Latest News
Charity Calls for Education as Research Reveals LGBTQ+ Gambling Concerns
Ygam, an award-winning education charity, has integrated new content into its evidence-based harm prevention workshops which specifically focus on the relationship between gambling harms and the LGBTQ+ community. The first session was successfully delivered during Pride Month.
The initiative is in response to new research by academics at Bournemouth University. It found that 53% of LGBTQ+ individuals reported to having three or more gambling accounts that they use regularly, and nearly half (49%) stated that they felt regret after gambling.
The study also revealed that 77% of LGBTQ+ individuals would seek help if they felt they had a problem. Many of the mental health problems associated with gambling harms are also more prevalent among LGBTQ+ populations.
Discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and non-conformity are experienced by 71% of LGBTQ+ people in the research, and the reports suggests that gambling might provide a coping strategy for some. However, many LGBTQ+ people say that they do not feel safe or welcome in land-based gambling venues, with online gambling viewed as more accessible and inclusive for them.
The report also identifies a need for more tailored support for vulnerable groups. There is a perception amongst the participants that current support service providers do not cater for the unique needs of LGBTQ+ community.
Ygam will now be working with Dr Reece Bush-Evans from the Gambling Research Group at Bournemouth University to further develop our portfolio of educational programmes to ensure they are informed by the latest insights published in this new research.
Kyle Riding, Head of Programmes at Ygam, said: “The findings of this new research are concerning, and we hope our resources will help safeguard young people within the LGBTQ+ community. Anyone can experience gambling harms, but stressors unique to the LGBTQ+ community are not experienced by everyone. Our training equips delegates with the knowledge, understanding and confidence to lead safeguarding conversations, identify signs of harms and signpost to the support available. We believe that all young people should be protected against gambling harms, and we should take action when we identify specifically vulnerable groups.”
Dr Reece Bush-Evans from the Gambling Research Group at Bournemouth University said: “Fundamental to this work has been the engagement with LGBTQ+ people with lived experience of gambling harms. Many LGBTQ+ people we have interviewed say that they have experienced losing control over their gambling at some point in their life. Prevention is important, which is why it is crucial to raise awareness and deliver education to our younger generations. I’m looking forward to working with Ygam and using this new research to further inform their work. More needs to be done to protect the wellbeing of marginalised groups such as the LGBTQ+ community and education is paramount to this.”
The workshops delivered by Ygam are free to delegates who have safeguarding or caring responsibilities over young people including teachers, youth workers, parents and health professionals. Ygam will also be adding training sessions related to the LGBTQ+ community into their Alumni programme which was launched earlier this year. This training equips delegates with the knowledge, understanding, confidence and skills to lead safeguarding conversations, identify signs of harms and signpost to the support available.
Latest News
1spin4win & Blask report 7 out of 10 top games in Africa are slots
The study analyzes key markets across both regions, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Using real-time data on game placement and player demand, the research provides a clear view of what content operators prioritize and what resonates most with players. The report also features insights from operators such as BetPawa and MSport, adding industry perspective to the data-driven analysis.
One key finding is that slots continue to dominate across both regions. In Africa, they account for 71% of the Top 30 games featured in casino lobbies, while in Latin America, they make up 67% of the Top 30 games analyzed — outperforming both crash and live formats.
At the same time, the data shows that what operators place in lobbies does not always match what players are actually looking for. Some of the most searched-for games are not prominently featured or are missing from lobbies altogether.
For 1spin4win, this report is part of their broader expansion strategy across Africa and Latin America. The provider began actively extending its presence in these markets in 2025, strengthening partnerships with local aggregators and refining its product strategy to better align with regional player preferences. These include mobile optimization and fast loading and smooth performance even on weak internet connections. In Africa, these efforts led to a 9.2x increase in the number of bets.
Olga Hlukhovskaya, Business Development Director at 1spin4win, “At 1spin4win, we place strong emphasis on working with data. It’s at the core of how we approach product development. We focus on understanding player preferences and making informed decisions that help us deliver experiences that truly resonate with our audience.”
Ilya Batcherikov, Blask CPO, commented, “By aggregating non-branded search data at scale, we help teams understand what players are actually looking for in each market — often before those trends become visible inside the product. This allows operators to move from reactive content strategies to proactive ones, aligning supply with real-time demand and capturing value that would otherwise be missed.”
Full insights from the research are available in the report “What’s hot in LATAM and Africa” on the Blask website.
About 1spin4win
1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.
Allwyn
UK High Court Rejects Legal Challenges Relating to the National Lottery Licence
On 17 April 2026, the UK High Court rejected in full the claims brought by The New Lottery Company Limited (TNLC) and Northern & Shell PLC (N&S) against the Gambling Commission in relation to the award of the Fourth National Lottery Licence.
In summary, the claims alleged that the Gambling Commission had wrongly awarded the Fourth National Lottery Licence to Allwyn, and that instead, TNLC should have won the competition. The claims also alleged that the Gambling Commission and Allwyn had entered into impermissible modifications to the Licence arrangements following the competition.
The lengthy trial of the claims took place in the High Court before Mrs Justice Joanna Smith between 9 October and 2 December 2025, with an additional day on 13 January 2026.
The High Court has now ruled in favour of the Gambling Commission on all of the claims, rejecting the allegations which had been made.
This is an important judgment for the future of The National Lottery. This judgment makes clear that the Gambling Commission ran a fair and robust competition to award the Fourth National Lottery Licence, and that none of the contested changes to the Licence, in the course of its implementation, were substantial or contrary to the relevant procurement regulations.
The judgment gives resounding support to Good Causes by enabling Allwyn, with oversight from the Commission, to continue with their plans of investment in The National Lottery without further distraction.
The National Lottery is one of the world’s largest lotteries and since launching in 1994, National Lottery players have collectively raised more than £52 billion for more than 670,000 Good Causes across the UK, transforming lives and contributing to the arts, sport, heritage and communities.
The post UK High Court Rejects Legal Challenges Relating to the National Lottery Licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ESG
Play’n GO publishes 2025 Sustainability Report with emissions and governance updates
Play’n GO has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, framing the year as a milestone as the supplier marks 20 years in the gaming industry. The report covers performance across four pillars—Players, Partners, People and Planet—and positions sustainability as tied to product design, operations, and partner expectations.
On climate reporting, the company said it has “achieved and exceeded” its long-term 90% reduction target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and reported a 69% absolute reduction in Scope 3 emissions versus its 2023 base year. Play’n GO also said its total material emissions for 2025 were kept below 500 MTCO2e.
The report also points to a move into land-based delivery. In 2025, Play’n GO said it launched its first land-based gaming solution in partnership with Genting UK, positioning the rollout as part of a “player-first, low-footprint approach” for regulated venues.
On responsible entertainment, the company said it continues to reject game mechanics it believes “compromise player trust or wellbeing,” and highlighted participation in discussions on digital wellbeing and cognitive health, including at the United Nations and G7. “We have always believed that great entertainment should be fun, safe and fair,” said Vanessa Björkbacka, Director of CSR at Play’n GO.
The report also outlines internal development and reporting infrastructure. Play’n GO said 43% of employees engaged in AI-related learning during 2025 and that average training time exceeded seven hours per employee globally. It added that reporting was further aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and World Economic Forum Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, alongside investment in “secure, AI-supported carbon data management.” “As expectations on transparency and accountability continue to rise, we see it as our responsibility to lead,” Björkbacka added.
The post Play’n GO publishes 2025 Sustainability Report with emissions and governance updates appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Caesars Digital6 days agoRubyPlay partners with Caesars Entertainment in Ontario to advance North American expansion
-
Amazons’ Wonders5 days agoSYNOT Games Enters into Partnership with Bulgarian Operator BETVAM
-
Africa6 days agoTaDa Gaming joins inaugural iGaming AFRIKA Summit in Nairobi
-
Aviator6 days agoSPRIBE Wins Interim Injunction in Brazil – Court Orders Betnacional to Immediately Cease Unauthorized Use of “AVIATOR”
-
Blueprint Gaming6 days agoBlueprint Gaming adds pots mechanic to Cash Strike with Triple Action Cash Strike
-
bingo5 days agoThe Swedish Bingo Association Receives a Reprimand for Lack of Information in Bingo Halls
-
Asia6 days agoS8UL signs Team Question Mark roster for PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS ahead of EWC 2026
-
Caesars Digital6 days agoRubyPlay partners with Caesars Entertainment in Ontario to advance North American expansion



