Connect with us

Latest News

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

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

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.

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.”

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.”

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

David Reynolds Director of Games Strategy & Partner Management at Games Global

Games Global and Slingshot Studios expand Cashingo™ series with Eruption Blaze Cashingo™

Published

on

games-global-and-slingshot-studios-expand-cashingo-series-with-eruption-blaze-cashingo

Title pairs advanced Cashingo™ experience with ULTRA Link&Win™ enhancements

Games Global, together with its exclusive studio partner, Slingshot Studios, has released Eruption Blaze Cashingo™, bolstering the popular series with a feature-rich release, where jackpots up to 5,000x chart a path to 13,283x win potential.

Set against the backdrop of a lava-spewing volcano, every cash and jackpot coin that lands is added to the mirrored Cashingo™ grid, with the value of all prizes paid out when a horizontal, vertical or diagonal row is completed.

Adding further variety to the action is the integrated ULTRA Link&Win™ feature, which can be activated by landing six or more coins. The feature begins with three respins on a 5×5 reel set, with three extra rows initially locked. Keys can unlock additional rows, expanding the reels and increasing win potential.

Special Boosters can appear during the round, including Doublers that increase the value of up to four cash prize coins and Collectors that gather all visible cash coin values at once. Persistent versions of these boosters remain active, while Extra Life coins award an extra spin once the initial respins are exhausted.

Free Spins offer a change of pace and greater depth, with a Power Stacks™ feature enhancing wild and coin symbols to elevate potential.

Eruption Blaze Cashingo™ showcases Slingshot Studios’ continued refinement of the Cashingo™ franchise, delivering an engaging, well-paced gameplay experience.

Richard Vermaak, Creative Director at Slingshot Studios, said: “Our goal with Eruption Blaze Cashingo™ was to take what players enjoy about Cashingo™ and give it more room to develop.

“The combination of the Cashingo™ and Power Stacks™ mechanics introduces a dynamic element to the base game, and the enhanced ULTRA Link&Win™ feature adds clear progression as the grid expands. We are delighted with how the experience comes together.”

David Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy & Partner Management at Games Global, added:Eruption Blaze Cashingo™ is a strong addition to our portfolio and a great evolution of the Cashingo™ concept. Cash and jackpot coins open up new ways for the game to build, while the updates to the ULTRA Link&Win™ feature bring more variety to each round.

“Slingshot Studios has continued to grow the series in a way that feels natural and engaging.”

The post Games Global and Slingshot Studios expand Cashingo™ series with Eruption Blaze Cashingo™ appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Latest News

13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden

Published

on

13-gambling-company-executives-in-appeal-against-atg’s-proposal-to-raise-gambling-tax-in-sweden

BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – is today submitting a letter to the government. The letter is signed by 13 gambling company executives and BOS’s secretary general. In the letter, the signatories urge the government not to support the gambling company ATG in their proposal to raise the general gambling tax in favour of a reduction in the tax on horse racing.

As a main argument, the signatories highlight the fact that the level of the gambling tax affects the proportion of consumers who choose to gamble on the legal licensed gambling market, and that too many consumers are already opting out of the safety of the licensed market with its extensive consumer protection.

“Horse betting has a channelisation rate of between 98-99 percent. Online casino, according to the most optimistic estimates, has a channelisation rate of between 72-82 percent. The higher the tax, the greater the risk that the consumer will choose unlicensed gambling, where neither gambling tax nor consumer protection exists. To then lower the gambling tax for horse betting, which already has a very strong channelisation, and raise it for online casino, which has a very weak channelisation, would be completely incomprehensible. At least for those who prioritize consumer protection,” says BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.

You can read the full letter here:  Letter to Government on ATG gambling duty

 

The post 13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino

Published

on

momentum-series:-a-crash-gaming-collection-crafted-for-emotions-in-your-online-casino

FBMDS proudly unveils the Momentum Series, a crash gaming collection built to deliver fast-paced thrills, immersive visuals, and strong retention for online casino operators worldwide with the Piñata Rush, Magical Garden and Arctic Jumper titles.

Designed “for emotions” and “born to captivate”, the Momentum Series includes three high-performing titles — Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper — that redefine the crash genre with dynamic gameplay, deep personalization, and stunning 3D environments.

The Momentum Series was created to give players more control, excitement, and emotional connection while providing operators with games designed for longer sessions and better retention metrics. Each title combines intuitive gameplay with high volatility, 97%+ RTP, and a responsive, mobile-first design, ensuring performance across devices and browsers. Players can personalize their experience with auto bets, double bets, and auto cashouts, adapting each round to their individual risk strategy.

Piñata Rush offers a colorful, multiplayer crash gaming experience set in lively Mexican-inspired streets. Players can track others’ progress in real time and enjoy a community-driven atmosphere that keeps engagement levels high. With 97.06% RTP and features such as Multiplayer, Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and a configurable Max Bet from 100x to 1000x, this crash game provides vibrant entertainment across Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows.

Magical Garden immerses players in a lush 3D fantasy world where serenity meets suspense. This single-player experience blends calm and thrill through Auto Play and Auto Cash-Out functions, allowing personalized strategies and a Max Bet configurable from 100x to 1000x. With 97% RTP, it offers operators a high-performing product with wide cross-platform compatibility.

Arctic Jumper brings adrenaline to the frozen north with a fully 3D single-player experience. Its immersive visuals and smooth performance are enhanced by Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and customizable betting options that match each player’s risk profile. Operating at 97% RTP, this title delivers consistent engagement and retention potential for competitive markets.

“The Momentum Series represents FBMDS’ evolution into crash gaming — a genre built on emotion, timing, and control,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “With Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, we’re delivering fast, flexible, and emotionally charged experiences that empower both players and operators.”

FBMDS brings a winning portfolio of innovative iGaming solutions, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging, reliable, and profitable gaming experiences for operators worldwide. With a focus on slots, table games, video bingo, and now crash games, FBMDS empowers partners to scale and succeed in competitive markets.

 

The post Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania