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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.”
Games Valley has signed a content aggregation partnership with BGaming, adding the studio’s online casino portfolio to the Games Valley platform.
Under the agreement, operators connected to Games Valley will be able to access BGaming titles via a single integration. The content slated for distribution includes slots, crash games, casual games and other online casino titles.
Games Valley and BGaming marked the partnership during NEXT Summit Valletta, where both companies supported the BGaming Charity Gala in aid of DAR Bjorn.
Ariel Reem, CEO at Games Valley, said: “BGaming has built a strong reputation as one of the most creative and dynamic studios, with games that combine strong visual identity, engaging mechanics and genuine player appeal. At Games Valley, our role is to help operators access the content that delivers real value to their players and their business, quickly and efficiently through a single integration. We’re delighted to welcome BGaming to the Games Valley platform, and we’re especially pleased that this partnership has grown from a relationship rooted in shared values.”
Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming, added: “Games Valley has established itself as a modern and ambitious aggregation partner, helping operators access high-quality casino content with speed, flexibility and reliability. This partnership allows us to bring BGaming’s portfolio to a wider network of operators through a platform that shares our focus on innovation, strong partnerships and long-term industry growth.”
The post Games Valley adds BGaming titles to aggregation platform appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Kerma Games, a premium casino game provider, has announced a new partnership with Dustbit, marking its official expansion into the crypto casino space.
Through the collaboration, Dustbit will become the first crypto casino to feature the Kerma Games portfolio during an initial rollout period, giving its players early access to a selection of the studio’s premium content, including the newly released Snoop Olympus.
Inspired by the world of Snoop Dogg, Snoop Olympus combines iconic mythology with unmistakable West Coast style, showcasing Kerma Games’ vision of creating casino experiences that blend entertainment, cultural relevance and engaging gameplay.
The partnership represents another milestone in Kerma Games’ international growth strategy as the company continues to expand the reach of its portfolio across new markets and distribution channels.
Simone Bacchin, Sales Manager at Kerma Games, said: “We’re excited to partner with Dustbit as we bring Kerma Games into the crypto casino space. This collaboration allows a new audience to discover our entertainment-driven approach to game development, with standout titles like Snoop Olympus leading the way. We believe players are looking for experiences that feel memorable and culturally relevant, and that’s exactly what we aim to deliver.”
Arman Movsesyan, Casino Product Manager at Dustbit, said: “We are excited to welcome Kerma Games to Dustbit and to become the first crypto casino operator to offer their portfolio to our players. At Dustbit, we continuously seek innovative and engaging content that differentiates us from the competition, and Kerma Games perfectly aligns with that vision.
“Their unique approach to game development, combined with celebrity-driven entertainment and strong player engagement mechanics, brings a fresh experience to our community. We believe this partnership will not only enhance our gaming portfolio but also strengthen Dustbit’s position as a leading destination for crypto casino entertainment.
“We look forward to working closely with the Kerma Games team and delivering exciting new experiences to our players over the coming months.”
Beyond Snoop Olympus, Dustbit players will gain access to a growing portfolio of slots, crash games and table games developed with a focus on engagement, retention and premium production values. Kerma Games continues to differentiate itself through a combination of original content and globally recognised celebrity collaborations featuring names such as Snoop Dogg, Lil Baby and Sexyy Red.
The partnership also reinforces Kerma Games’ broader mission to redefine casino entertainment by creating games that capture attention long before the first spin and remain memorable long after the session ends.
As the company continues its global expansion, additional launches, partnerships and new celebrity-powered experiences are already in the pipeline.
The post Kerma Games Announces New Partnership with Dustbit appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
ECA: EU Member States Miss Out on €22.9 Billion in Tax Revenue Due to Illegal Online Gambling
The European Casino Association (ECA) hosted a high-level roundtable in the European Parliament on tackling illegal online gambling. The event title still referred to the 2024 figure of €80 billion, the figure available when the roundtable was organised, but that number was overtaken at the event itself: the 2025 figures, released for the first time during the roundtable, showed that the illegal online gambling market aimed at EU consumers had reached €91.6 billion, an increase of around 14%. The title was therefore already outdated the moment the new numbers were presented. Drawn from the study commissioned by the ECA to Gambling Compliance International (GCI) and set out by ECA Chair Erwin van Lambaart, this rise deprived EU Member States of an estimated €22.9 billion in tax revenue.
A high-level roundtable in the European Parliament
The European Casino Association (ECA) organised a high-level roundtable discussion on illegal gambling in the European Parliament. Hosted by MEP Lukas Mandl, the gathering brought together EU lawmakers, the European Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), Eurojust, the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol, national gambling regulators and industry experts.
During the discussion, ECA Chair Erwin van Lambaart presented the 2025 figures from the impact study on illegal online gambling that the ECA commissions annually from Gambling Compliance International (GCI). Participants exchanged views under the Chatham House Rule on the growing scale of illegal online gambling, how it is currently tackled, and what more can be done at European level. They acknowledged the growing scale of the problem and called for stronger enforcement and closer cooperation to support a safe, well-regulated gambling environment.
The discussion is timely, coming shortly after the European Commission’s proposal to reform the mandate of Europol, a key institution in the fight against cross-border crime, including illegal gambling.
What the 2025 GCI figures show
The latest impact study, commissioned by the ECA to Gambling Compliance International (GCI), shows that the illegal online gambling market aimed at EU consumers reached €91.6 billion in 2025, an increase of around 14% on the previous year. This clear upward trend deprived EU Member States of an estimated €22.9 billion in tax revenue in 2025.
The figures also show that illegal operators now account for the majority of online gambling revenue in the EU-27, that more than 6200 illegal operators are actively targeting European consumers, and that the overwhelming majority of online gambling content Europeans are exposed to promotes illegal, unlicensed operators.
What is meant by “illegal gambling”
In the 27 Member States of the European Union, there is no grey market and no third category. A gambling operator is either legal, meaning it is licensed in the country where it serves its customers, or it is unlicensed and therefore illegal. When the ECA speaks of illegal gambling, it means operators serving European consumers without the licence that national law requires.
What sets legal and illegal operators apart
Legal, licensed operators abide by national and EU law, apply anti-money-laundering measures and cooperate closely with national and EU authorities. They protect vulnerable consumers, with particular care for young adults, through strict responsible-gambling programmes; they make significant tax contributions; and they support local development, tourism and jobs.
Illegal, unlicensed operators, by contrast, operate outside any licence and any regulatory or ethical standard. They fail to apply anti-money-laundering measures and can facilitate money laundering and the financing of crime. They ignore age and identity checks and actively target young and vulnerable players, using aggressive marketing, personalised bonuses and free plays to drive compulsive play. They pay no tax in the countries they target, and they mislead consumers, for example by using the logos of legitimate operators in advertising to commit fraud.
ECA Chair Erwin van Lambaart said: “The 2025 data from the GCI report leaves no room for doubt: illegal online gambling is a fast-growing, cross-border problem that puts players, especially young adults, at high risk, deprives societies of much-needed tax revenues, and undermines trust in the regulated market. Licensed casinos and their online businesses operate under strict rules and invest heavily in responsible gambling and anti-money-laundering measures. Yet illegal operators, often based outside the EU, can reach European consumers at the click of a button, without safeguards, without oversight and without contributing to our communities.”
“This is why we need strong political will and strengthened public-private cooperation that is aligned with this reality. By connecting national enforcement efforts, financial intelligence units and sector expertise, European institutions and agencies such as the European Commission, Europol and AMLA can help us turn data into action. If we fail to act now, the illegal online market will continue to grow at the expense of players, public finances and legitimate businesses.”
MEP Lukas Mandl said: “Illegal online gambling is not a niche issue, it is a serious cross-border threat that touches on consumer protection, organised crime and the integrity of our internal market. Europol is a crucial partner for Member States, but we must ensure that its mandate and resources allow it to fully support the fight against these illegitimate activities.”
“The evidence presented by the European Casino Association today show where cooperation is needed to do more. I will bring these insights into our parliamentary work and encourage colleagues cross-party to jointly go against the negative effects of illegal gambling from mental health issues to existential disasters of individuals and entire families, so that we can better protect citizens and make a clear difference between criminal activities and those operators who play by the rules.”
The post ECA: EU Member States Miss Out on €22.9 Billion in Tax Revenue Due to Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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