Latest News
New GambleAware-commissioned Research Warns of High Risks from Gaming Machines, Online Casino Games and Loot Boxes
GambleAware, the leading charity and commissioner of gambling harms prevention and treatment services in Great Britain, has published a new report looking at which types of gambling pose the highest risks of harm.
GambleAware commissioned Bournemouth University to conduct research exploring the relative risks of harm associated with different types of gambling including land-based electronic gaming machines, online casino games, loot boxes and the National Lottery draw.
The research found that land-based electronic gaming machines in bookmakers and casinos and online casino games, which both offer the possibility of quick rewards and a fast pace of play, were associated with the highest level of risk. Usage of electronic gaming machines was the biggest predictor of someone going on to experience future gambling harms and those using land-based electronic gaming machines were found to be over 10 times more likely than average to be experiencing “problem gambling” while those using online casino games were four times more likely than average to experience harm.
The report calls for more restrictions on the availability and design of electronic gaming machines, including reducing the number of machines in venues, lowering stakes and implementing mandatory breaks. More restrictions are also called for on online casino games, to focus on responsible design, as well as for gambling operators to continue to develop and enhance systems to provide personalised support for online customers displaying signs of risk indicators such as spending large amounts of time or money.
The research also looked at other products which are often not viewed as traditional gambling including loot boxes and the National Lottery.
Loot boxes, which often feature in games aimed at children, can blur the lines between gaming and gambling, and were also found to carry risks. The research discovered that fifty percent of people who use loot boxes in computer games are at any level of risk. Those who used loot boxes exhibited a high likelihood of experiencing “problem gambling”, as using them inherently increases the risk due to their accessibility, immersive nature, and the blending of gaming and gambling environments. The report recommends that the effects of gambling-like elements in video games, such as loot boxes, should be investigated and more should be done to restrict their use among young people aged under 18.
The research also showed the National Lottery draw has a high reach into communities experiencing gambling harms. An estimated 600,000 people experiencing “problem gambling” were found to be using the National Lottery draw, while 500,000 people experiencing “problem gambling” use scratch cards. The report recommends that the National Lottery should signpost people to support services such as GambleAware, to help any lottery players who may be experiencing gambling harms.
The number of different types of gambling people take part in was also found to have a major impact on the risk of gambling harm. The report showed that the level of “problem gambling” increases in line with the number of types of gambling activities people participate in, and increases more after two activities. Therefore the report also calls for gambling operators to create shared databases to identify people doing several different types of gambling who are at an increased risk of gambling harms.
Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, said: “No form of gambling is completely without risk. However this new research shows that there are some particular types of gambling which can lead to an increased chance of experiencing gambling harm, which can have a corrosive effect on people’s lives, finances, careers and relationships.
“The research also brings into question some of the measures outlined in the Gambling White Paper such as relaxations in land-based gambling , which could lead to an increase in electronic gaming machines in venues, and having different online slot stake limits for those aged over 25 – we believe people over 25 should have the same lower limits as those who are younger. The report suggests the measures do not go far enough to protect people. This is why we are calling for the recommendations in this report to be adopted as they will help ensure that people can be better protected.”
Dr Ruijie Wang, from Bournemouth University, said: “This research was designed to explore the risks of harm from different types of gambling in the context of regulatory changes that were proposed within the UK government’s Gambling White Paper. The results highlight the need for more stringent gambling regulation, particularly in online slots and land-based electronic gaming machines due to their high risk of harm to young adults. More regulation is also needed to limit gambling-like practices in video gaming, such as loot boxes, to individuals aged over 18 years as the interaction between video gaming and gambling should not be ignored.”
The post New GambleAware-commissioned Research Warns of High Risks from Gaming Machines, Online Casino Games and Loot Boxes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Francesco Cuzzupoli
REEVO Goes Live with Microgame, Expanding Its Reach in Italy
Reading Time: < 1 minute
REEVO has announced that its innovative portfolio of in-house games is now live with Microgame, one of Italy’s leading gaming service providers.
This partnership marks another significant milestone in REEVO’s expansion strategy, bringing its rapidly growing collection of original slot titles to Microgame’s extensive operator network. Known for its cutting-edge technology, immersive mechanics and distinctive themes, REEVO continues to redefine the online casino experience for players worldwide.
Italian operators and players will now gain access to some of REEVO’s most popular and engaging titles, including Bongo Safari, Her Genie Ways and Bullfighting Champion—games that blend striking visuals, fresh concepts and dynamic gameplay designed to captivate audiences.
Francesco Cuzzupoli, Gaming Product Director at Microgame, said: “With REEVO joining our portfolio, we strengthen Microgame’s ability to provide Italian operators with a diverse and high-quality offering. The vast selection of titles and the advanced architecture of REEVO’s platform represent an important competitive lever for us.”
Karl Grech, Head of Business Development at REEVO, said: “We’re delighted to officially go live with Microgame, a market leader in Italy with an impressive operator network. This collaboration is a powerful step forward in our mission to deliver exceptional content and aggregation solutions to operators globally. By combining REEVO’s innovative in-house games with Microgame’s deep local expertise, we’re confident players in Italy will enjoy a truly unique and next-level gaming experience.”
The post REEVO Goes Live with Microgame, Expanding Its Reach in Italy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Ivelina Balova Product Owner at Sneaky Slots
Sneaky Slots reveals a bunch of freaks in its second release, Freak Show Revelation
Reading Time: 3 minutes
The show is about to begin… so find your seats, sit back and enjoy The Freak Show Revelation! B.T Parnum has gathered the freakiest freaks and created a program that is meant to shock the people! This is the second release from Sneaky Slots since the launch of Nip Tuck last month, with Gopnik and Gods Go Pew Pew up next!
Reel Area
The Freak Show unfolds across a 3-3-3-3-3 reel setup with a couple of sneaky Host tricks above the reel. Each linked to a Host symbol that can land anywhere on the reels. When a Host Symbol lands, the corresponding feature above the reel activates:
- Host Multiplier: Awards a random Multiplier 5x, 10x, 25x and 50x.
- The Generous Host: The Host will expand to cover the entire reel and acts like a wild.
- Host Cash: Instant cash prize will be awarded and the Host will add a random multiplier between 2x and 10x.
xBomb®
Well, well, well… look what decided to make an surprise appearance! It’s one of Nolimit City’s iconic xMechanic, xBomb®, making its first ever appearance in another provider’s game!
In Freak Show Revelation, xBomb® explodes removing all adjacent symbols and increases the Multiplier for the next collapse.
Pick Your Bonus!
The beauty of this show is that get to choose between Heaven and Hell. Land 3 Bonus Symbols and choose between either the Heaven Spins or Hell Respins. Landing 4 Bonus Symbols will unlock the choice for the Super Variants of each bonus.
Heaven Spins
So, you think you have a good cocnscious. When selecting the Heaven Spins, you get 10 free spins. During this feature the Host activation increase in frequency. A single Bonus Symbol will activate Super Heaven Spins and will award +3 Spins.
Super Heaven Spins
The difference between Heaven and Super Heaven Spins is that the Host is guaranteed to land at least once in each spin.
Hell Respins
Maybe you’re feeling a little mischievous. When selecting the Hell Respins Bonus, you are award 3 respins where the only symbols that can land are; Multipliers between 1x-10x, Blank, Bonus and the Host.
When a multiplier lands on the reels, it’s value will be added to the current multiplier on top of the relevant reel.
Whenever the Host lands on any reel, he will double the value of the multiplier above that reel.
Landing a Multiplier or the Host will always award +1 respin. At the end of the feature all Multipliers will be added up and added to the bet.
Landing a single Bonus Symbol will upgrade Hell Respins to Super Hell Respins and award +2 respins. Super Hell Respins will also keep the collected Multipliers above the reels.
Super Hell Spins
The difference between Hell and Super Hell Respins is that in Super Hell Spins you start with 4 free respins . During Super Hell Spins whenever the Host lands it will triple the value of the Multipliers above that reel. Landing at least 1 Multiplier Symbol or Host will award +1 respin.
Sneaky Buy
Do you want the best seat in the house? The Sneaky Buy feature lets you jump straight into the action:
- The Host – Guaranteed to land at least 1 Host symbol
- Bonus – Guaranteed to land 3 Bonus Symbols and pick either Heaven Spins or Hell Respins
- Super Bonus – Guaranteed to land 4 Bonus Symbols and pick either Super Heaven Spins or Super Hell Respins
Sneaky Boost
Sneaky Boost makes for an unforgettable performance in Freak Show Revelation.
Sneaky Boost is activated for 2 times the base bet, where there is an increased chance of triggering the Bonus rounds. Landing 1 or 2 active Sneaky Symbols in a spin trigger a normal bonus feature.
Super Sneaky Boost can be activated for 5 times the base bet for an increased chance of triggering the Super Bonus feature. Landing 1 Super Sneaky symbol will trigger a normal Bonus and landing 2 Super Sneaky symbols will trigger a Super Bonus.
The Stats
Max Win: 13,000x
Volatility: Extremely Volatile
Ivelina Balova, Product Owner at Sneaky Slots, said: “We’ve gotten great reception after our first release and now we’re looking to capitalise off that momentum. Freak Show Revelation has been in the works for a while, we have even changed the name a few times, but the Host? He has always been the star of the show. Sit back, enjoy the spectacle and keep an eye out for those easter eggs!”
‘Freak Show Revelation’ will be available to all Sneaky Slots partners on October 29th, 2025.
The post Sneaky Slots reveals a bunch of freaks in its second release, Freak Show Revelation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
BGaming
Land Colourful Cluster Wins in BGaming’s Merge Up™ 2
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Rapidly expanding content provider delivers data-driven sequel to improve on popular hit
Popular iGaming content provider BGaming is proud to announce the release of Merge Up
2, the long-awaited sequel to the hugely popular cluster-pay title, Merge Up
. The new release elevates the original’s gameplay mechanics and design, using data-driven insights and research to give players exactly what they want.
The company has collaborated with Strmlytics, which provided factual streaming data and direct feedback from the streaming community playing Merge Up
. These insights have enabled BGaming to enhance gameplay without losing the charm and appeal of the original title.
This data-first approach has resulted in a visually modernised and polished slot experience. Merge Up
2 features an eye-pleasing pastel theme, with simplified visuals and mechanics that are now even easier for players to read.
Gameplay has seen the most significant enhancements. Cell Multipliers are now a central part of the base game, while consecutive clusters can trigger the all-new Bomb symbols, an idea inspired by a more rewarding experience compared to the original title.
Bonus features have also been made more accessible. The Free Spins bonus is triggered with three Scatters, as opposed to four, while three Bonus Buy options now offer different entry levels for players with a brand new bonus with maximum potential.
Merge Up
2 also boasts an explosive math model, offering a 10,000x maximum win and an impressive 98% RTP, enhancing the overall entertainment experience.
Yana Drabianok, Game Designer at BGaming, said, “We aimed to keep the merging mechanic as dynamic as before and make it even more engaging, but in the end, we knew the game must also have a heart. Merge Up
2 is more than a set of soulless features – it’s a game made with love for detail. We want the feeling of it to be precisely that of a game with a soul: with a smooth flow, understandable rhythm, instant readability, and pleasant “micro-rewards” at every step.
Sebastian Khalighy, CEO at Strmlytics, said, “We are delighted to work alongside BGaming again, and we are excited to see how players react to Merge Up
2. Our data, expertise and research identified key areas improvements of the original gaming experience focusing on improving the overall player experience, and we believe the final product addresses all of them, both for the fans of the original and also new players.
Data-driven insights and player research are going to play a key role in gaming development in the coming years, and titles like Merge Up
2 are an excellent example of what they are capable of helping to produce.”
The post Land Colourful Cluster Wins in BGaming’s Merge Up™ 2 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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