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.”
Asia
Insurgence Gaming Company Introduces La Imperia, a Community-First All-Female VALORANT Tournament
La Imperia, a new all-female esports IP by The Insurgence Gaming Company, will make its competitive debut this month with an online VALORANT invitational tournament running from December 19 to 21, 2025. Designed as a visibility-first platform for women competitors, the event brings together four invited Indian teams for a three-day broadcast competition.
La Imperia marks the inaugural tournament by the Insurgence Gaming Company, a newly founded esports company led by Jasper Shabin, who previously served as a poject manager at Skyesports. Positioning itself as a community-first tournament operator, the Insurgence Gaming Company aims to refocus attention on grassroots competition and long-term ecosystem building at a time when entry-level and women-led esports pathways remain limited.
The tournament will be played in VALORANT and feature a round-robin group stage followed by single-elimination playoffs, culminating in a BO5 Grand Final. All matches across the three days will be broadcast live on YouTube, along with additional watch-parties.
The four invited teams competing at La Imperia include Huntrix, Sin Sisters, Plushie Gang and MyKil. All teams feature all-female rosters, aligning with La Imperia’s positioning as a dedicated women’s esports IP.
Broadcast production for the event will be handled by Momentum Gaming, serving as the official Broadcast Partner. The on-air talent lineup includes Star Tania, Nekroz, Odawg, and Hikari Jane, who will guide viewers through the tournament across all three days.
Beyond competition, La Imperia is also placing emphasis on player well-being. Sattva by Pallavi joins the tournament as the Mental Health Partner, integrating conversations around mental health and holistic wellness into the event’s broadcast and content output. The partnership reflects a growing recognition of sustainability and mental resilience within competitive gaming environments.
Speaking on the launch, Jasper Shabin, Founder of The Insurgence Gaming Company, said: “La Imperia is built to be a visibility platform first. There is no shortage of talent in the women’s VALORANT scene, but there are very few consistent stages where that talent can be seen, supported, and taken seriously. With the Insurgence Gaming Company, we want to return focus to grassroots competition and create formats that players can grow with, not just compete in once.”
The tournament carries an INR 15,000 prize pool, with the primary focus placed on competitive exposure, broadcast quality, and long-term ecosystem value rather than one-off incentives.
With its inaugural edition, La Imperia sets the foundation for a new women-led esports property in India—one that combines structured competition, professional broadcast standards, and a community-first philosophy.
The post Insurgence Gaming Company Introduces La Imperia, a Community-First All-Female VALORANT Tournament appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
FairPlay’s betting technology and AI-powered predictive content drive deeper fan engagement and deliver media opportunities and revenue
FOX Sports Digital and FairPlay Sports Media, the fan-focused and AI-powered global sports media network, have announced a strategic betting tech, affiliate and sports media agreement.
Under the multi-year agreement, FairPlay will serve as the exclusive sports betting affiliate technology provider of FOX Sports Digital, deploying its market-leading odds components, advanced AI-powered predictive data and analytics, and cutting-edge technology solutions on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports mobile application.
The new relationship powers the newly released FOX Sports Betting Hub which integrates FairPlay’s innovative sports betting-related content enhanced with bespoke, value-added experiences derived from FairPlay’s deep relationships with global sportsbook operators.
“FOX Sports is one of the largest sports rights holders in the world, with incredible access to live games and global events,” said Stuart Simms, Group CEO of FairPlay Sports Media. “FairPlay is excited to work with the FOX Sports Digital team, and we’re honored to serve their millions of users with more engaging, insightful sports media experiences that have proven to drive loyalty, engagement and deliver on brand differentiation.”
FairPlay’s advanced AI technology and robust odds components are already delivering real-time, data-driven insights to help FOX Sports fans and bettors, while monetization frameworks being deployed create revenue opportunities for operators, sportsbooks and digital media buyers.
The agreement enhances and elevates fan engagement by bringing FairPlay’s betting information technology and AI-powered tools to FOX Sports’ digital platforms. FairPlay’s approach enables FOX Sports digital users and fans to access personalized, data-driven betting analytics that deepen their connection and engagement with sports content. As the sports media and betting landscapes continue to evolve, the FOX Sports and FairPlay agreement delivers pioneering, scalable digital experiences for fans and operators alike.
The post FairPlay Sports Media and FOX Sports Digital Launch New Betting Hub appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
Betfred Launches Checkd Dev’s Automated Betting System to Strengthen Football Betting Offering
Checkd Dev, part of the award-winning Checkd Group and a leading iGaming technology provider, has signed a multi-year agreement to supply its Automated Betting System (ABS) to UK bookmaker Betfred, introducing new levels of efficiency and engagement to pre-match football accumulator betting.
Through the partnership, Betfred has launched a suite of pre-configured, one-click accumulator bets, powered by Checkd Dev’s ABS technology and seamlessly integrated with Betfred’s proprietary pricing.
The solution enhances the customer betting journey while equipping Betfred’s trading team with a robust backend platform to streamline bet creation, management, and settlement. Customers benefit from football bets that are dynamically assigned probabilities based on historic form, providing greater insight and confidence in their selections.
The launch of ABS reinforces Betfred’s reputation as an industry innovator, offering customers smarter, faster, and more engaging betting experiences.
Checkd Dev has refined its ABS user interface through deployments with multiple tier-one operators. Betfred has further strengthened the proposition by integrating its competitive Acca Flex bonus offer, available from launch. Customers can access additional bonuses if their bet wins, while also benefiting from a money-back guarantee if a single leg loses.
Since its introduction two years ago, Checkd Dev’s ABS has evolved from a statistics-driven tool to increase operator conversion rates into a comprehensive system designed to meet the growing demand for automated, pre-configured betting products, powered by the company’s proprietary BRUNO platform.
This agreement extends Checkd Dev’s recent growth trajectory, following high-profile partnerships with William Hill on a fully automated, stats-powered Bet Builder, and a three-year deal with OpenBet to launch a new Trending BetBuilder to market.
Andrew Grimshaw, Commercial Director at Checkd Dev, commented: “We are delighted to be working with fellow Mancunians Betfred on our Trending Bets product. More and more major bookmakers are recognising the tangible value of our automated betting solutions, and it is especially gratifying to collaborate with a local partner on this launch.”
Mark Hartley, Head of Product at Betfred, added: “Since moving onto our propriety platform, we’ve been able to bring new ideas to market much faster. This partnership with Checkd Dev is a great example, helping us solve a simple problem for football fans: researching and building an accumulator can sometimes feel like hard work!
“With one-click, data-driven selections we’ve made the process quicker and easier, while still giving customers the choice and depth they want. Accas are already one of our most compelling propositions, thanks to our popular promotion Acca Flex, and this launch makes them even more engaging. We’re also looking forward to exploring further opportunities to work with Checkd Dev in the future.”
The post Betfred Launches Checkd Dev’s Automated Betting System to Strengthen Football Betting Offering appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
-
Latest News7 days agoBoomerang Partners has been included in 3 prestigious industry Awards, which will be presented in January 2026
-
Latest News6 days ago
Kazakhstan Authorities Dismantle Large-Scale Illegal Payment Scheme Linked to Online Casinos
-
Alyona Suvorova6 days ago
Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine
-
Fernando Di Carlo CEO of Yellow Elephant Studios7 days ago
SCCG Announces Strategic Partnership with Yellow Elephant Studios to Expand Multi-Channel Gaming Content Worldwide
-
Latest News7 days ago
LoopMe research: Increasing GenAI adoption paves the way for an explosion in mobile gaming ad potential
-
Boomerang Partners7 days ago
Boomerang Partners has been included in 3 prestigious industry Awards, which will be presented in January 2026
-
Latest News6 days ago
The Top South African No-Deposit for 2025
-
Latest News7 days ago
N1 Partners Takes Action at Affiliate World Asia 2025 with a New Award and Key Event Collaborations
