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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.
BC.Game, a leading global crypto-focused online gaming platform, has announced the appointment of Kar Kheng Giam (“KK”) as its new Chief Executive Officer. Giam brings over 30 years of international leadership experience across gaming, technology, and consumer industries.
Before joining BC.Game, KK served as Vice President International at Coyote Bioscience, leading global expansion initiatives. He also co-founded Topgame and Tinymobi, developing successful mobile social and casino-style games. Earlier in his career, KK held executive positions including CEO roles at multiple organizations and regional leadership at Nabisco Asia.
In his role as CEO, KK will oversee BC.Game’s strategic direction, operational leadership, and financial performance, with a focus on scaling globally, expanding into regulated markets, and driving innovation in crypto gaming.
“BC.Game has built a strong global community by combining cutting-edge technology with engaging entertainment experiences,” KK stated. “With the rising adoption of crypto in online gaming, our focus will be on enhancing the platform, building trust, and strengthening our presence in licensed markets.”
BC.Game currently holds licenses in multiple jurisdictions, including Anjouan, Nigeria, Kenya, Mexico, and Tanzania, as part of its long-term strategy to expand into fully regulated markets worldwide. This appointment aligns with the company’s ambitions to grow its global footprint and strengthen compliance while delivering innovative gaming experiences.
The post BC.Game Names Kar Kheng Giam as CEO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ZEAL Network SE, Germany’s leading online lottery provider, closed 2025 with another year of robust double-digit growth.
Despite a weaker jackpot environment, the company significantly strengthened its core lottery business, accelerated diversification, and expanded its customer base—setting a solid foundation for long-term scalability.
The group delivered 16% revenue growth, reaching €218.5 million, while EBITDA rose 11% to €68.8 million. EBIT also climbed 12% to €60.1 million year over year. These results reinforce ZEAL’s strategic focus on building a multi-pillar digital entertainment ecosystem.
“At every level, our results confirm that our strategy works,” said Dr. Stefan Tweraser, CEO of ZEAL Network SE. “Expanding scalable products alongside our strong core lottery business increases resilience and positions us for ambitious future growth.”
CFO Andrea Behrendt highlighted continued investment in reducing jackpot dependence: “Our efforts create a sustainable and profitable growth structure.”
Core Lottery Business Continues to Lead Growth
ZEAL’s primary lottery brokerage remains its strongest revenue driver. Even with softer jackpot cycles:
- Monthly active users climbed 8% to a record 1.558 million.
- Lottery billings reached €1.1 billion, up 2%.
- Gross margin increased to 17.7%.
- Lottery-specific revenue surged 16% to €195.3 million.
These gains underline the brand’s ability to attract and retain large numbers of customers independent of jackpot volatility.
Dream House Raffle Becomes a Major Growth Pillar
The Traumhausverlosung (Dream House Raffle)—launched in 2024—has rapidly evolved into a strong secondary revenue stream. With guaranteed winners and high-appeal prize structures, the charity lottery generated:
- €38.9 million in billings across four draws in 2025.
This success demonstrates the value of proprietary lottery products that complement ZEAL’s core business and enhance market differentiation.
Games Segment Accelerates With Expanded Portfolio
ZEAL also posted substantial growth in its digital Games division. The company extended its catalog to 650+ games, adding 400 new titles and strengthening collaborations with leading game developers.
As a result:
- Games revenue increased 46%, reaching €14.4 million.
- Active user numbers rose sharply.
- Player protection remained a top priority, supported by AI-driven safeguards.
Customer Base Expansion Remains a Strategic Priority
ZEAL made targeted investments to grow its user base, acquiring 1.171 million new customers in 2025. As expected with aggressive acquisition:
- Customer acquisition cost (CPL) increased to €46.47.
- Marketing spending rose 20% to €68.6 million.
This investment is key to sustaining ZEAL’s long-term market position and unlocking additional cross-sell opportunities in games and charity lotteries.
2026 Outlook: Continued Growth and Diversification
Looking ahead to 2026, ZEAL aims to expand its German market leadership and scale its charitable lotteries freiheit+ and Traumhausverlosung, while continuing to strengthen its Games offering.
Forecasts for 2026 include:
- Revenue between €250–260 million
- EBITDA between €70–75 million
These projections already factor in increased investment to accelerate diversification and future-proof the business.
The post ZEAL Reports Strong Double-Digit Growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026
WinSpirit wins Best Online Casino in CEE at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026
Online casino brand WinSpirit has been announced as the winner in the Best Online Casino in CEE category at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 — a respected industry event celebrating excellence across the iGaming sector.
Since launching in mid-2022, WinSpirit has rapidly gained recognition for its dynamic approach to product development, creative marketing, and a genuine player-first philosophy. The brand stands out by successfully combining innovative features, high-quality entertainment, and strong focus on player experience.
Over the past year, WinSpirit has demonstrated impressive growth across key metrics, significantly expanding its loyal player base, VIP segment, and overall betting activity. The brand has also introduced unique interactive formats, enhanced its loyalty system with the real-time Gift Shop, and continued to invest in smart personalisation across the platform.
This award adds to WinSpirit’s growing list of international recognitions. The brand also maintains excellent player ratings across major review platforms, consistently receiving high marks for service quality and user experience.
With this latest victory, WinSpirit continues to solidify its reputation as one of the most dynamic and player-oriented online casinos in the industry — combining rapid growth with innovation and a clear focus on player satisfaction.
The post WinSpirit wins Best Online Casino in CEE at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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