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Two in Three People Experiencing Gambling Problems Keep Issue Hidden

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2023

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

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.”

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energy drinks

Team Vitality names FYZIO official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-names-fyzio-official-sports-nutrition-and-energy-drinks-supplier

Multi-year deal adds Laboratoires Gilbert’s new brand to jerseys across CS2, VALORANT, Rocket League and LoL teams ahead of a September 2026 launch.

Team Vitality has signed a multi-year partnership with FYZIO, naming the brand its new official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier. FYZIO is a sports nutrition and hydration brand developed by Laboratoires Gilbert, a French healthcare company established in 1904.

The partnership will put FYZIO branding on the left sleeve of Team Vitality’s official jerseys for several flagship rosters, including CS2, VALORANT (VCT), Rocket League, and League of Legends teams across the LEC, LFL, and Rising Bees. FYZIO will also support Team Vitality teams competing in Teamfight Tactics, Tekken, and Trackmania.

FYZIO is scheduled to launch in September 2026. Team Vitality said the brand will supply products intended to support areas including hydration, fatigue and stress reduction, concentration and memory, and sleep quality.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with FYZIO and proud to support the launch of this ambitious new brand from the French group, Laboratoires Gilbert. By integrating its specialised nutrition products into our teams’ routines, we are further strengthening our commitment to high-performance excellence,” comments Vas Roberts, Co-CEO of Team Vitality.

“For more than 120 years, Laboratoires Gilbert has been developing solutions dedicated to health and well-being. With FYZIO, we are bringing this expertise to a new ambition: helping everyone achieve their goals, whatever they may be, through a modern, accessible, and responsible approach to sports nutrition. Our partnership with Team Vitality reflects this shared vision of progress, high standards, and sustainable performance. Your performance, our nature“, explains Cédric Batteur, Chairman & CEO, Laboratoires Gilbert.

The post Team Vitality names FYZIO official sports nutrition and energy drinks supplier appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026

Boomerang Partners have been shortlisted for two categories at the AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026

Published

11 hours ago

May 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Boomerang Partners, a rapidly growing affiliate gambling and betting marketing agency, was shortlisted in two categories at the AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026. It is one of the industry’s most prestigious awards for affiliate teams, operators, and B2B providers worldwide. The winners in nearly 40 categories will be determined by online voting and revealed on May 20.

Affiliate Program Of The Year

Boomerang Partners is nominated in the Affiliate Program of the Year category, reflecting its growth and position as a sports-focused affiliate program.

In nearly five years, the company has scaled to more than 3,000 affiliate partners and serves a clients’ portfolio of 10+ brands. Over the past year, the partner network grew by 10% YoY, while the expansion of clients’ product portfolio led to a nearly 1.5x increase in users.

The company’s strategy is built around deep sports expertise, in-house analytics, and a personalized approach to each partner. This is complemented by partner engagement initiatives such as the TIME TO WIN tournament and the Golden Boomerang Awards, a global affiliate tournament that brought together over 400 teams in the 2025 season. Its third season runs from April 3 to August 31, 2026. It is divided into three stages (each with its own main prize). The final and awards ceremony in 11 categories will take place in September during the SBC Summit in Lisbon.

Woman Leader Of The Year

Liliia Sudachenko, Affiliate Team Lead at Boomerang Partners, is nominated for the Woman Leader Of The Year award in recognition of her contribution to the company’s growth and her work with affiliate partners.

In her role, she focuses on building long-term relationships with affiliate partners, with a strong emphasis on a personalized approach – one of the core principles of Boomerang Partners’ strategy. Liliia is also actively involved in representing the company within the industry. In 2025, she became one of Boomerang Partners’ most active media contributors after the C-level team, taking part in multiple interviews with industry publications.

Liliia Sudachenko, Affiliate Team Lead at Boomerang Partners, commented: “It’s great to see our work recognized with these AffPapa iGaming Awards nominations. For us, it’s a reflection of the team’s effort and the way we build relationships with our partners. We invest a lot in analytics, partner support, and the development of initiatives that help affiliates grow, and it’s good to see that this approach resonates. At the same time, we have ambitious goals ahead and will continue to scale and strengthen our position as a sports-focused affiliate program.”

The official AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026 ceremony will take place on May 20. The event will be held at the Real Casino de Madrid.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards – a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Partners of the Agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The Agency’s clients’ portfolio contains 10+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide incentive programs and 24/7 multilingual support.

The post Boomerang Partners have been shortlisted for two categories at the AffPapa iGaming Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Cubeia

Vera & John International goes live with Cubeia Originals Studio games

Published

11 hours ago

May 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Sweden-based supplier Cubeia integrates its proprietary, brandable Originals content into the operator’s offering.

Vera & John International has gone live with Cubeia’s Originals Studio games, integrating the Sweden-based supplier’s proprietary titles into its player offering.

Cubeia said the launch gives the operator access to fully brandable in-house games aimed at supporting engagement and retention. The supplier positioned the Originals portfolio around “provably fair mechanics, gamification elements, and community-driven gameplay,” and said it includes crash and instant-win formats.

Tobias Fogelberg, Chief Commercial Officer at Cubeia, said: “We’re proud to see Vera & John International go live with our Originals. This is exactly what we’ve been building towards—giving operators something that feels truly their own, not just another catalogue of the same games everyone else has.

“The flexibility and branding possibilities are a big part of it, but it’s also about creating games that players actually want to come back to. That’s where Originals make a real difference.”

Cubeia also linked the rollout to its wider product stack, including its Cubeia Nano platform, which it said is designed to give operators “full control” and scalability. The company added it will continue investing in Originals Studio and plans to expand the portfolio with additional titles and features.

The post Vera & John International goes live with Cubeia Originals Studio games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.