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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.
Leading provider of virtual sports and Next Gen Casino content adds people and culture specialist to its growing senior team
Kiron Interactive, the award-winning provider of virtual sports and Next Gen Casino content, has named Prashika Rambaran Murugan as Head of People and Culture.
Murugan joins Kiron Interactive from SD Guthrie International, where she was Executive Manager for Human Resources. She’s also held senior HR roles at Mintek and Pernod Ricard.
Gaming is a new industry for Murugan, but her experience in human resources is unrivalled, with more than 17 years of progressive learning and development across multiple industries.
She has a proven track record in driving HR strategy, transformation and operations at both national and global levels, and is highly skilled in talent management, total rewards, HR analytics and employee benefits design.
Kiron will be able to leverage her skills and experience, as well as her strategic mindset, strong business acumen and a passion for people development and culture as it continues to scale at pace.
Steven Spartinos, Founder and Co-CEO at Kiron Interactive, said: “Prashika is a talented and passionate people and culture specialist, and we are delighted to be able to bring her experience and enthusiasm to Kiron Interactive.
“A company is nothing without its culture and its people, and in Prashika, we have someone who knows how to build an engaging and inclusive corporate environment, and how to ensure that every member of the team is happy and able to reach their full potential.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for Kiron Interactive as we pursue opportunities in markets across the world, and with Prashika onboard as our Head of People and Culture, we can continue to ensure we provide the absolute best experience for our people.”
Prashika Rambaran Murugan, Head of People and Culture at Kiron Interactive, added: “It’s an honour to join Kiron Interactive and to oversee the company’s culture and people.
“Kiron has already established a strong culture and thriving workforce, but I’m looking forward to taking this to the next level by tapping into my 15+ years of experience.
“I also believe that my experience outside of the gambling industry will bring a fresh perspective that Kiron can really benefit from.”
The post Kiron Interactive appoints Prashika Rambaran Murugan as Head of People and Culture appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
London-based video virtuals and instant win games specialist Highlight Games Limited today announces that its flagship products are now live online in Poland with the Fortuna Entertainment Group.
Highlight’s flagship soccer products which feature genuine archive footage from some of the biggest leagues and teams in football are now available to Fortuna’s online customers. Iterations of the product include Italian Football featuring Serie A, Spanish Football featuring LaLiga and English Football featuring English Premier League teams. Additional content featuring ATP Tennis, MotoGP and other premier associations will be launched in the near future.
Steven Holmes, CEO, Highlight Games said: ‘I’m delighted to announce that Highlight Games’ premium video virtuals are now live online in Poland with our valued partners at Fortuna. It’s always an exciting time as we introduce our award-winning products to new customers, and we look forward to bringing additional content to Fortuna’s channels in the future.’
Erik Klems, Group RNG Product Manager, Fortuna Entertainment Group added: ‘Highlight Games’ exclusive soccer games featuring archive video footage are an incredibly exciting addition to our virtual sports offering and we can’t wait for our online customers to enjoy them. Highlight Games’ reputation as an innovator in the virtual sports market is undeniable, and we’re delighted to be working with them to bring their content to Poland.’
The post HIGHLIGHT GAMES LIVE ONLINE WITH FORTUNA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ICONIC21 launches Stellar Fruits 20, the latest instalment in its Stellar Fruits series which combines classic slot gameplay with cosmic energy
Another star has joined the galaxy with ICONIC21’s latest slot release, Stellar Fruits 20. This is the second title in its Stellar Fruits series, which promises classic fruit action and cosmic energy.
Stellar Fruits 20 expands the Stellar Fruits universe with a title that brings simplicity, colour and excitement, catapulting players into a thrilling and rewarding orbit.
The game is set across five reels and three rows with 20 paylines active in the base game, offering smooth spins and fast-paced wins.
Players strap in and hold tight as the reels fire up and spin, with some high value symbols in play.
This includes fiery Red Seven that plays as the Wild, substituting for all other symbols to secure additional win combos and boost prizes.
Then there’s the Golden Scatter which shines from any position, delivering those out of this world wins that players are looking for – the max win potential for Stellar Fruits 20 is 1,000x.
Stellar Fruits 20 is the second game in the series and follows Stellar Fruits 40, which launched last month. There are four games in the series in total, with Stellar Fruits and Stellar Fruits 100 to come.
The main difference between each game is the number of paylines, which vary from 5 all the way up to 100 and impact the max win hit frequency of each title.
Edvardas Sadovskis, CPO at ICONIC21, said: “With Stellar Fruits 20, we’re taking players on another journey through our signature universe, this time with a faster-paced twist on the gameplay they already love.
“Stellar Fruits 40 showed us there’s strong appetite for classic-style slots with a modern edge and now we’re offering a version tailored for players who prefer an even more focused experience.
“This is just the next step in growing a series designed to entertain different player styles, and we’re excited to see where it takes us next.”
ICONIC21 has established itself as a leading iGaming content provider after recently expanding its offering beyond its core live game portfolio to include slots, crash, promo tools and more.
This has seen the provider pick up five nominations at the up-coming EGR B2B Awards.
The post Another star lands in the Stellar Fruits galaxy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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