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

Published

3 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.”

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Aviatrix pairs with Cactus Gaming in latest Latin America deal

Published

10 hours ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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Innovative crash game Aviatrix has partnered with Cactus Gaming in an agreement that will extend its reach further into Latin America.

Aviatrix will integrate with Cactus Gaming’s online casino solutions, becoming available to the provider’s partners in Brazil and beyond.

This means more players in Latin America can enjoy the one-of-a-kind crash game with NFT-based engagement mechanics.

Gabriela Novello, Head of Business Development LATAM at Aviatrix, said: “We’re looking forward to this partnership with Cactus Gaming blooming for both sides. We’re impressed by their reach across Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where they are well placed to help us bring Aviatrix to new audiences.”

Tiago Carneiro, CRA at Cactus Gaming, added: “Cactus Gaming has as one of its main differentials the conversion power of the platform, which turns users into loyal players. The partnership with Aviatrix will further enhance this. The game is one of the most exciting we’ve seen in recent times, and we’re thrilled to offer it to our partners.”

The collaboration between Aviatrix and Cactus Gaming is set to further raise the bar for online casino in Latin America, with both sides committed to delivering the very best user experience to players.

Aviatrix has been rapidly expanding in Latin America over the past few months, signing deals with some of the biggest aggregators and operators in the region.

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New Game Release by Zillion Games – Wolf’s Moon

Published

10 hours ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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Embrace the wild wolf’s spirit and follow the moon’s glow into the forest!

Explore the world of the mysterious forest with the Wolf’s Moon slot! Exciting Mystery symbols, powerful Boost symbols, and the thrilling Hold & Win feature await you here.

About Game

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Scientific Games Off to Epic Start With Launch of First GAME OF THRONES Lottery Scratch-off Game in the U.S.

Published

11 hours ago

May 15, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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Colorado Lottery Winners Will Be Lucky Participants in THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE Set to Take Place in Napa.

Scientific Games’ newest multi-state branded GAME OF THRONES Linked Games, developed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, has kicked off successfully with GAME OF THRONES branded instant scratch, Fast Play and iLottery games offering players the chance to win prizes instantly, plus an opportunity to win an experiential prize package, THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE.

Inspired by one of the most-watched HBO television series of all time and set to captivate the GAME OF THRONES fandom, THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE event will take place in a medieval-style castle winery in Napa Valley, California in 2025. Trip winners will be divided into seven “Houses”, such as House Targaryen, House Stark and House Lannister.

The event will include multiple rounds of brand-immersive games, giving trip winners a second chance to win their share of up to $7 million. The trip winners will get to cheer on their own “Champion” in a live jousting tournament, and one “Ruler” will be chosen from each house to play for prize money split amongst every member of the house.

The Colorado Lottery is the first U.S. lottery to launch a GAME OF THRONES-themed lottery Linked Game to give players in the state an opportunity to win the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The game achieved the highest first-week index of any of the Lottery’s $10 games launched in fiscal year 2024. It continues to lead, with four-week sales surpassing all other Colorado Lottery $10 games in fiscal year 2024 and most games in other price points, placing third behind a $20 and $50 game. THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE has limited availability remaining for North American lottery participation, with most of the current trip winner spots filled.

Tom Seaver, Director of the Colorado Lottery, said, “Our players are very excited to play the GAME OF THRONES scratch game. It’s been a great addition to our game lineup, and as the sales numbers show, it is performing really well for us.”

According to Scientific Games research, the GAME OF THRONES brand resonates especially well with younger adult players.

Tina Hoover, V.P. of Licensing for Scientific Games, said, “Our teams are continually innovating to make every lottery winners’ event unique and exciting. We worked with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment to create an immersive GAME OF THRONES-themed winners experience and to deliver a top-notch winners’ event that we’ve refined over the past 17 years doing prize trips for more than 5,000 lottery players. Based on the response we have received and participation so far for THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE, we are looking into a potential second trip opportunity.”

Scientific Games pioneered the lottery Linked Games concept in 2007 and games produced by the company offering the opportunity to win experiential prizes themed to brands like DEAL OR NO DEAL, MONOPOLY, THE PRICE IS RIGHT and WILLY WONKA represent more than USD$4.6 billion in retail sales to date.

With a portfolio representing more than 100 licensed brands, Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide.