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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.

2025 Ads Safety Report

PropellerAds 2025 Ad Safety Outlook

Published

59 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

PropellerAds, a top performance advertising platform worldwide, has just published the 2025 Ads Safety Report, which offers an in-depth analysis of ad fraud trends, protective measures for the platform, and guidance for advertisers on compliance.

The report emphasizes that as fraudulent methods grow more advanced, the organization’s multi-tiered security measures are essential in protecting advertisers, traffic providers, and end users.

Advancing Ad Fraud Methods and High-Risk Areas

In 2025, ad fraud advanced considerably, transitioning from basic techniques to more intricate, infrastructure-intensive schemes. Fraudsters exploited cloaking, malware distribution networks, and social engineering tactics aimed at messenger accounts, frequently across various ad formats. PropellerAds enhanced initial moderation and foundational detection to identify high-risk actions before campaigns launched.

Throughout the year, the platform processed 729,794 campaign rejections, mainly driven by content compliance and user safety issues, with adult content and malware alerts representing the largest portions. These actions guaranteed that campaigns were halted prior to delivery, safeguarding advertisers, publishers, and end users, while upholding a consistent and reliable advertising landscape. In comparison to 2024, campaign rejections rose by 35%, indicating enhanced moderation reach and more robust preventive measures.

Markets of high value, such as Turkey and Spanish-speaking areas, saw increased levels of fraudulent behavior. Approximately 80% of identified attacks aimed at users of Windows and Android. Fraud patterns typically integrated technical, behavioral, and content indicators, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring and thorough infrastructure evaluation.

High-Risk Accounts and Safeguarding Methods

Cloaking continued to be the primary high-risk infraction, making up more than 80% of verified account suspensions. This method consists of displaying varying content to moderation systems and users, masking the actual essence of campaigns. Ransomware, unsuccessful identity verification, and scam schemes also played a role in account suspensions, albeit to a smaller degree. Fraud that relies on heavy infrastructure necessitates multi-tiered enforcement and ongoing monitoring to guarantee platform safety.

In 2025, schemes of fraud grew more advanced. Cloaking methods encompassed multi-tiered traffic management, selective content distribution, and decentralized architecture. Malware distribution has progressed from basic redirects to immediate file downloads or complex interactions. Incidents of Messenger account hijacking rose, featuring phishing sites, counterfeit login forms, and mobile-centric social engineering assaults. Certain campaigns even utilized compromised or left-behind servers and domains, necessitating thorough technical and behavioral analysis for detection.

AI and automation contributed to fraud prevention by analyzing behavioral patterns, identifying high-risk signals, and aiding expert evaluations. Although fraudsters tried to utilize AI for creating counterfeit documents or modifying creative assets, PropellerAds guarantees that all campaigns undergo expert reviews and infrastructure checks prior to traffic delivery, stopping high-risk operations from accessing users.

Advertiser Adherence and Risk Oversight

PropellerAds advises advertisers to adhere closely to platform guidelines, verify that ad content aligns with format and regional specifications, comprehend the entire user experience, and track infrastructure and domain reputation. The use of cloaking or misleading tactics is deemed high-risk and typically leads to permanent account termination.

The PropellerAds team highlights that preventing fraud is an ongoing and developing process that demands technology, expert evaluation, and collaboration across the ecosystem. The organization continues to prioritize improving platform safety, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding all individuals involved in the advertising ecosystem.

The post PropellerAds 2025 Ad Safety Outlook appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Belatra

Belatra Rings in 33rd Anniversary During SiGMA South America

Published

59 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

belatra-rings-in-33rd-anniversary-during-sigma-south-america

Belatra Games, the expert in online slots development, is celebrating its 33rd anniversary at this year’s SiGMA South America in São Paulo, Brazil, where the company will host partners, clients, and industry acquaintances to honor the occasion at Booth M70.

The occasion offers an ideal setting for Belatra to contemplate over thirty years of advancements in the worldwide iGaming sector. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for developing captivating and immersive gaming experiences, partly fueled by enduring partnerships in global markets.

Attendees at the Belatra booth will have the opportunity to connect with the LatAm team from Buenos Aires, headed by Lucila M. Barletta, Head of Accounts LatAm, and learn about the company’s newest titles and the opportunities arising in LatAm. Belatra’s European team members will likewise be in São Paulo to commemorate the milestone alongside partners and guests.

To commemorate the event, Belatra will hold a unique stand celebration, encouraging attendees to toast with the team while engaging in a special booth giveaway that includes various prizes.

Festivities will occur at Booth M70 in the Transamérica Expo Center, as Belatra eagerly invites industry partners to join in celebrating 33 years of innovation.

Sergey Chernyavski, Belatra Games’ CCO, said: “Celebrating 33 years of Belatra at SiGMA South America is a special moment for our team. A huge part of our success has been inspired by relationships within the iGaming community and events like this give us a chance to say thanks to our partners and friends. LatAm and Brazil are big markets for us and we look forward to showcasing our latest titles and plans for the region.”

The post Belatra Rings in 33rd Anniversary During SiGMA South America appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Booming Games

Booming Games Drops Lucky Charms Trio

Published

2 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

Featuring a 5×3 layout, the game provides a highest win possibility of 5,000x.
Mystery Symbols may show up completely or partially at any moment, producing enchanting rewards when aligned throughout the reels.
Gamers can dive right into the excitement with the Trio Bonus feature, offering immediate exhilaration.

Booming Games, a top supplier of high-quality gaming content, has officially released Lucky Charms Trio. The game features a 5×3 layout with a highest possible win of 5,000x. Set against a stunning, vibrant backdrop of beautiful green hills and shimmering rainbows, Lucky Charms Trio boasts a variety of thrilling features aimed at enhancing the enjoyment for players.

The grid is adorned with classic symbols of good fortune, including four-leaf clovers, shiny horseshoes, and joyful leprechauns, creating an ideal setting for St Patrick’s Day celebrations later this month. To create a feeling of thrill, Mystery Symbols may show up either partially or completely at any moment, allowing players to align symbols across the reels to produce enchanting rewards.

Activating the Lucky Pots Feature reveals as many as seven unique bonus variations; Boost, Multiply, and Collect, in various combinations. Every pot can provide its own bonus independently or combine with others, and the maximum payout occurs when all three features trigger simultaneously for the largest rewards. To maintain the momentum, players have the option to utilize the thrilling Boost+ feature, or dive directly into the excitement with Buy Bonus and Trio Bonus for immediate enjoyment.

Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “Step into the realms of sparkling fortune with Lucky Charms Trio, our vibrant new slot game where shimmering reels and playful surprises build excitement with every spin. With St Patrick’s Day just around the corner, our latest release demonstrates our ability to develop games that connect with both local and global audiences. Fast-paced, dynamic gameplay and large win potential combine to create an ultimate gameplay experience packed with adventure. Play Lucky Charms Trio now!”

The post Booming Games Drops Lucky Charms Trio appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.