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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.”

Africa

Booming Games signs content deal with World Sports Betting in South Africa

Published

23 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

booming-games-signs-content-deal-with-world-sports-betting-in-south-africa

WSB adds Booming titles including Tasty Bonanza, Cash Pig and the Buffalo series to its casino lobby.

Booming Games has signed a partnership with World Sports Betting (WSB) to roll out a selection of its casino titles on WSB’s platform in South Africa.

Under the agreement, WSB players will gain access to Booming Games content including Tasty Bonanza, Cash Pig and the Buffalo series. Booming Games positioned the deal as part of its wider expansion strategy across Africa.

Ryno Du Plessis, Group Chief Operating Officer at World Sports Betting, said: “We believe that Booming’s portfolio will offer something new and unique to our clients. Titles like Tasty Bonanza, Cash Pig and the popular Buffalo series are sure to be very popular with our player base.”

Solomon Godwin, Head of Africa at Booming Games, added: “We are thrilled to partner with World Sports Betting, a company with an outstanding reputation for delivering premium entertainment to players across the South African market. This collaboration represents an exciting step forward in expanding Booming Games’ reach and ensuring our titles are accessible to even more players in South Africa. We look forward to building a successful long-term relationship and delivering high-quality entertainment to their customers.”

The post Booming Games signs content deal with World Sports Betting in South Africa appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Exclusive Relax Gaming slot lands at Zingo Bingo

Published

23 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

exclusive-relax-gaming-slot-lands-at-zingo-bingo

Zingo Bingo has exclusively launched Midnight Marauder ClusterBreaker, the latest action-packed slot from leading supplier Relax Gaming.

The neon-fuelled heist adventure is now available to Zingo Bingo players who will embark on a precision operation to plot the ultimate raid to try and crack the vault to unlock those wins.

Set across a 4×4 cluster-pay grid, Midnight Marauder ClusterBreaker combines fast-paced gameplay with expanding cluster mechanics and escalating rewards inspired by high-stakes vault robberies and underground crime capers.

The excitement builds throughout gameplay thanks to the slot’s Progressive Generation Multiplier feature. With every consecutive generation of winning clusters, the multiplier doubles, creating the potential for massive payouts as cascades continue across the reels.

Players can also trigger Smash ‘N’ Grab Free Spins, with opportunities to increase spins and multipliers throughout the bonus feature, adding even more excitement and win potential during gameplay.

New online UK bingo brand Zingo Bingo offers a variety of online bingo rooms as well as access to thousands of slot titles and this latest launch further strengthens its growing collection of popular Relax Gaming releases including Money Train 4, Temple Tumble Megaways and Iron Bank 2.

Zingo Bingo Head of Brand Jack Watson said: “At Zingo Bingo, we’re committed to providing the highest standard of online experience for players with a growing portfolio of more than 8,000 games, including new releases and exclusive launches. We’re delighted to be bringing Midnight Marauder ClusterBreaker to our players as an exclusive launch and it’s exactly the kind of fresh, entertaining release our players love to see.

“Relax Gaming has done a fantastic job combining innovative mechanics with fast-paced gameplay and exciting bonus features, while the ClusterBreaker mechanic adds something genuinely different to the experience. We’re delighted to be bringing the game to Zingo Bingo players.”

The post Exclusive Relax Gaming slot lands at Zingo Bingo appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alex Scott Chief Product Officer at Tequity

Tequity appoints Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer

Published

23 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

tequity-appoints-alex-scott-as-chief-product-officer

Former Microgaming poker MD and ex-WPT Global president joins as supplier pushes regulated-market expansion and new verticals.

Tequity has appointed Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer, adding a long-time iGaming executive to lead product vision and oversee the product lifecycle from conception to market launch.

Scott has more than 20 years of experience in the sector. He previously served as Managing Director of Poker at Microgaming and later led WPT Global as President.

The hire comes as Tequity expands its product structure, including the recent launch of Tequity Exclusives, a vertical for custom-built games that sits alongside its RGS, Originals and Publishing divisions. The company also said it has completed BMM Testlabs certification for its RNG and the first batch of Tequity Originals titles as it targets regulated markets.

Alex Scott, Chief Product Officer at Tequity, said: “Tequity is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in iGaming by harnessing the power of technology to streamline and elevate game development.

“It is an incredibly exciting time to join the team. I look forward to leading the product vision across our expanding divisions to deliver next-generation casino content to operators worldwide.”

Krzysztof Opałka, CEO at Tequity, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Alex to the team as we continue to move the business forward at pace. His two decades of industry leadership and pioneering, hands-on experience with AI-driven casino games make him the perfect fit to lead our product strategy.

“With our rapid recent progress across all of our divisions, his expertise will be invaluable in maximising the impact of our portfolio.” Scott will attend iGB Live in London next month as part of Tequity’s team.

The post Tequity appoints Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.