Press Releases
UK Gambling Commission guidance in light of COVID-19 outbreak
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to impact daily life in Great Britain, like many of you, the Commission is following Public Health England guidance and we have told all staff to work from home until further notice.
We recognise these unprecedented circumstances will be having a significant impact on businesses and many will be facing uncertain and unsettling times. The Commission has a well-practised and comprehensive Business Continuity Plan, which we have invoked with the intention of minimising the impact on our regulatory work and the advice and services we provide.
A number of operators have already contacted us to alert us to the challenges they face and seek our advice about how to respond. We realise that the unprecedented changes to daily life, and in some cases, financial uncertainty, will create challenges for your business. The changes will also increase the risks to some individuals, which means that despite the fact that these are challenging times we must all continue to protect consumers.
Here you can find information about how the Commission will be operating during this time, along with important reminders about how you should continue to protect consumers.
COVID -19 – A reminder to operators
First and foremost, we expect all our licensees to follow the applicable Public Health guidance. Where facilities for gambling are being offered we expect all our licensees to ensure that they have sufficient management, staffing and oversight in place to maintain compliance with the LCCP that apply to their licences.
Fees and applications
Our expectation remains that licensees ensure the maintenance of sufficient management, staffing and oversight in order to uphold the licensing objectives. Licensees should assess their ability to maintain compliance with the LCCP and consider voluntary partial or full suspension of their offerings should compliance not be achievable and until such time that a fully compliant service can be offered.
Unfortunately, due to the way that our fee system is structured we don’t have the ability to reduce fees.
We are also unable to fast track applications. We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any changes to our expectations accordingly.
A reminder specifically for online operators
The social distancing measures that are being put in place will mean that more people will be at home and we would like to remind online operators that they must continue to act responsibly, especially in regards to individual customer affordability and increased social responsibility interactions.
As a reminder, we expect licensees to:
- Assess individual affordability on an ongoing basis – customers may be experiencing disrupted income. (Social Responsibility code 3.4 refers to our guidance – ‘Customer interaction- formal guidance for remote gambling operators’ )
- Increase social responsibility interactions and intervene where customers are showing signs of gambling related harm
- Onboard new customers in a socially responsible way and not exploit the current situation for marketing purposes
- Refresh the information they have on customers regularly
- Review the levels which trigger interaction for AML and SR
- Ensure that your gambling products have been tested by a test house before they are released to the market.
Source: UKGC
Psiclone Games and Playtech-built title features three Free Spins modifiers, including expanding reels, sliding wilds and jackpots up to 500x bet.
PokerStars Casino has released Skullapalooza as the fifth game in its 2026 The Slotlist series, making the title the featured slot on the operator’s Casino tab for the month.
Skullapalooza is developed by Psiclone Games and Playtech. The game’s core hook is a Free Spins system built around three “Skull” features that can be triggered individually or in combination: expanding reels, jackpot accumulators and stacked sliding wilds.
According to the company, players can land different coloured gems to randomly trigger one or more Free Spins variants. Pink gems may trigger Free Games with Expanding Reels, blue gems may add Sliding Wilds, and purple gems may activate pots with a grand prize of up to 500x total bet. The company said all three variants can be active at once.
“The Slotlist is designed to spotlight games that deliver a well-rounded player experience, combining innovative features, striking visuals, and immersive gameplay”, said Ed Fogarty, Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial. “Skullapalooza embodies all these qualities, and we’re thrilled to feature it prominently in The Slotlist this month.”
Skullapalooza joins earlier 2026 Slotlist picks including Baozang Empire of Plenty, Magnificent Power Leprechaun, and 12 Burning Baseballs.
The post PokerStars Casino adds Skullapalooza as fifth 2026 Slotlist pick appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Governor Hobbs signs SB 1671; new budget sets $4M spend authority plus $500K a year from event wagering funds.
The Arizona Department of Gaming has secured a six-year continuation after Governor Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1671, following the 2026 legislative session that adjourned June 12, 2026. The continuation also covers the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission and the Arizona Racing Commission.
The Department said SB 1671 affirms its authority to regulate tribal gaming, event wagering and fantasy sports, horse racing and simulcast wagering, and boxing and mixed martial arts.
In parallel, the Department said Senate Bill 1847 and the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget expand expenditure authority for its Division of Problem Gambling. The budget authorizes $4,000,000 in total spending for the Division, which the agency said is a 20% increase from FY26.
The Department also said the legislature granted an annual $500,000 expenditure authority to use Event Wagering funds to support problem gambling, and that the Division will have grant oversight authority for the first time.
“Arizona first established the Department of Gaming in 1995 – and more than thirty years later, we remain excited about world-class regulation benefiting the entire state,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “I’m grateful to Governor Hobbs and leaders in the state legislature, particularly continuation bill sponsor State Senator Shawnna Bolick, who thoroughly reviewed our agency with a deep commitment to public service, and I am pleased that the Department secured its continuation, which will allow us to strengthen our focus points in robust consumer protection and integrity.”
“The new state budget will strengthen longstanding investments in problem gambling assistance made possible through partnerships with Arizona’s Tribal Nations and the Arizona Lottery,” said Elise Mikkelsen. “We continue to see strong demand from individuals and families seeking information, resources, and treatment for gambling-related harm. This increased funding will help us expand the continuum of care and ensure more Arizonans have access to effective, inclusive, and timely support.”
The post Arizona extends Gaming Department for six years; problem gambling budget rises 20% appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Ed Fogarty Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial
Time to Fiesta with PokerStars Casino’s Latest The Slotlist Pick ‘Skullapalooza’ from Psiclone Games and Playtech
PokerStars Casino has unveiled the fifth game release in its 2026 The Slotlist series, Skullapalooza, a vibrant, high-energy slot game which brings a Mexican fiesta to life, combining bold visuals with layered mechanics.
Developed by Psiclone Games and Playtech, Skullapalooza offers classic slot action combined with a dynamic Free Spins system built around three distinct Skull features, allowing players to trigger and combine expanding reels, Jackpot accumulators, and stacked sliding wilds for enhanced gameplay depth and variety.
Players land different coloured gems on reels to randomly trigger one or more of the Free Spins Skulls. Pink gems might trigger Free Games with Expanding Reels; Blue gems might come with Sliding Wilds; and Purple gems might activate pots with a grand prize of up to 500x total bet. All three variants can be active at once for the ultimate Free Games experience.
The Slotlist curates a single headline slot game on the PokerStars Casino tab each month, hand-picked for its creativity, visual appeal, and engaging gameplay. PokerStars Casino continues to offer the broadest and most exciting selection of new slot releases every month.
“The Slotlist is designed to spotlight games that deliver a well-rounded player experience, combining innovative features, striking visuals, and immersive gameplay”, said Ed Fogarty, Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial. “Skullapalooza embodies all these qualities, and we’re thrilled to feature it prominently in The Slotlist this month.”
Skullapalooza is now available to play on PokerStars Casino, joining titles such as Baozang Empire of Plenty, Magnificent Power Leprechaun, and 12 Burning Baseballs as part of The Slotlist’s standout picks for 2026.
For more information about PokerStars Casino The Slotlist visit the website.
The post Time to Fiesta with PokerStars Casino’s Latest The Slotlist Pick ‘Skullapalooza’ from Psiclone Games and Playtech appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoDutch Gambling Trade Association Sues Meta Over Illegal Gambling Ads
-
BetWarrior7 days ago
Kambi Group Extends its Partnership with BetWarrior
-
Amusnet7 days ago
Amusnet Strengthens its Position Among Bulgaria’s Leading Employers in ICAP CRIF Ranking
-
Australia7 days ago
Feedback Sought on How Public Lotteries are Run in NSW
-
Asia6 days ago
PhilWeb Secures ₱2.02 Billion Strategic Investment from Lance Y. Gokongwei to Accelerate AI-Driven Technology Expansion
-
3 Oaks Gaming5 days ago
3 Oaks Gaming releases Joker Glitz x1000 slot with stacked multipliers
-
adtech6 days ago
PropellerAds says Social Traffic lifts game registrations 34.5% in Nigeria test
-
Africa6 days ago
BGaming signs PlaylogiQ distribution deal to grow Africa reach
