Latest News
Two in Three People Experiencing Gambling Problems Keep Issue Hidden
As many as 2 in 3 adults (64%) in Great Britain who have experienced any gambling problem have kept their experience hidden, new research from GambleAware has revealed. With almost 2 in 5 (39%) of those who hadn’t opened up stating feelings of stigma such as shame, guilt and fear of judgement represent key barriers to reaching out for support – the charity is issuing a call to end damaging stigma and encourage those who may be experiencing gambling harms to “open-up about gambling”.
Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, said: “It’s alarming to see the number of people who are struggling in isolation. As a hidden addiction, gambling harms can be incredibly hard to spot from the outside. It is therefore critical that people impacted are aware of the wide range of support services available, and that they feel safe to come forward. Anyone can be impacted by gambling harms, but the first step is to open up and have that first conversation, ideally as early as possible.”
The campaign launch comes as research also suggests that most of the public believe certain gambling products, such as instant win games, are addictive, indicating how gambling harm can affect anyone and the importance of building empathy for those experiencing harm. Specifically, over seven in ten (71%) respondents said they believe instant win games are very or fairly addictive, followed by 64% for scratch cards and 62% for casino games.
Noteworthy football commentator Clive Tyldesley said: “I think that since I’ve started to work with charities and meet and talk with both people who gambled which were in recovery and bereaved family members, the thing that has struck me is how normal and unremarkable their backgrounds invariably are. Harmful gambling really can affect anyone and very often those suffering show no outward signs of their issues. It’s a silent, invisible problem because too often the gamblers disappear into their own feelings of embarrassment and guilt. They think they’re to blame when they are not, they think they’re alone when many others are wrestling with the same issues. Getting them to open up and talk is half the battle to beating the problem, either with people close to them or via the professional support the GambleAware website offers. The first conversation is maybe the most difficult but it’s the most soothing and the most important too.”
Professor Dame Clare Gerada said: “When I opened the doors of the nation’s first Primary Care Gambling Service a few short years ago, I was a relative newcomer to the challenges surrounding gambling. However, since then, my eyes have been thoroughly opened.
“Gambling is an addiction which can only be described as ‘uniquely’ awful: the ruin it wreaks on people’s lives can be complete and multi-layered; the collateral damage is also considerable as families and loved ones suffer alongside. Its inherently hidden nature means that, at the moment, people have to see their lives collapse around them before they get the help they desperately need. It doesn’t need to be like this. There is an incredible breadth of support service, from how to deal with debt, to how to stop gambling completely which people can access for free through the National Gambling Support Network, and I urge anyone concerned about their gambling to do so.”
Positively, the research also supports the benefits of opening up, as three out of four (76%) who had talked about their problems stated they felt better after speaking to someone. With gambling harms often manifesting as intrinsically “hidden” and isolating, GambleAware is aiming to bring to the surface the power of conversations and provide reassurance that help is never far.
The campaign has been developed in close collaboration with the gambling harms lived experienced community, and is supported by a range of expert and influential voices including ex-Love Islander Scott Thomas, who has previously experienced gambling harms.
Scott Thomas, Entrepreneur and Presenter, said: “It’s an incredibly scary thing to first tell someone that you’ve got a gambling problem. Many people assume it’s just because you can’t handle your money, but it needs to be viewed as seriously as any other mental health condition. I was terrified when I first opened up about the problems I had been having but, once I did, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I no longer had to hide. I want the same to happen for anyone out there who feels like they might be struggling on their own.”
There is a vast range of resources available and anyone who is worried that gambling might be affecting themselves or someone they love are encouraged to use the self-assessment tool to get free and confidential support tailored to them and their specific needs.
Elissa Hubbard, who has lived experience of gambling harms, said: “Every day was full of anxiety – trying to keep my gambling a secret, whilst finding opportunities to do it more. People think you can ‘just stop’, but you can’t… it’s so easy to be dismissed, and I didn’t want anyone to think bad of me. Finding help changed everything. I discovered that by keeping quiet, it helps no one, and when you start to talk about it, people start to understand you.”
GambleAware has also created tools to help users calculate the time and money spent gambling, served with recommendations in line with the internationally proven Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines. These are expected to become available from early December as part of a soft launch on the GambleAware website.
Dr Ellie Cannon, medical expert and commentator, said: “Gambling harms – or the negative consequences of gambling – are a complex issue that goes far beyond just financial challenges. It can lead to poor mental health, physical health, and relationships break down. They way these issues manifest will vary from person to person, but being aware and recognising the early warning signs of spending increasing amounts of time, money and hiding your gambling can help get people to a better place, sooner.”
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Too often we see the devastating impacts of harmful gambling, and our white paper outlines a host of new measures we’re implementing to protect those most at risk. A key element of our plans is the introduction of a statutory levy on gambling companies to raise sufficient, sustainable and trusted funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling related harm. Stigma is the biggest barrier preventing people from seeking help, and I welcome GambleAware’s vital campaign which is raising awareness of the issue and helping people get the support they need.”
Compliance
EPIC Global Solutions names Chetan Pandya as Managing Director
Former DAZN executive joins as the safer gambling consultancy scales internationally from Manchester.
EPIC Global Solutions has appointed Chetan Pandya as Managing Director, the company said on 5 May 2026. The Manchester-based gambling-harm prevention consultancy said the hire is part of its next phase of international growth.
Pandya joins from DAZN, where he held senior leadership roles. EPIC said the appointment is intended to help scale operations and expand its role with organisations in “high-risk sectors,” including sport, gambling, and education.
Chetan Pandya, Managing Director at EPIC Global Solutions, said: “EPIC operates in a space that is becoming increasingly critical to the future of global sport and gambling. The opportunity to help shape how organisations approach prevention, responsibility, and long-term sustainability at scale is incredibly compelling. I’m excited to be joining at such a pivotal moment in the company’s journey.”
Paul Buck, CEO of EPIC Global Solutions, added: “This is a significant moment for EPIC. Chetan brings the experience, leadership, and global perspective we need as we continue to grow and evolve. Our ambition is clear – to be the trusted partner to the world’s leading organisations in player protection, and this appointment strengthens our ability to deliver on that.”
EPIC said it is expanding its presence in North America and internationally, alongside the development of scalable and digitally-enabled solutions to support organisations across multiple markets.
The post EPIC Global Solutions names Chetan Pandya as Managing Director appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
EPIC Global Solutions names Chetan Pandya as Managing Director
Manchester-based gambling-harm prevention consultancy says the hire supports expansion in North America and other markets.
EPIC Global Solutions has appointed Chetan Pandya as Managing Director, the Manchester-based gambling-harm prevention consultancy said on 5 May 2026.
Pandya joins from DAZN, where he held senior leadership roles. EPIC said the appointment is intended to support its next phase of international growth and to scale its operations as regulatory scrutiny increases and operators expand into new markets.
“EPIC operates in a space that is becoming increasingly critical to the future of global sport and gambling. The opportunity to help shape how organisations approach prevention, responsibility, and long-term sustainability at scale is incredibly compelling. I’m excited to be joining at such a pivotal moment in the company’s journey,” Pandya said.
CEO Paul Buck said the hire strengthens EPIC’s leadership as it expands its presence in North America and develops “scalable and digitally-enabled solutions” to support partners across multiple jurisdictions. “This is a significant moment for EPIC. Chetan brings the experience, leadership, and global perspective we need as we continue to grow and evolve. Our ambition is clear – to be the trusted partner to the world’s leading organisations in player protection, and this appointment strengthens our ability to deliver on that,” Buck added.
The post EPIC Global Solutions names Chetan Pandya as Managing Director appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gambling in the USA
StreamRollers names Top 100 casino influencers after Las Vegas awards gala
Inaugural StreamRollers Top 100 Casino Influencer Awards were held May 2 at SAHARA Las Vegas and livestreamed globally.
StreamRollers has announced its Top 100 Casino Influencers of 2026 following the inaugural StreamRollers Top 100 Casino Influencer Awards, held May 2 at SAHARA Las Vegas in Nevada. The company said the event brought together casino content creators, gaming executives and media for a formal gala.
Former Nevada State Attorney General George Chanos presented the awards. “Nevada continues to lead in gaming and innovation,” said Chanos. “This new wave of creators represents the next evolution of how audiences engage with Las Vegas and gambling entertainment.”
StreamRollers listed its top 10 ranked influencers as:
- Raja Richter (The Big Jackpot),
- Vegas Matt,
- Lady Luck HQ,
- Brian Christopher Slots,
- NG Slot,
- D Lucky Experience,
- Mr. Hand Pay,
- Pompsie,
- Xposed
- and PokerMetarb.
The company said the full Top 100 list has been published on its Instagram account.
The company positioned the awards as a marker of the growing creator economy around casino content, which it said spans platforms including YouTube, Twitch and Instagram. StreamRollers said the awards event was livestreamed via StreamRollers.com and noted its platform is currently in beta with an official launch planned.
David Wang, Founder of StreamRollers, commented: “Casino influencers aren’t just playing games—they’re redefining how millions experience Las Vegas and gambling entertainment from their screens. This event is about recognizing the creators leading that transformation.”
The post StreamRollers names Top 100 casino influencers after Las Vegas awards gala appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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