Latest News

GambleAware Publishes New Reports and Guide for Financial Services Industry to Help Prevent Gambling Harm

Published

5 years ago

July 15, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

GambleAware has published a new report by the Behavioural Insights Team which analyses behavioural datasets to understand whether these could be used to build a clearer picture of the ways in which people gamble, identify possible harms, and eventually inform prevention, treatment, and support responses.

The commissioned research analysed bank transactional data from Monzo and HSBC, aiming to shed new light on what these datasets can, and cannot, tell us about gambling behaviour. The reports demonstrated that bank customer and transactional data can offer valuable insights into the success of gambling blocking tools and also provide unique profiles of gamblers. For example, of those using Monzo’s gambling blocker, it was found that the week before gamblers activated the block, their average daily gambling spend tripled. Specific profiles of gamblers were also revealed by the research, such as that gamblers had less money on average in their Monzo internal saving pots than non-gamblers, or that gamblers ranked “Very Concerning” by HSBC had on average 35.6 gambling transactions per month, compared to 15.6 in those ranked “Concerning”, and just 1.2 in the “Control” group.

Taken individually, however, these datasets are not enough to understand whether a customer is at risk of experiencing gambling harms. A dataset from a single bank is unlikely to offer a full picture of an individual’s spending, and so these exploratory research projects illustrated that further research is needed to create a fuller picture of an individual’s overall financial wellbeing.

“Our research with HSBC and Monzo has demonstrated that bank transactional data can be a useful tool in identifying gambling behaviours and the unique profiles of gamblers, but further work is needed to understand how such data can be used robustly. Different banks may use different factors, and different thresholds to identify gambling, and future work could look at developing a more standard operating model of how this kind of data should be used to identify those at risk of harm,” Dr Simon McNair, Advisor at BIT, said

“Our research with GambleAware helps us to understand gambling-related behaviours so that we can provide the best support to our customers. This includes opt-in solutions such as a gambling restriction feature to help people control their urge to gamble and automatic declines or referrals for lending to help prevent the customer getting into debt. Customers can also appoint third parties to help manage their finances either through a third-party mandate or our Independence Service. In addition, our specialist support team are on hand to aid customers at risk of financial harm and can refer to trusted external organisations where needed. We continue to work with charities such as Gamble Aware on other ways in which we can ensure these customers have access to the right support,” Maxine Pritchard, Head of Financial Inclusion and Vulnerability at HSBC, said.

“Our work with the Behavioural Insights Team has provided us with important insights into gambling behaviour and the impacts of gambling. At Monzo, this is an area we care deeply about and we’ve had amazing success so far with our gambling block, which has been used by more than 350,000 customers since its launch in 2017. We’re excited to use these insights to inform future work in this area, further reduce gambling harm and provide our customers with even more control over their financial lives,” Natalie Ledward, Head of Vulnerable Customers at Monzo, said.

GambleAware has commissioned the Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol to produce a practical guide for financial services seeking to protect customers from gambling-related financial harms. The guide offers real-life examples of what firms can do to identify and support customers who are at risk of gambling-related financial harm. It highlights the value of financial firms proactively analysing customer transaction data for spending patterns and behavioural signs that might indicate gambling-related vulnerability and enable firms to take action to prevent harm occurring.

“At a conservative estimate, at least five million people in Britain experience harmful gambling, either because of their own gambling or someone else’s. Regulated financial services firms are well-placed to address the financial harms linked to gambling-related vulnerability and our practical guide shows them how. Doing this may have knock-on benefits for other dimensions of gambling harm, such as people’s mental health,” Professor Sharon Collard, Research Director at the University of Bristol’s Personal Finance Research Centre, said.

“This research from the Behavioural Insights Team is a good first step to explore how bank transactional data may be able to identify behaviours indicative of gambling harm. Whilst more research is needed into this area, we encourage all financial institutions, including those from non-bank settings, to make the most of the new guide to see what they can do to protect their customers from gambling harm. By working with financial services and promoting the advice and support available, we can work collaboratively to respond to customer need to keep people safe from gambling harm,” Zoë Osmond, CEO at GambleAware, said.

Latest News

Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates

Published

8 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

xpoint-gains-massachusetts-vendor-license-as-north-american-expansion-accelerates

Xpoint, a leading geolocation and compliance technology company, has officially secured a vendor license to enter the regulated sports betting market in Massachusetts. The approval marks another strategic milestone in the company’s accelerating North American expansion, reinforcing its role as a core provider of gaming infrastructure.

Xpoint’s geolocation solution is now available to operators across the Bay State, delivering high-precision tools designed to ensure player activity remains fully compliant with the strict regulatory framework established by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

With Massachusetts added to its portfolio, Xpoint is now authorized to support regulated online sports wagering across 28 states and territories, as well as Ontario in Canada.

The license follows a period of sustained global expansion, including recent market entries in Missouri, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.

Built specifically for the gaming industry, Xpoint’s platform uses advanced geofencing technology to deliver precise location verification. By leveraging multiple data points, the system helps prevent wagers from unauthorized jurisdictions while identifying suspicious activity in real time.

The company’s platform development has also been supported by a recent investment round aimed at accelerating growth and enhancing product capabilities.

Manu Gambhir, CEO of Xpoint, said: “Securing our license in Massachusetts is a vital step as we continue to make strides in the geolocation space. Massachusetts has a passionate sports culture and a sophisticated regulatory framework, and we are excited to provide the precision technology necessary to maintain the integrity of the state’s sports betting ecosystem.

“Our growth into the Bay State demonstrates our team’s ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes quickly and efficiently. This expansion underscores the global demand for more innovative and adaptable compliance solutions, and we remain committed to being the most reliable partner for regulated operators worldwide.”

The post Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4

Published

8 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

nodwin-gaming’s-valorant-challengers-south-asia-2026-set-for-broadcast-kickoff;-registrations-close-march-4

With registrations entering their final phase, NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with Riot Games, is set to kick off the broadcast phase of VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026, marking the start of another high-stakes competitive season in the region.

The official VCSA 2026 broadcast will stream live on the NODWIN Gaming and Valorant Esports South Asia YouTube channels, bringing fans across South Asia closer to the region’s top VALORANT talent as teams begin their Split 1 campaigns.

Registrations for Split 1 remain open until March 4, 2026, inviting eligible teams across South Asia to compete in the region’s premier VALORANT circuit—the official pathway for teams aiming to reach the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

Season Overview

The 2026 season introduces a refined multi-stage competitive structure, featuring Open Qualifiers, two Splits, Promotion & Relegation, and a culminating Grand Final to crown the regional champions.

Key Dates – Split 1

Registration Window: Till March 4, 2026
Open Qualifiers: March 7 – March 11, 2026
Split 1 Broadcast Begins: March 16, 2026
Split 1 Playoffs: April 8 – 9, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Rank: Immortal 1 and above (V25 Act 6)
Regions: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan & Maldives
Premier Team Seeding: Based on V25 Acts 4, 5 & 6

Tournament Structure Overview

Open Qualifiers & Playoffs

The competition begins with an open circuit designed to spotlight emerging talent across South Asia.

Open Qualifiers

Single Elimination
Best-of-Three (Bo3)
Top 10 teams advance to OQ Playoffs

OQ Playoffs

Double Elimination
Bo3
Top 5 teams qualify for Split 1

The top three teams from VCSA 2025 receive direct invitations to Split 1.

Split 1

Team Composition

5 teams from OQ Playoffs
3 direct invite teams
Total: 8 teams

Format

Single Round Robin
Bo3
28 matches across 14 match days

Advancement

Top 6 teams advance to Split 2
Bottom 2 teams move to Promotion & Relegation

Split 2 & Grand Finals

Split 2 will feature eight teams competing in a single round robin format. The top four will advance to the Playoff Stage, where a single-elimination bracket (Bo3, Bo5 Grand Final) will determine the VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 champions.

Game Changers South Asia 2026

Running alongside the main circuit, Game Changers South Asia 2026 will feature two competitive splits with open qualifiers, reinforcing inclusive growth within the region’s VALORANT ecosystem. The winner of Split 2 will advance to the Game Changers Pacific Stage.

Building on a Landmark 2025 Season

VCSA 2026 follows a record-breaking 2025 edition, where Velocity Gaming secured the VCT Ascension Pacific slot after a dominant 3–1 Grand Final victory over S8UL at the Ascension Qualifiers LAN.

The 2025 season recorded over 12 million views and peaked at 50,000+ concurrent viewers, cementing VCSA’s position as one of South Asia’s most-watched VALORANT tournaments.

With viewership at an all-time high and competitive standards rising, the 2026 season promises even greater intensity.

From the Organizers

Gautam Virk, Co-Founder & CEO, NODWIN Gaming, said:
“As we head into the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, the excitement across the ecosystem is palpable. This circuit represents the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT in South Asia, and our structured pathway ensures that every team from open qualifiers to grand finalists earns their position through performance. After the incredible momentum of last season, we are confident that 2026 will further elevate the region’s competitive standard.”

Sukamal Pegu, Head of Esports India and South Asia, Riot Games, added:
“Competing in VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams in South Asia. The level of competition, the scale of production, and the passion of the community make this circuit truly special. With the new season underway and the clear path connecting Tier-2 to Tier-1 already announced, we’re excited to see both established rosters and emerging contenders raise the bar even higher.”

With broadcasts set to begin and registrations closing soon, the road to VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 is officially underway. Teams across the region are invited to step forward and shape the next chapter of South Asian VALORANT.

The post NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Adam Miles

DEGEN Studios adds commercial firepower with Adam Miles

Published

8 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

degen-studios-adds-commercial-firepower-with-adam-miles

DEGEN Studios has appointed Adam Miles as Director of Sales, accelerating its commercial engine as the studio pushes further into global markets.

Adam joins DEGEN with extensive experience across the iGaming industry, specialising in business development, account management and strategic partnership growth. Most recently, he served as Head of Sales at BetGames, where he led commercial strategy, built high-performing teams and strengthened operator relationships across key territories. Prior to that, he held a senior Business Development role at ARRISE, a global leader in software development and services for the iGaming industry.

In his new role, Adam will lead DEGEN’s global sales strategy, focusing on expanding distribution, deepening operator partnerships and ensuring the studio’s high-volatility, identity-led portfolio reaches the right audiences.

Adam joins at a time of momentum for DEGEN, with new titles launching and the recently unveiled DEGEN Powered initiative broadening the studio’s collaborative ecosystem.

Adam Miles, Director of Sales at DEGEN Studios, said: “What drew me to DEGEN is that it doesn’t try to fit into the safe middle ground. That makes the commercial conversation stronger, not harder. Operators want content that cuts through, and my job is to make sure we’re building the right strategic relationships to support that ambition.”

Danny Gordon, Head of Studio at DEGEN Studios, said: “As we continue to scale, it’s important that our commercial strategy matches the ambition of our roadmap. We have strong momentum behind the product, and now it’s about accelerating that growth in the right markets with the right partners. Adam brings the experience and commercial focus needed to expand our reach while staying true to what makes DEGEN distinct.”

The post DEGEN Studios adds commercial firepower with Adam Miles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.