Canada
GAMBLESS H1 UPDATE
Below a brief overview of the most significant updates during the first half of 2022.
Summary:
- App Downloads: Growth of American Userbase
- Resources: Gambless – Mindspa Health integration
- Validation: Research and Studies
- Trends: Digital Health Attitude
Growth of American Userbase
Gambless continues to be problem gamblers’ go-to mobile app for support also in 2022. The app ranks #1 for “gambling addiction” and related searches on Google Play in most countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Italy, and many others. Hence, it is able to capture most of the user-led organic demand for help – even without referrals from other organizations.
In recent months, Gambless has seen an increase of downloads from the United States. Last year, U.S. based problem gamblers registered on the app were 28% of all English speakers, however, their share jumped to 35% in 2022. The main cause for this growth might be the increased popularity and continued legalization of online gambling in the States; those who gamble online are more prone to searching for digital support tools.
Gambless continued to ask its users where they gamble or used to gamble most frequently, and the operators that make the top the lists in 2022 so far are: DraftKings (US), Ladbrokes Coral (UK), and Snai (Italy).
Mindspa Health Integration
Taking a mental health test is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether someone is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. This is particularly relevant for a condition characterized by low awareness and a strong stigma attached to it, such as gambling addiction.
Striving to further increase its reach, Gambless has now achieved higher integration with Mindspa Health. That means that from now on, Mindspa users will be able to take – among other tests – also a ‘Problem Gambling’ self-assessment, after which they will be redirected to Gambless resources if deemed at risk. With over 1 million registered users and hundreds of thousands monthly readers on its blogs and social media, Mindspa has been ranked among the top 5 mental health apps in Europe by Apple in 2021.
This integration will ensure greater awareness on the topic, while contributing to our mission of tackling gambling addiction with a holistic mental health approach.
Health Care Trends & Research
It is paramount that digital support tools are built to the highest standards. Thanks to the appreciative emails and messages we receive regularly from users, here at Gambless we are cognizant of the tremendous impact these resources can have on the most vulnerable individuals.
Digital health is particularly important for highly stigmatized conditions, such as addictive disorders and pathological gambling, and it will play an even greater role in the future. In the UK, 62% of people surveyed by independent organisation ORCHA agreed that it’s vital to consider new ways to manage our health, including using high-quality health apps. Moreover, 83% of people who have used a health app said they found it helpful in improving their health and wellbeing.
In the past months, Gambless and Mindspa have been the subjects of several studies and research papers. A review of Gambless was included in the paper: “Gambling digital tools: Promising practices & future opportunities” by the Canadian Responsible Gambling Council. While the chatbot feature from Mindspa (available also on Gambless) was reviewed in two research papers: “A review of mobile chatbot apps for anxiety and depression and their self-care features” and “Health-focused conversational agents in person-centered care: a review of apps”. Both papers highlighted promising results regarding the acceptability of healthbots for mental health, with Mindspa receiving the highest rating (4.9/5) among the studied apps.
Final Notes
Lastly, as of July 2022 Gambless therapeutic courses are no longer free (all the other app features remain free). This decision was not taken lightly, and those who take a self-assessment test and are deemed at risk of gambling addiction will still be able to access our ‘Problem Gambling’ programs at a discount price, now set at a symbolic $9.99 –which is 1¢ lower than the minimum deposit amount on the average gambling site.
The change comes after 2 years during which access codes to our therapeutic courses were distributed for free to thousands of individuals in need, despite a lack of interest in our efforts shown by regulators, operators and grant-making organisations.
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Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app
Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.
“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”
While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.
“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”
In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.
“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:
- Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
- Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
- Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
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