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.”
Australia
RTG Announces Evive Australia as the First Innovation to Take the Stage at Pitch!

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Regulating the Game (RTG) has announced Evive Australia as the first innovation to take the stage at Pitch! – part of the annual RTG gathering in Sydney in March.
The event will take place at the famous Sydney Opera House on 9 March 2026, as part of the sixth edition of the international regulatory and industry conference.
Evive is an app designed to help people change how they play or seek support for gambling harms. Created by Sam DeMello, a tech specialist drawing on his lived experience of gambling harm, and supported by Jay Robinson, a safer-gambling expert with over two decades of harm-minimisation and prevention experience, Evive Australia aims to deliver personalised tools, resources and pathways for anyone seeking to reduce risk or access help.
“Evive brings together real-world experience, clinical expertise and technology to create an accessible and credible platform for change. Pitch! was conceived to spotlight exactly these kinds of innovations – ideas that challenge convention, improve safeguards and reimagine the future of regulation and industry practice,” said Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game.
“Evive isn’t just another app, it’s a bridge between lived experience, behavioral science and practical support. It shows that compliance and compassion can coexist, and when they do, everyone benefits. The app gives regulators and operators confidence in credible harm reduction tools, while giving people a safe, stigma free path to change,” Robinson said.
The post RTG Announces Evive Australia as the First Innovation to Take the Stage at Pitch! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
bet365
Hacksaw Gaming Goes Live with bet365 Brazil

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Celebrating yet another market expansion together, Hacksaw Gaming and bet365 are now live in Brazil, via Light & Wonder.
Currently sporting their very own superhero in the form of the branded Spinman slot, bet365 Brazil users can look forward to an array of Hacksaw Gaming slots becoming available very soon.
Hacksaw and bet365 already boast a long-standing partnership, with content live in a notable amount of markets, including Mexico, Ontario and the UK. This is yet another standout go-live that highlights both their relationship and their shared ambition of bringing innovative, quality content to users worldwide. By continuing to expand alongside industry leaders like bet365, Hacksaw reinforces its commitment to delivering boundary-pushing content to players worldwide, while strengthening its position as a key supplier in regulated markets.
A spokesperson at bet365 said: “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Hacksaw Gaming into the Brazilian market. Our players are always looking for fresh and engaging content, and Hacksaw’s portfolio has proven time and again to deliver exactly that. We’re confident this expansion will be a big hit with our growing audience in Brazil.”
Marcus Cordes, Operational CEO of Hacksaw Gaming, said: “Going live with bet365 in Brazil is a proud moment for us. Latin America is a key growth region for our industry, and to expand with one of the biggest names in the industry showcases the strength of our content and the trust we’ve built through our partnership. We look forward to entertaining new players with our unique and innovative titles.”
The post Hacksaw Gaming Goes Live with bet365 Brazil appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Shacks Evolution Announce Strategic Partnership with Moja Group

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Shacks Evolution Studios, a leader in mobile-first gaming innovation, has announced a strategic partnership with Moja Group Inc., the parent company of Mojabet, one of Africa’s top online betting platforms.
This collaboration aims to redefine Africa’s iGaming experience through locally inspired, high-performance digital entertainment. As part of this partnership, Shacks Evolution Studios is launching two exclusive instant games: Mojawheel and Moja Citadel fully customised for Mojabet users.
These titles will be accompanied by a broader rollout of Shacks Evolution’s instant games portfolio, now accessible to audiences across multiple African markets.
“At Shacks Evolution Studios, we believe in creating games that resonate with the environment and culture of the people playing them. This partnership with Moja Group allows us to bring cutting-edge gameplay to millions while staying true to the realities of Africa’s digital landscape, including low network availability and diverse cultural tastes,” said Kwame Mensah, CEO of Shacks Evolution Studios.
“This collaboration is about more than just gaming, it’s about celebrating African creativity and delivering world-class entertainment with a local touch. By working closely with Shacks Evolution Studios, we are offering our Mojabet users something truly unique, games that feel like they were made just for them,” said Amina Diallo, Chief Marketing Officer at Moja Group Inc.
The post Shacks Evolution Announce Strategic Partnership with Moja Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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