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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.”
New farm-themed slot adds Free Spins, Hold and Win, and optional bonus buys priced at 75x and 150x the bet.
Booming Games has launched Henhouse Hustle: Hold and Win, a new farmyard-themed slot featuring a Free Spins mechanic and a Hold and Win bonus. The supplier said the game runs on a 5×3 grid with 20 paylines and offers a maximum win potential of 6,000x.
In the base game, Golden Eggs are stored in a Collection Pot. Free Spins trigger when three Golden Eggs land on the middle reels, with their cash value moved above the reels at the start of the round. Booming Games said that cash value is awarded each time a Golden Egg lands during the feature.
During Free Spins, Boost symbols can increase Egg prizes to the next prize level from one to five times, while an Extra Spins symbol can award between one and five additional spins. The company said Boost symbols can increase to Prize Pot values of 10x-1000x, awarding Mini, Minor, Major and Grand prizes.
The Hold and Win round triggers with five or more Eggs and starts with three respins, with Egg symbols held in place and the respin counter resetting when additional Eggs land. The Grand Prize is awarded when all positions on the grid are filled with Eggs. The release also states that triggering with five or more eggs including three golden eggs activates a Combo Bonus, awarding both Hold and Win and Free Spins in a Super Bonus Round.
Booming Games said players can purchase either the Bonus or the Combo Bonus for 75x and 150x the bet amount respectively, which is guaranteed to trigger the Hold and Win feature. A Boost+ option can also be activated in the base game, increasing the bet amount by 1.25x and increasing the chance of triggering bonus features.
Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “Packed with a host of innovative new features which offer fast-paced, high stakes gameplay, Henhouse Hustle: Hold and Win is the latest example of Booming Games’ market-leading capabilities. The Fox acts as the antagonist, stealing Golden Eggs and adding a real sense of theatre to the game, which we’re confident will be a hit among players.”
The post Booming Games launches Henhouse Hustle: Hold and Win appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Amusnet has released its latest cascading slot Crime King 1000, which transports players into the heart of a gripping underworld inspired by classic mafia stories, hidden fortunes and high-stakes ambition. In this city of secrets, only the boldest are destined to build an empire.
Played across 6 cascading reels, the game features an engaging Match 8+ mechanic, where the matching symbols disappear after every successful combination, making room for new symbols to fall into place. This dynamic gameplay creates opportunities for consecutive cascades, keeping the action flowing and the anticipation high throughout every round.
At the centre of the experience is the Progressive Multiplier feature. As valuable multiplier symbols are collected, four distinct multiplier tiers – green, blue, purple and red – come into play, each offering increasingly powerful values. The highest tier can reach an impressive 1000x, adding a dramatic boost to both the base game and the Free Spins feature as multiple multipliers combine during cascading sequences.
The pressure intensifies when four Scatter symbols appear anywhere on the reels, unlocking 15 Free Spins and opening the door to even greater multiplier opportunities. The feature can also be retriggered, extending the action and allowing players to stay in the heart of the underworld even longer.
For those unwilling to wait, the Buy Bonus feature offers immediate access to the Free Spins experience, providing a fast track to the game’s most exciting moments.
With its cinematic crime-inspired atmosphere, cascading gameplay and powerful multiplier mechanics, Crime King 1000 delivers a bold adventure where every cascade strengthens the player’s influence and every decision brings the player one step closer to ruling the city. In this world, reputation is everything – and only the true king of crime will claim the throne.
Cascades & Match 8
The winning symbols disappear, allowing new symbols to drop into their place, potentially triggering additional wins from a single spin. A winning configuration consists of 8 or more identical symbols anywhere on the reels.
Free Spins
15 Free Spins are triggered by landing at least 4 Scatter Symbols at any position across the reels. The feature can be retriggered by landing another 3 Scatter symbols during Free Spins.
Progressive Multiplier
Available both in the Base game and Free Spins mode. There are four colours of multiplier gems, as follows:
Green Multiplier symbol – 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x
Blue Multiplier symbol – 10x, 12x, 15x, 20x
Purple Multiplier symbol – 25x, 50x
Red Multiplier symbol – 100x, 250x, 500x, 1000x
If several multipliers appear after the cascading sequence ends, their values are added together.
Buy Free Spins
Enables the player to purchase 15 Free Spins at the price of 100x the total bet.
The post Amusnet Releases its Latest Cascading Slot, Crime King 1000 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Betsson and Sliema Wanderers FC have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their intention to establish a landmark long-term partnership, reinforcing Betsson’s long-standing contribution to Maltese sport and the local community.
Under the proposed partnership, Betsson is expected to become Sliema Wanderers’ front-of-shirt sponsor and will support the club’s continued investment in its sporting operations and facilities. The parties will now work towards finalising the full partnership agreement.
The partnership would see Sliema Wanderers join Betsson’s international football portfolio, alongside leading clubs including Inter, Club Brugge, Boca Juniors and Atlético Nacional.
The MOU reflects a shared commitment to the long-term development of Sliema Wanderers and the club’s ambition to strengthen its sporting infrastructure, enhance its competitive position and establish a more sustainable operating model for the future.
Sliema Wanderers is one of a limited number of Maltese football clubs that owns premises which can be developed and commercialised to generate recurring revenue. The club intends to continue investing in its facilities and creating additional revenue streams to support its long-term sporting ambitions.
Jesper Svensson, CEO at Betsson Group, said: “Betsson has been part of Malta for over 20 years, and we are proud to deepen our long-standing commitment to the local sporting community.
“This proposed partnership goes well beyond the traditional sponsorship model. We are supporting a club with a clear vision for its future, including stronger sporting facilities and a sustainable model that can support its continued development.
“Sliema Wanderers has demonstrated ambition and a genuine commitment to long-term progress. These are values that strongly resonate with Betsson, and we look forward to working with the club and bring its vision to life.”
The proposed partnership builds on the work undertaken by the club’s new committee, which has focused on strengthening the club’s financial foundations and investing in its sporting infrastructure.
Walter Arciola, President of Sliema Wanderers FC, said: “The signing of this MOU represents an important vote of confidence in the long-term vision we have established for Sliema Wanderers.
“Our objective is not simply to achieve success on the pitch. We want to build an institution that is financially sustainable, supported by high-quality facilities and positioned to compete successfully over the long term.
“Betsson has understood and embraced that vision from the outset. We are delighted to take this important first step towards a long-term partnership and look forward to working together to support the future development of Sliema Wanderers.”
The announcement comes as Sliema Wanderers continues to strengthen its sporting project ahead of the upcoming season. During the event, the club also presented Malta international Teddy Teuma as its latest signing, following the recent arrivals of fellow Malta internationals Alexander Satariano and Henry Bonello. The three signings further reflect the club’s ambition to combine immediate sporting progress with a sustainable long-term development strategy.
The post Betsson and Sliema Wanderers FC Sign Landmark MOU for Long-term Partnership appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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