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New Study Shows Online Gambling Soared During Lockdown, Especially Among Regular Gamblers

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According to a new research, regular gamblers were more than six times more likely to gamble online compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study, led by the University of Bristol and published on May 17 in the Journal of Gambling Studies, showed regular male gamblers were particularly prone to gambling more often online during the public lockdown in the UK, compared to their previously reported gambling habits.

Although overall men and women gambled less frequently during the lockdown, partly due to betting shops being closed, some forms of gambling increased. For instance, usage of online gambling, including poker, bingo, and casino games, grew six-fold among regular gamblers. Respondents who gambled occasionally were still found to be more than twice as likely than before to gamble online.

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Lead author Professor Alan Emond, of the University of Bristol’s Medical School, said: “This study provides unique real time insights into how people’s attitudes and gambling behaviour changed during lockdown, when everyone was stuck inside and unable to participate in most social activities. The findings reveal that although many forms of gambling were restricted, a minority of regular gamblers significantly increased their gambling and betting online. As with so many repercussions of the pandemic, inequalities have been exacerbated and particularly vulnerable groups were worse affected.”

The comparative research used two online questionnaires during the first lockdown in 2020, which surveyed the same group of adults, aged 28 years on average, who had previously been asked similar questions about gambling before the pandemic as part of the renowned Children of the 90s study, also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

More than 2600 adults responded and results revealed that during lockdown men were three times more likely than women to gamble regularly, defined as more than once a week. Drinking heavily, defined as more than six units in a session (equivalent to more than three pints of beer) at least once a week, was strongly linked to regular gambling among men and women. These trends are likely to be much greater in reality, as the majority (70%) of respondents to the surveys in lockdown were women.

Professor Emond, a public health expert, said: “The strong link between binge drinking and regular gambling is of particular concern, as they are both addictive behaviours which can have serious health and social consequences. With the wider availability of gambling through different online channels, vulnerable groups could get caught in a destructive cycle. A public health approach is needed to minimise gambling harms.”

Online advertising expert and co-author Agnes Nairn, Professor of Marketing at the University of Bristol’s School of Management, said: “The results of this study and trends being reported more widely are quite alarming. As gambling habits shift online, vulnerable groups including children and adults who drink heavily may be more easily sucked into these channels. The increased prevalence of home working is also an important consideration for future policy making, as the temptation to gamble online, amplified by clever advertising, is always there. Children are also falling prey to this advertising, especially for esports, on social media and could get locked into addictive habits from an early age. Stricter regulation is needed in this growing field to protect unwitting consumers.”

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Alison Clare, Research, Information and Knowledge Director at GambleAware, said: “We know that gambling is part of the daily lives of children, young people and vulnerable adults and this research sheds further light on the impact Covid-19 and lockdown has had on gambling habits for young people. GambleAware is committed to ensuring all those affected by gambling harm have access to the necessary information and advice. All organisations, including National Health Services and charities need to work together to reduce stigma and raise awareness of the help and support that is available via the National Gambling Treatment Service.”

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Push Gaming blends legacy success with good fortune in Dragon Hopper

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B2B gaming supplier Push Gaming has leveraged its past successes to drive the creation of its latest feature-rich cluster pays slot, Dragon Hopper.

Boldly combining the best elements of the hit game Fire Hopper, with a sprinkling of flavour from some of its other fan favourite slots such as Retro Tapes, Dragon Hopper provides an exhilarating journey through a far-eastern lantern festival.

Highlighting the studio’s ability to evolve the elements of its existing popular games to refine player engagement, Dragon Hopper incorporates dynamic mechanics such as the Dragon Feature and Mystic Flare Feature, designed to make each spin unpredictable and captivating.

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Other new gameplay elements in this latest release include the Bubble Feature, which significantly boosts winning possibilities.

Alongside the studio’s proprietary Push Bet™, which empowers players to enjoy the slot in a variety of ways, increasing retention. The slot is also home to the Cluster Link™ mechanic, which offers players a dynamic way to combine paying symbols into wins.

Dragon Hopper is the latest title in Push Gaming’s elevated 2025 roadmap. It heralds an eclectic Q1 of releases that operators and players can look forward to, including Mad Blast and Power Vault.

Monika Lukowska, Game Producer at Push Gaming, said: Dragon Hopper takes us on a journey through the mystical orient and treats players to a combination of well-known and unique features.

“Big win potential is ever present via the Dragon Symbol, which allows for the multiplication of wins in the base game, along with features like the Mystic Flare, which can appear on the reels unexpectedly.

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“The bonus game combines the Cluster Link™ and Dragon Feature with a new Bubble Feature mechanic that increases the value of symbols and makes for an incredibly engaging play session.

“We’ve taken the best of a host of previous games and used that winning formula to create Dragon Hopper, and we’re delighted to present another hit title.”

The post Push Gaming blends legacy success with good fortune in Dragon Hopper appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Evoplay reports record-breaking 2024 through innovation and global expansion

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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has announced its most successful year to date, following a period of significant growth, innovation, and expansion across global markets.

In 2024 the studio launched 32 new titles spanning slots, instant play, crash games, and new tap and skill-based genres.

The number of users across Evoplay’s content portfolio was boosted by 42% in 2024, while Bet Sum increased by 39% and Rounds grew 35% year-on-year.

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A 46% increase in partner network growth underscored Evoplay’s commercial success, fueled by high-profile collaborations. These included partnerships with Fortuna in the Czech Republic, integration into the Italian market via platform provider Microgame, and a significant agreement with Light & Wonder. Additional partnerships with Optibet, Vegas.hu, and Sesame.bg further solidified the studio’s global footprint.

Evoplay also strengthened its presence in established verticals, including lottery and bingo, unlocking new opportunities and broadening its reach. New promotional tools such as Quests, Wheel of Fortune, and Races were introduced to enhance player engagement and retention, earning positive feedback from players and operators alike.

In 2024, Evoplay received widespread recognition from the industry’s most prestigious award bodies, claiming a total of eleven accolades, including Best Game Developer and Best Mobile Gaming Provider at the EiGE Awards, and Skill Games Supplier at the EGR B2B Awards. These awards reflect Evoplay’s continued commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering exceptional experiences for operators and players.

With a clear vision for the future, the studio is poised to continue shaping the iGaming industry in the years to come.

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “2024 has been an extraordinary year for Evoplay, defined by groundbreaking innovations, significant partnerships, and exceptional growth. From releasing cutting-edge games to expanding into new markets and verticals, we’ve achieved milestones that highlight the incredible talent and dedication of our team.

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“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished and am excited for what lies ahead as we continue to shape the future of iGaming.”

The post Evoplay reports record-breaking 2024 through innovation and global expansion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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CT Interactive Appoints Vasil Parvanov as its New Commercial Manager

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CT Interactive has appointed Vasil Parvanov as its new commercial manager.

With a rich background in marketing and customer relationship management, Vasil has mastered his skills in driving business growth and optimizing customer engagement strategies. His expertise spans diverse industries, including online gambling, hospitality and retail, where he has consistently demonstrated the ability to innovate and deliver impactful results.

Vasil’s career highlights include his role as a CRM Specialist, where he developed customer segmentation strategies, designed onboarding journeys and engagement initiatives, and significantly improved retention and churn reduction metrics. His ability to create data-driven marketing calendars and implement cross-selling and upselling strategies has consistently enhanced customer loyalty and lifetime value.

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He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Property and Facilities Management from the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) and has enhanced his skills through advanced certifications in Digital Marketing.

The post CT Interactive Appoints Vasil Parvanov as its New Commercial Manager appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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