Latest News
GambleAware Publishes Details of Donations Received in 2023/24
GambleAware, the leading commissioner of programmes focused on gambling harms in Great Britain, has published the details of donations it received in the 2023/24 financial year.
The charity received £49.5 million in voluntary industry donations over the year. Of this, 94% of the voluntary donations came from the largest four gambling operators in Great Britain, who donated a total of £46.6 million. This represents an increase of £3.1m from the previous year’s contributions of £43.5m from these operators.
Voluntary donations are essential for GambleAware’s continuing commissioning work. The charity believes the gambling industry should be held accountable to contribute financially to the vital services that prevent gambling harms, which is why it has consistently advocated for a statutory levy. Until the implementation of the statutory levy, gambling operator funding remains the primary source of funding for research, prevention and treatment. Despite the donations received, as an independent charity, GambleAware has an extremely robust system of governance processes in place, works to hold the gambling industry to account, and the gambling industry has absolutely no input, influence or authority over any of its activity.
GambleAware’s work includes commissioning the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), which provides free, confidential treatment across Great Britain, as well as the National Gambling Helpline which takes around 52,000 calls and online chats a year. Funding is also used to enable GambleAware to commission research and evaluation to increase knowledge and understanding of the prevention of gambling harm, as well as reducing stigma associated with gambling harm, for public health campaigns, and for providing support, advice, and tools to help people make informed decisions about gambling.
The voluntary donations received in 2023/24 mark the last year of a four year commitment made in 2020 by the largest four operators to gradually increase the percentage of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) donated as RET from 0.25% in 2019/20 to 1% in 2023/24.
There remains uncertainty of funding for the current financial year 2024/25 while the sector awaits clarity on the process and timing around implementation of the statutory levy. GambleAware continues to work with the Gambling Commission and the Department for Culture Media and Sport during this transition period.
Zoë Osmond, GambleAware Chief Executive, said: “While we await the implementation of the new statutory levy, donations from the voluntary funding system are key to ensure GambleAware can continue to deliver the essential gambling harm prevention and treatment programmes we commission.
“For many years we have been calling for the introduction of a statutory levy on the gambling industry and we are pleased the Government has committed to delivering this as part of the Gambling White Paper. However, during the transition period it is vital that steps continue to be taken to ensure there is no disruption to existing services and provisions in the wider system as they adapt to the new levy funding model.”
As well as voluntary donations received, the Gambling Commission also allocated £33.5 million of regulatory settlement funds to GambleAware during the last financial year. These are managed as a restricted fund to be allocated to playing a part in stabilising the wider system of gambling harm prevention, support, and treatment during the transition period from a voluntary to a statutory levy system. The regulatory settlement funds were allocated to GambleAware by the Gambling Commission in accordance with its Statement of Principles for determining financial penalties.
The post GambleAware Publishes Details of Donations Received in 2023/24 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ELA Games
ELA Games releases Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win slot
New title adds a Hold & Win bonus to the studio’s retro fruit-themed “Flames Fruits Frenzy” line.
ELA Games has released a new slot title, Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win, expanding its Flames Fruits Frenzy series with a Hold & Win bonus feature.
The game uses classic fruit-machine iconography, including cherries, lemons, oranges, grapes, and watermelons, presented with updated high-definition visual effects, according to the company.
ELA Games positioned the release as a seasonal summer-themed update and said it is aimed at players who prefer traditional fruit-slot formats paired with modern mechanics.
The company did not disclose target markets, operator rollout partners, RTP, volatility, maximum win, or a specific release date beyond announcing the launch in the statement.
The post ELA Games releases Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win slot appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Games Global and Posh Monkey Studios debut brand-new reel expansion feature in Fishin’ Madness™ QUADGROWS™
Games Global has cast its line into the popular fishing genre with the launch of Fishin’ Madness
QUADGROWS
, developed by exclusive partner Posh Monkey Studios, introducing an all-new evolving reel mechanic that continuously unlocks new ways to win.
Leveraging the enduring appeal of the classic genre, Fishin’ Madness
QUADGROWS
features the innovative QUADGROWS
feature, where every spin contributes toward greater potential.
Beginning on a 5×3 reel-set, the game gradually expands to seven rows, where each progression level unlocks additional paylines, larger Fish Instant Prizes and enhanced Collect Multipliers, rewarding players as they venture deeper beneath the waves.
The Fisherman Collect mechanic remains at the heart of the experience, awarding all visible Fish Instant Prizes when the Fisherman lands on reel five. As QUADGROWS
unlocks additional rows, new Collect Multipliers become active, increasing the value of every successful catch.
Three or more Scatters trigger eight Free Spins, where larger multipliers create even bigger payout opportunities, while five Scatters award the game’s maximum 10,000x prize.
Completing the feature set is Posh Monkey Studios’ proprietary Posh Spins
, an optional boost that increases the chance of triggering the bonus round.
Combining one of the most popular game themes with an evolving reel mechanic, Fishin’ Madness
QUADGROWS
adds a new layer of progression to the classic collect-style experience.
Connor Blinman, Co-Founder of Posh Monkey Studios, said: “Fishing games continue to resonate with players, but standing out in such an established genre means delivering something genuinely different.
“The QUADGROWS
mechanic creates a real sense of progression throughout the player journey, with every milestone unlocking bigger opportunities and adding another layer of excitement to the experience.”
Dave Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy and Partner Management at Games Global, added: “Posh Monkey Studios has taken a proven formula and introduced an engaging progression system that gives players a reason to keep coming back.
“Fishin’ Madness
QUADGROWS
is another example of how Games Global and its exclusive studios continue to evolve popular mechanics through creative gameplay innovation. We’re excited about the roadmap ahead for Posh Monkey Studios’ and the fresh ideas they’ll be bringing to the table.”
The post Games Global and Posh Monkey Studios debut brand-new reel expansion feature in Fishin’ Madness™ QUADGROWS™ appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
ZEAL acquires SevenCanyon and enters the highly attractive UK prize draw market
ZEAL Network SE has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire the remaining 96.5 percent of the shares in SevenCanyon Limited, in which ZEAL already holds a 3.5 percent stake. With this acquisition, the market leader for online lotteries in Germany is entering the UK market, gaining immediate access to Europe’s largest market for digital prize draw offerings.
“SevenCanyon is one of the most successful prize draw operators in the UK – we have known them for years. With the acquisition, we hit the ground running in a highly attractive and growing market. We also accelerate the implementation of our strategy to selectively diversify our business model through new products and new markets”, says Dr. Stefan Tweraser, CEO of ZEAL Network SE.
SevenCanyon operates several established UK prize draw platforms, including 7days Performance, Redline Competitions and UK Carp Competitions. This market segment comprises digital prize draws and offerings with non-cash prizes such as houses, cars, and lifestyle products. In the most recent financial year 2026 (04/25–03/26), SevenCanyon generated an operating profit (EBITDA) of more than GBP 10 million.
The transaction opens potential for further scaling of the UK business through ZEAL’s capabilities in acquisition marketing, monetisation, customer retention, data analytics, regulatory professionalism, and platform operations. Furthermore, ZEAL expects the UK prize draw market to continue to move towards more formalised rules, which will favour operators like ZEAL with strong compliance capabilities and regulated market experience.
“SevenCanyon is a highly profitable company with a proven business model. The purchase price will mainly be financed through a new loan agreement. This preserves our financial flexibility to continue our growth-oriented and shareholder-friendly capital allocation in the future”, says Andrea Behrendt, CFO of ZEAL Network SE.
Purchase price and financial impact for 2026
The transaction comprises a cash purchase price for the remaining 96.5 percent of the shares of approximately GBP 33.8 million (subject to post-completion adjustments, including an adjustment for vehicle inventory in the single-digit millions of GBP range), as well as an earn-out payment of up to GBP 4.8 million, to be paid over a period of six months after completion.
The acquisition financing is supported by a EUR 40 million term loan with a duration of seven years, arranged by Deutsche Bank.
The Management Board expects SevenCanyon to make a meaningful contribution to ZEAL’s revenue and EBITDA following consolidation. ZEAL will assess the necessary adjustments to its revenue guidance after the IFRS presentation of SevenCanyon’s revenue streams has been finalised.
On EBITDA, ZEAL confirms the range of EUR 70–75 million under the assumption of a normal jackpot environment in Germany. The updated forecast reflects anticipated non-recurring expenses in the mid-single-digit millions of euros in connection with the transaction.
For the first full financial year following completion of the transaction, ZEAL expects it to have a positive impact on EBITDA in the high-single-digit millions of euros.
The post ZEAL acquires SevenCanyon and enters the highly attractive UK prize draw market appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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