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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.”

Cevro

Golden Whale and Cevro team up to advance AI-driven player interaction

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

golden-whale-and-cevro-team-up-to-advance-ai-driven-player-interaction

Golden Whale, a provider of machine learning-driven optimisation and decision intelligence for the iGaming industry, has partnered with Cevro, an AI-powered platform designed to automate and enhance player interactions across support and operational workflows.

At the core of the integration is Golden Whale’s Full Model Control framework, which uses ML models to continuously analyse live player behavioural data, enabling more precise decisioning across engagement and incentives, driven by deeper insight into player value, churn probability and behavioural intent. These decisions can then be actioned through Cevro’s AI agents, allowing operators to guide and control player-facing responses with greater precision across multiple channels, including chat, email and helpdesk, with voice capabilities set to follow.

Cevro’s platform supports a wide range of player-facing processes, including bonus queries, KYC checks, payment-related communications and responsible gaming workflows. By introducing decision intelligence into these touchpoints, operators can move beyond reactive support models and toward more proactive, context-aware engagement, where responses are informed by real-time signals around player value and behaviour.

Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale, said: “Operators are managing an increasing number of player communications across different touchpoints, and many of those processes are still handled in a reactive or manual way. By working with Cevro’s AI agents, we can connect our decision intelligence directly into these communication workflows, enabling operators to respond more precisely and consistently, while also reducing the complexity of managing these interactions at scale.”

Chaim Heber, CEO at Cevro, added: “Our focus is on helping operators automate and scale player interactions without losing quality or control. By integrating Golden Whale’s decision intelligence, we can bring a new level of precision into how our AI agents operate, using deeper signals around player value, churn risk and behaviour to guide responses. This not only improves resolution and efficiency but also allows operators to deliver more meaningful interactions that support retention and long-term player value.”

The post Golden Whale and Cevro team up to advance AI-driven player interaction appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

bet365

Evoplay strengthens Brazil footprint with bet365 deal

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

evoplay-strengthens-brazil-footprint-with-bet365-deal

Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has strengthen its presence in Brazil through a new partnership with leading global operator bet365, marking another step in its growth across regulated Latin American markets.

The agreement sees a selection of top-performing Evoplay titles integrated onto bet365’s Brazilian platform, initially starting with standout releases such as Hot Triple Sevens and Temple of Thunder II Bonus Buy.

The partnership enables Evoplay to bring its diverse portfolio of high-performance content to one of the most promising emerging regulated markets, at a time when Brazil’s evolving landscape continues to create new opportunities for operators and suppliers alike.

By collaborating with bet365, a globally recognised brand known for its extensive reach and strong local engagement, Evoplay reinforces its commitment to delivering tailored content that resonates with regional player preferences.

Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Partnering with bet365 represents an important milestone for Evoplay as we continue to expand our Latin American presence and build our network of global operator brands. Brazil is a market with huge potential, and we’re excited to bring a selection of our best-performing titles to its players.

“Our focus remains on supporting operators with content that not only meets regulatory standards but also delivers strong player engagement, and this collaboration is a testament to that approach.”

Spokesperson at bet365, added: “We are pleased to partner with Evoplay as we continue to enhance our offering in Brazil.

Their portfolio of localised games aligns well with our commitment to provide high-quality gaming experiences to our customers.

“We look forward to rolling out additional titles in the near future as we strengthen our collaboration with the supplier in this key market.”

Evoplay

Evoplay is a leading iGaming developer with a portfolio of 250+ slots, table, crash, and instant games.

It uses innovative gameplay and cutting-edge design to elevate user experience and bring new audiences to the world of iGaming.

The company’s commitment to innovation and revolutionary products was recognised by the most prestigious industry awards.

bet365

At bet365, it’s always extraordinary!

bet365 Casino is the home of gaming excitement, offering an extensive range of slots to choose from, including multi-layered jackpots, classic fruit games, and the latest innovative titles. Plus, with popular Live Games like Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, there’s always something for every player.

bet365 is committed to Safer Gambling. We promote gambling as an enjoyable leisure activity, and we believe that gambling can only remain this way if you stay in control and gamble responsibly. However, we know that for some people gambling can stop being a harmless leisure activity and become a problem.

bet365 has a range of useful tools to help customers stay in control of their gambling that can be found at https://responsiblegambling.bet365.bet.br/br

The post Evoplay strengthens Brazil footprint with bet365 deal appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Advisiments

WE names Valentina Ursini Group Account Director for IBJR and key clients

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

we-names-valentina-ursini-group-account-director-for-ibjr-and-key-clients

Brazilian agency We has hired Valentina Ursini as Group Account Director, where she will lead business strategy and client relationships for accounts including EMS, Novibet, Jovi and IBJR (Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming).

Ursini brings experience from Leo Burnett, Ogilvy and TBWA, where she led global and local accounts for brands including Visa, Procter & Gamble, Motorola, Gatorade, Coty, Kimberly-Clark and Friboi.

“We has something that is rare today: genuine proximity to the client’s business and a very clear ambition for shared growth,” Ursini said.

“I am joining a team that already knows these clients deeply, and I bring a fresh perspective on expansion opportunities, efficiency and brand building.

It is about developing the business in a consistent and relevant way.”

Maurício Almeida, managing director at We, said Ursini’s appointment raises the standard of service for the agency’s strategic accounts.

“She combines expertise, consistency and a very pragmatic business vision, which is exactly what we look for in our model. She understands that client relationships only make sense when they translate into results.”

* The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming is a private industry association representing licensed betting operators in Brazil. Its primary role is to support the development of a regulated, transparent and sustainable gambling market in the country.

The organization focuses on promoting responsible gaming practices, contributing to public policy discussions, and working alongside regulators to ensure compliance with Brazil’s evolving legal framework for betting.

It also advocates for consumer protection, market integrity and the reduction of illegal gambling activities.

In the context of the article, the IBJR appears as a relevant institutional player within the Brazilian iGaming ecosystem, reflecting the growing importance of industry representation as regulation advances.

The post WE names Valentina Ursini Group Account Director for IBJR and key clients appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.