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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.”

Gaming Corps

Gaming Corps Makes Strategic UK Entry Via Rank Interactive

Published

44 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-corps-makes-strategic-uk-entry-via-rank-interactive

Gaming Corps, a publicly traded game development firm located in Sweden, has secured a major new UK launch after going live with Rank Interactive across 12 online brands managed by Rank Group Plc.

The contract provides Gaming Corps with entry to one of the UK’s most prominent and well-known gaming and entertainment organizations, with the studio’s content debuting in Rank’s diverse brand portfolio, featuring familiar names like Grosvenor Casinos, Mecca Bingo, and Mecca Games.

Covering both physical and online platforms, Rank Group is a prominent name in British entertainment, with a legacy that goes back to 1937. Currently, the company caters to 3.1 million active clients, runs 109 casinos and bingo halls, and oversees over 80 online brands.

Currently, Rank Interactive players can access new Gaming Corps titles such as Wild Woof Returns, featuring Sheriff Woof Garret on a mission to catch the outlaw Feline Four, and Whole Lotta Honey, a high-volatility scatter-pay slot centered on an exciting Beehive feature. The launch also provides Rank with access to the broader identity of the Gaming Corps portfolio, defined by unique mechanics like Smash4Cash, A-Maze-Cades, and X-My-Way, which have enabled the studio to establish a more identifiable product style.

Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “The collaboration with Rank Interactive is a very exciting step for Gaming Corps because these are brands with real history, real scale and a very broad player base. It gives us the opportunity to place our content in front of audiences that engage with online gaming in very different ways, whether that is through casino, bingo or slots-led brands. For us, that is what makes this partnership so compelling. It is not just about reach; it is about relevance across a portfolio that plays an important role in the UK gaming market.”

Nolan Frendo, Head of Content at Rank Interactive, said: “When content is being introduced across a multi-brand estate like ours, it needs to have broad appeal while still bringing something fresh into the mix. Gaming Corps gives us that balance. Their games bring strong visual themes, real personality and plenty of energy, and we see this launch as an exciting addition across a number of our key brands.”

The post Gaming Corps Makes Strategic UK Entry Via Rank Interactive appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BGaming

Hook Huge Rewards in Fishing Club 2

Published

44 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

Fast-growing content producer announces its involvement in a long-awaited sequel.

Renowned iGaming content developer BGaming aims to capture significant victories once more in Fishing Club 2, the follow-up to one of the firm’s most profitable #Casual games.

Participants settle in around a picturesque lake before dropping their lines into the water to discover what prizes they might reel in. The game offers a first-person perspective, engaging players directly in the action while conveying the soothing ambiance of an actual fishing experience.

BGaming has considered players’ opinions on the original game and provided them with greater freedom in their gameplay of Fishing Club 2. Players can fish at three spots located at dawn, dusk, and twilight. This provides each session with a unique twist and enables players to discover the atmosphere that suits their preferences.

The new Fishing Club game offers two bonus features. The Fishing Net bonus, capable of being activated for ×60 the player’s wager, spreads widely, while the TNT Bonus, valued at ×100 the wager, creates a massive blast in the water. You can acquire both of these by using the Buy Bonus button, ensuring a victory.

A skilled angler retains trophies, and the game enables players to track theirs with the well-known features Best Win and Best Catch. These show the greatest single-spin win amount and the largest multipliers achieved.

Vasili Pauliuchenko, Game Producer at BGaming, said, “The original Fishing Club title is one of players’ most-loved #Casual games by BGaming. Having listened to their feedback, we are taking them back to the open waters in Fishing Club 2 with a few pivotal updates.

We love to give our players more control over how they play, and that is on full display with Fishing Club 2. They can decide when and where they fish and what tools to use for most successful angling. We are sure that such personalization will be a hit with the game’s fans and those new to the series.”

The post Hook Huge Rewards in Fishing Club 2 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Clint Hangebrauck

EPIC and NCAA Publish 2025 Impact Report for Gambling Harm Education Program

Published

44 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

epic-and-ncaa-publish-2025-impact-report-for-gambling-harm-education-program

The impact of EPIC Global Solutions’ gambling harm education program in NCAA colleges during 2025 has been unveiled through the release of a new report, which confirmed that student-athletes are demonstrating high awareness of identifying problem gambling among themselves and team mates.

The Impact Report details how last year saw EPIC’s team of lived experience facilitators deliver to 92 unique institutions and groups within the NCAA, serving over 25,000 people across the spectrum of collegiate sports. After beginning delivery of the initiative in 2022, the running total over the first four years has now exceeded events at more than 300 venues and has engaged more than 100,000 student-athletes, coaches, and support staff.

The mix of authentic stories, key advice on recognizing signs of gambling-related harm, and where to seek support when the issue is presented – delivered by former athletes and college students who speak from personal experience of problem gambling or sporting integrity issues – is intended to empower audiences to make more informed decisions around their personal relationships with sports wagering and other forms of gambling.

Proving the value of the concept, post-session evaluation showed that 96% of student-athletes and 97% of staff reported they could recognize the signs of harmful gambling behavior as a result of interacting with the presentations. Supporting integrity across collegiate sport, the study also confirmed that 84% of student-athletes and 89% of staff now have good or excellent awareness of the NCAA sports wagering regulations.

Clint Hangebrauck, MD of Enterprise Risk Management at NCAA, said: “2025 has proven that sport globally is under immense pressure from the dangers of sports betting. From integrity matters, harassment, and problem gambling, athletes represent a highly vulnerable population that are negatively impacted by the rapid expansion of sports betting.

“The team at EPIC continues to deliver customized education that resonates in ways a poster, digital learning or powerpoint presentation cannot. Their personal stories are a gateway to changing perspective, starting crucial conversations, and empowering athletes to avoid the potential pitfalls which lay before them.

“EPIC and the NCAA remain steadfastly committed to growing this program to meet the needs of our membership.”

Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC Global Solutions, said: “There has been an increase in integrity matters, reports of problem gambling, and athlete harassment. At the time of a fast-growing industry sector, it is vitally important that athletes are protected and educated across the entire NCAA population with effective and modern education in a diverse and impactful way.

“EPIC is proud to be the primary educators of college athletes in the US, putting lived experience at the heart of everything that we do, and we look forward to building the program even further in the months and years ahead.

“We thank the NCAA for being proactive and thought-leading in efforts for athlete safety and look forward to furthering an already strong relationship in 2026, 2027, and beyond.”

The post EPIC and NCAA Publish 2025 Impact Report for Gambling Harm Education Program appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.