin for ×10 the bet
Booster ×16 – ensures ×16 multipliers cover the grid on every spin for ×40 the stake
Free Spins Buy Bonus – prices range from ×100 to ×500, giving players flexible access to the bonus round

Julia Alekseeva, CPO at BGaming, commented:
“Sugar Merge Up takes everything players loved about Merge Up 2 and makes it even sweeter. The added bonus features boost engagement, while the multiple Booster and Buy Bonus options give players plenty of flexibility. The candy theme is always a hit, and combining it with the explosive Merge Up mechanic was a natural next step.”

The post Secure Some Sweet Treats With BGaming’s Sugar Merge Up™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

FANS World Cup

Kiron Interactive introduces FANS World Cup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published

44 minutes ago

March 31, 2026

Wladimir P.

kiron-interactive-introduces-fans-world-cup-ahead-of-the-2026-fifa-world-cup

Kiron Interactive has unveiled FANS World Cup, a fast-paced football betting product designed to keep players engaged during the 2026 international tournament, particularly in between live matches when traffic typically dips.

Built on Kiron’s Goal Premier Engine, FANS World Cup integrates seamlessly into existing operator deployments with no additional cost or technical requirements.

The game features international teams competing in matches that resolve in just 60 to 90 seconds, giving players frequent opportunities to bet during breaks in the live schedule. By offering standalone mini-matches, the platform helps operators maintain player activity and reduce drop-off between fixtures.

Using familiar national teams ensures players stay connected to the real tournament, keeping the football context consistent rather than losing engagement between matches.

FANS World Cup covers all core betting markets, including full-time result, correct score, goalscorers, and card outcomes. Operators can also configure jackpot features and bonus multipliers to match their preferred risk profiles.

Steven Spartinos, Co-CEO of Kiron Interactive, commented:
“Tournament traffic comes in waves, and the challenge is keeping players engaged in between matches. FANS World Cup addresses that by offering short, exciting match cycles while staying connected to the teams fans are already following. It helps operators maintain steady engagement throughout the full tournament schedule.”

The post Kiron Interactive introduces FANS World Cup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

DEGEN Studios

DEGEN Studios ignites a brutal blood feud with Vendetta Fury

Published

44 minutes ago

March 31, 2026

Wladimir P.

degen-studios-ignites-a-brutal-blood-feud-with-vendetta-fury

DEGEN Studios has launched Vendetta Fury, a high-volatility slot built around the relentless clash between two powerful forces: Vandal and Havoc.

Vandal embodies chaos and disruption, bending the rules of the grid and reshaping its structure. In contrast, Havoc represents controlled destruction, linking symbols through Wild Beams that build intensity before unleashing their full impact.

This ongoing feud fuels the entire gameplay experience, creating a world where revenge is never settled and every spin feels charged with tension. Wins can accumulate gradually before key features ignite, shifting the balance between the two rivals. Expanding Wilds and multiplier mechanics work together to rapidly transform the grid, turning calm moments into explosive payouts.

The action peaks in the Apocalypse bonus mode, where both Vandal and Havoc appear simultaneously. Their combined mechanics drive a shared global multiplier, dramatically increasing volatility and making outcomes far less predictable as their battle for dominance plays out across the reels.

Danny Gordon, Head of Studio at DEGEN Studios, said:
“A vendetta doesn’t fade — it builds until something finally breaks. That idea is at the core of Vendetta Fury. Vandal and Havoc are locked in an escalating conflict that shapes every part of the game, including its three evolving bonus modes, where control constantly shifts between the two sides.”

“In this world, there’s no forgiveness and no restraint — only rising tension and revenge paid in full.”

The post DEGEN Studios ignites a brutal blood feud with Vendetta Fury appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.